Secretary Rubio will visit Guyana to offer U.S. security amid tensions with Venezuela, resulting from the nation’s burgeoning oil production. The visit includes signing a memorandum of understanding for security cooperation. Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali is keen on collaboration with the U.S. as Venezuela asserts claims over the Essequibo region, heightening geopolitical tensions and impacting oil production dynamics.
On March 27, 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit Guyana to extend U.S. security to the oil-rich nation amid increasing tensions with Venezuela. Guyana, which has recently discovered significant oil reserves, is projected to become the world’s leading oil producer on a per capita basis this year. Rubio’s visit will include the signing of a memorandum of understanding to establish security cooperation between the United States and Guyana.
Prior to his visit to Guyana, Secretary Rubio will meet with Caribbean leaders in Jamaica and will also visit Suriname, where oil production is similarly expanding. The Trump administration has expressed intentions to foster a relationship with Guyana comparable to U.S. alliances with oil-rich Gulf nations.
The U.S. special envoy on Latin America, Mauricio Claver-Carone, emphasized the importance of Guyanese security, paralleling it with collaborations in the Gulf states to counter regional threats. He highlighted the risks posed by Venezuela, stating, “The security of Guyana is a key priority for us…”
Guyana, a former British and Dutch colony, is facing a unique political landscape with President Irfaan Ali advocating for closer defense ties and joint maritime patrols with the U.S. Venezuela continues to assert territorial claims over Guyana’s Essequibo region, which is crucial for the nation’s oil output.
In March, Guyana condemned the incursion of a Venezuelan military vessel and rejected a meeting request from Maduro, indicating a strong stance in support of its established borders. Historically, the boundary dispute stems from an 1899 arbitration settlement, which Venezuela contests by referencing earlier claims dating back to 1777.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration remains focused on escalating oil extraction in Guyana, disregarding the prior administration’s shift towards renewable energy in favor of fossil fuel pursuits. ExxonMobil, a key player in Guyana’s oil scene, is expected to ramp up production significantly, reaching 1.3 million barrels a day by the decade’s end, overshadowing Venezuela’s declining output amid economic turmoil and sanctions.
To further its regime change goals, the Trump administration has discontinued Chevron’s exemption from sanctions that allowed operations in Venezuela, reflecting a steadfast push against Maduro’s regime while strengthening U.S.-Guyana relations.
In conclusion, Secretary Marco Rubio’s upcoming visit to Guyana embodies the United States’ commitment to bolstering security cooperation with the nation as it rises in global oil production. Amidst ongoing border disputes with Venezuela, a strategic partnership appears crucial. This aligns with the current U.S. administration’s focus on increasing oil output in Guyana while addressing the security risks posed by its neighboring country.
Original Source: www.bssnews.net
