Beautiful Virgin Islands

Saturday, Sep 14, 2024

Venezuela Steps Up Claim on Guyana's Essequibo Region

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is aggressively pursuing the annexation of the oil-rich Essequibo region, currently governed by Guyana.
He has directed Venezuela's national oil company to grant licences for oil extraction in Essequibo and has called for legislation that would formally integrate the territory into Venezuela.

In response, Guyana has placed its military on high alert.

Following a Venezuelan referendum where voters overwhelmingly supported claims over Essequibo, the situation has become tense.

Over 95% of participating voters, representing about 10% of the electorate, voted in favor of a new Venezuelan state encompassing Essequibo.

Guyanese President Irfaan Ali has condemned Maduro's actions in a Facebook statement, noting that he has engaged the United Nations Secretary-General and is seeking intervention from the UN Security Council.

He has emphasized the gravity of the threat to Guyana's territorial integrity and has taken steps to protect the nation's sovereignty and investments, particularly those from oil companies.

Brazil has increased its military presence along its borders with Guyana and Venezuela, deploying additional troops and armored vehicles.

While Venezuela's claim on Essequibo, a 159,500 square kilometer area, dates back to a contested 1899 decision, the matter is now being heard by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

However, Venezuela rejects the ICJ's jurisdiction.

The court has cautioned Venezuela against any actions that might change Essequibo's current status, which has been under Guyanese authority for over a century.

The dispute intensified after oil was discovered off the coast of Essequibo in 2015 and flared again in September when Guyana auctioned exploration rights in the region.

With oil production driving its economy, Guyana has seen significant growth, while Venezuela is grappling with an economic crisis, worsened by US sanctions imposed after Maduro's 2018 election victory, despite having the world's largest proven oil reserves.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Royal Navy's First 'Narco-Sub' Drug Seizure in the Caribbean
Northern Lights Illuminate Skies Over the UK
Citizens' Jury Supports Change in Assisted Dying Law
Russia Can End the War Now, Says PM as Putin Warns West
SpaceX Polaris Dawn Crew Makes History With First Private Spacewalk
Jon Bon Jovi Heroically Rescues Woman on Nashville Bridge
Fragmented EU Defence Industry Needs Urgent Coordination
Keir Starmer Accused of Concealing Impact of Winter Fuel Payment Cuts on Pensioners
Keir Starmer Urged to Publish Winter Fuel Payments Impact Assessment
Ex-CIA Officer Sentenced to 10 Years for Espionage
UK Economy Stalls for Second Consecutive Month
Downing Street to Begin Search for New Cabinet Secretary
UK Government Introduces Bill to Ban Rental Bidding Wars
Scottish Opposition Questions Cuts to Free School Meals and Rail Fares
NHS Delays in England Cause Thousands of Unnecessary Deaths, Inquiry Reveals
NHS Restricts Obesity Services across England, Investigates BMJ
Bill Gates Warns of Imminent Threats: War and Pandemics
Over One Million UK Carers Living in Poverty
Equitable Future Threatened by Climate Crisis and Consumerism
Calls for Inclusive and Diverse Stories in UK English Curriculum
UK Government Confirms £500m Subsidy for Tata Steel
Chancellor Rachel Reeves Warns of Tough Budget Ahead
Unions Fear Labour's Net Zero Plans Will Cost Jobs
PM to Address Critical NHS Report Demanding Reforms
Kamala Harris Wins Post-Debate Survey Against Donald Trump
Impact and Aftermath of 9/11 Attacks on the US and the World
Iran Denies Missile Deliveries to Russia Amid New Sanctions
Kamala Harris Claims to Own Guns, Denies Supporting Mandatory Buyback—Yet Said the Opposite Weeks Ago
Outrage in Uxbridge: 12 Police Officers Arrest Woman Over a Sandwich, Then Arrest Bystander for Swearing
Polaris Dawn: Historic Private Spacewalk Initiated
Sir Paul Marshall Acquires The Spectator for £100 Million
Neighbours Criticise Germany Over Extended Border Controls
Mazan Village in Shock Over Mass Rape Trial
Harris Commands Debate Against Trump
Wealthy Nations Criticized for Hypocrisy on Climate Protests
Controversial Netanyahu Documentary Premieres in Toronto
Labour's Winter Fuel Cut Passes Amid Controversy
Germany's New Border Controls: A Threat to EU Unity?
Global Religious Groups Spend Billions to Undermine Gender-Equality Education
Dave Grohl Announces Birth of Baby Girl
Brigitte Macron to Make Cameo in Netflix's Emily in Paris
Olympic Medals Stolen from Australian Rower's Car in Melbourne
Russia Receives Iranian Ballistic Missiles for Use in Ukraine
US and Europe Consider Easing Restrictions on Ukraine's Long-Range Strikes
Brazilian President Visits Amazon Amid Severe Drought and Wildfires
Concerns Raised Over Early Release of Prisoners
Labour Special Advisers Join Union Over Pay Concerns
NHS Trust Admits Contaminated Feed Caused Baby's Death After Decade of Denial
Dubai Conference Cancels Talk by Ex-Children’s Hospital Doctor Under Investigation
Manchester Adopts 'Housing First' to Combat Rough Sleeping
×