Venezuela Accuses Guyana of Unlawful Actions in Esequibo Region
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has accused Guyana of illegal activities in the Esequibo region, asserting that Guyana permitted ExxonMobil to extract oil from undeclared waters. He warned that Venezuela would take necessary measures against these activities. The ongoing dispute, rooted in colonial history, has prompted calls for restraint from the Caribbean Community to avoid escalation between the two nations.
On Thursday, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accused Guyana of engaging in illegal activities in the Esequibo region, a contested territory at the center of a longstanding sovereignty dispute. In a broadcast interview with state-operated VTV, he claimed Guyana’s actions violate both Venezuelan territorial rights and international law.
Maduro specifically alleged that Guyana has permitted the US energy corporation ExxonMobil to extract oil in areas lacking international demarcation. He firmly stated, “This is absolutely illegal,” asserting Venezuela’s determination to take all necessary measures to halt Guyana’s purported violations through its dealings with ExxonMobil.
The Esequibo region, which is rich in oil and mineral resources, has been the subject of intense geopolitical contention. Venezuelan military vessels reportedly approached an ExxonMobil oil platform on March 1, prompting concerns from Guyanese President Irfaan Ali about escalating tensions between the two nations.
In response, Venezuelan officials dismissed these concerns as misrepresentations, maintaining that as many as 28 foreign drilling vessels and tankers are actively operating in this disputed area, further branding these activities as violations of international law.
The Caribbean Community (Caricom) has urged both Venezuela and Guyana to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could intensify the existing tensions, emphasizing the importance of dialogue to prevent unnecessary confrontations. The controversy surrounding the Esequibo region extends back to the colonial era under British rule, with an arbitration settlement in 1899 establishing the Esequibo River as Guyana’s western boundary.
However, after gaining independence in 1966, Guyana and Venezuela have contested this boundary, leading to ongoing conflict over this resource-rich region that is home to approximately 125,000 residents.
The ongoing dispute over the Esequibo region remains a critical issue in Venezuelan-Guyanese relations, with President Maduro accusing Guyana of illegal actions related to oil extraction by ExxonMobil. Both nations are urged by Caricom to avoid escalation and resolve the matter peacefully, as the historical context reveals a complex territorial struggle dating back to colonial times. The situation continues to require careful diplomatic navigation to prevent conflict.
Original Source: www.aa.com.tr
