Venezuela has dramatically escalated its longstanding territorial dispute with neighbouring Guyana by deploying military assets to the Caribbean coast, including a German-made amphibian vessel and armed forces, according to satellite imagery analysed by independent monitoring groups.
The military mobilisation comes amid heightened tensions over the oil-rich Essequibo region, a territory larger than Greece that has been administered by Guyana for over a century but claimed by Caracas.
Satellite Evidence Reveals Military Build-up
Monitoring service MDL confirmed to The Independent that Venezuela has positioned significant naval resources near the disputed border. "We observed a Venezuelan Navy vessel, the Tango 63, approximately 130km from the Essequibo region," a spokesperson revealed.
The deployment includes the Kapitan Grib Gribovsky, a substantial landing craft capable of transporting multiple tanks and hundreds of troops, spotted near Puerto Cabello - Venezuela's main naval base.
Historical Dispute Turns Volatile
This latest escalation follows December's controversial referendum where Venezuelan voters allegedly supported creating a new state within the contested territory. President Nicolas Maduro has since taken increasingly assertive measures, including directing state companies to explore oil and mineral resources in the area.
Guyana, a former British colony, has maintained control over Essequibo since 1899 through international arbitration. The discovery of substantial offshore oil reserves in recent years has intensified the dispute's economic significance.
International Response and Diplomatic Fallout
The situation has drawn sharp international concern, with regional leaders urging dialogue and respect for existing agreements. Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has emerged as a potential mediator, expressing "growing concern" over the military movements.
The United States has reinforced its support for Guyana's sovereignty, conducting joint military exercises earlier this year. Meanwhile, Caribbean nations closely monitor developments, wary of regional destabilisation.
Analysts suggest Maduro's actions may represent strategic positioning ahead of Venezuela's upcoming presidential election, though the military deployment risks triggering unintended consequences in the strategically important Caribbean basin.
