Venezuela referendum result: voters back bid to claim sovereignty over large swath of Guyana

Supporters of the referendum on Essequibo march in Caracas, Venezuela. Photograph: Pedro Rances Mattey/AFP/Getty Images

Venezuelans have approved a referendum called by the government of President Nicolás Maduro to claim sovereignty over an oil- and mineral-rich piece of neighbouring Guyana, the country’s electoral authority announced.

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.