Photo credit: Jorge Perez/BBC Mundo
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The President of Guyana, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, is expected to attend a meeting with Nicolás Maduro on Thursday (December 14) to discuss the crisis surrounding the Essequibo region
Item information
- Author, Leandro Prazeres and Jorge Perez
- Role: From BBC News Brasil and BBC News Mundo, Special Envoy for Georgetown
1 hour ago
“Maduro is trying to instill fear in the people of Guyana,” the president said. “We will do whatever is necessary to ensure Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Irfaan Ali said when asked if his government would allow a North American base to be established in the country.
The interview with the President of Guyana was given on Monday morning (December 11th). A personal meeting is expected between Irfaan Ali and the Venezuelan President in Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday (December 14), where they will discuss the Essequibo issue.
In recent weeks, the region has gained international attention after the Venezuelan government held a referendum on the creation of a new state in the Essequibo region and after Maduro announced the appointment of a governor for the future state.
Given the escalation in this matter, the Brazilian Ministry of Defense increased security in Roraima, a state on the border with Venezuela and Guyana.
Last week, the North American government announced that military exercises would be conducted in the country's airspace in cooperation with Guyana. That same week, the U.S. State Department announced it would “unwaveringly” support Guyana’s sovereignty.
Essequibo is a region that both countries have disputed for more than a century. The area is about 160,000 square kilometers in size and on its coast the oil company ExxonMobil discovered reserves worth 11 billion barrels of oil in 2015. In recent years, the country's economy, with around 800,000 inhabitants, has been one of the fastest growing in the world. Gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow 25% this year after growing 57.8% in 2022.
Credit, Leandro Prazeres/BBC News Brasil
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Poster on an avenue in Georgetown with the slogan: “Essequibo belongs to Guyana” (Essequibo belongs to Guyana, in the English translation)
Since the oil discoveries, the Venezuelan government has raised the tone in the region.
On December 1, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), at the initiative of the Government of Guyana, issued a ruling declaring that Venezuela could not take measures to incorporate Essequibo into its territory. However, Nicolás Maduro's government announced that it did not recognize the legitimacy of the court to resolve the dispute.
On the streets of Georgetown, the rising temperature of the issue is visible in the capital's traffic. In different parts of the city you can see posters and billboards that say: “Essequibo belongs to Guyana” (Essequibo belongs to Guyana, in direct translation from English).
In BBC News Brasil's interview with BBC Mundo, the country's president also says that it is important to talk to “the neighbors” but that a possible agreement on oil resources in Essequibo is ruled out.
“That won’t happen,” he said.
Check out the key excerpts from the interview.
BBC News Brasil You will have a meeting with Maduro on Thursday. What do you expect from this meeting and what would you like to say to him?
Mohamed Irfaan Ali Firstly, Guyana is a peaceful country. We are not the aggressors. We don't threaten anyone. We do not threaten the use of force. At the same time, Guyana will do everything within its power, within the framework of international law, to ensure that our territorial integrity and sovereignty remain intact and in force.
Our borders were established in 1899 (the year in which the Paris Arbitration Award was issued, which established the present borders of Guyana and Venezuela). […] All of our partners in this region, including Brazil, Caricom (Common Market and Caribbean Community), Celac (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States), the United States, the Western Hemisphere and the international community, respect the 1899 Arbitration Award […]
As for Thursday's talks, we must work together as good neighbors and ensure that this region remains a region of peace and stability […] These talks are aimed at curbing the threat of violence from Venezuela, as Guyana is not threatening anyone.
BBC News Brasil But what exactly do you want to say to Mr Maduro?
Mohamed Irfaan Ali I would tell him clearly that Guyana is a country of peace. We have no other goal than the security and protection of our sovereignty and territorial integrity. Our only goal is to move forward peacefully as a country, to cooperate in peaceful coexistence with our neighbors and to support our neighbors in their own developments. And we expect respect for our border and that Venezuela does not act recklessly or adventurously and that we work together to ensure peace and stability in our region.
BBC News Brasil Are you worried that the Venezuelan government could actually invade Essequibo?
Mohamed Irfaan Ali We are not afraid. Because of the rhetoric from Venezuela, we must prepare for all eventualities. Venezuela held a referendum and before that we went to the International Court of Justice to take precautionary measures because some of the questions in the referendum pointed to the annexation of Essequibo. That's why we're very concerned about it. We involve our international partners. We have a long history of working with the U.S. Department of Defense, conducting and continuing to conduct numerous training programs and joint exercises. We will continually work with the international community to ensure that Venezuela does not act in ways that undermine our territorial integrity and sovereignty.
BBC News Brazil Last week there were exercises between the United States and Guyana's military. Have you asked for US military support in the event of an invasion of Venezuela?
