VENEZUELAN President Nicolas Maduro has hailed a unified position regarding the defence of the contested Essequibo region during the latest round of peace talks with the opposition in Mexico City.

The parties signed two “partial agreements” on Monday, according to reports, with the accords including action on social protection, coronavirus and the country’s stance on the disputed area controlled by neighbouring Guyana.

The two sides agreed that Venezuela has a “historical and inalienable claim” to the Essequibo region which has been the subject of a century-old dispute between the two nations.