 Venezuelan actions to acquire Guyanese territory intensified in 1968, with militarization occurring on the Guyana-Venezuela border at the time.Days after leaving a subcommittee discussing Guyana-Venezuela border disputes on 4 July 1968, President Leoni declared an annexation of of coastline in the Essequibo on 9 July 1968, stating that the Venezuelan Navy would enforce the area.Following the controversial 1968 Guyanese general election, Valerie Hart declared herself president of the "Republic of the Rupununi", claiming control of the Rupununi region of Guyana.