President Irfaan Ali says Guyana is hoping that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will deliver its ruling in the border controversy with Venezuela early next year, while maintaining that this country is prepared for any reaction from Caracas.
Ali made the statement during a wide-ranging interview aired yesterday on Al Jazeera’s Talk to Al Jazeera.
The President expressed confidence in Guyana’s case concerning the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the boundary between British Guiana and Venezuela.
He said the political rhetoric from Venezuela had declined substantially following the change in leadership in Caracas. However, he acknowledged President Delcy Rodríguez’s position that Venezuela would not accept the court’s judgment.
Ali said Guyana was conscious of that position and was prepared for any eventuality after the ruling.
The case was instituted by Guyana in March 2018 after then United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres referred the controversy to the ICJ. Guyana is seeking confirmation that the 1899 award remains valid and binding.
Venezuela has maintained that the controversy should be resolved through direct negotiations under the 1966 Geneva Agreement and has repeatedly rejected the court’s jurisdiction, although it is participating in the proceedings.
Guyana considers the ICJ process the only lawful and definitive means of settling the controversy.
Ali said that after the court rendered its decision, Guyana and Venezuela would have to work towards putting the controversy behind them and building a relationship in which both countries could pursue their economic development without fear.
US support
The President also rejected the suggestion that Washington’s recent re-engagement with Caracas had sidelined Guyana.
He described the United States as an important ally and said Washington had consistently supported Guyana’s position on the border controversy.
Ali said US support was based on principle and fact and he did not believe Washington would change its position.
The President also pointed to Guyana’s membership in the Shield of the Americas initiative and said the US was playing an important role in coordinating regional security.
His statements came against the background of expanded security cooperation between Georgetown and Washington and increased US involvement in Venezuela.
Qatar ties
Ali also identified Qatar as an important partner for Guyana, both as a possible source of investment and as a model for managing resource wealth and diversifying the economy.
He pointed to similarities in the size of the two countries’ populations and Qatar’s experience in using energy revenue to create new economic opportunities.
Stabroek News reported in September 2023 that Guyana and Qatar had signed agreements covering investment protection and economic, commercial and technical cooperation.
QatarEnergy subsequently became part of a consortium with TotalEnergies and Petronas which was awarded an offshore petroleum agreement by Guyana.
Ali said Caribbean countries should consider investments outside the region to diversify their revenue sources and create financially viable opportunities.
The President again defended Guyana’s decision to expand petroleum production while promoting itself as an environmental leader.
He argued that Guyana needed revenue from oil to finance sea defences, drainage, irrigation and flood protection, particularly given the country’s vulnerability to climate change.
Ali said the government had not retreated from its Low Carbon Development Strategy or its international environmental commitments.
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