The potential war between Guyana and Venezuela is drawing closer after President Maduro’s announcement of the appropriation of disputed territories.

Reuters reported on this.

Following a “referendum” held this weekend by the government of Venezuelan dictator Maduro, the country officially declared more than half of Guyana’s territory its 24th state.

Maduro authorized the exploration of minerals, including oil, in the area that is the subject of a dispute with Guyana. In addition, the dictator stated that he would give 3 months for oil companies to leave the area.

The state companies will “immediately proceed to create the division PDVSA Esequibo and CVG Esequibo and immediately we’ll proceed to give operating licenses for the exploration and exploitation of oil, gas, and mines in our Guayana Esequiba,” Maduro proclaimed on state television.

Venezuela reactivated its claim over the 160,000 square km territory in recent years, after the discovery of offshore oil and gas. The maritime border between the two countries is also in dispute.

The Maduro regime’s plan is to potentially annex the region by granting Venezuelan citizenship to its population and conducting a military operation.

Conflict of interest

Guyana, which currently produces about 400,000 barrels of oil and gas per day, has received proposals for new shallow and deepwater production sites from local and foreign companies this year.

The exploration licenses for these areas have not yet been signed, but in fact, they could seriously compete with Venezuela as the main oil exporter in Latin America.

Venezuela is a partner of Russia. In 2008, the country signed a memorandum of cooperation in the energy sector with Russia. In addition, the country purchases large quantities of Russian weapons.

Specifically, the government purchased large quantities of heavy equipment, tanks, Buk-M2E and S-300V missile systems, and Su-30MK2 fighter jets.

Amid potential escalation, neighboring Brazil has started to deploy military equipment and units to the borders with the countries.

More on the parties to the conflict, their armies, and the region can be found in the article “Venezuela and Guyana: Oil, Jungle, War“