Venezuela Rejects UN Court Order on Essequibo Election

Tone & Political Bias: Center-Leaning

Why: The reporting outlines both Venezuela’s and Guyana’s positions without editorializing or favoring either side.

Venezuela Pushes Forward Despite Court Order

Venezuela has rejected a ruling by the United Nations’ top court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which directed the country to halt planned elections in the Essequibo region — a disputed territory currently controlled by Guyana.

The elections, scheduled for May 25, aim to appoint officials who would oversee the region, which both Venezuela and Guyana claim as their own. The ICJ’s ruling was made at the request of Guyana, which alleges that the election would violate a previous court order.

Venezuela’s Response

In an official statement, the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro rejected the court's authority and questioned the legitimacy of the ICJ's interference. The government said:

“Its defense is a historical, constitutional, and moral mandate that unites the entire Bolivarian Homeland. No international pressure, judicial blackmail, or foreign tribunal will make us back down from this conviction.”

Venezuela insists that the Essequibo region is part of its sovereign territory, citing historical ties dating back to the Spanish colonial period. It does not recognize the ICJ’s jurisdiction in the matter.

Dispute Background

The Essequibo region makes up roughly two-thirds of Guyana's territory and is rich in natural resources such as gold, diamonds, and timber. It also lies near offshore oil fields currently producing around 650,000 barrels per day.

Venezuela disputes the boundary established in 1899, when international arbitrators awarded the territory to British Guiana, now modern-day Guyana. Venezuela argues that this border decision was invalidated by a 1966 agreement to settle the issue. In 2018, Guyana brought the case to the ICJ, asking the court to uphold the original 1899 ruling. That case remains under review.

Rising Tensions

Tensions have escalated in recent years:

In 2023, Venezuela held a referendum asking citizens if Essequibo should be integrated as a new Venezuelan state. Following this, Maduro threatened annexation.
The situation prompted emergency talks among Caribbean leaders, Brazil, and the United Nations, leading to a temporary agreement to avoid force.
In March 2024, Guyana reported that a Venezuelan naval vessel entered disputed waters near an ExxonMobil oil field. Venezuela denied the accusation and claimed the oil operations are illegal.

What’s Next

Despite international warnings and legal challenges, Venezuela is moving ahead with its plans. The May 25 elections will include voting for governors and lawmakers, including those for the Essequibo region.

The border dispute remains unresolved, and both nations continue to assert sovereignty over the area. The ICJ has not yet issued a final ruling on the legitimacy of the 1899 border decision.