Venezuela’s Call for Peace: Maduro’s Take on the Esequibo Dispute

Reviving the Esequibo Dispute: Maduro’s Stance

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has reignited the long-standing territorial dispute between Venezuela and Guyana over the Esequibo region. In his program “Con Maduro+,” Maduro insisted on Venezuela’s historical claim to the territory and expressed his readiness for a peaceful resolution through diplomatic dialogue.

Maduro called for a face-to-face meeting with Guyana’s President, Irfaan Ali, to clarify positions. He rejected Guyana’s portrayal of itself as a victim being attacked by Venezuela, emphasizing that Venezuela has never threatened Guyana and will not do so.

Venezuela: A Nation of Peace, Not Imperialism

Throughout his address, Maduro stressed that Venezuela is not a colonialist or imperialist nation seeking resources or land that does not belong to it. He invited Guyana to embrace “time for peace and diplomacy” and expressed his readiness to discuss within the framework of the Geneva Agreement to resume peace negotiations.

He further stated that he had instructed the Foreign Ministry and the Vice President of the Republic, Delcy Rodríguez, to provide historical documents to prove to all countries that Esequibo belongs to Venezuela. Maduro maintained that Venezuela does not intervene in the border controversies of any country and that such disputes should be resolved bilaterally.

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Sea Dispute: A Result of Unresolved Territorial Issues

The Venezuelan leader claimed that Guyana has tried to forcibly take a sea that is in dispute and has not been delimited in any form. He clarified that the delimitation of the seas would follow once the territorial dispute is satisfactorily resolved within the Geneva Agreement framework for both parties.

Maduro’s Call for Peaceful Resolution

The key takeaway from President Maduro’s message is a call for peaceful, diplomatic resolution to the Esequibo territorial dispute, with a firm belief that the territory belongs to Venezuela. He proposes a face-to-face meeting with Guyana’s President, Irfaan Ali, to discuss the issue and resume peace negotiations within the framework of the Geneva Agreement.

Addressing the international community, Maduro emphasized his commitment to a non-aggressive approach to the dispute. He highlighted that his country is prepared to provide historical evidence supporting its claim over the disputed territory. Maduro’s call for a peaceful resolution underlines his stance against the use of force in resolving territorial disputes.

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Conclusion

As tensions continue to simmer over the Esequibo region, the need for a diplomatic and peaceful resolution becomes increasingly critical. President Maduro’s call for dialogue and adherence to the Geneva Agreement may be a step in the right direction, signaling a willingness to solve the dispute without resorting to force. While the path to resolution may be long and complex, prioritizing peace and diplomacy could be vital in ensuring the dispute does not escalate into a larger conflict.

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