GUYANA-VENEZUELA BORDER DISPUTE UPDATE

The Government of Guyana has been formally informed by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that Venezuela has filed its Rejoinder, the final written document in the ongoing border controversy over the 1899 Arbitral Award.
The move means the ICJ now has all the written arguments from both countries. The Court will next set dates for oral hearings once its summer break ends. After those hearings, judges will deliberate before delivering a ruling that will be final and legally binding on both sides.
This case centres on Venezuela’s claim that the 1899 Arbitral Award, which fixed the boundary between then British Guiana and Venezuela, is invalid. Guyana, which inherited those boundaries at independence, insists the award is legitimate and recognised under international law.
With the exchange of written pleadings now complete, the matter moves one step closer to a historic conclusion. The ICJ is now finally able to prepare for the final stage of the proceedings.