Venezuela reacts to the presence of an English ship in Guyana

He President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduroordered a “defensive action” in the Atlantic Ocean this Thursday in response to the arrival of a British warship off the coast of Guyana, once again raising tensions between the South American countries over their territorial dispute.

“I ordered the activation of a joint action of the entire Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) in the eastern Caribbean of Venezuela, on the Atlantic front, a joint action of a defensive nature. in response to the provocation and threat of the United Kingdom against the peace and sovereignty of our country,” said the president.

The announcement was made in front of the military leadership, during a meeting that was mandatory broadcast on radio and television, where he communicated with a group of military personnel who carried out the “first phase” of this operation, which consisted of distribution over the land and waters of the state of Sucre (northeast).

Maduro did not provide details on the scope and duration of this operation, but He insisted that the arrival of Britain’s HMS Trent was an “unacceptable threat” which represents a “termination” of the agreement he signed with his Guyanese counterpart Irfaan Ali on December 14, when they promised not to threaten each other and avoid incidents related to the dispute.

“Venezuela cannot sit idle in the face of the threat“We respond with a proportional measure,” he assured after repeating that he was committed to diplomacy and peace.

He The Chavista leader criticized Guyana for ignoring Caracas’ demands not accepting the arrival of a British ship on its shores.

The The controversy escalated after Venezuela on December 3, in a unilateral referendum, approved the annexation of the disputed territoryan area of ​​almost 160,000 square kilometers which is under the control of Guyana and whose dispute is in the hands of the International Court of Justice.