Venezuelan patrol vessel ANBV Guaiquerí (PC-21) of the Bolivarian Navy of Venezuela. Photo: Barracuda.
Guacamaya, March 2, 2025. The territorial dispute between Venezuela and Guyana has reached a new critical point following a complaint by Guyanese President Irfaan Ali about the incursion of a Venezuelan military vessel into waters that Guyana considers its own. The incident has sparked a strong diplomatic reaction and reignited historical tensions between the two countries over the Esequibo territory, which is currently under dispute in a case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
President Ali stated that the Venezuelan patrol vessel entered Guyanese territorial waters and approached an oil platform operated by ExxonMobil. Ali described the incident as a “matter of great concern” that threatens Guyana’s sovereignty and announced that his government will bring the case before The Hague (ICJ), the United Nations, the Organization of American States (OAS), and CARICOM.
Venezuela Denies Incursion and Accuses Guyana of Provocations
Venezuela’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly rejected Irfaan Ali’s statements, referring to him as the “Caribbean Zelensky.” In its official statement, the Maduro government described Guyana’s administration of the disputed territory as “unacceptable and a serious violation of international law,” particularly its management of a sea whose delimitation is pending, by granting concessions that Venezuela considers “illegal” for the exploitation of energy resources.
From Caracas’ perspective, Ali’s statements are a provocation aimed at “escalating and destabilizing” the region, aligning with the “warmongering interests of ExxonMobil.” Additionally, they accused OAS Secretary Luis Almagro and former Colombian President Iván Duque of being complicit in this aggression.
In turn, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López reported the identification of 28 foreign drilling and tanker vessels operating in the “contested zone” with Guyana, which he described as a clear violation of international law. He also stated that the Bolivarian National Armed Forces have confirmed, through satellite images, that these vessels are involved in hydrocarbon exploitation and commercialization activities.
Meanwhile, opposition leader and president of the Alianza del Lápiz party, Antonio Ecarri, commented on the events in the undelimited waters between Venezuela and Guyana. Ecarri called for unanimous support for the Navy and the defense of Venezuelan territory, emphasizing that national sovereignty should be a common cause for all citizens, regardless of political or ideological differences.
International Actors Warn Venezuela of Potential Consequences
The United States described the transit of the Oceanic Patrol Vessel AB Guaiquerí (PO-11) as a “violation of the internationally recognized maritime territory of Guyana” and reaffirmed its support for Guyana’s territorial integrity. In a statement, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs issued a warning to the government of Nicolás Maduro about potential consequences if “provocations” continue.
Similarly, the OAS also condemned Venezuela’s “threats” to ExxonMobil’s FPSO (floating production, storage, and offloading unit) and called on the international community to remain vigilant.
Meanwhile, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) urged Guyana and Venezuela “to avoid any kind of unnecessary confrontation.” In its message, it called on the government of Nicolás Maduro to urgently order the withdrawal of the Venezuelan vessel. In response, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez urged CARICOM to play a constructive role in preventing conflict in the region, accusing the organization of endorsing a plan by the U.S. Southern Command to attack Venezuela.
The conflict over the Esequibo, a region rich in natural resources, has been a source of tension between Venezuela and Guyana for over a century. The dispute intensified in 2015 when ExxonMobil discovered significant oil reserves in the area. Venezuela insists that the only legitimate way to resolve the conflict is through the 1966 Geneva Agreement, while Guyana seeks the ratification of an 1899 arbitral award by the ICJ.
