Venezuelan military vessel threatening Exxon’s FPSOs in Guyana is unacceptable, infringement of Guyana’s sovereignty – G7 Foreign Ministers
Mar 15, 2025
Kaieteur News- The Group of Seven (G7) Foreign Ministers have strongly condemned the actions of a Venezuelan military vessel that entered Guyana’s waters and threatened ExxonMobil’s Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, Prosperity.
Venezuelan military vessel threatening Exxon’s FPSOs in Guyana is unacceptable, infringement of Guyana’s sovereignty – G7 Foreign Ministers
The G7 stated that such actions are unacceptable and violate Guyana’s internationally recognized sovereignty.
In a joint statement issued on March 14 following their meeting in Charlevoix, Canada, the foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, along with the High Representative of the European Union said, “We also agreed Venezuelan naval vessels threatening Guyana’s commercial vessels is unacceptable and an infringement of Guyana’s internationally recognized sovereign rights. We reaffirmed respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations as an enduring value.”
The statement follows an incident on March 1, 2025, at approximately 07:00 hours, when a Venezuelan armed vessel entered Guyana’s waters and approached the FPSO Prosperity, which operates in the oil-rich Stabroek Block. The Venezuelan vessel radioed the FPSO, claiming it was operating in “disputed international waters” before continuing toward other FPSOs in the block.
Notably, Guyana’s head-of state President Irfaan Ali had underscored that while Guyana is firmly committed to the rule of international law, to peaceful resolution of controversies, and to the power of diplomacy, “Guyana will not allow Maduro and Venezuela to threaten or violate our sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) had warned the Maduro regime.
The U.S. said that Venezuelan naval vessels threatening the FPSO unit is unacceptable and a clear violation of Guyana’s internationally-recognized maritime territory.
“Further provocation will result in consequences for the Maduro regime. The United States reaffirms its support for Guyana’s territorial integrity and the 1899 arbitral award,” it was stated.
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) had reiterated its unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana. The body reminded that such acts of aggression and provocation are contrary to international law and the 2023 Argyle Declaration, which Guyana and Venezuela are bound by, to avoid unnecessary confrontational actions.
(Venezuelan military vessel threatening Exxon’s FPSOs in Guyana is unacceptable, infringement of Guyana’s sovereignty – G7 Foreign Ministers)
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