The dispute between the countries stems from the Essequibo region belonging to Guyana, where oil was discovered in 2015.
Relations between Guyana and Venezuela have tightened even more in recent days, as both countries have sent their own military forces to the border between the two countries.
President of Guyana Mohamed Irfaan Ali commented on the inflamed relations between the two countries to an American for NBC News on Wednesday. In the interview, Ali called the president of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro as a reckless criminal trying to rob Guyana of oil-rich land.
The dispute between the countries stems from the Essequibo region belonging to Guyana, where oil was discovered in 2015.
The border dispute between Venezuela and British Guiana, which started in the 19th century, was initially settled in 1899 at the Paris Arbitration Court, and later again in 1966 with the Geneva Agreement. In both cases, Essequibo remained part of a British colony that became independent in 1966.
After the oil discovery, Venezuela’s efforts to annex the region have accelerated again. In early December, the country held a referendum on whether a large part of neighboring Guyana should be annexed.
According to the election authorities, 95 percent of the voters supported the regional union, but the veracity of the election result has been questioned.
After the vote, Maduro said he would immediately start issuing oil and natural gas exploration and drilling permits in the disputed area.
Last week, the UN told Venezuela to abandon its plans while the International Court of Justice decides the issue. However, Venezuela has threatened to ignore the order.
The tense situation has led to the fact that both countries have sent military forces to the border between the countries.
– Essequibo belongs to Guyana. We’re not going to give up an inch, and we’re not even going to give the whole idea a place, Ali says to NBC.
Ali and Maduro will meet today, Thursday, on the island of Saint Vincent in the Caribbean.