Guyana Appeals to ICJ as Venezuela Plans Elections in Disputed Essequibo Region
Guyana has appealed to the ICJ for urgent measures against Venezuela’s plans to conduct elections in the contested Essequibo region, which both countries claim. Venezuela’s inclusion of Essequibo in its upcoming elections follows a referendum supporting its territorial claim. Guyana argues that these actions violate an ICJ order established in December 2023.
On Thursday, Guyana sought relief from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) after Venezuela announced elections in the contested Essequibo region rich in oil resources. Venezuela is slated to hold elections on May 25, wherein it has included Essequibo, a territory administrated by Guyana for over a century. This decision follows a non-binding referendum in December 2023, where 95 percent of voters supported Venezuela’s territorial claim.
In March of the previous year, Venezuela’s parliament passed a law declaring Essequibo its 24th state, a move rejected by Guyana and several other nations. Regardless, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro signed the bill into law. In response, Guyana filed a request with the ICJ for provisional measures to halt Venezuela’s electoral plans, which it claims undermine its sovereignty over the Essequibo region—comprising two-thirds of its territory and housing 125,000 citizens.
Guyana, a former British and Dutch colony, argues that the borders of Essequibo were settled by an arbitration panel in 1899. Conversely, Venezuela maintains that the Essequibo River marks a historical natural border recognized since 1777. The issue escalated in 2015 when U.S. company ExxonMobil discovered significant crude reserves in Essequibo, further intensifying in 2023 with Guyana’s auction of oil blocks in the area, leading to it becoming the nation with the highest oil reserves per capita.
In December 2023, the ICJ previously ordered Venezuela to refrain from actions regarding Essequibo, acknowledging Guyana’s concerns. The Guyanese foreign ministry stated that Venezuela’s plans for elections contradict this order and has called for an expedited hearing. This latest episode in geopolitical tensions saw the United States also condemn Venezuela’s naval activities threatening ExxonMobil operations in Guyana’s maritime territory.
Guyana’s appeal to the ICJ highlights the ongoing territorial dispute with Venezuela over the Essequibo region, particularly against the backdrop of recent oil discoveries. Amid escalating tensions, Guyana seeks legal protection against Venezuelan actions that it perceives as violations of its sovereignty. This situation underscores the complexities of international territorial claims and the ramifications of resource discovery in disputed areas.
Original Source: www.gonzagabulletin.com
