Venezuela to Hold Referendum on Essequibo in Early December

The president of the National Assembly (AN), Jorge Rodríguez, presented on Friday before the National Electoral Council (CNE) the request for a consultative referendum on the Essequibo Guyana.

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"Unanimously all the rectors, by virtue of having already been notified of the document, already approved on December 3 to hold the referendum throughout the Venezuelan nation," said CNE president Elvis Amoroso, after receiving the formal request from Rodriguez. 

According to Amoroso, in the next three days, the electoral body will announce to the country the questions to be asked in the referendum.

The President of the AN highlighted the prompt response of the electoral authority, which will give an answer in three days, and declared itself in permanent session for December 3. 

According to the Deputy, a proposal prepared by a special commission of the AN was submitted to the CNE. It includes a series of questions that may be used for the consultative referendum.

The tweet reads, "This Friday, the Plenary of the National Assembly (AN) formalized before the National Electoral Council (CNE) the request for a Consultative Referendum for the Defense of the Territory of Essequiba Guyana."

Before being presented to the Venezuelan people, such questions will be reviewed by the Electoral Power for a subsequent consultation with the Legislative and the Executive. 

Rodriguez said the citizens will not be consulted on Venezuela's right to that region, which is clear, but on the mechanisms to carry out the demand with patriotism and supporting the country's right to Essequibo Guyana.

Rodriguez also welcomed the people's support to the struggle for the Essequibo territory, calling for national unity in defense of Venezuela's sovereignty.

He called for the all Venezuelans to take part actively in the referendum. "Let us all go together regardless of political preferences, let us all advance from our hearts as patriots: I defend Essequibo Guyana!" he said.

In late September, the Parliament agreed to call the consultation aimed at reinforcing the defense of Guyana Essequibo and the inalienable rights of Venezuela over that territory.