Acting President of Venezuela Delcy Rodriguez arrived in the Netherlands on Sunday, May 10, 2026, to represent her country before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in a long-standing territorial dispute with Guyana over the Esequibo region.
Rodriguez landed at Amsterdam-Schiphol International Airport to participate in public hearings scheduled through May 11 regarding the 160,000-square-kilometer border territory. The visit occurred despite European Union sanctions against her, which typically restrict entry into member states due to allegations of democratic violations.
“On behalf of the Venezuelan people, we have arrived in the Netherlands to defend the majesty and vigor of the 1966 Geneva Agreement. There is no doubt that the only owner of Guayana Esequiba is Venezuela and we will always claim its legitimate and historical rights over this territory,” wrote Rodriguez on Telegram.
The Acting President, who assumed office following the January capture of Nicolas Maduro by the United States, was met by Foreign Minister Yvan Gil. Rodriguez maintained that historical administrative records support Venezuela’s sovereignty over the resource-rich area.
“it has become very clear that the only one who has ownership” said the leader in a video shared by Communication Minister Miguel Angel Perez Pirela.
Venezuela asserts that the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established current borders, is null and void. The delegation argues that the 1966 Geneva Agreement is the only valid legal instrument to reach a settlement.
“We have demonstrated in all historical stages what our territory has meant since we were born as a republic and before when we were an administrative unit of colonial powers,” expressed Rodriguez in the video.
The government of Guyana maintains that the 1899 boundary remains legally binding and valid under international law. Guyanese officials previously stated that their position is reinforced by historical records and the principle of the sanctity of treaties.
Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said its argument “is supported by the historical background and the applicable legal principles in relation to the binding nature of arbitral awards, the inviolability of treaties, respect for the rule of law and the stability of borders.”
Rodriguez had previously confirmed her travel plans on Saturday without disclosing the specific destination. Her arrival marks the final phase of the current hearing cycle at The Hague.
“always raised the flags of legality and the defense of international law,” as reported by CNN.
Foreign Minister Yvan Gil characterized the arguments presented by Guyana as repetitive and suggested that the conflict would eventually require direct negotiations. The ICJ is expected to deliberate on the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award following the conclusion of these hearings.
