DESPITE sharp condemnation from Guyana and the international community, including the US, Venezuela continues to defend its actions regarding the latest maritime incident in the disputed Essequibo region.

On March 2, Venezuela defence minister Gen Vladimir Padrino Lopez issued a statement saying that the national armed force (FANB) categorically rejects the statements made by Guyana president Dr Irfaan Ali on the incident that occurred "in waters pending delimitation...

"It is imperative to remember that the aforementioned dispute has a valid legal instrument in force, deposited in the General Assembly of the UN, which governs its practical, political and satisfactory solution: the Geneva Agreement," Lopez said.