(Adnkronos) – Tensions are rising between Venezuela and Guyana after Georgetown accused Caracas of firing on a boat carrying electoral material on the eve of national elections. The accusations were rejected by Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, who stated: “Yesterday we saw a statement from the government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana… claiming that Guyanese defense forces were attacked from the Venezuelan coast. They are trying to create a war front.”
Meanwhile, the crisis is intertwined with growing tensions between Caracas and Washington. Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali, responding to questions about the deployment of US warships near the Venezuelan coast, said: “We will support any initiative to eliminate any threat to our security.”
The United States has sent its naval units to the area as part of an anti-drug trafficking operation, accusing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of leading a cartel and doubling the bounty on his capture to $50 million. Caracas, while accusing the US of “threats”, announced intensified patrols in its territorial waters and the mobilization of over four million militiamen.
