A number of Guyana Defence Force soldiers were injured after coming under gunfire from a suspected Venezuelan criminal gang as they patrolled the Cuyuni River near the border with Venezuela.
The incident took place at around 3:45pm on Monday.
In a statement, the Guyana Defence Force said the soldiers were part of a “resupply patrol” on their way from Makapa to Eteringbang when they came under fire from a group of armed men positioned on the Venezuelan bank of the Cuyuni River.
The GDF said the patrol immediately responded to the attack and engaged the assailants with return fire.
During the exchange, several members of the patrol sustained gunshot injuries and immediate efforts have been underway to ensure their safe extraction and medical treatment, the GDF stated.
The GDF also indicated that it has been mobilized to reinforce its presence in the area, ensuring the security of its personnel and safeguarding the territorial integrity of Guyana.
The Force said it remains committed to protecting its borders and will take all necessary measures to address any threats to national security, as it continues to closely monitor the situation.
In a separate statement, the Guyana Police Force said the GDF team was using a thirty-foot boat powered by a 185-horsepower Yamaha engine when it was intercepted by two wooden boats carrying heavily armed, masked men.
The Police said the armed men circled the GDF boat and opened fire, prompting the GDF ranks to return fire although multiple GDF members sustained gunshot wounds.
The Police identified the injured soldiers as Second Lieutenant Ansel Murray, who suffered a gunshot wound to the right side of his head; Sgt Kevon Davis, who was shot in the right foot and ankle; Cpl Andrew Fraser, who sustained gunshot wounds to the left side of his abdomen and shoulder; Cpl Kevin Henry, who was shot in the left arm and shoulder; L/Cpl Travis Yorrick, who was injured in the right thigh; and Private Ezron Samuel, who was shot in the right side of his abdomen.
“Despite their injuries, all personnel were reported to be conscious and stable”, the Police said, while explaining that medical treatment was administered by a GDF medex at the Makapa GDF Observation Post.
The matter is under investigation. News Source understands that the top brass of the GDF and senior members of the Government have been meeting on the attack.
The attack on the Guyana soldiers came on the anniversary of the 1966 Geneva Agreement between Guyana and Venezuela. That agreement provided the framework for the resolution of the border controversy after Venezuela rekindled its claims following the settlement of the border dispute in 1899.
Guyana currently has Venezuela before the International Court of Justice seeking a final juridical settlement of the controversy. Tensions have been flaring between Guyana and Venezuela over the past few years, with Venezuela making moves to make Guyana’s Essequibo region a state of Venezuela.
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