Guyanese President Responds to Venezuelan Coastguard Incursion

GEORGETOWN, Guyana — Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali initiated a military response and diplomatic action after a Venezuelan coastguard patrol entered Guyanese waters and approached an offshore oil facility on March 1, 2025. This incident marks the latest escalation in a longstanding territorial dispute between the two nations.

President Ali condemned the Venezuelan vessel’s actions, which it claimed occurred in “disputed international waters.” He firmly rejected this assertion, stating, “Let me be unequivocal. Maritime boundaries are recognised under international law, and this is a matter of grave concern. I assure you that my government is not acting precipitously; we are addressing this situation with seriousness and responsibility.”

In his statement, Ali revealed that he summoned the Venezuelan ambassador to express formal protest and instructed the Guyanese embassy in Caracas to lodge an official complaint. Additionally, he confirmed that military measures had been taken, including the deployment of air assets and coastguard vessels. “Guyana remains committed to peace and the rule of law. We will continue to pursue diplomatic solutions, but we will not tolerate threats to our territorial integrity,” he emphasized.

Support for Guyana has surged from both the United States and the Organization of American States (OAS), condemning Venezuela‘s actions. A statement from the OAS referred to the incursion as an act of intimidation against ExxonMobil‘s operations in the region, declaring, “Such acts of intimidation constitute a clear violation of international law, undermine regional stability, and threaten the principles of peaceful coexistence between nations.” The OAS reiterated its unwavering support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, urging the Venezuelan government to cease such aggressive maneuvers.

The U.S. Department of State also reaffirmed its backing of Guyana’s territorial claims, warning that further provocations from the Maduro regime would have consequences.

This incident is the most recent development in the ongoing conflict concerning the border between the two neighboring South American nations, particularly regarding the mineral-rich Essequibo region, which encompasses two-thirds of Guyana’s territory and lies near significant offshore oil deposits. Historically controlled by Britain for over a century, Essequibo has been under Guyanese administration since the nation won independence in 1966.

Previous tensions escalated in February when suspected Venezuelan gang members opened fire along the Cuyuni River during a resupply mission, further exacerbating the fragile relations between the two countries. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has previously threatened to reclaim the Essequibo by force.

In late 2023, both Ali and Maduro attended an emergency summit aimed at resolving the ongoing dispute, yet no agreement was reached concerning the contentious Essequibo region. As the situation evolves, both domestic and international stakeholders remain watchful of the ramifications of this latest confrontation.