Guyana has brought the Essequibo boundary controversy with Venezuela before the International Court of Justice
Background
The United Nations says of the disputed Essequibo region that it "since 1899 has functioned as a territory administered by Guyana but is claimed by Venezuela".
Before the matter reached court it was handled through the Good Offices process of the United Nations Secretary-General, who appointed a Personal Representative on the border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela.
Guyana then filed its Application instituting proceedings at the International Court of Justice in 2018, and the case is on the Court's list as Arbitral Award of 3 October 1899 (Guyana v. Venezuela).
The Court has ruled at three stages. It delivered its Judgment of 18 December 2020 on the Jurisdiction of the Court; it delivered its Judgment of 6 April 2023 on the preliminary objection raised by Venezuela; and by its Order of 1 December 2023 the Court indicated provisional measures, an Order it later considered again on a request for modification.
The case then went to the merits. Guyana filed its Memorial of Guyana on the merits, Venezuela filed a Counter-Memorial and a Rejoinder, and public hearings on the merits were held at the Peace Palace, concluding with the Conclusion of the public hearings on the merits held from Monday 4 to Monday 11 May 2026.
In plain words
provisional measures provisional measures — Interim orders the International Court of Justice can make to protect the rights of a party while a case is still being heard.
preliminary objection preliminary objection — An objection a respondent State raises to stop a case before the merits are argued, usually on jurisdiction or admissibility.
Good Offices Good Offices process — A United Nations method of helping two states settle a dispute through a representative of the Secretary-General, without a binding ruling.
Peace Palace Peace Palace — The building at The Hague that houses the International Court of Justice and its public sittings.