Venezuela is on course to hold an election to choose a Governor and eight deputies on May 25 in the area in Guyana, our legitimate territory, it claims as part of Venezuela. What will be the role of the Governor and Deputies when a Province of Essequiba does not exist. Who will the Governor govern and who will the Deputies represent? It is largely symbolic in a show of support for Maduro. It is a controversial vote, the outcome of which the democratic world will not accept.
No country recognizes Essequibo as belonging to Venezuela. The dispute is before the World Court for a final resolution; a decision is expected sometime in 2026. Venezuela is engaged in provocative action in planning an election when it knows that it is not possible. An election is not practical unless President Maduro holds an election in a part of undisputed Venezuela that he calls Essequiba but does not include Guyana’s territory.
Guyanese will not take part in this farcical election. Venezuelans residing in the territory that is part of Guyana, hosts of the generous Guyanese people, are also not likely to partake in any vote. Guyanese have provided comfort and safety to them from the rule of Maduro. No arrangement has been done for the vote. It is not known who are electors and where as well as how they will vote. What does a ballot look like? Will there be observers? Is Maduro looking for symbolism through a vote to deceive his population and boost his sagging popularity?
How should Guyana respond? We have sought the ruling of the World Court that is defied by Maduro; the court has sided with Guyana and urged Maduro not to hold any vote. The international community has offered its views on the proposed election. The global community has sided with Guyana. Guyana must continue to lobby influential nations (ABCE) and international organizations to pressure Venezuela to respect international law and the opinions of the World Court. The OAS, CARICOM, UNASUR, ACS, UN, and EU must be approached to mount pressure on Caracas to tone down its rhetoric and to abandon the planned election on May 25. The American Administration must also be approached to issue warnings on any encroachment on Guyana’s legitimate territory where American companies have been doing billion dollars business.
An election by Venezuela in Guyanese territory is tantamount to annexation which is illegal; it is similar to what Putin did in Crimea (Ukraine) and in other parts of disputed territories. Might cannot be right. Venezuela, like Russia, must respect international laws. The Americans should be invited to station a base in Essequibo to deter Venezuala’s aggression, vote, and annexation. Venezuela must be warned about the consequences by the USA and other countries as well as international organizations if it does not halt the vote.
A group of Guyanese in USA several years ago proposed that a defense treaty be signed between Guyana and America to deter exactly the kind of action of Venezuela. The idea was blanked by governments. It is not too late to give it consideration. The same group in USA also proposed to make Guyana an autonomous overseas territory for protection against Venezuelan threats and provocative actions like elections and referendums.
