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PM Phillips visits wounded soldier following river ambush near Venezuela border
(Kaieteur News) – Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips reaffirmed government’s support for all ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) while visiting the soldier who was shot during an ambush in the Cuyuni River, Region Seven on Monday.
The wounded soldier was identified as Lance Corporal Troyland Douglas. Officer Douglas is currently receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
He sustained two gunshot wounds to his right leg during a GDF boat patrol along Guyana’s Western border with Venezuela in Region Seven.
Prime Minister Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips, wishing Lance Corporal, Douglas a speedy Recovery.
Accompanying the prime minister were Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony and other senior GDF officers.
The prime minister’s office in a statement published on his official Facebook page stated, “During the visit, Prime Minister Phillips wished Lance Corporal Douglas a full and speedy recovery and reaffirmed the government’s support for the men and women of the Guyana Defence Force in the execution of their duties to safeguard Guyana’s territorial integrity.”
Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar visits the wounded Lance Corporal.
Lance Corporal Douglas and other ranks were on GDF patrol duties escorting three civilian boats transporting personnel and cargo from Makapa to Eteringbang when they came under fire in the vicinity of Black Water.
The patrol returned fire and safely manoeuvred the convoy out of the area but Lance Corporal Douglas was hit. Another rank narrowly escaped being injured.
Reports are that a bullet grazed him passing through his uniform.
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 areas to traverse.
The dangers have prompted GDF patrol boats to escort Guyanese civilian who make a living in the area.
Douglas 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 and 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.
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- Brigadier Omar, Cuyuni River, Guyana Defence Force, Mark Phillips, river ambush, Sindicato gang, Venezuela border
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