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Soldier shot in river ambush
…as GDF patrol under fire near Venezuela border
(Kaieteur News) – A rank with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) is nursing two gunshot wounds to his right leg following a shoot-out on Monday in the Cuyuni River, Region Seven with armed men on Venezuela’s shore.
The injured rank was among other soldiers in a GDF patrol boat when they came under gunfire around 11:30 hrs. in the vicinity of Black Water.
In a statement to the press, the GDF said that its patrol boat was ‘escorting three civilians boats transporting personnel and cargo from Makapa to Eteringbang.
“The patrol returned fire and manoeuvred the convoy out of the area”, the GDF stated while adding, “One rank sustained two gunshot wounds to his right leg…”
Soldiers who were injured in a similar shoot-out in 2025.
He received medical treatment on sight and was later medevacked by the force’s Skyvan to the city for further medical attention.
“The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) continues to maintain an active operational presence along the western border (Guyana Shore).” The force further stated as it assured that it remains fully committed to the protection of its personnel and the safe guarding of Guyana’s territorial Integrity.
Meanwhile, Kaieteur News received information that Monday’s shoot-out was the second major one within the last two weeks. Some said that the shootings sometimes occur daily, making the Cuyuni River one of the most dangerous to traverse.
The dangers have prompted GDF patrol boats to escort Guyanese civilian who make a living in the area.
A video has since surfaced of one of the recent shoot-outs. GDF ranks on a number of patrol boats were seen firing back into a forested area along Venezuela’s shore in a bid to escort a number of civilian vessels to safety.
No-one was injured during that shoot-out but on Monday one of the ranks was hit.
He is the ninth soldier to have been injured by Venezuelan gunfire in a year.
In February 2025, eight soldiers were wounded after they were ambushed and shot at reportedly by a Venezuelan gang while on patrol duties.
That shooting also took place near Blackwater. Reports back then were, that ranks were enroute to the GDF’s main base at Makapa to deliver supplies when they came under attack.
Kaieteur News had reported that the GDF team was using a 30-foot canoe powered by a 185 horse power Yamaha outboard engine when they were intercepted by two wooden boats carrying heavily armed masked men.
The assailants reportedly circled the GDF boat an opened gunfire. The GDF ranks retaliated by returning fire, forcing the gunmen to retreat but not before eight of them were hit.
Kaieteur News had later learnt that some of the assailants were also wounded during the shoot-out and a few died while being transported for treatment.
The assailants from that attack were suspected members of the notorious sindicato gang. There have been no further updates in this case.
However, reports are that the shootings have become more frequent since then.
Armed gunmen from Venezuela Shore had also abducted a Guyanese boat-captain and his passenger while travelling in the Cuyuni River. Months later he was found locked in a Venezuelan jail for alleged terrorism.
He was later released following strong activism by Venezuelan counterparts and family members protests that he and the passenger were innocent.
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