Guyana has requested the ICJ to intervene against Venezuela’s electoral plans for the disputed Essequibo region, claiming that such actions violate previous Court directives and threaten its sovereignty. This marks the second appeal for provisional measures, with urgency due to fears of irreparable harm to its territorial integrity.
Guyana has taken decisive action concerning its territorial dispute with Venezuela by submitting an urgent request to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). This request seeks to impose provisional measures related to the Arbitral Award of October 3, 1899, in response to Venezuela’s plan to conduct elections in the contested Essequibo territory, which has been under Guyanese administration for over a century.
Essequibo, claimed by Venezuela, is deemed by Guyana as an essential part of its sovereign territory, a stance supported by the ICJ’s ruling in December 2023. The Venezuelan electoral plan, scheduled for May 25, 2025, is viewed by Guyana as a potential violation of the Court’s directives and international law.
Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has articulated concerns that these electoral plans could lead to significant “preparatory acts” affecting both the inhabitants of Essequibo and Guyana’s territorial integrity. Consequently, the government is urging the ICJ to intervene urgently and command Venezuela to halt any actions that may assert claims over Essequibo or alter the territory’s present status.
This situation is the second instance in which Guyana has sought provisional measures from the ICJ. Previously, in late 2023, the Court responded favorably, instructing Venezuela to refrain from actions that would change the current situation in the disputed territory. Guyana argues that the upcoming elections infringe upon this directive and would constitute an unwarranted alteration of the status quo.
The government has voiced profound concerns that any delay in judicial intervention could lead to irreversible harm to its sovereignty and the rights of its citizens within the disputed area. In the statement issued, it emphasized, “We are seeking to preserve our rights and ensure that the actions of Venezuela do not escalate in a way that would prejudice Guyana’s sovereignty.”
Moreover, Guyana’s appeal to the ICJ is described as an urgent request intended to prevent Venezuela from taking further steps that could undermine Guyana’s authority over Essequibo. The country has requested that the hearings on provisional measures be expedited to secure a timely order before any irreversible damage occurs.
In summary, Guyana’s urgent request to the ICJ highlights its commitment to preserving its territorial integrity and sovereignty in light of Venezuela’s electoral ambitions in the Essequibo region. The government fears that Venezuela’s planned actions may violate international law and previous Court orders, prompting calls for immediate judicial intervention. Ultimately, Guyana seeks to avert potential harm to its citizens and territory through prompt legal action.
Original Source: newsroom.gy
