Will Russia-backed Venezuela start a war in South America? | Defence in Depth

Venezuela, according to oil giant BP, has more reserves of oil than any other country on the planet, so Maduro doesn’t really need to make a play for the fields in Guyana. But now, having made a right old song and dance about the referendum, Maduro must either see through his promise to grab Essequibo, with all the chaos that will bring, or back down and invite ridicule ahead of presidential elections next year. So why has he done it? What’s in it for him? #venezuela #guyana #russia #usa #geopolitics #border #conflict Find our Defence in Depth playlist here: For our podcast Ukraine: The Latest, visit: Subscribe to The Telegraph with our special offer: just £1 for 3 months. Start your free trial now: Get the latest headlines: and are websites of The Telegraph, the UK’s best-selling quality daily newspaper providing news and analysis on UK and world events, business, sport, lifestyle and culture.