Venezuela is recalling its ambassador in Guyana for consultation, the Associated Press reported from Caracas tonight.
The move comes amid mounting tensions over the maritime decree which Caracas issued on May 26 th and which Guyana has vigorously opposed and sought international solidarity over.
AP said that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced tonight that in addition to recalling the ambassador, he is initiating a comprehensive review of relations with Guyana and is reducing the size of Venezuela’s embassy there. Guyana benefits from concessional oil from Venezuela and a large chunk of local rice is bartered with Caracas. Maduro could possibly use these as levers against Guyana.
During an address to the national legislature, AP said that Maduro accused Guyana of promoting hatred and aggression against Venezuela. Maduro’s claim of aggression would be seen as risible as all Guyana has done is to intensively internationalise the spuriousness of the maritime decree which seeks to appropriate Guyana’s Atlantic waters and the maritime zones of other CARICOM countries.
Venezuela’s decree came just days after US oil company ExxonMobil had announced a major oil find off of Guyana’s Demerara coast. The decree sought to cover this area which has never been the subject of any prior claim by Venezuela. Analysts say Venezuela is firmly set against Guyana tapping its petroleum potential and has interfered in this area for decades.
Guyana has just concluded days of detailed lobbying of CARICOM which resulted in a statement yesterday calling on Caracas to alter its controversial decree. Guyana also attracted support from the Commonwealth for its territorial integrity.
Despite the scare tactics, ExxonMobil has been given cover by the Guyana Government to proceed unhindered with its exploration. The company has recently signalled its intention to continue with and expand its exploration.
