The leaders of Guyana and Venezuela promised in a tense meeting Thursday that neither side would use threats or force against the other, but failed to reach agreement on how to address a bitter dispute over a vast border region rich with oil and minerals that has concerned many in the region.
Instead, a joint commission composed of the foreign ministers of both countries and other officials will address the problem, with a report expected within three months.
Guyanese President Irfaan Ali and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro agreed to meet again in Brazil within three months or at another agreed-upon time, according to an 11-point declaration read at a press briefing late Thursday at which no questions were allowed.
A dispute implies that both sides have a valid point in an argument.
Venezuela just want Guyana territory and rightfully Guyana doesn’t want to lose it.
There is a longer history of dispute over this territory. Every time it has come up or been put forward for international determination, Guyana wins. However, I think that the added context does provide valuable background.
Maybe I can save everyone time and state the outcome of the next meeting: “no”.
It goes back further, to when the Dutch gave the territory to the British, and the British decided the territory given to them by the Dutch was bigger than it actually was.