The Alliance For Change (AFC) has strongly condemned Venezuela’s most recent armed attack on members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), calling it a dangerous escalation in a clear and deliberate campaign of aggression against Guyana.
In a statement issued by AFC Leader Nigel Hughes, the party denounced the May 15 incident in which Venezuelan forces reportedly opened fire on GDF soldiers on patrol in the Eteringbang area of Region One.
The AFC declared unwavering support for Guyana’s sovereignty and the men and women defending the country’s territorial integrity.
“This latest attack has to be located on a graph that shows a deliberate and steady escalation of attacks and provocations against Guyana,” Hughes said, outlining a timeline of hostile actions by Venezuela in recent months.
These include:
- December 2024: The declared opening of a bridge linking Venezuela to the disputed Ankoko Island.
- January 2025: Announcement of regional elections for a so-called “Guayana Esequiba” territory.
- February 2025: The shooting and near-fatal injury of Guyanese soldiers in the Cuyuni River.
- March 2025: Incursion into Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone by a Venezuelan coast guard vessel, ABF Guaiquerí PO-11 (IMO 4695542).
- May 2025: Rejection of the International Court of Justice’s jurisdiction and conservatory orders.
- May 15, 2025: Coordinated shooting incidents targeting GDF ranks in uniform.
The AFC said these actions are not isolated but form a pattern of military provocation. “The emerging pattern is clear and undeniable,” the statement reads. “A rogue state, in Venezuela, is waging an undeclared war against Guyana.”
Hughes likened Venezuela’s tactics—specifically, the use of military personnel disguised in civilian clothing—to Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea, describing the situation as a serious threat that requires a unified national response.
The AFC called for:
- Immediate reconvening of Parliament’s Foreign Relations Committee and the Bi-Partisan Border and National Security Committee.
- Consideration of diplomatic actions, including the expulsion of Venezuela’s Ambassador to Guyana, recalling Guyana’s envoy in Caracas, and appealing to the UN Security Council for sanctions.
- A firm, united front from all political stakeholders.
“This is no time for scoring cheap political points,” Hughes said. “Our Guyana, as we know it, faces an existential threat, which can only be repelled by an all-of-nation response.”
The party also urged citizens to remain vigilant, support the national defence effort, and prepare for further provocations.
As tensions rise ahead of Venezuela’s controversial plan to hold elections in the Essequibo region on May 25, calls are growing for a robust and coordinated national strategy to confront the looming security crisis.
