Venezuela Approves Creation of Guayana Esequiba State: A Step Toward Territorial Recovery

President Nicolás Maduro during ‘Maduro Live’ program announcing creation of Guayana Esequiba state. Apr 1 st, 2025
April 1, 2025 Hour: 8:47 pm
Venezuela moves to create Guayana Esequiba state after 90% public approval. Maduro accuses critics of ‘imperialist plots’ in escalating Guyana territorial dispute.
Related:
Venezuela Assures That it Will not Renounce the Right to the Esequibo
Overwhelming Public Support for New State
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced that more than 90% of the population has backed the creation of the state of Guayana Esequiba. During his program “Maduro Live,” the leader emphasized that this decision follows legal and constitutional processes under international law, aiming to reclaim what Venezuela considers its rightful territory.
Maduro Fires Back at Critics
The president singled out opponents like Marco Rubio, María Corina Machado, and Edmundo González Urrutia, accusing them of being part of a “mafia” seeking to hand the territory over to foreign interests—specifically ExxonMobil and the Guyanese government led by Irfaan Ali. Maduro warned of threats from “imperialism” and internal “Trojan Horses” undermining Venezuela’s territorial integrity.
Anniversary of Controversial Law
The move coincides with the first anniversary of the Organic Law of Guayana Esequiba (April 2024), which outlines defense mechanisms for the disputed territory. The law reaffirms Venezuela’s commitment to the 1966 Geneva Agreement while rejecting the 1899 Arbitral Award that established the current border with Guyana. Its 39 articles explicitly assert Venezuelan sovereignty over the region.
Military Leader Tapped to Govern
Maduro introduced Admiral Neil Villamizar as his candidate to govern the new state, praising him as a “man of the people” and an optimistic military officer who will represent Guayana Esequiba in Venezuela’s political future.
Regional and Domestic Implications
The creation of Guayana Esequiba as a state highlights Venezuela’s nationalist agenda amid economic and social crises. The decision could escalate tensions with Guyana and reshape diplomatic relations in the region, while reinforcing the government’s narrative of resisting foreign intervention.
Autor: MLM