The acting president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, arrived in The Hague to defend before the International Court of Justice the sovereignty over the Guayana Esequiba, a 160,000 square kilometer territory rich in oil, timber, and minerals. This is her first trip abroad since the kidnapping of Nicolás Maduro on January 3, exceptionally authorized by the European Union despite the sanctions in force.
Satellite technology to map the territorial dispute 🛰️
To support its position, Venezuela has used high-resolution satellite images and geographic information systems (GIS) that allow precise delimitation of historical areas of influence. This data, combined with topography models and natural resource analysis, seeks to demonstrate Venezuelan presence in the region. However, Guyana also uses similar technology, including drones and synthetic aperture radar, to monitor the area and reinforce its sovereignty.
The Hague: where lawyers sweat more than miners 😅
While Delcy Rodríguez argues with maps and treaties, in the Esequibo illegal miners continue extracting gold without worrying about the Court. The irony is that the legal dispute could last longer than a Venezuelan government, and in the meantime, resources vanish. At least the delegation traveled with per diems approved by the EU, although in Caracas many wonder if the round-trip ticket included insurance against loss of sovereignty.