Guyana Appeals to ICJ to Halt Venezuela’s Esequibo Election Plans

Guyana has petitioned the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to block Venezuela’s planned elections in the disputed Esequibo region, claiming it violates a previous court order. Venezuela plans elections for May 25 in the area, where tensions have heightened due to recent maritime incidents. Guyana seeks expedited hearings to protect its rights.

On Thursday, Guyana appealed to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to prevent Venezuela from proceeding with elections planned for the disputed Esequibo territory. The Guyanese foreign ministry asserted that such a vote would contravene a previous court ruling. Venezuela is set to conduct provincial elections on May 25, including gubernatorial contests in a newly established state within Esequibo, despite the ongoing legal dispute over the territory’s sovereignty.

The Guyanese government claimed that Venezuela’s actions are a blatant disregard for the ICJ’s directive from 2023, which instructed the nation to refrain from any activities that might alter the status quo of Esequibo. Given the potential for “serious and irremediable prejudice” to its rights, Guyana has requested expedited hearings from the ICJ regarding this matter.

Tensions escalated recently when Guyana reported that a Venezuelan coast guard patrol entered its waters and approached a vessel operating in an ExxonMobil offshore oil block. The Venezuelan government contended that the waters in question are part of a maritime zone awaiting delimitation under international law. A definitive ruling from the ICJ concerning the Esequibo dispute could take several years to reach.

In conclusion, Guyana’s urgent request to the ICJ aims to halt Venezuela’s election plans in Esequibo, citing violations of past court rulings. This situation escalates the longstanding territorial dispute, further complicated by recent maritime encounters. The outcome of this case remains uncertain, as the ICJ’s final decision may not be rendered for years, reflecting deep-rooted tensions between the two nations.

Original Source: www.usnews.com