Lula's re-election gives Guyana diplomatic continuity as it awaits Essequibo ruling
Lula's re-election offers continuity in Guyana–Brazil ties as the ICJ deliberates on the Essequibo border case.
GEORGETOWN — Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's re-election in Brazil gives Guyana continuity in its relationship with its largest neighbour at a sensitive moment in the territorial controversy with Venezuela, as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) deliberates on the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award.
Brazil's Superior Electoral Court (TSE) confirmed Lula's victory in Sunday's presidential run-off with 51.79 per cent of valid votes, or 64,256,232 votes, against 48.21 per cent, or 59,826,041 votes, for Senator Flávio Bolsonaro.
Georgetown and Brasília
President Irfaan Ali congratulated Lula on Sunday, saying Guyana and Brazil "enjoy strong and enduring bonds of friendship, mutual respect and co-operation."
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Ali described Brazil as a key country for Guyana's diplomacy because of its geographical position, regional influence and institutional capacity. He said much of Guyana's diplomatic work on the border controversy had taken place behind the scenes this year.
Brazil shares land borders with both Guyana and Venezuela. Its Foreign Ministry, Itamaraty, has not announced a new position on the Essequibo case following the vote.
Ali also said talks on Brazil joining the US-led Shield of the Americas, a security coalition of which Guyana is a founding member, were continuing. Brazil is not currently a member.
The Essequibo case
The ICJ held public hearings on the merits of the dispute concerning the 1899 Arbitral Award from May 4 to 11, 2026. The Court is now deliberating.
In an October 5 statement, Guyana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it expected a judgment in the coming months. The ministry reaffirmed Guyana's position that the Award established its boundary with Venezuela and said Guyana would respect and abide by the Court's judgment.
Venezuela disputes the Court's jurisdiction and maintains that a negotiated settlement under the 1966 Geneva Agreement is required. The ICJ has ruled that it has jurisdiction to hear the case, and its judgment on the merits will be legally binding on both countries.
As of October 28, the Court had not announced a date for delivering its judgment.
What comes next
Under Brazil's official electoral calendar, elected candidates must receive their certificates of election by December 18. Lula's new presidential term begins on January 5, 2027.
For Guyana, the immediate questions are whether Brasília issues any new statement on the Essequibo proceedings, how regional security cooperation develops and when the ICJ schedules delivery of its judgment.
