Colombian President Ivan Duque and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have voiced their support for the sovereignty of Guyana in the midst of a heated territorial dispute with neighboring Venezuela. The two leaders spoke out in favor of Guyana’s rights during a recent meeting, reaffirming their commitment to upholding international law and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
The dispute between Guyana and Venezuela dates back to the early 19th century and centers around the ownership of the Essequibo region, which encompasses a significant portion of Guyana’s territory. In 1899, an arbitration tribunal ruled in favor of Guyana, but Venezuela has never fully accepted the decision and has continued to lay claim to the disputed area.
The recent discovery of significant oil reserves off the coast of Guyana has further escalated tensions between the two countries, with Venezuela insisting that the territory belongs to them.
President Duque and Secretary Pompeo’s public support for Guyana comes as a timely and significant gesture, especially in the midst of the ongoing geopolitical competition between the U.S. and Venezuela. The backing from the U.S. and Colombia serves as a strong show of support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Both Duque and Pompeo reiterated the importance of peacefully resolving the dispute through diplomatic means and encouraged all parties involved to respect international law. The U.S. has also pledged to continue supporting Guyana in its efforts to defend its sovereignty.
As the standoff between Guyana and Venezuela intensifies, it remains to be seen how the international community will respond to the escalating tensions. Nevertheless, the reaffirmation of support from key allies such as Colombia and the U.S. bolsters Guyana’s position and could potentially pave the way for a peaceful resolution to the long-standing dispute.