Guyana has filed a Request for provisional measures with the ICJ over Venezuela’s planned elections in the Essequibo region, citing concerns of sovereignty violations. The request aims to prevent Venezuela from holding any electoral activities and maintaining the territorial status quo as per earlier ICJ Orders. This dispute dates back to the 1899 Arbitral Award, with the ICJ previously affirming its jurisdiction in the matter.
On Thursday, Guyana submitted a Request for provisional measures to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding its territorial dispute with Venezuela over the Essequibo region. This request comes in light of Venezuela’s intent to hold elections in the contested area on May 25, 2025, raising concerns about potential violations of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The documentation filed cites Venezuela’s electoral plans as a direct threat to Guyana’s political independence and argues that these actions violate a prior ICJ Order issued on December 1, 2023. This Order emphasized the need to maintain the status quo within the disputed territory, which Guyana is currently administrating.
Emphasizing the urgency, Guyana contends that Venezuela’s electoral actions could cause irreparable harm. Consequently, the ICJ is requested to prohibit Venezuela from proceeding with any elections or related electoral activities in the Essequibo region.
Specifically, Guyana seeks the Court’s intervention to:
1. Bar Venezuela from conducting elections, distributing electoral materials, naming candidates, establishing polling stations, or appointing officials in the contested territory.
2. Prevent any act of annexation or incorporation of the territory by Venezuela, either legally or effectively.
3. Ensure Venezuela refrains from altering the existing control and administration of the disputed area by Guyana.
This legal dispute traces back to the 1899 Arbitral Award, which delineated the boundary between British Guiana and Venezuela. Guyana’s initial ICJ application, filed in 2018, aimed to clarify the legitimacy of the 1899 Award and the territorial status.
Venezuela has challenged the ICJ’s jurisdiction and opted out of various proceedings. However, the ICJ confirmed its jurisdiction in a 2020 ruling, affirming its capacity to resolve the dispute. The Court rebuffed subsequent challenges from Venezuela, permitting the continuance of legal evaluations of Guyana’s claims as of 2023.
Tensions heightened after Venezuela announced a controversial “Consultative Referendum” in December 2023, proposing the establishment of a new Venezuelan state called “Guayana Esequiba” within the disputed region. In response, the ICJ’s December 1 Order urged both nations to avoid actions that could further complicate the situation and maintain territorial status.
Guyana’s recent Request for provisional measures signals a critical moment in its ongoing territorial dispute with Venezuela over the Essequibo region. The Court’s acknowledgement of this filing reflects the urgency surrounding the case, as both nations uphold conflicting stances concerning the region’s status. The upcoming legal developments could play a crucial role in resolving this long-standing territorial conflict in Latin America.
Original Source: newsroom.gy
