The US military said Thursday that it would conduct flight operations in Guyana amid tensions between the Caribbean nation and its neighbor Venezuela over the disputed Guayana Esequiba region.
Guayana Esequiba is an oil-rich region that makes up about two-thirds of the territory of the state of Guyana, which gained independence from Britain in 1966. In 1899, an American-British tribunal ruled that the territory belonged to the UK, a position that was rejected by Venezuela.
Venezuela, the UK, and then-British Guiana reached a new agreement in 1966, known as the Geneva Agreement, to reach a mutually satisfactory solution to the dispute. The International Court of Justice opened a case into the dispute in 2018, but a decision is still expected to be years away.
Tensions have risen in recent years over the dispute as more oil discoveries in Guayana Esequiba continue to be made. The American energy giant ExxonMobil discovered massive oil reserves off the coast of Guyana in waters claimed by Venezuela and has been involved in a major offshore drilling project.
The dispute escalated this week as Venezuelans voted to create a new state in Guayana Esequiba in a referendum that was held on Sunday. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has since ordered the creation of a state, raising fears of potential military action, although the two sides have agreed to keep talking about the issue.
The US is backing Guyana in the dispute, which Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed in a phone call with Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali on Wednesday. According to the State Department, Blinken said the two sides should respect the 1899 ruling “unless, or until, the parties reach a new agreement, or a competent legal body decides otherwise.”
According to the US Embassy in Guyana, US Southern Command planned to conduct flights with the Guyanese military on Thursday. “This exercise builds upon routine engagement and operations to enhance (the) security partnership between the United States and Guyana and to strengthen regional cooperation,” the embassy said.
The US attempted to overthrow the Venezuelan government in 2019 by backing failed coup leader Juan Guaido against Maduro and imposing crippling economic sanctions on the country. The Biden administration recently eased some sanctions but is threatening to reimpose them.
The world is taking this moment to unite against the US rules based order, which means, do what I say and give my rich people your stuff.
I will not be surprised if Iran brings some of its famed speed boats down the Don River and into the Black Sea.
The totalitarian centrally planned US military empire is so yesterday that China can probably relax and go surfing.
The world is taking this moment to unite against the US rules based order, which means, do what I say and give my rich people your stuff.
I will not be surprised if Iran brings some of its famed speed boats down the Don River and into the Black Sea.
The totalitarian centrally planned US military empire is so yesterday that China can probably relax and go surfing.
“ In 1899, an American-British tribunal ruled that the territory belonged to the UK, a position that was rejected by Venezuela.”
An American-British tribunal ruled???!
Yes, while Guyana was a British colony. Venezuela has never agreed. And now, a century and a quarter later, the US is lecturing Venezuela , insisting that it should abide by that ruling.
You could make it up, but it would be just as ridiculous as it is in reality.
Yes it’s the same US that honored its so many treaties and agreements with the indigenous tribes.
“In 1899, an American-British tribunal ruled that the territory belonged to the UK, a position that was rejected by Venezuela.” . . . “According to the State Department, Blinken said the two sides should respect the 1899 ruling . . .”
Of course. Why would anyone think that a 124-year-old ruling, by a US-UK tribunal, while the subject territory was a British colony, was anything other than fair and balanced and deserving of compliance today? 🙄
Oh waiting to see the folks here coming out in support of Venezuela since it’s aligned with Russia. Duh!!
Love how Dave DeCamp immediately links US to it while failing to mention the other state actors involved with even greater contribution.
it isn’t difficult to link US to anybody or anywhere that oil is involved
Spy, I assume you have evidence to back that up? Like, have we been starting wars to steal other peoples’ oil? …No. Wrong. The Iraq, Libya, and Syria wars were about “Freedom and Democracy.” Were you not raised on CNN like this guy who’s $hitting Tequila here?
Dont forget stealing land like Putin which you dont have an issue with.
Sure, whenever convenient to you Dictator lovers.
You guys are so predictable.
Congratulations! You support 1899 agreement by British-US panel that territory belings to …… UK! Blinken is a 19 century politician, unable to adjust to modern era. Who knows he mey actually come from that time., He opened a strange door in his wardrobe, and found himself in a 20 century. This is why he always has that otherwordly look, acting the part.
Congratulations. You are a dictator supporter.
Uncle Sam and his proclivity for sticking his nose (dick?) into everybody’s business…
UNCLE SAM TO THE RESCUE!
Sorry, I found a typo. “UNCLE SAM TO
THE RESCUEFU@K VENEZUELA UP!I think Brazil will do that first, but only if Maduro decides to pull a Putin.
Guyana is a curious place. Only 800,000 people, and most of them live near the coast. So it would appear that the interior is mostly sparsely-inhabited mountainous rainforest and jungle. The demographics are particularly curious. Who would you think lives there? You’ld be surprised. 40% Indian. (Indians from India. Indentured laborers brought in by the British.) 30% black, descendants of slaves. 20% “mixed”. And 10% are native Amerindians.
Very nearly a remnant of the stone age.
Check Wikipedia for the demographics of Guyana.
Bombs away! now they are spread pretty thin….Ukraine, Gaza, Syria, Iraq, Somalia. Israel just demanded the US “Do something” about the Houthis from Yemen bothering their ships. No wonder armed services enlistment is down.