There is growing international condemnation over Saturday’s incursion by the Venezuelan Coast Guard in Guyana’s waters near the drill ships and oil production vessels operating within Guyana.

A Venezuelan Coast Guard boat spent several hours in Guyana’s waters sailing between the various oil vessels and questioning their captains while falsely telling them that they were operating in Venezuelan waters.

In a statement on Saturday, the US Government through its Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs stated that Venezuelan naval vessels threatening ExxonMobil’s floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) unit is unacceptable and a clear violation of Guyana’s internationally-recognized maritime territory.

The US Government said further provocation will result in consequences for the Maduro regime in Venezuela, making clear that “the United States reaffirms its support for Guyana’s territorial integrity and the 1899 arbitral award”.

ExxonMobil, which operates in Guyana’s waters, is a US company.

Meanwhile, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in its statement said all such acts of aggression and provocation are contrary to international law and the 2023 Argyle Declaration, which was reached between the Presidents of Guyana and Venezuela in St. Vincent.

CARICOM said Venezuela’s provocation on Saturday runs counter to the agreed commitment of CARICOM and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) to ensure that the Caribbean region remains a Zone of Peace, adding that it is critical that there be a peaceful resolution of the border controversy as is expected under the International Court of Justice, which already has conduct over the dispute.

CARICOM called on Venezuela to urgently remove its vessel from Guyana’s waters and refrain from engaging with the oil producing platforms.

The Organisation of American States was the first international organisation to condemn the Venezuelan Government on Saturday over the actions of its military.

The OAS said Venezuela’s intimidation constitute a clear violation of international law, undermine regional stability, and threaten the principles of peaceful coexistence between nations.

“The OAS reiterates its steadfast support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Venezuelan regime must immediately cease all aggressive maneuvers that could escalate tensions in the region”, the statement added.

The General Secretariat of the OAS also urged the Venezuelan regime to adhere to respect ongoing international legal processes, including the adjudication of the territorial dispute before the International Court of Justice, noting that “any attempt to use coercion or force to alter established borders is unacceptable and contrary to the fundamental principles of the OAS Charter and international law in general.”

In a national address on Saturday, Guyana’s President, Irfaan Ali, said Guyana has alerted and engaged its international partners on the “grave” incident. He said Guyana Defence Force air and sea assets have been deployed to the area. The President also briefed the Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton, on the latest developments in a face to face meeting on Saturday afternoon.

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