47th Caricom Heads of Government Meeting: Regional bloc reaffirms support for Guyana, ICJ resolution in Venezuela border controversy

Regional bloc reaffirms support for Guyana, ICJ resolution in Venezuela Border controversy
During the recently concluded 47th Caribbean Community (CAricom) Heads of Government Meeting in St. George’s Grenada, the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy and the Venezuelan military buildup on the border, was one of the issues raised, resulting in the regional bloc expressing its support for Guyana.
Earlier this year, Venezuela has been building up its military presence near Ankoko Island and Guyana’s border. This buildup has included them sending troops and equipment, including tanks. They also built a bridge in May of this year, linking Venezuela with their occupied half of Ankoko Island.
A Caricom communique addressed these matters, specifically, Guyana’s concern that this military buildup poses a threat to regional peace and security.
“They noted that despite the 1 December 2023 Order of Provisional Measures made by the International Court of Justice and the Joint Declaration of Argyle for Dialogue and Peace between Guyana and Venezuela, and agreed by the parties on 14 December 2023, with support from Caricom and CELAC, Venezuela continued its aggressive posture towards Guyana.”

“They noted that following the promulgation of the organic law by the Government of Venezuela on 3 April 2024 to annex more than two-thirds of Guyana’s territory, Guyana brought this matter to the attention of the United Nations Security Council which reminded both parties that they were obligated to comply with the Order of the Court,” the communique said.

Caricom also took note of where both sides currently were in the case before the International Court of Justice. According to the communique, CARICOM reiterated its support not only for the ICJ to resolve the matter, but also for the sovereignty and territory of Guyana to be maintained.
“Heads welcomed the submission by Venezuela on 8 April 2024, of its Counter-Memorial to the Court and the Court Order dated 14 June 2024, authorising the submission of a Reply by Guyana on 9 December 2024 and a Rejoinder by Venezuela on 11 August 2025,” CARICOM said in the communique.
“They reiterated their continued support for the International Court of Justice, which has accepted jurisdiction over the controversy, to resolve it fully and finally using its binding legal Judgment. They reaffirmed CARICOM’s unswerving support for the maintenance and preservation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana.”
The case is currently before the ICJ, with Guyana and Venezuela given until December 9, 2024, and August 11, 2025, respectively, to make a second round of written submissions. While both sides had agreed that a second round of written pleadings was necessary, the two sides differed on the period to submit them.
Guyana had proposed six months from April, while Venezuela had requested 12 months. Venezuela had claimed that the 12-month period was necessary given the case’s complexity. This, however, was despite the ICJ’s procedural rules which generally favor shorter time limits. Guyana’s side argued that this request was excessive.
The case has been before the ICJ since it was brought there in 2018 by Guyana, after the United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Antonio Guterres forwarded the case to the world court, as per the procedure adumbrated in the Geneva Agreement. The Secretary-General chose the ICJ as the means to resolve the controversy legally, in keeping with the dispute mechanism outlined by Art 33 of the UN Charter.
Guyana submitted its memorial in March 2022, with Venezuela given until April 2024 to submit its own counter-memorial. It did so on the very last day. This came after two attempts by Venezuela to challenge the court’s jurisdiction to hear the matter, had been overturned.