SÃO PAULO, Dec 9 - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has expressed growing concern over the territorial dispute between Venezuela and Guyana, according to a statement from Brazil's presidential palace. In a phone call with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, President Lula called for dialogue and urged against unilateral measures that could escalate the situation.

The tensions between Venezuela and Guyana have been escalating in recent weeks due to a long-running border dispute over the Esequibo region, where significant offshore oil and gas reserves have been discovered. Last weekend, Venezuelan voters rejected the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the area and supported the creation of a new state.

To address the situation, President Lula proposed that Ralph Gonsalves, the prime minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and the pro tempore president of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), take up the issue. He also reaffirmed Brazil's readiness to support and participate in dialogue initiatives, echoing a joint declaration made by South American countries earlier in the week.

The United States and Brazil are in consultation with each other regarding the Venezuela-Guyana border dispute, as confirmed by the press office of the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia. Both governments have stated their unwavering support for Guyana's sovereignty and expressed their desire for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

The ongoing territorial dispute continues to pose challenges to regional stability, particularly given the valuable energy resources at stake. The international community will be closely monitoring diplomatic efforts' progress in resolving the tension between Venezuela and Guyana, as the prospect of conflict looms.