ICJ orders Venezuela to halt unlawful election plans in Guyana’s Essequibo

…Guyana’s Govt welcomes decision, calls on Venezuela to comply

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ordered that Venezuela must refrain from conducting or preparing to conduct elections Guyana’s Essequibo region – two thirds of the country’s landmass.
Back in January, the Nicolás Maduro regime announced plans to elect a governor and legislative council of “Guayana Esequiba State”, which is the name Venezuela has given to Guyana’s Essequibo region, on May 25, 2025.
In a majority order of 12 to three on Thursday, May 1, 2025, ICJ issued provisions measures, stating that “…Pending a final decision in the case, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela shall refrain from conducting elections, or preparing to conduct elections, in the territory in dispute, which the Co-operative Republic of Guyana currently administers and over which it exercises control.”
This was in response to the Guyana Government’s March 6, 2025 request that the court block attempts by Venezuela to hold elections in the Essequibo region. Guyana had contended that this action by the Spanish-speaking nation “flagrantly violates” provisional measures previously issued by the World Court back in December 2023 and asked the court to reaffirm those measures.
In Thursday’s orders, The Hague, Netherlands-based World Court “…Unanimously, reaffirms the provisional measures indicated in its Order of 1 December 2023, which should be immediately and effectively implemented…”
The March request is the second time that Guyana has had to write the ICJ over Venezuelan’s aggression even as the court is hearing the case to settle the decades-long border controversy between the two South American neighbours.
Back in December 2023, Guyana had approached the World Court after Venezuela’s threat to seize and annex Guyana’s Essequibo region. In response, the ICJ had ordered Venezuela to refrain from any actions to disturb Guyana’s administration and control of that territory pending the conclusion of the case.
In that December 1, 2023 ICJ Order, it was noted “…Unanimously, Pending a final decision in the case, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela shall refrain from taking any action which would modify the situation that currently prevails in the territory in dispute, whereby the Co-operative Republic of Guyana administers and exercises control over that area; and (2) Both Parties shall refrain from any action which might aggravate or extend the dispute before the Court or make it more difficult to resolve.”

Welcomed decision
Meanwhile, the Guyana Government has welcomed this recent court order with President Dr Irfaan Ali declaring that Guyana’s position has always been consistent with international law.
“Once again, Guyana’s position has prevailed. Once again, it has been demonstrated that Guyana position accords with international law. The Government of Guyana welcomes this decision,” the Head of State said in a social media post.

Comply fully
Meanwhile, an official statement from the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry reiterates the Guyana Government’s unwavering commitment to the principles of international law, the peaceful resolution of disputes and to the ICJ Process for a final, peaceful and lawful resolution of the controversy concerning the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award that determined the land boundary between Guyana and Venezuela.
“The Government of Guyana further calls upon the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to comply fully with the ICJ’s orders, which are legally binding, and refrain from any actions that violate Guyana’s territorial integrity or disrupt the peace and security of the Latin American and Caribbean region,” the missive from Takuba Lodge on Thursday detailed.
In addition to two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass, Venezuela is also laying claims to Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), where over 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe) have been found and production as well as other exploration activities are currently being undertaken.
After years failed good offices process through the United Nations and based on the recommendation of the then UN Secretary General, Guyana approached the ICJ in March 2018, seeking a final and binding settlement of the 1899 Arbitral Award.
Guyana has already filed two written pleadings on the merits, and Venezuela has filed one, with its second pleading due in August 2025. Oral hearings are expected in the first half of 2026, following which the Court will deliberate on the case and issue its final Judgment on the Merits, which will be binding on the parties.
Guyana has pledged to accept the World Court’s Judgment whatever it might be.
However, despite the matter still pending before the ICJ and the two South American neighbours signing the historic Argyle Declaration – a December 2023 peace pact, Venezuela continues to use aggressive tactics against Guyana.
Only recently, there was an incursion into Guyana’s waters on March 1, 2025 by a Venezuelan naval vessels which threated several oil vessels operating there – something which was widely condemned by the international community.