Guyana’s sovereignty is non-negotiable – Army Chief

…visits Eteringbang to reaffirm GDF’s role as “defenders of the nation”

As part of the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) ongoing outreach to border communities, Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Omar Khan, MSS, visited Eteringbang, in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). The engagement formed part of a wider national effort to bolster security, enhance visibility, and strengthen relationships in Guyana’s most remote frontier areas.

Brigadier Khan’s visit, a statement from the army posted on its social media page said, underscored the GDF’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and ensuring that all Guyanese—regardless of location—feel seen, valued, and protected. During his time in Eteringbang, Brigadier Khan met with members of the business community, soldiers stationed in the region, and local residents. He facilitated open and constructive discussions focused on security, social cohesion, and national pride. “These interactions highlight our commitment to unity and national solidarity, especially in regions that serve as critical points of our territorial integrity,” Brigadier Khan noted in the statement. In addition to engagements with community members and GDF personnel, Brigadier Khan visited local schools where he interacted informally with students, teachers, and staff. These conversations reflected the Defence Force’s dedication not only to security but also to education and youth development. “Our children must know that they are part of the national story,” Brigadier Khan said. “Their growth, safety, and education are vital to the future of this country.”
At a time when regional stability and national unity remain paramount, the presence of the Chief of Defence Staff in Eteringbang signaled a clear message, noting that Guyana’s sovereignty is non-negotiable, and its people, from coastland to hinterland, remain a top priority.
The visit comes just days after three separate armed attacks were carried out on GDF troops within a 24-hour period along the Cuyuni River, between Eteringbang and Makapa in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
The first attack occurred on Tuesday, 13 May 2025, at approximately 17:17 hrs. The troops, who had departed Eteringbang and were en route to Observation Post (OP) Makapa, came under fire from armed men positioned on the Venezuelan shore. The assailants reportedly used automatic weapons during the assault.
Then on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at around 14:35h, 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 was injured.
Three hours later, another patrol travelling from Eteringbang, while passing the same location, came under fire and they returned fire.
On Friday last, President Ali reaffirmed that both the Government and the people of Guyana, with support from international partners, stand united in defence of the nation’s territorial integrity.
“Make no mistake,” he said, “the Government and people of Guyana, along with our unshakable international partners, will do everything to ensure the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country remain intact.”