Disputed territory of Essequibo is larger than Greece, rich in minerals and gives access to part of the Atlantic boasting oil in commercial quantities
Venezuelans have approved a referendum called by the government of President Nicolás Maduro to claim sovereignty over an oil- and mineral-rich piece of neighbouring Guyana, the country’s electoral authority announced.
Few voters could be seen at voting centres, but the National Electoral Council claimed more than 10.5 million ballots were cast in the country of 20 million eligible voters.
Venezuela has long argued the territory, which comprises two-thirds of Guyana, was stolen when the border was drawn more than a century ago. But Guyana considers the referendum a step toward annexation, and the vote has its residents on edge.
Oh, thank you. That’s good to hear. Won’t the referendum backlash against his administration then, since it’s toothless?
Or you think it’s specifically to score points with those who already support his regime, just a hawkish declaration?
Still seems politically risky if he isn’t going to do anything about it.
I mean, I don’t follow Venezuelan politics, but I would expect that he’s worded the thing in such a way that doesn’t actually commit him to doing much.
Elections in Venezuela are next year, and it looks like he’s not so popular at the moment. But if he can spend time before the election visibly taking a position that sells well with voters…shrugs
googles
Yeah, here’s the referendum text. It doesn’t bind him to actually do anything, just asks voters whether they agree with maintaining the dispute:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Venezuelan_referendum#Questions