Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Guyana to offer U.S. security support in response to Venezuelan threats as the nationReadies to become one of the largest oil producers. Rubio’s visit underscores a focus on security cooperation amid regional tensions, which Guyana’s leadership has embraced. The U.S. aims to fortify alliances while enhancing its oil production interests in the area.
On March 27, 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced his impending visit to Guyana, intended to extend United States security support to the oil-rich nation amid rising tensions with Venezuela. Guyana is anticipated to emerge as the largest per capita oil producer globally, surpassing established producers like Qatar and Kuwait. This visit follows Rubio’s discussions with Caribbean nations in Jamaica and will include a memorandum of understanding to solidify U.S.-Guyana security cooperation, as stated by the State Department.
With U.S. interests in Guyana expanding, Rubio’s engagement suggests parallels with relationships the U.S. maintains with oil-rich Gulf nations for security assistance. Mauricio Claver-Carone, the U.S. special envoy for Latin America, emphasized the priority of Guyana’s security, particularly given threats posed by Venezuela. Claver-Carone asserted, “The security of Guyana is a key priority for us in the same way that we have been working with countries in the Gulf states. ”
Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali has aligned with the U.S. to bolster defense cooperation, especially amidst Venezuela’s threatening claims over the Essequibo region. Guyana’s government has strongly objected to recent Venezuelan military incursions and is steadfast in its position regarding the legitimacy of its borders, established by an 1899 arbitration ruling. Venezuela’s claims, viewed as historically flawed by international observers, have compounded tensions in the region.
Additionally, the Trump administration has prioritized boosting oil production in Guyana, which is driven by economic motivations and strategic security interests. ExxonMobil leads oil production in Guyana, projecting significant increases in output, with anticipated figures of 1.3 million barrels per day by decade’s end. In contrast, Venezuela’s oil industry has suffered from decades of mismanagement and sanctions, severely curtailing its production capabilities.
The increasing oil production in Guyana, coupled with geopolitical tensions surrounding Venezuelan claims, highlights the shifting dynamics in the region. The U.S. seeks to strengthen its alliances with oil-rich nations while asserting its influence in the face of Venezuelan aggression, further complicated by internal political movements within Guyana supporting closer ties to the United States.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Guyana signifies a pivotal move to enhance U.S. security cooperation with the oil-rich nation, countering rising threats from Venezuela. The anticipated MOU reflects the U.S. commitment to stabilize its interests in the region, especially as Guyana’s oil production surges. Amid geopolitical tensions, the U.S. aims to fortify alliances that ensure mutual security and economic prosperity, setting the stage for direct involvement in Guyana’s burgeoning oil sector.
Original Source: www.bssnews.net
