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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - In response to Venezuela's recent order for its state-owned companies to explore and exploit oil and minerals in Guyana's Essequibo region, Guyana's President Irfaan Ali has stated that his country is taking necessary steps to protect itself. President Ali emphasized that they are reaching out to allies and regional partners, some of whom have defense agreements with Guyana, to safeguard the Essequibo region which constitutes two-thirds of the country.

"We take this threat very seriously, and we have initiated a number of precautionary measures to ensure the peace and stability of this region," stated President Ali during a brief phone interview with The Associated Press. He further mentioned that Guyana's Defense Force is in communication with counterparts in undisclosed countries.

President Ali's comments follow Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's announcement granting licenses for exploration and exploitation in the disputed Essequibo region, along with the establishment of local subsidiaries for Venezuelan public companies such as PDVSA and Corporación Venezolana de Guayana.

Venezuela, known for having the world's largest proven oil reserves, has faced challenges due to mismanagement and economic sanctions imposed by the United States against Maduro's government. Maduro also declared the creation of a Comprehensive Defense Operational Zone for the disputed territory, similar to existing military commands in certain regions of Venezuela.

President Ali expressed concern over Venezuela's actions, highlighting their defiance of international law and the potential disruption it can cause to the region's stability and peaceful coexistence. He criticized any country openly defying important international bodies and emphasized that it should be a concern for the entire world.

Guyana plans to bring up the issue at Wednesday's U.N. Security Council meeting. President Ali's administration has reached out to the United States, neighboring Brazil, United Kingdom, France, U.N. Secretary-General, and the U.S. Southern Command, which oversees military operations in Central and South America and the Caribbean.

Furthermore, President Ali accused Venezuela of violating a recent ruling from the International Court of Justice, ordering them not to take any action until the court resolves the competing claims, which could take years.

Venezuela condemned President Ali's statement, accusing Guyana of acting irresponsibly and allegedly granting the U.S. Southern Command permission to enter the disputed Essequibo region. Venezuela called on Guyana to resume dialogue and abandon their "erratic, threatening, and risky conduct."

The United Nations issued a statement on Wednesday emphasizing the International Court of Justice's ruling, restraining parties from taking any actions that may worsen or prolong the dispute. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly supports peaceful means for settling international disputes, according to the U.N.

The diplomatic battle over the Essequibo region has been ongoing for years but intensified in 2015 after ExxonMobil discovered significant amounts of oil off Guyana's coast. Venezuela claims the region as its own, citing historical boundaries from the Spanish colonial period. However, Guyana disputes this, referring to the 1899 border drawn by international arbitrators, which was when Guyana was still under British rule.

President Ali dismissed Venezuela's recent referendum on sovereignty over the Essequibo region as a "failure" and affirmed that Guyana is prepared for any eventuality that may arise.