GEORGETOWN, Guyana – On Thursday, high-ranking U.S. official Marco Rubio straightforwardly cautioned Venezuela about potential aggression towards oil-abundant Guyana, emphasizing the might of the United States Armed Forces as a safeguard for the tiny South American country.
Venezuela, led by the left-wing president Nicolas Maduro who is disliked by Cuban-American Rubio, has been asserting its claims over the contested Essequibo area governed by Guyana with greater frequency. The country faced accusations recently for allegedly encroaching into the territory.
“I have full confidence saying it now as secretary of state — there will be consequences for adventurism. There will be consequences for aggressive action,” Rubio told a joint news conference on a visit to Guyana.
When asked about the potential U.S. response if Venezuela were to attack ExxonMobil’s oil operations in Guyana, Rubio stated: “That would turn into a very bad week – a very bad week indeed for them.”
Abstaining from explicitly mentioning a military strategy, Rubio stated: “Our naval forces are substantial and capable of reaching nearly every corner.”
Maduro reacted furiously to the threat, labeling Rubio as an “idiot” and stating, “No one threatens Venezuela.”
During his time in Guyana, Rubio entered into an accord aimed at enhancing security collaboration between the two nations, which involves increased data exchange. This development follows several years after Guyana and the United States consented to conduct shared naval missions.
The President of Guyana, Irfaan Ali, expressed his approval of Rubio’s position, who described Venezuela’s assertions as “unlawful.”
“I am highly satisfied with the assurance from the U.S., which guarantees the protection of our territorial integrity and sovereignty,” stated Ali.
The Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil stated in aTelegram message that Venezuela does “neither require nor pursue conflicts; however, we also won’t permit foreign interests to attempt altering the truth regarding our Essequibo.”
He added, ‘Take your noses out of this dispute!’
Mauricio Claver-Carone, the U.S. special envoy for Latin America, previously stated that the United States foresaw a future “binding” security alliance with Guyana akin to the one seen in the Gulf area, wherein American forces safeguard oil-rich Arab monarchies, notably from threats posed by their bigger neighbor, Iran.
Later, Rubio went to visit nearby Suriname, where oil production has likewise seen an increase.
The US aims for an edge over China.
Guyana, an English-speaking country that was formerly a British and Dutch colony, remains home to most of its 800,000 inhabitants living in poverty. For many years now, this nation has hosted a small but persistent group advocating for Guyana’s integration into the United States.
This kind of official inclusion wasn’t part of the plan, yet Trump hasn’t hidden his enthusiasm for expanding influence in the Americas, sometimes even at the cost of long-standing partnerships.
The wealthy Republican has pledged to seize control of Greenland from Denmark and reclaim the Panama Canal, citing increasing Chinese dominance.
Even though Exxon has been dominant in the oil sector, China — considered by the Trump administration as the primary global rival — has swiftly gained ground in Guyana through various infrastructure initiatives such as upgrading the international airport which Rubio arrived at.
Trump has proposed imposing major fees on vessels linked to China, but the idea has hit opposition from US farmers as well as Caribbean nations which say they have little option and will take a hit.
Rubio stated that it was “risky for just one nation worldwide to construct all the vessels.”
However, departing from Trump’s typical hardline stance, Rubio recognized the worries expressed by Caribbean countries and mentioned that he would suggest US trade officials be aware of the dangers posed by potentially damaging relationships with American allies.
“You can be confident that we will convey your message,” Rubio stated.
Rapid oil growth
The legislature in Caracas passed a bill last year to designate the Essequibo area, comprising two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass, as Venezuela’s 24th state, an action dismissed on the global stage.
Guyana maintains that the border was established by an arbitration panel in 1899. However, Venezuela asserts that the Essequibo River to the eastern part of the area serves as a natural boundary, one they claim has been acknowledged since 1777.
ExxonMobil from Texas has become the frontrunner in offshore oil exploration, with operations expanding quickly after the significant discovery of large crude deposits in 2015.
ExxonMobil expects the total production from Guyana to reach 1.3 million barrels per day by the end of the decade, far surpassing the current output levels in Venezuela.
Under pressure from anti-communist Latino lawmakers, the Trump administration has revoked the sanction waiver for U.S. oil company Chevron, which allowed them to continue operations in Venezuela.