Guyana protests as Venezuela builds controversial bridge in disputed territory

Guyana's government formally protested against Venezuela following the completion of a bridge that connects Venezuela's mainland to a military base located on Ankoko island. This bridge construction has reignited tensions between the two nations, which have historically disagreed over the borders of the Essequibo region. The Essequibo area constitutes about two-thirds of Guyana's territory and has been under Guyanese control since the country gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1966. Venezuela's claim to this region stems from an 1890s boundaries commission that it argues cheated the nation out of valuable oil-rich land. Given the longstanding dispute, Guyana's Foreign Minister Hugh Todd summoned the Venezuelan Ambassador to convey his government's condemnation of the bridge as an illegal act that violates Guyana's sovereignty and breaches the agreement established during the emergency summit organized by Caribbean leaders, Brazil, and the U.N. last year. The international community has been involved in attempts to mediate the dispute, as highlighted by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's earlier threats of annexation following a referendum that explored the incorporation of Essequibo into Venezuela. Guyana has sought a final resolution to the dispute through the World Court in The Netherlands, and the recent construction of the bridge escalates the situation against the backdrop of ongoing legal proceedings. Venezuela's completion of the bridge has heightened concerns regarding the potential for military escalation in the region. Todd's statement emphasized that Venezuela's military activities violate international law, urging that all personnel and infrastructure associated with the bridge be removed. The upcoming legal response from Venezuela, due by August, could significantly influence the ongoing tensions and define the diplomatic relationship between the two neighboring countries.