GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) — Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro has ordered the suspension of steps being taken to accredit a new Guyanese ambassador to his country.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Caracas, the procedure for acceptance of a new ambassador were ongoing, but were frustrated by recent comments from Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge.

In a weekly television programme Tuesday, Maduro said he ordered Minister of Foreign Affairs Delcy Rodriguez to stop the process.

“It is nonsense to initiate the diplomatic way of regularising the appointment and admission of ambassadors and suddenly [they] go to the United States to launch attacks against Venezuela,” said Maduro.

Venezuela, he said, wants relations with Guyana, but that these must be based on respect.

“We are a nation of peace and our Essequibo claim (disputed territory with the neighboring country) will always go by way of international law, dialogue and truth,” he added.

Maduro, meanwhile, demanded Guyana’s President David Granger adopt a position regarding Venezuela and requested the support of the Caribbean countries to make Caracas and Georgetown reestablish relations of respect.