Venezuela reduces its military presence in the east after the departure of the British ship from Essequibo

MADRID, 1 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Minister of Defense of Venezuela, Vladimir Padrino López, has announced through the social network British war ship 'HMS Trent' has left "the disputed waters" of the Essequibo, Guyanese territory claimed by Caracas.

"Given the departure of the British warship 'HMS Trent' from the disputed waters, C/J (commander in chief) Nicolás Maduro has ordered to move to a new phase of the joint action exercise "Sifontes" and withdraw part of the naval means to their respective bases," Padrino indicated.

"Likewise, he effusively congratulated the staff of the

Padrino already warned last Saturday that Venezuela would maintain its military presence in the area until the British warship left Essequibo.

"We will be there until that imperialist British ship leaves the waters in dispute between Venezuela and Guyana," Padrino then explained. "Venezuela and its people can feel confident that its Armed Forces are protecting our national sovereignty," he stressed.

Padrino supervises the General Domingo Sifontes joint military actions, deployed since last Thursday in response to the arrival of the British ship. More than 5,600 military personnel, 28 aircraft and 16 boats were sent to the east of the country.

The dispute between Venezuela and Guyana over the Essequibo dates back almost two centuries, although it was five years ago, after the discovery of important oil deposits under its waters, when the conflict was revived.

Both countries are at odds over 159,000 square kilometers of territory west of the Essequibo River, which constitutes two-thirds of Guyana's total area.