Venezuela’s interim leader Delcy Rodriguez has traveled to the Netherlands to represent her nation at the International Court of Justice in a territorial dispute hearing, the presidential office announced.
Rodriguez will head Venezuela’s delegation at Monday’s proceedings before the United Nations’ highest judicial body regarding a longstanding disagreement with neighboring Guyana over the Esequibo region, an area abundant in oil resources that has been contested for more than a century.
The legal challenge was initiated by Guyana in 2018 when they brought the matter before the international court.
While a final decision remains several months away, any ruling issued by the court carries binding authority with no option for appeal. However, the judicial body lacks enforcement mechanisms and must depend on the U.N. Security Council for implementation.
This marks Rodriguez’s inaugural European visit since assuming leadership following the U.S. military capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during a January operation.
The European Union had previously imposed travel restrictions on Rodriguez, along with other Venezuelan officials, citing allegations that they had worked to undermine democratic institutions in Venezuela.
