On Thursday, senior US diplomat Marco Rubio warned Venezuela sternly, cautioning against any aggression toward its oil-rich neighbour, Guyana. He emphasised that the US military would defend the small South American nation if necessary. Venezuela, led by leftist President Nicolás Maduro, whom Rubio strongly opposes, has been intensifying its claims over the disputed Essequibo region, which is currently under Guyana’s control. Earlier this month, Venezuela was accused of making incursions into the area.

“I have full confidence saying it now as secretary of state – there will be consequences for adventurism. There will be consequences for aggressive action,” Rubio said at a joint press conference during a visit to Guyana.

When asked about the U.S. response if Venezuela slammed ExxonMobil's oil projects in Guyana, Rubio warned, “It would be a very bad day – a very bad week for them.” Without explicitly mentioning a military response, he added, “We have a big navy, and it can get almost anywhere.” In response, Maduro reacted angrily, calling Rubio an “imbecile” and declaring, “No one threatens Venezuela.”

During his visit to Guyana, Rubio signed an agreement to enhance security cooperation with the country, including improved information sharing. This follows an earlier agreement between Guyana and the United States for joint maritime patrols.

Guyanese President Irfaan Ali welcomed Rubio’s stance and described Venezuela’s claims as “illegitimate.” Ali expressed his satisfaction with the U.S. reassurance: "I’m very pleased at the reassurance of the US, ensuring the safeguard of our territorial integrity and sovereignty.”

Meanwhile, on Telegram, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil declared that his country “did not need nor seek conflicts, but neither will we allow foreign interests to try to rewrite the reality about our Essequibo.” He further asserted, “Get your noses out of this dispute!”

Mauricio Claver-Carone, the US special envoy for Latin America, stated that the United States envisions a future security alliance with Guyana, similar to its role in the Gulf region, where US troops safeguard oil-rich Arab monarchies, especially from the threat of Iran. Later, Rubio visited neighbouring Suriname, which also saw increased oil production.

Guyana, a former British and Dutch colony where most of its 800,000 residents still live in poverty, has long had a slight movement advocating for the country to join the United States. While this was not formally discussed, Donald Trump has openly supported expansionism in the Western Hemisphere, even at the cost of traditional alliances. The former U.S. president has expressed interest in taking control of Greenland from Denmark and reclaiming the Panama Canal, citing concerns over growing Chinese influence.

Although Exxon dominates Guyana’s oil industry, China, viewed by Trump as a key global rival, has significantly expanded its presence in the country through infrastructure projects, including an airport expansion. Trump has also proposed imposing hefty fees on vessels linked to China. The plan has faced resistance from U.S. farmers and Caribbean nations, contending that they have limited alternatives and would suffer economic consequences.

Rubio stated it was “dangerous to have one country in the world building all the ships.”

In a departure from Trump’s typically firm stance, Rubio recognised the concerns of Caribbean nations and stated that he would inform U.S. trade policymakers about the potential risks of harming US allies.

“Rest assured, we will take that message back,” Rubio expressed.

Last year, the parliament in Caracas passed a bill to declare the Essequibo region, comprising two-thirds of Guyana’s territory, as its 24th state, a move widely rejected by the international community.

Guyana maintains that its border was settled by an arbitration ruling in 1899. Meanwhile, Venezuela argues that the Essequibo River, located to the region’s east, has been the recognised natural boundary since 1777. Texas-based ExxonMobil has led offshore oil exploration in Guyana, rapidly expanding operations after the 2015 discovery of massive crude reserves. The company expects Guyana’s oil production to reach 1.3 million barrels per day by the decade's end, surpassing Venezuela’s current output.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration, influenced by anti-communist Latino lawmakers, revoked Chevron’s exemption from U.S. sanctions, preventing the company from continuing operations in Venezuela.