House passes motion against Venezuela’s plan to hold unlawful elections in Essequibo

May 24, 2025 News

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…Opposition walks out, calls motion weak 

Kaieteur News- The National Assembly on Friday approved a motion opposing Venezuela’s plan to hold regional elections including electing a representative for a new state referred to as “Guayana Esequiba” – Guyana’s Essequibo region.

The motion was tabled by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd. While the motion received full support from the government’s Members of Parliament (MPs), Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton made it clear that the Opposition will not support a motion that excludes its input. Norton labeled the motion weak.

Minister Todd, who opened the debates, outlined Venezuela’s provocation despite signing the Argyle Agreement back in 2023, in the presence of regional and international interlocutors where Guyana and Venezuela committed to refrain from escalating any conflict or disagreement arising from the territorial controversy between the two states.

The minister also outlined Venezuela’s repeated violation of two sets of provisional measures issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the first in December 2023, explicitly instructing Venezuela not to alter the status quo in the region, where Guyana has control over the Essequibo region.

Earlier this year, Guyana returned to the ICJ for provisional measures to restrain Venezuela from holding the elections. The court subsequently handed down its order on May 1, 2025. In the order, the court reaffirmed previous provisional measures and prohibited Venezuela from taking any action in relation to the contested area. However, Venezuela is still moving ahead with the elections.

Minister Todd stated government’s intelligence to date indicates there is no physical activity taking place in any of communities close to the border which suggests preparation for elections in Guyana’s Essequibo territory. He however made it clear, “it is important for Venezuela to understand that Guyana will not be bullied, threatened or intimidated to surrender any portion of our patrimony.”

He added, “We remain committed to international law and the peaceful resolution of this matter through the international court process and we call upon Venezuela to comply with the courts legally binding orders and to refrain from actions that would destabilise this region and violate Guyana’s territorial integrity.”

Following Minister Todd’s presentation, Norton made his presentation. He condemned Venezuela’s action and violations of the ICJ’s orders and also expressed the Opposition’s support for the ICJ process and stated that he is confident that Guyana will succeed at the ICJ, upholding its right to the Essequibo region, which was conclusively settled in the 1899 Arbitral Award, with the Essequibo region forming part of Guyana’s 83,000 square kilometers.

However, Norton made it clear that that is the extent the Opposition’s support on the matter as he called out the government for lack of inclusivity and patriotism. “Therefore, not obligated to support this motion since it is your government that breached our trust and operated arbitrarily.”

“The greatest enemy this country has is the Government of Guyana… I am saying to you in this House now that you are not inclusive and you do not deserve the support,” Norton added.

Deputy Speaker, Dr. Asha Kissoon for her part, expressed dissatisfaction with the Opposition leader’s presentation. Kissoon also labeled it as “shameful” stating, “clearly, what we have seen is a classic case of them mistaking the word parliament as a synonym for circus, the performances were not even entertaining.”

Kissoon added, “How could we stand here before this Honourable House and play politics at a time like this, when in two days, Venezuela wants to take part of our territory? How dare they stand before this Honourable House and try to get political gains and mileage through something as important as this?”

The deputy speaker urged the international community not to listen to the “nonsense and the division that has been pushed by the Opposition, but to continue supporting us on this issue with Venezuela.”

Similarly, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC also responded to the opposition leader. He explained that historically Guyanese political actors have been united when it comes to the border controversy, adding that Norton has now broken that tradition.

Nandlall said, “The history of this country will now record unfortunately that leader of the opposition and leader of the People’s National Congress has broken an immaculate record on this matter.”

Closing the debates, Minister Todd said that Norton’s speech is embarrassing. “He does not deserve to be the leader of the Opposition. It is embarrassing… And he’s embarrassing us in front of President Maduro. That’s his best friend now. He’s going to become President Maduro’s best friend. Because he’s condemning us for standing up.”

For their part in a statement, the Alliance For Change (AFC) in a joint parliamentary action with APNU reiterated their support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.  However, the combined Opposition said it was forced to withhold support for a motion brought by the government because it lacked clear and decisive action on how Guyana will counter the threats posed by Venezuela.

“We note that the government’s motion failed to condemn outright the elections proposed by Venezuela on May 25 – the eve of our independence celebration,” the statement said.

The AFC also expressed disappointment that several recommendations on this issue presented to the government over the last three years have fallen on deaf ears.   “At no time in our history has the imperative for national unity been more vital. For this is not merely a contest over territory—it is a test of our maturity as a people, our fortitude as a nation, and our capacity to rise above partisanship in the defense of sovereignty,” it was stated.

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