On Wednesday, November 29th, the longstanding border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela intensified following a massive discovery of oil in the contested region. This escalation has prompted Brazil to increase its military presence along its northern border, closely monitoring the situation.
The controversy centers around the Essequibo region, a territory west of the Essequibo River, which comprises over two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass. The boundary between Guyana and Venezuela was settled by the 1899 Arbitral Award, a decision Venezuela initially accepted but later contested from 1962 onwards, claiming the Essequibo region.
Venezuela’s recent actions, particularly President Nicolas Maduro’s vow to “reconquer” the Essequibo, have heightened tensions. The discovery of one of the world’s largest crude oil deposits off the coast of the Essequibo has further complicated the situation. Maduro’s aggressive stance is seen as an attempt to assert control over this resource-rich area.
In response to these developments, Brazil has intensified defensive actions along its border. The Brazilian Defense Ministry stated that this move is a precautionary measure to ensure regional stability and security. Brazil’s involvement underscores the broader regional implications of the dispute, especially given the potential economic and geopolitical consequences of the oil discovery.
Guyana has sought international intervention, approaching the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for provisional measures to prevent Venezuela from taking actions that would amount to an unlawful annexation of its territory.
On Friday, December 1st, a United Nations top council declared that Venezuela could not take action over Guyana’s declared territory.
The Venezuelan National Assembly’s call for a referendum on Sunday, December 3rd, which includes questions aimed at reinforcing Venezuela’s claim to the Essequibo region, has added to the complexity of the situation. The order from the UN council does not inhibit Venezuela from holding the referendum. After an overwhelming turnout, Venezuelans voted in the referendum to take back the oil-rich territory. Reports say 95% of Venezuelans voted “yes” in the referendum over the much-contested land that many believe rightfully belongs to Venezuela, dismissing the 1899 ruling. Though it is unclear as to whether or not Venezuela will act on the results of the voting, the referendum’s outcome is expected to further escalate tensions and challenge the existing international legal framework with Guyana already saying the referendum was a “step towards annexation.”
This border dispute, now intertwined with significant economic interests due to the oil discovery, poses a serious challenge to regional stability. The involvement of neighboring countries like Brazil and the attention of international courts highlight the urgent need for a peaceful and legal resolution to this longstanding conflict.
