Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's recent move to sign into law the results of a referendum claiming two-thirds of Guyana's territory has ignited a diplomatic crisis with the neighboring South American country. The law, which was not immediately disclosed, has been strongly condemned by Guyana's government, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs asserting that they will not cede any land to Venezuela.
Maduro's referendum in early December sought to assert sovereignty over Guyana's western Essequibo region, citing historical claims. Despite the lack of details on how Venezuela plans to enforce its jurisdiction over Essequibo, Maduro has declared the referendum results as law, emphasizing Venezuela's commitment to defending its interests on the international stage.
Responding to Venezuela's actions, Guyana has called for the dispute to be settled through the International Court of Justice, highlighting the longstanding feud over the territory, exacerbated by the discovery of oil reserves in the region in 2015.
While the legal battle continues, Guyana has been bolstering its military capabilities in collaboration with the U.S., France, and India, amid reports of Venezuela's military buildup near the border. Efforts to defuse tensions through diplomatic channels, including a meeting between the presidents of Guyana and Venezuela, have so far yielded no resolution to the territorial dispute.
As the situation unfolds, both countries remain at odds over the contested territory, with the prospect of a court ruling still pending. The international community watches closely as the tensions between Venezuela and Guyana escalate over territorial claims.
