The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dispatched a diplomatic note to the Venezuelan Government over recent attacks on Guyana Defence Force patrols near the Venezuelan border.

In the note, the Foreign Affairs Ministry made reference to the two “hostile attacks” perpetrated by armed groups operating from the Venezuelan side of the border against members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) along the Cuyuni River.

The incidents occurred in the vicinity of Black Water, on the 20th April and 21st April 2026.

It was explained that on 20th April 2026, at approximately 13:10 hours, a patrol travelling from Eteringbang to Makapa came under fire in the vicinity of Black Water along the Cuyuni River.

The Foreign Ministry said the gunshots originated from an armed group on the Venezuelan side of the border, and the GDF reacted in defence with a measured response before continuing on its journey.

The following day, another GDF patrol traversing the Cuyuni River came under gunfire in the same area from members of an armed group on the Venezuelan side.

The note said the GDF patrol again exercised restraint and with measured defensive actions. On the same day, as the patrol traversed the same area on its return journey, it came under fire a second time from the armed group.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the “hostile and illegal attacks” against ranks of the Guyana Defence Force carrying out their peaceful and lawful duties.

A GDF rank was injured in one of the shooting incidents.

The Guyana Ministry of Foreign Affairs has requested that the Foreign Ministry in Venezuela notifies its authorities to conduct a full investigation into these incidents and to take appropriate measures to prevent Venezuelan territory from being used to carry out armed attacks against Guyanese military or civilian personnel.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also requested that Venezuela puts in place effective measures to prevent any recurrence of such attacks and to avoid any further harm to Guyana.

The attacks came at the same time that the International Court was hearing Guyana’s border case against Venezuela. The Court is now expected to hand down its decision within the coming months.

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