The Guyana Army reported him missing this Wednesday. military helicopter with seven people on board near Arau, in disputed Essequibo and very close to the border with Venezuela, which claims the aforementioned territory as its own.

“The Guyana Defense Force, in collaboration with private sector aviation operators, has begun search and trace operation GDF Bell 412 (8R-AYA) helicopter,” the Guyana Army announced on its Facebook page.

He also assured that the plane There were four passengers and three crew members on board.who were heading from the Ayanganna base towards Arau (near the Venezuelan border) when they disappeared just 48 kilometers east of their destination.

Authorities warned that The search and rescue operation has become more complicated due to “unfavorable” weather conditions in the area.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro presented on Tuesday to the National Assembly an organic law on creation of the State of Guayana Esequiba following a referendum on the annexation of the territory last Sunday, which in the eyes of Caracas turned from advisory to mandatory.

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The territorial conflict dates back to the 19th century, when an 1899 resolution supported by Georgetown stipulated that Venezuela give up Essequibo, although it later abandoned this. For its part, Caracas relies on the 1966 Geneva Agreement signed between the United Kingdom (former colonial power Guyana) and Venezuela, in which They recognized Essequibo as disputed territory.. (Europe Press)