Venezuela holds referendum on oil-rich Guyana region

Venezuela is set to hold a referendum on Sunday on whether to establish a new state in a disputed, oil-rich territory long ruled by Guyana.

The vote comes after the International Court of

Justice (ICJ) urged Venezuela to refrain from

"taking any action" that could alter the status quo in the region. However, it did not specifically ban Caracas from holding the referendum as Guyana had requested.

Friday's ruling is the latest development in the larger border dispute. The ICJ said in April that it had jurisdiction over the case but a final ruling could be years away.

Al Jazeera's Alessandro Rampietti reports on
why this vote has been causing concern in the region.