Maduro's Provocative Referendum Backfires, Angers Neighbors Without Domestic Support
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Maduro held a referendum in Venezuela asking voters if the country should annex 2/3 of Guyana's land to distract from his unpopularity and economic failings.
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The referendum claims over 95% voted yes, but turnout was very low at just over 2 million out of 21 million registered voters.
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The timing backfired as Maduro recently signed a deal with the opposition to hold elections in 2024 in exchange for lifted US sanctions.
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Maduro has angered Venezuela's neighbors and allies like Brazil with the referendum and territorial threats.
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While unlikely to actually invade, the referendum gave Maduro a pretense to threaten Guyana despite having no popular support among Venezuelans.