The move comes as the United Nations Security Council convenes an urgent meeting to address the border feud between Guyana and Venezuela.

The disputed area at the heart of the conflict is the Essequibo region, which has been under the administration and control of Guyana for over a century. However, Venezuela also claims ownership of this territory. Recently, Venezuela conducted a referendum, in which it claims its citizens supported giving Venezuela authority over the Essequibo region. In response, Guyanese officials have expressed their intention to defend their country and borders against any potential invasion.

The involvement of the United States in military exercises is a significant development, highlighting Washington's concerns about the authoritarian leftist government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The U.S. Embassy in Guyana stated that the joint flight operations, scheduled for December 7, are part of routine engagement and operations aimed at enhancing security partnership and strengthening regional cooperation between the U.S. and Guyana.

Both the United States and Guyana have expressed their hopes for a peaceful resolution to the dispute with Venezuela. Guyana's president, Irfaan Ali, emphasized the importance of diplomacy as the first line of defense. He reached out to leaders abroad, including those in the U.S., India, and Cuba, in the hope that they can encourage Venezuela to act responsibly and avoid any actions that could disrupt regional peace and stability.

Likewise, the U.S. State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, called for peaceful diplomacy between Venezuela and Guyana, emphasizing that the dispute cannot be settled by a referendum. The tensions between the two countries have drawn international attention, prompting the UN Security Council to hold a closed-door meeting to discuss the matter.

Guyana's Foreign Minister Hugh Todd sent a letter to the Security Council's president, urgently requesting a meeting to address the threat posed by Venezuela to Guyana's peace, security, and the broader region. Meanwhile, Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed growing concern about the situation on his country's border with Venezuela, emphasizing South America's desire to avoid war.

The dispute over the Essequibo region, which constitutes a significant portion of Guyana's territory, has intensified since ExxonMobil discovered oil there in 2015. The recent referendum in Venezuela, followed by President Maduro's claims of overwhelming support and proposals to create a Venezuelan province in Essequibo, have heightened tensions further. The situation has also led to the arrest of an American citizen on accusations of conspiring with ExxonMobil to impede the referendum.

Litigation regarding the region's borders is currently pending before the International Court of Justice. However, Venezuela does not recognize the court's jurisdiction in this matter. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed the United States' unwavering support for Guyana's sovereignty during a phone call with President Ali and called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

As the U.S.-Guyana military flight drills are set to take place, the international community will closely monitor the situation, hoping for diplomatic efforts to prevail and bring an end to the tensions between Venezuela and its neighboring countries.