Venezuela, Guyana open 'communication channels' as border tension mounts

In Caracas, the government said its top diplomat Yvan Gil had a phone call with Guyanese counterpart Hugh Todd "to discuss the issue of the territorial dispute" over the Essequibo region. The discussion took place at Guyana's request, it said in a statement, and concluded with the parties agreeing to "keep the communication channels open." The Brazilian army, meanwhile, said it was reinforcing its presence in the northern cities of Pacaraima and Boa Vista as part of efforts "to guarantee the inviolability...