Venezuela’s socialist regime will move forward with a widely condemned “election” on Sunday to install a governor and local legislators in “Guayana Esequiba”—a fictional state carved from Guyana’s sovereign Essequibo region. The Maduro regime claims the 61,600-square-mile, resource-rich territory as Venezuelan land, despite international recognition of Guyana’s administrative control.
The vote is the culmination of a disputed 2023 referendum and a March 2024 law passed by socialist lawmakers to formalize Venezuela’s claim. Five candidates, including Navy Admiral Neil Villamizar of the ruling United Socialist Party, are on the ballot, though Villamizar is expected to “win” the fraudulent election. He has vowed to militarize the region, increase patrols, and oversee infrastructure under military control.
The move has sparked alarm across the region. Guyanese President Irfaan Ali labeled the vote a “full-frontal assault” on his nation’s sovereignty, accusing Venezuela of undermining regional peace. Brigadier Omar Khan, head of Guyana’s military, warned residents against participating and declared that any involvement would be treated as treason.
Despite an International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling instructing Venezuela to halt its plans, Maduro’s regime has dismissed the court’s authority and is pushing ahead. The Essequibo region has become a flashpoint since ExxonMobil began exploring oil reserves in the area, leading Maduro to escalate claims over the territory.
The election is seen by many as a desperate attempt by Maduro to rally nationalist support ahead of Venezuela’s own domestic challenges. With the ruling regime facing international sanctions, economic collapse, and mounting opposition, the fabricated vote is being used to project strength.
Guyana continues to call on international bodies for intervention, while tensions grow at the border, placing regional peace at risk.
