Venezuela’s foreign minister has reaffirmed his belief that the Essequibo region of Guyana was historically part of Venezuelan territory, reiterating his claim on his Telegram channel, El Universal reported.
Yvan Gil says legendary statesman Simon Bolivar in November 1817 had recognized Guyana as an emblematic province of the newly created Venezuela.
Mr Gil said that Bolivar’s decision was not accidental because the recognized the strategic and fundamental role Guyana played during their independence struggle against Spain.
Guyana currently administers over the Essequibo territory.
The territorial dispute escalated in 2015 when large oil reserves were discovered in the waters offshore.
