World Court Orders Guyana to Block Venezuela’s Electoral Preparations in Essequibo
The International Court of Justice has received Guyana’s request for an order to block Venezuela from conducting gubernatorial and legislative elections in the disputed Essequibo Region. Guyana urges the ICJ to impose provisional measures before the May 25, 2025 elections to prevent any Venezuelan electoral activities, which they assert could affect the legitimacy of the ongoing territorial dispute based on the 1899 Arbitral Award.
On March 7, 2025, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) disclosed details regarding Guyana’s request for an order aimed at preventing Venezuela from conducting gubernatorial and legislative council elections in the Essequibo Region. Guyana particularly seeks to impose provisional measures in light of the upcoming elections set for May 25, 2025, while challenging the legitimacy of the 1899 Arbitral Tribunal Land Boundary settlement with Venezuela.
Guyana’s request includes several key provisional measures to be implemented prior to the elections. These measures are as follows: (1) Venezuela is to cease any electoral activities within the territory on Guyana’s side of the boundary established by the 1899 Arbitral Award. This includes refraining from extending voting rights, distributing election materials, supporting candidates, as well as establishing polling stations in the disputed territory. (2) Venezuela must also refrain from actions that would annex any territory belonging to Guyana, whether de jure or de facto, including the incorporation of ‘Guayana Esequiba’ into Venezuela. (3) Finally, Venezuela is to avoid any actions that would alter the current administration and control of the disputed territory by Guyana.
Previously, Venezuela disregarded ICJ provisional orders issued in December 2023 and proceeded with a controversial referendum. Authorities claimed a majority ‘yes’ vote in favor of including Guyana’s Essequibo Region as part of Venezuela’s territory. Following this, legislation was enacted to declare Essequibo a Venezuelan state, designating Tumeremo as its capital until a mutually accepted resolution is reached with Guyana.
Venezuela’s actions have grown increasingly confrontational, particularly following ExxonMobil’s discovery of oil in the offshore Stabroek Block. The situation escalated when Venezuela’s military patrol vessel entered Guyana’s exclusive economic zone, asserting that oil vessels were illegally operating in disputed waters.
After decades of mediation facilitated by the United Nations to resolve the border dispute, Guyana opted to bring the matter before the ICJ in 2018. Venezuela, however, has contested the ICJ’s jurisdiction and misinterpreted the 1966 Geneva Agreement, asserting that resolution should arise from bilateral negotiations. Notably, Essequibo remains under Guyana’s jurisdiction and is represented in internationally acknowledged maps from its period as a British colony.
In summary, the International Court of Justice has acknowledged Guyana’s request to prevent Venezuela from conducting elections in the disputed Essequibo Region. Guyana seeks to implement provisional measures to safeguard its claims against Venezuelan electoral activities and annexation efforts. The situation remains tense, influenced by ongoing territorial disputes and Venezuela’s aggressive maneuvers in the region, particularly concerning oil exploration. The outcome of this case will be critical in determining the future of the disputed territory and regional stability.
Original Source: demerarawaves.com
