Guyana says Venezuela deployed troops along its borders

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Guyana's recently elected President David Granger said Venezuela deployed troops along its borders.

The move potentially revitalizes a century-old debate about the mineral-rich jungle area west of the Essequibo River, which constitutes nearly 40 percent of Guyana's territory.

Guyana says Venezuelan troops were conducting exercises in the region, which Venezuela has considered its property since the 19th century when Guyana was still a colony under British control. Venezuela held an international tribunal in 1899 and ruled that it was unfair for the territory to be under Guyana's control.

Granger summoned a meeting at his office Wednesday morning and pledged to take whatever action is appropriate to protect the country's "territorial integrity."

Granger said the move was "dangerous" and that Venezuela is favoring it over "a peaceful resolution."

Venezuela levied similar claims against Guyana in June, when it demanded it stop ExxonMobil's exploration of a disputed offshore territory on Guyana's behalf. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez said the exploration constituted a "dangerous political provocation."

In May, ExxonMobil announced that they had found oil in the area. A week later, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro decreed the waters belong to Venezuela. This, in turn, led Granger to call Venezuela's claims a violation of international law and seek mediation of the debate by the United Nations.