Venezuelan President Accuses Guyana of ‘Unlawful’ Actions in Contested Esequibo Region

Venezuelan President Accuses Guyana of ‘Unlawful’ Actions in Contested Esequibo Region

In a sharp escalation of tensions between Venezuela and Guyana, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has accused the government of Guyana of engaging in “unlawful” actions in the Esequibo region, a disputed area long at the center of a territorial conflict between the two South American nations ¹.

The Esequibo region, which is rich in oil and mineral resources, has been a point of contention between Venezuela and Guyana for decades. Venezuela claims sovereignty over the region, while Guyana maintains that it is an integral part of its territory.

President Maduro’s accusations come on the heels of a non-binding referendum held in Venezuela last year, in which citizens voted on whether Venezuela should annex the Essequibo region. The referendum was widely seen as an attempt by Maduro’s government to rally support for its claims to the region ².

The dispute between Venezuela and Guyana has significant implications for the region, particularly given the discovery of oil reserves in the Esequibo region. Guyana has already begun to develop its oil industry, with several international companies operating in the country.

The accusations by President Maduro are likely to further strain relations between Venezuela and Guyana, which have been tense for years. The international community has called for calm and restraint, urging both sides to engage in diplomatic efforts to resolve the dispute peacefully.