“Two crew members aboard the helicopter were taking five senior officers on an inspection of troops guarding a border area that Venezuela claims as its own,” according to Army Chief Brig. Venezuelan troops with heavy equipment and machinery have been amassing on the border in recent weeks, leading to speculation of an imminent invasion. “We do not have any information suggesting that there was any flight by Venezuelan aircraft in that area,” he said. The aircraft’s disappearance about 48 km (30 miles) east of the Venezuelan border comes amid heightened tensions between Guyana and Venezuela over the Essequibo region, which is rich with minerals and located near massive oil deposits. Meanwhile, Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali told The Associated Press on Wednesday morning that he was taking all necessary steps to defend his country from Venezuela.

Source: The Hindu December 07, 2023 10:42 UTC