Caracas, Sep 27 (EFE).- The Government of Venezuela rejected this Wednesday, in a “conclusive manner”, that Guyana “intends to distort and manipulate” before the international community the “spirit” of its recent statements in defense of an area of 160,000 square kilometers in dispute between both countries.
In a statement, the Venezuelan Executive ratified the recent statement by the Foreign Minister, Yván Gil, before the UN General Assembly, where he denounced “American interventionism in the territorial controversy with Guyana.”
Caracas assured that its recent pronouncements “in no way constitute a threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity” of Guyana, and reiterated its “firm decision to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Guyana’s “unilateral” activities, he continued, “are not in accordance with international law, as they attempt to be carried out in maritime zones pending delimitation and that affect Venezuelan maritime zones,” in reference to a bidding process that, Caracas assures, Georgetown carries out oil blocks located within the area.
Venezuela reiterated that the 1966 Geneva Agreement “draws out a roadmap agreed upon by both parties to reach a peaceful resolution to the controversy, through political negotiation,” and ratified its willingness to participate in a bilateral meeting promoted by the Community. of the Caribbean (Caricom).
Guyanese President Irfaan Ali promised on Monday to defend sovereignty and territorial integrity through legal and peaceful means, after the Venezuelan Parliament last week called for a referendum to defend its claim to the disputed territory of Essequibo.
Hundreds of Chavistas marched this Tuesday in Caracas, in support of the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, for his defense of Guayana Esequiba.
