Guyana, 7th Latin American State Recognizes Palestine

Guyana has joined a Latin American campaign of recognizing Palestine as an independent state, showing their commitment to Palestinians, says the country's Foreign Ministry.

"It is Guyana's hope that the increasing recognition of the state of Palestine will contribute to a resolution of the "Israeli"-Palestinian conflict and the creation of lasting peace and stability in the region," the ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

The decision "is in keeping with Guyana's long-standing and unwavering solidarity with, and commitment to, the just and legitimate aspirations of the people of Palestine for the exercise of their right to self-determination and to achieve a homeland of their own, independent, free, prosperous and at peace," the statement said.

Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay and Ecuador recognized Palestinian statehood within the borders that existed before the Israeli regime occupied the West Bank, including East Al Quds (Jerusalem), and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 war.

Paraguay and Peru are expected to join Chile on that list in the coming weeks.

The US House of Representatives last week passed a resolution "condemning unilateral measures to declare or recognize a Palestinian state."