Guyana has requested the International Court of Justice to stop Venezuela from holding elections in the disputed Esequibo territory, arguing that it violates a prior ruling. Tensions have escalated due to recent incidents in the region. Guyana seeks expedited hearings to protect its rights.
Guyana has formally requested the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to intervene and halt Venezuela’s plans to hold elections in the contested region of Esequibo. According to the Guyanese foreign ministry, these elections would contravene a prior court ruling. Venezuela is set to conduct provincial elections on May 25, which includes state governors, despite ongoing litigation regarding the territorial claims over Esequibo.
The Venezuelan government, led by President Nicolas Maduro, last year enacted legislation establishing a new state within Esequibo, a move deemed provocative given the active case at the ICJ. Guyana emphasizes that voting in this territory, which spans approximately 160,000 square kilometers, would constitute a blatant disregard for the 2023 court order mandating that Venezuela refrain from altering the region’s status.
In its statement, Guyana urged the ICJ to prohibit the elections, asserting that failure to do so could result in “serious and irremediable prejudice” to its territorial rights. Further, Guyana has called for expedited hearings to address this urgent matter. Meanwhile, the Venezuelan communications ministry has yet to provide a response to this request.
Tensions escalated recently when Guyana reported that a Venezuelan coast guard patrol had encroached into its waters and approached an operational vessel in a maritime zone managed by ExxonMobil. Conversely, Venezuela maintains that the area is still under dispute and awaits proper maritime delimitation under international law. The resolution of this conflict through the ICJ is anticipated to be a lengthy process, potentially spanning several years.
In summary, Guyana has taken legal steps to prevent Venezuela from conducting elections in the Esequibo region, highlighting the possibility of a serious breach of a prior court order. The situation remains tense, particularly following recent maritime incidents. The ICJ’s involvement is sought to uphold territorial rights, although a definitive ruling may take an extended period. Guyana’s prompt actions indicate the critical nature of the ongoing territorial dispute.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
