A Guyana Defence Force (GDF) soldier was injured on Monday after a military patrol came under gunfire along the country’s western border, the army said Monday, in an incident that coincided with the opening of oral hearings in a border case between Guyana and Venezuela at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The GDF said the incident occurred at about 11:30 local time during a boat patrol escorting three civilian vessels transporting personnel and cargo from Makapa to Eteringbang in Region Seven.
The patrol came under fire in the vicinity of Black Water, the force said, adding that ranks returned fire and manoeuvred the convoy out of the area.
One soldier sustained two gunshot wounds to the right leg and was given first aid before being evacuated to Georgetown for further medical treatment, the GDF said.
The military did not identify the attackers or provide further details on the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.
“The Guyana Defence Force continues to maintain an active operational presence along the western border,” it said, adding that it remains committed to protecting personnel and safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity.
The incident took place on the same day that Guyana began presenting oral arguments before the ICJ in a case seeking confirmation of the legal validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award that established the boundary between Guyana and Venezuela.
The controversy centres on the Essequibo region, a vast, resource-rich area administered by Guyana but claimed by Venezuela. The ICJ proceedings are expected to address the merits of the case following earlier jurisdictional rulings.
