Guyana-Venezuela Conflict

By: Justin Seeram

The dispute between the borders of Guyana and Venezuela has been going on for about two centuries. Back in 1841, Venezuela had claimed the borders, which reached as far as the Essequibo River, covering around 70% of Guyana’s (previously British Guiana) territory. In 1876, Venezuela protested against this heavy claim of land and asked the United States for help. Fast forward to today, there has been a recent controversy. Venezuela currently claims nearly 75% of Guyana’s land. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is also interested in the oil and mineral deposits recently discovered off the shores of Guyana as well. Venezuela doesn’t seem to be doing so well economically, as this will be one of the country’s only sources of revenue if they can control the area well. The United Nations has also had a say in this conflict. The UN’s top court ordered Venezuela to not make any decisions on anything that would affect Guyana’s control over the region. Guyana had also asked the International Court of Justice to put a stop to the vote, concluding that Venezuela was trying to annex the part of the territory that is being fought over. 

Alyssa Chattergoon, a Guyanese senior at Sewanhaka High School, believes, “I think that both presidents should come to an agreement and not have to continue these disputes any longer.” Alyssa is of course, on Guyana’s side of the controversy, but since Venezuela has done a lot of harm than good in this situation she believes Guyana deserves to have a more equal set of land given to them. 

Rhea Ragnauth, a Guyanese sophomore at Sewanhaka High School, conveys her feelings towards this issue, as she states, “The Guyana and Venezuela border issue highlights the struggles of territorial claims and resource exploitation between different countries. It’s a battle where land ownership clashes with money-making interests. The border conflict between Guyana and Venezuela is all about who gets to use the land for oil. It’s like a fight over money and land all at the same time!” Her reasoning makes plenty of sense, as Guyana and Venezuela can just give each other equal amounts of land and economic benefits. 

 Overall, the border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela has continued to take its twists and turns throughout history, even though it’s not a very prominent topic on the international scale. Until one or the other agrees, will there ever be peace?