Venezuelans vote in referendum on disputed territory with Guyana

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CARACAS/GEORGETOWN (Reuters) -Venezuelans are voting on Sunday in a referendum backed by President Nicolas Maduro's government over a potentially oil-rich territory that is the subject of a long-running border dispute with Guyana.

The five-question referendum includes a question rejecting International Court of Justice (ICJ) jurisdiction to decide to which country the territory around the Esequibo river belongs. Some political and security analysts have called the referendum a show of strength by Maduro and a test of support for his government ahead of a planned 2024 presidential election.

The court said in April it had jurisdiction, though a final ruling on the matter could be years away. Venezuela has said the issue should be resolved by the two countries.

On Friday, the court responded to a request from Guyana to halt the referendum, ordering Venezuela to refrain from taking any action that would alter the status quo, without expressly forbidding the vote. Both countries hailed the ruling as backing their position.

Maduro has encouraged voters to approve the referendum.

«The first effect that the powerful, united voice of Venezuela should have is to sit with the president of Guyana and go back to the Geneva agreement,» President Nicolas Maduro said after voting.

«Let's hope the people speak, speak strong and speak clearly.»

At issue is a 160,000 square km (61,776 square mile) region that is mostly thick jungle. Venezuela reactivated its claim over the territory in recent years after the discovery of offshore oil and gas.

«The purpose of (Maduro's) government is to send a message of strength to Guyana,» Central University of Venezuela politics professor Ricardo Sucre said.

Maduro would prefer that Guyana adhere to a