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First Posted: 10/11/2013

(AP) The government of Guyana says the Venezuelan navy has detained the crew of an oil exploration vessel operated by U.S.-based Anadarko Petroleum in waters disputed by the two South American nations.


Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the RV Teknik Perdana was ordered by a Venezuelan navy ship to divert to Margarita Island in Venezuela and its U.S.-based crew remains held there.


Guyana says the ship was well within the country’s exclusive economic zone while conducting a seismic survey of the seafloor when it was stopped Thursday by the Venezuelan navy. The ministry said in a statement Friday that Venezuela claims the vessel was within its territorial waters.


The ministry called the action a “serious threat to the peace” in the region. An Anadarko spokesman had no immediate comment.


Associated Press