Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Sébastien Sigouin, has urged Venezuela to cancel its planned elections on Sunday in Essequibo, which is two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass.
Reiterating his country’s support for Guyana’s sovereignty, High Commissioner Sigouin on Saturday reminded that the border controversy between the two South American neighbours is before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for final settlement.
“The International Court of Justice is seized with the border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela. Canada reiterates its support for Guyana’s sovereignty and urges Venezuela to respect the ICJ May 1, 2025 provisions. This means that Venezuela must refrain tomorrow from holding elections of a Governor of the Essequibo Region,” the Canadian diplomat said.
Earlier this month, the World Court ordered that pending a final decision in the case, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela must refrain from conducting elections or preparing to conduct elections in the disputed territory, which the Co-operative Republic of Guyana currently administers and over which it exercises control.
Guyana had previously asked the court to reaffirm previous orders after Venezuela announced plans to hold elections in Guyana’s Essequibo region – something that has been widely condemned, especially by the international community.
In the May 2, 2025, Order, the ICJ also unanimously reaffirmed the Provisional Measures granted on December 1, 2023, and directed that it be immediately and effectively implemented.
The 2023 Measures state, “…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.”
See below for the May 2 Orders issued by the ICJ:
Discover more from INews Guyana
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
