UN Court Upholds Guyana's Control Over Disputed Territory, Rejects Venezuela's Alterations

The United Nations' top court has ordered Venezuela not to take any action that would alter Guyana's control over a disputed territory, but did not explicitly ban Venezuela from holding its planned referendum on the territory's future. The court ruling falls short of mentioning the referendum but states that Venezuela must refrain from modifying the current situation in the disputed Essequibo region. The ruling remains in place until a case brought by Guyana against Venezuela is considered, which could take years. Both countries interpret the ruling as largely supporting their own positions.