As tensions between the South American countries Venezuela and Guyana over the disputed Esequibo region continue, the British Ministry of Defense announced that it will send a navy ship off the coast of Guyana by the end of the month.
According to Reuters, the Defense Ministry’s announcement on Sunday (December 24) follows a visit to the country earlier this month by British Minister for the Americas and the Caribbean David Rutley. The minister had visited Guyana, a former British colony, on December 17 to express his support for the country.
VENEZUELA: WE ARE ON HIGH ALERT AGAINST PROVOCATIONS
Without referring to Venezuela or the Esequibo tensions, a spokesman for the UK Ministry of Defense announced yesterday that the Royal Navy’s HMS Trent patrol ship would be sent to the region. “HMS Trent will visit regional ally and Commonwealth partner Guyana later this month as part of a series of activities in the region during the Atlantic Patrol Mission,” the statement said.
Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino shared a message on his social media account after the UK’s statement, stating that his country is “on alert following provocations that put the peace and stability of the Caribbean and the Americas at risk.
What happened?
The dispute between Venezuela and Guyana over the Esequibo region dates back to the period before Guyana’s independence. During the period when Guyana was a British colony, the Esequibo River was determined as Guyana’s western border, according to a boundary arbitration award dated 1899. However, Guyana, which gained independence in 1966 and joined the Commonwealth in 1970, did not recognize this border and declared that the Esequibo belonged to Guyana.
Currently known as the Esequibo region or Guyana Esequiba, it is located west of the Esequibo River in central Guyana and in the north of the country. The region is said to be extremely rich in natural resources.
The Venezuelan administration, which took action following the referendum in Venezuela that resulted in the Esequibo region belonging to this country, threatened to take control of the region, which corresponds to approximately 3 quarters of Guyana.
Source
(1) First Royal Navy ship into Guyana in 20 years as HMS Mersey pays …. https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2016/april/12/160412-hms-mersey-historic-visit-to-guyana.
(2) Royal Navy sends second warship to Gulf – BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-67572536.
(3) UK Royal Navy Destroyer to Join Multinational Naval Force … – Naval News. https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/12/uk-royal-navy-destroyer-to-join-multinational-naval-force-in-red-sea/.
(4) Royal Navy sends additional warship to the Gulf – Express.co.uk. https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1840588/Royal-Navy-sends-additional-warship-to-gulf.
