KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, CMC – The second phase of the deliberations between Presidents Dr. Irfaan Ali and Nicolas Maduro began here a few minutes ago as the two countries seek to ease the tensions between them over the ownership of the Essequibo region.
Both Guyana and Venezuela have claimed the Essequibo region, which makes up about two-thirds of Guyana and is home to 125,000 of the country’s 800,000 citizens.
The talks here are being facilitated by the Community of States of Latin America and the Caribbean (CELAC) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
Earlier, President Ali briefed CARICOM leaders ahead of discussions with Maduro and, according to a Guyana government statement, reiterated his country’s position that the border dispute should be a matter to be settled by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The statement said that the second phase of the discussions would involve Maduro and Ali sitting across the table with CARICOM, CELAC, Brazil, and UN observers.
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