Guyana has requested the ICJ to prevent Venezuela from conducting elections in the disputed Esequibo region, claiming this would violate a previous court ruling. Venezuela plans to hold elections on May 25, and tensions have heightened recently with maritime encounters between both nations. An ICJ decision on this matter could take years.
On Thursday, Guyana formally requested that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) prevent Venezuela from conducting elections in the contested Esequibo region. The Guyanese foreign ministry claimed that holding a vote would contravene a previous ICJ ruling. Venezuela is scheduled to conduct provincial elections, including for state governors, on May 25, under a law enacted by President Nicolas Maduro to create a new state within the disputed territory.
In its official statement, Guyana stated that the ICJ should prohibit Venezuela from proceeding with elections in the 160,000-square-km (62,000-square-mile) area. They emphasized that such actions would “flagrantly violate” a 2023 court order that forbids any measures altering the status quo of the region. Guyana urged for expedited hearings, asserting that the elections could result in “serious and irremediable prejudice” to its territorial rights.
The Venezuelan communications ministry has not yet responded to the request for comment regarding these developments. Tensions have escalated recently, particularly after an incident where a Venezuelan coast guard patrol allegedly entered Guyanese waters, approaching an ExxonMobil-operated oil block. Venezuela contended that the waters involved are part of a maritime zone awaiting proper delimitation as per international law.
A conclusive ruling from the ICJ regarding the ownership of Esequibo is anticipated to take several years, prolonging the uncertainty surrounding the territorial dispute between the two nations.
Guyana’s request to the ICJ seeking to block Venezuelan elections in Esequibo underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding the territorial dispute. With recent incidents exacerbating the conflict, Guyana emphasizes the need for adherence to international law and prior court rulings. As both nations remain at odds, a final decision from the ICJ may take time, prolonging the uncertainty over the region’s future.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
