Venezuela’s Aggression Toward Guyana Must End

Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s recent visit to Guyana sent a powerful message that Venezuela’s aggression will not go unchecked.

Speaking in Guyana’s capital city of Georgetown, Rubio warned that any military action by Nicolás Maduro’s regime against Guyana would result in a “very bad day” for Venezuela. His remarks reflect growing concern over Venezuela’s escalating provocations in the region, especially its efforts to intimidate Guyana over the long-disputed, resource-rich Essequibo region.

Secretary Rubio’s visit comes amid rising tensions, marked by the recent incursion of a Venezuelan naval vessel into Guyana’s territorial waters. This blatant act of intimidation is part of a more extensive campaign by Venezuela to assert dominance over its smaller neighbor and lay claim to offshore oil resources that do not belong to it. For the sake of regional stability and the rule of law, the United States and its allies must act decisively in support of Guyana.

The Essequibo region, which makes up about two-thirds of Guyana’s territory, has long been the target of Venezuela’s irredentist ambitions. But this dispute has taken on new urgency for the Maduro regime following significant oil discoveries by ExxonMobil and other international firms operating in Guyana’s offshore waters. Guyana, previously one of the poorest countries in Latin America, has enjoyed tremendous economic growth in recent years, becoming one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.

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These territorial claims are not only politically motivated but also legally unfounded. The 1899 Arbitral Award, which settled the boundary in Guyana’s favor, remains internationally recognized. Venezuela’s rejection of that ruling and its refusal to engage constructively through legal channels constitute a violation of international norms, as identified by the International Court of Justice.

In 2024, Venezuela ramped up aggression against Guyana, moving troops to the border following a referendum called by Maduro asking Venezuelans whether they wanted to establish Venezuelan sovereignty over Essequibo. A sustained propaganda campaign by Caracas preceded the vote. This even included a state-sponsored music festival called “Essequibo Fest,” and a song produced by the Ministry of Ecosocialism called “Essequibo is ours.”

In contrast, Guyana has followed the appropriate diplomatic path and is currently pursuing a resolution through the ICJ.

Unfortunately, Maduro’s regime—desperate to distract from the collapse of its economy—is pursuing reckless expansionism. Despite sitting atop the world’s largest proven oil reserves, Venezuela has been driven into ruin by decades of socialist mismanagement, corruption, and authoritarianism. This month, Maduro has declared an economic emergency as the Venezuelan economy struggles, thanks to new pressure and accountability from the Trump administration against the destabilizing narco-regime in Caracas.

Nonetheless, Maduro’s mismanagement of Venezuela’s economy is the primary cause of the hardships of the Venezuelans, causing more than seven million Venezuelans to flee the country over the past decade. Maduro is not interested in peaceful coexistence with the United States or its neighbors; he is interested in looting his neighbor’s prosperity and distracting from his own failures at home.

The United States must respond with strength. The Trump administration—through voices like Secretary Rubio—has rightly signaled a firm stance. That must translate into concrete actions: intensified diplomatic pressure, more targeted sanctions against Venezuelan military and political officials, and deepened military and economic cooperation with Guyana.

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U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) should also expand joint security initiatives in the region, as recommended by the U.S. Department of Defense. In particular, military cooperation with Guyana, which until recently had been quite limited, is increasingly in the national interests of both the United States and Guyana. Some cooperation has already expanded in recent years, with joint military flight drills conducted by SOUTHCOM in collaboration with the Guyana Defense Force within Guyana as a response to Venezuelan threats in late 2023.

The Guyana Defense Force is underequipped, but the current government in Georgetown is already moving to increase its capacity to defend Guyana’s border, with a defense budget in 2024 that marked an 85 percent increase over the previous year. Where possible and practical, the United States should look for ways to help the Guyana Defense Force better equip itself for self-defense through foreign military sales.

Regional organizations also play a crucial role. The Organization of American States (OAS) should continue to affirm Guyana’s territorial integrity publicly, and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) should rally its members to support Georgetown through coordinated diplomatic and economic support.

Guyana has every right to defend its sovereignty and economic growth against the moribund, socialist autocracy next door. The United States, CARICOM, and other partners and allies must ensure that Venezuela’s aggression is met with unified resistance. While diplomacy and international arbitration remain essential tools, deterrence is equally necessary. Maduro must understand that continued hostility will come at a cost.

Stopping Venezuela’s aggression now is not just in Guyana’s national security interest—it is also in the interest of the United States and of the whole hemisphere.