US and Guyana Condemn Venezuelan Threats Amid Territorial Tensions

The United States denounced Venezuelan naval threats against ExxonMobil assets in Guyana’s maritime territory. Guyana’s President Ali reported a Venezuelan patrol boat’s approach, prompting a US warning of consequences for further provocations. Longstanding tensions over the Essequibo territory, rich in resources, have escalated since ExxonMobil’s oil discoveries, with recent military exercises by Venezuela adding to the volatility. Ali remains committed to diplomacy while asserting territorial integrity.

On Saturday, the United States condemned what it characterized as Venezuelan naval vessels jeopardizing an ExxonMobil unit in maritime territory claimed by Guyana. The US State Department’s statement warned of potential repercussions if further provocations from Venezuela occurred, following reports from Guyanese President Irfaan Ali regarding a Venezuelan patrol boat approaching assets within Guyana’s exclusive waters early that morning. Ali asserted that Guyana had alerted its international partners about the situation.

The US Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs labeled the Venezuelan action as unacceptable and a clear violation of Guyana’s internationally recognized maritime territory. The statement emphasized that any further provocations would lead to consequences for the Maduro regime. Heightened tensions between Guyana and Venezuela are rooted in a long-standing dispute over the resource-rich Essequibo territory since a significant oil discovery by ExxonMobil in 2015.

In a recent contract granted to ExxonMobil by the Guyanese government, President Ali reiterated the legality of the floating production vessels operating within Guyana’s economic zone. He expressed a commitment to peace and diplomacy yet underscored that threats to the nation’s territorial integrity would not be tolerated. Conversely, Venezuela dismissed Ali’s claims as unfounded and characterized his remarks as a blatant misrepresentation of the situation, asserting that the waters remain undetermined according to international law.

Tensions were exacerbated on February 17 when Guyana reported injuries to six of its soldiers from an ambush allegedly orchestrated by a Venezuelan criminal gang. This incident coincided with the anniversary of a 1966 accord aimed at resolving the territorial dispute. Guyana maintains that a prior ruling from 1899 establishes the disputed border in its favor, despite Venezuela’s declaration of a potential province within the contested territory.

In December, amid rising tensions, President Ali and President Maduro convened for discussions on neutral ground, agreeing to refrain from the use of force. Subsequent to these talks, Britain dispatched the HMS Trent to Georgetown, a move Maduro considered provocative. In response, Venezuela initiated a significant military exercise near the border, including forces and equipment in large numbers.

The ongoing maritime tensions between the United States, Guyana, and Venezuela revolve around territorial disputes exacerbated by resource discoveries. The US has firmly denounced Venezuelan incursions into waters claimed by Guyana, warning of consequences for any further provocation. Diplomatic efforts are being pursued to mitigate tensions, reflecting the ongoing complexity of regional relations and historical disputes.

Original Source: www.firstpost.com