6 soldiers shot by heavily-armed, masked men on Guyana-Venezuela border

A Guyana Defence Force (GDF) resupply patrol came under heavy gunfire from suspected sindicato operatives near Black Water Mouth in the Cuyuni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) resulting in multiple soldiers sustaining injuries.
According to a statement from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the incident occurred around 15:45h as a GDF team traveled from the Eteringbang GDF main base to the Makapa GDF Observation Post to deliver supplies. The soldiers were aboard a thirty-foot canoe powered by a 185-horsepower Yamaha engine when they were intercepted by two wooden boats carrying heavily armed, masked men. The assailants aggressively circled the GDF vessel before opening fire, prompting an immediate response from the GDF ranks.
Despite successfully repelling the attackers, several GDF members sustained gunshot wounds. Those injured are Second Lieutenant Ansel Murray (Gunshot wound to the right side of his head); Sergeant Kevon Davis (shot in the right foot and ankle); Corporal Andrew Fraser (sustained gunshot wounds to the left side of his abdomen and shoulder); Corporal Kevin Henry (shot in the left arm and shoulder); Lance Corporal Travis Yorrick (injured in the right thigh) and private Ezron Samuel (gunshot wound to the right side of his abdomen.)
Despite their injuries, all personnel were reported to be conscious and stable. Immediate medical assistance was provided at the Makapa GDF Observation Post.
In a separate statement, the GDF confirmed that the attack originated from armed individuals positioned on the Venezuelan side of the Cuyuni River. The GDF has since mobilized additional forces to the area to reinforce security, ensure the safety of its personnel, and uphold Guyana’s territorial integrity. The Force reaffirmed its commitment to national security and vowed to take all necessary measures to counter any threats.
Investigations into the attack are ongoing.

Border case
The Guyana-Venezuela border controversary, in which Venezuela has unjustly laid claim to two-thirds of Guyana’s sovereign territory, has drawn significant international attention, with the United Nations (UN) referring the matter to the ICJ in 2018 after diplomatic negotiations failed to yield a resolution.
Shortly after, Guyana filed a case seeking a final and binding judgement to reinforce that the 1899 Arbitral Award remains valid and binding on all parties, and legal affirmation that the Essequibo region, which contains much of Guyana’s natural resources, belongs to Guyana, and not Venezuela.
Guyana continues to uphold its commitment to international law and the rule of law through the ICJ. Last year, the country submitted its final written brief in its ongoing legal case against Venezuela. Carl Greenidge, Guyana’s agent before the ICJ, has projected that a ruling could be possible by 2026.
Earlier in January 2025, Carl Greenidge, Guyana’s agent before ICJ as it adjudicates the Guyana/ Venezuela border controversy, had said that a ruling on the issue would be possible by next year, since the major substantive issues have already been put to the court for consideration.
It was only recently that President Dr Irfaan Ali held discussions with United States (US) Secretary of State Marco Rubio, where they discussed, among other things, Guyana’s border controversy with Venezuela.
The US State Department had confirmed that during their call, Secretary Rubio reaffirmed the US’s unwavering support for Guyana’s territorial integrity in the face of escalating tensions with Venezuela.
This came in response to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s announcement on January 7, 2025, that there would be an election of a “Governor of Guayana Esequiba,” a move condemned by the Guyanese Government as a direct violation of the Argyle Agreement signed in December 2023.
Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had expressed grave concern over Venezuela’s actions, labeling them a “flagrant violation” of international law and a direct breach of the ICJ’s binding order from December 2023.
The order explicitly stated that both Guyana and Venezuela must avoid escalating tensions or taking unilateral actions that could complicate the resolution process.