Caricom leaders have condemned Venezuela’s plans to hold elections in the disputed Essequibo region of Guyana. This decision, announced by Venezuelan officials, aims to create a government for the self-proclaimed “Guayana Esequiba State,” despite international warnings against such claims. A recent Venezuelan referendum purportedly showed strong support for this action, but it continues to escalate tensions between the two nations.
Caribbean Community (Caricom) leaders have expressed serious concerns over Venezuela’s intention to hold elections in the Guyanese Essequibo region this April for positions in a self-declared “Guayana Esequiba State.” This issue was discussed during a recent summit, with updates on the long-standing border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela among other matters.
The Venezuelan government, led by President Nicolas Maduro and electoral council chairman Elvis Amoroso, announced plans for the elections despite international disapproval. They aim to establish a “Governor” and a “Legislative Council” for the region, which they controversially claimed to annex last year.
A Venezuelan referendum claimed overwhelming public support for this territorial claim, with Amoroso stating that over 10.4 million of 20.7 million eligible voters participated. However, this announcement follows an ICJ warning against the annexation of Essequibo, a resource-rich area that constitutes about two-thirds of Guyana’s territory and is inhabited by a significant portion of its population.
In summary, Caricom leaders are alarmed by Venezuela’s plans to hold unrecognized elections in the Essequibo territory. This situation raises tensions over longstanding territorial disputes, particularly as international bodies have warned against such annexation attempts. The developments highlight the complexities and geopolitical implications of the situation in the Caribbean region.
Original Source: www.jamaicaobserver.com
