Venezuelan President Maduro orders military exercise. Venezuela is fighting with the Commonwealth state of Guyana over the oil-rich region of Essequibo. Venezuela has long laid claim to the resource-rich area, which covers about two-thirds of the neighboring country. The Royal Navy's patrol ship "HMS Trent" will visit the regional ally and Commonwealth partner Guyana, it said. The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry on Thursday described the ship as a "threat" to the peace and stability of the region.