Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Trump to Netanyahu: I will arrive in "Israel" on Sunday and deliver a speech at the Knesset.
Senior White House official to Al Mayadeen: The withdrawal will take less than 24 hours, after which the 72-hour period will begin.
Senior White House official to Al Mayadeen: After the Israeli government approves of the agreement, "Israel" will be required to withdraw to the demarcation line.
Al-Dali to Al Mayadeen: It is possible that the Rafah crossing will be opened in both directions in the coming hours to allow the wounded and ill to receive medical treatment.
Al-Rishq: What the occupation failed to achieve through genocide and starvation over two full years, it could not attain through negotiations.
Al-Rishq: Throughout every stage of the negotiations, our hearts and eyes were with our people in Gaza, that pure blood and those great sacrifices are bound by a pledge of loyalty and sacrifice.
Al-Rishq: The agreement is a national achievement par excellence, embodying our people's unity and alignment with the choice of resistance as the path to confronting the Zionist occupation.
Al-Rishq: This agreement stems from our historic responsibility toward our great people, our commitment to our legitimate rights, and it crowns the achievements of our resistance.
Hamas official Izzat al-Rishq: The ceasefire is the result of the great sacrifices and legendary patience of our people, as well as the strength and steadfastness of the resistance.
Palestinians in Gaza celebrate the declaration of a ceasefire.

Caracas issues warning over Essequibo amid ExxonMobil's drilling plans

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 8 Feb 2024 21:00
3 Min Read

This comes after US oil giant ExxonMobil announced plans to drill two exploratory wells off the coast of Essequibo earlier in the week.

  • x
  • The Essequibo river flows through Kurupukari crossing, Nov. 19 2023. (AP)
    The Essequibo river flows through Kurupukari crossing, Nov. 19 2023. (AP)

Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino warned on Thursday that any actions in the disputed water off neighboring Guyana will be met with "a proportional, forceful, and lawful response" after US oil giant ExxonMobil announced earlier this week that it plans to drill two exploratory wells off the coast of Essequibo.

This Essequibo area is subject to dispute with Guyana, a neighboring nation that, since 2015, opted to terminate diplomatic discussions and align with US interests against Venezuela. 

Caracas views the decision as a breach of international law by permitting oil exploration and exploitation in the contested region.

"If ExxonMobil has a private security company represented by the Southern Command and a small branch in the government of Guyana, good for them, but in the maritime space that rightfully belongs to Venezuela, they will receive a proportional, forceful, and lawful response! THE ESSEQUIBO IS OURS!," Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino wrote in a post on X.

Si la ExxonMobil cuenta con una compañía de seguridad privada representada por el Comando Sur y una pequeña sucursal en el gobierno de Guyana, bien por ellos, pero en el espacio marítimo que por derecho es de Venezuela ¡Recibirán una respuesta proporcional, contundente y apegada… https://t.co/FjJzqFOr1K

— Vladimir Padrino L. (@vladimirpadrino) February 7, 2024

ExxonMobil uncovered the expansive crude reserves in 2015. On Tuesday, the company announced its intention to drill two wells of the coast of Essequibo this year. 

Related News

ExxonMobil set to re-enter Iraq with new Majnoon oil field deal

CNBC unveils strategic plan to revitalize Syria energy sector with US

Read more: Guyana: A crushing victory of the Venezuelan people

In December, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro initiated a non-binding referendum, which saw 95% of the population's approval for the establishment of a Venezuelan province in Essequibo. Maduro said that the vote effectively reflected the people's determination against what he perceived as Exxon Mobil's influence on Guyana's foreign policy. 

Tensions escalated when the UK dispatched a warship to the area, prompting Caracas to mobilize 5,600 troops in military exercises near the border.

"Venezuela will not stand idle in the face of any threat, no matter where it comes from. We do not accept provocations. Venezuela has the right to defend its integrity," Maduro wrote in a post on X in late December. 

However, tensions eased shortly after a meeting between Guyana and Venezuela's foreign ministers in Brazil in January. An earlier meeting between the leaders of both countries concluded with an agreement that neither country will resort to the use of force.

The border dispute is presently under consideration by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague.

On Wednesday, Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodriguez slammed ExxonMobil for seeking "to protect its illicit operations in a sea which is pending delimitation, under the war-mongering mantle of the United States in complicity with Guyana."

Read more: US seeks to 'militarize' Venezuela-Guyana disputed territory

  • ExxonMobil
  • Guyana Esequiba
  • Oil and gas
  • Venezuela
  • Guyana

Most Read

Tucker Carlson speaks at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, Sunday, September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (AP)

Tucker Carlson: Israeli officers gave orders on Iran inside Pentagon

  • Politics
  • 2 Oct 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder revealed

Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder exposed

  • Politics
  • 5 Oct 2025
The Palestinian resistance and the people of Gaza showed that after combating Israeli aggression for two years, they remain victorious in the face of oppression (Mahdi Rteil/Al Mayadeen English)

Al-Aqsa Flood two years on, a tale of victory

  • Politics
  • 6 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
An Israeli armored vehicle moves on a street of a local market during a military raid in the West Bank refugee camp of Balata, Wednesday, October 8, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli settlers kill Palestinian youth near Ramallah amid raids

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speaks during the Moscow format consultations on Afghanistan in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran interested in resuming nuclear talks: Lavrov

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva speaks during a news conference at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) headquarters in Washington, April 25, 2025 (AP)
Politics

IMF head flags US budget, Europe Defense spending challenges

Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, at UN headquarters (AP)
Politics

Meloni faces ICC complaint over Gaza genocide complicity with Israelis

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS