The United States and Venezuela reached a deal Wednesday to swap 10 American prisoners for an ally of President Nicolas Maduro, as Washington eases pressure on the leftist Caracas government while it pushes for progress on democracy.

A news dispatch reported that, in exchange, Venezuela will free some, if not all 10 U.S. citizens still imprisoned in Venezuela

The minister noted the United Kingdom will continue to work with partners in the region alongside international bodies in order to ensure that the "territorial integrity of Guyana is upheld."

Pantera Entertainment and its ticketing partner, Global Boletos Venezuela, operated from a military jail in Caracas, authorities say

The list includes Colombian 'Natilla', Mexican 'Apple Salad' and other Christmas Dessert Recipes that will not disappoint

The United States, through National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, urged the sides to find a diplomatic solution to the territorial dispute, saying "we don't want to see this come to blows."

The U.S. Army carried out a joint aerial exercise with Guyana. Washington reiterated its support for the country

The attorney general accused them of being involved in several crimes including treason, conspiracy and money laundering.

Tensions rose between Venezuela and Guyana Tuesday as Caracas proposed a bill to declare a Venezuelan province in a disputed oil-rich region and ordered the state oil company to issue licenses for extracting crude there.

Guyana said Monday it would remain "vigilant" after Venezuelans voted overwhelmingly in favor of claiming an oil-rich border region that makes up more than two-thirds of its territory.

About 10.5 million of Venezuela's 20.7 million eligible voters took part in the consultation

Even though the voting is not binding, tensions are running high between the countries given the rhetoric by Maduro's government

A decades-old dispute over the oil-rich Essequibo territory reaches a new, potentially escalatory chapter on Sunday as Venezuela holds a referendum regarding the Guyana-controlled region.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, at least 7.7 million Venezuelans have left the country, with around 444,000 settling in Chile.

US Department of Defense officials will visit Guyana next week, the South American country's vice president said Thursday, as he pledged that "all options" are on the table in its row with neighboring Venezuela.

Venezuela has for decades laid claim to the Essequibo region which is administered by Guyana, making up more than two-thirds of its territory and home to 125,000 of its 800,000 citizens.

The EU has had sanctions against Venezuela, including an arms embargo and a travel ban and assets freeze for dozens of officials, since November 2017 -- reviewed annually.

Venezuela has for decades argued that the 160,000-square-kilometer (62,000-square-mile) region administered by Guyana should fall within its borders -- a contention that has brought the neighbors before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague.

Venezuela's Supreme Court on Monday suspended the outcome of an opposition primary vote, prompting Washington to warn it would "take action" if President Nicolas Maduro's government did not meet its commitments ahead of a 2024 election.

According to data obtained by the Washington Post, authorities have seen an up to 60 percent drop since the announcement of the flights in early October

National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said the primary election was fraudulent because voters were not aware of the electoral registry and location of voting centers.

With 65 percent of ballots counted so far, Machado had won 92.6 percent of the votes, according to the commission which organized the election.

The partially counted ballot boxes (26%) showed that about 93% of votes were under Machado's name, the independent National Primary Commission said.

Venezuela's government has not officially announced the names of the freed prisoners yet.

According to the U.S. Transportation Department, the country will be deporting ''multiple" flights in a week to Venezuela.

The United States will ease some oil and gas sanctions against Venezuela after the South American country's government and opposition agreed to hold elections next year, the Treasury Department said Wednesday.

Mexico's foreign affairs secretary said in the last month alone, 60,000 Venezuelan, 35,000 Guatemalan, and 27,000 Honduran migrants reached the country.

Venezuela's government and opposition agreed in a fresh round of negotiations Tuesday that presidential elections will be held in the second half of next year, with international observers present.

Venezuela's government and opposition said Monday they will restart talks seeking to end the country's political and economic crisis, after a nearly year-long suspension.

The breakthrough was reported by the Washington Post. The deal would involve allowing competitive, internationally monitored presidential elections next year