CARACAS, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) — Venezuelan international analyst Luis Ricardo Delgado commented in an exclusive interview for Xinhua this evening that the agreement reached this Thursday between Venezuela and Guyana, aimed at expanding dialogue and avoiding hostilities between focused on the parties, represents a “big news” for peace in the region.
According to the expert, today's meeting on Thursday, although it is a beginning of rapprochement between the parties, will also be a historic day, as the context before the meeting rather pointed to a possible escalation of the territorial dispute.
Delgado emphasizes that from now on the two countries must refrain from rhetoric that does not contribute to dialogue and take measures that worsen the bilateral situation in the dispute over the territory of Guiana Esequiba.
In this sense, the document agreed by both parties states that “both States will not refrain, either in word or in deed, from aggravating any conflict or difference of opinion arising from any controversy between them.”
Also a professor of social sciences at the University of Carabobo, he said: “The context before the dialogue implied high tensions that seemed to be escalating, with the possibility of episodes of violence that would definitely have a negative impact on both countries, which is why I am considering it. “Today’s meeting,” he emphasized.
The professor stressed that it is very important for Venezuela that both parties agree that any controversy between the two states will be resolved in accordance with international law, including the Geneva Convention of February 17, 1966.
In this sense, the analyst points out that “it is no small thing that Guyana has signed the document that considers the possibility of adopting the Geneva Convention as a possible legal framework for the emergence of the territorial dispute.”
“The most positive thing about what happened today is that both nations have drawn a map of this conversation process and agreed to expand meetings over time through dialogue and peaceful coexistence to address the controversy,” Delgado said.
He explained that the document agreed to Thursday “leaves the door open for peace in the region after the United States Southern Command appears to have imposed its hegemonic agenda on conflict between sister nations.”
The expert also described the political action of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula Da Silva to achieve dialogue between the parties as “effective, historic and significant.”
“Lula has demonstrated the dimensions of his leadership, not only in Brazil but throughout the region, and with his wisdom and political experience he has been able to make the appropriate arrangements for the start of these talks,” Delgado said.
Also a student of the Doctorate in Organization Studies at the Simón Rodríguez National Experimental University, he said that the role of the facilitators of dialogue played by the main leaders of the Caribbean was also fundamental.
Delgado believes that from now on the threats to the dialogue process between Venezuela and Guyana are focused on the foreign policy of the United States, which in recent weeks has carried out military maneuvers in the region, further escalating bilateral tensions.
“As always, United States foreign policy remains the greatest threat to peace in our America,” the analyst warned.
However, he stressed that given the balance of power in the region and in the world, the really most convenient solution for Venezuela, Guyana and the rest of the countries in the region is to insist on agreements and seek a solution through mediation, dialogue and peacefully.
In this sense, the expert expressed optimism regarding the short and medium term forecasts for resolving the territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela over the Essequibo area.