Guyana Won’t Approve Drilling Near Venezuela Until Court Rules
- Exxon can’t explore in disputed area for now, official says
- Conflict is being reviewed by International Court of Justice
An oil rig off the coast of Maracaibo, Venezuela.
Photographer: Federico Parra/AFP/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
Guyana won’t approve oil exploration in waters near Venezuela at least until the United Nations’ highest court rules on the countries’ borders, a government official said.
Venezuela’s maritime claim rests north of a projected 70-degree line out to sea from Punta Playa on the border with Guyana. The Guyanese government, along with most of the international community, rejects that claim, and the matter is being considered by the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Venezuela rejects the court’s authority.