Guyana urges Venezuela at UN to respect ICJ's ruling on Essequibo region

Guyanese President Irfaan Ali implored Venezuela to respect the International Court of Justice's upcoming decision on the disputed Essequibo region, a region rich in oil that Venezuela has long claimed. The territory, a source of contention between the two South American nations since the 19th century, covers more than two-thirds of Guyana's territory.

The International Court of Justice has been hearing the case but has not yet issued a ruling. Despite presenting its position in The Hague, Venezuela does not acknowledge the court's authority. Guyana, a small English-speaking nation east of Venezuela, contends that the border, established in 1899 by a Paris-based Arbitration Tribunal, should be affirmed by the ICJ.

However, Venezuela insists the border must be renegotiated according to an agreement signed by the United Kingdom in 1966. Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodriguez urged Guyana to return to negotiations during her UN address, wearing a brooch shaped like a Venezuelan map with the Essequibo territory.