Posted 12/6/2023, 2:00:00 PM
Venezuela Escalates Border Dispute with Guyana Over Oil-Rich Essequibo Region
- Venezuelan President Maduro moves ahead with plans to take over Essequibo region controlled by Guyana
- Venezuela held referendum vote approving claim over Essequibo; 95% voted yes but only 10% of voters participated
- Discovery of oil off Essequibo's coast in 2015 intensified the dispute over the territory
- Guyana has put defense forces on alert and asked UN to intervene to safeguard its territory
- Tensions heightened after Guyana held auction for oil exploration licenses in disputed waters in September