Tensions along Guyana’s western border escalated this week as soldiers of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) came under fire in three separate attacks while patrolling the Cuyuni River, a critical area in the ongoing territorial dispute with Venezuela.
In a statement issued following the incidents, former Mayor of Georgetown and retired GDF Staff Sergeant Pt. Ubraj Narine condemned the attacks as not only assaults on the nation’s military, but on the entire Guyanese people.
The GDF in a statement announced that within the past twenty-four hours, armed men in civilian clothing on the Venezuelan shore along the Cuyuni River, between Eteringbang and Makapa, carried out three separate attacks on Guyana Defence Force troops who were conducting riverine patrols, but no rank sustained any injuries. The GDF, in its statement sought to assure that it is taking all necessary measures to safeguard the nation’s borders and maintain peace and security within our beloved country.
“Our soldiers came under fire in three separate attacks in the Cuyuni River while bravely defending Guyana’s sovereign territory,” Narine said. “These are not just attacks on our troops — they are attacks on all Guyanese.”
While no lives were lost in the engagements, the statement emphasised the need for greater national support for the GDF and its personnel. “We stand in full solidarity with our brave men and women in uniform, and we thank God that no lives were lost,” Narine added. “However, we must be honest with ourselves: more must be done to support those who risk their lives in our defence.”
He called on the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government to significantly enhance its investment in the safety, welfare, and operational readiness of the country’s armed forces. According to Narine, gratitude alone is not enough — concrete measures must follow.
In a broader appeal, Narine urged the convening of a National Conference to address the escalating situation, calling for participation from all sectors of Guyanese society, including political leaders, trade unions, religious organizations, civil society, and everyday citizens.
“It is time to unite as One People, One Nation, One Destiny in the face of these illegal and dangerous territorial claims by Venezuela,” he said. “Our sovereignty is non-negotiable — and defending it must be a national priority, shared by all.”
The statement concludes with a strong message of resilience and unity: “Let us stand together — united, resolute, and unwavering.”
The attacks come amid growing tensions between Guyana and Venezuela over the disputed Essequibo region, with the latest flare-up underscoring the fragile security situation along the shared border. The Government has yet to issue an official response to the calls for a National Conference, activating the Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Committee, and confronting Venezuela as a unified front which means the involvement of all stakeholders in development and implementing strategies.
Meanwhile, Venezuela continues to exploit Guyana’s internal political divide and ethnic conflicts.
