The U.S. has warned Maduro over a Venezuelan warship’s incursion into Guyanese waters, which threatens ExxonMobil’s operations. President Irfaan Ali condemned the action and stressed that Guyana will not tolerate threats to its territorial integrity. Historical tensions between the two countries persist, marked by Venezuela’s claims to Essequibo and recent military developments.
The United States has delivered a strong warning to the regime of Nicolás Maduro after a Venezuelan patrol boat intruded into Guyanese waters, jeopardizing ExxonMobil’s operations offshore. The State Department’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs declared, “Venezuelan naval vessels threatening ExxonMobil’s floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) unit is unacceptable and a clear violation of Guyana’s internationally-recognized maritime territory.” They stated, “Further provocation will result in consequences for the Maduro regime,” emphasizing U.S. support for Guyana’s territorial integrity and the 1899 arbitral award.
On the same day, Guyana’s President, Irfaan Ali, condemned the Venezuelan military vessel’s proximity to the oil block managed by ExxonMobil in Essequibo – a region that both nations claim. During a televised address, President Ali remarked, “This incursion is a matter of grave concern. Guyana’s maritime boundaries are recognized under international law. This is a serious development concerning our nation’s maritime territory. We will not tolerate threats to territorial integrity.”
In a Facebook statement, he noted that the Venezuelan vessel had approached several assets within Guyana’s exclusive waters. Tensions between Venezuela and Guyana regarding the resource-rich region have historical roots dating back over a century and escalated further after a controversial December 2023 referendum. In this vote, Maduro sought special powers to authorize military action against Guyana for control of Essequibo, which has long been under Guyanese authority since 1899.
Despite accusations of electoral manipulation, Maduro claimed a resounding 98% approval from voters. Throughout the subsequent year, he heightened the dispute’s profile in Venezuela through various televised declarations, asserting Venezuela’s claims on Essequibo and increasing military deployments near the border. Essequibo constitutes six out of the ten regions in Guyana and is home to approximately 125,000 residents out of 800,000.
These recent developments follow an earlier incident on February 17, when the Guyana Defence Force reported that six soldiers sustained injuries during an ambush on a supply transport allegedly conducted by members of a Venezuelan criminal gang. Officials in Caracas described the situation as a “vile frame-up.”
In conclusion, the U.S. has underscored its commitment to Guyana’s territorial integrity in light of Venezuelan provocations, including the incursion by a patrol boat. President Ali’s firm stance against threats to Guyana’s maritime territory reflects the seriousness of the situation. The historical tensions between Venezuela and Guyana over Essequibo continue to escalate, with recent incidents heightening concerns about regional stability and military engagement.
Original Source: www.miamiherald.com
