"Venezuela Escalates Military Presence Amid Guyana Territorial Tensions as British Warship Arrives"
The arrival of the British warship HMS Trent in Guyana has escalated tensions with Venezuela, which has started military exercises in response. The presence of the warship is part of a series of engagements in the region, including training exercises with Guyana's military, amidst a longstanding border dispute over the resource-rich Essequibo region. Brazil has called for dialogue and adherence to the Argyle Declaration for a peaceful resolution, while Venezuelan President Maduro has accused Guyana of betrayal and described the British action as a threat. The dispute dates back to a 19th-century arbitration and has been reignited by Venezuela's recent referendum on the territory. Guyana has sought a legal ruling from the UN's top court on the validity of the original border agreement.