Guyana Taking Steps to Protect Itself from Venezuela
Guyana's President Irfaan Ali has stated that his country is implementing measures to safeguard its sovereignty and resources from Venezuela.
President Ali Takes Venezuela's Threat Seriously
In an interview with The Associated Press, Guyana's President Irfaan Ali expressed his government's determination to protect its territory and resources from Venezuela. Ali stated that the country is reaching out to its allies and regional partners, some of which have defense agreements with Guyana, to defend the Essequibo region, which accounts for two-thirds of the country's land.
Although Ali did not disclose the countries with which Guyana's Defense Force is speaking, he emphasized the seriousness of the threat posed by Venezuela and the need for a regional response. He mentioned that precautionary measures have been initiated to ensure the peace and stability of the region.
Venezuela's Defiance of International Law
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro recently announced the granting of operating licenses for oil and mineral exploration in Guyana's Essequibo region. He also ordered the creation of local subsidiaries of Venezuelan state-owned companies in the disputed territory. President Ali condemned these actions as a violation of international law and called on the international community to address this defiance.
Ali highlighted the potential disruption to regional stability and peaceful coexistence that Venezuela's actions could cause. Guyana intends to raise the issue at the U.N. Security Council meeting and has reached out to countries such as the U.S., Brazil, the United Kingdom, France, and the U.S. Southern Command for support. Ali also accused Venezuela of disregarding a ruling by the International Court of Justice that ordered Venezuela to refrain from any action until a final decision on the territorial dispute is reached.
The Historical Dispute and Recent Escalations
The dispute over the Essequibo region between Guyana and Venezuela dates back to the Spanish colonial period. Venezuela claims the region as part of its territory based on historical boundaries, while Guyana maintains that the border was defined by international arbitrators in 1899. The tensions escalated in 2015 after ExxonMobil discovered significant oil reserves off the coast of Guyana.
Maduro's recent referendum on sovereignty over Essequibo further intensified the dispute. President Ali referred to the referendum as a 'failure' and emphasized that Guyana is prepared for any eventuality. The United Nations has called for a peaceful resolution to the dispute and urged parties to avoid any actions that could aggravate the situation.
