Venezuelan President signs decrees to annex part of neighboring Guyana

Venezuela annexed part of neighboring Guyana. The country's President Nicolas Maduro signed a total of six documents relating to the annexation of Guyana's Essequibo region. This was reported by the publication Ultimas Noticias.

The documents provide for the creation of a National Commission for the Defense of Essequibo, as well as an integrated defense zone for the Guyana-Essequiba region. Maduro also signed a decree on the opening of the state oil and gas company PDVSA and the metallurgical conglomerate CVG in this territory.

In addition, the President of Venezuela approved a new map of the country, on which the annexed region is designated as part of the state. By another decree, he appointed Captain Alexis Rodriguez Cabello to lead the new 24th state.

Venezuela annexed part of Guyana, citing the results of its own referendum, which took place in the country on December 3. The annexation of the oil-rich region of Guyana was supported by more than 95% of Venezuelans who voted, authorities say.

Two days later, Guyanese President Irfaan Ali told The Associated Press that the country's government had already asked its allies for military assistance.

Essequibo has been disputed territory for over a hundred years. Venezuela considers the region to be within its borders during the Spanish colonial period. And it became part of it after gaining independence from Spain at the beginning of 1811.

In turn, Guyana claims that the Essequibo territory was part of British Guiana, which in 1966 received independence from Great Britain and a new name - Guyana.

In 1899, an arbitration court in Paris recognized Essequibo as part of Guyana. In 2018, the Guyanese authorities appealed to the International Court of Justice. They wanted to confirm the country's borders. In April this year, the court accepted the claim and called on Venezuela not to aggravate the territorial dispute. On December 1, the International Court of Justice ruled that Venezuela must refrain from any action that could lead to a change in the situation in the territorial dispute with Guyana.

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