Venezuela president takes Guyana border dispute to UN chief

Guyana warns in Washington about the Venezuelan threat to its territory

Monday, July 27th 2015 - 05:20 UTC, Source

Guyana's territorial dispute with neighboring Venezuela represents a threat to its very survival, President David Granger warned Friday in Washington. After a recent offshore oil find, the row between the two countries has escalated, with Venezuela laying claim to a huge swathe of Guyana's territory.

“Guyana at the moment is facing a challenge to its survival by a larger state,” Granger told guests at the William Perry Center of Hemispheric Defense Studies.

Caracas claims waters off the Essequibo region that would include the oil find. The region straddles the two countries and Venezuela disputes the settlement of the border drawn through the 215,000 square kilometer region.

Granger warned the conflict could spill over if not dealt with quickly.

“The present threat, if not resolved promptly, if not resolved permanently, if not resolved peacefully could lead to deterioration of the security situation in the entire Caribbean and on the northern tier of the South American continent,” he said.

“This is too much to bear for a country with fewer than a million people.”

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has blamed United States, including oil company Exxon Mobil, for provoking the dispute.

Speaking about Granger's visit to Washington, Maduro pointed his finger at the oil giant. “Who took him to Washington? Exxon Mobil,” he said at a ceremony under the slogan, “The sun in Venezuela rises in Essequibo.”

Guyana has asked for the United Nations to help resolve the border dispute.

Meanwhile it was reported from Georgetown that steps are to be taken to enable Guyana’s agricultural produce to enter Brazil following a meeting on a meeting on Saturday in Boa Vista between Agriculture Minister Noel Holder and an advisor to the Governor of Roraima state.

Holder while engaged in talks with the former Governor and current Special Advisor to the Governor of Roraima, Neudo Ribeiro Campos expressed Guyana’s support for any efforts aimed at fostering closer cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

Several issues relative to cross border trade, the road from Lethem to Linden, a deep water harbor and closer cooperation in the sharing of skills and expertise were also discussed.

Following the latest round in the Essequibo dispute, the administration of president Maduro recently announced it would not be taking any more rice from Guyana. Rice is one of Guyana's main exports.

“Guyana at the moment is facing a challenge to its survival by a larger state,” Granger said at the William Perry Center of Hemispheric Defense Studies.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has blamed United States, including oil company Exxon Mobil, for provoking the dispute.

Guyana looking for Brazilian support in the dispute by establishing closer trade links with the neighboring state of Roraima

AAH yes.  Venezuela needs protection against the GDF's speed boats, cessnas and the twin otter.

Now we know that Maduro is truly the Madman.

Twin otter!! Good one.

Let him take it, Guyana will prevail in arbitration.  Reopening 1899 borders, well, let us redraw global maps.  including a major signatory, Russian borders.  And while we at it, why not Mexico regaining Texas?

I support President Granger's position on the territorial dispute with the madman in Venezuela.

Not one blade of grass for Venezuela.

While individuals would have strong opposing political views, one thing should unite all; and that is the integrity and security of a country.

And indeed, my support is with Guyana against the issues raised by Venezuela which were adequately addresses and resolved in 1899.

As a side and a note ... a friend of mine who was a former President of the Senate, Canada, indicated to me when he returned from an official visit to Venezuela, that at the meetings and in official government places in Venezuela, they have maps which have clearly outlined and demarcate the portion of Essequibo as an integral part of Venezuela.

What is interesting. DEATHLY silence from Latin America.

The last thing that ANY ONE wants is to re-open 19thC disputes.  Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina were involved in an almost genocidal war, and Paraguay is still suffering from the repercussions.

Then there is Peru, Bolivia and Chile.  And so many others.

No one will bother with Maduro the Madman.