ICJ reaffirms ban on Venezuela holding election in disputed territory

The International Court of Justice said Venezuela must refrain from conducting or preparing to conduct elections in a disputed territory currently under Guyanese control, reaffirming a prior decision, according to a document shared by Guyana President Irfaan Ali on Thursday.

"Once again, Guyana's position has prevailed," Ali said in a post on Facebook.

On Friday Venezuela's government rejected the ICJ pronouncement, saying it does not recognize the court's authority and that the court has no right to interfere in internal affairs.

Venezuela - whose legislature last year created a new state covering the disputed territory - is set to hold provincial and local elections on May 25.

A final decision in the case before the ICJ is expected to take years.