Venezuela's Maduro Stirs Border Dispute with Guyana Amid Political Pressure

Nonbinding referendum on oil-rich Essequibo region seen as diversion tactic; International Court of Justice urges restraint

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has reignited a border dispute with neighboring Guyana over the oil-rich Essequibo region, holding a nonbinding referendum asking voters whether they support the government’s claim to the territory.
The move is seen as a diversion tactic by Maduro to shift the domestic conversation away from his political troubles at home and stoke nationalist fervor.
The International Court of Justice has ordered Venezuela to refrain from taking any action that would alter Guyana’s control over Essequibo, but did not ban the referendum.
Guyana has increased its police presence along the Venezuelan border, while Brazil has sent troops to the region.
The people living in Essequibo are largely English-speaking, identify culturally as Guyanese and say they want to remain part of Guyana.