Smells of war: Guyana asks for US help over Venezuela

Guyana is turning to the US and UN as Maduro pushes to annex the South American country’s territory. The request for help came after Venezuela’s president announced a series of measures to formalize a referendum in favor of annexing a huge swath of the neighboring country’s disputed territory to the Bolivarian Republic.

Guyana turned to the United Nations and the United States for help after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced a series of measures aimed at promoting the annexation of two-thirds of the territory of the tiny South American state, writes The Guardian.

“I have spoken with the Secretary General of the United Nations and several leaders, warning them of these dangerous developments and the desperate actions of President Maduro,” Irfaan Ali, Guyana’s president, said in a televised broadcast late Tuesday as he informed the country’s 800,000 people about Maduro’s latest steps aimed at creating a new Venezuelan state in Guyana.

President Ali’s comments came after Maduro announced a series of measures to formalize a referendum on Sunday evening in which voters overwhelmingly backed plans to claim the oil-rich 160,000 km2 swath of Guyana’s jungle as his own.

Venezuela’s president said he has ordered legislation to recognize a new state, Guayana Esequiba, where Venezuelan national identity cards will be issued to English-speaking residents. He also ordered national companies to begin mining and oil extraction operations in the resource-rich region and to create a special military unit for the region, alarming observers and prompting Brazil to send armored vehicles to the border.

In videos posted on social media, Maduro unveiled a revised national map showing a larger Venezuela swallowed up the Essequibo region and demanded it be quickly distributed to schools and universities in a bid to ensure Sunday’s referendum results are respected.

“I immediately ordered the publication and distribution of a new map of Venezuela with our Guayana Esequiba to all schools, colleges, public councils, government agencies, universities and all homes in the country. This is our dear card!” – he said, presenting the illustration.

Venezuela has laid claim to Essequibo since it gained independence from Spain, contesting the borders drawn with the then British colony of Guyana, The Guardian recalls.

The dispute is being heard by the UN’s international court, but Maduro on Sunday asked the Venezuelan people in a referendum whether he should ignore The Hague and take matters into his own hands. Although voter turnout was low and the government’s record was widely questioned by observers, the Venezuelan government said 95% of voters agreed to ignore the international court’s decision and recognize Essequibo as part of Venezuela.

Maduro’s increasingly belligerent rhetoric over Essequibo is seen by analysts as an attempt to distract attention from a series of overlapping crises at home and drum up support ahead of presidential elections expected in 2024, but an escalation in regional tensions on Tuesday night fueled fears that the Venezuelan leader will not stop before military action, writes The Guardian.

On Wednesday, Venezuela’s attorney general issued arrest warrants for 10 opposition leaders, including Juan Guaido, Julio Borges and Leopoldo Lopez. The latest moves to restore political dominance ahead of next year’s elections could be a reaction to low turnout in Sunday’s referendum, said Phil Gunson, an analyst at the International Crisis Group.

“The Guyana Defense Forces are on high alert,” Guyanese President Ali said in a televised address to the nation. “This is a direct threat to the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Guyana.”

President Ali also accused Venezuela of defying the international court, which last week ordered Venezuela to take no action until the court rules on the countries’ competing claims – a process that is likely to take years.

Guyana is seeking support from the Caribbean Political Community, Caricom, the United States and other allies by raising the issue at the UN Security Council, Ali added, while seeking to reassure investors concerned that Maduro could soon carry out a land grab.

“You have nothing to worry about when you invest in a country that governs itself according to the rule of law, that stands on the side of democracy and understands what true freedom is,” Ali said. “So there is nothing to be afraid of. Our international partners and the international community are ready to support us. They have assured us of their support, and all we want is for President Maduro and Venezuela to correct these missteps.”