In a significant development, Guyana has secured a favorable ruling at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) with provisional orders granted, restraining Venezuela from taking any action that would interfere with Guyana’s control of the Essequibo region.
The ruling, essentially directs Venezuela to refrain from proceeding with its controversial December 3 referendum, where the government sought public support to annex the Essequibo region.
Guyana, responding to the threat of annexation, urgently sought provisional measures from the ICJ on October 30.
The matter was expeditiously heard on November 14 and 15, and this morning, President of the Court, Justice Joan Donoghue, issued the ruling.
President Donoghue asserted that until the court rules on the merits of the case regarding the validity of the 1899 arbitral award, Venezuela is prohibited from taking any action that would alter the current situation, where Guyana administers and exercises control over the Essequibo.
The ICJ further instructed both parties to refrain from actions that would worsen or extend the existing controversy before the court.
The provisional measures in favor of Guyana were granted based on key facts, including the court’s own findings in an earlier judgment regarding Guyana’s rights over Essequibo.
Additionally, the court considered evidence supporting Guyana’s concerns about forced annexation and de facto control by Venezuela, including statements from Venezuela’s president and military leaders, as well as activities at the border presented by Guyana.
Justice Donoghue emphasized that the evidence demonstrates a real and imminent risk of irreparable prejudice to Guyana’s rights, leading to the favorable ruling compelling Venezuela to restrain its ambitions over Guyana’s Essequibo.