Caracas plans to annex an area equivalent to 74% of its neighboring territory; Tensions between the two countries have increased in recent weeks
Venezuela has 123,000 active military personnel. The number is 36 times larger than the contingent in Guyana, which is at the center of a territorial dispute with the Venezuelans. The data comes from the International Institute for Strategic Studies 2023 report.
Venezuelans voted this Sunday (December 3, 2023) for measures that could lead to the annexation of 74% of Guyana’s territory. The Essequiba region is rich in oil and accounts for 74% of Guyana’s territory. With low popular participation, the “yes” vote won with 95% of the valid votes.
The vote is nonbinding, meaning it is merely a thermometer to gauge popular opinion on the measure. Now the Venezuelan government must decide on strategies to annex the territory
Tensions between Venezuela and Guyana have increased since the referendum was announced on November 10. The government of Guyana classified the measure as “provocative, unlawful, null and without effect under international law”. He also accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of an international crime for attempting to weaken the country’s territorial integrity.
The Brazilian Ministry of Defense announced on Thursday (November 30, 2023) that it had increased the military presence in the border region in the north of the country near Venezuela and Guyana. The reinforcement responds to a request from Senator Hiran Gonçalves (PPRR), who requested a reinforcement of troops in Pacaraima (RR), a town on the border with Essequibo, the scene of the dispute between the two South American neighbors.
In a possible armed conflict over territory, Venezuela would have a major advantage over Guyana.
According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, of the 123,000 active military personnel in Caracas, 63,000 are from the army, 25,550 from the navy and 11,550 from the air force. Another 23,000 make up the National Guard.
Guyana has a contingent 36 times smaller, with 3,400 active military personnel. There are 3,000 from the Army, 200 from the Navy and 200 from the Air Force.
Military equipment
Venezuela also has a stronger military arsenal than Guyana. The country has 2 combat aircraft, 173 main battle tanks, 81 tanks, 515 rocket launchers and 9 attack helicopters.
On the other hand, Guyana only has 54 rocket launchers, 2 attack helicopters and 6 combat aircraft.
Territorial dispute
The dispute between Venezuela and Guyana, which has been going on for more than a century, is related to the Essequibo or Guayana Essequiba region. The area is 160,000 km² and is administered by Guyana. The area accounts for 74% of the neighboring country’s area, is rich in oil and minerals and has access to the Atlantic Ocean.
Guyana has an area of 214,969 square kilometers and a population of 800,000. The official languages are English and regional languages. The currency is the Guyanese dollar.
The country’s wealth has grown from oil on the edge of the equator. It is expected to become a new oil power in the region. The total oil volume at the site is estimated at 14.8 billion barrels. This volume represents 75% of Brazil’s total oil reserves.
According to World Bank forecasts released in October this year, Guyana’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is expected to grow by 29% in 2023. It will be the highest achievement among Latin American and Caribbean countries. Data from the international company shows that the South American country grew by 43.5% in 2020, 20.1% in 2021 and 63.4% in 2022. Read in full (PDF 6 MB).
The IMF (International Monetary Fund) estimates that the country’s GDP will grow by 38.4% in 2023.
STORY
The first settlers in the region were the Spanish, who came to the region in 1499. In the 16th century, Guyana came under Dutch control. According to the Contemporary Portal of Latin America and the Caribbean at USP (University of São Paulo), the Dutch believed that El Dorado could be in the region a legend says that there was a city there where gold was plentiful.
In 1616 the first Dutch fortress was built in Essequibo. The place was also intended to serve as a trading post and be administered by the Dutch West India Company. The then Dutch colony began to use the export of sugar and tobacco as an economic basis.
With the introduction of an extensive irrigation system in the 18th century, Guyana expanded the amount of agricultural land, which attracted English settlers from Caribbean islands. At the end of the 18th century, the population of British origin in the region outnumbered the Dutch. With the French Revolution and France’s expansion in Europe, the Dutch decided to hand over part of their colonies to English administration to protect themselves from possible French intervention. .
In 1814, the colonies of Essequiba, Demerara and Berbice were officially transferred to England through the AngloDutch Treaty. The territory was renamed British Guiana in 1931. The country declared independence in 1966, but remained part of the British Commonwealth a group of former British colonies.