- Registrado
- 18 de Jul, 2017
In 2015, exploratory geology by the Exxon-Mobile corporation discovered that Guyana had access both on land, and in its EEZ to the largest oil and natural gas reserve in the western hemisphere. Once fully exploited, this field will give Guyana access to a larger proven reserve then Kuwait. To say that this is civilization altering wealth on the cusp of being taken by Georgetown is an understatement.
Unfortunately, it has reignited a long dormant territorial dispute that dates back to the Colonial Era. Simply put, Most of Guyana (and all of the oil and gas) lies in territory that was at one point a part of the Spanish Empire. And much like the incident with the Falklands Islands, the Spanish ran into trouble with the British who took control of some slices of of their rivals colonies during the Napoleonic Wars. At the same time however, Venezuela gained independence, and Spain rather then just surrender its colonial possessions to the brits in treaty form, instead just gave it to the newly formed Venezuela. Even though by this point the UK was firmly in control.
Venezuela was in no position to really do much either, until the USA became powerful enough to start trying to force the Euros out of its perceived sphere in the western hemisphere. Under threat of an American intervention, Britain agreed to international arbitration of the border between British South America, and Venezuela, which resulted in the current border, despite claims by Venezuela that the Brits bribed the Russian member of the Tribunal to side with them.
I'm glossing over alot here for brevity. Its a FASCINATING STORY
When Guyana became independent, the territory in dispute was incorporated into the newly recognized UN Member state. Venezuela while rejecting the outcome has let the matter lie. Until now. Maduro's government is benighted by failed Socialist policies and in need of both money and legitimacy. An invasion of Guyana could give him both, but carries enormous risks. Not the least being the Organization of American States and the UN International Court of Justice (Full ruling attached) have both rejected categorically Venezuela's claims to Guyana's territory.
Guyana's President today has given a speech in which he claims Venezuela has abandoned the rules based international order.
Unfortunately, it has reignited a long dormant territorial dispute that dates back to the Colonial Era. Simply put, Most of Guyana (and all of the oil and gas) lies in territory that was at one point a part of the Spanish Empire. And much like the incident with the Falklands Islands, the Spanish ran into trouble with the British who took control of some slices of of their rivals colonies during the Napoleonic Wars. At the same time however, Venezuela gained independence, and Spain rather then just surrender its colonial possessions to the brits in treaty form, instead just gave it to the newly formed Venezuela. Even though by this point the UK was firmly in control.
Venezuela was in no position to really do much either, until the USA became powerful enough to start trying to force the Euros out of its perceived sphere in the western hemisphere. Under threat of an American intervention, Britain agreed to international arbitration of the border between British South America, and Venezuela, which resulted in the current border, despite claims by Venezuela that the Brits bribed the Russian member of the Tribunal to side with them.
I'm glossing over alot here for brevity. Its a FASCINATING STORY
When Guyana became independent, the territory in dispute was incorporated into the newly recognized UN Member state. Venezuela while rejecting the outcome has let the matter lie. Until now. Maduro's government is benighted by failed Socialist policies and in need of both money and legitimacy. An invasion of Guyana could give him both, but carries enormous risks. Not the least being the Organization of American States and the UN International Court of Justice (Full ruling attached) have both rejected categorically Venezuela's claims to Guyana's territory.
Guyana's President today has given a speech in which he claims Venezuela has abandoned the rules based international order.
