Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali condemned a Venezuelan naval vessel’s incursion in disputed waters rich in oil, asserting the nation’s territorial integrity. The U.S. has backed Guyana’s claims, warning Venezuela about potential consequences. This incident underscores the historical disputes between the two countries over maritime borders, heightened by ExxonMobil’s oil discoveries since 2015.
President Irfaan Ali of Guyana has expressed strong condemnation of a recent incursion by an armed Venezuelan naval vessel into contested waters rich in oil resources, notably those being developed by ExxonMobil. During a televised address, Ali emphasized the seriousness of the situation, affirming that Guyana’s maritime boundaries are acknowledged under international law and reiterating the nation’s resolve to protect its territorial integrity. He indicated that Guyana is promptly informing its international allies and has officially protested the incident through Venezuela’s ambassador in Georgetown.
In response, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez dismissed Ali’s statements, labeling them as falsehoods and referred to ExxonMobil’s oil operations as unlawful. The situation escalated as the U.S. State Department supported Guyana’s stance, warning that further provocations by Venezuela would lead to consequences for the Maduro administration.
Ali detailed the encounter, noting that the Venezuelan vessel maneuvered dangerously close to oil storage ships associated with Exxon’s operations in the Stabroek Block, a region believed to hold approximately 11 billion barrels of oil. He indicated that a significant number of aircraft and marine vessels are engaged in supporting the drilling activities happening in the area.
This development comes shortly after a violent incident involving armed individuals, suspected to be Venezuelan pirates, which resulted in six injured Guyanese soldiers during a confrontation near the border along the Cuyuni River. The long-standing territorial dispute between Venezuela and Guyana has intensified since ExxonMobil’s major oil discovery in 2015, as Venezuela seeks to assert its claims over the resource-rich Essequibo region, which constitutes two-thirds of Guyana’s land area, claiming historical injustices in border delineation.
The ongoing disputes regarding land and maritime borders between Venezuela and Guyana date back decades, rooted in a historical commission from the 1890s that Venezuela argues unjustly deprived it of rich oil territories. The area was under British administration for over a century and has remained under Guyanese control following its independence in 1966.
In summary, Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali has strongly denounced a Venezuelan naval vessel’s incursion in disputed oil-rich waters, reaffirming the legitimacy of Guyana’s maritime boundaries under international law. The Venezuelan government, however, has contested these claims. The situation reflects ongoing tensions between the two nations concerning territorial rights, particularly in light of lucrative oil developments in the Stabroek Block. As geopolitical interests intensify, international allies are being notified, indicating a serious diplomatic concern.
Original Source: jamaica.loopnews.com
