Venezuela, Guyana tensions rise over disputed oil-rich region
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00:00 President Maduro stood in front of a galvanized government pledging to launch Venezuelan oil
00:05 and mine development in the oil-rich region of Ezequiebo and asking Guyanese companies
00:10 to withdraw their operations from the area.
00:12 He also suggested a bill be sent to the National Assembly for the creation of Guyana-Ezequieba,
00:18 a new state in the region.
00:20 "Let's immediately proceed with the granting of operating licenses for the exploration
00:25 and exploitation of oil, gas and mines in the entire area of our Guyana-Ezequieba."
00:30 "Under the special law, I propose to give all Guyanese companies three months to withdraw
00:34 from their operations in the sea.
00:37 Three months."
00:38 This comes after Caracas' referendum on Sunday, where according to officials, it had a 50%
00:46 voter turnout, of which 95% of voters were in favour of claiming sovereignty over the
00:51 region.
00:52 The 160,000 square kilometre region has been a disputed territory between Venezuela and
00:59 Guyana for over a century.
01:01 But Venezuela's interest in the area peaked after the discovery of offshore oil and gas
01:07 in 2015.
01:08 Ezequiebo makes up two-thirds of neighbouring Guyana, which produces 400,000 barrels of
01:15 oil and gas per day.
01:16 In a statement on Tuesday, Guyanese President denounced Maduro's actions.
01:21 "This is a direct threat to Guyana's territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence."
01:27 Guyana warned Venezuela that it would turn to the UN Security Council for help should
01:32 any further moves be made.