Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is ready to meet with Irfaan Ali, his Guyanese counterpart.
They aim to discuss the Esequibo border dispute. Maduro mentioned this on his TV show. He suggested the Caribbean as a possible meeting place.
The talks would follow the guidelines of the Geneva Agreement.
Moreover, Maduro criticized U.S. involvement in the area. He claims ExxonMobil, a U.S. firm, aims to take control of Esequibo’s resources.
Furthermore, he accused the U.S. of using Guyana as a military base against Venezuela.
Maduro also warned Caribbean governments. He believes the U.S. and ExxonMobil are influencing Guyana’s actions.
Venezuela opposes Guyana’s recent oil block auctions in the disputed area. Notably, ExxonMobil participated in these auctions.
Guyana received bids on eight of the 14 available blocks last December.
The conflict between Venezuela and Guyana has a long history. It spans more than a century. Both nations vie for the Esequibo Region.
This area has extensive oil reserves. In 1966, both countries agreed to seek a peaceful resolution.
However, in 2018, Guyana took the matter to the International Court of Justice. It wants the court to affirm a 1899 ruling giving it full territorial control.
Background
The Esequibo dispute is deeply rooted in history. Both nations have argued over this area for over a century.
In recent years, the tension has escalated. The discovery of oil has added a new dimension to the issue.
International companies are keen to exploit these resources, raising stakes for both nations.
This is not just a bilateral issue. Regional players and global powers have interests in the outcome.
The situation remains fluid, and the proposed talks could be a vital step toward a more stable future.