Lula Urges Venezuela-Guyana Dialogue Over Heated Border Dispute
• Lula expressed concern to Maduro over Venezuela's territory dispute with Guyana, calling for dialogue and avoiding escalation • Tensions growing due to long-running border dispute over Esequibo area with offshore oil/gas discoveries • Voters in Venezuela rejected ICJ jurisdiction over the area, backing a new state creation • Lula suggested CELAC president address the issue • Lula reiterated Brazil's support for dialogue, per joint declaration by South American countries