2023 Venezuelan referendum

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2023 Venezuelan referendum
3 December 2023 (2023-12-03)
Voting systemMajority vote
1. Do you agree to reject by all means in accordance with the law, the line fraudulently interposed by the 1899 Paris Arbitration Award, which seeks to deprive us of our Guayana Esequiba?
2. Do you support the 1966 Geneva Agreement as the only valid legal instrument to reach a practical and satisfactory solution for Venezuela and Guyana regarding the controversy over the territory of Guayana Esequiba?
3. Do you agree with Venezuela's historical position of not recognizing the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice to resolve the territorial controversy over Guayana Esequiba?
4. Do you agree to oppose, by all legal means, Guyana's claim to unilaterally dispose of a sea pending delimitation, illegally and in violation of international law?
5. Do you agree with the creation of the Guayana Esequiba state and the development of an accelerated plan for comprehensive care for the current and future population of that territory, which includes, among others, the granting of citizenship and identity card? Venezuela, in accordance with the Geneva Agreement and International Law, consequently incorporating said state on the map of Venezuelan territory?

The 2023 Venezuelan consultative referendum was a ballot measure initiated by the government of Nicolás Maduro in support of Venezuela's claim to the Guayana Esequiba region, which is disputed with, and controlled by, neighboring Guyana. The referendum took place on 3 December 2023.[1] The referendum consisted of five questions concerning the agreement of the Venezuelan people towards the government's rejection towards the International Court of Justice's jurisdiction over the Guayana Esequiba region, and agreement towards the establishment of a Guayana Esequiba state, granting its population immediate Venezuelan citizenship.[2] The referendum was one of the contributing factors for the 2023 Guayana Esequiba crisis. Venezuela's claim to Guayana Esequiba is one of the only issues that receives unified support from both chavistas and the Venezuelan opposition.[3]

Venezuelans voted by a wide margin to annex the region.[4]

Background

Main articles: Guayana Esequiba, Venezuelan crisis of 1895, and Geneva Agreement (1966)
Essequibo region claimed by Venezuela.

Guayana Esequiba is a claimed region of Venezuela that is administered by Guyana consisting of a 159,500 km2 (61,600 sq mi) region west of the Essequibo River.[5][6]

The Guayana Esequiba region was formerly under the control of the Dutch empire [7]. In 1814 the British acquired the area as a result of a treaty with the Netherlands. Following the establishment of Gran Colombia in 1819, territorial disputes began between Gran Colombia, later Venezuela, who annexed Esequiba, and the British, who appointed Robert Hermann Schomburgk to define the western boundary in 1835. His "Schomburgk line" established the boundary [6] and coincided with the position of Esequiba according to the older maps of the Dutch. In 1841 the government of José Antonio Páez denounced, instead, the incursion of Venezuelan territory by the British Empire.

Subsequently, gold was discovered in the Yuruarí River basin in 1876. In 1895, Venezuela sought the support of the United States, which through the Monroe Doctrine, advocated for the country to intervene in the dispute.[6] The United States House of Representatives proposed Resolution 252 to Congress, which recommended the dispute be resolved by international arbitration following pressure from American president Grover Cleveland.[6] The commission that was set up during the Venezuelan crisis of 1895 established the Schomburgk Line as the border between Venezuela and British Guiana. It was the belief that the resulting decision was a compromise between the great powers of the time.[6]

The region's status is subject to the Geneva Agreement of 1966, signed by the governments of the United Kingdom, Venezuela, and British Guiana. The agreement stipulated that the parties involved will agree to find a peaceful, practical, and satisfactory resolution to the dispute.[8] Venezuela argues that the 1966 agreement nullified the results of the original arbitration that established the Schomburgk line as the border between Venezuela and Guyana.[9]

Venezuela insists on following the terms of the 1966 agreement and achieving a solution through dialogue. Venezuela believes that the principle of uti possidetis would apply in the situation.[6] Guyana's leadership rejects direct dialogue with Venezuela on the matter and President of Guyana Irfaan Ali insists on a resolution done through the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Venezuela, in turn, does not recognize the legitimacy of the ICJ in resolving the dispute.[6] In 2023, the President of Venezuela sent a letter to the Secretary-General of the United Nations to ask him to mediate the dispute.[6]

Claims over the territory intensified as a result of the discovery of significant discovery of oil and gas deposits on offshore sites of the territory.[2] Critics of the referendum believe that it is a way to test support for the ruling government ahead of next year's elections, as well as creating pressure for international courts to grant Venezuela full rights over the territory.[2]

Questions

The following questions were approved by the National Electoral Council on 23 October 2023[10] and approved by the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Justice Court on 1 November 2023:

