Pres Ali, UN SG discuss border controversy case, developments in South Caribbean Sea

As he continues to have high-level engagements with world leaders in New York, President Dr Irfaan Ali recently met with the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres, during which they had discussions on a number of topics, including the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy case and recent developments in the South Caribbean Sea.

The Guyanese Head of State had travelled to the United States to attend the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) being held this week in New York.
On Thursday, the UN Secretary-General met with President Ali and congratulated him on his recent re-election for a second term in office and wished him continued success in the fantastic progress happening in Guyana.
“They discussed recent developments in the region, including in the South Caribbean Sea. They also exchanged views on artificial intelligence, gender equality, and Guyana’s initiatives for forest and biodiversity conservation,” a brief statement from the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General detailed.
Moreover, it was noted that the Secretary-General commended Guyana on the robust and principled contribution in the UN Security Council.
According to the Guyanese leader in a Facebook post about the meeting, he also briefed Secretary-General Guterres on the border controversy case with Venezuela that is currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
“President Ali updated the Secretary General on the situation with Venezuela, in particular, the ICJ case on the border controversy, which is expected to be heard in a few months,” the Head of State said.
Only earlier this week during his address to the UN General Assembly, President Ali declared that Guyana will not buckle to any coercion or intimidation in the face of persistent aggression from its Spanish-speaking neighbour.
“For us, the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference are not negotiable. We will not cower to coercion, intimidation, or unilateral action,” President Ali said on Wednesday at the 80th UN General Assembly in New York.

Border dispute case
Guyana has filed a case at the World Court, seeking a final and binding settlement of the 1899 Arbitral Award that demarcates the boundaries with Venezuela. But despite the matter pending before the World Court, Venezuela continues with its aggressive tactic towards Guyana as Caracas pushes its spurious claims of more than two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass.
President Ali said during Wednesday’s address that, “Guyana, a small and peaceful state, has endured repeated threats and aggression from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.”
This, according to the Guyanese leader, is even after the ICJ has affirmed its jurisdiction to hear the border controversy case twice already and had also issued provisional measures back in 2023, ordering Venezuela to refrain from altering the status quo.
“Yet, Venezuela persists with unilateral laws and threats of annexation, flagrantly violating international law, the UN Charter, and the very principles that sustain global order,” he stated.
Nevertheless, President Ali went on to reassure of Guyana’s commitment to adhering to the international rule of law and the legal process before the world court.
“If the rights of a small state can be trampled upon and legally binding orders ignored, what protection remains for any nation under international law? Yet, Guyana continues to repose confidence in international law,” the Head of State noted.
The Guyanese leader went on to use the global platform to express gratitude to all of Guyana’s international partners and allies for their solidarity.
Guyana has enjoyed the support of many countries and organisations around the world, including the 56-member Commonwealth and the Organisation of American States (OAS), for its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In addition to claiming more than two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass – the resource-rich Essequibo region – Venezuela is also laying claims to a portion of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), where over 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe) have been found and production as well as other exploration activities are currently being undertaken offshore Guyana.
After years of failed good offices processes through the United Nations and based on the recommendation of the UN Secretary General, Guyana approached the ICJ in March 2018, seeking a final and binding settlement of the 1899 Arbitral Award that determined the boundary between the two South American neighbours.
Guyana has already filed two written pleadings on the merits of the case, and Venezuela has also filed two – the last being in August 2025. Oral hearings are expected in the first half of 2026, following which the Court will deliberate on the case and issue its final Judgement on the Merits, which will be binding on the parties.
Guyana has pledged to accept the World Court’s judgement, whatever it might be.
Even with the ICJ ordering Venezuela to not take any actions that would alter Guyana’s control of its territory, and the two South American neighbours being forced to sign the historic Argyle Declaration – a December 2023 peace pact – Venezuela continues to use aggressive tactics against Guyana, including the illegal elections.
Meanwhile, on the side-lines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York, President Ali has been engaging several world leaders, including the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and attended a number of events, such as a reception hosted by the Guyanese Diaspora in New York and a luncheon organised by the Clinton Global Initiative.