Guyana’s president says his country is preparing to defend itself from Venezuela over disputed area

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Guyana’s president told The Associated Press on Wednesday that his country is taking every necessary step to protect itself from Venezuela, which has ordered its state-owned companies to explore and exploit oil and minerals in the vast Essequibo region, which Guyana considers its own. We’re building a regional response.” Ali spoke a day after Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said he would immediately grant operating licenses for exploration and exploitation in Essequibo and ordered the creation of local subsidiaries of Venezuelan public companies, including oil giant PDVSA and mining conglomerate Corporación Venezolana de Guayana. Venezuela’s government condemned Ali’s statement, accusing Guyana of acting irresponsibly and allegedly giving the U.S. Southern Command a green light to enter the Essequibo region. Venezuela called on Guyana to resume dialogue and leave aside its “erratic, threatening and risky conduct.” On Wednesday, the United Nations issued a statement highlighting the recent ruling by the International Court of Justice barring parties from any action that “might aggravate or extend the dispute or make it more difficult to resolve.” U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres “strongly supports the use of solely peaceful means to settle international disputes,” the world body said.