As ExxonMobil produces oil offshore in Guyana, Venezuela has asserted claims to a large region of the country, recently sending a naval vessel into the waters.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday that there would be “consequences” if Venezuela used forceful actions in asserting claims to resource-rich territories that are under the control of neighboring Guyana.
Mr. Rubio said at a news conference in Georgetown, the Guyanese capital, that his government would steadfastly oppose “the regional threats based on illegitimate territorial claims by a narco-trafficking regime.”
“There will be consequences for adventurism,” he said as he stood on a stage with Irfaan Ali, the president of Guyana, a small country along the northern coast of South America. “There will be consequences for aggressive actions, and that’s why our partnership in that regard will be important.”
In recent years, Venezuela has intensified claims to the Essequibo region that makes up about two-thirds of Guyana’s territory and includes the oil-rich offshore waters where oil production led by ExxonMobil is occurring.
Mr. Rubio said he would not specify what the Trump administration would be prepared to do, but pointed out the power and size of the U.S. Navy, implying the United States would take military action.
“I’m very pleased at the reassurance of the U.S. at ensuring the safeguard of our territorial integrity and sovereignty,” Mr. Ali said.