Venezuela held a controversial referendum on December 3, 2023, to claim sovereignty over a large portion of neighboring Guyana known as the Essequibo territory. The disputed territory covers an area of about 159,000 square kilometers and is rich in natural resources, including oil reserves. The referendum was called by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who has been facing political and economic crisis in his country.
The referendum received international attention and criticism as it defied a ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that ordered Venezuela to take no action to further the border dispute with Guyana. The ICJ is currently handling the border dispute between the two nations, and Guyana has accused Venezuela of trying to annex its territory through the referendum.
Venezuelans living in the Essequibo territory were allowed to vote in the referendum, and turnout was reportedly high. However, there were reports of irregularities and voter coercion that raised doubts about the legitimacy of the process. Many Venezuelans living in the border region felt that the referendum was a distraction from the country's more pressing issues, such as the economic crisis and political repression.
The international community, including the United States, Canada, and several South American countries, condemned the referendum and reiterated their support for Guyana's territorial integrity. The United Nations Secretary-General called for both Venezuela and Guyana to resume negotiations and find a peaceful resolution to the border dispute.
Although the outcome of the referendum is not legally binding, it is likely to further escalate tensions between Venezuela and Guyana. The dispute over the Essequibo territory has a long history, dating back to the colonial era. Both countries have competing historical and legal claims to the land, and the issue has been a source of diplomatic tension for decades.
Sources:
[1] Newsmax: https://www.newsmax.com/world/globaltalk/venezuela-guyana-essequibo-territory-dispute-maduro-referendum/2023/12/03/id/1144604/
[2] Los Angeles Times: https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2023-12-03/venezuelans-vote-in-referendum-to-claim-sovereignty-over-much-of-neighboring-guyana
[3] The Boston Globe: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/12/03/world/maduro-under-pressure-holds-vote-annex-territory-neighbor/
[4] MarketScreener: https://www.marketscre
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