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Pompeo Wraps Up Historic Visits to Suriname, Guyana

VOA News

   In a historic first-ever trip to Suriname and Guyana by a U.S.
   secretary of state, Mike Pompeo met with those nations' leaders to
   discuss economic development in the wake of recent oil discoveries in
   both countries.

   Pompeo met Thursday with the president of Suriname, Chan Santokhi, and
   on Friday with the president of Guyana, Irfaan Ali, both of whom are
   newly elected.

   In 2015, Exxon announced it had discovered a [1]large oil reserve off
   the coast of Guyana, South America's second-poorest nation. BBC has
   reported that the 5.5 billion barrels' worth of crude could make it the
   continent's wealthiest nation.

   Exxon is already working in Suriname.

   During a brief appearance Friday, Ali and Pompeo both said they had not
   discussed Exxon's deal with Guyana.

   "We did not discuss this. But I want to say that we are open to
   investment," Ali said. "We are open to investors. '¦ As we have said,
   prior to the elections, there are issues that we'll have to review."

References

   1. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-48185246

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