About Guyana-Venezuela Conflict:
- History:
- The land boundary between Guyana and Venezuela has been disputed since its colonial inception between British and Spanish powersin South America.
- In the 1840s, the British government had the border unilaterally surveyed, but the proposed line encroached on Venezuelan territorial claims.
- The boundary has since been arbitrated (1899)and bilaterally agreed upon following demarcation (1905), but remains in conflict.
- While the British line, accepted by Guyana, is the current de facto boundary,Venezuela maintains a historic claim to all territory currently administered by Guyana west of the Essequibo River.
- Venezuela argues that the Arbitral Award of 1899about the frontier between British Guiana and Venezuela is null and void.
- Disputed Area:
- The bone of contention lies in the densely forested Essequibo region of Guyana, which Venezuela claims as its territory.
- Venezuela’s claim along the Essequibo River extends for 1,034 kilometersbefore reaching Brazilian territory.
- At stake is approximately 142,795 square kilometersthat is currently administered by Guyana.
- Offshore, the disputed land territory isa maritime space that was recently discovered to be rich in hydrocarbon resources, upping the stakes of the land boundary dispute.
- Current Status:
- Guyana submittedthe dispute to the International Court of Justice in 2018.
- Despite Venezuela’s withdrawal from the case, proceedings are currently ongoing.
