Territorial Dispute Affects Venezuela-Guyana Relations

Caracas-The resentment of relations with Guyana due to tensions caused by a historic territorial dispute with that nation marked the situation in Venezuela the week that concludes today.
On Monday, President Nicolas Maduro announced from Parliament his Government’s reorientation of relations with Guayana, following statements by that country’s top authorities that Caracas described as hostile and offensive.

Maduro announced the decision to summon the Venezuelan ambassador in Georgetown to a meeting, reduce the Venezuelan diplomatic staff in that capital, and a comprehensive revision of relations with the Guyanese Government.

The Venezuelan president also said that he would take the dispute over Esequibo to international organizations such as the United nations and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez on Friday handed over a letter from President Maduro to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, urging him to mediate for a peaceful and diplomatic solution to the dispute.

Tensions between the two nations worsened after Guyana authorized the US transnational company Exxon Mobil to prospect for oil in waters of the disputed area, raising Venezuela’s immediate rejection.

Caracas considers that Exxon Mobil tries to split Latin American and Caribbean unity through pressures and media campaings.