US to play key role in Guyana-Venezuela maritime border talks pending ICJ ruling – Ambassador

The United States (US) plans to facilitate talks between Guyana and Venezuela to settle their maritime boundary once the International Court of Justice (ICJ) rules on the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Tribunal Award that established the land boundary, according to US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot.

Ambassador Theriot, who appeared on News Source’s SOURCES over the weekend, stated that the US is awaiting the ruling of the ICJ, which will put an end to the land border controversy. “We all know how that’s going to turn out. It’s obvious. In Guyana’s favour… as soon as that happens, it will trigger our ability to assist with the negotiations on the maritime border,” the US envoy stated. Nevertheless, Theriot added that the US will continue to assist Guyana in defence cooperation, especially against any threats from Venezuela.

“Luckily, those have calmed a bit since our January 3, 2026, operation there (the day when Maduro was captured). We continue to be vigilant and should you need our help, we are here…” Guyana is currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) seeking a final and binding settlement of the 1899 Arbitral Award, which establishes the boundaries with Venezuela. The Spanish-speaking nation is laying claim to more than two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass and a portion of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), where over 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe) have been found and production as well as other exploration activities are currently being undertaken offshore. The written phase of the case concluded last year after Guyana filed two written pleadings on the merits of the case and Venezuela has also filed two-the last being in August 2025. It was revealed earlier this month that the World Court has set May 4 for the commencement of oral arguments on the merits of the case.

This will be followed by the Court’s deliberations and issuance of its final judgment, which will be binding on both countries under international law.

US reaffirms support

Only recently, Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas, Kristi Noem, visited Guyana, and she met with the President and top military personnel in a meeting that reaffirms the US’s support in helping to strengthen the country’s capacity against transnational threats. “One of the things that was discussed that I think is going to be incredibly helpful for your domain awareness, whether it be maritime or air, is we’re going to collaborate on drone technology. Given how vast your borders are, how impenetrable they can be, and how difficult they are to reach, drone technology is a perfect solution because you can’t always have people in all of those areas,” Theriot related.

“We’re just thinking of ways to be creative and use technology to address your needs. In return, you all are part of our coalition, the Shield of the Americas. Together, we’re going to work with Guyana and the other 11 signatories to that coalition to counter transnational crime, to address these narco-traffickers that are just a scourge on all of our societies and to continue to, of course, defend the sovereignty of Guyana,” the US Ambassador added.

However, in addition to drone technology, President Dr Irfaan Ali has requested assistance to develop an integrated system that will protect both the airspace and its EEZ due to threats. When pressed for additional information on the request, Theriot stated, “Those were confidential discussions of course, and I wouldn’t want to give too much away, but it was very much focused on how we can assist each other in addressing these regional challenges.”

Guyana a leader in CARICOM

Meanwhile, she added that the US sees Guyana as a leader in the region and looks forward to Guyana being an example for the rest of CARICOM. “That was certainly part of the discussion, how we can work together to set that example. We also talked a lot about narco-trafficking and how we can’t allow drug traffickers and narco-terrorists to continue to use Guyana.” “Your airspace, whether it’s flyovers on the way to Europe or elsewhere to Suriname or to stop off in Guyana, that’s unacceptable. The President has been incredibly clear that, that is unacceptable, so we are looking at ways to help you with that as well.”

With the Shield of the Americas, she added that the US realises that most of the countries in the coalition are going to require assistance to get to a level where they can independently counter these cartels, narco-traffickers, and other forms of transnational crime. “At this point, we want to help build your capacity, whether it be training, whether it be equipment, or resources.”

She added that the Shield of the Americas will continue to be a partnership to build capacity to defend one’s own sovereignty, in return for which the coalition helps the US in addressing regional issues such as transnational crimes.