Latest news with #GuyanaDefenceForce
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Venezuela's Shadow War Over Oil-Rich Essequibo Is Escalating
A quiet frontier in South America is rapidly becoming one of the world's most volatile energy flashpoints. The disputed region of Essequibo, a sparsely populated expanse administered by Guyana but claimed by Venezuela, has seen tensions simmer for years. But a combination of geopolitical ambition, economic desperation, and energy opportunity is now threatening to tip the standoff into open conflict. At stake is one of the most valuable stretches of territory in the world—an area that, until recently, few outside the region had heard of. Essequibo, which comprises nearly two-thirds of Guyana's landmass, was thrust into the global spotlight after ExxonMobil's 2017 discovery of the Stabroek Block offshore reserves, estimated at over 11 billion barrels of recoverable oil. For Guyana the find transformed the country from economic backwater to a regional energy giant almost overnight. The newfound wealth has also revived Venezuela's long-standing claim to the region, a grievance dating back to colonial arbitration rulings of the late 19th century. Caracas has never fully relinquished its claim, but it was only after the oil discovery that Venezuela began actively pressing the issue. Since 2022, under President Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela has dramatically escalated its rhetoric and actions—announcing referenda, redrawing maps, and even moving military assets toward the alarmingly, Venezuela has begun to mimic the playbook of its closest geopolitical ally—Russia. Much like Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea using unmarked 'little green men,' Venezuela appears to be laying the groundwork for a slow, deniable incursion into Essequibo. The playbook combines official rhetoric with irregular warfare tactics, allowing for plausible deniability while steadily undermining Guyana's control. The first major signal of this new phase came last year when Maduro's government held a referendum to 'reclaim' Essequibo. Despite international condemnation, the vote passed and led to the formal creation of a new Venezuelan 'state' encompassing the territory. Venezuela began offering citizenship to Essequibo's residents and launched efforts to organize elections in the region. In March 2025, a Venezuelan naval gunboat intercepted ExxonMobil operations in Guyanese waters, accusing the U.S. oil major of encroaching on Venezuelan territory. The incident was widely seen as a warning shot—not just to Exxon, but to any foreign investors backing Guyana's energy future. But the most ominous sign yet came on May 15, when Guyana's military reported three armed attacks in a single day on its patrols along the Cuyuni River, a critical stretch of the Guyana–Venezuela border. According to the Guyana Defence Force, unidentified gunmen in civilian clothing opened fire on soldiers in three separate engagements. No casualties were reported, and the Guyanese military responded with what it described as 'measured force.' The attacks were chilling in their timing and coordination. While the assailants were not officially identified, officials in Georgetown and most international observers believe they were Venezuelan operatives or proxies acting on Caracas's behalf. The region is not known for organized crime or guerrilla activity, and no local insurgency has taken root—at least not yet. This wasn't the first time violence erupted in the contested zone. In February, another attack left two Guyanese soldiers critically injured. That incident, too, was blamed on Venezuela-linked forces. While the skirmishes may seem minor in isolation, taken together they mark a dangerous pattern of escalation. What's emerging is a shadow conflict—gray-zone warfare that avoids the threshold of open war while steadily eroding Guyana's control over Essequibo. The danger, analysts warn, is that this slow-motion campaign could culminate in a de facto annexation, much like Crimea, before the international community has time to respond. The Guyana Defence Force fields just over 3,000 active personnel with limited air, land, and naval capabilities. Venezuela, by contrast, commands over 100,000 troops, around 200 tanks, dozens of combat aircraft, and a sizable paramilitary force—making any conventional war a one-sided affair. However, during a visit to Georgetown in March, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio cautioned that any Venezuelan attack on Guyana or ExxonMobil would mark 'a very bad day' for Caracas, hinting at serious consequences. Venezuela swiftly condemned the remarks. The real question now is how the international community, and especially the United States, will respond. ExxonMobil's deep involvement gives Washington both an interest and a stake in the dispute. But the broader issue goes beyond oil. A successful Venezuelan land grab would further erode the already fragile post-Cold War order. It would also send a message to authoritarian regimes worldwide: territorial revisionism is back—and it works. Guyana has vowed to defend its sovereignty and is seeking stronger security partnerships. But unless it receives military support or any other type of real security guarantee from the U.S., Georgetown will struggle to hold the line alone. For now, Essequibo remains under Guyana's flag. But the shadow of Caracas is growing—and so is the risk that South America's next war may erupt in one of its least known, but most strategically vital, regions. By Charles Kennedy for More Top Reads From this article on
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Guyanese soldiers face attacks in disputed Essequibo region, tension with Venezuela soar
