Why is Venezuela getting into trouble with India’s friend country?… forcefully sends naval ship to…

The border dispute between Venezuela, a friendly country of India in South America, has deepened. This country has accused Venezuela of sending patrol ships to its oil fields. This has heated up the a

Written by: Nivedita Dash Edited by: Nivedita Dash

Published: March 3, 2025, 10:35 AM IST

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https://www.india.com/news/world/why-is-venezuela-getting-into-trouble-with-indias-friend-country-forcefully-sends-naval-ship-to-7651316/ Copy

Why is Venezuela getting into trouble with India's friend country?... forcefully sends naval ship to...

The border dispute between Venezuela, a friendly country of India in South America, has deepened. This country has accused Venezuela of sending patrol ships to its oil fields. This has heated up the atmosphere in South America. This friendly country of India has said that it will complain about this incident to the International Court.

Tensions are deepening between two South American countries over oil. One of these countries is a close friend of India. Even the President of this country is of Indian origin. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited this country, where he was awarded the highest honor. The name of this friend country of India is Guyana, which is having a dispute with its neighboring country Venezuela over oil blocks. The South American neighbors have long been embroiled in a dispute over which country owns the 160,000 square kilometer (62,000 square mile) Essequibo region. This matter is currently pending in the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

What did the President of Guyana say

Guyana President Irfaan Ali said that a Venezuelan coast guard patrol entered Guyana’s waters earlier in the day. The Venezuelan ship approached an output vessel in an offshore oil block managed by ExxonMobil. The northwestern part of the block closer to Venezuela is still under force majeure because the Exxon group has been unable to complete exploration there.

Venezuela denies the allegations

President Irfaan Ali said in a statement, “During this incursion, the Venezuelan vessel approached various assets in our exclusive waters, including the FPSO Prosperity.” The Venezuelan government denied Ali’s allegations and claimed that the waters they entered were not part of Guyana’s territory, as it is a maritime zone whose demarcation is pending according to international law.

Guyana summons Venezuelan ambassador

“Irfaan Ali is telling a blatant lie when he states that Venezuelan naval units are violating Guyana’s territory,” the Venezuelan government said in a statement shared on Telegram. Irfaan Ali added that Guyana has summoned the Venezuelan ambassador to meet with its foreign minister and discuss Guyana’s strong objections, and that its embassy in Caracas has been advised to lodge a formal complaint with Venezuela.

Guyana increased military deployment in the area

The statement said Guyana will formally report the incident to the ICJ and engage with international partners such as the intergovernmental organisation CARICOM. Irfaan Ali said the Guyana government has also deployed unspecified air assets. Venezuela urged Guyana to stop circumventing the Geneva Accords, citing a 1966 treaty to resolve the border dispute, and asked the country to “comply with its commitments to find a solution”.

OAS condemns Venezuela

The Organization of American States (OAS) condemned Venezuela’s intrusion into “Guyana’s internationally recognized maritime zone.” The United States Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs said on X that the incident was a violation of Guyana’s territory. They added, “Further provocations will result in consequences for the Maduro regime.”