Interesting: "Maduro creates a military division for the area disputed with Guyana and grants licenses for oil exploration in the Essequibo region."

Some analysts are looking at this and point out that thus far it is all posturing, much of it likely for internal consumption, and reacting to it legitimizes the antics. The problem with that line of thinking is that it will be true right up to the moment Venezuelan troops go over the border. See the Russo-Ukrainian War for a recent corollary.

If the United States allows the posturing to continue without significant response, there is a danger that Maduro will come to believe the US is willing to allow the threatened annexation by force. Better to act early and quell any further escalation with a show of US military resolve.

If Venezuelan troops begin to move in accordance with Maduro's rhetoric, the US should conduct a preemptive deployment to the region to forestall conflict.