Brazil is deploying troops to its border with Venezuela.

According to BBC News, this comes after Venezuela announced plans in relation to its claim of the Guyana-controlled Essequibo region.

Essequibo has been in dispute since the 19th Century when Guyana was a British colony but Venezuela renewed its claims in recent years as offshore oil and gas were discovered.

On Sunday, Venezuela held a referendum in which it is said that more than 95% of voters are said to have supported the government’s claim to region.

Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro has since asked the state oil company to issue extraction licenses there and proposed that the National Assembly pass a bill to make the area part of Venezuela.

According to AFP news agency, Brazil’s army has said it is reinforcing its presence in the region as part of efforts to “guarantee the inviolability of the territory”.