Venezuela has accused Guyana of provocation after its navy entered Guyana’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) on Saturday morning.
Guyana’s government said the Venezuelan patrol vessel “ABF Guaiqueri PO-11” approached several offshore assets, including the FPSO Prosperity, operated by ExxonMobil. President Irfaan Ali called the incursion “a matter of grave concern.”
Venezuela rejected Guyana’s stance. In an official statement, it claimed Guyana is “altering the peace” and acting in the interest of “warmongering” foreign interests. It accused Ali of trying to “become the Zelensky of the Caribbean.”
The Venezuelan navy had transmitted a radio message during the patrol. It told the FPSO it was “operating in disputed international waters” before moving southwest.
Ali said Venezuela’s ambassador has been summoned. “We will inform all our international partners,” he stated.
The Venezuelan government also announced it would seek an urgent meeting under the Argyle Mechanism.
The incident follows rising tensions. Guyanese soldiers were recently attacked by alleged Venezuelan gang members.
Guyana and Venezuela remain locked in a territorial controversy before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The case concerns the 1899 Arbitral Award, which Venezuela rejected in 1962 after decades of acceptance. Guyana took the matter to the ICJ in 2018.
