The Maduro referendum
Tensions have risen in recent weeks due to Venezuela's referendum in early December.
In the poll, about 95% of Venezuelan citizens declared their support for annexing the region to form a Venezuelan government, granting its people Venezuelan citizenship, and annexing it to Venezuelan territory.
The Guyanese government says the popular proposal is aimed at annexing Essequibo. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) also declared the annexation illegal. Before the referendum could take place, Guyana rejected the move and sought an emergency order to stop the consultation.
The court ordered dictator Maduro's government not to take steps that could exacerbate the dispute over Essequibo. However, Venezuela again rejected the jurisdiction of the ICJ to resolve the dispute.
Who Owns Essequibo?
The dispute between the two countries over the region dates back to the end of the 19th century, with both claiming ownership of it. Currently, thanks to the Paris Arbitration Award of 1899, it is Guyana that exercises effective control over Essequibo.
In this sentence, international mediators granted sovereignty over the region to the British, who ruled the colony of Guyana at the time. Oil rich region.
However, Venezuela claims to have lost the territory due to the punishment in 1899, which it has deemed invalid since 1962 when the UN was told there were procedural irregularities.
In 1966, the Geneva Conventions were signed, in which the United Kingdom acknowledged that there was a dispute over the territory of Essequibo. In the same year, Guyana became independent and a period of direct negotiations with Venezuela began.
Over the years, there has been disagreement over this dispute.
Also read: Maduro still losing in Venezuela with 10.5 million votes
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