Venezuelan voters largely decline to vote on Essequibo referendum in surprising twist

Turnout was minimal in vote on referendum intended to rubber-stamp Venezuela’s claim to around two-thirds of Guyana’s territory

The government of Guyana has breathed a sigh of relief after a referendum intended to rubber-stamp Venezuela’s claim to around two-thirds of the tiny South American country’s territory appeared to have backfired.

Nicolas Maduro had hoped to leverage his country’s century-long claim to the disputed Essequibo region to mobilise public support but voting stations across the country were largely quiet on Sunday as most voters shunned the issue.