Allegations of Armed Assault on Election Officials in Guyana Linked to Venezuela

Sat Sep 13 2025 11:09:50 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Ahead of the crucial elections, Guyana's security forces reported that a boat carrying election officials was shot at from the Venezuelan shore, escalating tensions amid a territorial dispute.

In a startling incident just hours before Guyana's general election, security forces reported gunfire directed at a boat carrying election officials and ballot boxes, allegedly from the Venezuelan side of the contested Essequibo region. Fortunately, there were no injuries. The event occurs in a backdrop of ongoing territorial conflict, as both nations have historic claims over the oil-rich area. Voters are set to choose a president and parliament, with current President Irfaan Ali expected to seek re-election amidst a booming economy driven by oil discoveries.

Security forces in Guyana say a boat carrying election officials and ballot boxes was shot at 'from the Venezuelan shore' in the contested Essequibo region.

Police and the Guyana defence force reported that the incident occurred on Sunday, a day before the South American nation's general election.

The patrol escorting the officials reportedly returned fire, but no injuries were reported, according to the security forces.

Venezuela has not yet commented on the incident, which arises amidst a territorial dispute between the two countries regarding the oil-rich Essequibo region.

The 159,500-sq-km (61,600-square-mile) area has been under Guyana's administration, and previously British Guiana, for over a century. Venezuela, however, claims the territory, and last December, President Nicolás Maduro's government held a referendum where over 95% of participants supported its claim.

Guyana has taken the matter to the International Court of Justice, but Venezuela disputes the court's authority to rule. The Guyanese security forces stated the shots had been fired from Venezuelan territory, although they did not specify who might be responsible for the shooting.

Fortunately, the ballot boxes onboard the boat were successfully delivered to their intended polling stations.

In this election, voters are choosing a president for the next five years, along with members of parliament. Incumbent President Irfaan Ali of the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is running for a second term and is currently seen as the frontrunner. His main challengers are Aubrey Norton of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition and Azruddin Mohamed, a billionaire aiming to disrupt the long-standing two-party system.

Pre-election polls suggested President Ali holds a favorable position, buoyed by the economic boom linked to massive offshore oil discoveries, which have reportedly quintupled the country's GDP since 2020. President Ali has utilized oil revenues to invest in infrastructure and education, including free attendance at state universities.

Despite this, critiques suggest that the distribution of oil wealth disproportionately benefits those supporting Ali's party, an accusation he denies. Historically, Guyana's politics have been divided along ethnic lines, with Indo-Guyanese generally supporting the PPP/C and Afro-Guyanese voters often favoring the opposition.

The results of the election are eagerly anticipated as they could affect the longstanding voting patterns, especially with the potential influence of third-party candidates like Azruddin Mohamed.

Polling is set to close at 18:00 local time (22:00 GMT).