“What we don’t want is a war in South America“We don’t need a conflict,” the president said during a summit of the Mercosur in Rio de Janeiro, in which he proposed the mediation of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) in the dispute over the area of Essequibo, rich in Petroleum.
Lula asked his peers Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay agree on a joint declaration at the summit. “Mercosur cannot remain unaware of this situation,” he noted.
“I suggest that the president of Celac can discuss the issue with both parties”said the Brazilian president and added: “If they consider it useful, “Brazil will be available to host any and however many meetings that are necessary.”
Concern about the conflict between Venezuela and Guyana
This week, Brazil decided to reinforce its military presence on the border with Venezuela and Guyana. On his side, The United States announced that it will carry out air exercises military in Guyana.
The tensions worry the international community. The Secretary General of the UN, Antonio Guterres, expressed support for “the use of exclusively peaceful means to resolve international disputes,” said its spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric.
The organization’s Security Council will meet this Friday behind closed doors to address the matter.
What is the conflict between Venezuela and Guyana
Tensions have escalated this week between Venezuela and Guyana through the Essequibo, oil rich territory object of a centenary territorial dispute between these neighboring countries.
The Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro proposed a law for “the creation of Guayana Esequiba”a province of the disputed region under the administration of Caracas, after the affirmative vote given by 95% of the participants in a consultative referendum made on Sunday by his government.
On Wednesday, however, the two countries agreed to maintain “communication channels”after a conversation between their foreign ministers by telephone.
What is Essequibo and what are the riches in the territory?
He Essequibo It has an area larger than that of countries like England, Cuba either Greece and it is a territory with a high presence of natural resources such as minerals and oil. Since 1841 both countries have disputed sovereignty.
The claim for the territory of Essequibo by Venezuela It has a long history. However, since 2015 the Maduro government has raised its voice after vast oil reserves were discovered.
The Bolivarian Republic usually includes the Guyana Essequiba as a region “in claim” and its maps refer to it but in a crossed out manner.
“I tell the leaders of the Cooperative Republic of Guyanathis is resolved as the president has said Nicolás Maduro: with dialogue, with diplomacy, talking, reaching a satisfactory agreement for both parties as stated in the Geneva Agreement“, which Venezuela signed in 1966 with the United Kingdom before Guyanese independence, he then added Irfaan.
That document annulled the arbitration award of 1899, who set the current borders and? Georgetown claims, and established bases for a negotiated solution.
The struggle intensified with the discovery of oil fields in the region and Guyana’s negotiations with the American energy giant ExxonMobil for its exploitation.
Amid an escalation of mutual accusations in recent weeks, the president of Venezuela denounced this Thursday “a dirty campaign” by ExxonMobil against the referendum.
Source: Ambito
