Guyana has requested intervention from the ICJ following Venezuela’s announcement to include the disputed Essequibo region in its upcoming elections. Guyana insists that the region is integral to its territory, supported by a previous ICJ ruling. The conflict has intensified due to significant oil discoveries, drawing international attention and highlighting regional tensions.
Guyana has sought assistance from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding Venezuela’s plans to hold elections in the disputed Essequibo region, rich in oil reserves. Venezuela’s elections on May 25 include the Essequibo territory, which Guyana has administered for over a century. This action follows a December 2023 referendum where 95% of voters in Venezuela supported the territorial claim to Essequibo.
In March 2022, Venezuela’s parliament passed a law to designate Essequibo as its 24th state, despite rejection from Guyana and other nations. Guyana has filed for provisional measures with the ICJ, asserting that Essequibo is integral to its national territory. The country requests an order directing Venezuela to refrain from any acts affecting the Essequibo region, which comprises two-thirds of Guyana’s land.
Guyana emphasizes that the boundaries of Essequibo were established by an arbitration panel in 1899, while Venezuela contends that the Essequibo River has been its natural border since 1777. The conflict intensified following a significant oil discovery by ExxonMobil in 2015, which has since attracted international interest and led to oil block auctions by Georgetown.
The ICJ had previously granted relief to Guyana by instructing Venezuela to avoid actions concerning the disputed territory. Guyana claims the upcoming elections are a blatant violation of this ruling. The situation has garnered international attention, with the United States recently condemning Venezuelan naval vessels allegedly threatening ExxonMobil operations in maritime areas claimed by Guyana.
In conclusion, Guyana is taking legal action to protect its claim over the Essequibo region against Venezuela’s election plans. The ICJ has previously ruled in favor of Guyana, and the upcoming elections are viewed as a violation of its authority. The dispute, exacerbated by significant oil discoveries, remains a focal point of international concern, involving geopolitical relations with the US and regional stability.
Original Source: www.wyomingnewsnow.tv
