Venezuela prepares for vote on border dispute with Guyana over oil-rich territory

The Venezuelan government is fine-tuning the details, including the deployment of military personnel, to carry out a Dec. 3 referendum on its dispute with Guyana over the oil-rich Essequibo territory.

General Domingo Hernández Lárez, commander of strategic operations of Venezuela's Bolivarian Armed Forces, said Nov. 29 that 356,513 soldiers will be deployed for security during the referendum, according to statements published in local media.

Also, the minister of the interior, justice and peace, Remigio Ceballos, said more than 120,000 police officers will be deployed, in statements broadcast by Venezolana de Televisión, the state channel.

The referendum, in which Venezuelan voters will be asked five questions concerning the dispute, will give the government a path to decisions in view of the intervention of the International Court of Justice in the resolution of the territorial dispute over more than 159 square kilometers (61 square miles) claimed by Venezuela for more than a century.

The court is expected to rule on the dispute Dec. 1.

Oil deposits

The conflict between Venezuela and Guyana has been rekindled since international companies such as ExxonMobil announced the exploitation of oil deposits in maritime areas that have not yet been delineated between the countries.

In recent weeks the conflict has escalated, after the president of Guyana, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, had his country's flag raised in Sierra de Pacaraima, in the Essequibo territory, close to the de facto border. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro labeled that action a provocation.

Guyana also raised the possibility of establishing military bases with foreign support in the Essequibo territory and has said visits by US Department of Defense officials were planned, according to local media.

"The Department of Defense has a strong defense partnership with the Guyana Defense Force focused on areas of mutual interest, including countering transnational criminal organizations, maritime security, disaster preparedness, humanitarian assistance and human rights," a Guyana defense spokesperson said Nov. 29.

"In Guyana, all defense cooperation and capacity-building activities with US military personnel are hosted by the GDF, at GDF facilities, sites or installations," he said.

In regard to the border dispute, he added, "We support a diplomatic solution while the International Court of Justice process continues."

Venezuela rejects court's role

Maduro has repeatedly stated that Venezuela does not accept the interference of third parties, such as the International Court of Justice, in the territorial conflict. Maduro instead has adhered to the provisions of the 1966 Geneva Agreement that obliges the parties to seek a negotiated and satisfactory solution between both countries.

On Dec. 1, the ICJ will issue its order on the request by Guyana to prevent the referendum in Venezuela.

Guyana submitted a request to the ICJ to initiate proceedings against Venezuela in early 2018. In its request, Guyana asked the court "to confirm the legal validity and binding effect of the award relating to the boundaries between the colony of British Guiana and the United States of Venezuela, dated October 3, 1899."

Venezuela disputes the validity of the 1899 award.

An escalation of belligerent actions, both by Venezuela and Guyana, could affect ongoing processes such as the relaxation of US sanctions on Venezuela, Venezuela's electoral process scheduled for 2024 and even talks between Venezuela and Trinidad to produce and export natural gas.