Guyana seeks provisional measures from the World Court regarding Venezuela’s election plans in Essequibo, asserting that these plans violate international law. Having previously obtained an order to maintain the status quo, Guyana requests the Court to prevent Venezuela from conducting any activities in the disputed territory, as they could infringe on Guyanese sovereignty.
Guyana has submitted a request for provisional measures to the World Court regarding Venezuela’s plan to conduct elections in the Essequibo region, which lies within Guyana’s national territory. This request was filed with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and is motivated by Venezuela’s intent to hold elections on May 25, 2025, alongside preparatory activities within Essequibo, which may impact Guyanese sovereignty and the local populace.
In its appeal to the ICJ, Guyana emphasizes the need to protect its territorial rights, urging the Court to instruct Venezuela to refrain from any activities that may infringe upon Guyana’s sovereignty, particularly in Essequibo. This is the second instance where Guyana has sought such measures, following a previous ruling from the Court dated December 1, 2023, that mandated Venezuela to maintain the status quo in the disputed territory.
Guyana argues that Venezuela’s proposed elections represent a direct violation of the ICJ’s earlier order. The current application aims to secure judicial confirmation of this breach and to obtain a clear mandate from the Court preventing any electoral activities that impact the disputed territory or its residents, who are principally Guyanese nationals.
Additionally, Guyana has requested that the Court expedite the scheduling of hearings regarding its request, so that any provisional measures required can be implemented before irreversible harm to Guyana’s rights can occur. This proactive approach aims to safeguard Guyana’s territorial integrity amidst escalating tensions with Venezuela.
In summary, Guyana is taking significant legal steps to protect its territorial rights in light of Venezuela’s electoral plans in the contested Essequibo region. Having previously secured a court order to maintain the status quo, Guyana is now requesting the ICJ to enforce this order and prevent any electoral activities that threaten its sovereignty. This matter highlights the ongoing territorial disputes and the importance of international law in safeguarding national interests.
Original Source: www.stabroeknews.com
