Guyana’s government on Thursday ordered the U.S. military to send two powerful F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jets over the capital in a show of close military and other forms of cooperation between the South American oil exporter and the United States. It was announced that permission had been granted to fly the aircraft.
The country was notified of the exercise approximately three hours in advance through an announcement from the American embassy, but the unprecedented and noisy exercise, which took place over a vast area of Guyana’s territory, comes amid heightened tensions between Guyana and Venezuela. Many people seemed surprised by the overflight.
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A statement from Guyana’s government said the exercise was “aimed at deepening the ongoing security cooperation between the two countries,” but it followed neighboring Venezuela’s move to annex the oil and mineral-rich Essequibo region. Both sides avoided mentioning it.
Guyana’s government has given the U.S. military two powerful F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jets over its capital in a show of close military and other forms of cooperation between the South American oil exporter and the United States. It was announced that permission had been granted to fly the aircraft.
President Nicolas Maduro recently signed a law annexing the region. The United States has made clear its support for Guyana in the ongoing conflict, supporting surveillance flights to Guyana late last year when Venezuela threatened to invade the country.
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The military exercise comes as the Florida-based U.S. Southern Command reiterates its unwavering support for Guyana, which U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Julie Nethercott said will help “deter aggression, defeat threats, and quickly respond to crises.” The meeting was held the day after he visited Guyana for consultations regarding the issue.
Guyana is awaiting a World Court ruling on Venezuela’s claims to the region, but Venezuela does not recognize the court and says it intends to ignore each ruling.
