Distinguished international law expert Dr Nilufer Oral told the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that Venezuela accepted and complied with the 1899 Arbitral Award for more than 60 years, arguing that it is now legally barred from challenging it.
Presenting Guyana’s case, Dr Oral said Venezuela’s conduct from 1899 to 1962 was “constant, consistent and unequivocal”, with no objections raised to the boundary.
She showed that Venezuela not only refrained from protesting the award but actively endorsed it, celebrating the outcome, insisting on strict compliance, and participating in the 1900–1905 boundary demarcation that led to the 1905 Agreement.
Dr Oral also cited at least 16 official Venezuelan maps published between 1911 and 1962, all reflecting the established boundary, noting: “We have found no official map showing a different boundary.”
She argued that under international law, such long-standing acceptance prevents Venezuela from later disputing the award, adding that by 1962, “it was simply too late.”
Dr Oral rejected claims that defects in the award were only discovered after 1949 and said the 1966 Geneva Agreement did not invalidate the ruling, but merely acknowledged Venezuela’s claim.
The ICJ is expected to decide on the validity of the 1899 Award and the legal boundary between Guyana and Venezuela following the hearings.
