The Group of Seven (G7), a powerful coalition of the world’s most advanced economies, has defended Guyana’s internationally recognized sovereign rights. This comes in the wake of a Venezuelan naval incursion into the South American nation’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
In a March 14 media note, published by the U.S. Department of State, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the High Representative of the European Union condemned Venezuelan threats against Guyana’s commercial vessels as “unacceptable” and a direct infringement of Guyana’s sovereignty.
The incursion, carried out by a Venezuelan Coast Guard patrol vessel, targeted ships supporting ExxonMobil’s offshore oil operations, including the Prosperity floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, which produces up to 250,000 barrels of oil per day. This incident marks the furthest eastern naval incursion by Venezuela into Guyana’s territory to date.
At the core of the controversy is Venezuela’s claim over two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass, a claim rooted in its rejection of the 1899 Arbitral Award, which legally determined the boundary between the two countries. After decades of acceptance, Venezuela declared the award null and void in 1962, reviving its assertion that the Essequibo region belongs to Caracas. In recent years, Venezuela has expanded its provocation to encompass significant sections of Guyana’s offshore waters, including acreage licensed to U.S. oil major ExxonMobil.
Guyana has sought a peaceful, legal resolution to the controversy through the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where a case is underway to determine the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award. Venezuela has continuously dismissed the jurisdiction of the ICJ, which the court itself has affirmed.
The United States, a key Guyanese ally, has been among the most vocal in condemning Venezuela’s actions. Following the naval incursion, U.S. officials warned that Venezuela would face consequences if it continued its provocations. U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, reaffirmed Washington’s commitment, stating that the U.S. stands firmly with Guyana and calling Venezuela’s aggression “unacceptable.”
This declaration aligns with a broader international response as diplomatic and economic powers rally to defend Guyana’s sovereignty. Venezuela’s overtures, on the other hand, have virtually no public international support.
