ICJ concludes day two of Guyana-Venezuela border hearings

May 7 2026

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Wednesday concluded the second day of oral hearings in the case concerning the 1899 Arbitral Award between Guyana and Venezuela at the Peace Palace in The Hague.

The proceedings form part of the merits phase of the case, during which both countries are presenting legal arguments on the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award that established the land boundary between the two nations.

According to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Guyana, during its submissions on May 4, asked the court to affirm the legal validity and binding effect of the Award, arguing that it constituted a “full, perfect and final settlement” of the boundary issue under international law.

Guyana also maintained that Venezuela recognised and implemented the boundary determined by the Award for more than 60 years before later challenging it. The Government further argued that Venezuela’s claim to the territory west of the Essequibo River has no legal basis.

During its presentation on Wednesday, Venezuela challenged both the jurisdiction of the court and the validity of the Award, claiming it resulted from fraud and collusion during the colonial period.

Venezuela also argued that the 1966 Geneva Agreement replaced the 1899 Award and provides the framework for resolving the controversy through negotiations rather than judicial settlement.

The Ministry said Guyana had already addressed what it described as serious flaws in Venezuela’s arguments during its earlier presentations.

The hearings are expected to continue with a second round of arguments, with Guyana scheduled to present its rebuttal on Friday, May 8, and Venezuela expected to deliver its final submissions on Monday, May 11.

The ICJ will then deliberate before issuing a final judgment, which will be legally binding on both parties. According to the Ministry, the court’s ruling is not expected until the end of the year.