Territorial Disputes of Guyana with Venezuela and Suriname

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 09:10:00 +0200

Guyana, a sparsely populated country of approximately 800,000 people and 219,000 square kilometers, faces significant territorial disputes with its neighbors, Venezuela and Suriname. Venezuela claims nearly three-quarters of Guyana's territory, while Suriname stakes a claim to another 7%, leaving Guyana controlling only a fraction of its own land according to its neighbors. The Venezuela dispute originates from colonial-era boundary definitions and was exacerbated by the discovery of gold in the contested area. A 1899 arbitration in Paris, influenced by British interests, favored Britain over Venezuela, leading to longstanding tension. Modern tensions have resurfaced following the 2015 discovery of massive offshore oil reserves in Guyana, some of which lie in maritime areas claimed by Venezuela. This has dramatically increased Guyana's economic growth, making it the fastest-growing country in the world over the past decade. Meanwhile, the Suriname dispute over the 'New River Triangle'