Venezuela and Guyana Presidents Set for Border Dispute Meet Thursday

The Presidents of Venezuela and Guyana are set to meet Thursday in a diplomatic attempt to ease tensions over the latest border dispute escalation.

• The meeting, set in St Vincent and the Grenadines, is hosted by its prime minister Ralph Gonsalves.
• Guyana president Irfaan Ali said he was attending the meet "...with the hope that it becomes a starting point towards the return of direct negotiations." and that he was looking to "de-escalate the conflict."
• The disputed Essequibo is rich in oil and gas and makes up two thirds of western Guyana.
• The dispute recently flared as Guyana awarded offshore exploration permits in an area that partially overlaps disputed waters between the nations.
• Maduro held a nationwide vote earlier this month that Maduro claims affirms Venezuela's rights to the province which is under investigation by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).