This Thursday, the Government of Guyana announced that it filed an urgent request with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to stop Venezuela’s electoral plans in the disputed region of Essequibo.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the elections, scheduled for May 25, include the election of a governor for this territory, which, according to Guyana, would affect its territorial integrity and directly impact the people of Essequibo.
For this reason, the Guyanese Government of Irfaan Ali, asked the ICJ to «urgently intervene and order Venezuela to cease any action to continue claiming Essequibo, as well as to refrain from any activity that could alter the current status of the area.»
This is the second time that Guyana has sought provisional measures before the ICJ. In its first request, filed at the end of 2023, the Court issued an order to Caracas to refrain from any action that could affect the situation in the disputed territory.
In this regard, Guyana considers that the elections planned by Venezuela would violate this order, resulting in an alteration of the status quo. A position that contradicts the Government of Nicolás Maduro, since the Venezuelan Executive reaffirms the sovereign position over said territory.
President Maduro denounces illegal exploitation:
For his part, Maduro warned that the Venezuelan Government will take measures against what he considers an illegal action by Guyana in a maritime zone still pending international delimitation.
In response, Guyanese President Irfaan Ali expressed concern about the presence of Venezuelan naval vessels in areas related to oil exploitation activities.
Although recently there was evidence of an overflight by the Secretary of Borders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guyana in an Exxon Mobil helicopter, which means a clear violation of International Law by the administration of Irfaan Ali, since this is a maritime zone that remains pending.
It should be remembered that the Essequibo, a region of approximately 160,000 square kilometers, is rich in natural resources and has been the subject of territorial disputes between Venezuela and Guyana since the Paris Arbitration Award of 1899.
Guyana also requested the Court to convene hearings on its request as soon as possible.