Venezuela-Guyana Tensions: Politics, Oil, and Military Drills

Venezuela claims a large part of Guyana, specifically the Essequibo region, which encompasses approximately two-thirds of Guyana's land area. The territorial dispute dates back to the colonial era, and Venezuela has recently renewed its claims, leveraging the issue for nationalist motives. The discovery of oil reserves in the region has added to the tensions. However, experts believe that Venezuela is unlikely to pursue its claims militarily, and the challenging geographic characteristics of the Essequibo region make it difficult for Venezuela to control. The International Court of Justice is currently involved in resolving the border dispute between the two nations.