MADRID, November 10 (EUROPA PRESS) –

UN Secretary General, António Guterres, this Thursday expressed his concern over the recent escalation of tensions between Guyana and Venezuela due to the territorial dispute over the Essequibo, under Georgetown’s control but Caracas claims as its own.

“(Guterres) is concerned by the recent escalation of tensions between Guyana and Venezuela resulting from the border dispute between the two countries. He trusts in the good faith of both parties to prevent any actions that exacerbate or prolong the controversy,” Guterres’ spokesperson said. .., Stéphane Dujarric, in a statement.

He also explained that the Secretary General had not taken a position on this issue and reminded that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) would be the body to determine the solution.

Tensions have risen in recent weeks after the Venezuelan government announced a referendum scheduled for early December with the aim of finding out “citizen opinion” on the issue.

In addition, Venezuela has on various occasions accused the Government of Guyana of using aggressive and militaristic discourse and attempted to involve the United States Army in its intervention.

Essequibo is a region covering 159,542 kilometers that has important natural resources – oil, gas, mining, hydraulic and forestry – as well as great tourism potential. It is administered by Guyana based on an 1899 arbitration decision.

Specifically, Guyana argues that Caracas agreed to cede the Essequibo after the decree was issued in 1899, but that Venezuela later revoked the decree. Caracas relies on a treaty signed in 1966 in Geneva between Venezuela and Britain, Guyana’s former colonial power, which recognized that the Essequibo was a disputed territory.

The ICJ opened the case at Guyana’s request in 2018 and has since decided to declare itself competent in the matter, despite Venezuela’s objection to the judicial process.