Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s Executive Vice President, strongly objected to Alistair Routledge, ExxonMobil Guyana President, supporting the US military presence in Guyana.
This issue arises amid a territorial dispute over the Esequibo region, where ExxonMobil is drilling for oil.
Rodríguez accused ExxonMobil of endorsing an “illegitimate path” via the International Court of Justice, asserting US-Guyana military cooperation shields the company’s operations.
Under Guyanese and international standards, Routledge defended ExxonMobil’s lawful activities in the disputed Stabroek Block.
He also mentioned that ExxonMobil has invested over $29 billion in Guyana’s oil sector and plans further investments.
This confrontation highlights the complex geopolitical tensions between Venezuela, Guyana, and international interests like ExxonMobil.
Venezuela’s position emphasizes sovereignty concerns and the influence of multinational corporations on international disputes.
ExxonMobil’s significant investments in Guyana’s oil sector underline the economic implications of the dispute.
The ongoing contention over the resource-rich Esequibo territory continues to attract global attention, presenting a challenge to regional stability and international diplomacy.
Background
The Esequibo region, historically claimed by Venezuela as part of its territorial sovereignty, has been a focal point of contention with Guyana for over a century.
This dispute traces back to colonial times, with the arbitration award of 1899 that Guyana (then British Guiana) upholds but Venezuela contests.
ExxonMobil’s recent involvement in oil exploration and drilling in contested waters adds a new dimension to the dispute, tying it to broader US geopolitical interests.
The controversy underscores the impact of natural resources on international relations, where oil discoveries can heighten tensions between neighboring countries.
It also reflects on the strategic use of international legal institutions, such as the International Court of Justice, in resolving or complicating territorial disputes.
Venezuela opposes ExxonMobil’s operations, with support from the US military, showing the interplay between sovereignty, international law, and corporate interests in geopolitics.