Venezuela makes new claim to Guyana’s territorial waters, potential oil block

http://www.stabroeknews.com/2015/news/stories/06/07/venezuela-makes-new-claim-to-guyanas-territorial-waters-potential-oil-block/

Venezuela’s President Nicholas Maduro has issued a decree claiming sovereignty over Guyana’s territorial waters in the Atlantic Ocean off the Essequibo region and Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge yesterday said the Venezuelan ambassador will be summoned to give an explanation.

A map created by Venezuela’s National Organisation for Maritime Safety purporting to show the increased Venezuelan territory following the issuing of a decree by Venezuela’s President Nicholas Maduro claiming sovereignty over Guyana’s territorial waters in the Atlantic Ocean off the Essequibo region. It also positions the drill site of the ExxonMobil ‘Deepwater Champion’ rig within its claim.
Maps created after the decree by Venezuela’s National Organisation for Rescue and Maritime Safety (ONSA), a non-governmental organisation comprising merchants, sports and retired naval officers, indicate that the claim would include a large part of the Stabroek Block, where US firm ExxonMobil discovered oil recently. Exxon’s Liza-1 well is sited off the Demerara coast.

“The press reports on the contents are alarming and we are seeking to verify its authenticity and its import. Needless to say, we shall be calling in the country’s ambassador to explain its meaning and to voice our concern about this escalation of a long running attempt to…