BOGOTA, Colombia - On Friday afternoon, the British warship HMS Trent arrived in Guyana, exacerbating the escalating tensions arising from a border dispute between the former British colony and neighboring Venezuela. In response to the warship's visit, Venezuela initiated military exercises a day earlier in the eastern Caribbean near the border with Guyana, as the Venezuelan government continues to assert its claim to a significant portion of its smaller neighbor.

Concerned about the situation, Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its unease on Friday and called on both South American countries to engage in dialogue. The ministry urged other nations to refrain from any "military activities" that would support either side, emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution.

The primary bone of contention in the border dispute is the region of Essequibo, a sparsely populated area roughly the size of Florida, known for its abundant oil and mineral resources. Venezuela has long maintained that it was unjustly deprived of the territory during negotiations between Europeans, the United States, and Britain that established the border.

The United Kingdom's Defense Ministry clarified that the visit of HMS Trent to Guyana is part of a series of regional engagements, during which the warship will participate in training exercises alongside Guyana's military. The vessel, equipped with cannons and a landing pad for helicopters and drones, typically carries around 50 marines and is primarily deployed for counter-piracy and anti-drug smuggling operations. In recent times, it had undertaken joint exercises with the naval forces of several West African nations.

In a show of diplomatic engagement, photographs posted by HMS Trent's official account on X (formerly Twitter) featured sailors warmly welcoming Britain's ambassador to Guyana and the chief of staff of Guyana's Defense Force, Brig. Gen. Omar Khan. The dignitaries were hosted for a formal lunch and provided with a tour to showcase the ship's capabilities.

Speaking to The Associated Press, Brig. Gen. Khan emphasized that such operations remain crucial to bolstering regional security. He emphasized that they have been an integral part of past endeavors and will continue to play a vital role in the future.

Meanwhile, Guyanese President Irfaan Ali sought to assuage Venezuela's concerns about the presence of the warship in Guyanese waters. President Ali stated that Venezuela "had nothing to fear" from the ship's activities as Guyana has long been engaged in partnerships with regional and international states aimed at enhancing internal security. The president emphasized that these partnerships do not pose a threat to any other nation and are non-aggressive in nature.

Nevertheless, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in a nationally televised speech on Thursday, accused Guyana of betraying the spirit of the Argyle Declaration. Guyana, which has controlled Essequibo for several decades, faced renewed pressure from Venezuela after the latter revived its historical claim to the region through a recent referendum. This move has been viewed by critics as an attempt by President Maduro to divert attention from Venezuela's internal issues in the lead-up to next year's presidential election, where he aims to secure a third term.

Venezuela argues that it was a victim of a land theft conspiracy in 1899 when Guyana was still a British colony and boundary determinations were made by arbitrators from Britain, Russia, and the United States. Venezuelan officials also contend that a 1966 agreement between Venezuela, Britain, and the former colony of British Guiana effectively nullified the original arbitration decision.

In response to Guyana's legal stance, the country sought the intervention of the United Nations' highest court in 2018, requesting a ruling to affirm the validity of the initial accord. However, a decision from the court is not expected for several years.

As tensions continue to rise, the international community is closely observing the developments between Guyana and Venezuela, with hopes for a peaceful resolution to the border dispute.

[Bert Wilkinson in Georgetown, Guyana, contributed to this report.]