US warns Maduro regime of “consequences” if Venezuela further provokes Guyana

– OAS says Venezuela in violation of international law
– CARICOM warns Venezuela to urgently remove vessel

In the wake of the appearance of a Venezuelan Coast Guard vessel in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), condemnation has flown from Guyana’s allies, including the United States (US) which has warned Venezuela that it will face “consequences” if it further provokes Guyana.

According to the US Department of State’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs statement, they condemned the threat to both ExxonMobil and Guyana.
The Venezuelan Coast Guard vessel entered Guyana’s waters and approached a tanker near the Prosperity Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel producing oil in the Stabroek Block.
“Venezuelan naval vessels threatening ExxonMobil’s floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) unit is unacceptable and a clear violation of Guyana’s internationally-recognized maritime territory,” the social media post from the US State Department said.

The US authorities went on to say, “Further provocation will result in consequences for the Maduro regime. The United States reaffirms its support for Guyana’s territorial integrity and the 1899 arbitral award.”
Meanwhile, a statement was also issued by the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS), in which they unequivocally condemned the actions of the Venezuelan naval vessels and noted that the Spanish speaking nation is in violation of international law.
“These acts of intimidation constitute a clear violation of international law, undermine regional stability and threaten the principles of peaceful coexistence between nations. The OAS reiterates its strong support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana,” the OAS said.
“The Venezuelan regime must immediately stop all aggressive manoeuvrers that may escalate tensions in the region. The General Secretariat urges the Venezuelan regime to respect the ongoing international legal processes, including the resolution of the territorial dispute before the International Court of Justice.”
According to the OAS, any attempt to use coercion or force to modify established borders is unacceptable. The organization further noted that such actions are contrary to the fundamental principles of the OAS Charter and international law in general.
“We call on the international community to remain vigilant and to defend the rule of law and regional security,” the OAS Secretariat further said.
During a broadcast to the nation on Saturday, President Dr Irfaan Ali had condemned this recent act of aggression by Venezuela, noting that Guyana has already activated a diplomatic response by informing bilateral partners, including the US, as well as key regional and international bodies.

Ex Presidents
Condemnation also came from a group of former Latin American Presidents- known as the Liberty and Democracy Group, who slammed Venezuela for its “unacceptable violation” of Guyana’s sovereignty and international law.
“The President of Guyana, Irfaan Ali, has clearly underscored the gravity of this situation
and reaffirmed his commitment to defending his country’s territorial integrity. Guyana has acted in accordance with international mechanisms, while Nicolás Maduro’s regime
continues to disregard the rules that guarantee peace and stability in the region.”
“Respect for legitimately recognized borders is a fundamental principle of the global order. There is no justification for attempting to impose force over the sovereignty of a nation. The Liberty and Democracy Group calls on the international community to uphold
Guyana’s sovereignty,” the group said.
According to the group, it is important that Guyana’s territory is not usurped by the “Nicolás Maduro’s dictatorship, which seeks to seize the energy wealth of a growing nation with the potential to become a global model for development.”
The members of the group include former presidents of Ecuador, Columbia, Costa Rica, Panama, Paraguay, Argentina, Bolivia, and Mexico; former governor of Puerto Rico, and former Prime Minister of Spain.
The latest provocation from Venezuela comes amidst its claims of more than two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass in the Essequibo region and a portion of its EEZ (Exclusive economic zone), where an excess of 11 billion oil-equivalent barrels have been discovered over the past nearly 10 years.
Earlier this year, President Dr Irfaan Ali had held discussions with United States (US) Secretary of State Marco Rubio, where they discussed, among other things, Guyana’s border controversy with Venezuela.
The US State Department had confirmed that during their call, Secretary Rubio reaffirmed the US’s unwavering support for Guyana’s territorial integrity in the face of escalating tensions with Venezuela.
This came in response to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s announcement on January 7, 2025, that there would be an election of a “Governor of Guayana Esequiba,” a move condemned by the Guyanese Government as a direct violation of the Argyle Agreement signed in December 2023.