UPPER CUYUNI RIVER – A joint service patrol escorting the officials from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) carrying ballot boxes for Monday’s general and regional elections along the Upper Cuyuni River, near the Guyana-Venezuela border, “came under fire from the Venezuelan shore” on Sunday.
In an official statement issued on Sunday, the authorities said that the escort team, which comprised ranks from the Guyana Defence Force and the Guyana Police Force was conducting official duties in support of GECOM’s ballot distribution to remote polling stations in Region 7.
It said that a total of nine GECOM officials were aboard the vessels at the time.
“The patrol immediately returned fire and successfully manoeuvred the escort team out of danger. No injuries were sustained by any personnel, and no election materials were damaged or compromised,” the statement said.
It said despite the incident, the team safely continued its journey and all remaining ballot boxes were successfully delivered to their assigned polling station at Cumang Landing, Kwutuku, and Dukquarie Landing. The earlier drop-off at Tumbung was also completed without incident.
“The Joint Services remain alert and continue to coordinate closely with GECOM to ensure the security of all election-related operations. An investigation into the incident is underway,” the statement added.
Guyana and Venezuela have a long-standing border dispute over the Essequibo region, which is controlled by Guyana as part of its six regions. Venezuela’s claim to the Essequibo region is based on the 1899 Arbitral Award, which it describes as being void.
In March 2024, Venezuela passed a law that designates Essequibo as a new state of Venezuela, governed from the city of Tumeremo.
The Joint Declaration of Argyle for Dialogue and Peace between Guyana and Venezuela said that the two countries agreed that “any controversies” between them will be resolved in accordance with international law, including the Geneva Agreement dated February 17, 1966.
The Joint Declaration issued following talks in Kingstown, St Vincent, in December 2023 between President Irfaan Ali and President Nicolas Maduro over the disputed Essequibo region, also indicated that the two countries agreed that “any controversies” between them will be resolved in accordance with international law, including the Geneva Agreement dated February 17, 1966.
The border dispute is before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
