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Tensions between South American neighbours Venezuela and Guyana have ratcheted up a notch in recent weeks over the disputed oil rich region of Essequibo. The territory, which is roughly the size of Florida, currently makes up around two thirds of Guyana and vast oil reserves were discovered here in 2015 which have helped make Guyana\\u2019s economy one of the fastest growing in the world.\\n \\nEssequibo has come under the authority of Guyana and before it British Guiana for more than a century, but Venezuela has always disputed that decision made by an international tribunal back in 1899. The issue is currently with the International Court of Justice in the Hague, who are expected to make a decision next year. But Venezuela does not recognise their jurisdiction.\\n \\nAnd now President Maduro has used the results of a recent referendum claiming rights over Essequibo, as evidence to support his threat to move forward with plans to annexe the region.

So this week on The Inquiry, we\\u2019re asking \\u2018Is Venezuela about to invade its neighbour?\\u2019

Contributors: \\nPhil Gunson, Senior Analyst, Andes, Caracas, Venezuela for International Crisis Group \\nAlejandro Velasco, Associate Professor of Latin American History, New York University, author of \\u2018Barrio Rising: Urban Popular Politics and the Making of Modern Venezuela\\nDr Christopher Sabatini, Senior Fellow for Latin America at Chatham House, London \\nDr Annette Idler, Associate Professor in Global Security, Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford.

Presenter: David Baker\\nProducer: Jill Collins\\nResearcher: George Crafer\\nEditor: Tara McDermott\\nTechnical Producer: Mitch Goodall\\nBroadcast Co-ordinator: Jordan King

Image credit: Anadolu\\\\Getty