Presidents Venezuela and GuyanaNicolas Maduro and Irfaan Ali will respectively meet next Thursday in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to discuss the border dispute between both South American countries, Caribbean Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves said.

The rally will take place at 10:00 local time with the support of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) and the Caribbean Community (Caricom), as detailed in a letter sent by Goncalves to Maduro and Ali.

A copy of the letter was sent to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva; President of the Caribbean Community and Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and Secretary General of the Caribbean Organization Carla Barnett, at the request of Maduro and Alias stated in the letter.

Celac and Caricom executives said they “believe it necessary and desirable to facilitate the convening” of a meeting to discuss “Subsequent issues of the border dispute between these two great countries,” the letter says.

And given the border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela over the Essequibo region, Selaka and Caricom leaders assessed the “urgent need reduce conflict escalation and establish appropriate face-to-face dialogue” between the presidents of both countries.

“Both agreed with this assessment in the search for peaceful coexistence, application and respect for international law and avoid the use of force or threat of force“Gonsalves spoke out in a letter.

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Moreover, according to Gonsalves, “both publicly declare their commitment to the Caribbean region as zone of peace and respect for international law“.

“Experience has taught humanity that it is mature, wise and preferable for leaders of conflicting countries to talk to each other calmly, respectfully and patiently, avoid escalation that leads to threats or use of forceGonsalves said.

“Without a doubt, resolving old contradictions in difficult times of our time is never easy; It’s tiring for leaders, but It is preferable to lead a busy lifestyle in the world to shameful calm in perpetual conflict or violence,” he said.

Disputes on this issue began in the 19th century, but since 2018 they have gained relevance due to the recognition of the case by the International Court of Justice, which asked Venezuela not to take actions that change the current dynamics over territory administered by Guyana.

Venezuela rejects the mediation of the International Court of Justice in this matter, and this assertion was also reinforced by the unilateral referendum held last Sunday, in which the majority of Venezuelans agreed not to recognize the jurisdiction of the international court which will also make a decision binding on both countries, on a date that has not yet been announced. (EFE)