Guyana has appealed to the ICJ following Venezuela’s announcement to hold elections in the disputed Essequibo region, which it administers. This action follows a controversial referendum supporting Venezuela’s claims and comes in the context of significant oil discoveries in the region. Guyana insists that the ICJ’s prior orders must be upheld to prevent further Venezuelan claims.
On May 25, Venezuela intends to hold elections to appoint governors in several states, including the disputed Essequibo region, which is administratively recognized by Guyana. This announcement follows a non-binding referendum in December 2023, wherein 95% of voters supported Venezuela’s claim to Essequibo. The region has been under Guyanese administration for over a century as Guyana maintains that the frontiers were established by a 1899 arbitration panel.
In reaction to Venezuela’s plans, Guyana filed a request for provisional measures with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. This action was prompted by concerns regarding Venezuela’s intention to conduct elections in a region that Guyana considers an integral part of its national territory. Guyana’s request seeks a court order mandating Venezuela to refrain from any acts impacting its sovereignty over Essequibo, which encompasses two-thirds of the country’s land area and houses approximately 125,000 of its 800,000 citizens.
Venezuela’s government had previously passed a law designating Essequibo as its 24th state, a move that has been rejected by Guyana and other nations as illegitimate. The diplomatic tensions escalated following significant crude oil discoveries in the Essequibo region made by ExxonMobil in 2015, intensifying the territorial dispute. The situation deteriorated further in 2023 when Guyana began auctioning oil blocks, leading to increased contention.
In December 2023, the ICJ had already ordered Venezuela to abstain from taking any actions concerning the disputed territory as part of an earlier provisional measure granted to Guyana. Guyana’s foreign ministry highlighted that the upcoming elections would breach this order. The ministry has urged the ICJ to expedite a hearing on the matter, seeking an immediate resolution to these grievances. The United States further criticized Venezuela’s actions, alleging that Venezuelan naval forces posed a threat to ExxonMobil’s operations in areas claimed by Guyana.
In summary, Guyana has taken legal action against Venezuela’s planned elections in the disputed Essequibo region by appealing to the ICJ. The situation is exacerbated by Venezuela’s previous claims to the territory, which have not been recognized internationally. As tensions rise over significant oil reserves in the area, Guyana seeks a swift court resolution to uphold its territorial integrity and the ICJ’s earlier rulings.
Original Source: www.wyomingnewsnow.tv
