Guyana has appealed to the International Court of Justice against Venezuela’s imminent elections in the disputed Essequibo region, emphasizing that such actions violate existing court rulings. The territorial dispute, heightened by recent oil discoveries, necessitates urgent judicial measures to protect Guyana’s sovereignty.
On Thursday, Guyana sought intervention from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) following Venezuela’s announcement to hold elections in the contested Essequibo region, which is rich in oil resources. Venezuela’s elections are scheduled for May 25, where it has controversially included Essequibo as part of its electoral districts, despite Guyana’s longstanding administration of the area for over a century.
This recent development follows a non-binding referendum in December 2023 in which 95 percent of Venezuelan voters purportedly supported claims to Essequibo. In March of the previous year, Venezuela’s parliament enacted a law declaring Essequibo its 24th state, a decision which has been rejected by both Guyana and several other nations.
In response, Guyana has filed a formal request with the ICJ for provisional measures aimed at preventing Venezuela from conducting any actions in the Essequibo region, which constitutes two-thirds of Guyana’s total landmass and is home to a significant portion of its population. Guyana emphasizes that the territorial boundaries of Essequibo were established through an arbitration decision in 1899, in stark contrast to Venezuela’s claims based on the historical 1777 recognition of the Essequibo River as a natural border.
The territorial dispute intensified in 2015 following the discovery of substantial crude oil reserves in Essequibo by ExxonMobil and became increasingly pronounced in 2023 with Guyana’s auction of oil exploration blocks in the region, conferring upon it the highest crude oil reserves per capita worldwide. In December 2023, the ICJ previously ordered Venezuela to cease any activities related to the disputed territory, and Guyana asserts that the planned elections directly violate this court order.
The Guyanese Foreign Ministry has called for an expedited hearing by the court, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. Furthermore, the recent diplomatic tensions have escalated with the United States condemning alleged aggressive actions by Venezuelan naval vessels against ExxonMobil operations in maritime areas claimed by Guyana.
In summary, Guyana has petitioned the ICJ following Venezuela’s plans to hold elections in the disputed Essequibo region, which both countries claim. The escalating tensions arise from legal claims dating back over a century, further aggravated by lucrative oil discoveries. Guyana insists that Venezuela’s actions contravene previous court orders and seeks urgent judicial intervention to uphold its territorial integrity.
Original Source: www.wyomingnewsnow.tv
