Guyana’s Agent before the International Court of Justice, Carl Greenidge, says the Court is expected to hand down a final ruling on the Guyana–Venezuela border controversy by early 2027 at the latest, despite recent political developments in Caracas.
Greenidge’s comments come against the backdrop of the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. He said the situation in Venezuela is unlikely to impact the substance or timing of the case.
“…the immediate impacts are likely to be negligible in the short and medium term,” Greenidge said in a comment exclusively to OilNOW. “Whether or not the composition of Venezuela’s Executive changes, the ICJ case is not likely to be affected.”
He explained that the Court does not adjust its procedures in response to changes in governments and that Guyana will continue to prosecute the case unless Venezuela formally withdraws its claim.
“In any event, the case is in its final stages,” he said. “Only one additional round of oral hearings is due to be heard over the coming months before the Court announces its decision.”
Greenidge added, “The decisions and related orders are due in early 2027, latest.”
His comments build on earlier remarks to OilNOW in which he expressed confidence that the matter could be concluded without unnecessary delay, noting that the issues before the Court are “clear-cut” and have already been extensively ventilated.
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The case centers on the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the land boundary between Guyana and Venezuela. Venezuela accepted that boundary for decades before declaring the award null and void in 1962 and laying claim to more than two-thirds of Guyana’s territory in the Essequibo.
“At the Court, it now remains for the two parties to present to the judges their final oral presentations after which the Court will hand down its verdict,” Greenidge said.
