Venezuela's Controversial Referendum on Guyana's Essequibo Region Raises Tensions

Despite International Court of Justice's ruling, Venezuela moves forward with vote amid escalating regional tensions and potential political gains for President Maduro.

Venezuelans are set to vote on a referendum to decide whether the country should create its own state within the Essequibo region of Guyana, a move that Guyana has denounced as a step towards annexation.
The Essequibo region, which is roughly the size of Florida, is rich in oil reserves and has been a point of contention between the two countries for over a century.
The International Court of Justice has ruled that Venezuela should refrain from taking any action that would modify the current situation in the disputed territory, but Venezuelan officials have said the referendum will take place regardless of the court's decision.
The escalating rhetoric has prompted troop movements in the region and saber-rattling in both countries, drawing comparisons from Guyanese leaders to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Analysts suggest that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro stands to gain politically from the referendum amid a challenging re-election campaign.