Guyana Vs. Venezuela Territorial Dispute: UN Sides With Guyana But Venezuela Still Holding Referendum on Disputed Land

The Guyana Vs. Venezuela territorial dispute regarding the Essequibo territory has entered a new phase as the UN High Court sided with Guyana. However, Venezuela is still holding its controversial referendum regarding whether or not it should take control of that disputed territory.

The United Nations' top court has now ordered Venezuela not to take any action that would alter Guyana's control over the disputed Essequibo region, which is rich in mineral deposits and is claimed by both countries. The territory also makes up some two-thirds of Guyana.

Essequibo is a territory larger than Greece and is rich in oil and minerals, according to the Associated Press. It has been a part of Guyana since an 1899 border decision was passed granting control of the area to Guyana. However, Venezuela is claiming it as part of its territory because of historical reasons and is even having its citizens vote on whether or not to annex it.

The UN court order did not explicitly bar Venezuela from holding its referendum, though, only telling the Nicolas Maduro-led country that it must "refrain from taking any action which would modify that situation that currently prevails" in Essequibo. It did rule that the 1899 ruling "remains in place until a case brought by Guyana against Venezuela on the region's future is considered by the court."

The Guyana Vs. Venezuela territorial dispute is made even more complicated as Venezuela refuses to recognize the UN High Court's jurisdiction over the issue, even though Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez is characterizing the issue as a "victory" for her country as it does not bar Venezuela from doing the referendum.

Venezuela Referendum Happening Even After UN High Court Sided With Guyana

President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela urged his citizens to vote for the government to claim sovereignty over Essequibo, arguing that the e oil- and mineral-rich territory was stolen by foreign powers when the borders were drawn in that 1899 agreement.

"We are solving through constitutional, peaceful, and democratic means an imperial dispossession of 150 years," said the Venezuelan strongman after casting his vote in Caracas. The vote still happened as the UN did not specifically ban it from happening.

However, the AP pointed out that Guyana considers the referendum a step toward annexation. Residents in the country are on edge right now as the Venezuelan government is asking its citizens whether they support establishing a state in Essequibo.

Should the referendum result in a win for taking control of the disputed territory, it remains unclear as to how Venezuela plans to take it from Guyanese control, as its neighbor has been adamant about defending the territory it considers its own for over a century.

International Community Sees Essequibo Territory Part of Guyana, Not Venezuela

According to France 24, the issue has become an obsession for Maduro, whose country faces a sovereignty problem, should he get what he wants. This is because the majority of the international community regards the Essequibo region as Guyana territory.

The vote for the referendum took place without any observers. International media reported that no one dared to campaign for the "no" vote as Venezuela's oppressive regime is infamous for stamping out any form of dissent.

However, it is also worth noting that Venezuelan troops are already on the border with Guyana, and international observers are afraid that should Maduro's plans push through, "it could destabilize the entire region."

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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