Venezuela holds election in Essequibo region, escalating tensions with Guyana

Venezuelans on Sunday voted to elect a governor and other lawmakers for Essequibo, an oil-rich region internationally recognized as part of Guyana but long claimed by Caracas.

The vote marked the first time Venezuelans have elected officials for the territory, despite the absence of participation from Essequibo’s 125,000 residents.

The election, described by Guyanese President Irfaan Ali as “scandalous, false, propagandistic (and) opportunistic,” has sharply escalated an already tense border dispute. The vote installed a new governor, six deputies to Venezuela’s National Assembly, and seven members to a regional legislative assembly—all for a region over which Venezuela has no administrative control.

It is unclear how the officials, once elected, plan on running the territory, which Guyana governs. Only 42.63% of eligible voters showed up. Many polling stations across the country were nearly empty, especially in urban centers. The ruling party, PSUV, led by Maduro, still secured a sweeping victory, winning 23 out of 24 governor races.

Among the winners was Neil Jesús Villamizar Sánchez, named the first “governor” of Guayana Essequiba—even though Guyana continues to govern the area. The Venezuelan opposition, led by María Corina Machado, boycotted the elections, calling the process dishonest.