Guyana’s president says it is preparing for a possible incursion by Venezuela into disputed area
Published:Wednesday | December 6, 2023 | 11:40 AM
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Guyana's President Irfaan Ali told The Associated Press on Wednesday that his country is taking every necessary step to protect itself from a potential incursion by Venezuela, which has ordered its state-owned companies to explore and exploit oil and minerals in Guyana's vast Essequibo region that it considers its own.
When asked if he has requested military assistance, Ali said his government is reaching out to allies and regional partners, some of which Guyana has defence agreements with, to protect the Essequibo region, which makes up two-thirds of the country.
“We take this threat very seriously, and we have initiated a number of precautionary measures to ensure the peace and stability of this region,” Ali said in a brief phone interview.
He noted that Guyana's Defence Force also is speaking with counterparts in other countries but didn't say which ones.
“Should Venezuela proceed to act in this reckless and adventurous manner, the region will have to respond,” he said.
“And that is what we're building. We're building a regional response.”
Ali spoke a day after Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said he would “immediately” grant operating licenses for exploration and exploitation in Essequibo and ordered the creation of local subsidiaries of Venezuelan public companies, including oil giant PDVSA and mining conglomerate Corporación Venezolana de Guayana.
Venezuela has the world's largest proven oil reserves, but years of mismanagement and economic sanctions imposed by the United States against Maduro's government have hurt PDVSA and subsidiaries.
Maduro also announced the creation of a Comprehensive Defence Operational Zone for the territory in dispute. It would be similar to special military commands that operate in certain regions of Venezuela.
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