Venezuela returns to threats against Guyana drilling

Venezuela is threatening to use force against US major ExxonMobil over planned offshore Guyana drilling, violating an agreement reached in December to not make such threats.

ExxonMobil announced plans this week to drill two exploratory wells west of its existing Liza and Payara production operations in the Stabroek block. A decades-long disagreement over Guyana's Essequibo province has prevented the two countries from agreeing on a maritime border, which puts Stabroek in the middle of the dispute.

ExxonMobil's plan drew a strong response from Venezuela's defense minister Vladimir Padrino this week.

"If ExxonMobil operates in the maritime space that by right belongs to Venezuela, supported by its private security company represented by the US Southern Command, it will receive a proportional, forceful and legal response," Padrino warned on 7 February.

Such threats were supposed to be off limits following a meeting in December between Guyana and Venezuela officials to cool tensions Essequibo province.

ExxonMobil Guyana president Alistair Routledge said the company believes local and international law supports its rights to move forward with the drilling plan, but Venezuelan vice president Delcy Rodriguez characterized Exxon's statements as "threatening," saying the company was protecting its "illicit operations... under the warmongering mantle of the US in complicity with Guyana."

The foreign ministers of both countries have met since December's summit to continue discussions on the border dispute and to prepare for another meeting of the presidents, with the most recent occurring two weeks ago.

Earlier this week US national security advisor Jon Finer traveled to Guyana to meet with President Irfaan Ali to reaffirm the US' "...unwavering support for Guyana's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and defense capabilities," according to the White House.

Guyana has asked the UN's International Court of Justice (ICJ) to determine the merits of Venezuela's claim to Essequibo but Venezuela has rejected the ICJ's role. It is seeking direct bilateral talks on the dispute, which Guyana refuses.

By Canute James