Guyana is expected to address the International Court of Justice today regarding Venezuela’s claim to the Essequibo region.

Venezuela has specific questions in a planned referendum for December 3rd in which it seeks to create a new state that will include land of the Essequibo.

Guyana is seeking from the court, an order preventing Venezuela from taking any action to seize, acquire or encroach upon, or assert or exercise sovereignty over the Essequibo region or any other part of Guyana’s national territory.

This order will be pending the court’s final determination of the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award that established the land boundary between the two states.

The Guyana Chronicle says today’s hearing is devoted to oral arguments for the request for the indication of provisional measures submitted by Guyana.

Venezuela will present its case tomorrow.

(Photo credit: icj-cij.org)