It is approximately 128 years since diplomatic relations were severed between Venezuela and Great Britain over the border issue with Guyana. At the the insistence of Venezuela, the United States considered the controversy as falling within the purview of the Monroe Doctrine. Consequently, the United States pressured Great Britain into making an Agreement with Venezuela in 1897. This Agreement averted a war between the two major powers. The parties agreed to submit the dispute to arbitration under the Treaty of Washington. Both sides agreed that the findings of the Arbitration Tribunal would be final.However, Venezuela has nullified the Award. The Geneva Agreement of 1966 was then signed. The Agreement was specifically designed to address the issue raised by Venezuela. However, the Agreement clearly stipulated that no new claim, or enlargement of an existing claim, to territorial sovereignty in those territories shall be asserted while this Agreement is in force.