Venezuela wins vote claiming oil-rich area of neighbouring Guyana
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro got the victory he sought in a weekend referendum on whether to claim sovereignty over an oil-rich area of neighbouring Guyana. But lackluster turnout suggested his government is losing influence and is tone deaf to people's needs.
![Venezuela wins vote claiming oil-rich area of neighbouring Guyana](https://i.cbc.ca/1.7048802.1701726714!/cpImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/venezuela-guyana-territory-dispute.jpg)
![Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro speaks to pro-government supporters after a referendum regarding Venezuela's claim to Essequibo, a region administered and controlled by Guyana, in Caracas, Venezuela on Dec. 3, 2023. A man speaks to a crowd from a podium covered in colourful lights.](https://i.cbc.ca/1.7048802.1701726714!/cpImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/venezuela-guyana-territory-dispute.jpg)
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro got the victory he sought in a weekend referendum on whether to claim sovereignty over an oil-rich area of neighbouring Guyana. But lackluster turnout suggested his government is losing influence and is tone deaf to people's needs.