Venezuela has demanded the withdrawal of the British warship, HMS Trent, from the disputed waters near Guyana. The demand comes as tensions between Venezuela and Guyana escalate over the territorial dispute regarding the Essequibo region, which is rich in oil and minerals. Venezuela claims the region as its own and has deployed nearly 6,000 troops to the area. The arrival of the HMS Trent has further heightened tensions, with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro calling it a threat to his country. The Venezuelan defense minister, Vladimir Padrino, stated that the troops will remain in place until the British boat leaves the disputed waters.
The dispute between Venezuela and Guyana over the Essequibo region has been ongoing for years. Venezuela recently reported that its citizens voted in a referendum to claim Essequibo, which has further escalated tensions. Guyana maintains control over the region and has received international support, including the deployment of the UK warship, as a show of diplomatic and military support. The UK's decision to send the warship is part of a broader effort to demonstrate international support for Guyana amidst the ongoing tensions with Venezuela.
The border dispute between Venezuela and Guyana has raised concerns in the region. Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed concern over the dispute and called for both countries to return to dialogue and avoid military activities. The dispute is seen by critics as a distraction from Venezuela's internal problems as the country prepares for a presidential election next year. The initial arbitration agreement between Venezuela, Britain, and British Guiana in 1966 is being contested, with a decision from the United Nations' top court years away.
Guyana's government is seeking assistance from the U.S. to enhance its defense capabilities amid heightened tensions with Venezuela over a century-old dispute involving the Essequibo region. Security forces and specialized training teams from the US will continue to visit Guyana in 2024. The talks between Guyanese officials and Daniel P. Erikson, deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Western Hemisphere, ended with the U.S. committing to help Guyana create a more organized and modernized defense system. The discussions also focused on cybersecurity and information sharing. The dispute between Guyana and Venezuela escalated when Venezuela held a referendum in December to claim sovereignty over the Essequibo region. Both sides agreed to refrain from using force after a mediation meeting, but tensions persist. Venezuela has been more aggressive towards Guyana since the discovery of oil and gas deposits off Guyana's coast in 2015. The U.S. and Guyana have conducted joint overflights and military exercises, and a British warship visited Guyana in late December. The U.K. Defense Ministry stated that the ship's visit was part of multiple engagements with the region and would undergo training exercises with Guyana's military. Tensions have subsided somewhat, and leaders of both countries are scheduled to meet later this year in Brazil for further talks.
Key Biden administration national-security officials, Jon Finer and Juan Gonzalez, traveled to Guyana to prevent the country's dispute with Venezuela over oil and mineral riches from escalating into armed conflict. The US Air Force's southern commander, Major General Evan Pettus, was also in Guyana last week to discuss security cooperation. Tensions between Guyana and Venezuela have been rising since Exxon Mobil discovered massive oil reserves off the Guyanese coast in 2015. The dispute flared up again last year after Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro held a referendum claiming overwhelming support for Venezuela's push to take control of the Essequibo region. The US has offered unwavering support for Guyana's sovereignty, and the officials will also be visiting Colombia.
Boris Johnson's secret trip to meet Venezuela's President Maduro last month was allegedly paid for by a hedge fund that stands to gain from improved relations between the West and the republic. Johnson was accompanied on the visit by Maarten Petermann, the founder of Merlyn Advisors, for which he works as a paid consultant. The trip was funded by Merlyn, and Johnson has been paid for consultancy work and speeches by the firm. The talks focused on democracy, human rights, and Ukraine. Johnson emphasized the need for Venezuela to embrace a proper democratic process and made it clear that there can be no hope of normalization in relations until Venezuela fully embraces democracy and respects the territorial integrity of its neighbors. The UK does not accept the legitimacy of Maduro's administration. The trip was not publicly disclosed, and Johnson did not mention the funding or the presence of Petermann in the talks. Petermann has expressed frustration at the state of relations with Venezuela and warned that it would drive Maduro into the hands of hostile countries like Russia. The talks also addressed the banning of opposition candidate Maria Corina Machado from appearing on the ballot paper and the need for a free and fair election in Venezuela. The trip took place while tensions between Venezuela and neighboring Guyana were inflamed over a disputed oil-and-mineral-rich area. The UK has backed Guyana in the dispute. The trip was not disclosed to Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron until Johnson was already en route. Boris Johnson and Merlyn Advisors have been contacted for comment. [51106478]