Following weeks of rising tension over their border controversy, Guyana and Venezuela are set for talks today in St Vincent and the Grenadines aimed at calming aggressive actions by Caracas to push its claim on this country’s Essequibo region despite an order by the World Court to desist.
Confirming that both President Irfaan Ali and President Nicolás Maduro are to attend the planned meeting facilitated by him this morning at the Argyle International Airport, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, yesterday said he also understands the parameters of the talks and those will be respected.
Relations between the two countries have been brought to the brink by Venezuela’s decision to declare Essequibo a new state following a referendum on December 3rd along with a range of measures including the naming of a military commander for the area and warning by Caracas to investors here.