Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro caused a stir internationally by declaring the formation of a new nation and redefining boundaries, including Guyana's territory. Announced on Tuesday, this controversial move claims regions historically controlled by Guyana, like the Essequibo area, which makes up about two-thirds of Guyana's land.
Maduro unveiled a "new map" during a meeting with lawmakers, pledging to grant citizenship to residents of the area and distribute maps in schools and public buildings across Venezuela. He also signed a "Presidential Decree" to establish the "Guyana Essequiba Defense High Commission."
Venezuela revealed plans to grant oil, gas, and mining exploration licenses in the disputed territories, urging its national oil company PDVSA to establish a specialized unit, "PDVSA-Essequibo." Maduro further banned businesses collaborating with Guyana in the exploration of oil and gas resources and granted them a three-month evacuation period. The measure also included a population census within the region to facilitate the issuance of Venezuelan citizenship.
The U.S. State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, stated that the U.S. seeks a peaceful resolution between Venezuela and Guyana, urging both parties to halt their hostilities and engage in negotiations. Guyana, situated in South America and known for its modest population and high poverty rate, has seen a rapid transformation since the 2015 ExxonMobil oil discovery in the Essequibo coast. The country's oil earnings surpassed $1 billion annually since then, funding various infrastructure projects.
Guyana's Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo likened the situation to Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea, asserting that Maduro's actions bore similar authoritarian undertones and could potentially provoke a larger-scale conflict. Maduro stands to gain significant political support from the upcoming December 3 referendum, bolstering his reelection campaign.
Despite the threats, Guyana's Foreign Minister Hugh Todd affirmed that Guyana doesn't endorse "adventurism" and remains committed to resolving the matter diplomatically. The International Court of Justice is handling the dispute, but Venezuela has withdrawn from the ICJ's jurisdiction.
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The current international conflict between Venezuela and Guyana revolves around Venezuela's claims to the Essequibo region, which is currently managed by Guyana. Here's a summary of the critical details:
- Historical Context:
- The tensions date back to colonial times, with Venezuela asserting historical ownership of Essequibo, covering approximately two-thirds of Guyana's territory[1][3].
- Recent Developments:
- In late 2023, Venezuela held a referendum where voters overwhelmingly supported annexing Essequibo. Consequently, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro permitted resource extraction licenses in the disputed area, threatening international firms operating under Guyanese permits[1].
- Maduro subsequently declared the creation of a new Venezuelan state named “Guayana Esequiba” and shared a new map, incorporating Essequibo as part of Venezuela[1][4].
- International Court of Justice (ICJ) Proceedings:
- The dispute is under ICJ scrutiny, with proceedings ongoing. Guyana submitted its final argument to the ICJ in December 2024, allowing Venezuela to file a rejoinder by August 2025[2][5].
- Guyana hopes the ICJ will corroborate the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the boundary between Venezuela and British Guiana (now Guyana), affirming the boundary's permanent status[2][4].
- International Support and Reactions:
- The United States, with President Donald Trump in office, publicly endorsed Guyana's territorial integrity in opposition to Venezuela's actions[2].
- Venezuela has retaliated negatively to these U.S. sentiments, with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil denouncing U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as an "enemy" and accusing him of supporting Guyana's "pretensions" regarding sovereignty over Essequibo[4].
- Regional Stability and Economic Implications:
- The dispute carries significant geopolitical and economic implications for both countries and the region. For Venezuela, control over Essequibo could offer an essential economic lifeline amid sanctions and financial crises. For Guyana, relinquishing Essequibo would mean forfeiting critical oil revenues driving its economic growth[1].
The situation remains volatile, with both sides maintaining firm positions and heightening tensions through various measures. The outcome of the ICJ proceedings will be instrumental in resolving the dispute and determining the future of the Essequibo region.
