Venezuela rejects UN court orders to halt disputed territorial elections with Guyana

Caracas, Venezuela (AP) – The Venezuelan government on Friday rejected a UN Supreme Court ruling, ordering South American countries to avoid elections, which are said to be monitoring resource-rich areas near Guyana, both claiming to be their own.

The government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro emphasized its historical status in a statement, not recognizing the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice and asserting that international law does not allow the agency to “intervent” or “try to prohibit” elections.

The government's statement was published the day after the Hague-based court issued at Guyana's request, the ruling accused Venezuela of violating an earlier order that planned elections on May 25 for the governor and other officials to manage the Essequibo area.

The statement said Essequibo “is an inalienable part of Venezuelan territory and a legacy of our liberators.” “Its defense is the history, constitutional and moral mandate that unites the entire Bolivar homeland. There is no international pressure, judicial blackmail or foreign courts will bring us back from this belief.”

The areas that are encountered in dispute represent two-thirds of Guyana, rich in gold, diamonds, wood and other natural resources. It is also located near offshore oil deposits, with current production on average about 650,000 barrels per day.

Venezuela has always regarded Essequibo as itself, as the region was within its borders during the Spanish colonial period. It had long dismissed the borders delineated by international arbitrators in 1899 when Guyana remained a British colony.

After years of futile mediation, Guyana asked the World Court in 2018 to rule that the 1899 border decision was valid and binding. Venezuela believes that an agreement to resolve the dispute effectively cancels the original arbitration.

The case is still being heard in court, while tensions are rising between the two countries.

In the second half of 2023, Maduro threatened to annex the region by force after holding a referendum to ask voters whether they should turn Essequibo into a Venezuelan country. A few days later, Brazil and the United Nations joined Caribbean leaders held an emergency summit, and Guyana and Venezuela agreed to avoid the use of force. But the dispute continues.

In March, the Guyana president condemned Venezuelan armed naval ships for invading disputed waters that are home to the main offshore oil deposit developed by ExxonMobil. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez disputed Ali's claims and called Exxonmobil's oil installation “illegal”.

Venezuelan voters will participate in a poll later this month to elect governors and lawmakers.

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