Guyana soldiers face attacks in controversial Essequibo area, tensions in Soar, Venezuela
According to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), within 24 hours, they faced three attacks by unknown armed personnel.
Although no harm was reported, the incident broke out in a dangerous outbreak between Guyana and Venezuela amid the long-standing dispute over the oil-rich land. The Essequibo region has about 125,000 people, accounting for nearly two-thirds of Guyana’s territory and is at the heart of the regional flashpoint.
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Essequibo attack enhances regional instability
The GDF confirmed that the attack occurred on the Cuyuníiver River, which is the main border on the territory. Although soldiers performed what the GDF called a “measurement response”, the pattern of aggression is triggering alarm bells in Georgetown and elsewhere.
“Guyana’s Defence Forces remain unwavering in protecting the territorial integrity of Guyana,” the military said in a statement.
The timing of the attacks and controversial Venezuela plans to include the Esquebo region in the gubernatorial elections on May 25. The move ignored the orders of the United Nations Court and directed Caracas not to make any such votes in a disputed state.
Modern conflict between oil reserves and old claims fuel
The century-old border quarrel was rekindled in 2015 when Exxonmobil discovered large amounts of oil deposits on the Essequibo Coast. Since then, Guyana has become a major player in the global energy sector and now has the highest crude oil reserves in the world. For Venezuela, where Venezuela is in crisis, the prospect of annexation of Essey Equibo can provide both the appeal of nationalism and the potential economic lifeline.
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Venezuela regards its claim as historically recognized as early as 1777, believing that the Equibo River is the boundary it deserves. Meanwhile, Guyana was represented by the rule of the arbitration group in 1899, which awarded the region to the then British Guyana.
The dispute reached new heights in 2023, when Guyana auctioned off oil blocks in the region, prompting a referendum in Venezuela and threatened to make Essequibo the 24th state. Despite international condemnation, Venezuela has adopted plans that Guyana officials call illegal and dangerous.
Despite diplomatic commitments, it is growing
Although a meeting between the presidents of St. Vincent and the Grenadines ended in December 2023 with a commitment to avoid military conflict, fragile peace is now being tested. In February, six Guyana soldiers were injured in an ambush, further deepening their concerns.
The Guyana government has repeatedly turned to international institutions, including the United Nations and the International Court of Justice, to resolve conflicts diplomatically. But with border patrol now facing on-site threats and the imminent implications of regional elections, tensions on the ground may outweigh political resolutions.
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For the people of Essequibo, the growing instability is a shocking reminder that international disputes can be wasted into their daily lives. Once a remote border known for its biodiversity, the region is now attracting global attention, not because of its natural beauty, but because of the oil under its soil and the geopolitics above it.
