Guyana/Suriname dispute

The two major opposition parties in Guyana said they would stand by the government in a dispute with its neighboring country Suriname.



The dispute arose out of an incident on Tuesday, after a Guyanese vessel was seized by the Surinamese military.



The vessel was reportedly travelling in the Courentyne River, which forms the border between the two countries, when it was taken over by the Surinamese army.



The Guyana registered, MV Lady Chandra, was then boarded by Surinamese authorities and escorted by three military vessels to a port in Suriname.



Guyana has described the incident as an act of provocation, which is being drawn to the attention of the Secretaries General of CARICOM and the United Nations.



The Guyana government said this episode is the latest attack by Suriname against Guyanese shipping in the Corentyne River.