The Minister of Defense of Venezuela, Vladimir Padrino, described this Thursday as “unfortunate provocation” the announcement made hours before about an aerial military exercise by the United States Southern Command in Guyana.
The exercise takes place in a context of great tension between the two South American countries around Essequibo, a territory of about 160,000 square kilometers rich in oil, belonging to Guyana and that Venezuela claims, after holding a referendum – although it has been occupied of a binding non-consultation.
On the social network, the disputed area, rich in natural resources, represents “another step in the wrong direction.”
“We warn that they will not divert us from our future actions for the recovery of Essequibo, do not hesitate!” Padrino wrote on the social network, despite the fact that this is a bilateral issue between the United States and Guyana, unrelated to Venezuela and its institutions.
According to a statement released by Guyanese media, the air missions of the United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) with the Guyana Defense Forces (FDG) are based on routine operations.
The US military contingent will continue to cooperate with the FDG in the areas of disaster preparedness, air and maritime security, as well as in the fight against transnational criminal organizations.
Therefore, the United States Government remains committed to Guyana as a reliable partner for its security and to promote regional cooperation, the statement added.
These aerial military maneuvers come a day after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken assured Guyanese President Irfaan Ali of Washington’s “unconditional support.”
For its part, Venezuela criticized on Wednesday that Guyana had “given the green light to the presence” of the Southern Command in Essequibo.
The executive of the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, stated that Georgetown’s “reckless attitude” opens up to “imperial power” the “possibility of installing military bases,” which is “threatening the zone of peace that has emerged in this region.”
Source: TSF
