Venezuela’s latest act of aggression against Guyana, which came today in the form of two army Sukhoi SU 30 fighter jets flying at a low altitude over the community of Eteringbang, was no top-secret operation. In fact, the Spanish-speaking country had announced its intentions to up the pressure against Guyana since last week Tuesday in its National Assembly. Making the disclosure was Deputy Hermann Escarrá who chairs the Special Commission for the Defense of the “Guayana Esequiba Territory and Territorial Sovereignty.”
The Venezuelan official told the National Assembly that the commission would hold a meeting the following day, (February 24) with the Military High Command to discuss the actions to be taken regarding the Essequibo territory. He also announced that activity would be carried out in Essequibo, together with the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB). One week after this statement was made, fighter jets were observed in Guyana’s airspace.
Guyana Standard understands that more action is likely to follow as Escarrá informed the National Assembly that 100 proposals and recommendations regarding the controversy over the Essequibo region are under consideration. The official said, “…In no way is the Essequibo going to be lost.”
