CARICOM Leaders Critique Venezuela’s Electoral Plans for Essequibo Region
CARICOM leaders voiced grave concerns over Venezuela’s announcement to hold elections in the Essequibo region of Guyana. This decision is viewed as a violation of international law and a provocative act in the context of a long-standing border dispute. Their discussions emphasized the importance of addressing this matter to maintain regional stability.
Leaders of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have expressed deep concerns over statements from Venezuela regarding scheduled elections in the Essequibo region of Guyana. This discussion took place during their recent summit, held at the end of last week. Sources informed the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that the leaders reviewed the long-standing border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela, as well as the situation between Belize and Guatemala.
During the summit, CARICOM leaders responded to comments made by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and National Electoral Council Chairman Elvis Amoroso. These comments, made in January, announced plans for elections in the Essequibo region set for April 27, 2023, to create a “Governor” and a “Legislative Council” for the claimed “Guayana Esequiba State.”
The Venezuelan government has attempted to establish legitimacy over Essequibo, which is significantly larger than Guyana. In 2023, Venezuela claimed that a referendum found over half of eligible voters supported their claim, asserting that more than 10.4 million out of 20.7 million eligible voters participated. This referendum coincided with an International Court of Justice (ICJ) warning against Venezuelan annexation efforts of the oil-rich Essequibo region.
The Essequibo constitutes roughly two-thirds of Guyana’s territory and shelters a significant population of about 125,000 of its 800,000 citizens. The attempts by Venezuela to hold elections and assert control in this region have elicited serious apprehensions from CARICOM leaders, who regard these moves as illegal and provocative.
In summary, the CARICOM leaders are alarmed by Venezuela’s plans to conduct elections in the disputed Essequibo region, following President Maduro’s controversial statements. This situation stems from a historical border dispute and raises diplomatic tensions in the Caribbean. The leaders remain vigilant regarding the implications of these developments for regional stability.
Original Source: nycaribnews.com