Guyanese troops came under attack three times within 24 hours this week while patrolling the contested Essequibo region, the country's Defence Force reported. The attacks mark a sharp escalation in tensions with Venezuela just days before a controversial election Caracas plans to hold in the disputed oil-rich territory. Within 24 hours, they faced three separate attacks by unidentified armed men in civilian clothing, according to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). Though no injuries were reported, the incidents mark a dangerous flare-up in a long-standing dispute between Guyana and Venezuela over this oil-rich stretch of land. The Essequibo region, home to about 125,000 people, accounts for nearly two-thirds of Guyana's territory and lies at the heart of what is becoming a regional flashpoint. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cyberjaya: Unsold Furniture Liquidation 2024 (Prices May Surprise You) Unsold Furniture | Search Ads Learn More Undo Also read: Latin America mourns world's 'poorest president' Mujica, dead at 89 Essequibo attacks heighten regional instability Live Events The GDF confirmed that the attacks occurred along the Cuyuní River, a key frontier in the contested territory. Though the soldiers executed what the GDF called 'measured responses,' the pattern of aggression is setting off alarm bells in Georgetown and beyond. 'The Guyana Defence Force remains resolute in its mission to protect Guyana's territorial integrity,' the military said in a statement, reaffirming its commitment to 'take all necessary measures' to defend its borders. The timing of the attacks coincides with a controversial Venezuelan plan to include the Essequibo region in gubernatorial elections scheduled for May 25. This move comes in defiance of a United Nations court order instructing Caracas not to proceed with any such vote in the disputed territory. Oil reserves and old claims fuel modern conflict The century-old boundary quarrel reignited in 2015 when ExxonMobil uncovered massive oil deposits off the Essequibo coast. Since then, Guyana has emerged as a major player in the global energy sector, now holding the world's highest crude oil reserves per capita. For Venezuela, whose economy is mired in crisis, the prospect of annexing Essequibo offers both nationalistic appeal and potential economic lifeline. Also read: China commits $10 billion in fresh credit to Latin America Venezuela bases its claim on a boundary it asserts was historically recognized as far back as 1777, arguing that the Essequibo River is the rightful border. Guyana, meanwhile, stands by the ruling of a 1899 arbitration panel, which awarded the region to then British Guiana. The dispute reached new heights in 2023 when Guyana auctioned oil blocks in the area, prompting Venezuela to conduct a referendum and threaten to make Essequibo its 24th state. Despite international condemnation, Venezuela has moved forward with plans that Guyanese officials call illegal and dangerous. Growing concern despite diplomatic promises Although a December 2023 meeting between the presidents of both countries in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines ended with a commitment to avoid military conflict, the fragile peace is now being tested. In February, six Guyanese soldiers were wounded in an ambush, further deepening concerns. The Guyanese government has repeatedly turned to international bodies, including the UN and the International Court of Justice, to resolve the conflict diplomatically. But with border patrols now facing live threats and regional elections looming, tensions on the ground may outpace political resolutions. Also read: In South America, Trump already losing a trade battle with China For the people of Essequibo, the rising instability is a chilling reminder of how quickly international disputes can ripple into their daily lives. Once a remote frontier known for its biodiversity, the region is now drawing global attention not for its natural beauty, but for the oil beneath its soil and the geopolitics above it.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Armed attacks on Guyanese soldiers in Essequibo escalate tensions with Venezuela
A string of armed attacks on Guyanese soldiers patrolling the disputed Essequibo region has intensified tensions between Guyana and neighboring Venezuela, as both countries continue to assert competing claims over the mineral-rich territory. The Guyana Defence Force reported that three separate incidents took place within a 24-hour span along the Cuyuní River, near the contested border. Armed men in civilian clothing targeted Defence Force patrols in areas between Eteringbang and Makapa. In a statement issued Thursday, the force confirmed that no soldiers were injured and characterized its responses as 'measured' and 'calculated.' 'On each occasion, the Guyana Defence Force executed a measured response, and no rank sustained any injuries,' the statement read. The military added that it would 'continue to respond to acts of aggression along the Guyana-Venezuela border.' This latest wave of violence marks the second such incident this year. In February, six Guyanese soldiers were wounded in an ambush allegedly carried out by masked gunmen crossing from the Venezuelan side. The renewed hostilities come amid an increasingly volatile dispute over the Essequibo region — a sparsely populated, resource-rich area that comprises about two-thirds of Guyana's territory. Venezuela has long claimed the land as its own, despite a 1899 arbitration award that recognized it as part of Guyana. Adding to the tension, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López last month accused the United States of plotting to overthrow President Nicolás Maduro in order to seize control of the Essequibo. Speaking during a televised address Tuesday, Padrino López claimed the territory was being targeted as a 'spoil of war' for U.S. interests. 'The threat constantly evolves, but one thing remains unchanged: the conspiracy to surrender our homeland,' he said during a graduation ceremony at the Bolivarian National Guard command. 'They want to convert the Essequibo into a spoil of war — part of a plot to deliver our territory in exchange for regime change imposed by U.S. imperialism.' The decades-old territorial dispute has seen renewed international attention in recent years, as oil discoveries off Guyana's coast and increased militarization along the border raise fears of a broader conflict.
