Gov’t says nothing “reckless” about World Court’s decision on border controversy

… rejects Dr. Ramcharan’s statement

Maintaining that it entirely satisfied with the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) decision that it has jurisdiction to determine the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award, the Government of Guyana has rejected statements by former Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Dr Bertrand Ramcharan that the Court’s decision was reckless.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Guyanese Government said it does not share the reservations of Dr. Ramcharan on the substantive decision of the ICJ given on December 18, 2020 in the case of Guyana v. Venezuela.

“The Government and people of Guyana welcome the World Court’s decision which represents a notable victory for the rule of law internationally and for Guyana,” the Government said.

In an opinion piece published in the Stabroek Newspaper on Sunday under the title “A reckless World Court decision on border controversy,” Dr. Ramcharan said while President Irfaan Ali and his Administration have applauded the ICJ’s decision, there is cause for concern.

According to him, the Court, overstepped its boundaries, when it established jurisdiction to treat with issues on the definitive settlement of the land boundary dispute between the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.