https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guayana_Esequiba
So one news story that's been confusing me lately is Venezuela attempting to annex the Esequibo territory from Guyana.
I know that the territorial dispute is old, but why try to annex now? And what's the endgame? Why were previous leaders, even before the Chavista era, uninterested in Esequibo, and why does Maduro want to do it now as Venezuela barely starts to get a handle on its financial crisis?
Why has so much time gone by without an attempt at a diplomatic resolution? But also, if this territorial dispute is so important, why has it remained relatively peaceful (as far as I'm aware at least)?

Why are international orgs and allies aside from the ICJ fairly mum about this?
And outside the government, are Venezuelans broadly supportive of this? Is Venezuelan irredentism a popular thing?

hello guyanese redditors, first I ought to say I am not guyanese nor venezuelan. Recently I read on a BBC acticle that some guyanese living in the esequibo region would be willing to accept venezuelan nationality if venezuelan dictatorship invaded them as a way of avoiding fighting, something I am not sure to believe in. What do you think about the war scenario? Do you find it likely to happen? Is that BBC quote reliable according you? I hope things doesn't end up in a war in america though I don't think it could happen. Probably Venezuela wouldn't stand a chance specially considering US support because if its ties with oil industry but I'd like to know your thoughts. Thank you!

I know that the fields are rich with oil (which is precisely why , and the fact that Venezuela wants to conquer Guyana, but other South American countries would be very quick to jump into helping Guyana win, and it would take attention away from Israel and Hamas, and from the Ukrainian war currently happening.

The world’s attention was first on Ukraine, then on Israel, and now it’s gonna be Guyana next…

Venezuela has been claiming that 80% of guyanas land is venezuelan and Maduro has been talking about invading them for a while now. He's even made Maps showing guyana mostly annexed by Venezuela. Will he actually try to pull this off? Is it feasible? How would neighboring countries react?

I am exhausted of removing this. Last one until the end of the year.

Context:

Venezuela's claim to Guyana revolves around a historical dispute rooted in the colonial era when both territories were under Spanish and British rule.

1. Colonial Background:

   • In the 18th century, Guyana was a Dutch and later a British colony, while Venezuela was under Spanish rule.

   • The Spanish and British empires had competing claims and often disputed boundaries in various regions.

2. Independence Movements:

   • In the early 19th century, Latin American countries, including Venezuela, fought for and gained independence from Spanish rule.

   • Simón Bolívar, a key figure in Latin American independence, played a pivotal role in liberating several countries, including Venezuela.

3. Post-Independence Border Issues:

   • After gaining independence, Venezuela found itself in a situation where the borders established during the colonial period were not well-defined.

   • The British, who controlled Guyana, and the newly independent Venezuela had disagreements over the territorial demarcation.

4. 1899 Arbitration:

   • To resolve the dispute, both countries agreed to arbitration in 1899. The decision, known as the "Arbitral Award," favored the British, establishing the current border between Venezuela and Guyana.

5. Contemporary Dispute:

   • In recent years, there has been a resurgence of the territorial dispute, with Venezuela expressing dissatisfaction with the 1899 ruling.

   • Some political leaders in Venezuela have revived the historical claim, arguing that the Arbitral Award was unfair.

• In 1962, Venezuela rejected an arbitration decision, disputing mineral-rich territory in the Orinoco Basin with Guyana. Despite diplomatic efforts, no resolution was reached. Venezuela vetoed Guyana's OAS membership in 1967 and opposed the Rupununi Rebellion in 1969. A 12-year moratorium was agreed upon in 1970, but Venezuela didn't ratify it in 1982. Relations improved, leading to Venezuela sponsoring Guyana's OAS membership in 1990. In 2013, Venezuela's Navy seized an oil exploration vessel in disputed waters claimed by both countries.

• Guyana found oil in waters that are partly theirs, and partly Venezuela’s according to treaties. The area was not to be exploited for natural resources until the dispute is settled.

1. International Involvement:

   • The issue has gained attention on the international stage, with involvement from organizations like the United Nations.

   • Guyana contends that the border issue was settled in 1899, and any attempts to revisit it would undermine established international agreements.

In summary, Venezuela's historical claim to Guyana dates back to the colonial period and has resurfaced in recent times. However, international agreements, including the 1899 Arbitral Award, have established the current borders, and Guyana asserts that these agreements should be respected. The dispute is complex and involves historical, political, and diplomatic dimensions.

PLEASE GIVE THOUGHTS, OPINIONS, EXPLANATIONS, DISPUTES, AND ETC HERE.

The regime of President Nicolas Maduro has warned Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana that if they “lend themselves to an attack” against Venezuela, “they will receive a response.”
The warning came from Venezuela’s Defence Minister yesterday evening. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar did not respond to Guardian Media’s query regarding Maduro’s reported statement. Other senior government officials said the Prime Minister has made her position clear and has maintained it. They added that the PM will speak at the United Nations General Assembly on September 26 and will “…give Trinidad and Tobago’s position on everything.” Venezuela’s Defence Minister, General Vladimir Padrino López, told T&T not to allow US forces to use its territory as a base to attack Venezuela. The senior Venezuelan military official stated that should T&T or Guyana lend their territories to potential US military aggression against Venezuela, they would face a forceful response in legitimate defence. “It is necessary to warn that if an attack against Venezuela is launched from those territories, we will respond proportionally, in legitimate defence of our sovereignty,” Padrino said, accusing both governments of following directives drafted in Washington and aligning themselves with the narrative of US imperialism. Also last night, Eduardo Menoni, editor of Lalibertad Media, reported on X that the US Trump administration had “identified the bunker” belonging to Maduro and Venezuelan Minister of Popular Power for Interior, Justice and Peace Diosdado Cabello at Simón Bolívar International Airport. The report provided coordinates and detailed five underground levels, 40 metres deep, including a presidential arrival hall with a living room, barracks, a gym, and oxygen supply for 25 days. It also claimed the facility was guarded by Cuban security. A picture accompanied the post. T&T, Guyana, and three South American countries are part of the US’ international coalition against drug cartels, the focus of its military deployment.

What your media is reporting? And do you think the army of Venezuela is capable to take Guyana? Do you think this is meant serious by anyway?

Edit: thanks to everyone I got a lot of different interesting insides to this topic. Great Sub

Update: So the vote has turned out to be in the favor of the Government, while most Venezuelans voters like 80% haven’t even voted if I’m right?

Last year and early this year, I was seeing a considerable amount of headlines over the Guyana and Venezuela dispute. From what I've read, Maduro's Venezuela was relentlessly saber rattling over Guyana's Essequibo region, and many observers were fearing a potential invasion due to reports of alleged Venezuelan troop buildup on the border. Some were even comparing the situation to Russia's building up to the Ukrainian invasion.

Since almost a year ago now, news on the dispute has been relatively silent. What is the current situation regarding the Guyana vs Venezuela standoff, and has there been any recent updates?

I know that people do disapprove of the U.S. involvement with the Israel Hamas conflict and that is a contributing factor to Biden’s low approval ratings.

But on the other hand, what would happen if Guyana and Venezuela get involved in a war/conflict with each other, and what if the U.S. gets involved?

It would definitely make it a top issue in the election, no doubt about it, especially with the potential increase in Guyanese refugees and potential to engulf South America and the Caribbean into a wider regional war.

We could see Trump escalating his rhetoric against immigrants, not just from Venezuela, but also from Guyana as well. I wouldn’t even be surprised if Trump even threatens to kill Guyanese refugees as a result.