CARICOM leaders have expressed serious concern over Venezuela’s plans to hold elections in the Essequibo region of Guyana for a “Governor” and a “Legislative Council.” This follows a controversial referendum claimed to support Venezuela’s territorial assertions. The leaders discussed this at their recent summit, emphasizing the importance of respecting Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Leaders of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have expressed deep concern regarding recent Venezuelan proposals for elections in the Essequibo region of Guyana, scheduled for April. This announcement includes plans for appointing a “Governor” and a “Legislative Council” in a region that Venezuela falsely claimed as the “Guayana Esequiba State”. The issue was a topic of discussion at the recent CARICOM summit that concluded last Friday.
Despite the absence of an official communique from CARICOM following the three-day summit, sources revealed that discussions included updates on long-standing border disputes involving Guyana and Venezuela, as well as Belize and Guatemala. During their deliberations, CARICOM leaders specifically noted the alarming declarations made by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and National Electoral Council Chairman Elvis Amoroso in January regarding the upcoming elections in Essequibo.
The ongoing tensions stem from Venezuela’s illegal effort to annex Essequibo, which is rich in oil and accounts for about two-thirds of Guyana’s territory and population. In 2023, Venezuela’s government claimed that a significant majority of eligible Venezuelan voters had participated in a referendum that purportedly showed overwhelming support for its claims to the Essequibo region. Amoroso announced that over 10.4 million of the 20.7 million eligible voters had allegedly cast their votes in favor of these claims.
This referendum was conducted despite warnings from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to Venezuela against the annexation of the Essequibo. The Essequibo region is home to approximately 125,000 of Guyana’s total population of 800,000, underscoring its significance to not only Guyana’s territorial integrity but also its economic future.
The CARICOM leaders are uniformly opposed to Venezuela’s claim and electoral actions concerning the Essequibo region, emphasizing the need for a diplomatic resolution to the enduring border dispute. Their unified stance reflects a commitment to respecting nations’ sovereignty while addressing security and stability in the region.
Original Source: nycaribnews.com
