Notes on the History of the Venezuela/Guyana Boundary Dispute

Authors

  • Leslie Bethell University of London

Keywords:

Venezuela, Guyana, Essequibo, boundary dispute, territory

Abstract

In December 2023, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro threatened to annex Essequibo, a region corresponding to two-thirds of Guyana territory, reviving a dispute dating back almost 200 years between Venezuela and British Guiana, later Guyana. Despite an 1899 arbitration awarding most of the land to Britain, Venezuela revived its claim in 1962. Efforts to resolve the issue, including the 1966 Geneva Agreement, have failed. Oil discoveries in 2015 heightened tensions, culminating in Maduro's 2023 ultimatum, though international pressure prevented military action.

Published

2024-05-15

How to Cite

Bethell, L. (2024). Notes on the History of the Venezuela/Guyana Boundary Dispute. CEBRI-Revista: Brazilian Journal of International Affairs, (9), 156–175. Retrieved from https://cebri-revista.emnuvens.com.br/revista/article/view/191