Venezuelan voters reject ICJ jurisdiction in dispute with Guyana.

During a referendum that took place on Sunday, Venezuelan voters rejected the authority of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the country’s territorial dispute with Guyana. Additionally, they supported the establishment of a new state in the Esequibo area, which has the potential to be rich in oil.

Even though the court this week prohibited Venezuela from taking any action that might affect the status quo in the region, which is the subject of ongoing litigation before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the administration of President Nicolas Maduro moved ahead with a “consultative” referendum that consisted of five questions.

Elvis Amoroso, the head of the electoral authority, stated that at least 10.5 million ballots were cast for ‘yes’ but did not confirm the number of voters. He also stated that all questions passed with more than 95% approval rates.

In advance of the 2024 presidential election, several security commentators have described the referendum as a Maduro power show and a test of public support for his government.

Even though a final decision on the subject might not be made for several years, the court stated in April that it had jurisdiction over the case. Venezuela has stated that the two countries’ governments must resolve the issue.

Later on Sunday, Maduro expressed his satisfaction with the “total success” of the vote.

“The Venezuelan people have spoken loudly and clearly,” he said to a crowd that supported him with cheers.

At issue is a zone that spans 160,000 square kilometers (61,776 square miles) and primarily comprises dense rainforest. Venezuela has renewed its claim on the area over the past several years after discovering oil and gas offshore.

“The purpose of Maduro’s government is to send a message of strength to Guyana,” said Ricardo Sucre, a professor of politics at the Central University of Venezuela. Sucre also mentioned that Maduro is considering the possibility of oil and gas projects.

There is also a disagreement on the marine boundary that separates the two countries.

As a result of the absence of a coordinated campaign opposing the referendum, commentators anticipated that voters opposed to it would remain at home.

Over twenty million people in Venezuela are eligible to vote in the next election.

In several of the voting places that Reuters witnesses visited around the country, there were either very few people standing in line or none.

Poll workers in Maracaibo, which is in the oil-rich state of Zulia, informed Reuters that voter turnout was low.

At a voting facility in Caracas, a retiree named Carmen Pereira, who was 80 years old, stated, “We have to vote for the defense of our nation because the Esequibo belongs to us and we can’t leave it to the gringos (Americans).” Two hours were added to the voting time by the authorities.

According to Benigno Alarcon, head of the Center for Political Studies at Andres Bello Catholic University in Caracas, “the government is holding the referendum for internal reasons,” which is the rationale mentioned in the statement. “It needs to test its electoral machinery.”

Another security expert named Rocio San Miguel stated that Maduro would be removed from power if the opposition came together and if Venezuelans showed a willingness to take part in the election that will take place in 2024. According to the statement, “He is activating a scenario of conflict” to delay the election possibly.

Guyana is feeling anxious about the election that will take place on Sunday, and the administration has urged them to be calm.

Irfaan Ali, the President of Guyana, joined hundreds of other supporters in waving flags at a patriotic event on Sunday. According to him, the verdict handed down by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday makes it illegal for Venezuela to “annex or trespass upon Guyanese territory.”

After the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) verdict, several people in Georgetown expressed relief.

My opinion is that the court made the appropriate decision. A vegetable vendor named Kim Rampersaud, who is 41 years old, remarked, “I can breathe a bit easier now.”

Throughout the territorial dispute, Brazil said on Wednesday that it had increased the number of “defensive actions” near its northern border.