Guyana Concerned That Venezuela Still Pushing into Its Control Oil-Rich Territory

• The Guyanese government has expressed concerns that neighbouring Venezuela is still pushing to control Guyana’s oil-rich Essequibo region. This comes after it was reported President Nicolás Maduro plans to hold an election to elect a “Governor of the Guayana Esequiba” by “the people of Guyana Esequiba.”
• In a statement, Guyana’s foreign ministry said any plans would violate the Argyle Agreement which was signed in St Vincent and the Grenadines in December 2023, where both countries agreed to avoid any further actions which would escalate the ongoing territory dispute.
• The Guyanese Government have also said it will seek assistance from the United Nation’s top court to stop Venezuela’s plans. According to the Associated Press, it said plans by Venezuela to administratively incorporate Essequibo into Venezuela “not only jeopardise the judicial process, but also undermine the authority of the court as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.”
• Venezuela has long claimed Essequibo as its own as the region was within its boundaries during the Spanish colonial period. Essequibo has been administered by Guyana for over 100 years after a decision in 1899 by an international tribunal granted it to Britain, who had colonial rule over the territory at the time.
• The area was previously known as British Guiana. However, Venezuela has always argued the decision was unfair and says Essequibo belongs to them since it gained independence from Spain in 1811.
• After years of fruitless mediation, Guyana went to the World Court in 2018, asking judges to rule that the 1899 border decision is valid and binding. Venezuela argues that a 1966 agreement to resolve the dispute effectively nullified the original arbitration. A ruling is not expected this year because Venezuela was given until late August to reply to arguments made by Guyana.

(Sources: The Voice & AP News)