GDF will continue to patrol the Cuyuni River – Chief of Defence Staff

Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, MSS, has made it clear that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) will continue to patrol the country’s borders with the aim of protecting its territory and safeguarding its sovereignty.

He made the commitment on Thursday during a press conference to update the public on the recent attacks on GDF troops by armed civilians on the Venezuelan shore while they were patrolling the Cuyuni River.

“Moving forward, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) will remain vigilant and will continue to patrol the Cuyuni River,” Brigadier Khan said.

The first attack occurred on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at around 17:17hrs. The troops on patrol had departed Eteringbang and were travelling to OP Makapa when armed men on the Venezuelan shore opened fire, using automatic weapons.

“The patrol, as a first priority, was to protect lives and assets and evade the firing. The patrol returned fire and was able to exit safely along the river heading to OP Makapa,” he explained, adding that no ranks were injured.

Then on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at around 14:35hrs, another patrol departed OP Makapa and was going to an area called Black Water when armed men on the Venezuelan border again opened fire on the patrol, using automatic weapons. Again, fire was returned and no one soldiers were injured.

Three hours later, another patrol travelling from Eteringbang, while passing the same location, came upon fire and they returned fire.

The Chief of Defence Staff recalled a similar attack on February 17, 2025. The incident had occurred near Black Water Mouth in the Cuyuni River, while a military vessel was en route from the Eteringbang GDF main base to the OP Makapa GDF Observation Post to deliver supplies.

At the time, the GDF had said the individuals who launched the attack on its troops are suspected to be associated with the sindicatos.

At the press conference on Thursday, Brigadier Khan explained the culture of border communities, noting that there are families that reside on either side of the border.

“I want to go on record to say that Venezuelan people are peaceful people on the border. The Guyanese people are peaceful people…and they do not in that community, pose a threat,” he affirmed.

The GDF Head explained that in the past, law enforcement authorities had no reason to conduct frequent searches but the current situation now warrants such actions.