Rubio to Strengthen US Security Ties with Oil-Rich Guyana Against Venezuela

Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Guyana to secure US support amid rising tensions with Venezuela over territorial claims. Guyana is on track to become a leading oil producer, prompting the US to formalize a security agreement with the nation. This visit also signifies a strategic move to foster closer ties similar to those with oil-rich Gulf Arab states.

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit Guyana to extend security assurances amid escalating tensions with Venezuela. Following a decade of significant oil discoveries, Guyana is on track to become the world’s leading oil producer per capita, surpassing Qatar and Kuwait. In response to Venezuelan claims over the region, Rubio will formalize security cooperation through a memorandum of understanding during his visit, as confirmed by the State Department.

This trip comes after Rubio’s discussions with Caribbean nations in Jamaica, and he will also visit Suriname, where oil production is experiencing a rise. The Trump administration aims to foster a relationship with Guyana similar to those with Gulf Arab nations, offering protection against regional threats, particularly from Venezuela, a country the US views as a significant adversary.

Mauricio Claver-Carone, the US special envoy on Latin America, emphasized the importance of Guyana’s security, stating, “The security of Guyana is a key priority for us…we’ve seen the threats from Venezuela. Obviously, that’s unacceptable, and we want to work together.” While the formal accession of Guyana into the United States is not anticipated, the administration under President Trump has openly favored territorial expansion in the Western Hemisphere.

President Irfaan Ali of Guyana has shown support for bolstered defense ties with the United States, including collaborations on maritime patrols. Tensions are currently heightened due to Venezuela’s claims to the Essequibo region, where most of Guyana’s oil production occurs. Venezuela has claimed this territory as part of its state and recently sought a meeting with President Ali, who rejected the proposal after Venezuela’s military reportedly entered Guyanese waters.

The Trump administration remains focused on enhancing oil production, diverging from President Biden’s renewable energy goals. With ExxonMobil leading production endeavors, outputs from Guyana are projected to reach 1.3 million barrels daily by the close of the decade, vastly outstripping Venezuela’s ailing oil industry, which has suffered due to economic mismanagement and US sanctions.

The upcoming visit of Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Guyana highlights America’s commitment to enhance security cooperation in light of Venezuelan threats. With Guyana poised to become a leading oil producer, the US aims to establish a strategic relationship resembling those with Gulf nations. Amidst these developments, Venezuela’s claims over the Essequibo region underscore ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Original Source: www.albianews.com