Leaders of Guyana and Venezuela to meet this week as region worries over their territorial dispute

By REGINA GARCIA CANO
Associated Press

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The leaders of Guyana and Venezuela have expressed their intentions to cooperate ahead of their meeting this week meant to address an escalating dispute over a region rich in oil and minerals. But their diametrically different positions over the role that the International Court of Justice should have in the disagreement appeared impossible to reconcile on Monday. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and other officials insist the world court cannot settle the century-old dispute. Meanwhile, Guyana President Irfaan Ali says the court is the appropriate venue to solve the matter. Maduro and Ali will meet on Thursday in the eastern Caribbean island of St. Vincent to discuss the dispute.