Maduro Declares Part Of Guyana To Be Venezuela's 24th State

Will there be an invasion and a new war?

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has declared the western part of neighbouring Guyana - Essequibo - as the country's 24th state. He called on the National Assembly of Venezuela to pass a law to "protect the disputed territory", writes Ultimas Noticias.

Venezuela's "new state" was named Guyana-Essequibo. Maduro proposed to create divisions of agencies that issue licences for the extraction of gas, oil and minerals in the annexed territory. He gave oil companies operating in the "new state" three months to complete operations.

"Only in a good way. With respect for international law, with respect for laws, with respect for good neighbourliness," Maduro said.

He also ordered to create a high commissariat for the defence of Essequibo, develop a plan for social assistance for the people of the region, and conduct a census and issue identity cards to its inhabitants. Also Maduro demanded to publish and distribute in educational institutions a new map of Venezuela.

We remind you that on December 3, a "referendum" was held in Venezuela, according to the results of which about 95% of Venezuelan citizens voted in favour of including Essequibo in the country, contrary to the decision of the UN International Court of Justice, which ordered Caracas to refrain from any action to change the situation in the territorial dispute with Guyana.

What Is Guyana?

Guayana Esequiba (also West Guyana) is a disputed territory in the west of the modern Republic of Guyana, in the Essequibo River Basin. The long territorial dispute of independent Venezuela began back in the 19th century, first with the British Empire, and then continued with independent Guyana. The region covers an area of almost 160,000 km² and has a population of about 300,000.

Venezuela actively started talking about "reunification" after the discovery of large oil reserves in the territorial waters of Guyana. The country's authorities want to attract American and Chinese companies to develop them.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whom many people in the world consider a dictator and whom Aliaksandr Lukashenka calls his friend, has spoken aggressively about Guyana, saying it has chosen the path of "escalation of war".