Soldier shot at border as patrol comes under fire in Region 7

A Guyana Defence Force (GDF) soldier was shot and injured on Monday morning after a patrol escorting civilian vessels came under fire along the western border in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). The GDF, in a statement issued on Monday said the incident occurred around 11:30h in the vicinity of Black Water as ranks conducted a boat patrol operation between Makapa and Eteringbang. According to preliminary reports, the patrol was escorting three civilian boats transporting personnel and cargo when unknown assailants opened fire. The soldiers returned fire and were able to safely manoeuvre the convoy out of the area.
One soldier sustained two gunshot wounds to the right leg. He was treated at the scene and was medically evacuated to Georgetown for further care.
The GDF said it has maintained an active presence along the western border and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting its personnel and defending the country’s territorial integrity. No arrests have been reported, and investigations are ongoing into the attack. Similar incidents have previously occurred in the same stretch of river. In February 2025, multiple soldiers were injured when another GDF patrol came under heavy gunfire from suspected armed groups during a supply mission between Eteringbang and Makapa. Several ranks sustained gunshot wounds in that engagement, which was later confirmed by both police and military sources.
In May 2025, the GDF reported that troops conducting riverine patrols along the Cuyuni River were targeted in multiple shooting incidents from armed men believed to be operating from the Venezuelan bank. The army confirmed that troops returned fire and no injuries were reported in that specific exchange.