One year ago, Venezuela held a referendum to reaffirm its territorial claims on Guyana’s Essequibo region. That ballot ended up being a preview of the country’s stolen presidential election in July of this year. The turnout was so low that the electoral authorities lied about the results and never released the full vote tallies. While authorities claimed that 10 million votes were cast, independent analysts believe the number was fewer than 2 million, given the empty polling sites.
Immediately following the referendum in December 2023, President Nicolas Maduro began what many portrayed at the time as a march to war with Guyana. Venezuelan authorities changed the official map of the country to include Essequibo and threatened to prosecute any Venezuelans who used the old map. The Venezuelan government took a much more hostile tone toward its neighbor, insinuating at times that it would be willing to take Essequibo by force. To underscore the threat, the Venezuelan military engaged in exercises simulating an invasion along the border, built up border infrastructure and facilities, conducted naval patrols in the river that serves as a border, and moved Iranian-made missile boats closer to Guyana’s Atlantic coast.
In response, Brazil deployed military personnel and equipment to its border with Venezuela, where the only road into the Essequibo region runs. The U.S. began sending diplomatic and military officials on regular visits to Guyana and at one point even moved an aircraft carrier close by and flew fighter jets over the country, all to reinforce Washington’s partnership with Georgetown and make it clear to the Maduro regime that an invasion would not be tolerated. The Caribbean Community, or Caricom, and other regional organizations all issued statements backing Guyana’s territorial integrity and attempting to push back against the Venezuelan aggression.