ICJ can decide, who will enforce

May 17, 2026 Features / Columnists, The GHK Lall Column

Hard Truths by GHK Lall

(Kaieteur News) – For sheer drama, Venezuela’s Delcy Rodriguez imitated Guyana’s Irfaan Ali. Put in an appearance. Make a speech. Deliver a performance. Send a message. Quite a few, when the descendants of Spaniards took the reverse trip to the Dutch Netherlands. The intricacies of what world powers left in their march through history and territory.

President Rodriguez showed the world that she herself is an actress. Fallout from being close to neighbors, whose leader has made acting his signature attribute. Message One: America has control of Venezuela. But Venezuela will never give up on getting control of two-thirds of Guyana by crook or court. The court is out. Message Number Two: America has the 300 billion barrels of oil. Now it’s a matter of biding time. At 79 years old, that clock ticks more rapidly. Plus, the ravages of all those highwire acts shorten whatever span is left. Or stuns it. While the U.S. has the winner’s hand in Venezuela, even engage in the loose talk of 51^st State, Venezuela still has its unclaimed consolation prize: two-thirds of endlessly and mysteriously wealthy Guyana. The mystery is of how much, and how many different veins and gems are still undiscovered. The U.S. can dream of having its 51^st State. Venezuela has its own dreams, and they may be old, but they are not of old men living in twilight zones. In a vital, still powerful nation, though weakened and hobbled, there’s still the Guyana Dream. Undoubtedly, Senora Delcy’s hand represents a slender, balancing, precarious tripwire act. She must be all things to all people in her sphere of influence. And those who influence her every move, every posture. From presidents to generals to rivals.

Message Number Three: the land hawks and warlords in Venezuela are stooping to conquer. In other words, going along to get along. They know their present limitations. President Rodriguez must appease Washington, hold together the allies that mustered to her side, and keep the generals and admirals pacified. It is a waiting game, that so-called long game. America could be gone in time; at least a less demanding footprint. Guyana isn’t going anywhere. It is also divided, poorly led, with plenty of hollow bravado, less brains. Patience and wisdom. Work the court. Work the domestic crowd. Work on the mind of America.

Message Number Four: though the jurisdiction of the ICJ is of no account to Venezuela, it has its uses as a forum to broadcast Venezuela’s position to the world. Grab the opening, seize the moment, rattle some [different] sabers, and present cards. Deliberate and adjudicate to whatever degree pleases. Who is going to enforce whatever is finalized? It was President Andrew Jackson, who once famously said seven years short of two centuries: “John Marshall [chief justice] has made his decision; now let him enforce it.” I think that Delcy Rodriguez, with the backing of her hostile and impatient compatriots have made that their unspoken stand, the stand. The odds favor. Venezuelan history indicates resisting, and working with, US imperialism. Chavez-Maduro regimes proved the limits of resistance. Delcy and comrades have drawn in the Americans. A US$40 trillion oil feast, plus more.

The issues now center on how long Guyana can hold and hold onto what. Guyana’s near total dependency on America leaves it subject to the commands of the special relationship. Reality. Saying no is out. In Caracas, U.S. dominance wields significant influence. I see a meeting of minds. Give up something to get something. Land for peace. Riches relinquished, but still be rich (with promise). Venezuela has been pushing that position. Not a blade of grass and hands-off Essequibo inspire grand passions. If America distances from that rigid posture, Guyana’s is a losing hand. When the jawboning and knocking of heads are done, Guyana could find itself alone and short of land and treasure. Delcy Rodriguez’s travels and messages made that clear. No yielding. Circumstances coalescing. Guyanese must understand how superpowers operate. Their own interests always, not those of special friends.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

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Delcy Rodriguez, Essequibo, GHK Lall, ICJ, Venezuela

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