 Modern Venezuelan news outlet "La Patilla" stated in 2011 that Venezuelan president Raúl Leoni's response "was of such forcefulness, that until today Anacoco Island is Venezuelan territory and from that moment operates a Venezuelan airport and a military base there".Venezuelan president Raúl Leoni made several territorial disputes against Guyana, claiming land for Venezuela.At the time, Venezuela used diplomatic, economic and military pressure against Guyana in order to acquire the Essequibo territory.