AND GREVIC ALVARADO

VENEZUELAN President Nicolas Maduro claimed a massive victory in a referendum on Sunday in which Venezuelans were asked their views on their country's claim to the Essequibo region which constitutes two-thirds of Guyana.

However, at least three international newspapers and certain Venezuelans whom TT Newsday spoke to have questioned the size of the voter turnout being claimed by Maduro.

Newsday contacted Venezuelan ambassador to TT Alvaro Sanchez Cordero who did not comment but sent Newsday online links to news sources such as Telesur.

Telesur, a pro-government news agency based in Caracas, said Venezuela's National Election Council (NCE) president Elvis Amoroso on Sunday night said the preliminary results were that ten million votes were cast by a registered electorate of 20 million. The support given for each of five questions claiming Venezuela's rights over the Essequibo and rejecting the remit of the International Court of Justice ranged from 95.4-98.11 per cent, Telesur said.

It quoted Maduro: "Long live the victory of all the people in a historic consultative referendum that has put Venezuela on its feet.

"We have taken the first steps of a new historical stage to fight for our Guayana Esequiba and for peace and to recover what the liberators left us.

"The people spoke loud and clear!"

Maduro described the referendum as "a big step in the right direction."

He declared, "I am committed to deepening the process of uniting all Venezuelans, in diversity, to work for Venezuela and its interests."

However, three international newspapers said their reporters had not perceived a high turnout.

The UK Guardian said, "Few voters could be seen at voting centres, but the National Electoral Council claimed more than 10.5 million ballots were cast in the country of 20 million eligible voters."

The Le Monde claimed the electoral offices had appeared to be sparsely populated.

The Miami Herald said international news agencies were reporting that "the numbers provided by the government-controlled electoral council were not credible, amid the empty streets and even emptier polling stations seen throughout the day."

Venezuelans in their country who Newsday contacted via WhatsApp were surprised at the CNE saying ten million people had participated in the referendum.

Gregorio Vasquez who lives in the state of Trujillo, in western Venezuela, said throughout the day the polling centres in his area had few voters.

"I am surprised the CNE announces such a high participation figure.

"Everyone can verify the reality in the images of the electoral centres recorded by hundreds of people."

Vasquez added, "It is worrying the numbers increase like this in the face of the presidential elections next year."

He said now his country was waiting for the actions of the Maduro government regarding Essequibo.

Marta Hernandez in Anzoategui state, eastern Venezuela, likewise alleged a low participation.

"The polling centres were empty. I don't think the figures announced are real. The gov