In a bid to support Guyana's sovereignty and strengthen regional cooperation, the United States has announced that it will conduct flight operations within Guyana on Thursday, according to a statement by the US embassy in Georgetown. This move comes amidst escalating tensions between Guyana and Venezuela over the long-standing dispute regarding the oil-rich Essequibo region.

Over the weekend, Venezuela witnessed voters rejecting the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and voting in favor of creating a new Venezuelan state. Guyana, however, has questioned the legitimacy of the vote and placed its armed forces on high alert. President Nicolás Maduro's decision to authorize oil exploration in the disputed area has drawn criticism from Guyana's President Irfaan Ali, who sought to reassure major investors such as Exxon, which have significant offshore projects in Guyana.

Expressing concerns over the border tensions, Britain's Foreign Office stated on social media that the recent steps taken by Venezuela were "unjustified and should cease." Similarly, Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva voiced increasing concern and proposed that multilateral bodies should contribute to finding a peaceful solution. Lula even suggested that Brazil could host talks to resolve the matter, emphasizing that South America does not need a war.

Amidst these developments, Brazil's army intelligence reportedly detected a buildup of Venezuelan armed forces near the Guyana border, raising further alarm bells. In response to the escalating tensions, the US Southern Command, responsible for security cooperation in Latin America, will undertake flight operations with the Guyanese military on Thursday, with the aim of reinforcing regional security and partnership between the United States and Guyana.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a conversation with President Irfaan Ali, during which he reiterated the unwavering US support for Guyana's sovereignty, as confirmed by the State Department. Meanwhile, analysts and sources in Caracas claim that the recent referendum conducted in Venezuela was primarily an attempt by President Maduro to gauge his government's support ahead of the 2024 election, rather than a genuine indication of military action.

In a concerning development, Maduro's government has arrested opposition figure Roberto Abdul for alleged treason related to the referendum. The government has also issued warrants for three staff members from the campaign team of opposition presidential nominee María Corina Machado. The US State Department spokesperson has acknowledged the arrest orders and asserted that they are closely monitoring the situation.

While sources suggest that the referendum was more symbolic than indicative of imminent military action, the escalating tensions between Guyana and Venezuela, coupled with the US's involvement through flight operations, highlight the seriousness of the border dispute. The international community, including Britain and Brazil, continues to closely monitor the situation, emphasizing the urgent need for peaceful dialogue and a resolution to the conflict to maintain stability in the region.