Guyana has filed a Request for provisional measures at the ICJ regarding the territorial dispute with Venezuela over Essequibo, following Venezuela’s announcement of elections in the region. Guyana seeks to prevent electoral activities it believes threaten its sovereignty. This request highlights the urgency and potential harm of Venezuela’s actions within the disputed territory.
On Thursday, Guyana presented a Request for provisional measures at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding its territorial dispute with Venezuela over the Essequibo region. This request is a response to Venezuela’s recent announcement about conducting elections in the contested area on May 25, 2025.
Guyana’s submission to the ICJ raises significant concerns regarding Venezuela’s planned electoral activities, asserting that these actions infringe upon its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence. Furthermore, the Guyanese government argues that conducting elections would violate a previous ICJ Order from December 1, 2023, which mandates the preservation of the status quo in the disputed territory.
Emphasizing the urgency of the matter, Guyana contends that Venezuela’s electoral actions could cause irreparable harm within the contested territory. In this light, Guyana is urging the ICJ to implement provisional measures to avert any elections or electoral activities being carried out by Venezuela in Essequibo.
Specifically, Guyana requests that the Court:
1. Prohibit Venezuela from executing any elections, including the distribution of electoral materials, candidate nominations, setting up polling places, or appointing officials in the disputed area.
2. Prevent any actions by Venezuela aimed at annexing or incorporating the territory, whether legally or practically.
3. Direct Venezuela to maintain the existing situation that allows Guyana to administer and control the disputed region.
The legal contention between Guyana and Venezuela traces back to the 1899 Arbitral Award, which delineated the boundary between British Guiana (now Guyana) and Venezuela. Guyana submitted its initial application to the ICJ in 2018, seeking a legal resolution regarding the legitimacy of the 1899 Award and the status of the disputed territory.
Venezuela has disputed the ICJ’s jurisdiction and has often refrained from participating in various stages of the proceedings. In 2020, the ICJ reaffirmed its jurisdiction over the matter and its ability to adjudicate Guyana’s claims, dismissing subsequent challenges from Venezuela. Furthermore, in 2023, the Court ruled that it could proceed with the case despite Venezuela’s protests.
Tensions escalated recently following Venezuela’s proposal for a controversial “Consultative Referendum” in December 2023, which suggested creating a new Venezuelan state named “Guayana Esequiba,” including the disputed territory. The ICJ’s earlier Order in December 2023 urged both nations to avoid actions that might further complicate the dispute.
Guyana’s latest request for provisional measures aims to prompt immediate Court intervention to halt Venezuela’s advances in the Essaquibo region. While the ICJ has not yet responded to the request, its acknowledgment of the filing constitutes a notable advancement in the legal proceedings between the two nations.
The resolution of this case is crucial for addressing one of Latin America’s longest-running territorial disputes, with both countries holding starkly different perspectives regarding the legal standing of the Essequibo region.
In summary, Guyana has formally requested the ICJ to enact provisional measures to prevent Venezuelan electoral activities in the disputed Essequibo region. The ongoing territorial dispute, rooted in historical agreements and previous legal decisions, necessitates urgent action as Venezuela’s actions continue to challenge Guyana’s sovereignty. The ICJ’s acknowledgment of this request signifies a critical step in the pursuit of a resolution to the longstanding conflict between the two nations.
Original Source: newsroom.gy
