Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali warned on Thursday that his country remains on high alert for the ongoing threat from Venezuela, which claims the oil-rich Essequibo region. The tension between the two countries persists even though Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was detained by US special forces in early January and taken to court in New York. In his address to the armed forces, Ali stressed that Guyana cannot afford to let its guard down because the situation in Venezuela does nothing to reduce the risk to his country’s territorial integrity.
- Guyana is on alert for the threat from Venezuela.
- Venezuela claims the oil-rich Essequibo region.
- Caracas ignores the decision of the International Court of Justice.
- The historic dispute escalated after the discovery of oil by ExxonMobil.
- President Ali calls for the support of the international community for Guyana.
Maduro’s repeated calls for the annexation of Essequibo have raised fears of a possible armed conflict. Tensions escalated after Caracas held a referendum on Essequiba in 2023 and then declared it by law in 2024 as Venezuela’s 24th federal state. The move ignored a ruling by the International Court of Justice, which called on Venezuela not to disrupt the status quo in the region.
Historical disputes over Essequibo
Essequibo, now part of Guyana, has its roots in colonial history when it was under British and Dutch rule. The boundaries of the region were determined by an arbitration tribunal in 1899, which Guyana considers to be the final decision. However, Venezuela claims that the natural border is the Essequibo River, which it says was already recognized in 1777. Caracas’ territorial claims intensified after 2015, when the American company ExxonMobil discovered significant oil deposits in the region.
In his speech, President Ali emphasized that Guyana will continue to protect its territory and sovereignty. “Our country must be ready to face any challenges that may threaten our security and stability,” he said. At the same time, he called on the international community to support Guyana in its efforts to maintain peace and respect international law.
The discovery of oil in Essequiba greatly increased the strategic importance of the region and deepened the dispute between Guyana and Venezuela. ExxonMobil, which implements large-scale mining projects in the area, has become one of the major players in the region. However, this development also strengthened Venezuela’s claims to the territory, which Caracas considers its historical heritage.
Although the detention of Nicolás Maduro by US troops has drawn international attention, the situation in Essequibo remains tense. Guyana is preparing for all possible scenarios, with President Ali stressing that his country will continue to assert its rights through diplomatic and legal channels.
