‘Guyana will abide by ICJ ruling on Venezuela border’

(Kaieteur News) – President Irfaan Ali told the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Thursday that Guyana will abide by the International Court of Justice ruling on the border controversy with Venezuela and urged the Bolivarian Republic to do the same.

Ali made this statement hours after Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez in her address to the assembly spoke of country’s desire to return to the negotiation table rather than rely on the court’s decision.

In his address, President Ali noted that Guyana has always advanced the peaceful settlement of the controversy. “Despite the historical truth – clearly outlined in the Arbitral Award of 1899 that determined the full, perfect and final settlement of our border with Venezuela, we endured long and repeated provocations and aggression. The matter was referred to the International Court of Justice by the Secretary General, acting pursuant to the Geneva Agreement, and the Court twice pronounced on its jurisdiction to hear the matter,” Ali told the UNGA.