(CNN in Spanish) — The US State Department issued a statement on Monday to congratulate Guyana on its 58th Independence Day, reaffirming its commitment as a “trusted partner” to the country, amid the tensions its government is facing with the government of Venezuela.

“The United States reaffirms its steadfast commitment as Guyana’s trusted partner. Over time, our mutual acceptance of democracy and resilience will continue to be key pillars of our strong bilateral relationship. Our countries are inextricably linked through deep ties that It includes education, history, economics, culture and our strong ties between peoples.”

Guyana is locked in a territorial dispute with the government of Nicolas Maduro, which last April enacted a law creating a state in the Essequibo region, which Caracas claims as its own.

The Guyana government then said that the promulgation of the “Basic Law for the Defense of Guyana-Esquipa” constituted “a flagrant violation of the most basic principles of international law stipulated in the Charter of the United Nations and the Charter of the United Nations.” American states and customary rules of international law.”

Guyana's President, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, in an address to the nation on Saturday, said his government's strategy in the region is to “position itself as a hub for further investments,” according to a statement from the Guyana government.