Guyana has urged the ICJ to block Venezuela from holding elections in the contested Esequibo region, citing violations of a past court order. Venezuela’s planned elections have raised tensions, especially after an incident involving coast guard vessels. A final ruling in this territorial dispute may take years.
On Thursday, the Government of Guyana formally requested that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) prohibit Venezuela from conducting elections in the disputed Esequibo region. This appeal is grounded in concerns that the elections would breach a previous court ruling, as stated by the Guyanese foreign ministry.
Venezuela is scheduled to hold provincial elections on May 25, which includes the election of state governors. Last year, President Nicolas Maduro’s administration enacted legislation establishing a new state in the contested territory, despite the ICJ’s ongoing evaluations regarding the rightful ownership of Esequibo, alongside a 2023 directive barring Venezuela from altering the current status of the area.
Guyana articulated in its statement that the ICJ should prevent Venezuela from proceeding with the electoral process in the 160,000-square-kilometer territory, citing that such actions would “flagrantly violate” the 2023 ruling. Furthermore, Guyana has requested expedited hearings to avert what it describes as “serious and irremediable prejudice” to its sovereign rights.
The Venezuelan communication ministry has yet to respond to requests for comments regarding Guyana’s latest appeal. Recent tensions over the Esequibo dispute intensified when Guyana reported that a Venezuelan coast guard vessel entered its waters, approaching an offshore oil operation managed by ExxonMobil. The Venezuelan government contended that the area is “pending delimitation” in accordance with international law.
The ultimate decision from the ICJ regarding the territorial dispute is anticipated to take several years before resolution.
In summary, Guyana is appealing to the ICJ to prevent Venezuela from conducting elections in the disputed Esequibo region, emphasizing that such actions contradict a prior court ruling. As tensions continue to escalate, particularly related to maritime and territorial claims, the case’s resolution appears to be a protracted process.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
