Latest update September 18th, 2026 10:25 AM
Guyana has “full confidence” in border case before ICJ
…as public hearings on merit of case begin Monday
(Kaieteur News) – The government of Guyana on Friday said that it has “full confidence” in its case against Venezuela that will be heard from Monday, May 4, 2026 to Monday, May 11, 2026 at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The ICJ will hold public hearings in the case concerning the Arbitral Award of 3rd October, 1899 (Guyana v. Venezuela), at the Peace Palace, in The Hague, the seat of the Court.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on Friday explained that the hearings are “devoted to the merits of the case”.
“Guyana approaches these hearings with full confidence in the strength of its case, which is supported by the historical record and the applicable legal principles relating to the binding nature of arbitral awards, the sanctity of treaties, the respect for the rule of law and the stability of boundaries.”
On March 29, 2018, Guyana filed an Application instituting proceedings against Venezuela concerning the legal validity and binding effect of the Award regarding the Boundary between the Colony of British Guiana and the United States of Venezuela, of 3rd October, 1899.
Guyana approached the ICJ to confirm the validity of the internationally recognized boundary, which was determined by the Award and by a 1905 boundary agreement with Venezuela that adhered strictly to the unanimous decision rendered by the Arbitral Tribunal.
“The ICJ has twice affirmed its jurisdiction in this matter, in Judgements issued on 18th December, 2020 and 6th April, 2023. The Court has issued two Orders, both indicating provisional measures, which Guyana had requested, to prevent Venezuela from interfering with Guyana’s lawful control and administration of the territory that is the subject of the controversy while the judicial proceedings are still pending,” the ministry said.
The schedule for the hearings is as follows:
Monday May 4, 2026 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.: First round of oral argument (Guyana)
3 p.m. – 6 p.m.: First round of oral argument (Guyana)
Wednesday May 6, 2026 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.: First round of oral argument (Venezuela)
3 p.m. – 6 p.m.: First round of oral argument (Venezuela)
Friday May 8, 2026 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.: Second round of oral argument (Guyana)
Monday May 11, 2026 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.: Second round of oral argument (Venezuela)
The hearings will be streamed live and on demand (VOD), in English and French, on the Court’s website, on the section of the Journal of the United Nations dedicated to the ICJ and on UN Web TV.
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