World Court orders Venezuela not to hold elections in Essequibo

Last Updated on Thursday, 1 May 2025, 23:55 by Writer

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Monday ordered Venezuela not to prepare for or conduct elections in Guyana’s Essequibo Region later this month.

“Pending a final decision in the case, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela shall refrain from conducting elections, or preparing to conduct elections, in the territory in dispute, which the Co-operative Republic of Guyana currently administers and over which it exercises control,” the judges said by 12 votes to three.

Venezuela, based on a rigged December 2023 referendum that purportedly incorporated Guyana’s Essequibo Region as that Spanish-speaking neighbour’s 24th State, now intends to hold elections for a legislative council and a governor on May 25, one day before Guyana’s independence anniversary from British colonial rule.

The ICJ on Thursday unanimously reaffirmed the provisional measures indicated in its Order of 1 December 2023, which should be immediately and effectively implemented.

That order states that “pending a final decision in the case, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela shall refrain from taking any action which would modify the situation that currently prevails in the territory in dispute, whereby the Co-operative Republic of Guyana administers and exercises control over that area” and “Both Parties shall refrain from any action which might aggravate or extend the dispute before the Court or make it more difficult to resolve.”

Reacting to Thursday’s order, the Guyana government reiterated its unwavering commitment to the principles of international law, the peaceful resolution of disputes and to the ICJ Process for a final, peaceful and lawful resolution of the controversy concerning the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award that determined the land boundary between Guyana and Venezuela.

“The Government of Guyana further calls upon the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to comply fully with the ICJ’s orders, which are legally binding, and refrain from any actions that violate Guyana’s territorial integrity or disrupt the peace and security of the Latin American and Caribbean region,” the Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn had said that any Guyanese elected by Venezuela as Governor of Essequibo and who comes to Guyana will be charged with treason, and other elected officials found in the county will also be charged.

Treason is punishable only by death.