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Venezuela’s president ordered the creation of a new state called “Guayana Esequiba” on Tuesday, following a controversial Sunday referendum which saw Venezuelan voters approving the annexation of land from neighboring Guyana.

The area in question, the densely forested and oil-rich Essequibo region, amounts to about two-thirds of Guyana’s national territory. Venezuela has long claimed the land and dismisses an 1899 ruling by international arbitrators that set the current boundaries.

Guyana has called the move a step towards annexation and an “existential threat.”

Talking to legislators on Tuesday, President Nicolás Maduro showed a “new map” of Venezuela including the disputed territory and said all residents from the area would be granted Venezuelan nationality. He said the map would be distributed throughout all schools and public buildings in the country.

Maduro also signed a “presidential decree” creating the “High Commission for the Defense of Guayana Esequiba.
A man walks by a mural campaigning for a referendum to ask Venezuelans to consider annexing the Guyana-administered region of Essequibo, in 23 de Enero neighbourhood in Caracas on November 28, 2023. Venezuela is scheduled to hold a controversial referendum on December 3, to annex a disputed oil-rich territory administered by neighbouring Guyana. The government of Nicolas Maduro has organized the poll to ask Venezuelans to consider annexing the Essequibo region, which makes up two-thirds of tiny Guyana but is claimed by Caracas. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP) (Photo by FEDERICO PARRA/AFP via Getty Images)