or preparing to conduct elections, in Guyana’s Essequibo region. The reaffirmation of the provisional measures is part of the substantive case before the ICJ regarding the long-standing Arbitral Award of October 3, 1899.

On Thursday, the court said, “Pending a final decision in the case, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela shall refrain from conducting elections, or preparing to conduct elections, in the territory in dispute, which the Cooperative Republic of Guyana currently administers and over which it exercises control.” Venezuela had announced that it intends to hold elections in Guyana’s Essequibo for which it has administered for over 100 years, a territory that has been claimed by Venezuela. Over the past few days, the Bolivarian Republic has been issuing notices on the candidates for these elections. (Jamaica Gleaner)