While Guyanese held unprecedented gatherings all across the country to emphasise that Essequibo was an indivisible part of its territory, Venezuelans yesterday approved a referendum called by the government of President Nicolás Maduro to claim sovereignty over the mineral rich region, Caracas’ electoral authority announced last night.
All questions passed with more than 95% approval, according to electoral authority president Elvis Amoroso, who said at least 10.5 million votes were cast for ‘yes’ but did not confirm the number of voters, according to a Reuters report.
Some political and security analysts have called the referendum a show of strength by Maduro and a test of support for his government ahead of a planned 2024 presidential election.