Guyanese soldiers face attacks in disputed Essequibo region, tension with Venezuela soar
Guyanese troops came under attack three times within 24 hours this week while patrolling the contested Essequibo region, the country's Defence Force reported. The attacks mark a sharp escalation in tensions with Venezuela just days before a controversial election Caracas plans to hold in the disputed oil-rich territory.
Within 24 hours, they faced three separate attacks by unidentified armed men in civilian clothing, according to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).
Though no injuries were reported, the incidents mark a dangerous flare-up in a long-standing dispute between Guyana and Venezuela over this oil-rich stretch of land. The Essequibo region, home to about 125,000 people, accounts for nearly two-thirds of Guyana's territory and lies at the heart of what is becoming a regional flashpoint.
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Essequibo attacks heighten regional instability
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The GDF confirmed that the attacks occurred along the Cuyuní River, a key frontier in the contested territory. Though the soldiers executed what the GDF called 'measured responses,' the pattern of aggression is setting off alarm bells in Georgetown and beyond.
'The Guyana Defence Force remains resolute in its mission to protect Guyana's territorial integrity,' the military said in a statement, reaffirming its commitment to 'take all necessary measures' to defend its borders.
The timing of the attacks coincides with a controversial Venezuelan plan to include the Essequibo region in gubernatorial elections scheduled for May 25. This move comes in defiance of a United Nations court order instructing Caracas not to proceed with any such vote in the disputed territory.
Oil reserves and old claims fuel modern conflict
The century-old boundary quarrel reignited in 2015 when ExxonMobil uncovered massive oil deposits off the Essequibo coast. Since then, Guyana has emerged as a major player in the global energy sector, now holding the world's highest crude oil reserves per capita. For Venezuela, whose economy is mired in crisis, the prospect of annexing Essequibo offers both nationalistic appeal and potential economic lifeline.
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Venezuela bases its claim on a boundary it asserts was historically recognized as far back as 1777, arguing that the Essequibo River is the rightful border. Guyana, meanwhile, stands by the ruling of a 1899 arbitration panel, which awarded the region to then British Guiana.
The dispute reached new heights in 2023 when Guyana auctioned oil blocks in the area, prompting Venezuela to conduct a referendum and threaten to make Essequibo its 24th state. Despite international condemnation, Venezuela has moved forward with plans that Guyanese officials call illegal and dangerous.
Growing concern despite diplomatic promises
Although a December 2023 meeting between the presidents of both countries in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines ended with a commitment to avoid military conflict, the fragile peace is now being tested. In February, six Guyanese soldiers were wounded in an ambush, further deepening concerns.
The Guyanese government has repeatedly turned to international bodies, including the UN and the International Court of Justice, to resolve the conflict diplomatically. But with border patrols now facing live threats and regional elections looming, tensions on the ground may outpace political resolutions.
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For the people of Essequibo, the rising instability is a chilling reminder of how quickly international disputes can ripple into their daily lives. Once a remote frontier known for its biodiversity, the region is now drawing global attention not for its natural beauty, but for the oil beneath its soil and the geopolitics above it.
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