Venezuela Arrives at ICJ for Esequibo Defense
Venezuela’s delegation arrived in the Netherlands to defend the country’s position before the ICJ in the ongoing Esequibo territorial dispute.
Venezuela’s delegation arrived in the Netherlands ahead of a new ICJ hearing on the territorial dispute over the Guayana Esequiba region. Photo: Venezuelan Presidential Press
May 11, 2026 Hour: 2:10 am
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Delcy Rodríguez will lead Venezuela’s legal and technical defense in the Esequibo territorial dispute.
Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodríguez arrived in the Netherlands on Sunday to lead the country’s legal and technical delegation before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in a new hearing over the territorial dispute concerning the Guayana Esequiba region.
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The hearing, scheduled for Monday, will address the long-standing controversy surrounding the nearly 160,000-square-kilometer territory claimed by both Venezuela and Guyana. Venezuelan representatives are expected to challenge the court’s jurisdiction over the case brought by Guyana.
Rodríguez arrived alongside the Venezuelan delegation and was received at the airport by Phyllis Dreischor, Project Officer for High-Level Visits and Events at the Dutch Foreign Ministry.
Text Reads: This Sunday, Acting President Delcy Rodríguez reaffirmed the nation’s historical position regarding the territorial dispute over the Esequibo region, emphasizing that Venezuela is the sole legitimate owner of the territory. / “It is an honor as a Venezuelan and Acting President to be here as the voice of all Venezuela and our people, defending our historical rights over our Esequibo region (…) it has become very clear that the only one with legal title to this territory, in this territorial dispute, is Venezuela,” she stated. / During her remarks upon arriving in the Netherlands, the Acting President also emphasized that the Venezuelan delegation is acting in strict accordance with international law, with the aim of safeguarding the validity of the 1966 Geneva Agreement.
Before departing Caracas on Saturday, Rodríguez said the mission was part of Venezuela’s defense of its sovereign rights over the disputed territory.
“When I have had to do it, you cannot imagine the pride I feel. The profound pride of defending Venezuela’s inalienable rights. Defending them tirelessly, because that is how we honor our history,” she said.
Defense of the Geneva Agreement
According to Venezuelan authorities, the delegation will present documentary evidence aimed at disputing the jurisdiction claimed by the ICJ and defending the validity of the 1966 Geneva Agreement as the legal framework for resolving the controversy through direct negotiations between the parties.
Caracas argues that the 1899 Paris Arbitral Award is “null and void,” citing what it describes as procedural fraud during the original process.
The Venezuelan government has characterized its participation in the current phase of the proceedings as an “active defense,” arguing that the unilateral judicialization of the dispute violates existing international agreements.
During Monday’s hearing, Venezuela is also expected to present historical titles dating back to the General Captaincy of Venezuela established in 1777, which Caracas considers central to its territorial claim.
Author: MK
Source: Venezuelan Presidential Press
