Venezuela and Guyana in Dispute Over Oil-Rich Region

The tensions between Venezuela and Guyana have increased following the proposal by President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela to create a “Guyana Esequiba” province in a disputed oil-rich region. This action led Guyana to denounce Maduro’s statements as a direct threat and reject the measures announced by the Venezuelan leader.

Venezuela has also directed its state oil company to issue licenses for extracting crude oil in the region that Guyana has administered for over a century. Additionally, Venezuela organized a controversial non-binding referendum on the region’s fate, resulting in an overwhelming 95% “yes” vote for Caracas’ designs on Essequibo.

On the other hand, Guyana intends to seek assistance from the UN Security Council should Venezuela take any action following the referendum. This decision comes after Guyana sought to halt the referendum with an urgent application to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague.

The dispute arises from the fact that Guyana has been administering Essequibo, which constitutes more than two-thirds of its territory, for over a century. The region is also home to 125,000 of Guyana’s 800,000 citizens. Litigation is ongoing before the ICJ regarding the demarcation of borders.

The discovery of oil in Essequibo by ExxonMobil in 2015 has further exacerbated the dispute, and the referendum on Sunday was called after Guyana started auctioning off oil blocks in Essequibo in August. However, Guyana had requested the ICJ to block the vote, deeming it an existential threat.

Despite the court’s ruling that Venezuela should refrain from any action to alter the situation in the disputed territory, tensions persist between the two countries. President Irfaan Ali of Guyana has cautioned that disregarding the court order would ultimately lead to the suffering of the people of Venezuela.

The dispute has also raised concerns about the potential implications for international peace and security. Guyana has evoked articles from the UN Charter that can authorize sanctions or military action to maintain or restore international peace and security.

As the situation continues to evolve, it is evident that the longstanding dispute between Venezuela and Guyana over the oil-rich region of Essequibo shows no signs of resolution. The involvement of international bodies such as the UN Security Council and the ICJ highlights the complex nature of the conflict and its potential impact on regional stability.

In conclusion, the dispute between Venezuela and Guyana over the oil-rich region is a matter of significant concern, and the actions and decisions taken by both countries in the coming months will have far-reaching implications. It is yet to be seen how the international community will respond to this escalating dispute and what measures will be taken to address the underlying issues.