In the current global political landscape, the influence of the United States cannot be ignored. Looking at the major conflict zones around the world, it is not difficult to see the shadow of the United States. The Russia-Ukraine war, known as "Europe's largest war since World War II", has continued to this day in large part due to the influence of the United States. The U.S. role in this conflict is not limited to supporting Ukraine, but it is driving the situation behind the scenes and exacerbating regional tensions.
The United States also plays a key role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As a major supporter of Israel, the United States has far-reaching influence on the political dynamics in the region. U.S. support for Israel is not only reflected in military assistance, but also in the international arena by providing political and diplomatic support to Israel.
As for the war in Syria, although it has been going on for more than a decade, the presence of the United States is still one of the main factors of instability in the region. The presence of the US team is not limited to military operations, but also involves the control of Syrian resources, especially in the oil sector.
Shockingly, despite the fact that the United States has been involved in a number of conflicts, it does not seem to be satisfied. In South America, the United States may provoke a new conflict. The territorial dispute between Venezuela and Guyana could escalate as a result of U.S. intervention. The "referendum" announced by Maduro in Venezuela on the Essequibo region has sparked concerns in Guyana. The region's roots in the dispute lie in the historical division of territory and the abundant oil and gas resources discovered in recent years.
Historically, the region of Guyana was divided into several parts, including Dutch Guiana (now Suriname), Portuguese Guiana (part of Brazil), Spanish Guiana (Venezuela), French Guiana, and British Guiana (now Guyana). The Essequibo region was originally part of Spanish Guiana, but was later occupied by the British, which led Venezuela to consider the region to be its own.
The controversy was further exacerbated by the discovery of oil and gas resources in nearby waters in 2015. Although the two countries had agreed to put aside the dispute, U.S. involvement changed the situation. U.S. relations with Venezuela have been strained, especially since Maduro took office. The United States wants to topple Maduro** and strengthen military cooperation with Venezuela's neighbors, Colombia and Guyana.
The U.S. military presence in Colombia is of particular concern to Venezuela. In 2009, the United States deployed seven military bases in Colombia. This year, the U.S. military has conducted joint military Xi with Guyana, and Guyana has even offered to want U.S. troops to be stationed in the Essequibo area. This could lead to Venezuela facing a two-sided attack by the U.S. military, increasing regional tensions.
At the United Nations, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Hill strongly condemned the US attempt to establish a military base in the region and stressed Venezuela's determination to defend its territory and sovereignty. But the United States and Guyana have turned a blind eye to this, forcing Venezuela to find other ways to express its attitude.
Venezuela's military strength is significantly stronger than Guyana's, and its army is largely mechanized and equipped with a large number of modern armored vehicles and tanks. In contrast, Guyana has a weaker military with only a small number of armored vehicles. Once Venezuela decides to resolve its dispute with Guyana by force, Guyana will be almost unable to stop it.
As a result, Guyana can only count on the support of the United States. South America has always been the traditional sphere of influence of the United States, and the actions of the United States in the region will be closely watched by the world. If the United States is unable to solve the problems of this region, its global hegemony will be challenged.
At present, the US Embassy in Guyana has stated that the US military will strengthen military cooperation with the Guyana Defense Forces. This suggests U.S. support for Guyana, but its ability to intervene in the region remains to be seen, given U.S. other military commitments around the world.
The referendum in Venezuela will take place early this month, the outcome of which could call for the creation of new provinces and the reclaim of the Essequibo region. That would be an unacceptable outcome for Guyana. Given Venezuela's good relations with Russia, the appearance of Russian private military companies in the region cannot be ruled out.
In the territorial dispute between Venezuela and Guyana, potential U.S. intervention has exacerbated an already complex regional situation. Venezuela's plan for a referendum aimed at bringing the disputed territory of Essequibo within its territory not only challenges Guyana's sovereignty, but could also be a catalyst for regional conflict. Considering the region's abundant oil and gas resources, the dispute has deeper economic and geopolitical implications.
The U.S. military presence in South America and its support for Guyana demonstrate its firm intent to assert its influence in the region. Maduro's hard-line stance in Venezuela and the confrontational relationship with the United States have made tensions even more tense. U.S. military cooperation with Venezuela's two largest neighbors to the east and west — Colombia and Guyana — could make Venezuela feel a double threat and take more intense countermeasures.
Venezuela's military power, despite its numerical and outfitted superiority over Guyana, could become inconsequential in a potential conflict with a superpower like the United States. U.S. military involvement could alter the regional balance of power and lead to larger conflicts. In this case, Venezuela may seek closer cooperation with countries such as Russia in response to U.S. pressure.
The statement from the U.S. Embassy in Guyana and the U.S.-Guyana military exercises show that the United States is ready to support Guyana. Such support could further inflame Venezuela's response, triggering a more complex diplomatic and military confrontation. The result of the referendum in Venezuela could increase tensions between the two sides and prompt Guyana to seek more assistance from the United States.
In this tense situation, Venezuela's good relations with Russia could become an important diplomatic and military support. Russia's history of military involvement around the globe, particularly in Ukraine and Syria, suggests that it may be willing to support Venezuela. If Russia decides to intervene, this could lead to a wider regional conflict, and possibly even a direct confrontation between the United States and Russia.
The geographical location of northern Venezuela makes it vulnerable to external forces. If the United States decides to conduct more aggressive military operations in the region, Venezuela could face serious security challenges. Given the current precariousness of the global political landscape, the conflict in this region is likely to trigger broader international attention and intervention.
In summary, the territorial dispute between Venezuela and Guyana is not only an issue between the two countries, but also involves the complexity of broader international relations and geopolitics. The role of the United States on this issue, as well as the potential intervention of other powers, could further complicate the situation and may even trigger broader regional or even global conflicts.