The International Court of Justice hasn’t yet laid any judgment on this ongoing border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela.
The beauty contest organized by the authorities of Venezuela involved a contestant from Guyana Esequiba (ESSEQUIBO) as well. Venezuela beauty pageant has been recognized internationally for its history, wise competition and the making of beautiful winners.
After that, the controversial descision by Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro made in December 2023 became again in the attention. He held a vote to establish a state called “Guayana Esequiba” in the disputed area, which the world sees as part of Guyana.
The global leaders has spoken out against the vote and what followed, calling it a breach of international rules and an effort to weaken Guyana’s control over its land.
Meanwhile, actions such as Venezuela’s beauty pageant, including Essequibo, have only added fuel to the confusion.
President Irfaan Ali also opened up about this issue in his September address to the United Nations General Assembly. He asserted that Guyana would remain reliant on International Law and its resources in the resolution of the border dispute with the neighboring country, Venezuela.
Addressing the leaders of the world who gathered in a UN session in New York, he said Guyana had viewed Venezuela as a threat since independence. This was because it had always maintained its position that the conflict should be resolved without war
The president also stated that “International law and its strict application have been a shield, and the people are determined to protect themselves from this aggression.”
Additionally, he stated, “We remind this august Assembly that the border between Guyana and Venezuela was fully, finally and perfectly settled in an 1899 award by an international tribunal”.
He said that Venezuela was fully represented in that tribunal, the award which it celebrated in its own Congress and welcomed for over 60 years. It was before reopening the question on the eve of Guyana’s independence in an effort to claim two-thirds of our land.
Guyana also submitted a petition regarding the border controversy to the International Court of Justice (the ICJ) to get a clear and final settlement in the agreement with the United Nations Secretary-General.
The International Court of Justice hasn’t released any judgment on this ongoing issue.
Venezuela has asked Guyana to withdraw the case from the International Court of Justice. At the same time, Venezuela wants to sort these issues by dialogue. Nevertheless, with respect to this method, President Ali and his team do not agree. They say these talks have not been productive for years. So, they will continue searching for solutions in international courts for this.
