The United States announced joint military flight drills in Guyana on Thursday as soaring tensions over a contested oil-rich region with neighbour Venezuela prompted the UN Security Council to call an urgent meeting.
"In collaboration with the Guyana Defence Force, the US Southern Command will conduct flight operations within Guyana on December 7," the American embassy in Guyana said in a statement, noting the flights are part of "routine engagement" to enhance a security partnership between the two countries.
