Guyana Warns of Treason Charges Amid Venezuelan Electoral Dispute

Guyana’s government warns of treason charges for support of Venezuelan elections in the disputed Essequibo region. Minister Robeson Benn emphasized legal actions against supporters. Guyana also seeks ICJ intervention to block Venezuelan electoral activities. The region’s political status remains contentious amid growing tensions between the two nations.

Guyana’s Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, announced the government’s awareness of Venezuelan “sleepers” within its borders and indicated that treason charges will be issued against individuals supporting Venezuela’s planned elections in the contested Essequibo region. He stated that any Guyanese or other appointees following such elections would face severe legal consequences: “we will charge that person for treason and lock them up; each and every one of them.”

Guyana has recently contacted the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague to prevent Venezuela from conducting electoral activities in Essequibo while a border dispute is pending. The Foreign Ministry emphasized that Venezuela’s elections, scheduled for May 25, could lead to actions impacting Guyana’s sovereignty: “in order to preserve its rights, Guyana is requesting that the Court order Venezuela to refrain from any acts within or affecting its sovereign territory.”

The Venezuelan government plans to include the Essequibo region in its electoral processes, as Venezuela claims this territory as part of its sovereign map despite international disputes. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s administration announced aspirations to establish local governance structures in this oil-rich area, which comprises two-thirds of Guyana and is home to a significant part of its population.

In 2023, Venezuela’s government claimed significant public support for their territorial claims based on a referendum purportedly held last year. Concurrently, the ICJ is addressing a case regarding the legitimacy of the 1899 Arbitral Award that defined the boundary between Guyana and Venezuela. Guyana filed this case in March 2018, seeking the Court’s judgment on the matter.

Additionally, Guyana has deported 75 Venezuelan nationals, including children, shortly after they reached the Essequibo Coast by boat. They were treated with respect and provided basic necessities during their deportation process to Venezuela, conducted with the aid of the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard. The Venezuelans had not followed immigration procedures upon their arrival.

In conclusion, the Guyanese authorities are taking a firm stance against Venezuelan interference in the Essequibo region, warning that individuals supporting these actions will face treason charges. With the pending case before the ICJ, Guyana is actively seeking to protect its sovereignty. The ongoing tensions further underscore the complexities surrounding this contentious territorial dispute, alongside recent deportations reflecting the government’s commitment to immigration compliance.

Original Source: trinidadexpress.com