  1. "Do you agree to reject by all means in accordance with the law, the line fraudulently interposed by the 1899 Paris Arbitration Award, which seeks to deprive us of our Guayana Esequiba?"
  2. "Do you support the 1966 Geneva Agreement as the only valid legal instrument to reach a practical and satisfactory solution for Venezuela and Guyana regarding the controversy over the territory of Guayana Esequiba?"
  3. "Do you agree with Venezuela's historical position of not recognizing the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice to resolve the territorial controversy over Guayana Esequiba?"
  4. "Do you agree to oppose, by all legal means, Guyana's claim to unilaterally dispose of a sea pending delimitation, illegally and in violation of international law?"
  5. "Do you agree with the creation of the Guayana Esequiba state and the development of an accelerated plan for comprehensive care for the current and future population of that territory, which includes, among others, the granting of citizenship and identity card? Venezuela, in accordance with the Geneva Agreement and International Law, consequently incorporating said state on the map of Venezuelan territory?"[10]

Conduct

On 19 November, a referendum "rehearsal" was held in Venezuela.[11] On 29 November, a electoral rehearsal was also organized for high school students between the ages of 12 and 18.[12][13] It was announced that more than 350,000 military personnel would guard the electoral process nationwide.[14]

During the referendum on 3 December, low turnout and presence at polling stations were reported.[15][16][17][18]

Results

Question 1

Do you agree to reject by all means in accordance with the law, the line fraudulently interposed by the 1899 Paris Arbitration Award, which seeks to deprive us of our Guayana Esequiba
Choice Votes %
Result not yet known
Total votes — 100.00

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Question 2

Do you support the 1966 Geneva Agreement as the only valid legal instrument to reach a practical and satisfactory solution for Venezuela and Guyana regarding the controversy over the territory of Guayana Esequiba?
Choice Votes %
Result not yet known
Total votes — 100.00

Question 3

Do you agree with Venezuela's historical position of not recognizing the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice to resolve the territorial controversy over Guayana Esequiba?
Choice Votes %
Result not yet known
Total votes — 100.00

Question 4

Do you agree to oppose, by all legal means, Guyana's claim to unilaterally dispose of a sea pending delimitation, illegally and in violation of international law?
Choice Votes %
Result not yet known
Total votes — 100.00

Question 5

Do you agree with the creation of the Guayana Esequiba state and the development of an accelerated plan for comprehensive care for the current and future population of that territory, which includes, among others, the granting of citizenship and identity card? Venezuela, in accordance with the Geneva Agreement and International Law, consequently incorporating said state on the map of Venezuelan territory?
Choice Votes %
Result not yet known
Total votes — 100.00

Reactions

International

The proposed questions were condemned by the Guyanese government, which appealed to the International Court of Justice for intervention against Venezuela. The Venezuelan ambassador to Guyana, Carlos Amador Pérez Silva, was summoned to express the nation's "deep concern" over the proposed referendum.[19]

The Commonwealth of Nations Secretary-General Patricia Scotland condemned the referendum proposal on grounds of territorial sovereignty.[20] The leadership of the Caribbean Community voiced support for Guyana,[21] stating that the referendum would have no bearing on international law and stating that international law prohibits an individual nation's unilateral seizure of another's territory.[22]

In response to the escalating tensions in the region, Brazil increased its military presence along its northern border.[23]

The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, issued a statement condemning the consultation, considering that "it is illegal according to the 1966 Geneva Agreement". In the communiqué Almagro reiterated that both countries had the responsibility to resolve the dispute peacefully.[24]

Domestic

Within Venezuela, the Episcopal Conference of Venezuela asked that the referendum not be "manipulated by purely political interests or as a means of pressure on citizens", advocating that the conflict between Guyana and Venezuela to be resolved within the framework of "dialogue and law", peacefully and not escalate into a larger dispute.[25][26]

BBC News wrote that "the claim of the Essequibo effectively unites Chavistas and opponents like no other issue."[3] Opposition presidential candidate María Corina Machado assured that sovereignty was not consulted, but exercised, and asked to suspend the referendum in order to form a national team to file a claim at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).[27] Juan Pablo Guanipa, politician of the Justice First party, also rejected the referendum, declaring "it is a referendum that they organize for everything, except to defend".[28][29] Democratic Action politician, Carlos Prosperi, declared that he would participate in the referendum, inviting to participate in it.[30] Henrique Capriles, former presidential candidate (2012 and 2013) and from Justice First, also announced that he would participate in the process, although he rejected its politicization.[31][32] Manuel Rosales, also a former presidential candidate (2006), also called to vote in the referendum.[33]

The Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV), one of the parties banned by the Maduro government, described the referendum as the "old strategy of the bourgeoisie [that tries] to instill patriotic and chauvinist feelings in a good part of the population (...) making people believe that in our country there is no more important problem to solve", which would serve the State to suspend the 2024 presidential elections.[34]

