‘Despotic’ Maduro accused of risking Venezuela-Guyana conflict over oil-rich region

Foreign minister of Guyana condemns Venezuela president for holding referendum on country’s claim to Essequibo

The foreign minister of the tiny South American nation of Guyana has said that neighbouring Venezuela is “on the wrong side of history” as it risks sparking conflict over an oil-rich and long-contested swath of rainforest.

Tensions between the two countries have reached unprecedented heights ahead of a referendum on Sunday intended to rubber-stamp Venezuela’s claim on the region of Essequibo.