GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) – The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) early Thursday morning confirmed that its troops came under attack during riverine patrol operations along the Cuyuni River within the last 24 hours.

The incidents, which occurred between the Eteringbang and Makapa areas, involved armed individuals in civilian attire firing from the Venezuelan side of the river.

No Guyanese soldier was hurt, the Defence Force said. “On each occasion, the Guyana Defence Force executed a measured response, and no rank sustained any injuries.”

The force said it remained resolute in its mission to protect Guyana’s territorial integrity and ensure the safety of its citizens and vowed to take the necessary action.

“It will continue to respond to acts of aggression along the Guyana-Venezuela border and will maintain regular patrols along the Cuyuni River,” the GDF said.

“The public is assured that the GDF is taking all necessary measures to safeguard the nation’s borders and maintain peace and security within our beloved country,” it said.

In February, six GDF soldiers were injured during an exchange of gunfire with civilian-clad men on the Venezuelan side of the border.

It is believed that a number of them were killed or badly injured. The incident occurred while the GDF soldiers were on a resupply mission from their main base at Eteringbang to their outpost at Makapa.

Venezuela did not accept responsibility for the clash, but instead blamed the GDF for illegally entering Essequibo and shooting at Venezuelans. The Essequibo Region belongs to and is under the control of Guyana as a result of the settled land boundary by the 1899 Arbitral Tribunal.