Venezuela and Guyana reduce tensions over Essequibo

Venezuela and Guyana reduce tensions over Essequibo

Caracas and Georgetown agreed not to threaten or use force under any circumstances, including in cases “arising from a controversy between the two states.”

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The governments of Venezuela and Guyana will hold a meeting in Brazil in the next three months or “at another agreed date” to “any matter of impact” for Essequiboan area of ​​about 160,000 square kilometers between Caracas and Georgetown, as agreed at a first meeting this Thursday in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The commitment is outlined in a joint statement read out after the meeting in the island nation led by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his Guyanese counterpart Irfaan Ali.

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The meeting, initially scheduled for the first quarter of next year, will also propose to deal with an update to be presented by the established “Joint Commission of Foreign Ministers and Technicians of both States” in order to “deal with mutually agreed matters “The Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterreswill act “as observerwith the constant approval” of Maduro and Ali.

Meanwhile, Caracas and Georgetown agreed Do not threaten or use force in all circumstances, including those “arising from a controversy existing between both States”, such as: Dispute over Essequibo This has caused tension in the last few weeks.

Furthermore, “they will cooperate Avoid incidents on the ground that create tensions”, and in the event that an event of this type occurs, “they will immediately communicate with each other”, with Caricom, with Celac and with the Brazilian President, in order to “contain the problem, reverse it and prevent a recurrence” . ” .

The controversy grew after Venezuela agreed to annex the disputed territory under the control of Georgetown in a unilateral referendum – intended to be binding – on December 3, and the Maduro government ordered it Settlement of a military division near the disputed areacurrently without any incursions, as well as the modification of the official Venezuelan map to which Guayana Esequiba was attached.