Miami Herald
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Armed attacks on Guyanese soldiers in Essequibo escalate tensions with Venezuela
A string of armed attacks on Guyanese soldiers patrolling the disputed Essequibo region has intensified tensions between Guyana and neighboring Venezuela, as both countries continue to assert competing claims over the mineral-rich territory. The Guyana Defence Force reported that three separate incidents took place within a 24-hour span along the Cuyuní River, near the contested border. Armed men in civilian clothing targeted Defence Force patrols in areas between Eteringbang and Makapa. In a statement issued Thursday, the force confirmed that no soldiers were injured and characterized its responses as 'measured' and 'calculated.' 'On each occasion, the Guyana Defence Force executed a measured response, and no rank sustained any injuries,' the statement read. The military added that it would 'continue to respond to acts of aggression along the Guyana-Venezuela border.' This latest wave of violence marks the second such incident this year. In February, six Guyanese soldiers were wounded in an ambush allegedly carried out by masked gunmen crossing from the Venezuelan side. The renewed hostilities come amid an increasingly volatile dispute over the Essequibo region — a sparsely populated, resource-rich area that comprises about two-thirds of Guyana's territory. Venezuela has long claimed the land as its own, despite a 1899 arbitration award that recognized it as part of Guyana. Adding to the tension, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López last month accused the United States of plotting to overthrow President Nicolás Maduro in order to seize control of the Essequibo. Speaking during a televised address Tuesday, Padrino López claimed the territory was being targeted as a 'spoil of war' for U.S. interests. 'The threat constantly evolves, but one thing remains unchanged: the conspiracy to surrender our homeland,' he said during a graduation ceremony at the Bolivarian National Guard command. 'They want to convert the Essequibo into a spoil of war — part of a plot to deliver our territory in exchange for regime change imposed by U.S. imperialism.' The decades-old territorial dispute has seen renewed international attention in recent years, as oil discoveries off Guyana's coast and increased militarization along the border raise fears of a broader conflict.
Int'l Business Times
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Guyana Says Soldiers Attacked In Disputed Border Region With Venezuela
Guyana said Thursday its soldiers had come under attack three times in 24 hours in a disputed oil-rich border region where neighbor Venezuela plans to hold elections this month. Armed men in civilian clothing carried out three separate attacks on troops conducting patrols on the Cuyuni River in the disputed Essequibo region, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) said. "On each occasion, the Guyana Defence Force executed a measured response, and no rank sustained any injuries," it said in a statement, vowing to "continue to respond to acts of aggression along the Guyana-Venezuela border." Both countries lay claim to Essequibo, which makes up two-thirds of Guyana's territory and is home to 125,000 of its 800,000 citizens. Guyana has administered the region for decades, and insists Essequibo's frontiers were determined by an arbitration panel in 1899. The Guyanese foreign ministry said it had condemned the attacks in a diplomatic note to Venezuelan authorities and asked that it launch an investigation "so that the perpetrators are arrested and brought to justice." Venezuela claims the Essequibo River to the region's east forms a natural border recognized as far back as 1777. The long-running squabble was revived in 2015 after US energy giant ExxonMobil discovered huge crude reserves in Essequibo and reached fever pitch in 2023 when Georgetown started auctioning off oil blocks in the region. The find gave Guyana, a small English-speaking former British and Dutch colony, the largest crude oil reserves per capita in the world. Caracas has since held a referendum asserting its claim to the territory, and has threatened to annex most of the region and make it Venezuela's 24th state. It has also announced Essequibo will be included in gubernatorial elections planned for May 25, despite the UN's top court ordering it not to organize a vote there. The GDF said Thursday it "remains resolute in its mission to protect Guyana's territorial integrity" and was taking "all necessary measures to safeguard the nation's borders and maintain peace and security within our beloved country." Tensions calmed after the two countries' presidents agreed in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines last December 2023 to avoid any use of force, but were fanned again in February when Guyana said six of its soldiers were wounded in an ambush in the region.
