US Military to Conduct ‘Flight Operations’ in Another Country Amid Fears of War

The U.S. Southern Command confirmed that it ‘will conduct flight operations within Guyana.’

Members of the Venezuelan Army Special Forces take part in a military parade in Tumeremo, Venezuela, about 90 km from the border with Guyana on July 21, 2015. Federico Parra/AFP via Getty Images

The United States said it would carry out flight operations in the South American country of Guyana amid fears that Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro is looking to annex a portion of it.

Over the weekend, the Venezuelan government held a referendum to supposedly allow Venezuelans to decide the future of the oil- and mineral-rich Essequibo region of Guyana, drawing pushback from leaders in Guyana. This week, Venezuela claimed that more than 10.5 million people cast ballots in the referendum.