Venezuela Denounces New Oil Vessel in Disputed Essequibo Waters, UK-Guyana Military Partnership

Caracas, April 17, 2025 (venezuelanalysis.com) – Tensions between Venezuela and Guyana have escalated over the resource-rich Essequibo Strip following recent oil operations in disputed waters and ongoing military threats.

On Wednesday, the Venezuelan government lodged a strong protest against the arrival of the FPSO One Guyana, a vessel that processes, stores and offloads oil and gas. Reports indicate that this platform joins three other FPSOs in the Stabroek Block, located approximately 200 kilometers offshore from the Essequibo region.

The 26,800 square-kilometer Stabroek Block is estimated to contain nearly 11 billion barrels of oil and gas. The new FPSO, operated by US corporation ExxonMobil, is projected to increase oil output by more than 250,000 barrels per day (bpd), potentially raising daily production levels to 900,000 bpd.

In a recent statement, the Venezuelan government asserted its condemnation of the oil drilling operations in the disputed waters. 

“This maneuver, driven by the Guyana government in alliance with ExxonMobil, constitutes a violation of fundamental principles of international law, which prohibit unilateral actions in contested areas without agreed-upon delimitation,” the document read.

The statement further emphasized that Caracas “does not recognize any [oil] concessions granted in this region and warns involved companies of potential legal action,” asserting that Venezuela will not acknowledge any rights over resources exploited “unlawfully.”

Additionally, the Maduro administration accused Guyana of “recklessly jeopardizing regional peace and stability” and breaching the 2023 Argyle Agreement, signed by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Guyanese counterpart Irfaan Ali to open dialogue channels.

Georgetown asserts that Stabroek Block is part of the country’s maritime territory, while Caracas maintains its claim over the undelimited waters. The 19th-century controversy over the 160,000 square-kilometer Essequibo region flared up in 2015 following the discovery of massive offshore oil deposits by ExxonMobil in the disputed territorial waters. The company’s stated goal is to extract up to 1.2 million bpd by 2027. 

Venezuela’s position is that the 1966 Geneva Agreement remains the only mechanism to solve the border controversy, while Guyana looks to uphold an 1899 ruling that granted the territory to its former colonizer, the United Kingdom. In 2018 Guyana requested the intervention of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). 

However, Caracas has reiterated its non-recognition of The Hague’s jurisdiction over the Essequibo controversy. In a communique dated April 9, Venezuela accused the Guyanese government of “sabotaging” the UN Secretary-General’s Good Offices Process in an effort to “irregularly” refer the dispute to ICJ, which is expected to issue its final ruling in 2026.

Last week, Venezuela’s United Socialist Party (PSUV) announced Admiral Neil Villamizar as its candidate for governor of the would-be Guayana Esequiba state, alongside candidates for national deputies and state-level councillors in the May 25 elections. Guyana, which currently administers the Essequibo area, has warned that residents who support the Venezuelan election could be charged with treason.

Armed skirmishes along the Essequibo border and escalating military threats have further aggravated the territorial dispute. On Saturday, Caracas denounced a defense cooperation agreement between the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence.

“Venezuela rejects and protests the warmongering intentions of the ‘Caribbean Zelensky,’ [President] Irfaan Ali. The United Kingdom and the United States are the architects behind the territorial dispossession of our Guayana Esequiba,” Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez stated, referencing the role of the two nations in the 1899 ruling.

Rodríguez urged regional governments to pay attention to the new “warmongering drums,” reaffirming that Venezuela will defend its territorial integrity “under any scenario that may arise.”

The UK-Guyana enhanced military partnership follows growing US-backed militarization in the region, particularly through joint military drills between Guyanese forces and the US Southern Command. 

During a recent visit to Georgetown, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Venezuela of potential military action in the event of a confrontation with Guyana or ExxonMobil. “It will be a very bad day for the Venezuelan regime,” Rubio stated, emphasizing that the US Navy has proven its capability “to get anywhere in the world.”

Washington has expressed support for ExxonMobil’s operations in the Essequibo and reinforced its diplomatic ties with Guyanese authorities. 

Edited by Cira Pascual Marquina in Caracas.