Venezuela Ready To Resume Talks With Guyana To Resolve Essequibo Dispute -Foreign Minister

MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 04th August, 2020) Venezuela says it hopes to resume dialogue on the disputed Essequibo region with Guyana's new government as soon as possible, Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said in a statement.

On Sunday, opposition candidate Irfaan Ali was sworn in as Guyana's new president.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza congratulated Guyana on the election of the new leader, saying in a Monday statement that it was necessary "to reactivate the dialogue and negotiation mechanisms as soon as possible to reach a practical and satisfactory settlement" on the Essequibo issue.

The disputed oil-rich area west of the Essequibo River, which is a major portion of Guyana, has been claimed by Venezuela since the 19th century.

The dispute between Venezuela and Guyana over the Essequibo region exacerbated after Guyana's president David Granger came to power in 2015 and sought rapprochement with the United States, which opposes the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said on Monday that the country's government hoped to resume cooperation and good neighborly relations with Guyana that were maintained up until 2015.