Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, said that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) remains vigilant and will continue to patrol the Cuyuni River.
His remarks come after GDF soldiers came under fire three times within 48 hours while patrolling the Cuyuni River near the Venezuelan border.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Brigadier Khan explained that the first incident occurred on Tuesday, May 13, around 17:17 hrs.
A patrol team travelling from Eteringbang to Observation Post (OP) Makapa came under fire from gunmen armed with automatic weapons positioned on the Venezuelan shore.
In response, GDF troops returned fire and safely navigated away from the area. No injuries were reported.
The second incident took place the following day, Wednesday, May 14, at approximately 14:35 hrs, when another patrol en route to an area known as Black Water again came under attack by armed men across the border.
The soldiers returned fire, and no injuries were sustained. Later that day, another patrol passing through the same location from Eteringbang also came under fire and responded similarly.
Brigadier Khan also recalled a previous confrontation on February 17, 2025, when armed men fired at a military vessel transporting supplies from the GDF base at Eteringbang to OP Makapa. That attack occurred near the mouth of Black Water in the Cuyuni River.
The individuals responsible for these attacks are suspected to be linked to the Venezuelan syndicate known as the sindicatos.
While underscoring the seriousness of the situation, Brigadier Khan also highlighted the peaceful nature of the border communities.
“The Venezuelan people along the border are peaceful. The Guyanese people are peaceful as well. Those communities themselves do not pose a threat,” he said.
He noted, however, that the current circumstances now necessitate increased surveillance and law enforcement activity in the area.
“In the past, there was little need for regular searches, but that has changed given the present situation,” the Chief of Defence Staff added.
