Guyana: 5 Senior Military Officials, 2 Crew Members Missing After Helicopter Crashes Near Venezuela Border

In a perplexing incident, a military helicopter carrying seven individuals vanished Wednesday near the Guyana-veborder, AP reports.

Authorities cited adverse weather conditions in the region, dispelling initial concerns of hostile fire amid escalating tensions between the two nations.

Two crew members and five senior officers were conducting an inspection of troops guarding a disputed border area claimed by Venezuela, disclosed Army Chief Brig. Gen. Omar Khan.

As Venezuelan troops with heavy equipment amassed near the border, speculation of a potential invasion heightened.

Guyana President Irfaan Ali, earlier in the day, assured that all necessary measures were being taken to safeguard the country.

Khan informed reporters that the Bell 412 EPI aircraft lost contact after taking off from the Olive Creek settlement in western Guyana following a refueling stop.

Despite the mountainous and heavily forested terrain, Khan emphasized there was no indication of the helicopter being shot down.

"We do not have any information suggesting that there was any flight by Venezuelan aircraft in that area," he said, adding that the lives of the missing officers and crews are their main priority over speculations.

The US government is set to assist in the search efforts, which are scheduled to resume Thursday.

Helicopter Crash Fuels Guyana-Venezuela Territorial Tensions

The disappearance of the military helicopter, approximately 30 miles east of the Venezuelan border, unfolds against the backdrop of escalating tensions between Guyana and Venezuela over the mineral-rich Essequibo region.

Venezuela contends historical sovereignty over the area, a claim reinforced by a recent referendum and pledges of exploration licenses by President Nicolás Maduro, per the Independent.

Guyana, adhering to a border defined by international arbitrators in 1899, vehemently opposes Venezuela's assertions.

President Ali revealed that his government is engaging allies and regional partners, seeking military assistance to protect Essequibo, which constitutes two-thirds of the country.

"We take this threat very seriously, and we have initiated a number of precautionary measures to ensure the peace and stability of this region," Ali said in an interview.

In response to Venezuela's recent actions, Ali emphasized that Guyana is constructing a regional response.

International Reactions and Territorial Dispute Escalation

Venezuela, possessing the world's largest proven oil reserves, faces challenges due to mismanagement and US economic sanctions against Maduro's government, impacting PDVSA and subsidiaries, according to ABC News.

Maduro responded by announcing the establishment of a Comprehensive Defense Operational Zone for the disputed territory, akin to existing special military commands in certain regions of Venezuela.

President Ali expressed grave concern over Venezuela's defiance of international law, announcing intentions to bring up the issue at the UN Security Council meeting, according to ABC News.

"The announcements by Venezuela are in full defiance of international law," Ali said.

"And any country that so openly defies important international bodies should be of concern not only for Guyana but for all of the world," he added.

In a statement, he confirmed reaching out to the US, Brazil, the UK, France, the U.N. secretary-general, and the U.S. Southern Command.

Venezuela swiftly condemned Guyana's actions, accusing it of irresponsibility and allegedly granting a green light to the US Southern Command for Essequibo entry.

The diplomatic confrontation over the Essequibo region has deepened, fueled in part by ExxonMobil's discovery of significant oil reserves off the Guyanese coast in 2015.

As tensions persist, the international community watches closely, concerned about the potential ramifications of this territorial dispute.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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