evidence: After the referendum, the government of President Nicolas Maduro announced that the Essequibo would become a fully-fledged state of Venezuela—although Guyana still controls the territory effectively. An administrative centre is being set up in Tumeremo, a town 95km from the de facto border. [...] State of Guayana Esequiba [...] The Venezuelan government is also creating an "Essequibo branch" for the state-owned firms PDVSA—oil—and the Corporación Venezolana de Guayana—a metals conglomerate. Offering exploration and exploitation licenses is not likely to materialise while territorial control remains in the hands of Guyana. However, it is a proportionate response to Georgetown’s actions, as it has done precisely that by allowing foreign firms to survey contested waters and pump its oil.