Venezuela Rejects ICJ Jurisdiction Over Essequibo Dispute at The Hague
On May 11, 2026, Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodríguez appeared personally at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague to formally reject the court's jurisdiction regarding the territorial dispute with Guyana over the Essequibo region. Rodríguez characterized the 1899 arbitration award, which established current borders, as a historical fraud and asserted that the 1966 Geneva Agreement mandates direct bilateral negotiations as the sole valid legal framework. The disputed territory spans approximately 160,000 square kilometers, encompassing two-thirds of Guyana and containing significant oil reserves exploited by an ExxonMobil-led consortium. Despite European Union sanctions typically restricting her travel, Rodríguez’s presence marked a notable diplomatic engagement. She urged a return to dialogue under the Caracas-Georgetown Argyle Agreement of 2023, framing the issue as one of historical morality rather than mere economic interest. Venezuela argues that Guyana cannot inherit titles from the United Kingdom, which it claims never held legitimate sovereignty. This move reinforces Caracas's long-standing position against international judicial intervention in the conflict.
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