Venezuelans to Vote on US Military Base in Disputed Territory
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil accuses the United States of planning to establish a military base in the disputed territory of Essequibo, located between Venezuela and Guyana, in order to seize control of the region's oil resources. The long-standing territorial dispute over Essequibo, which is rich in oil and gas, has been ongoing between the two South American nations. Guyana believes its current borders, established in 1899, are accurate, while Venezuela argues that the Essequibo River should be the natural border. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is currently involved in resolving the dispute.