British minister for the Americas and Caribbean David Rutley will become the first G7 minister to visit Guyana since a Venezuelan referendum saw tensions flare over the Essequibo region. Guyana and Venezuela, led by President Nicolas Maduro, recently agreed not to use threats or force against each other. The century-old dispute was reignited with the discovery of oil in Guyana and escalated when Venezuela voted in a referendum on December 3 to claim two-thirds of its smaller neighbour. Mr Rutley said: “I am in Guyana, a fellow Commonwealth member, to offer the UK’s unequivocal backing to our Guyanese friends. “The UK will continue to work with partners in the region, as well as through international bodies, to ensure the territorial integrity of Guyana is upheld.”

Source: The Times December 18, 2023 05:11 UTC