The long-standing territorial dispute in South America turned into a crisis in 2023, increasing regional tensions. The results of the referendum on Essequibo, located within Venezuela’s borders, have raised international concern.
The Guyana-Venezuela territorial dispute is a historical and ‘frozen’ problem with origins dating back to 1777.[i] After the Spanish administration determined the Essequibo River as the natural boundary, disputes in the region manifested themselves with the British rule. With the British conquest of the region in the 19th century, their claims of sovereignty over the region gradually increased. In the mid-19th century, as the value of the rich natural resources and strategic location in the region increased during the British colonial period, the conflict between the two countries became more pronounced.
In 1899, a court of arbitration in Paris issued an award to settle this dispute. The tribunal considered it appropriate for Venezuela to refrain from any action to assert sovereignty or de facto control over the Essequibo region and not to take any steps to cause further disputes in the tribunal or to complicate the settlement.[ii] However, Venezuela still questioned this decision and insisted on recognising the Essequibo region as its territory. The strategic importance of the Essequibo region has increased, especially with the rich oil reserves discovered in the 2010s. This situation has fuelled the competition of the countries in the region for access and control of this wealthy resource.
The discovery of oil reserves transformed the Guyana-Venezuela territorial dispute into an energy competition. Both countries aimed to take control of the Essequibo region and increase their oil reserves. This situation increased the strategic importance of the region and revealed the necessity of international intervention to resolve the dispute.
The interventions and decisions taken at the international level to solve this problem continue to affect the balances in the region. The rich oil reserves in the Essequibo region have become the focal point of regional geopolitical conflict. The discovery of this important energy source has caused greater controversy, especially in the early 2010s when Guyana authorised oil drilling in the region. In other words, Guyana’s authorisation of oil drilling triggered the struggle for access to energy resources among the countries in the region.
The referendum organised by Venezuela to strengthen its claims in the Essequibo region has raised international concerns. The fact that 95 per cent of Venezuelans supported this claim in the referendum further increased regional tensions. However, the low participation rate and the lack of international binding force showed that the impact of the referendum was limited.[iii]
The UK, Brazil and the USA, which stand out among the countries supporting Guyana, have caused the tension in the region to spread. The UK’s decision to send military support to Guyana increased the tension in the region. This decision was announced after a meeting with Guyana President Irfaan Ali. Venezuela harshly criticised the British intervention and described it as a “sneaky” intervention in the territorial dispute.[iv]
The resolutions adopted at the meeting in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines include commitments by leaders in the region to non-use of force and de-escalation. However, despite this, the steps taken by Venezuela to strengthen its claims in the Essequibo region and the results of the referendum continue to create uncertainty in the region. This situation brings about future uncertainties about how the struggle for access to energy resources will affect the geopolitical dynamics in the region. Venezuela’s large military presence in the region, in contrast to Guyana’s limited military strength, further complicates the territorial dispute in the Essequibo region. As a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, Guyana has the UK behind it in this process.
The International Court of Justice hearing in early 2024 is a critical juncture that will shape developments between the parties. Court decisions may be decisive in the resolution of this dispute. Venezuela’s oil exploration efforts in the Essequibo region may continue to increase tensions in the region. Given the global demand for energy resources, this situation will lead the international community to intervene more.
The attitude of neighbouring countries may also be decisive. The regional policies of the countries supporting Guyana, particularly the UK, Brazil and the US, may influence the course of the dispute. Their efforts to strengthen diplomatic solutions and encourage dialogue between the parties may contribute to regional stability. In conclusion, the territorial dispute in the Essequibo region poses a serious threat to regional stability. Diplomatic efforts and international co-operation are crucial to resolve this complex situation.
[i] “Sevimli Çatışma: Venezuela, Guyana’dan Toprak İstiyor”, Independent, https://www.indyturk.com/node/319916/t%C3%BCrki%CC%87yeden-sesler/sevimli-%C3%A7at%C4%B1%C5%9Fma-venezuela-guyanadan-toprak-istiyor, (Date of Access: 04.01.2024).
[ii] International Court of Justice. (1899) Case: Arbitral Award of 3 October 1899 (Guyana v. Venezuela) ICJ-CIJ. https://www.icj-cij.org/case/171, (Date of Access: 04.01.2024).
[iii] “Venezuella, Hak İddia Ettiği Topraklar İçin Referandum Yaptı: Guyana’nın Üçte İkisini İstiyorlar”, Medyascope, https://medyascope.tv/2023/12/04/venezuella-hak-iddia-ettigi-topraklar-icin-referandum-yapti-guyananin-ucte-ikisini-istiyorlar/, (Date of Access: 04.01.2024).
[iv] “Venezuela, Guyana’nın Bir Kısım Toprağını İstiyor”, BBC News, https://www.bbc.com/turkce/articles/c6p1nxd68dmo, (Date of Access: 04.01.2024).
