Guyana has urged oil companies to ignore Venezuela's actions and vowed to protect its sovereignty.
The United Nations and regional organizations have backed Guyana's position.
The US staged a flyover above the border region in a show of military strength.
Venezuela and Guyana are in a territorial dispute over the mineral-rich territory of Essequibo.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro plans to issue ID cards to the local population in the Guyanese border town of Mabaruma, raising concerns of a potential land grab.
Tensions are escalating between Guyana and Venezuela over a century-old territorial dispute, which has been further fueled by the discovery of oil in the disputed region. The dispute involves the mineral-rich territory of Essequibo, which Venezuela claims was stolen from them in 1899. Venezuela argues that a 1966 agreement nullified the original arbitration, while Guyana maintains that the initial accord is legal and binding.
The Venezuelan President, Nicolás Maduro, has announced plans to issue ID cards to the local population in the Guyanese border town of Mabaruma, a move that has raised concerns of a potential land grab. In response, the US staged a flyover above the border region in a show of military strength. Meanwhile, Guyana has urged oil companies to ignore Venezuela's actions and has vowed to protect its sovereignty.
The dispute has intensified with the discovery of major oil deposits in the Essequibo region, transforming Guyana into a significant offshore oil producer. However, Venezuela's oil industry has suffered due to mismanagement and economic sanctions. Some suggest that the Venezuelan government is using the dispute to boost support ahead of a presidential election and distract from other issues.
The United Nations and regional organizations have backed Guyana's position. The United States and Brazil are consulting on the border dispute and support a peaceful resolution. A meeting between President Maduro and Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali is scheduled for December 14, with Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attending as an observer.
Ali Rogin speaks with Carolina Jiménez Sandoval, president of the Washington Office on Latin America, about the history of the dispute and the latest developments.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's announcement to issue ID cards to the local population in the Guyanese border town of Mabaruma has raised concerns of a potential land grab.
The US staged a flyover above the border region in a show of military strength.
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