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Venezuela creates new state in area under dispute with Guyana

Lawmakers in Venezuela allied with the government of President Nicolas Maduro on Thursday authorized the creation of a brand-new state in a territory that is the subject of a long disagreement with surrounding Guyana, in spite of an ongoing global court case.

The approval is in line with recent rhetoric from Maduro about his country's supposed right to govern the 160,000-square-km (62,000-square-mile) Esequibo area, but will have no immediate practical effect.

The two nations concurred last December to prevent any usage of force and not to intensify stress in the disagreement after a. conference between Maduro and his Guyanese counterpart.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is to decide on. which nation the area comes from but the Venezuelan. government has stated it does not recognize the ICJ and that a. December referendum backing the creation of a brand-new state, among. other things, gives it a right to control Esequibo and permit oil. exploration there.

Venezuela's electoral authorities stated more than 10 million. Venezuelans voted in December's referendum, but have up until now not. released the outcomes. There were few or no lines at polling. stations on the day of the vote, according to witnesses.

Guyana has stated its borders are not up for conversation and. that it will safeguard its sovereignty.

The law authorizing the new state, called Guayana Esequiba,. will enter into force as quickly as it is released in the official. gazette.

The state's borders would be the Atlantic Ocean to the. north, Brazil to the south, Guyana to the east and the. Venezuelan states of Delta Amacuro and Bolivar to the west,. according to the law.

The city of Tumeremo, in Bolivar, will serve as a capital. up until a useful and mutually appropriate option to the. territorial debate is reached with the Cooperative Republic. of Guyana, the law said.

Venezuela has in current years restored its claim to the. territory and to overseas locations after major oil and gas. discoveries and amidst internal political turmoil ahead of. elections expected this year.