What's happened
Venezuela claims overwhelming support in a referendum seeking public approval to annex two thirds of neighbouring Guyana.
Why it matters
The referendum result raises fears in Guyana and the region about Venezuela's intentions over the oil-rich territory, with potential geopolitical implications.
What the papers say
The Times reports suspicions about the validity of the supposed turnout numbers, while Al Jazeera highlights the lack of visible voters at polling sites. South China Morning Post and NY Post both emphasize the low voter turnout and the concerns raised in Guyana about Venezuela's intentions over the disputed territory.
How we got here
Venezuela has long claimed a large area of modern-day Guyana, and tensions have been rising since Guyana took bids for offshore oil exploration blocks.
More on these topics
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Guyana, officially the Co‑operative Republic of Guyana, is a country on the northern mainland of South America. It is considered part of the Caribbean region because of its strong cultural, historical, and political ties with other Anglo-Caribbean count
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The Essequibo River is the largest river in Guyana, and the largest river between the Orinoco and Amazon. Rising in the Acarai Mountains near the Brazil–Guyana border, the Essequibo flows to the north for 1,014 kilometres through forest and savanna into
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Venezuela, officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, is a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many small islands and islets in the Caribbean Sea.
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Nicolás Maduro Moros is a Venezuelan politician serving as president of Venezuela since 2013. His presidency has been disputed by Juan Guaidó since January 2019, although Maduro is the real president.