President Nicolas Maduroof Venezuela is demanding that neighbouring Guyana stop oil exploration in a disputed offshore territory. The exploration is being carried out by a US oil company.
Venezuela’s Foreign Minister, Delcy Rodriguez, has labeled the exploration a dangerous political provocation.
Venezuela has been claiming the disputed mineral-rich region, west of the Essequibo river, as its own since the 19th Century. An international tribunal ruled in 1899 that the area formed part of Guyana, which at the time was a British colony.
Venezuela has refused, however, to accept the ruling, describing it as unfair.
