The National Assembly of Venezuela has unanimously approved, on Thursday, the creation of a new state within the territory of Guayana Esequiba, a region contested with Guyana. This move is enacted through the Organic Law for the Defense of Guayana Esequiba, a proposal that President Nicolas Maduro had presented in late 2023. The decision expands Venezuela’s formal stance on the long-standing border issue, signaling a clear intent to integrate the disputed area under Venezuelan jurisdiction.
Jorge Rodríguez, the president of the Venezuelan Parliament, indicated that the measure will be sent to the Supreme Court to rule on its constitutionality given its organic nature according to the country’s Constitution. He emphasized that the nation complied with the will of the people, who reportedly answered with a decisive affirmation on December 3, 2023, during the referendum. This statement reflects the government’s effort to align the law with popular sentiment and constitutional processes, as reported by Últimas Noticias.
During the debate preceding the vote, Diosdado Cabello, the vice president of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela and head of the Parliament’s interior policy commission, argued that the legislative instrument asserts the Venezuelan public’s right to defend its territory. He described the law as a model that should guide future decisions by leaders around the world and urged that the measure be fulfilled as a matter of national duty, according to Últimas Noticias.
The vice president of the country, Delcy Rodríguez, asserted that Venezuelans will never renounce their legitimate rights over Guayana Esequiba. She recalled the December referendum as a demonstration of the public’s enduring commitment to the territory and stated that Venezuela proudly observes a dignified, historical stance in approving the defense project. This rallying message reinforced the government’s position and its appeal to national unity, as reported by Últimas Noticias.
The dispute over Esequiba stretches back nearly two centuries, though it gained renewed energy five years ago with the discovery of significant oil reserves beneath its waters. The area in contention covers about 159,000 square kilometers west of the Essequibo River, representing roughly two-thirds of Guyana’s total land area. This strategic context underscores why both nations consider the region vital to their economic and geopolitical futures, according to observers cited in Últimas Noticias.
In December, Venezuela also held a referendum on Esequiba, which Venezuela’s National Electoral Council described as approved by an overwhelming majority, with more than 95 percent of votes in favor. Critics from the opposition pointed to low turnout and questioned the absence of visible lines at polling centers. The episode is frequently cited in analyses of how popular legitimacy is claimed and interpreted in the current political climate, as noted by Últimas Noticias.