By Deutsche Welle
Dec 18, 2023, 09:20 AM EST
The Minister of Defense of Venezuela, Vladimir Padrino, reiterated this Sunday (12/17/2023) that The Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) is “prepared” for “any scenario” in the midst of the dispute with Guyana over the Essequibo, after both countries met on Thursday and agreed not to threaten each other or use force.
“It was possible to return to the path of dialogue to settle the conflict over the Essequibo territory. This (…) does not mean at all a minimal renunciation of our claim, of our non-recognition of the International Court of Justice in this matter and much less does it mean that the Bolivarian National Armed Force is not prepared for any scenario,” Padrino said.
In an event in tribute to the Liberator Simón Bolívar, broadcast on the state channel VTV, he pointed out that, “currently, the turbulent world geopolitics, marked” by the “race for hydrocarbons, once again places the rich” area in question. and its seas “in the crosshairs of the imperial powers”, which “to avoid its decline, are willing to take the most vile actions.”
“We will simply be here prepared for any situation of this nature.“, assured the also sectoral vice president of Political Sovereignty, Security and Peace, who added that they will remain “alert” in the face of this situation, in which “transnationals, which act as a State within another State, have their hands in.”
“Historical battle”
Padrino participated on Saturday in a meeting with President Nicolás Maduro, who expressed that his country “is waging” a “historic battle” to recover Guayana Esequiba (we call it the Venezuelan Government) and pointed out that Thursday’s meeting in San Vicente and the Grenadines with his Guyanese counterpart, Irfaan Ali, was a “special milestone on the path towards vindication” of the “historic rights” of Venezuela.
At Thursday’s meeting, Both countries also committed to continuing “dialogue on any other matter.” pending mutual importance” and to refrain “whether in word or deed, from escalating any conflict or disagreement arising from any controversy.”
The controversy escalated after Venezuela approved on December 3 in a unilateral referendum – which was intended to be binding – to annex the disputed area, a territory of almost 160,000 square kilometers, and ordered the settlement of a military division near the disputed area, without raids at the moment.
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