Guyana has been granted provisional measures by the International Court of Justice regarding its border dispute with Venezuela.

A decision was handed down today by ICJ President Justice Joan Donoghue.

The court ordered that, pending its final decision, Venezuela shall refrain from taking any action to modify “the situation that currently prevails in the territory in dispute”, which is that Guyana administers and exercises control over the Essequibo area.

It has also ordered an additional measure directed to both parties, aimed at ensuring the non-aggravation of the dispute.

Furthermore, it emphasized that the question of the validity of the 1899 award related to boundary between Guyana and Venezuela, and the definitive settlement of the boundary dispute are matters for the court to decide at the merits stage.

According to the Guyana Chronicle, Venezuela’s Vice-President, Delcy Rodriguez spoke during the oral hearing and expressed her country’s disregard for the ICJ’s authority in addressing the matter.