Guyana is on high alert after a Venezuelan navy ship entered its exclusive economic zone on Saturday. The country has deployed air assets and mobilized its Coast Guard. President Irfaan Ali confirmed the ship approached Guyanese installations, including the Prosperity FPSO, with the Venezuelan vessel asserting it was in “undelimited waters.”
Guyana has heightened its state of alert following the incursion of a Venezuelan navy vessel into its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) this past Saturday morning, as reported by OilNOW. In response, Guyana has deployed air assets and mobilized its Coast Guard to the affected region to safeguard its maritime boundaries.
President Irfaan Ali addressed the nation, expressing concern about the Venezuelan naval vessel’s proximity to Guyana’s EEZ installations, including the Prosperity floating production storage and offloading vessel (FPSO), operated by ExxonMobil in the Stabroek Block. The vessel, identified as “ABF Wakari PO-11 IMO 4695542,” belongs to the Venezuelan Coast Guard.
During the encounter, the Venezuelan vessel reportedly communicated via radio, claiming that it was within “undelimited waters” concerning the FPSO’s operations. President Ali reaffirmed that all of Guyana’s maritime operations, including those of the Prosperity vessel, are valid under international law, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to protecting the nation’s territorial integrity.
In conclusion, Guyana remains vigilant following a recent incursion by a Venezuelan navy ship into its EEZ. The government is actively protecting its maritime interests through air asset deployment and Coast Guard mobilization. President Ali has reiterated the legality of Guyana’s operations within its jurisdiction and condemned Venezuela’s claims of operating within disputed waters.
Original Source: www.jamaicaobserver.com
