President Ali vows unyielding protection of Guyana’s sovereignty

… “obey our laws or face legal consequences” – warns Venezuelans in Guyana
President Dr Irfaan Ali has issued a firm statement asserting that the defence of Guyana is a sacred national duty, as tensions with Venezuela over the border controversy persist. Emphasising patriotism and rule of law, the President made clear that safeguarding Guyana’s sovereignty is not optional but an obligation for every citizen.
“The defence of Guyana is a patriotic responsibility, not an option for patriots, a convenience, or political tool. It is a duty, a national honour, and the highest level of dignity for any citizen,” the Head of State declared.
In a strongly worded rebuke of recent actions by Venezuela, President Ali condemned what he described as “a parade of arrogance and consistent disregard for international law.” He added that such behaviour has “no place in a democracy or a peaceful region.”
The statement comes just days after three separate armed attacks were carried out on Guyana Defence Force (GDF) troops within a 24-hour period along the Cuyuni River, between Eteringbang and Makapa in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
The first attack occurred on Tuesday, 13 May 2025, at approximately 17:17 hrs. The troops, who had departed Eteringbang and were en route to Observation Post (OP) Makapa, came under fire from armed men positioned on the Venezuelan shore. The assailants reportedly used automatic weapons during the assault.
Then on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at around 14:35h, another patrol departed OP Makapa and was going to an area called Black Water when armed men on the Venezuelan border again opened fire on the patrol, using automatic weapons. Again, fire was returned and no one was injured.
Three hours later, another patrol travelling from Eteringbang, while passing the same location, came under fire and they returned fire.
On Friday, President Ali reaffirmed that both the Government and the people of Guyana, with support from international partners, stand united in defence of the nation’s territorial integrity.
“Make no mistake,” he said, “the Government and people of Guyana, along with our unshakable international partners, will do everything to ensure the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country remain intact.”
The President also addressed Venezuelan nationals residing in Guyana, urging them to abide by the country’s laws and distance themselves from any actions linked to Venezuela’s controversial stance.
“To our Venezuelan neighbours residing here, we expect you to follow the rule of law of our country and not be part of Venezuela’s rogue behaviour. Failure to do so will have legal consequences,” he warned.
He also called for national pride and unity, while encouraging Guyanese, especially those living in border regions, to celebrate their heritage and identity.
“To Guyanese living on our border locations and every other citizen, fly the golden arrowhead high in celebration of our heritage in this 83,000-square-miles that belongs to all of us,” he said.

On Thursday, Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, declared that while the GDF expects no violation of the country’s sovereignty by neighbouring Venezuela, it remains fully mobilised and prepared to respond to any threat.
His comment was made during a press briefing at Base Camp Ayanganna addressing the armed attacks on GDF troops in Region Seven.
According to Brigadier Khan, though no serious injuries were reported, the attacks — described as deliberate and provocative – have heightened concerns along the border, prompting strengthened patrols and renewed assurances from the GDF that all measures are in place to safeguard Guyana’s territorial integrity and the safety of its border communities.
In this regard, Khan has assured that GDF ranks are deployed along the border with Venezuela, and remain on high alert.
Venezuela has been planning unlawful elections in connection with its ongoing claim to Guyana’s Essequibo region—a claim that Guyana has consistently rejected and is actively challenging at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The ICJ has issued a binding order instructing Venezuela to refrain from taking any action to conduct or prepare for elections within Guyana’s internationally recognised territory, including the Essequibo region.
Back in January, the Nicolás Maduro regime had announced plans to hold elections in the Essequibo region, which is two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass, on May 25, 2025 – something which Guyana wrote the ICJ in March to have blocked.
The World Court, which is hearing the case to settle the decades-long border controversy, issued an order recently that Venezuela must refrain from conducting or preparing to conduct elections in Guyana’s Essequibo region.
It also reaffirmed the provisional measures issued by the Court on December 1, 2023, which states that “…Venezuela shall refrain from taking any action which would modify the situation that currently prevails in the territory in dispute, whereby the Co-operative Republic of Guyana administers and exercises control over that area; and (2) Both Parties shall refrain from any action which might aggravate or extend the dispute before the Court or make it more difficult to resolve.”