Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accused Guyana of illegal actions in the Esequibo region, allowing ExxonMobil to extract oil from disputed waters. Maduro declared that Venezuela would take measures to counter these operations, emphasizing the violations of international law. Both nations are urged to avoid escalation as the Caribbean Community calls for restraint amid ongoing tensions relating to the historical dispute over the resource-rich territory.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has accused Guyana of unlawful actions in the Esequibo region, a territory central to the longstanding sovereignty dispute. Speaking to the state channel VTV, he asserted that Guyana is permitting ExxonMobil to extract oil from waters that have yet to be internationally demarcated, stating these actions are illegal. Maduro emphasized that Venezuela is prepared to take necessary measures to halt these operations.
The Esequibo region, rich in oil and mineral resources, has been the subject of contention between the two nations for decades. Maduro condemned the extraction activities as violations of international law. On March 1, Guyanese President Irfaan Ali reported an incident where Venezuelan naval ships approached an ExxonMobil oil platform, raising concerns about potential escalation.
Venezuelan officials have countered claims from Guyana, labeling them as misleading and stating that 28 foreign drilling vessels are currently active in the disputed waters. The Caribbean Community (Caricom) has called for both countries to deescalate tensions, urging restraint from unnecessary confrontations. This dispute can be traced back to colonial times, with a 1899 arbitration agreement designating the Esequibo River as Guyana’s western boundary, a verdict contested post-independence in 1966.
The conflict over the Esequibo region between Venezuela and Guyana remains tense, as both nations navigate accusations and military movements. Maduro’s allegations against Guyana’s oil extraction activities highlight the complexities of the dispute, aggravated by resource interests in the region. International concerns for stability have prompted calls for de-escalation, underlining the necessity for diplomatic resolution to this longstanding issue.
Original Source: www.aa.com.tr
