Brazil urges calm as Venezuela-Guyana border tension rises over Essequibo
Al Jazeera
A British warship arrives for defence exercises with Guyana as Venezuela launches war games near contested region.
Brazil has called for “restraint” as tensions flared in a territorial dispute between Venezuela and Guyana, with Caracas launching a major military exercise near the contested, oil-rich Essequibo region.
“The Brazilian government is following the latest developments in the dispute surrounding the Essequibo region with concern,” said a statement from the foreign ministry on Friday.
“The Brazilian government believes military demonstrations of support to either party should be avoided so that the ongoing dialogue process can produce results.”
A British warship, the HMS Trent, also arrived in Guyana on Friday afternoon amid rising tensions, for open sea defence exercises in its former colony.
The UK’s defence ministry has said that the ship is visiting Guyana as part of a series of engagements in the region and that the vessel will conduct training exercises with Guyana’s military.
