U.S. has assured Guyana of support for territorial integrity, amid tensions with Venezuela – VP Jagdeo 

Dec. 19 (oilnow.gy) Guyana’s Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo said on Thursday that the United States has assured Georgetown it will support and protect the country’s territorial integrity, including American assets operating in Guyanese waters, amid heightened tensions between Washington and Caracas.

During a press conference in Georgetown, Jagdeo responded to questions about the possibility of a military confrontation between the United States and Venezuela, following an increased U.S. naval presence in the Caribbean that Washington says is intended to combat drug trafficking.

“They’ve assured us.. they will support us in protecting our territorial integrity and sovereignty. They have said this openly,” Jagdeo told the press. 

Earlier this month, President Irfaan Ali met with senior officials from the United States Department of War. When asked about this meeting, Jagdeo said the U.S. affirmed its support for U.S. assets operating in Guyanese waters.

Critical U.S. interests offshore Guyana include floating production, storage and offloading vessels operated by ExxonMobil and its partners. These underpin Guyana’s fast-growing oil sector and have driven rapid economic expansion in recent years.

The comments come as the United States steps up interdictions in international waters of the Caribbean, targeting vessels it says are linked to drug trafficking. Washington has also tightened enforcement of sanctions on the movement of Venezuelan oil, recently apprehending a tanker identified as part of a “shadow fleet” transporting Venezuelan crude.

Jagdeo said Guyana supports efforts to combat drug trafficking and will work collaboratively with the United States on activities aimed at blocking the illegal drug trade.

“We support any fight against drug traffickers,” he said.

However, Jagdeo said he could not speculate on whether the United States would take military action against the Venezuelan government, noting that such decisions would not be shared in advance with Guyana.

Guyana is engaged in a long-running territorial controversy with Venezuela over the Essequibo region, now facing adjudication at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). 

Guyana estimates a ruling could come as early as 2026.