Guyana's new government headed by David Granger denounced a territorial decree by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as an attempt to annex part of its coastal waters following a major oil discovery. The dispute between the South American neighbors goes back to the 19th century and resurfaced after an offshore oil discovery by ExxonMobil Corp last month. Venezuela reasserted its long-standing claim to the disputed area but expressed its commitment to a peaceful dialogue and amicable solution in accordance with the Geneva conventions. The Guyanese government rejected the Venezuelan claim as extraterritorial and illegal. teleSUR