Mohamed Irfaan Ali Military and defense cooperation between the United States and Guyana has been extensive. This is all part of our defense strategy and will continue to be expanded. We will have more training programs, more joint exchanges, of course not just with the USA. We are talking to several of our partners about Venezuela and its rhetoric.
BBC News Brasil Is your government willing to allow the establishment of a US military base in Guyana?
Mohamed Irfaan Ali As I said, we will do everything necessary to ensure Guyana's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We monitor all Venezuelan actions. We will work to fully monitor Venezuela's behavior.
We analyze all the information and will make the appropriate decision at the right time. But whatever it takes, whatever it takes, with our bilateral partners, with our international partners, to protect the security, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Guyana, we will do it.
Credit, VENEZUELAN PRESIDENTITY/HANDOUT/EPAEFE/REX/Shutterstock
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Maduro withholds ballot during referendum on Venezuela's claim to Essequibo
BBC News Brasil But does that include an American military base in Guyana?
Mohamed Irfaan Ali This includes support from all of our allies, no matter what form it takes. I cannot express it more clearly. We must ensure that the security, territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country are guaranteed and protected. That is our main goal.
BBC News Brazil The Venezuelan government claims Guyana could not have issued licenses to oil companies such as ExxonMobil because Essequibo is a disputed region. How do you react to these allegations?
Mohamed Irfaan Ali Essequibo is entirely part of Guyana. This was resolved in 1899. Venezuela and Guyana participated in the creation of the border markings […] We have all the rights to grant any license, make any investment and development we want.
BBC News Brazil A few days ago, Maduro said that Guyana and ExxonMobil should sit down with Venezuela to discuss the issue. Is there anything in this meeting with him that you would be willing to compromise on to ease tensions?
Mohamed Irfaan Ali What is interesting is that President Maduro tells the local population in Venezuela that Exxon is imperialism. Nevertheless, he is actively working to persuade Chevron, BP (Chevron and BP British Petroleum are oil companies) and even other multinational companies to invest in Venezuela again.
We have many things to discuss. We have regional energy security, the development of the region, how can we work together on climate change? How can we coexist? How can we reduce tension? But we will not jeopardize developments in Essequibo or the state's position that this case will be decided by the International Court of Justice.
BBC News Brasil Is there a middle ground that Guyana and Venezuela could reach at this meeting?
Mohamed Irfaan Ali Middle ground in terms of what?
BBC News Brasil On the Essequibo controversy…
Mohamed Irfaan Ali The court (here the International Court of Justice should be mentioned) decides on the merits of the dispute. There are no negotiations about this.
BBC News Brasil What about oil reserves? Is there a middle ground that you would like to discuss with Maduro?
Mohamed Irfaan Ali When it comes to oil reserves, they are reserves that belong to Guyana. And we want to develop our oil reserves within the framework of regional energy security. If there are investments in the region that anyone wants to talk about, including from Venezuela, we can look at them and consider them, but all the oil reserves are in Guyana.
BBC News Brasil You said you spoke to the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. I would like to ask: Do you think Lula is doing enough to ease tensions?
Mohamed Irfaan Ali First, President Lula was very active. We had contact more than once. He has made it very clear that he supports Guyana, that he supports the terms of the 1899 Agreement and that he supports the process of international law to ensure that the International Court of Justice is respected. He has also reached out to me to speak and meet with President Maduro to defuse tensions and ensure that the threat of violence is removed from the equation. And out of respect for President Lula and all leaders in the region, we are having this conversation.
BBC News Brasil Has President Lula offered any kind of military support?
Mohamed Irfaan Ali Brazil is one of our partners. We had many common military commitments. I am sure that the Guyana Defense Force and its counterparts have ongoing discussions.
BBC News Brasil It's still not clear to me: has the Brazilian president offered any military support in the context of this crisis in the event of a Venezuelan invasion?
Mohamed Irfaan Ali The Brazilian and Guyanese militaries are holding talks. That's all I can say.
BBC News Brasil In light of recent events, are you considering strengthening Guyana’s armed forces?
Mohamed Irfaan Ali This is exactly why we run these training programs and exchanges. Why we need to strengthen our defense forces to keep the peace and ensure our borders are protected.
BBC News Brasil But at the moment Guyana has huge revenues from oil reserves. Will you use this income to strengthen your armed forces?
Mohamed Irfaan Ali For three years we have been working on a comprehensive program to recapitalize, modernize and equip the armed forces. So yes, we are working on a strategic investment package for the Guyana Defense Force, not only from a material perspective but also from a personnel perspective.
BBC News Brasil Has this Essequibo crisis accelerated these plans?
Mohamed Irfaan Ali Our plan was very aggressive. We had a very strategic plan and that plan is unfolding as planned. Of course, we weigh all options and check where there is a need. We are making progress on certain aspects of the plan and these items were moved forward immediately.
