THE long-standing border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela will enter a decisive phase today, as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) begins public hearings on the merits of the case concerning the 1899 Arbitral Award.
The hearings, which will be held at the Peace Palace in The Hague, The Netherlands, are scheduled to run from May 4 to May 11, 2026, and will see both countries presenting their oral arguments on the merits before the court. This stage represents a critical turning point in the proceedings, moving beyond preliminary objections into the substantive examination of the case, which is widely regarded as one of the most significant legal proceedings in Guyana’s history.
At the centre of the case is the validity of the Arbitral Award of October 3, 1899, which established the boundary between what was then British Guiana and Venezuela. The controversy dates back decades, with Venezuela formally rejecting the award in 1962 after having accepted it for many years. Guyana initiated proceedings before the ICJ on March 29, 2018, seeking a final and peaceful resolution to the controversy in accordance with international law. Since then, the case has progressed through several stages, including written submissions and preliminary objections raised by Venezuela.
In 2020, the court confirmed that it has jurisdiction to hear the case, and in 2023 it dismissed Venezuela’s preliminary objections, allowing the proceedings to advance to the merits stage. With the written phase now complete, the oral hearings mark the first time both sides will present their comprehensive legal arguments in open court before the panel of judges.
The ICJ has already ruled twice on its jurisdiction in the matter, first on December 18, 2020, and again on April 6, 2023, both times affirming its authority to hear and determine the case. The court also rejected Venezuela’s objections, confirming that it could proceed to consider the substantive issues raised by Guyana.
In addition, the ICJ has issued provisional measures aimed at preserving the status quo while the case is pending. Most recently, in its December 2023 Order, the Court directed Venezuela to refrain from any action that would alter the current situation in the disputed territory, where Guyana exercises administration and control.
The hearings will unfold over several days, with each country presenting two rounds of oral arguments.
Guyana is expected to open the proceedings today with its first round of presentations, followed by Venezuela later in the week.
According to the court’s schedule, Guyana will open the proceedings on Monday, May 4, with its first round of oral arguments from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and again from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Venezuela will then present its first round of arguments on Wednesday, May 6, during the same time slots of 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The second round of oral arguments will follow on Friday, May 8, when Guyana will present from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., while Venezuela will conclude the hearings on Monday, May 11, also from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
While the outcome of the case carries profound implications for Guyana’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and economic future, the Government of Guyana has said it is approaching the hearings with “full confidence in the strength of its case,” grounded in historical evidence and established principles of international law. The proceedings are expected to bring the decades-old controversy closer to a final judicial determination.
