Venezuela, Guyana agree to keep dialogue amid tensions

CARACAS — Guyana and Venezuela agreed on Wednesday to keep "communication channels open" in a fast-escalating feud over the disputed Essequibo region, as Brazil reinforced its troops near its own border.

In Caracas, the government said its top diplomat Yvan Gil had a phone call with Guyanese counterpart Hugh Todd "to discuss the issue of the territorial dispute" over the Essequibo region to which both countries lay claim.

The discussion took place at Guyana's request, it said in a statement, and concluded with the parties agreeing to "keep the communication channels open".