Venezuela claims most of Guyana

Cavedweller · Dec 9, 2023

Venezuela has created a new state encompassing most of the territory of Guyana. The government has issued a new map, will conduct a census of the territory for the purpose of granting Venezuelan citizenship to the population, and has ordered companies currently doing business in the area to leave within 3 months. Brazil has declared support for Guyana and is moving troops to the border. Another hot spot appears to be in the making.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/06/americas/venezuelas-president-orders-creation-of-new-state-and-map-including-land-from-guyana/index.html

Alexx1401 · Dec 9, 2023

Great the next place we will pick a side on and "need" to send billions of dollars in "aid" too.

Cavedweller · Dec 10, 2023

Alexx1401 said:
Great the next place we will pick a side on and "need" to send billions of dollars in "aid" too.

Looks like we're behind Guyana. Another conundrum for the left - the dem administration is opposing the socialist paradise of Venezuela.

trevi · Dec 10, 2023

Well, may be time to head back to Brasil and do my due diligence.... I liked Guyana. Wonder if Colombia will follow Brasil.

TTSX · Dec 10, 2023

Hashtag something something dark side

Provincial · Dec 10, 2023

Perun, who also presents objective insights into the Ukraine War, gives an in-depth look into the situation:

Short version,
Guyana has been an impoverished post-colonial backwater populated mostly by imported (slave or indentured) black or East Indian agricultural workers.

The current border has been in effect for a very long time, and Venezuela has continued to challenge it. The current challenge has been working through the UN and International Court of Justice for years, and Venezuela is unlikely to accept any judgement not in its favor.

Huge oil deposits have been found in the offshore Economic Zone of Guyana, and they are being developed by international oil interests. This has created a huge economic boom for Guyana. It has also put some major powers, including the USA and China in a position that favors Guyana, and important South American counties, including Brazil, are strongly opposed to changing borders.

Maduro is highly unpopular, has had to make concessions to try to salvage the economy, oil sales, and his rule. Pushing the claim to over half the land area of Guyana, and all of the oil deposits, is one way for him to try to counter his negatives, but actually trying to take control of that area would be very difficult, at best. It has many ways to turn out badly, and almost none to turn out successfully. Maduro's military is pretty weak, Guyana's is non-existent, and most any major power, or small coalition of small countries can put together enough force to counter Venezuela's forces.