Former Chavista officials Andrés Izarra and Rafael Ramírez considered the referendum a failure.[35][36] Ramírez described the process as "a thunderous failure",[36] while Izarra pointed out that pre-referendum polls estimated a turnout of approximately 20%, a figure that Izarra said was an overestimate.[35]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Venezuela sets referendum date on territory dispute with Guyana". Reuters. 20 October 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  2. ^ a b c van den Berg, Stephanie (15 November 2023). "Venezuela tells World Court referendum to go ahead despite Guyana resistance". Reuters. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Esequibo: 5 claves para entender el controvertido referendo en Venezuela sobre la región que le disputa a Guyana". BBC News (in Spanish). 1 December 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  4. ^ Shortell, David (4 December 2023). "Venezuelans approve takeover of oil-rich region of Guyana in referendum". CNN. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  5. ^ British Guiana Boundary: Arbitration with the United States of Venezuela. The Case (and Appendix) on Behalf of the Government of Her Britannic Majesty Volume 7. Printed at the Foreign office, by Harrison and sons, 1898.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Paredes, Norberto (4 October 2023). "Esequibo: por qué se agudizó la disputa por la zona que enfrenta a Guyana y Venezuela desde hace casi dos siglos". BBC News Mundo (in Spanish). British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  7. ^ Jacob Roggeveen, "Het Brandende Veen", 1675; van Bouchenroeder, 1797, Nationaal Archief, inv. nr. 1489.
  8. ^ Summary of the Judgement of 18 December 2020
  9. ^ Garcia Cano, Regina; Arraez, Juan (29 November 2023). "Venezuela's planned vote over territory dispute leaves Guyana residents on edge". ABC News. A. B. C. News. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  10. ^ a b Chabrol, Denis (23 October 2023). "Venezuelan electoral council approves five questions for referendum on Essequibo". Demerara Waves Online News- Guyana. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  11. ^ "Venezuela realiza con "éxito" simulacro de referendo por zona en disputa con Guyana". France24. 19 November 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  12. ^ "Bachilleres participan en referendo "simbólico" sobre el Esequibo". ALnavío (in Spanish). 29 November 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  13. ^ "Bachilleres participan en simulacro electoral sobre el Esequibo". El Nacional. 29 November 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  14. ^ "Más de 350.000 militares custodiarán el referendo sobre el Esequibo". El Nacional. 29 November 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  15. ^ "FOTOS | Se registra poca afluencia de electores en el referendo no vinculante sobre el Esequibo". Monitoreamos. 3 December 2023.
  16. ^ "Referéndum consultivo comienza con una escasa afluencia de electores en los centros". Runrunes. 3 December 2023.
  17. ^ "Poca afluencia de venezolanos en el referendo del Esequibo convocado por Maduro". ABC. 3 December 2023.
  18. ^ "Poca afluencia de votantes domina el referendo por el Esequibo". Diario Las Américas. 3 December 2023.
  19. ^ "Guyana Summons Venezuelan Ambassador In Border Spat". Barrons. AFP-Agence France Presse. 24 September 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  20. ^ "Statement by the Commonwealth Secretary-General on the escalation of the Guyana-Venezuela border dispute". Commonwealth. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  21. ^ "Caricom urges respect for international law". Jamaica Observer. 26 October 2023. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  22. ^ Chabrol, Denis (25 October 2023). "CARICOM says Venezuela's referendum has no bearing on international law". Demerara Waves Online News- Guyana. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  23. ^ "Brazil increases northern border military presence amid Venezuela-Guyana spat -ministry". Reuters. 29 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  24. ^ Peralta, Patricio (27 October 2023). "Crece tensión entre Guyana y Venezuela por cuestionado referendo sobre el Esequibo". France 24. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  25. ^ Rodríguez Rosas, Ronny (24 November 2023). "Obispos piden "no manipular" con referendo del Esequibo". Efecto Cocuyo. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  26. ^ "Obispos de Venezuela: No manipular el referéndum con fines políticos o de presión". Vatican News. 23 November 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  27. ^ "Venezuela: María Corina Machado dice que el referendo por el Esequibo es un "error" y considera que "debe suspenderse"". Voz de América. 22 November 2023.
  28. ^ "Juan Pablo Guanipa rechazó la consulta del Esequibo: "es un referendo que hacen para todo, menos para defender" - Monitoreamos". Monitoreamos. 3 December 2023.
  29. ^ "Juan Pablo Guanipa afirma que el referendo es «para todo, menos para defender el Esequibo»". El Nacional. 2 December 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  30. ^ "Carlos Prosperi reaparece en redes para apoyar el referendo sobre el Esequibo". Tal Cual. 27 November 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  31. ^ TalCual (29 November 2023). "Capriles aseguró que votar en el referendo sobre el Esequibo no es apoyar a Maduro". Tal Cual. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  32. ^ "Capriles participará en la consulta sobre el Esequibo: «Esto no se trata de Maduro»". El Nacional. 29 November 2023.
  33. ^ "Manuel Rosales llama a votar en el referendo sobre el Esequibo". 29 de noviembre de 2023.
  34. ^ "PCV se pronunció ante el referendo consultivo sobre el territorio Esequibo". Aporrea. 28 November 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  35. ^ a b "Andrés Izarra y Rafael Ramírez fustigaron al referendo: «es un estruendoso fracaso»". El Nacional. 3 December 2023.
  36. ^ a b "Rafael Ramírez aseguró que el referendo del Esequibo es "un estruendoso fracaso del madurismo" - Monitoreamos". Monitoreamos. 3 December 2023.
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