Guyana sets out requests to ICJ over planned Venezuelan election for Essequibo

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) today acknowledged receipt of Guyana’s request for provisional measures in relation to Venezuela’s stated plans to convene elections in this country’s county of Essequibo.

The ICJ said that Guyana has requested the Court to indicate the following provisional measures:

“1) Venezuela shall not conduct any election in, or in respect of, any part of the territory on Guyana’s side of the boundary line as established by the 1899 Arbitral Award, including by doing any of the following acts:

a) purporting to extend the right to vote in any Venezuelan elections to any individuals living within that territory;

b) distributing ballot papers, poll cards, electoral materials or any other physical or electronic electoral documents to individuals within that territory;

c) presenting or naming or otherwise supporting candidates for any Venezuelan elections within that territory;

d) establishing polling stations, counting stations or electoral offices within that territory;

e) purporting to establish, elect or appoint any office of governor, legislative council, deputies or any other legislative or governmental official in respect of any part of that territory; and

f) communicating directly or indirectly with any residents in that territory in regard to any elections planned by Venezuela.

2) Venezuela shall refrain from taking any action which purports to annex de jure or de facto any territory on Guyana’s side of the boundary line established by the 1899 Arbitral Award, including by incorporating ‘Guayana Esequiba’ as part of Venezuela.

3) Venezuela shall refrain from taking any action which would seek to modify the situation that currently prevails in the territory in dispute, whereby Guyana administers and exercises control over that area.”