US military conducts exercises in Guyana as border tension with Venezuela escalates

The U.S. military conducted flight operations within Guyana on Thursday amid growing concern that Venezuela could invade its eastern neighbor.

U.S. Southern Command carried out the exercise in collaboration with the Guyana Defense Force, which "builds upon routine engagement and operations to enhance security partnership between the United States and Guyana, and to strengthen regional cooperation," the U.S. Embassy in Guyana said in a statement.

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"In addition to this exercise, USSOUTHCOM will continue its collaboration with the GDF in the areas of disaster preparedness, aerial and maritime security, and countering transnational criminal organizations," the embassy's statement continued.

Earlier this week, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro got the victory he sought in a referendum on whether to claim sovereignty over the oil- and mineral-rich Essequibo territory in neighboring Guyana, which has sparked fresh concerns of a possible Venezuelan invasion .

Maduro said on Tuesday he authorized Venezuelan oil company PDVSA and the country’s iron and steel maker, CVG, to “immediately begin” creating new divisions for the disputed territory.

“We take this threat very seriously, and we have initiated a number of precautionary measures to ensure the peace and stability of this region,” Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali told the Associated Press . “Should Venezuela proceed to act in this reckless and adventurous manner, the region will have to respond."

U.S. national security coordinator John Kirby declined to speculate on whether the U.S. would assist Guyana militarily in the event Venezuela does, in fact, invade.

"We absolutely stand by our unwavering support for Guyana sovereignty," he said.

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Both countries view the area as sovereign, while Guyana has argued any action from Venezuela to claim it would amount to annexation. Caracas's interest in the Essequibo region was revived in 2015 when Exxon Mobil discovered a massive offshore oil reserve in its waters.