The President of Guyana, Irfaan Ali, expressed his concern about the presence of a Venezuelan military vessel in the waters of Guyana, near oil ships. In a televised conference, Ali stated that he is addressing the situation with seriousness and responsibility.
The incident took place in the morning when the Venezuelan vessel approached assets in Guyana's exclusive waters. In response, the Guyanese government informed the Chairperson of the Caribbean Community and international partners, as well as summoned the Venezuelan ambassador to express the country's objection to this military incursion.
For its part, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guyana has also taken steps to lodge official complaints with the Venezuelan government. The U.S. Office of Western Hemisphere Affairs reported threats to an ExxonMobil oil production platform in Guyanese waters from Venezuelan vessels and warned of possible consequences.
Although historically Venezuela has claimed part of Guyana's maritime territory, including areas rich in oil, the Stabroek Block is under Guyana's jurisdiction. Both the OAS and the President of Guyana have condemned Venezuela's actions.
In his statement, Irfaan Ali reaffirmed that Guyana's maritime borders are recognized by international law and that the government of Guyana is addressing the situation with caution and responsibility.