The sun of Venezuela rises in the Esequibo
The disagreement gained significant attention in the late 1800s when Venezuela claimed a portion of land west of the Essequibo River based on the 1814 Anglo-Dutch Treaty, asserting that the 1899 Arbitral Award unfairly favored British Guiana. Venezuela contended that the treaty was not a legally binding document.
The Geneva Agreement of 1966, signed between the United Kingdom and Venezuela, provided a framework to settle the dispute and led to the establishment of the Mixed Commission, composed of representatives from both countries and a neutral chairman. This agreement temporarily put a hold on the controversy, but it remained unresolved.
The situation escalated when ExxonMobil discovered substantial oil reserves in the disputed waters off the coast of Guyana in the early 21st century. This discovery intensified the longstanding dispute, prompting Guyana to grant oil exploration concessions in the contested area to various companies, including ExxonMobil, without Venezuela's consent. Venezuela, in response, condemned these actions, arguing they violated the Geneva Agreement and perpetuated the territorial dispute.
Recently, Venezuela held a national consultation reaffirming its commitment to peacefully and diplomatically address the Esequibo territorial issue. The consultation evidenced a unanimous consensus among Venezuelans in defending this territory as an integral part of their nation.
The historical context of colonial disputes, the Geneva Agreement, and subsequent actions regarding oil exploration underscores the complexity and historical significance of the Esequibo territorial conflict between Venezuela and Guyana. Despite efforts to resolve this issue, it remains a point of contention between the two nations, with Venezuela advocating for respect of historical agreements and seeking a peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomatic channels.
Julio César Rivas
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