Guyana has asked the ICJ to prevent Venezuela from holding elections in the disputed Esequibo region, claiming it violates a 2023 ruling. Venezuela’s plans include a new state established in the territory despite the ongoing jurisdictional case. The situation escalated recently with maritime tensions between both countries.
Guyana has requested the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to intervene and block Venezuela’s plans to hold elections in the disputed Esequibo region. This plea comes as Venezuela is set to conduct provincial elections on May 25, including state governors, despite a previous ICJ ruling that prohibits actions affecting the status of the territory.
Venezuela’s government, led by President Nicolas Maduro, enacted a law in the previous year to establish a new state in Esequibo, which has raised alarm amid an ongoing jurisdictional case in the ICJ regarding ownership. Guyana’s foreign ministry emphasized that proceeding with these elections would significantly breach the 2023 court order.
Guyana insists that the ICJ should act swiftly to ensure that Venezuela does not hold the elections, as it could result in substantial and irremediable harm to its rights concerning the territory, which spans 160,000 square kilometers. Meanwhile, tensions between the countries escalated when a Venezuelan coast guard patrol reportedly entered waters claimed by Guyana and approached a vessel in an ExxonMobil-managed oil block.
According to Venezuela, the waters are part of a maritime zone awaiting delimitation under international law. A definitive decision from the ICJ regarding the ownership of Esequibo may still take several years.
In summary, Guyana has urged the ICJ to intervene against Venezuela’s planned elections in Esequibo, claiming it violates a court ruling. This request highlights ongoing tensions over the disputed territory, as both nations assert claims while navigating international law.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
