…as Venezuela pushes “fraudulent” Essequibo elections in defiance of ICJ
Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo
Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has issued a strong call for national unity as Venezuela pushes ahead with its plan to hold what he described as “fraudulent elections” in Guyana’s Essequibo region on May 25, in open defiance of international law and rulings of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Speaking at his weekly press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo said that the Nicolas Maduro-led regime is using the elections as a distraction from Venezuela’s deepening internal crises, including economic collapse, international sanctions, and political repression.
“Venezuela has defied the ICJ, defied the entire international community,” Jagdeo stated. “We control the entire 83,000 square miles of the sovereign state of Guyana, and that is the status quo the ICJ has twice ordered Venezuela not to disrupt.”
“We as a nation need to stand together against this fraudulent regime and their fraudulent elections that they purport to be for the Essequibo region,” he said.
The ICJ issued provisional measures in December 2023 and again in May 2025, calling on Venezuela to refrain from taking any action that would alter the current state of affairs regarding the long-standing border controversy.
Jagdeo characterized the move by Maduro as a “desperate political stunt” to shore up domestic support.
“He’s locking up his opponents, rigging elections, and now turning to the border issue to deflect attention,” Jagdeo said. “This is nothing but political theatre.”
On this point, the Vice President highlighted that Venezuela’s attempt to hold municipal elections in the Essequibo is “illegal, baseless, and unacceptable” and called on all Guyanese to reject the action unequivocally.
Deportation and legal action
Jagdeo endorsed a warning issued by Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Omar Khan, who said that any Venezuelan living in Guyana who attempts to vote in the elections will be deported immediately.
“The Chief of Staff has made it clear, and I wish to endorse his decision, that should there be any attempt by any Venezuelan who is living here to purport to vote in those elections, they will be rounded up and deported immediately, sent out of our country. And if there are Guyanese who engage in that treasonous act, they too will face consequences. He made it clear, because it will be a treasonous act,” he added.
Meanwhile, he noted that on Friday, the National Assembly will be debating a solidarity motion for Essequibo and he called on all to support the motion.
“People, regardless of their religion or race, have always maintained their support for our territorial integrity,” he noted.
Guyana continues to receive international support for its fight against Venezuela.
Sabre-rattling
US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot last Friday had said the United States is prepared to support the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) in its efforts to combat the growing threat posed by foreign gangs along the Cuyuni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), a key stretch of the border between Guyana and Venezuela.
“No amount of bluster or sabre-rattling changes the fact that the United States will always stand shoulder to shoulder with Guyana in support of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Venezuela, of course, has also been in the news recently due to the sindicato’s acts of aggression against the GDF patrolling the Cuyuni. These are criminals engaging in criminal activity. And the United States stands ready to support the GDF in its effort to eradicate this activity along Guyana’s frontier and to ensure the safety and security of Guyana’s people,” Ambassador Theriot said.
The Government has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding Guyana’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, while also seeking accountability through diplomatic channels.
Earlier this month, President Dr. Irfaan Ali had reaffirmed that the GDF is mobilised and prepared to defend the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity amid ongoing tensions with Venezuela.
The Head of State emphasised that security operations are actively underway, particularly in light of Venezuela’s upcoming unlawful elections and continued claims over Guyana’s Essequibo region — claims which Guyana has consistently rejected and challenged through international legal avenues.
After years of failed good offices process through the UN, and based on the recommendation of the-then UN Secretary General, Guyana approached the World Court in March 2018, seeking a final and binding settlement of the 1899 Arbitral Award, which determined the land boundary between Guyana and Venezuela.
The case is currently pending before the ICJ, which has already established its jurisdiction to hear the matter. Guyana has already filed two written pleadings on the merits, and Venezuela has filed one, with its second pleading due in August 2025. Oral hearings are expected in the first half of 2026, following which the Court will deliberate on the case and issue its final judgment on the Merits, which will be binding on the parties.
