Guyana's defense chief said that any resident of the Essequibo who takes part in a regional election organized by neighboring Venezuela, which claims the territory as its own, will be charged treason.
Concretely, Brig. Gen. Omar Khan told The Associated Press that "if anyone participates or takes any similar actions it will amount support for a passive coup." "Anything along those lines will speak to a violation of our sovereignty and territorial integrity," he added.
Venezuelans living in the country who attempt to take part could face arrest and deportation, Khan added. About 100,000 people with direct or indirect Venezuelan roots live in Guyana.
The vote is set to go against an order from the UN's top court not to hold a vote in the Essequibo, which represents two thirds of Guyana's territory but Venezuela claims it as its own.
Venezuela has brought its claim to the forefront of regional diplomacy since holding a referendum in 2023 (approved by an overwhelming majority) to take over the territory and create a Venezuelan province there. It has also accused the Georgetown government of "defying and provoking" Caracas by granting concessions to exploit the areas natural resources, particularly oil.
The Venezuelan army also said in April that it raised its alert level after uncovering a U.S. plot seeking to fabricate an incident to create a justification to invade the South American country.
Venezuelan troops have also built a makeshift bridge over the Cuyuni River and deployed armored vehicles there. Caracas also deployed armored vehicles, including Scorpion-90 light tanks, V-100 armored vehicles used for transporting troops, 8x8 tactical trucks as well as supply vehicles to the Anonko island.
Guyanese troops said earlier this month that they were attacked on three different occasions in the area. They specified that armed men in civilian clothing conducted the attacks on troops patrolling the Cuyuni region
In a statement, the GDF said forces "executed a measure response" every time, and that no soldiers were injured in the attacks. It added, however, that it will "continue to respond to acts of aggression along the Guyana-Venezuela border," according to AFP.
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