The Venezuelan Foreign Minister, Yván Gil, condemned the recent conversation between the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and Guyana’s President, Irfaan Ali. During this call, Rubio expressed his support for the “territorial integrity of Guyana against the belligerent actions of Nicolás Maduro and his accomplices”.
Marco Rubio: “Enemy of Venezuela”
In response, Gil described Rubio as an “enemy” of the country, claiming he has a “sick obsession with harming Venezuela”. Through his Telegram channel, the foreign minister strongly criticized the U.S. official’s statements.
“Rubio continues to demonstrate his sick obsession with harming Venezuela. Now, he attempts to support the fantasies of the Guyana government, which seeks to strip us of the historical rights left to us by our liberators and which are an inalienable part of our sovereignty,” stated Gil.
The Geneva Agreement as a Solution
The foreign minister reiterated that the Geneva Agreement is the only legitimate mechanism to resolve the territorial dispute over the Essequibo. He emphasized that external interference and ill-intentioned policies will not alter the historical reality or Venezuela’s rights to this territory.
“Neither the ill-intentioned interference of our enemies nor underhanded politics will change this reality,” he stressed. Furthermore, he urged the Guyana government to fulfill its historical responsibility and negotiate under the terms of the Agreement.
“The Guyana government must understand that its obligation is not to third parties, but to history, international law, and regional peace,” he added.
U.S. Support for Guyana
Last Monday, January 27, the State Department reported on the call between Rubio and Ali. According to the statement, both discussed the illegal migration crisis and agreed to address this regional challenge jointly.
Additionally, the document highlighted the U.S.’s support for Guyana amid tensions with Venezuela. “The Secretary affirmed the strong support of the United States for Guyana’s territorial integrity against the belligerent actions of Nicolás Maduro and his accomplices,” the statement read.
Context of the Essequibo Dispute
The Essequibo region has historically been a point of conflict between Venezuela and Guyana. While Venezuela claims the territory as part of its historical heritage, Guyana argues that it belongs to them under international agreements. This tension has been exacerbated by strategic and economic interests in the area.
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