Guyana strengthening security, deploying more assets at Venezuela border – Pres Ali

Following multiple attacks against the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) patrols along this country’s western border areas, President Dr Irfaan Ali informed on Friday that Guyana has informed its allies as it responds with a blend of diplomacy, intelligence, and enhanced military readiness.

“The Cuyuni River incident – as you know, we have addressed this with our allies. We have addressed this diplomatically with Venezuela. We have addressed this from a national security standpoint. We have placed greater assets… We are using our intelligence and information from allies to see whether there is a pattern and whether it was linked to particular circumstances,” the president told this publication at a press conference.

He said that additional security resources are being deployed to strengthen protection along the border, while expressing confidence in the country’s ability to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“We have two new assets and other assets that we are deploying to further enhance security there. But we are confident about protecting our sovereignty and our borders… The border patrol unit, of course, is a unit that is working with the community policing group, transferring them into a border patrol unit to help us in this very thing: intelligence sharing, more monitoring, real-time information, and having the capacity infrastructure to support what we are doing,” he added while underscoring border patrol linking with community integration.

Ali said that a lot of work is currently being undertaken, and as this is done, challenges are noted, but strategies are being implemented to deploy efficient systems targeted to eliminate those challenges.

Apart from national measures, the president said that Guyana is deepening its role in regional security through the Shield of the Americas, a recently established multinational security and political alliance, unveiled in March of this year by United States President Donald Trump. The coalition unites 18 nations, inclusive of Guyana, to synchronise intelligence sharing and joint military actions targeting transnational narcotics cartels.

He highlighted Guyana’s founding membership in this alliance, which unites like-minded countries to uphold democracy, rule of law, and sovereignty.

“The Shield of the Americas, of course, we are a proud founding member of the Shield of the Americas. This is a coming together of like-minded countries to ensure the rule of law and democracy are upheld in the region; the protection of our sovereignty; and the rooting out of criminal elements, including smuggling and drug trafficking, within the region, and it is about building a common security platform, an integrated security platform, on which we work together to ensure the safety, security, and prosperity of our region,” he said.

“So, you will see more integration, more joint exercises, greater information-sharing platforms, and higher participation among members,” he added.
Tensions between Venezuela and Guyana escalated throughout 2025 due to multiple armed attacks in the Cuyuni region. The incidents involved Venezuelan-based armed men firing upon Guyanese military patrols and personnel, including those escorting election officials.

In February of last year, armed Venezuelan men attacked a GDF patrol boat on the Cuyuni River, injuring six soldiers. The GDF returned fire, and the attackers retreated. In May, armed men from the Venezuelan shore launched three separate attacks on GDF troops conducting riverine patrols; no Guyanese soldiers were injured during these attacks.
Then in August, a Guyanese Joint Services patrol escorting election officials and ballot boxes came under fire from the Venezuelan side of the Upper Cuyuni River. No one was harmed, and the team successfully completed its mission.

Earlier this month, while the ICJ case was nearing, a GDF soldier was shot and injured on Monday morning after a patrol escorting civilian vessels came under fire along the western border in Region Seven. The GDF had issued a statement and said the incident occurred around 11:30h in the vicinity of Black Water as ranks conducted a boat patrol operation between Makapa and Eteringbang. According to preliminary reports, the patrol was escorting three civilian boats transporting personnel and cargo when unknown assailants opened fire. The soldiers returned fire and were able to safely manoeuvre the convoy out of the area.

One soldier sustained two gunshot wounds to the right leg. He was treated at the scene and was medically evacuated to Georgetown for further care.
The GDF said it has maintained an active presence along the western border and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting its personnel and defending the country’s territorial integrity.

President Ali has emphasised that while Guyana maintains respect for the Venezuelan people and continues to welcome those seeking refuge and opportunity, the territorial controversy must be settled peacefully through the International Court of Justice (ICJ) – not through aggression or coercion.

“Guyana stands firmly on the side of justice and legality,” he said. “We reject all forms of aggression and any attempt to impose solutions through force. Peace, dialogue, and international law must define the way nations interact in our hemisphere.”