Guyana Requests International Court to Halt Venezuela’s Esequibo Election Plans

Guyana has requested the ICJ to block Venezuela’s upcoming elections in the disputed Esequibo region, asserting that such actions violate a prior ruling. Venezuela’s planned elections, set for May 25, could alter the status quo, prompting Guyana to seek expedited hearings to protect its rights amidst escalating tensions over maritime territory.

On Thursday, Guyana formally requested the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to prevent Venezuela from conducting elections in the disputed Esequibo region. The Guyanese foreign ministry emphasized that holding such elections would contravene a previous ruling by the court, which sought to maintain the status quo concerning the territorial dispute.

Venezuela is scheduled to hold provincial elections, including for state governors, on May 25, despite a law passed by President Nicolas Maduro last year to create a new state within the contested area. Guyana asserted that this action blatantly defies a 2023 ICJ order mandating Venezuela to refrain from any activities that might alter the territorial status.

Guyana has urged the ICJ to expedite hearings on the matter, citing potential significant harm to its territorial rights. Meanwhile, the Venezuelan communications ministry has yet to respond to inquiries regarding Guyana’s request.

Tensions escalated recently when a Venezuelan coast guard patrol allegedly entered Guyanese waters and approached an ExxonMobil-operated offshore oil vessel. Venezuela claims that the area in question is within a maritime zone requiring delimitation under international law.

A conclusive decision from the ICJ regarding the Esequibo dispute may take considerable time, potentially extending into several years.

In conclusion, Guyana’s referral to the International Court of Justice seeks to ensure that Venezuela refrains from conducting any elections that would contravene existing court orders regarding the Esequibo territory. The situation has been further complicated by rising tensions in the region, highlighting the fraught nature of territorial disputes in international law underlying the long-standing conflict between the two nations.

Original Source: www.usnews.com