UK minister to visit Guyana amid Venezuela dispute
David Rutley will stress the Government’s backing for Guyana when he meets the country’s president later.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A UK minister will stress the Government’s backing for Guyana when he meets the country’s president later, amid a bitter dispute with Venezuela over a vast border region rich with oil and minerals.
British minister for the Americas and Caribbean David Rutley will become the first G7 minister to visit Guyana since a Venezuelan referendum saw tensions flare over the Essequibo region.
Mr Rutley will meet Guyanese President Irfaan Ali as well as senior government and military officials.
Guyana and Venezuela, led by President Nicolas Maduro, recently agreed not to use threats or force against each other.
The border issue has been settled for over 120 years. Sovereign borders must be respected wherever they are in the world
Tension over the border region of Essequibo has raised worries about a military conflict, with Venezuela insisting Essequibo was part of its territory during the Spanish colonial period and arguing a 1966 Geneva agreement with Britain and then-British Guiana, now Guyana, nullified a border drawn in 1899 by international arbitrators.
The century-old dispute was reignited with the discovery of oil in Guyana and escalated when Venezuela voted in a referendum on December 3 to claim two-thirds of its smaller neighbour.
Mr Rutley said: “I am in Guyana, a fellow Commonwealth member, to offer the UK’s unequivocal backing to our Guyanese friends.
“The border issue has been settled for over 120 years. Sovereign borders must be respected wherever they are in the world.
“We welcome the recent agreement by Venezuela in St Vincent to refrain from the use of force and any further escalation.
“The UK will continue to work with partners in the region, as well as through international bodies, to ensure the territorial integrity of Guyana is upheld.”