The Electoral Commission said that more than 10 million people voted, including 95 percent, in favor of the independence of the region, which has an area of about 160,000 square kilometers, or more than two-thirds of Guyana’s territory.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro welcomed the result, saying that “the Venezuelan people expressed their will openly and clearly.”
The vote was held even though the International Court of Justice, based in The Hague, which had previously ruled on the case, called on Caracas not to take any steps to change the status quo.
Although the Venezuelan opposition also supports the region’s independence, many of them believe that the vote now taking place serves to distract Venezuelans from internal political problems.
Caracas reported: Do not intend to occupy the area covered by primeval forests, It is where 125,000 of Guyana’s population of about 800,000 live.
Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali assured the people at a rally on Sunday that “there is no reason to fear in the hours, days and months ahead.” He stressed that Guyana was in a “very positive position” on the issue, citing international support for Georgetown as an example, and warned Caracas to be cautious.
There has been a dispute between the two countries over the city of Essequibo for more than a century. Tensions were renewed in recent years when new oil deposits were discovered in the region.
Essequibo also borders Brazil, and the Brazilian Ministry of Defense announced last week that it would increase its military presence in the Brazilian part of the region.
There is also a dispute between Venezuela and Guyana over maritime boundaries.
Cover photo: A Venezuelan soldier casts his vote in a referendum over the weekend. Cover image credit: Gabe Ora/Bloomberg via Getty Images
