Tension in South America! Brazil sends troops

Brazil's Defense Ministry announced that the country, which is closely following the territorial dispute between neighboring countries Venezuela and Guyana, has "intensified its defense activities" on its northern border. "The Ministry of Defense is monitoring the situation. Defense activities have been intensified and military presence has been increased along the country's northern border." Brazil has moved more military resources north amid rising tensions between Venezuela and Guyana over the oil-rich "Esequiba" region. Esequiba accounts for two-thirds of Guyana's territory.

Although the dispute between the two countries over the Esequiba has been longstanding, Venezuela has in recent years reasserted its claim to the Esequiba after Guyana discovered oil and natural gas near its maritime border. Venezuela is preparing to hold a referendum on December 3 on the rights to Esequiba, while the International Court of Justice, to which Guyana has applied for the annulment of the referendum, is expected to decide tomorrow. However, the Venezuelan government has stated that it will hold the referendum no matter what. Venezuela had opposed an oil tender launched by Guyana in September, saying that offshore zones were open for discussion and that the companies that would receive the tender would not have the right to explore in the region.