Tensions between Venezuela and its neighboring country, Guyana, have reached a boiling point after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro published a new map claiming two-thirds of the disputed Essequibo region as Venezuelan territory.
The longstanding border dispute between the two South American nations resurfaced when Maduro proposed a bill to create a Venezuelan province in the oil-rich region and ordered state-owned energy companies to immediately begin exploration in the area.
In response, Guyanese President Irfaan Ali called Maduro’s actions a direct threat against his country and rejected the measures announced by his counterpart. Ali also denounced the recent Venezuelan “referendum” where voters were asked if they agreed with creating a Venezuelan state in Essequibo and incorporating it into the map of Venezuelan territory.
Despite the overwhelming “yes” vote in the referendum, Guyana has appealed to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for a final resolution on the dispute. The ICJ has ordered Venezuela not to take any action to change the status quo in the region until a decision is reached, which could take years.
Venezuela’s move to claim the disputed territory has caused widespread concern, especially in Guyana. President Ali has reached out to regional and world leaders, including the United Nations Security Council and the United States, for support in ensuring that Venezuela does not violate Guyana’s territory.
“This speaks volumes about the way in which President Maduro prefers to operate and also points to the fact that he’s unconcerned about the peace and security of this region,” Ali told The Miami Herald.
The tensions between the two nations have raised fears of a possible military confrontation. With Venezuela’s military backed by countries like Russia, Iran, and Cuba, they possess a significantly larger force than Guyana’s smaller and weaker military.
However, military experts suggest that Venezuela’s decade-long economic crisis and decades of mismanagement have significantly weakened its military capabilities.
“A good part of the 800-kilometer-long border between Venezuela and Essequibo consists of dense jungle, which is impenetrable save for small units,” military expert Igor Gielow told Brazilian newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo.
The most likely scenario, according to Gielow, would be an airborne attack on the few urban centers in the area and an amphibious landing on the Caribbean coast. This would likely draw a strong international response, with Brazil, which shares a border with both countries, expected to play a significant role.
In late November, Brazil’s defense ministry announced that it had increased its military presence along its northern border in response to the escalating tensions between Venezuela and Guyana.
The situation continues to remain volatile, with both nations refusing to back down from their claims. As the ICJ works towards a decision, the international community will be watching closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution to this long-standing dispute.