UPDATE-VENEZUELA-BORDER-Venezuela responds to statement by Guyana government.

CARACAS -- Venezuela Tuesday said it rejects the 'offensive statements' made by the Guyana government regarding the upcoming consultative referendum on the Essequibo, which the South American country continues to claim as part of its territory.

'The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela categorically rejects the infamous and offensive statements of the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, regarding the consultative referendum scheduled for December 3, 2023, which are loaded with deep contempt for the people Venezuelan, its Bolivarian history and its right to express itself, in a democratic manner, in matters of special national importance,' Caracas said in a statement.

Earlier Georgetown said is is concerned that Venezuela's December 3 referendum could lay the ground work for the annexation of the county of Essequibo, which Caracas has been claiming belongs to it.

In a statement, the Guyana government said it had taken 'careful note' of the issuance by the National Electoral Council of Venezuela of five questions to be asked in the national referendum.

It...