Venezuela approves with an "overwhelming" majority the referendum on the annexation of Essequibo

Maduro celebrates results in which "the people of Venezuela have spoken loud and clear to fight for the future of the country"

The president of the National Electoral Council (CNE) of Venezuela, Elvis Amoroso, has reported that the referendum held this Sunday on Essequibo, a territory in dispute with Guyana, has been approved with an "overwhelming" majority, having received more than 95 percent of the votes.

The day, which passed calmly, was extended two more hours by decision of the CNE, which announced that the 'yes' vote had won in the five questions posed in elections in which more than 10.5 million voters had registered. votes cast at the polls.

In an appearance before the media, the electoral authority has indicated that Venezuela is "free and independent", and that sovereignty resides in the people and is exercised through suffrage. Likewise, he congratulated the electorate "for the unprecedented participation in this historic referendum", according to the Telesur television network.

Amoroso has detailed that 95.93 percent of the electorate has shown "agreement with the creation of the Guayana Esequiba state" and the development of a plan that grants citizenship and identity card, "in accordance with the Geneva Agreement and the Law International, consequently incorporating said state on the map of Venezuelan territory."

Furthermore, 95.4 percent agree to "oppose by all means in accordance with the law to Guyana's claim to unilaterally dispose of a sea pending delimitation, illegally and in violation of International Law." They have also agreed with Venezuela's position of not recognizing the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to resolve the dispute.

98.11 percent of voters have supported the 1996 Geneva Agreement "as the only valid legal instrument to reach a practical and satisfactory solution for Venezuela and Guyana" and 97.83 percent have rejected the "line fraudulently imposed by the Paris Arbitration Award of 1899".

The Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, led the closing of the popular consultation, celebrating the results and stating that "the people of Venezuela have spoken loud and clear to fight for the future of the country and the future of Venezuela." "We have taken the first steps of a new historical stage to fight for what is ours," he concluded.

"We have accomplished it, the referendum was held and it has been a total success for our country and our democracy. An overwhelming victory of the yes vote throughout Venezuela, with a significant level of participation," he highlighted, before adding that the objective was " unite everything that can be united to fight" for Essequibo.

In addition, he has asserted that the country "has a transparent and reliable electoral system", which is why he has taken the opportunity to make a "sincere, fair and necessary" recognition to the CNE, as well as its officials and polling station members "for his impeccable work."

The opposition political party Voluntad Popular has rejected the results and has requested "impartial" international observation and an audit of the electoral process in all its stages. Hours earlier, it considered that it was a "chronicle of an announced failure." , stating that there were empty voting centers throughout the national territory.

The territorial conflict dates back to the 19th century, but political tension has increased in recent months, among other reasons after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) declared itself competent over the case, against Venezuela's criteria. Guyana wants to take advantage of the natural resources of the area, also known as Guayana Esequiba.

Last Friday, the ICJ ordered Venezuela to "refrain from any action" that could "modify" the current situation in Essequibo, in a precautionary measure that, however, does not refer to the consultative referendum that the Maduro Government has called for Sunday. .