Securitization of United States Energy Interests: The Guyana-Venezuela Dispute Narrative (2023-2025)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.38035/jlph.v6i4.3279Keywords:
energy securitization, energy security, securitization, Guyana, Venezuela, United StatesAbstract
The territorial dispute between Venezuela and Guyana, enduring for over two centuries, escalated once more in 2023. This resulted in a self-claim through a referendum by Venezuela against Guyana's territory, specifically the resource-rich Essequibo region. This claim is considered a direct threat to United States energy interests due to the significant investments by U.S. companies, particularly ExxonMobil, in Guyana's offshore oil fields. Venezuela's aggressive stance and potential for destabilizing the region directly imperil the stability of these crucial energy supplies and the commercial operations of ExxonMobil. Therefore, the situation demands an energy securitization move from the U.S. to protect its strategic energy interests. U.S. energy securitization process during the Guyana-Venezuela war from 2023 to 2025 will be examined in this research. This research will examine U.S. energy securitization dynamics using constructivism and process tracing. Data comes from primary and secondary sources. The research uses energy interest, security, and securitization theories. The findings show that U.S. energy securitization during the conflict requires identifying rationale, processes, and enabling conditions. As an energy consumer, the U.S. can justify energy supply security interventions as critical to national energy security.References
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