UN Secretary-General closer to assessing border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela

The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon maybe one step closer to giving his assessment of the ongoing border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela before leaving office next month.

In his latest move before giving an assessment of the border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela, the Secretary-General on Monday met with the Venezuelan President where the issue was discussed.

This week’s meeting comes less than a month after the Secretary General committed to assessing the matter between the two South American neighbours before November as he prepares to demit office on December 31, 2016. “I have to make an assessment by November” the Ministry of the Presidency quoted Mr. Ban as remarking in talks with President David Granger at the UN Headquarters in New York.

Ever since taking office President Granger has been persistent about his intention of taking the dispute to the International Court of Justice.

For nearly 50 years, Venezuela has claimed almost all territory west of the Essequibo River as its own, despite agreeing to the 1899 tribunal award to settle the border dispute back then.

The renewed claim by Venezuela restarted in May 2015 when American oil and gas company, ExxonMobil announced a significant oil discovery located offshore Guyana.

Just two months ago the same US based Corporation said it made another significant discovery of oil in a second well.

According to the company, the second exploration well in the Stabroek block can be considered a world-class discovery since it should offer 1.4 billion barrels of oil.