Venezuela Revives Territorial Dispute with Guyana Over Oil-Rich Region

The move by President Nicolás Maduro, seen as a bid to rally support ahead of elections, has led to increased U.S.-Guyana military cooperation and calls to reimpose sanctions on Venezuela.

• Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro has revived a territorial dispute with Guyana over the oil-rich Essequibo region, nominating an army general as its governor and offering Venezuelan identity cards to its residents.
• Guyana, once one of South America's poorest countries, is now one of the fastest-growing economies in the world due to huge oil discoveries by ExxonMobil in the disputed region.
• Venezuela's revival of the territorial claim has led to increased military cooperation between the United States and Guyana, with the aim of improving Guyana's 'military readiness and capabilities to respond to security threats.'
• Maduro's actions are seen by some as an attempt to rally support ahead of elections next year, and have sparked calls to reimpose sanctions on Venezuela.
• Despite the dispute, actual clashes between Venezuela and Guyana seem unlikely at this stage, with both countries' leaders agreeing not to use force and to meet again.

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