CARACAS/GEORGETOWN, Dec 3 (Portal) – Voters in Venezuela rejected the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) jurisdiction over the country’s territorial dispute with Guyana in a referendum on Sunday and backed the creation of a new state in the potentially oil-rich Esequibo region.
The court this week banned Venezuela from taking any action that would change the status quo in the region, which is the subject of active proceedings at the International Court of Justice, but President Nicolas Maduro’s government held a five-question “consultative” referendum.
All questions passed with more than 95% approval, according to Electoral Commission President Elvis Amoroso, who said at least 10.5 million “yes” votes were cast but did not confirm the number of voters.
Some political and security analysts are calling the referendum a sign of Maduro’s strength and a test of his government’s support ahead of planned presidential elections in 2024.
The court said it had jurisdiction in April, although a final decision on the matter could be years away. Venezuela has said the issue should be resolved by both countries.
Late Sunday, Maduro celebrated the “complete success” of the vote.
“The Venezuelan people have spoken loud and clear,” he told a cheering crowd.
It’s a 160,000 square kilometer region, mostly made up of dense jungle. Venezuela has reactivated its claim to the area in recent years following the discovery of offshore oil and gas.
“The purpose of (Maduro’s) government is to send a message of strength to Guyana,” said Ricardo Sucre, a politics professor at the Central University of Venezuela, adding that Maduro is also considering possible oil and gas developments.
The maritime border between the two countries is also controversial.
There was no organized campaign against the referendum and analysts expected voters who opposed it to stay home.
[1/10]People look at the voters’ list on the day of an electoral referendum on Venezuela’s rights to the potentially oil-rich Esequiba region, long the subject of a border dispute between Venezuela and Guyana, in Caracas, Venezuela December 3, 2023. Portal/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria Acquires License Rights
There are more than 20 million eligible voters in Venezuela.
Portal witnesses visited polling stations across the country – many had few or no people in line.
In Maracaibo, in the oil-rich state of Zulia, poll workers told Portal that voter turnout was low.
“We must vote to defend our nation because the Esequibo is ours and we cannot leave it to the gringos (Americans),” said 80-year-old retiree Carmen Pereira at a voting center in Caracas.
Authorities extended the vote by two hours.
“The government is holding the referendum for internal reasons,” said Benigno Alarcon, director of the Center for Political Studies at Andres Bello Catholic University in Caracas. “It needs to test its electoral machinery.”
“If the opposition unites and there is a willingness among Venezuelans to participate (in the 2024 election), Maduro is out,” security analyst Rocio San Miguel added. “He is activating a conflict scenario” to perhaps suspend the election.
Sunday’s vote caused concern in Guyana, with the government urging citizens to remain calm.
Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali attended a patriotic rally on Sunday, joining hundreds of flag-waving supporters. He said Friday’s International Court of Justice ruling prohibits Venezuela from annexing or encroaching on Guyanese territory.
Some in Georgetown expressed relief after the International Court of Justice’s decision.
“I feel like the court made the right decision. … I can have some peace of mind now,” said vegetable seller Kim Rampersaud, 41.
Brazil said on Wednesday it had stepped up “defensive measures” along its northern border amid the territorial dispute.
Reporting by Deisy Buitrago, Vivian Sequera and Mayela Armas in Caracas; Mariela Nava in Maracaibo; Mircely Guanipa in Maracay; Tibisay Romero in Valencia; and Kiana Wilburg in Georgetown; Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Edited by Diane Craft and Stephen Coates
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