Democracy at its finest

[helge]

FOREIGN COUNTRY


Unusual referendum: Venezuela votes yes to annex neighbouring country


In a referendum yesterday, the Venezuelans agreed to annex a large part of neighbouring Guyana.


Voters in the South American country of Venezuela have voted yes in a referendum to annex part of neighboring Guyana by a very large majority.
OF
Jonathan Strid Lundsgaard





Imagine if we in Denmark went to a referendum on whether we should annex Scania, Halland and Blekinge in Sweden.

And at the same time, we convincingly agreed that it was a good idea.

It's probably a scenario that most people find hard to imagine.

Nevertheless, a similar situation has just unfolded in the South American country of Venezuela. Last night Danish time, the Venezuelans voted 'yes' to demanding sovereignty over part of the small neighboring country of Guyana.







The small South American country of Guyana borders Venezuela. It is the region of Essequibo, marked in red, that Venezuela wants to annex.
Contrary to international law


The area that Venezuela wants to take over is called Essequibo and covers more than two-thirds of Guyana, and it is rich in large oil and mineral reserves.

However, Guyana is far from agreeing with Venezuela. This was expressed last Friday, when Guyana's president, Irfaan Ali, hailed the ruling of the International Court of Justice in The Hague, which ruled that a possible annexation would be clearly illegal.

"As the court has made clear, Venezuela is prohibited from annexing or entering Guyanese territory or taking any other action, regardless of the outcome of the referendum on December 3," Irfaan Ali said in a statement.

It remains unclear how Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro will enforce the results of the vote, but it was a visibly excited president who spoke in the capital Caracas after the results were announced.

"It has been a total success for our country, for our democracy," Maduro told supporters.







Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro greets his supporters before delivering his victory speech after the National Electoral Council announced the results of the referendum.
Old disagreements


Both Venezuela and Guyana believe that the Essequibo region belongs to their country, says Kristian Almblad, DR's South America correspondent.

- Guyana relates to an agreement made in 1899, when they were a British colony. Venezuela believes that a new agreement was later made with Britain that repealed the old one in connection with Guyana's independence, Almblad said.

Although a possible annexation will probably require an armed conflict, it is far from outright war, Almblad said.

"I think it's a very long way from Venezuela going in with military force in Guyana. We have seen Brazil in the last month move troops up in the region. To imagine a military conflict in South America seems very far away, but on the other hand, it is strange to hold a referendum if you do not have a plan to get the region back, Almblad said.







A woman casts her vote in an election simulation before the Dec. 3 referendum on Venezuela's rights to parts of neighboring Guyana.
Suspiciously high support


Only about half of Venezuela's 20.7 million eligible voters took part in this weekend's vote.

But according to Venezuela's electoral authorities, there was convincing agreement, with 95 percent of voters voting "yes" to Venezuela's territorial claim to two-thirds of its oil-rich neighbor.

It is "a clear and overwhelming victory for the yes side in this referendum", said the chairman of the National Electoral Council, Elvis Amoroso.

But the result does not mean extensive support among the population, Kristian Almblad points out.

"Elections in Venezuela are not always 100 percent transparent. Only half of those who were able to vote voted. Presumably, those who voted are supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who wanted the support of the people, he said.

The opposition in Venezuela has boycotted several elections, claiming that they have been manipulated. Throughout the country's history, there are examples of several opposition politicians who have been punished with imprisonment or fled into exile. The authorities generally crack down on political dissent.

[Norton]

It remains unclear how Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro will enforce the results of the vote, but it was a visibly excited president who spoke in the capital Caracas after the results were announced.

A terrorist attack soon otw.

[helge]

Has a distinct smell of Kuwait 1990

[david44]

Imagine if we in Denmark went to a referendum on whether we should annex Scania, Halland and Blekinge in Sweden

I was on the lovely Baltic isle of Tarno in Blekinge this summer and it was indeed annexed by Danes who didnt bother with referenda.

Finally realizing there was only so much swede you can handle and a long hike to the deli at Israelsplads the Danes used the withdrawal method.

Rejuice you are ahead of many in the unpopularity Pole, and despite having to do it with mittens and muffs there are many places worse than Denmark

[helge]

there are many places worse than Denmark

Tak....

[david44]

Tak....

Yep Tak, Takilek and of course where that cerulean sea washes the used condoms onto the largest brothel since Sodom and wongamat.
I believe some tagged Britons are allowed to serve their sentances out there sooner than spread STDs in Yerp

[helge]

I believe some tagged Britons are allowed to serve their sentances out there sooner than spread STDs in Yerp

Pilates of Sentance ?

