Guyana has appealed to the International Court of Justice following Venezuela’s announcement to include the disputed Essequibo region in upcoming gubernatorial elections. The situation escalated after a Venezuelan referendum supported the claim to the region, while Guyana asserts its sovereignty based on an 1899 arbitration decision. The ICJ previously ordered Venezuela to refrain from actions in the territory but the upcoming elections are viewed as a violation of this order.
On Thursday, Guyana sought intervention from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) following Venezuela’s announcement to hold elections in the contested Essequibo border region, which is rich in oil and has been administered by Guyana for over a century. Venezuela plans to conduct gubernatorial elections on May 25, which include the Essequibo region, despite Guyana’s longstanding claim.
A December 2023 non-binding referendum in Venezuela showed that 95 percent of participants supported the territorial claim to Essequibo. Following this, in March 2023, Venezuela’s parliament approved legislation to designate Essequibo as its 24th state. This move was declared invalid by Georgetown and other international actors, yet was endorsed by President Maduro.
Guyana has requested the ICJ to impose provisional measures, urging that Venezuela refrain from any actions impacting its sovereign territory, which includes the Essequibo area. This region constitutes approximately two-thirds of Guyana’s land and contains a significant portion of its population of 800,000.
Guyana maintains that historic boundaries for Essequibo were defined by an arbitration decision in 1899, while Venezuela asserts that the Essequibo River serves as a natural border recognized from 1777. The dispute intensified following the 2015 discovery of extensive crude oil reserves by ExxonMobil, escalating with recent oil block auctions in the area.
In December 2023, the ICJ had previously granted Guyana provisional measures, instructing Venezuela to refrain from actions concerning the territory. Guyana’s foreign ministry stated that the planned elections contravene this order and called for an expedited hearing. Recent tensions also arose when the United States condemned Venezuelan naval vessels for allegedly threatening an ExxonMobil operation in maritime areas claimed by Guyana.
In conclusion, Guyana’s formal appeal to the ICJ arises from escalating territorial disputes with Venezuela over the Essequibo region. The filing highlights the international legal approaches Guyana is employing in response to Venezuela’s electoral plans that contradict prior ICJ rulings. Given the strategic importance of the oil reserves in this contested area, the situation remains crucial and continues to draw international scrutiny.
Original Source: www.gonzagabulletin.com
