Venezuela’s Maduro conveys 'great respect' for Guyana president

Venezuelan President Maduro and Guyana Ambassador to Venezuela Van West-Charles meet in Caracas

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro gestures during to visit of Richard Van West-Charles, Guyana Ambassador to Venezuela, at the Miraflores Palace, in Caracas, Venezuela, February 20, 2024. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/File Photo

Source: X07476

By Sabrina Valle

Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro has conveyed his "great respect" to the Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday, signaling a decrease in tensions over an area where Guyana is developing large oil and gas reserves.

Diplomatic talks between the two countries started in December. That month, a Venezuelan referendum backed a move to incorporate Essequibo, the area where Guyana is developing large oil and gas reserves.

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Maduro met Guyana's Ambassador Richard Van West-Charles in Caracas on Tuesday, according to a statement from Guyana.

"President Maduro requested ambassador Van West-Charles to convey a message of high regard to President Ali, stating his great respect for the President and the people of Guyana," the statement said.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is hearing a case on the border dispute.

This article was produced by Reuters news agency. It has not been edited by Global South World.

By Reuters