Guyana seeks urgent Court intervention to stop Venezuela’s electoral plans for Essequibo

Guyana has taken a significant step in its ongoing territorial controversy with Venezuela, submitting an urgent request to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to impose provisional measures concerning the long-standing Arbitral Award of October 03, 1899.

The request comes in response to Venezuela’s announcement that it intends to hold elections in Guyana’s Essequibo for which it has administered for over 100 years, a territory that has been claimed by Venezuela.

Guyana maintains that Essequibo is an integral part of its sovereign territory, a position upheld by the ICJ in its December 2023 ruling. The Venezuelan election plan, scheduled for May 25 2025, is seen by Guyana as a direct violation of the Court’s Order and international law.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation explained that the electoral plans would result in “preparatory acts” that would directly affect both the people of Essequibo and Guyana’s territorial integrity.

As such, the government is asking the ICJ to urgently intervene and order Venezuela to cease any actions to further claim Essequibo, as well as refrain from any activities that might alter the current status of the area.

This marks the second time Guyana has sought provisional measures from the ICJ. In its first request, filed in late 2023, the Court ruled in Guyana’s favour, ordering Venezuela to “refrain from taking any action which would modify the situation that currently prevails in the territory in dispute.” The country believes that Venezuela’s planned elections would directly breach this order, as they would result in a clear and unjustified alteration of the status quo.

The Guyanese government has expressed serious concern that any further delay in court intervention could cause irreparable harm to its sovereignty and the rights of its citizens in the disputed region.

“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,” the statement noted.

“Our request to the Court is an urgent plea for action to prevent Venezuela from taking steps that would undermine Guyana’s control over the Essequibo region,” it added.

In light of these developments, Guyana has requested the ICJ to expedite hearings on its request for provisional measures, with the aim of securing an order before irreversible damage can be done.