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"Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez declared on Tuesday that her government will defend its position over the Essequibo region before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), amid an ongoing territorial dispute with Guyana over the resource-rich area. "Venezuela's rights over the Essequibo are historical, they are irrefutable. There is no way that we would agree to dispossession or to legitimise a theft," Rodriguez said during a speech in Carabobo. "Soon we will be at the International Court of Justice, in the coming days, to reaffirm our historical position, which is international legality, respect for the Geneva Agreement of 1966," she continued. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) hearings are scheduled to begin on May 4 in The Hague, marking the start of oral proceedings in the long-running territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela over the Essequibo region. Guyana is seeking a ruling affirming the legal validity of the 1899 arbitral award, which established the current boundary and has formed the basis of its internationally recognised territory. Meanwhile, Venezuela argues that the dispute should be addressed under the 1966 Geneva Agreement. The long-running dispute has taken on renewed geopolitical and economic significance following major offshore oil discoveries near the contested waters and growing international interest in Guyana's energy sector. On the economic front, Delcy Rodriguez highlighted opportunities to diversify production and reduce dependence on oil, announcing the signing of an agreement with energy company Eni. "Today, we signed with the Italian company Eni the most auspicious oil production agreement ever signed with any company in our history. And what is this for? For the well-being of our people," she said. For his part, Interior, Justice and Peace Minister Diosdado Cabello said that US sanctions have severely impacted Venezuela's economy, while rejecting allegations that he holds assets abroad. "If I had money I would invest it here in Venezuela, be sure of that, I would not invest it anywhere else, it would be here in Venezuela, of that I have no doubt," he asserted. The remarks were made during a meeting with representatives from various social sectors as part of the 'Great Pilgrimage for a Venezuela without Sanctions and in Peace.' The event is part of a broader government campaign to denounce international sanctions and reaffirm Venezuela's sovereignty claims, as proceedings before the International Court of Justice also draw closer."
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