Before the decision of the National Electoral Council (CNE) to include the Esequibo region, in dispute with Guyana, in the elections of governors on May 25, The International Court of justice (CIJ) reaffirmed on Thursday, unanimously, the provisional measures issued in December 2023 and ordered Venezuela to refrain from carrying out or preparing elections in that region.
Guyanés President Irfaan Ali, celebrated the decision through his Facebook account, stating: «Once again, Guyana’s position has prevailed. Once again, it has been shown that Guyana’s position fits international law. Guyana’s government celebrates this decision ».
In the text published by ALI, the ICJ emphasized that provisional measures must be implemented immediately and effectively. The opinion indicates that, «pending a definitive decision on the case, The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela will refrain from holding elections or preparing elections in the territory in disputethat the Cooperative Republic of Guyana currently manages and on which it exercises control ».
Elections in the Esequibo contravene order issued by the ICJ in 2023
This order occurs in response to Venezuela’s announcement to celebrate elections in the Esequibo on May 25, and even at the beginning of the campaign for these regional elections last Tuesday.
These Venezuelan actions contravene the order issued by the ICJ on December 1, 2023which required Venezuela to refrain from any action that modified the current situation in the territory in dispute.
In March 2025, Guyana resorted to the ICJ again, requesting provisional measures to prevent the celebration of elections by Venezuela in the territory in litigation. Guyana argued that such actions would not only violate the 2023 order, but also alter the status quo in the region.
The controversy from the Esequibo has intensified after the discovery of important oil deposits in the area. Guyana raised the case to the ICJ in 2018, looking for a legal resolution to the territorial conflict, while Venezuela questions the court jurisdiction.
It should be remembered that, in December 2023, Venezuela carried out a referendum in which it consulted its population about the creation of a new state in the Esequibo and the possibility of granting Venezuelan citizenship to its inhabitants.
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