evidence: A member of the Lokono Indigenous people, Perreira considers his home Essequibo, a vast territory on the western flank of Guyana. He grew up in Wakapoa, a village composed of 16 islands on the Pomeroon River, nestled in the heart of the region. [...] But since the referendum, Maduro has proceeded to declare Essequibo "a province" of Venezuela. He also directed Venezuela’s state-owned companies to "immediately" begin exploration for oil, gas and minerals in the region. [...] He told Al Jazeera he looks forward to the ruling. "I am Guyanese," Perreira said. "Essequibo is my home: It belongs to Guyana. I will die here."