CARICOM gravely concerned about Venezuela’s intention to hold elections in Essequibo

CARICOM Heads of Government have expressed “grave concern” over Venezuela’s intention to hold elections in the disputed Essequibo region of Guyana.

In a statement released on Friday, the regional bloc acknowledged receiving an update on ongoing matters between the two nations, including Venezuela’s plans to conduct elections in the Essequibo territory.

The statement highlighted that Caribbean leaders were deeply troubled by the remarks made by the President of Venezuela and the Chairman of the National Electoral Council of Venezuela on 27 January 2025. They declared their intention to hold elections in the Essequibo region on 27 April 2025, to elect a “Governor” and a “Legislative Council” for the so-called “Guayana Esequiba State,” which Venezuela controversially claimed to have “annexed” in 2024.

CARICOM leaders emphasized that such actions would be a violation of international law, specifically the United Nations Charter, the 1 December 2023 Order of the International Court of Justice, and the agreements made in the Joint Declaration of Argyle for Dialogue and Peace between Guyana and Venezuela.

The leaders called on Venezuela to refrain from carrying out the proposed elections or any other actions infringing upon Guyana’s sovereign territory.

In addition, CARICOM condemned an attack on 17 February in which armed men, allegedly from a Venezuelan gang, shot and injured members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) while they were performing their lawful duties along the Guyana/Venezuela border.

The Caribbean leaders also welcomed the submission by Venezuela of its counter-memorial on 8 April 2024 regarding the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award that defined the boundary between British Guiana and Venezuela. They noted that Guyana had submitted its reply on 9 December 2024. CARICOM encouraged Venezuela to submit its Rejoinder, the final written pleading in the case, by 8 August 2025, in line with the International Court of Justice’s schedule.

In closing, CARICOM reaffirmed its full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana and reiterated its commitment to the judicial process at the International Court of Justice as the peaceful and lawful means to resolve the matter.