Venezuelans vote in non-binding referendum on contested Guyana territory
Venezuelans took to the polls on Sunday to participate in a non-binding referendum aimed at strengthening their country’s claim to the oil-rich Essequibo territory, which is currently controlled by neighboring Guyana.
The electoral officials had extended the polling hours until 8:00 pm local time to accommodate voters. The government’s intensive campaign, which includes posters proclaiming “Essequibo is ours,” has raised concerns in Guyana and around the region about Venezuela’s intentions over the contested territory.
Results from the referendum are expected early Monday. The referendum has been a topic of worry in Guyana, where thousands of citizens formed human chains to show solidarity with their government.
Maduro’s government has assured that they are not seeking justification to invade or annex the contested territory, although tensions have been escalating since Guyana announced significant offshore oil exploration blocks and a major new oil find in October. The petroleum reserves in the region are comparable to those of Kuwait.
In his address to the Guyanese people, President Irfaan Ali assured that the country’s borders were secure and that there was nothing to fear.
The origins of the conflict lie in a territorial dispute dating back centuries, with Venezuela claiming that the Essequibo River serves as the natural border between the two countries and that Britain unfairly appropriated Venezuelan lands in the 19th century.
Venezuela, however, disregards this claim, saying that the border was set in the British colonial era and was confirmed in 1899 by a court of arbitration, a finding that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has validated.
The referendum in Venezuela covers five questions, including proposals for the creation of a Venezuelan province to be called “Guyana Essequibo” and a call to reject the ICJ’s jurisdiction. The Maduro government expects a substantial ‘yes’ vote.
The referendum has received mixed reactions, with some describing it as a distraction and others playing down its significance. The outcome, regardless of the result, may not yield immediate changes, considering that the people of Essequibo are not participating in the vote and the referendum is nonbinding.
Once the results are announced, it will likely provide more clarity on the future implications of this longstanding territorial dispute between the two neighboring countries.