Guyana Confirms 2 US Fighter Jets Flew Over Capital; Venezuela Angry Over 'Provocation'

Two US fighter planes, F/A-18F Super Hornet jets, recently flew over the capital of Guyana, Georgetown, on Thursday. However, Venezuela was not very happy about this as the two countries are in the midst of a border dispute over the Essequibo territory, an oil-rich stretch of jungle that legally belongs to Guyana but Venezuela claims.

While Venezuela's military might is massive compared to Guyana's, the United States and NATO are backing the Guyanese, with the UK previously sending a warship to conduct military exercises with its former territory in South America.

Guyana confirmed that the two US fighter planes flew over Georgetown, and its government noted that the flyover was a demonstration of the close military cooperation between the country, which was oil-exporting South America, and the United States.

The Guyanese government explained that this "exercise seeks to deepen the ongoing security cooperation between our two countries" but did not mention if this is related to the Essequibo dispute it has with Venezuela. The US also did not mention Essequibo or Venezuela in its statement regarding the flyover.

US Marine Corps Maj. Gen Julie Nethercot visited Guyana for talks just a day after the flyover and stated that she is talking to Guyana regarding deterring aggression, defeating threats, and rapidly responding to crises."

Amid its posturing with the US to deter any attack from Venezuela, Guyana is also waiting for a decision from the World Court to throw out Venezuela's claim regarding the region. However, Venezuela has already said that it would not recognize the court and will ignore its decision whenever it is handed down.

Venezuela Angry Over US Showing Solidarity With Guyana

Shortly after the military exercise, Venezuelan Defense Minister Gen. Vladimir Padrino released a statement and warned the US that it increased security risks in South America and the Caribbean, according to Venezuelan news agency TeleSUR.

"We already warned about the threat to regional peace posed by the presence of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington in the Caribbean. They now announce the deployment of F-18 aircraft to fly over Georgetown and its surroundings," Padrino said in a statement. "The Bolivarian National Armed Forces strongly rejects these repeated provocations by the Southern Command, sponsored by the government of Guyana, which has assumed the role of a new US colony."

"Our Comprehensive Aerospace Defense System remains activated in the event of any attempt to violate Venezuelan geographic space, including our Essequibo territory Alerts," he added.

Venezuela Might Become a Pariah in South America Should It Invade Guyana's Territory

Venezuela has already increased its troop presence near its border with Guyana's Essequibo region. However, Newsweek pointed out that an invasion might be a bad move for the Bolivarian regime.

Nicolas Maduro, who is friends with Brazil President Lula at the moment, might lose more and more allies as Lula himself has slammed Maduro over his recent moves, such as his repression of the Venezuelan opposition. Brazil has also increased its military presence near its borders with Venezuela and Guyana in case conflict actually happens. Should Venezuela invade Essequibo, Lula might turn his back on Maduro, and other countries, including Colombia, might follow suit.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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