Bet you could semi-conduct that one

[harrybarracuda]

Astonishing really.

Shows how detached from reality Chavismo actually is.

[happynz]

I don’t know if even Chavez was as corrupt as Maduro is. In a recent interview with caminantes making the long trek to the States many expressed the view that life was better with Chavez in charge. No one had a good thing to say about Maduro (obviously as they were risking their lives to leave Venezuela, so it’s obvious Maduro would be hated).

[cyrille]

Has a distinct smell of Kuwait 1990

It couldn't possibly smell ​less like Kuwait in 1990.

Grenada in 1983, on the other hand...

[Norton]

Has a distinct smell of Kuwait 1990

Even better. This area has Black Gold like Kuwait plus real gold.

[david44]

Black Gold like Kuwait plus real gold.

which must be a big draw for almost bankrupt Venezuela one of the few places on earth combining poverty and vast mineral wealth, just shows how expensive it is to upset the master.
Once beautiful Lake Maracaibo is an environmental disaster and like Ukraine Russia NZ and England most of its brightest have relocated to to Pattaya for a poke, Phuket for a bloke or C Mai for a "smoke"

[malmomike77]

Even better. This area has Black Gold like Kuwait plus real gold.

we should rename it British Guyana

[harrybarracuda]

Has a distinct smell of Kuwait 1990

No it doesn't. Iraq did not hold a referendum to say it now owned Kuwait.

[bsnub]

This has nothing to do with Democracy. What a stupid title to use.

[helge]

Originally Posted by helge
Has a distinct smell of Kuwait 1990

No it doesn't. Iraq did not hold a referendum to say it now owned Kuwait.

Didn't have to

Saddam was available on the day the decision was taken.

Outcome might be similar

This has nothing to do with Democracy. What a stupid title to use.

And a Merry Whooooosh to you

[PlanK]

Even better. This area has Black Gold like Kuwait plus real gold.

Could we hold a referendum, or a poll, to annex part of TV?
Is there anything there worth stea... erm... I mean... democratising?

[Norton]

Could we hold a referendum, or a poll, to annex part of TV?
Is there anything there worth stea... erm... I mean... democratising?

TD intel have been actively looking for something worth acquiring but so far nada. However, TV operatives have infiltrated our ranks with the evil intent of taking our most valuable asset, Smooci.

TD PATRIOTS ARM YOURSELVES!

[helge]

TD PATRIOTS ARM YOURSELVES!

Against Thaiger, who is waiting in the wings

[harrybarracuda]

Didn't have to

Saddam was available on the day the decision was taken.

Outcome might be similar

This in incomprehensible even by your standards.

[helge]

This in incomprehensible even by your standards.

Apologies

You are ofcourse right; I shouldn't do irony with posters who hasn't got a minimum of knowledge about the subject they post about.

[harrybarracuda]

Apologies

You are ofcourse right; I shouldn't do irony with posters who hasn't got a minimum of knowledge about the subject they post about.

You're confusing "irony" with "gibberish".

[bsnub]

And a Merry Whooooosh to you

No whoosh about it, you clown.

You're confusing "irony" with "gibberish".

A regular occurrence for him.

[david44]

This in incomprehensible even by your standards.

yet our fourth most popular poster after only 30k attempt, no CRIM ea , move along before the TERROR BYTE

[helge]

Peaceful solutions, eh ?

Is there still hope for us ?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Guyana to Venezuela: Control of our oil-rich region is non-negotiable

Mette Koue


The small country of Guyana will not relinquish control of the oil- and mineral-rich territory of Essequibo.

Guyana's president, Irfaan Ali, said after meeting with Venesululean President Maduro, according to Reuters.

Venezuela recently held a referendum in which there was an overwhelming majority in favour of annexing Essequibo, located along the border with Venezuela.

"Guyana does not seek war, but Guyana reserves the right to work with all our partners to ensure the defense of our country," President Irfaan Ali said.

Both countries have put their militaries on high alert after Venezuela's president ordered state-owned enterprises to explore and exploit the oil, gas and mines in Essequibo.

However, the meeting ended with the parties agreeing to meet again, writes Reuters.

Guyana has been administering Essequibo for over a century. Many countries, including the United States and Britain, have called for a peaceful solution.

the TERROR BYTE

How's that going, Harry ?

I invested quite a bit of faith in your dealing with that one