Putin's Ally, Venezuelan President Maduro, Prepares for Invasion and Annexation of Guyana's Essequibo Region

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has ordered state-owned companies in the country to "immediately" commence reconnaissance and development of oil, gas, and coal mines in the Essequibo region of the neighbouring country, Guyana. This sovereign territory, larger than Greece, is rich in oil, gas, and other valuable minerals, which Venezuela claims as its own, reports The Guardian.

This directive comes two days after a manipulative referendum on the Essequibo region. Allegedly, voters supported Venezuela's government's illegal proposition to claim sovereignty over a significant portion of Guyana, which is rich in valuable minerals and provides access to the Atlantic, boasting commercial quantities of oil.

During a televised address on Tuesday, Maduro presented a new official map of Venezuela, including Essequibo without delineating the disputed boundaries, during the State Council, where he announced a series of measures and future laws to strengthen control over the territory and its resources.

"We seek a peaceful rescue of Guyanese Essequibo," stated Maduro. "Our Guyana Essequibo was de facto occupied by the British Empire and its successors, and they destroyed this territory," he added, referring to agreements made during the presidency of Hugo Chavez.

Earlier, Maduro deployed a military contingent to Puerto Barima on the Atlantic border of Venezuela, near the contested region.

Maduro instructed the state oil company PDVSA to create a map for exploration and exploitation of resources in Essequibo, which belongs to another country, and ordered the National Assembly to draft a law prohibiting the demarcation of oil concessions granted by Guyana in territorial waters. The American company ExxonMobil has a sea platform in this area.

"We give companies operating resources there without Venezuela's permission three months to comply with the law," he said.

Venezuela's president also directed the National Assembly to establish nature reserves and national parks in the territory of another country.

Recall that earlier, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro expressed support for Russia after its invasion of Ukraine and assured President Putin of his "strong support." Following this, Putin and Maduro discussed expanding the partnership between Russia and Venezuela.

Thus, Russia's unlawful annexation of Ukraine's territory has set a dangerous precedent for global security and the rule of law, providing a model for dictatorial regimes to act with impunity.

Ukraine emphasizes the need for Venezuela to adhere to the legally binding decisions of the International Court of Justice and refrain from any specific actions that may alter the status quo in Essequibo.