On October 3, 2024, the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana commemorated the 125th anniversary of the Arbitral Award of 1899, which marked the final settlement of the boundary between the then British Guiana and Venezuela.
This Award, delivered by a distinguished international tribunal, remains a cornerstone of Guyana’s territorial integrity and international law.
in a statement, the Government pointed out that The phrase “Full, Perfect, and Final Settlement”—or “UNA SOLUCIÓN COMPLETA, PERFECTA Y DEFINITIVA”—resonates as a symbol of wholeness, precision, and permanence, reflecting the commitment to honoring this landmark agreement.
These words have been etched into the very fabric of the nation’s history, defining its western boundary from Punta Playa to the summit of Mount Roraima.
The 1897 Treaty of Washington and the Award
In 1897, Venezuela and Great Britain, acting on behalf of British Guiana, signed the Treaty of Washington, agreeing to submit their long-standing boundary dispute to an arbitral tribunal. The parties agreed to accept the decision of the tribunal, composed of eminent jurists from the United States, Great Britain, and other countries, as a “full, perfect, and final settlement” of the territorial issue. This was not merely a political agreement; it was a binding resolution designed to provide closure to the dispute once and for all.
On October 3, 1899, the tribunal delivered its unanimous Award, which resolved the boundary dispute between British Guiana and Venezuela in favor of British Guiana, establishing the definitive line demarcating the two territories. This 1899 Award was the culmination of extensive legal proceedings, involving thousands of pages of written submissions and over 200 hours of oral hearings, which meticulously addressed the territorial claims of both sides.
Venezuela’s Initial Acceptance
For over six decades following the tribunal’s decision, Venezuela accepted the Award as a full, perfect, and final settlement. Between 1900 and 1905, both Venezuela and Britain cooperated in the demarcation of the boundary in strict adherence to the provisions of the Award. Venezuela not only participated in the process but also ratified the demarcation in its domestic law, publishing official maps that reflected the boundary line described in the 1899 Award.
In 1905, both countries signed a formal agreement, reaffirming the boundary as defined by the arbitral decision. This marked a period of relative peace and mutual respect for the terms of the settlement.
The Shift in Venezuela’s Position
However, in 1962, as British Guiana gained independence and transitioned into the newly formed state of Guyana, Venezuela began to express dissatisfaction with the 1899 Award. Venezuela, now driven by territorial ambitions over the Essequibo region, rejected the established boundary and challenged the legitimacy of the Award. This shift in position was marked by Venezuela’s actions in the United Nations, where it laid claims to the Essequibo region during the decolonization process.
Since then, Venezuela has persistently sought to undermine the validity of the 1899 Award, despite decades of adherence to it. This unilateral rejection prompted Guyana to take legal action to protect its territorial rights.
Guyana’s Commitment to International Law
In 2018, Guyana filed an application to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to settle the ongoing dispute, as provided for in the 1966 Geneva Agreement. This application sought a legal resolution to Venezuela’s unfounded claim that the 1899 Arbitral Award was “null and void.”
The ICJ, in 2020 and 2023, affirmed its jurisdiction over the case, upholding Guyana’s right to seek a legal resolution. In its rulings, the ICJ expressed its commitment to resolving the matter in accordance with international law, ensuring that both parties abide by the principles of the rule of law and respect for treaties.
A Call for Peaceful Resolution
As Guyana marks this important milestone, the government reiterates its unwavering belief in the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award, emphasizing that the principles of international law should guide the resolution of this dispute. Guyana continues to uphold the pacta sunt servanda principle, which underscores the binding nature of international agreements.
The Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana remains resolute in its commitment to peaceful dispute resolution and calls for Venezuela to return to the rule of law and respect the sanctity of treaties.
Today, as Guyana commemorates the anniversary of the 1899 Arbitral Award, the government reaffirms its belief that the International Court of Justice will provide a final and peaceful settlement to this long-standing issue, ensuring the respect of Guyana’s territorial integrity in accordance with international law.
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