New Conflict in the World? Brazil Accumulates Troops at Its Border, BBC Reports

Brazil has announced its intention to deploy additional troops at the border with Venezuela after Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro declared plans to annex a portion of territory from another Latin American country, Guyana. This information has been reported by BBC.

The oil-rich region of Guyana-Esequibo belongs to Guyana, but Venezuela has contested its rights since the late 19th century. Last Sunday, Venezuelan authorities held a national referendum on the annexation of this territory, with 95% of voters expressing support.

Despite this impressive figure, only about two million people participated in the referendum, which represents approximately 10% of the eligible voting population. Nevertheless, President Maduro termed the voting results an unconditional victory and on Wednesday initiated the process of annexing Guyana-Esequibo, proposing a bill to the National Assembly to include this territory within Venezuela's borders.

He has also instructed the state oil company to grant licenses for the exploitation of oil fields in the region. Furthermore, from now on, the territory of Guyana-Esequibo will be marked on Venezuelan maps as part of the country, whereas previously it was depicted as a shadow, indicating that the territory was disputed.

Guyana has mobilized its troops to a high state of readiness and has requested the UN Security Council to intervene in the situation, which threatens to destabilize the entire region. The Brazilian military is accumulating additional troops and equipment in the border state of Roraima. BBC reports that if Venezuela decides to conduct a military invasion of Guyana-Esequibo, it would only be possible through Brazilian territory, as troop movements in the areas where Venezuela and Guyana directly border each other are practically impossible due to the terrain.