Guyana has urgently requested the ICJ to prevent Venezuela from conducting elections in the disputed Esequibo region, citing violations of a prior court order. Venezuela plans to proceed with voting despite ongoing legal proceedings and tensions surrounding territorial rights and maritime boundaries.
Guyana has requested the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to prevent Venezuela from holding elections in the contested Esequibo region. This action stems from the concern that conducting a vote would contradict a previous court ruling, as stated by the Guyanese foreign ministry. Venezuela is set to proceed with provincial elections on May 25, which includes positions for state governors.
President Nicolas Maduro’s administration enacted a law last year to establish a new state within the disputed territory despite an ongoing ICJ case regarding Esequibo’s sovereignty. Notably, a 2023 court order explicitly instructs Venezuela to refrain from taking any actions that would alter the territorial status quo. Guyana emphasizes that allowing elections would be a direct violation of this order and seeks the court’s intervention.
Additionally, Guyana has requested expedited court hearings to prevent potential “serious and irremediable prejudice” to its territorial rights. Recent tensions have escalated, particularly after an incident where a Venezuelan coast guard patrol allegedly entered Guyanese waters and approached an ExxonMobil-managed offshore oil vessel. In response, Venezuela claims those waters fall within a maritime zone that is yet to be delimited according to international law. It is important to note that any final decision by the ICJ regarding this territorial dispute may take several years to reach.
Guyana’s formal request to the ICJ highlights its legal stance against Venezuela’s impending elections in Esequibo, citing violations of prior rulings. The situation is complicated by rising tensions due to maritime disputes and Venezuela’s establishment of a new state within the contested area. As almost two-thirds of Guyana’s territory is at stake, the timeline for a final ICJ ruling remains uncertain, with potential implications for both nations’ relations and rights.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
