Venezuela deploys troops to the border with Guyana

Venezuela is increasing its military presence near the disputed Essequibo region, which is controlled by Guyana, which could lead to an escalation of tensions between the countries.

According to Ukrinform, this is stated in a report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Bloomberg reports.

The report presents satellite images as evidence that Venezuela is building a military base on Anacoco Island on the border with Guyana. The images from mid-January show a bridgehead with construction materials, three armored vehicles, a heavy river ferry, and the clearing of new territory towards the north.

"This escalatory behavior on the part of Venezuela creates opportunities for miscalculations and loss of control over events on the ground," the report said.

According to Argentine analyst Andrés Serbin, Venezuela's military buildup is taking place along the entire border with the Essequibo region.

"They have deployed Iranian-made boats and Russian-made air defense systems in Guiria, towards the Atlantic. This is an expansion of the infrastructure needed to deploy military operations in the area," he said.

As a reminder, on December 7, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced the accession of a part of Guyana to Venezuela. On the same day, he ordered state-owned oil companies to issue licenses for mining in the Essequibo region and proposed that the National Assembly pass a law on the region's accession to Venezuela. Later, he announced the creation of a "new state" in the Essequibo region, which belongs to Guyana.

Author - Serhii Kolomiets, 10/02/2024