Venezuelans approve a referendum to claim sovereignty over a swathe of neighboring Guyana

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On Sunday, Venezuelan citizens cast their votes in a referendum initiated by President Nicolás Maduro’s government, asserting a claim over a resource-rich region of neighboring Guyana, known as Essequibo. This move comes over a century after the delineation of the border, which Venezuela contends was unjust. The referendum’s outcome, however, raises questions about enforcement, with Guyana perceiving it as a step towards annexation, causing unease among its populace.

Despite claims by the National Electoral Council of over 10.5 million votes, the turnout at polling stations appeared sparse. The referendum comprised five questions, including the establishment of a state in Essequibo, citizenship for its inhabitants, and the rejection of the United Nations’ top court’s jurisdiction in the matter.

Maduro, addressing supporters in Caracas, hailed the referendum as a triumph of democracy with significant participation, despite the absence of the usual long queues at polling centers. If the reported participation figure represents individual voters, it surpasses the voter turnout in Hugo Chávez’s 2012 re-election. Conversely, if it counts each answer separately, the voter count may be as low as 2.1 million.

Venezuelan voter sentiment, as expressed by 37-year-old merchant Juan Carlos Rodríguez, reflects a nationalistic view towards Essequibo. On the final day of the campaign, supporters in Caracas displayed the Venezuelan map including Essequibo, underscoring the country’s claim to the territory, which dates back to the Spanish colonial era.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) recently instructed Venezuela not to alter Guyana’s control over Essequibo but did not specifically prohibit the referendum. Guyana’s government had requested the ICJ to intervene in parts of the vote. Despite the court’s recent ruling, Venezuela’s government and military have indicated intentions to assert control over the disputed area.

Essequibo, spanning over 61,600 square miles and abundant in minerals, is strategically significant, particularly after ExxonMobil’s discovery of oil in the adjacent Atlantic region in 2015. The Venezuelan government has vigorously campaigned for the referendum, intertwining national pride with support for Maduro.

The boundary dispute dates back to an 1899 arbitration involving the U.S., Britain, and Russia. Venezuela alleges a conspiracy that deprived it of the territory and considers a 1966 agreement, which nullified the original arbitration, as the basis for resolving the dispute. Guyana, however, upholds the legitimacy of the 1899 boundary and has sought the ICJ’s affirmation.

In Sunday’s referendum, voters were also asked about their stance on rejecting the 1899 boundary and supporting the 1966 agreement as the sole legal framework for resolution. Maduro’s government leveraged various channels, including music and social media, to promote the referendum and divert attention from other national issues, such as U.S. pressure for political reforms.

Turnout at Caracas polling stations, as observed by The Big Big News, varied, contrasting with other electoral events in Venezuela. The government asserted the efficiency of electronic voting as the reason for minimal wait times.

Following the announcement of results, Maduro celebrated the rapid voting process. However, grassroots organizer Ángela Albornoz reported lower than expected turnout at her polling station, suggesting a less unified national front.

Guyana’s President Mohamed Irfaan Ali reassured his citizens of the government’s commitment to maintaining national borders and urged Venezuela to demonstrate maturity and responsibility by respecting the rule of law in resolving the dispute.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Venezuelan Essequibo Referendum

More about Venezuelan Essequibo Referendum

• Venezuela-Guyana territorial dispute
• Essequibo referendum details
• International Court of Justice ruling on Essequibo
• Venezuelan electoral process and turnout
• Guyana’s response to Venezuelan referendum
• Historical context of the Essequibo territory dispute