Venezuela Is Adding Troops Near Guyana Border, Report Says

  • Report by CSIS show satellite images as evidence of escalation
  • Territory dispute has increased after massive oil discoveries

An aerial view of the Essequibo region.

Photographer: Roberto Cisneros/AFP/Getty Images
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Venezuela has been increasing its military presence near the disputed Essequibo region that’s controlled by Guyana, a new report from a Washington-based think tank shows, potentially escalating tensions with its neighbor over the oil-rich territory.

The report published Friday by the Center for Strategic and International Studies presents satellite images as evidence that Venezuela is building a military base on the Anacoco Island on the border with Guyana. The images from mid-January show a staging area with piled up construction materials, three armored vehicles, a heavy river ferry and the clearing of a new area to the north, the report described.