Andreina Itriago Acosta
Thu, December 28, 2023
(Bloomberg) -- Venezuela has decided to deploy more than 5,000 soldiers on its eastern Caribbean coast after neighboring Guyana received a warship from the UK amid a dispute over the Essequibo territory, according to President Nicolas Maduro.
“Venezuela has the right to defend itself, to tranquility, to peace,” Maduro said Thursday on state TV, while accusing Guyana of violating an agreement signed two weeks ago to continue talks over the oil-rich territory without the use of arms. “We do not accept provocations, threats from anything or anyone.”
Venezuela made a similar move in 2018 to halt ships working for Exxon Mobil Corp off in the area. Today’s actions, which Maduro said were just the first stage of a wider plan, could lead to an escalation of the long-dormant dispute between the neighboring countries over the Essequibo, a region roughly the size of Florida that’s controlled by Guyana but claimed by Venezuela since the 19th century.
Venezuela’s Navy Commander Neil Villamizar said 5,682 military personnel from several components of Venezuela’s armed forces were deployed, along with three ocean patrol vessels, three multipurpose vessels, seven missile boats, eight amphibious vehicles and over 20 fighter planes, including 12 Sukhoi.
While the troops deployed represent roughly 4% of Venezuela’s estimated military force, it matches the number of Guyana’s estimated combatants. That balance of power could shift if Guyana’s allies intervene, according to Rocio San Miguel, an expert in military issues and the president of Caracas-based watchdog group Control Ciudadano.
Earlier this month, the UK reaffirmed its support for Guyana following the renewal of Venezuela’s border claim on the Essequibo region.
Following a visit by David Rutley, British Minister for the Americas, Caribbean and Overseas Territories, Britain deployed a Royal Navy warship known as HMS Trent to Guyana to take take part in joint exercises.
Venezuela to hold military drills after UK sends warship to Guyana
Alys Davies - BBC News
Thu, December 28, 2023
The Venezuelan army march during a military parade to celebrate independence day in Caracas in July 2023
Venezuela has ordered the armed forces to hold military exercises in response to the UK's decision to send a warship to support neighbouring Guyana.
Military leaders said 5,600 soldiers would take part in "defensive" exercises on Venezuela's eastern Caribbean and Atlantic coasts.
Earlier this month, Venezuelan voters backed the creation of a new state in oil-rich Essequibo.
Guyana has administered the area for decades.
In a television address on Thursday, President Nicolás Maduro said the exercises were being launched "in response to the provocation and threat of the United Kingdom against peace and the sovereignty of our country".
He added that the move was "practically a military threat from London" and broke the "spirit" of a recent agreement reached between Venezuela and Guyana not to use force to settle their dispute.
UK to send warship to Guyana amid Venezuela tensions
Guyanese Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo said the ship's presence was "routine" and part of building a "defensive capability".
"We don't plan on invading Venezuela. President Maduro knows this and he need not have any worry about that," he told a press conference.
On Sunday, the UK confirmed HMS Trent would take part in joint exercises with Guyana after Christmas.
It had been deployed to the Caribbean to search for drug smugglers, but was re-tasked after Venezuela's government threatened to annex the Essequibo region of Guyana.
Venezuela has long claimed ownership of Essequibo, a 61,000 sq-mile region which comprises about two-thirds of Guyana.
It disputes the border which was established under an international agreement in 1899.
Guyana, and British Guiana before it, have administered Essequibo for more than a century.
Map of contested region of Essequibo
Alys Davies - BBC News
Thu, December 28, 2023
The Venezuelan army march during a military parade to celebrate independence day in Caracas in July 2023
Venezuela has ordered the armed forces to hold military exercises in response to the UK's decision to send a warship to support neighbouring Guyana.
Military leaders said 5,600 soldiers would take part in "defensive" exercises on Venezuela's eastern Caribbean and Atlantic coasts.
Earlier this month, Venezuelan voters backed the creation of a new state in oil-rich Essequibo.
Guyana has administered the area for decades.
In a television address on Thursday, President Nicolás Maduro said the exercises were being launched "in response to the provocation and threat of the United Kingdom against peace and the sovereignty of our country".
He added that the move was "practically a military threat from London" and broke the "spirit" of a recent agreement reached between Venezuela and Guyana not to use force to settle their dispute.
UK to send warship to Guyana amid Venezuela tensions
Guyanese Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo said the ship's presence was "routine" and part of building a "defensive capability".
"We don't plan on invading Venezuela. President Maduro knows this and he need not have any worry about that," he told a press conference.
On Sunday, the UK confirmed HMS Trent would take part in joint exercises with Guyana after Christmas.
It had been deployed to the Caribbean to search for drug smugglers, but was re-tasked after Venezuela's government threatened to annex the Essequibo region of Guyana.
Venezuela has long claimed ownership of Essequibo, a 61,000 sq-mile region which comprises about two-thirds of Guyana.
It disputes the border which was established under an international agreement in 1899.
Guyana, and British Guiana before it, have administered Essequibo for more than a century.
Map of contested region of Essequibo
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