In the latest round of barbs with which Venezuela has responded to events surrounding its claim to the Essequibo region of Guyana, Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali was described as “the Zelensky of the Caribbean.” This characterisation begs the question: If Ali is the “Zelensky of the Caribbean,” then who is the “Putin”?However, posing and answering that latter question is as unhelpful to resolving the border controversy peacefully as is describing Ali as “Zelensky.” It is far more constructive to focus on facts and to work toward a peaceful solution to Venezuela’s claims in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.The most recent incident that inflamed the situation between the two countries occurred on March 1, 2025, when a Venezuelan military vessel approached and accosted Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) platforms, operated by the US company Exxon, in an area that Guyana considers its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). It is important to note that, because of the land boundary contention still before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Guyana and Venezuela have not yet formally delimited their maritime boundaries.Both countries claim the waters in question. However, under a December 2023 Order of the ICJ, Guyana has administrative control over the disputed territory pending the court’s final judgment. Consequently, Guyana is entitled to authorise lawful activities in the EEZ, including those undertaken by the FPSO platforms operated by Exxon.
