U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed a strong U.S. response to any Venezuelan aggression towards Guyana amid territorial disputes over oil reserves. During his visit, he emphasized the illegitimacy of Venezuela’s claims and reinforced U.S. support for Guyana. The administration’s strategy focuses on energy independence and addressing regional instability stemming from Venezuelan actions.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared on Thursday that the United States would take decisive action if Venezuela were to attack Guyana, amidst an ongoing territorial conflict over oil and gas reserves. Rubio emphasized the severe repercussions that Venezuela would face, categorizing the situation as a potential “very bad day” for the nation if aggression were to occur.
During a visit to Guyana, part of his Caribbean tour, Rubio conducted discussions with Guyanese President Irfaan Ali and other officials. The Trump administration aims to strengthen ties in the Western Hemisphere to achieve energy independence while addressing illegal activities such as drug trafficking and gang violence.
Rubio criticized Venezuela’s territorial claims, labeling them as illegitimate and linked to a criminal regime. He reinforced that there would be consequences for any aggressive behavior towards Guyana, stating, “It would not end well for them.”
President Ali welcomed Rubio’s comments, affirming his government’s commitment to protecting its territorial integrity. He expressed gratitude for U.S. assurances regarding Guyana’s sovereignty in light of Venezuelan threats, emphasizing ongoing discussions about these issues with the U.S.
Guyana, which possesses substantial offshore oil reserves, is crucial to the U.S. strategy of reducing dependency on Venezuelan energy, particularly as the Trump administration has imposed significant sanctions on Venezuela. Recently, Guyana condemned a Venezuelan naval vessel’s incursion into disputed waters where ExxonMobil is investing heavily in oil development.
Rubio’s visit coincided with the signing of a security agreement with Guyana. This agreement aims to enhance cooperation in military intelligence and operations, demonstrated by concurrent U.S. Navy exercises with the Guyanese Navy in the region.
Following ExxonMobil’s discovery of oil in Guyana in 2015, Venezuela has intensified its long-standing territorial claims against its neighbor. The Venezuelan government, led by Nicolás Maduro, has denounced Guyana’s oil field development as illegal. Meanwhile, Guyana has commenced naval exercises in collaboration with the U.S. Navy to boost security and sovereignty in their maritime region.
In summation, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has asserted that any aggression from Venezuela against Guyana will invoke a strong response from the United States. This assurance underscores the ongoing territorial dispute revolving around significant oil deposits. Moreover, the collaboration between the U.S. and Guyana in military and intelligence areas aims to reinforce regional stability and security against Venezuelan threats. As the situation develops, Guyana’s strategic importance in energy independence remains critical.
Original Source: www.military.com
