Instead, a joint commission composed of the foreign ministers of both countries and other officials will address the problem, with a report expected within three months.
Earlier in the day, Guyana’s government issued a statement saying that Essequibo “is not up for discussion, negotiation or deliberation.” Ali echoed those comments during a news conference he held during a break in his talks with Maduro.
White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said that Biden administration officials were closely monitoring the rising tensions.
Ali and Maduro first met individually with prime ministers and other officials from the region who had pushed for the meeting to try and defuse the situation.
Ali rejected in a letter to Gonsalves on Tuesday what he said was Maduro’s description of the “meddling of the United States Southern Command, which has begun operations in the disputed territory.”
“Any allegation that a military operation aimed at Venezuela exists in any part of Guyanese territory is false, misleading and provocative,” Ali said in the letter.
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