The president of Brazil, Lula da Silva, called this Saturday by telephone to his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolás Maduro, not to take “unilateral measures” that intensify the border conflict between Caracas and neighboring Guyana.
“Lula stressed that it is important to avoid unilateral measures that lead to an escalation of the situation” in the disputed region of Essequibo, an area rich in oil, the Palacio do Planalto said in a statement, adding that the president expressed “growing concern” of the southern countries – Americans and called for dialogue to resolve the conflict.
Lula expressed to Maduro the “growing concern” of eight South American countries, citing a joint declaration agreed on Thursday on the sidelines of the Mercosur summit in Rio de Janeiro, signed by Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay. – calling on both parties to negotiate a “peaceful solution” to the Essequibo issue.
Lula reiterated that call in the conversation he now had with Maduro, proposing that the current president of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) contact both parties to begin negotiations on the dispute, the Planalto press office reported. According to the note, Lula told the Venezuelan leader: “We are a region of peace.”
Tension over Essequibo has increased since the Maduro government held a controversial referendum last Sunday, in which 95% of voters supported the declaration of Venezuela as the legitimate owner of the region, according to official results.
Due to tensions, Brazil decided a few days ago to reinforce its military presence on the border with Venezuela and Guyana.
The United States, in turn, announced military air exercises in Guyana on Thursday.
Source: TSF
