Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Wednesday, confirmed that two Venezuelan army Sukhoi SU 30 fighter jets, overflew the community of Eteringbang and the air strip at a very low altitude of 1500 feet.
The fighter jets circled the location once before proceeding in an easterly direction.
According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the incident took place on Tuesday at approximately 13:20 hrs.
In the statement, the Guyanese Government condemned this this latest act of aggression by the Venezuelan armed forces as a violation of the sovereignty of Guyana over the air above its territory.
It said this latest hostility follows closely on the heels of the Decree recently issued by President Nicolas Maduro which purports to establish maritime territory for Venezuela which encompasses Guyana’s territorial waters, EEZ and continental shelf, as well as its land territory west of the Essequibo River; and the illegal interception and detention of two Guyanese fishing vessels and their crew in Guyana’s waters.
It also comes after the resolutions of the Special Commission for the Defence of the “Guayana Esequiba” and Territorial Sovereignty which recommended the convening a session of this Special Commission to the Essequibo with the assistance of the Venezuelan armed forces.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry said the incursion of Guyana’s territory of the two Venezuelan fighter jets is a clear indication that the Government of Venezuela is prepared to use aggression and intimidation to accomplish what cannot be accomplished by legal means- the surrender by Guyana of its patrimony.
The Government of Guyana, the Foreign Ministry said, exhorts the Government of Venezuela, and its agents, to behave in a manner consistent with international law and good neighbourly relations.
“The international community will be kept informed of all actions undertaken by Venezuela to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana and threaten the peace and security of the region,” the Foreign Ministry said.
