UK backs Guyana in Venezuela dispute

The UK has joined the US in condemning Venezuela's plan to seize Guyana's disputed resource-rich Essequibo province, as Caracas increased its military presence on the border with the former British colony.

"The UK is concerned by the recent steps taken by Venezuela, with respect to the Essequibo region of Guyana," the British foreign office said this week. "We believe this is unjustified and should cease."

"These borders were settled in 1899," British foreign secretary David Cameron said. "I see absolutely no case for unilateral action by Venezuela. It is wrong."

The territorial dispute dates to colonial times, when the UK acquired British Guyana, which included the disputed territory, without establishing a clear border with Venezuela.

US secretary of state Tony Blinken has reaffirmed "the US' unwavering support for Guyana's sovereignty," the State Department said Wednesday.

The UN's International Court of Justice has told Venezuela it should take no action on Essequibo as the court is yet to decide at the merits of Caracas' claim. But Venezuela has given ExxonMobil and other offshore oil producers 90 days to stop operations in disputed waters off the province.

The oil companies "should just ignore Maduro," Guyana's vice president Bharrat Jagdeo said last night.

Neighbour Trinidad and Tobago "should be wary" of cross-border natural gas supply deals it is negotiating with Venezuela, Jagdeo said. "Venezuela is not trustworthy."

Gas-short Trinidad is pursuing two cross-border supply projects with Venezuela.

A deadly Guyana military helicopter crash in the area this week does not appear to be related to the tensions, Guyana officials said.

By Canute James