Venezuela Contests Fresh Oil Ship within Disputed Essequibo Waterways, UK-Guyana Defense Alliance
Tension Mounts over Essequibo Strip as Oil Operations Intensify
Caracas, Venezuela - The feud between Venezuela and Guyana over the resource-rich Essequibo Strip has spiraled, with recent oil operations in contested waters and ongoing military threats amplifying tensions.
On Wednesday, the Venezuelan government lodged a firm protest against the arrival of the FPSO One Guyana - a vessel that processes, stores, and offloads oil and gas. Rumors swirl that this platform joins three other FPSOs in the oil-rich Stabroek Block, situated around 200 kilometers offshore from the Essequibo region.
Experts estimate the 26,800 square-kilometer Stabroek Block to contain nearly 11 billion barrels of oil and gas. The new FPSO, managed by US corporation ExxonMobil, is projected to increase oil output by over 250,000 barrels per day (bpd), potentially raising daily production levels to 900,000 bpd.
In a recent statement, the Venezuelan government denounced the oil drilling operations in the disputed waters. The declaration reads, "This maneuver, driven by the Guyana government in cahoots with ExxonMobil, contravenes fundamental principles of international law prohibiting unilateral actions in contentious areas without agreed-upon delimitation."
The statement continued, warning involved companies of potential legal action and asserting that Venezuela would not acknowledge any rights over resources exploited "unlawfully." Furthermore, Caracas accused Guyana of "recklessly endangering regional peace and stability" and breaching the 2023 Argyle Agreement, signed by the presidents of both nations to foster dialogue channels.
Georgetown, however, insists that the Essequibo region is part of Guyana's maritime territory. In contrast, Caracas maintains its claim over the undelimited waters, dating back to the 19th-century dispute over the Essequibo region, which reemerged in 2015 following the discovery of massive offshore oil deposits by ExxonMobil in the contested territorial waters. The company aims to extract up to 1.2 million bpd by 2027.
Venezuela's stance is that the 1966 Geneva Agreement remains the sole solution to the border controversy. In contrast, Guyana seeks to uphold an 1899 ruling that granted the territory to its former colonizer, the United Kingdom. In 2018, Guyana requested the intervention of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Caracas has reiterated its non-recognition of The Hague's jurisdiction over the Essequibo controversy. In a communique dated April 9, Venezuela accused the Guyanese government of "sabotaging" the UN Secretary-General's Good Offices Process in their attempt to "irregularly" refer the dispute to the ICJ, with the court expected to issue its final ruling in 2026.
Last week, Venezuela's United Socialist Party (PSUV) announced Admiral Neil Villamizar as its candidate for governor of the would-be Guayana Esequiba state, alongside candidates for national deputies and state-level councillors in the May 25 elections. Guyana, currently overseeing the Essequibo area, has warned that residents supporting the upcoming Venezuelan election could be charged with treason.
The escalating tension has led to armed skirmishes along the Essequibo border and increasing military threats. On Saturday, Caracas denounced a defense cooperation agreement between the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence.
"Venezuela repudiates and protests the warmongering intentions of 'Caribbean Zelensky,' [President] Irfaan Ali. The United Kingdom and the United States are the masterminds behind the territorial dispossession of our Guayana Esequiba," declared Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez. She urged regional governments to pay heed to the "rising war drums," affirming that Venezuela will safeguard its territorial integrity "under any possible scenario."
The UK-Guyana enhanced military partnership follows growing US-backed militarization in the region, primarily through joint military exercises between Guyanese forces and the US Southern Command. During a recent visit to Georgetown, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Venezuela of potential military action in case of confrontation with Guyana or ExxonMobil, stating, "This will be a very unfortunate day for the Venezuelan regime. The US Navy has proven its ability to reach any corner of the world."
Washington has shown support for ExxonMobil's operations in the Essequibo and reinforced its diplomatic ties with Guyanese authorities.
- The arrival of more FPSOs, like the one managed by ExxonMobil, has been projected to increase oil output in the Essequibo-adjacent Stabroek Block, escalating tensions with Venezuela, who has alleged that these unilateral actions violate international law.
- In the ongoing dispute over the Essequibo Strip, Venezuela accused Guyana of endangering regional peace and stability by pursuing oil drilling operations in the disputed waters, in collaboration with companies such as ExxonMobil.
- The 2023 Argyle Agreement, established to foster dialogue between the nations, has been breached, according to Venezuela, as a result of Guyana's oil drilling operations within contested territories, such as the Stabroek Block.
- In the realm of general news and international politics, Venezuela's United Socialist Party (PSUV) has nominated Admiral Neil Villamizar as its candidate for governor of the proposed Guayana Esequiba state, potentially adding a new political layer to the escalating tension over the oil-rich Essequibo Strip.
