Guyana is escalating its territorial dispute with its neighbor, Venezuela, to the International Court of Justice, the highest court in the United Nations, over a massive piece of jungle territory the size of Tunisia that many say is rich in minerals.

The dispute between the two countries has been going on for a long time and it dates back since an arbitration award by an international tribunal in 1899 drew the border between the two South American countries. This disputed territory is located west of the Essequibo River and is the size of the North African country of Tunisia.

According to the Associated Press, this disputed piece of jungle territory is "rich in gold, diamonds, timber, and other natural resources," and both countries are claiming it is part of their territory. Guyana claims it is theirs based on the 1899 ruling, while Venezuela also claims it is theirs.

Guyana first launched its case back in 2018, asking the International Court of Justice to uphold the 1899 ruling. However, the dispute escalated after Venezuelan authorities published five questions for its referendum regarding the Essequibo territory. The vote for that is scheduled for December 3, and Guyana wants the ICJ to stop it.

Guyana Says Venezuela Referendum Is an 'Existential' Threat

The Venezuela referendum on the disputed territory calls the 1899 decision into question as the country has been wanting the territory ever since ExxonMobil discovered oil in Essequibo in 2015.

However, Carl Greenidge, a former minister representing Guyana at the ICJ, told The Hague that "It is not an exaggeration to describe the current threat to Guyana as existential," as the country has long regarded the Essequibo as part of its territory.

READ NEXT: Venezuela Election: Maria Corina Machado Officially Wins Opposition Primary

"I cannot stress enough the urgency of the situation that brought us here today," added the leader of Guyana's legal team, warning the ICJ that the country risks "irreparable and potential permanent loss" of its rights to its own sovereign territory should the referendum push through.

However, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was also at The Hague and claimed on Venezuelan TV that Guyana "lied and manipulated" in its presentation to the court.

"Guyana never ceases to amaze us. We are really very surprised because not only are they the heirs of a territory that the UK had stolen from Venezuela, but they also inherited that... imperialist and colonialist arrogance," stated the Venezuelan VP on state TV.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Expresses Concern Over Guyana and Venezuela's Dispute

As the dispute between Guyana and Venezuela continues to escalate, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his concern.

"The Secretary-General is following with concern the recent escalation of tension between Guyana and Venezuela over the border controversy between the two countries. He trusts that both parties will demonstrate good faith and avoid any action that would aggravate or extend the controversy," stated Secretary General's spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

According to AA, the statement came after Venezuela accused Guyana of allowing the United States to establish military bases in the disputed area.

Meanwhile, Guyanese Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd dismissed these remarks and accused Venezuela of spreading misinformation, saying, "It seems to be Venezuela's usual position which is to deceive and create division in the region, and I think they are failing."

READ MORE: Guyana Pirates Trial: Court Sentences 2 Pirates to Death Over Fishermen's Deaths

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: FACT CHECK: Venezuelan Maduro Baselessly Accuses Guyana's Ali of Violating the Treaty of Geneva - Voice of America