Venezuela Orders Forces To Hold Military Exercise Amid UK's Support to Guyana

Venezuela has ordered its armed forces to engage in defensive military exercises along its eastern Caribbean and Atlantic coasts, involving 5,600 soldiers, according to BBC.

This response is aimed at the United Kingdom, which recently dispatched the HMS Trent to support neighboring Guyana.

The move comes amid heightened tensions over the contested territory of Essequibo, where Venezuela claims ownership, challenging Guyana's administration of the region.

President Nicolás Maduro, in a televised address, characterized the UK's actions as "practically a military threat from London" and a violation of the spirit of a recent agreement between Venezuela and Guyana to avoid using force in settling their dispute.

Venezuela Asks Guyana To Withdraw Warship

Earlier this month, Venezuelan voters supported the creation of a new state in oil-rich Essequibo, a region administered by Guyana for decades.

President Maduro claims that Essequibo, constituting about two-thirds of Guyana's territory, rightfully belongs to Venezuela, NBC Right Now noted.

Venezuela Guyana dispute has intensified due to significant oil discoveries in the region, raising concerns about potential conflict in the 160,000 square kilometers area.

During a recent meeting between Maduro and Guyana's President Irfan Ali, both nations agreed to pursue diplomatic and peaceful means to resolve the territorial disagreement.

Maduro emphasized Venezuela's commitment to diplomacy but warned against threats to the country's sovereignty.

Venezuela urged Guyana to withdraw the HMS Trent and refrain from involving military powers in the territorial controversy.

UK Foreign Minister David Rutley visited Guyana, reinforcing the importance of respecting sovereign borders. The UK's commitment to upholding Guyana's territorial integrity has intensified the diplomatic standoff.

Maduro's government conducted a controversial referendum on December 3, claiming that 95 percent of voters supported Venezuela's ownership of Essequibo.

This led to legal maneuvers to establish a Venezuelan province in the disputed region and issue oil extraction licenses.

Guyana's President Ali denounced these actions as a "grave threat to international peace and security."

Despite the tensions, Guyanese officials stated that the HMS Trent's visit was part of planned defense improvement activities and would proceed as scheduled.

Guyana's Response and HMS Trent's Mission

President Ali asserted Guyana's right to work with partners to defend the nation.

Guyanese officials described the HMS Trent's visit as a planned activity to enhance defense capabilities, emphasizing that it posed no threat to Venezuela, per NPR.

"Nothing that we do or have done is threatening Venezuela," Guyana's Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo said.

The UK Defense Ministry clarified that the ship, equipped with 30mm cannons and capabilities for helicopters and drones, would conduct joint operations with Guyana's defense forces.

HMS Trent, initially deployed to Barbados to intercept drug traffickers, was redirected to Guyana on December 24.

The ship's mission involves joint operations with Guyana's defense forces, reinforcing the UK's commitment to supporting its ally.

Guyana, with a population of 800,000, maintains a small military consisting of 3,000 soldiers, 200 sailors, and four patrol boats known as Barracudas.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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