Territorial Claims And Border Dispute Between Guyana And Venezuela Over The Essequibo Region

Kenan Dülger

Article Details

Territorial Claims And Border Dispute Between Guyana And Venezuela Over The Essequibo Region

Authors:

Kenan Dülger

Publisher:

Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University

Main Topics:

Hukuk (Diğer)

Journal:

Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli Üniversitesi Hukuk Fakültesi Dergisi Vol.29 Issue 3, pp.1363-1408

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

7/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001355763

pISSN:

2651-4141

Keywords:

Abstract:

 The territorial claims over the Essequibo region and the resulting border dispute between Venezuela and Guyana, two neighbouring countries of the South American continent, have a historical background dating back to the colonial era. Today, the region in question, which is located within the territory of the Guyana state following its independence, has economic and strategic importance for both states. In addition to being approximately two-thirds the size of todays Guyana territory, it retains its importance due to its natural resources. It has been determined that the Essequibo region contains natural resources such as gold and copper, as well as oil and natural gas resources of very large quantity and high quality in the marine areas, due to its sea coast. Especially the oil and natural gas resources discovered in the marine areas provide significant economic value. After failing to reach an agreement for a long time regarding the ownership of the region, the parties took the issue to the International Court of Justice. Despite the ongoing legal process, it is seen that both parties have been engaging in discourse and behaviour that threaten international peace and security. This study examines the importance and content of the dispute in terms of international law, as well as how it can be resolved in accordance with the law.

 The territorial claims over the Essequibo region and the resulting border dispute between Venezuela and Guyana, two neighbouring countries of the South American continent, have a historical background dating back to the colonial era. Today, the region in question, which is located within the territory of the Guyana state following its independence, has economic and strategic importance for both states. In addition to being approximately two-thirds the size of todays Guyana territory, it retains its importance due to its natural resources. It has been determined that the Essequibo region contains natural resources such as gold and copper, as well as oil and natural gas resources of very large quantity and high quality in the marine areas, due to its sea coast. Especially the oil and natural gas resources discovered in the marine areas provide significant economic value. After failing to reach an agreement for a long time regarding the ownership of the region, the parties took the issue to the International Court of Justice. Despite the ongoing legal process, it is seen that both parties have been engaging in discourse and behaviour that threaten international peace and security. This study examines the importance and content of the dispute in terms of international law, as well as how it can be resolved in accordance with the law.

 The territorial claims over the Essequibo region and the resulting border dispute between Venezuela and Guyana, two neighbouring countries of the South American continent, have a historical background dating back to the colonial era. Today, the region in question, which is located within the territory of the Guyana state following its independence, has economic and strategic importance for both states. In addition to being approximately two-thirds the size of todays Guyana territory, it retains its importance due to its natural resources. It has been determined that the Essequibo region contains natural resources such as gold and copper, as well as oil and natural gas resources of very large quantity and high quality in the marine areas, due to its sea coast. Especially the oil and natural gas resources discovered in the marine areas provide significant economic value. After failing to reach an agreement for a long time regarding the ownership of the region, the parties took the issue to the International Court of Justice. Despite the ongoing legal process, it is seen that both parties have been engaging in discourse and behaviour that threaten international peace and security. This study examines the importance and content of the dispute in terms of international law, as well as how it can be resolved in accordance with the law.

 Güney Amerika kıtasının denize kıyısı bulunan iki komşu devleti olan Venezuela ile Guyana arasındaki Esequibo bölgesi üzerindeki hak iddiaları ve buna bağlı olarak sınır uyuşmazlığının sömürgecilik dönemine kadar uzanan tarihsel geçmişi bulunmaktadır. Günümüzde bağımsızlığını kazanmasının ardından Guyana devletinin toprakları içerisinde yer alan söz konusu bölge, her iki devlet açısından ekonomik ve stratejik bir öneme sahiptir. Bugünkü Guyana topraklarının yaklaşık olarak üçte ikisi kadar büyüklüğe sahip olmasının yanı sıra sahip olduğu doğal zenginlikleri açısından da bu önemini korumaktadır. Esequibo bölgesinde yer alan topraklarda bulunan altın, bakır vb. gibi doğal zenginlikler ile denize kıyısının bulunmasından dolayı deniz alanlarında oldukça büyük miktarda ve kalitede petrol ve doğal gaz kaynaklarının bulunduğu tespit edilmiştir. Bilhassa deniz alanlarında keşfedilen petrol ve doğal gaz kaynakları, önemli derecede ekonomik kazanç sağlayıcı niteliktedir. Bölgenin aidiyeti konusunda uzun bir süre anlaşamayan taraflar yakın bir tarihte meseleyi Uluslararası Adalet Divanına taşımıştır. Hukuki sürecin devam etmesine karşın her iki tarafın da uluslararası barış ve güvenliği tehdit edici söylem ve davranışlarda bulunduğu görülmektedir. Bu çalışmada söz konusu uyuşmazlığın uluslararası hukuk açısından önemi ve içeriği ile birlikte hukuka uygun bir şekilde nasıl nihai çözüme ulaşabileceği incelenmektedir.

Article Details

Territorial Claims And Border Dispute Between Guyana And Venezuela Over The Essequibo Region

Authors:

Kenan Dülger

Publisher:

Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University

Main Topics:

Hukuk (Diğer)

Journal:

Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli Üniversitesi Hukuk Fakültesi Dergisi Vol.29 Issue 3, pp.1363-1408

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

7/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001355763

pISSN:

2651-4141

Essequibo region

Guyana

Venezuela

International peace and security

Border dispute.Esequibo bölgesi

Guyana

Venezuela

Uluslararası barış ve güvenlik

Sınır uyuşmazlığı

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Kenan Dülger

Publisher: Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University

Main Topics: Hukuk (Diğer)

Journal: Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli Üniversitesi Hukuk Fakültesi Dergisi Vol.29 Issue 3, pp.1363-1408

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 7/2025

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001355763

pISSN: 2651-4141

Issues

Authors:

Kenan Dülger

Publisher:

Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University

Main Topics:

Hukuk (Diğer)

Journal:

Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli Üniversitesi Hukuk Fakültesi Dergisi Vol.29 Issue 3, pp.1363-1408

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

7/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001355763

pISSN:

2651-4141