Little Guyana, NY, USA, strongly condemn Venezuela’s threats to elect a Governor for Essequibo

Threats constitute an act of terrorism and war

As President of the Committee to Preserve Guyana’s Sovereignty and District Leader of Richmond Hill and Ozone Park, designated “Little Guyana” on the NYC and US maps, we strongly condemn the escalating actions of Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro to seize over two-thirds of Guyana’s territory. Venezuela’s recent threat to elect a governor for the Essequibo county of Guyana is an outrageous claim that must be rejected ab initio.

This is a fundamental and vicious violation of International law, the Law of Nations, and basic human decency. It is tantamount to a declaration of war, an act of terror, and constitutes an egregious precedent. We call upon all nations, the US President, the institutions of America, and all right-thinking individuals and organizations worldwide to condemn this illegal act. Collectively, we must safeguard Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while bringing Maduro to justice as a war criminal.

Venezuela’s plan also transgresses the Argyle Agreement of December 14, 2023, and the binding Order of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued on December 1, 2023, which commit Guyana and Venezuela, unequivocally, to refrain from escalating any conflict or disagreement arising from the territorial controversy between the two countries, including refraining from actions that could aggravate tensions or alter the current situation in the disputed territory, pending resolution in accordance with international law.

Maduro’s quixotic, but dangerous, ambition would be another flagrant, fundamental usurpation of the basic tenets of international law, a travesty of the UN Charter, a declaration of war, and the machinations of a demented dictator, for Venezuela to attempt to conduct an election in Guyanese territory involving Guyanese nationals, in an independent land where it has no jurisdiction. Venezuela’s resources would be better spent providing for the suffering masses who seek refuge en masse in other countries, and are fleeing the Maduro dictatorship in unprecedented numbers.

We will not, and must not, allow this to happen.

Hon. Albert Baldeo
President of the Committee to Preserve Guyana’s sovereignty
District Leader of Richmond Hill and Ozone Park, NY , USA, “Little Guyana”