The President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, said this Thursday (28) that the entry of a British warship into the waters off the coast of Guyana violates the “spirit” of an agreement reached between the two countries
Maduro ordered the start of “a joint defensive action by the Bolivarian National Armed Forces” on the coast of Essequibo during a broadcast on state television, but gave no further information.
“On December 24th, news was released that disturbed the happiness and tranquility of the Venezuelan family. The United Kingdom announced to the BBC in London that it will send a warship to Guyana, as part of the dispute with Venezuela over Essequibo. The content of the information is practically a military threat from London against the South American country,” said Maduro.
Military leaders in Venezuela said during the broadcast that 5,600 troops were ready for the operation.
In a statement, the Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the country “reserves all actions within the framework of the Constitution and International Law to defend its maritime and territorial integrity.”
Guyana and Venezuela agreed earlier this month to avoid the use of force and avoid escalating tensions over the long-running border dispute over the oil-rich territory of Essequibo.
The Essequibo region, measuring 160,000 km², is generally recognized as part of Guyana, but in recent years Venezuela has returned to claiming the territory and offshore areas following major oil and gas discoveries.
The Royal Navy patrol ship HMS Trent is visiting Guyana, an ally and former British colony, as part of a series of engagements in the region, the UK Ministry of Defense said in a statement earlier this month, without referring to the Venezuela or the border dispute.
According to Maduro, Venezuela is respecting the agreement with Guyana, “but the country cannot stand idly by in the face of a threat, no matter where it comes from.”
The leader also ratified his commitment to diplomacy and dialogue, but said that in the country there are “warriors who will not allow them to threaten Venezuela”.
“This threat is unacceptable for any sovereign country in South America, Latin America and the Caribbean,” he continued.
*Published by Douglas Porto, with information from Reuters
Source: CNN Brasil
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