Guyanese President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali says he is open to meeting with Venezuela’s acting leader Delcy Rodríguez as tensions persist between the two countries over the Essequibo region.

Ali made the comments while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce’s Business Outlook Meeting 2026/2027 at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain on April 10.

His remarks came a day after Rodríguez made an official visit to Grenada, her first overseas trip since assuming office earlier this year following the removal of Nicolás Maduro in a United States military operation.

Maduro and his wife are currently facing drug-related charges in New York.

During her visit to Grenada, Rodríguez wore a brooch depicting Venezuela’s map, including the disputed Essequibo territory, which Guyana has taken before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to determine sovereignty.

Despite signalling a willingness to engage diplomatically, Ali maintained a firm position on Guyana’s territorial integrity.

“Essequibo is Guyana’s. It was settled in 1899. I’m open to meet any leader globally, any leader in this region,” he said.

Ali stressed that while dialogue is important, Guyana will not take lightly any threat to its sovereignty.

“As a responsible leader, we know that the development of our countries and the development of our people are integrated, and we stand firmly on the side of democracy and the rule of law. We don’t take lightly any threat to the sovereignty of Guyana,” he added.

He also thanked Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for her support on the issue.

“We value that deeply. We value our friendship with Trinidad and Tobago. We see Trinidad as a brotherly or sisterly country and part of that Caribbean community, and we value that greatly,” Ali said.