For the first time, Venezuela plans to hold elections inside the disputed Guayana-Essequibo territory during its national parliamentary and regional elections on Sunday. The move marks a major escalation in the decades-long territorial dispute with neighboring Guyana.
Caracas held a referendum in December 2023 on whether to annex the oil- and gas-rich territory, which has been administered by Guyana but claimed by Venezuela since colonial times. The referendum passed overwhelmingly, after which the Venezuelan government formally designated the area as a new state, Guayana-Essequibo, and began establishing governing structures—despite not exercising actual control over the territory.
As part of this initiative, eight seats in Venezuela’s National Assembly have now been allocated to the disputed region.
The government of Guyana has responded sharply, threatening to arrest anyone who participates in the Venezuelan elections within the territory, warning that such actions could be considered treasonous. The move has further strained already tense relations between the two countries.
Earlier this month, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a ruling explicitly prohibiting Venezuela from conducting elections in the region. The government of President Nicolás Maduro has rejected the decision, stating it does not recognize the ICJ’s authority over the matter.
It remains unclear who will be allowed to vote in the contested region or how ballots would be transported back to Venezuela. While Venezuela claims sovereignty over both the land and the population, most residents are Guyanese citizens. Estimates suggest approximately 100,000 Venezuelans live in the area, but Caracas has not clarified whether only those with Venezuelan citizenship will be eligible to vote.
No candidates are known to have campaigned within Guayana-Essequibo ahead of the election.
Tensions along the border have been steadily rising. The Guyanese military has reported three recent attacks on its forces and claims Venezuela has constructed makeshift bridges across the Cuyuni River, which serves as part of the disputed boundary. The increased militarization and territorial posturing come amid growing interest in the region by Western energy companies, who have invested heavily in offshore gas exploration.
Observers warn that Sunday's elections, if carried out in the disputed area, could trigger a deeper diplomatic crisis—or even armed conflict—between the two South American nations.