The United Nations top court on Friday ordered Venezuela not to take any action that would alter Guyana’s control over a disputed territory, but did not specifically ban Venezuela from holding its planned referendum Sunday on the territory’s future.
Guyana had sought intervention from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to stop certain aspects of the vote, alleging that it was a strategic move by Venezuela to pave the way for annexing the disputed Essequibo region, constituting approximately two-thirds of Guyana’s territory.
The recent ruling on Friday from the ICJ has been interpreted differently by both nations, with each seeing it as a validation of their respective positions regarding the contested territory, known for its significant oil and mineral resources. The United Nations
While the court order doesn’t explicitly mention the referendum, it instructs Venezuela to “refrain from taking any action which would modify that situation that currently prevails” in Essequibo. This legally binding decision will remain in force until the ICJ considers Guyana’s case against Venezuela regarding the region’s future, a process that could extend over several years.
Court President Joan E. Donoghue, while explaining the verdict, highlighted the necessity of the order due to Venezuela’s expressed readiness to take action on the disputed territory following the referendum. This readiness posed a real and imminent risk of irreparable harm to Guyana’s legitimate rights, pending the court’s final decision on the matter.
Venezuela has arranged a referendum to ask voters five questions Sunday, including whether to create a Venezuelan state in Essequibo and whether voters support granting Venezuelan citizenship to the region’s current and future residents.
Venezuela does not recognize the U.N. panel’s jurisdiction over the decades-old dispute, but the country’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez nonetheless characterized the ruling as a “victory for Venezuela,” given that the U.N. did not order a halt to the referendum plans.