South America: Essequibo, a region of Guyana claimed by Venezuela

In promotional clips, Venezuela’s army says it is ready and determined to annexEssequibo, a region of neighboring Guyana. On television, the Venezuelan president Nicholas Maduro presents what he says is the new map of the country, greatly enlarged. Venezuela has claimed this region for decades. L’Essequibo was attributed to Guyana in the 19th century. Venezuela is becoming more pressing since it became known that this territory of nearly 160,000 square kilometers has enormous oil reserves.

Guyana supported by the United States

Sunday December 3, during a referendum, 96% voters, all Venezuelans, said they were in favor of the integration ofEssequibo to their country. In Essequibo, residents demonstrated to claim their belonging to Guyana, and their president appealed to the international community. Diplomatic and military support for Guyana, the United States announced surveillance air operations. The UN Council will examine this crisis on Friday, December 8, behind closed doors, to avoid at all costs an open war in this region of South America.