In 2018, the ICJ confirmed its jurisdiction over the case. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza maintained Venezuela's opposition, stating, "We stand firm in our belief that this dispute must be resolved through direct negotiations, not imposed rulings." Guyanese Foreign Minister Carl Greenidge welcomed the ICJ's decision, calling it "a victory for international law and the rule of justice."

In May 2015, after ExxonMobil discovered significant oil reserves in the contested maritime zone, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodríguez issued a strong statement, declaring, "Venezuela will defend its sovereign rights against any foreign incursions into our territory." Guyanese Foreign Minister Carl Greenidge retorted that "Guyana will not be intimidated by baseless claims."

Guyanese Foreign Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett filed an application with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2013, arguing that the court should validate the 1899 Arbitral Award. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Elías Jaua responded, insisting that "the ICJ lacks jurisdiction, as the Geneva Agreement mandates bilateral negotiations, not judicial intervention."

1999: Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez and Foreign Minister José Vicente Rangel sought to strengthen regional ties while keeping the dispute at a diplomatic level. Chávez frequently mentioned, "The Esequibo is ours, but we seek a peaceful resolution through dialogue and understanding."

2010: When Guyana awarded oil exploration licenses in the disputed maritime zone, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolás Maduro condemned the move, stating, "Guyana's actions undermine the spirit of the Geneva Agreement and threaten regional peace."

Upon the expiration of the Protocol of Port of Spain in 1982, Venezuelan Foreign Minister José Alberto Zambrano Velasco announced that Venezuela would not renew the protocol, emphasizing the need to resume negotiations. He asserted, "The time has come to address this historical injustice through direct and respectful dialogue."

Signed on June 18, 1970, by Venezuelan Foreign Minister Aristides Calvani and Guyanese Foreign Minister Shirley Field-Ridley, the Protocol of Port of Spain established a 12-year moratorium on the dispute. Calvani stated, "This protocol is a testament to our commitment to peace and regional stability, allowing both nations to develop in harmony."

On February 17, 1966, the Geneva Agreement was signed by Venezuelan Foreign Minister Ignacio Iribarren Borges, British Foreign Secretary Michael Stewart, and Forbes Burnham, the Prime Minister of British Guiana. This agreement sought to find a peaceful resolution through a Mixed Commission. Iribarren Borges declared, "This agreement offers a framework for a just settlement that respects Venezuela's rights."

In 1962, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Marcos Falcón Briceño formally reopened the dispute at the United Nations, arguing that the 1899 Arbitral Award was null and void. He emphasized, "Venezuela cannot accept an award tainted by fraud and irregularities," reflecting Venezuela's position on the legitimacy of the decision.

1895: The Venezuelan Crisis of 1895 escalated when Venezuela’s Foreign Minister demanded arbitration to resolve the boundary dispute. The United States, invoking the Monroe Doctrine, pressured Britain to agree to arbitration.

1899: The Arbitral Award of Paris. The arbitration tribunal awarded the majority of the disputed territory to British Guiana. Ignacio Andrade, then President of Venezuela, and Severo Mallet-Prevost, Venezuela's legal representative, expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling, citing potential biases and irregularities in the arbitration process.

Sir Robert Schomburgk, a British surveyor, proposed the Schomburgk Line as the boundary between Venezuela and British Guiana. The line included territories that Venezuela claimed as its own. This initial act marked the beginning of the long-standing territorial dispute.