Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has escalated tensions with neighboring Guyana over a disputed area, ordering the country’s state oil and mineral companies to grant licenses for Fields in the area known as”Essequibo” (Essequibo).
Maduro also ordered foreign oil companies operating in the disputed region to withdraw, asserting his right to do so after Venezuelan voters supported their country’s control over the territory in a referendum held last Sunday.
Guyana insisted that “Essequibo” is located within the borders of its territory, and the problem is currently being considered before the International Court of justice, although Maduro declared that he does not recognize its jurisdiction.
Maduro has not yet sent any military forces to carry out his orders. On Tuesday, he said he was creating a military unit for the disputed territory, but it would be stationed in a neighboring Venezuelan state.
“I am proposing a special law to deny any deal to all companies operating under concession contracts granted by Guyana,” Maduro said.. These companies have 3 months to withdraw” from the date of approval of his proposal.
