Brazil has intensified defensive actions along its northern border as it monitors a territorial dispute between its neighbors, Guyana and Venezuela. The country's defense ministry said on Wednesday.<br />''  <br />'' It said in a statement that Ministry of Defense has been monitoring the situation. Defensive actions have been intensified in the northern border region of the country, promoting a greater military presence. <br />''  <br />'' Brazil's push to move more military resources to north comes amid rising tensions between Venezuela and Guayana over an oil-rich region known as the Esequiba, which constitutes over two-thirds of Guyana's total land mass.<br />''  <br />'' Venezuela's claims on the Esequiba, which have been the source of a long-running territorial dispute, were reignited in recent years after Guyana discovered oil and gas near the maritime border.<br />''  <br />'' On Dec. 3, Venezuelans will vote in a referendum on "the rights" of the Esequiba. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is expected to rule on Friday on a request by Guyana that the referendum be called off. Venezuela's government has said it will go ahead with the referendum.