Regional
Gonsalves Meets With Venezuela, Guyana to De-escalate Essequibo Tensions
Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, is meeting with Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro.
The talks are expected to help ease rising tension over the disputed Essequibo region.
Dr Gonsalves had an initial meeting with President Maduro on Tuesday. He met with President of Guyana, Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Monday.
Dr Gonsalves is urging calm and restraint, and for both parties to return to diplomacy in the interest of maintaining economic and social stability for the entire Latin America and Caribbean region.
The Essequibo area lies west of the Essequibo River.
The territory, excluding the Venezuelan-controlled Ankoko Island, is controlled by Guyana as part of its regions.
It is also claimed by Venezuela as the Guayana Esequiba State.