Photo credit: Jorge Perez/BBC Mundo
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“We assure all citizens of Guyana, especially those living on the border, that there is absolutely nothing to fear,” says the President of Guyana
BBC News Brazil Venezuela has a much larger and better equipped army than Guyana. How would Guyana respond to a military invasion from Venezuela?
Mohamed Irfaan Ali We have friends. We have allies. We have worked with the international community. Guyana is not alone. I do not want to go into the details of our relationship, but we have spoken to France, the United Kingdom and the United States, and our friends will not allow any harm to come to Guyana.
BBC News Brasil What is the current situation of the people in Essequibo? Some of them said they were worried…
Mohamed Irfaan Ali Of course, people are concerned when a president makes threats, and they have every right to be. But we assure all citizens of Guyana, especially those living on the border, that there is absolutely nothing to fear. We work every day to ensure that Guyana's sovereignty and territorial integrity remain intact and that we can move forward with our work without fear.
BBC News Brazil Some members of the opposition here in Guyana have called for their government to restrict the civil rights of Venezuelans with Guyanese citizenship. One of these rights would be the right to vote. Is your government prepared to restrict Venezuelans' right to vote?
Mohamed Irfaan Ali We are a peaceful country. We work with international standards. We have migrants coming from Venezuela and we treat them with dignity. We want to give them basic rights. This is who we are as Guyanese. We cannot allow Maduro or Maduro's instruments to change us as a people, as a country […] the way we treat our fellow human beings. Rhetoric cannot change that.
BBC News Brasil I would like to return to a topic so that the topic is clearer. Has the crisis in Essequibo caused your government to accelerate its plans to strengthen its armed forces?
Mohamed Irfaan Ali As I said, we have a strategic plan to strengthen our armed forces […] This plan is in the implementation phase. As the threat increases, we are accelerating the plan. There are some activities that are more advanced and we will bring them to an appointment immediately. So yes. I am confident that the plan has been restructured and accelerated and this is a consequence of the environment in which we find ourselves.
BBC News Brasil My next question concerns a different crisis: the climate crisis. During COP 28, scientists and environmentalists called for the world to start phasing out fossil fuels. But his country is heavily dependent on revenue from oil exploration. How do you respond to those who say your country is moving in the opposite direction of science?
Mohamed Irfaan Ali I say that my country is an absolute role model for the world. We have a forest the size of England and Scotland combined. This forest stores 19.5 gigatons of carbon. We have the slowest rate of deforestation in the world. Although 65% of the world's biodiversity has been lost over the last 50 years, our biodiversity is intact. What value does that have? Who pays for that? […] We are six feet (approximately 1.8 meters) below sea level, an area where 80% of our population lives. That's why we need to invest in drainage and irrigation. Who is funding this? We have to finance that.
BBC News Brasil You have highlighted a very important issue: the fact that your country has large areas of land below sea level. That means if the scientists are right, climate change could affect a large part of your country…
Mohamed Irfaan Ali That's why we need to invest in maritime defense. Therefore, we must ensure that we receive revenue for investments in maritime defense.
Photo credit: Portal/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria
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A member of Venezuela's National Assembly holds a map showing the disputed Essequibo region as part of the country
BBC News Brasil Are you considering the allegations that your country is violating scientific evidence?
Mohamed Irfaan Ali Completely unfounded.
BBC News Brasil In conclusion, as I said, Venezuela has a much larger army compared to Guyana. Do you feel threatened by Maduro's allegations?
Mohamed Irfaan Ali Maduro is trying to instill fear in the people of Guyana. He definitely used the threat of violence to demonstrate his plan. But we are not a people who would succumb to fear and its threats. We plan, work with our partners, prepare and ensure our ability to safeguard our entire territory, sovereignty and territorial integrity. So I'm not worried about his threat. I'm worried about this threat.
BBC News Brasil Would you be willing to share Essequibo oil revenues with Venezuela if this is an issue raised in this meeting with Maduro?
Mohamed Irfaan Ali This is a very interesting position. Would Venezuela share with Guyana all the revenue it has earned from oil over the last hundred years? You wouldn't ask them to share what's theirs. These recipes come from Guyana. These are our riches in our territory. How will we share this? […] To say that we must enter into a revenuesharing agreement with Venezuela is an insult to our country and its people. That will never happen. […] I think people underestimate us because we are a small population, but we are a small and responsible population with morals, ethics, good governance, democracy, freedom on our side and with great international partners.
BBC News Brasil What do you think of his statement that Guyana and ExxonMobil need to sit down with Venezuela to discuss the matter?
Mohamed Irfaan Ali He can say whatever he wants. He is not God. He is not the President of Guyana. You spoke to the president. He has no authority to invite any company or individual operating in Guyana to a meeting. He's out of place […] ExxonMobil's investment is in Guyana […] How will he get investment in Venezuela if he wants to destabilize the region or use a threat of force that helps no one?