Guyana urges the ICJ to block Venezuela’s planned elections in Esequibo, claiming violation of a court order. Tensions increased when a Venezuelan patrol allegedly entered Guyana’s waters. A final ICJ decision on the territorial dispute could take years.
On Thursday, Guyana formally requested the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to prevent Venezuela from proceeding with elections planned in the Esequibo region. The Guyanese foreign ministry emphasized that conducting a vote would violate a prior court ruling. Venezuela is set to hold provincial elections, including for state governors, on May 25, despite the ongoing legal dispute concerning the territorial claims to Esequibo.
The Venezuelan government, led by President Nicolás Maduro, passed legislation last year to establish a new state within the disputed region, contravening a 2023 court order that instructed Venezuela to refrain from actions altering the status quo. Guyana’s foreign office asserted that the ICJ should prohibit these elections in the 160,000-square-kilometer territory, which it maintains “flagrantly violates” the ICJ directive.
Additionally, Guyana has requested expedited hearings to avert potential “serious and irremediable prejudice” to its rights as a result of these planned elections. Meanwhile, a representative from the Venezuelan communications ministry did not provide immediate comments regarding Guyana’s latest request.
Rising tensions over Esequibo intensified last weekend when Guyana alleged that a Venezuelan coast guard patrol intruded into its waters and approached an oil extraction vessel operated by ExxonMobil. Venezuela contended that the waters in question are part of a maritime zone that remains to be defined under international law. It is important to note that a definitive ruling from the ICJ regarding the territorial dispute may take several years.
In summary, Guyana’s legal action against Venezuela reflects escalating tensions surrounding the Esequibo territorial dispute. The request to the ICJ aims to halt electoral proceedings that Guyana claims violate prior court rulings. As these tensions evolve, the international legal landscape will play a crucial role in determining the future of the Esequibo region.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
