Members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) during a military exercise. Photo: GDF.
Guacamaya, May 15, 2025. The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) reported on Thursday that a patrol was attacked by armed groups near the Cuyuní River, on the de facto border with Venezuela.
The GDF statement referred to “armed men dressed in civilian clothing,” making it unclear who was behind the attack. It also reported that no soldiers were injured.
The incident allegedly occurred between the towns of Eteringbang and Makapa while Guyanese troops were patrolling the river.
Venezuelan authorities have not yet commented on the incident.
This would be the second recent attack of this kind, following a February incident in which six GDF soldiers were wounded.
In this area, the Cuyuní River marks the de facto border between the two countries. However, Venezuela claims that the legitimate border lies further east, at the Essequibo River.
On April 3, 2024, Venezuela’s National Assembly enacted a law creating the state of Guayana Esequiba, adding it to the country’s existing 23 states. On May 25 of this year, Venezuelans will for the first time be able to vote for deputies and a governor of Guayana Esequiba.
Guyana has one of the smallest armed forces in the world, with 3,400 active-duty soldiers, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
