Election Tensions Rise in Guyana Amid Alleged Venezuelan Attack on Election Officials

Mon Sep 15 2025 13:09:52 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Guyana's security forces assert that a boat carrying election materials was shot at from the Venezuelan shore, escalating tensions in the run-up to a pivotal general election.

As Guyana prepares for its general election, the atmosphere has turned tense following a reported attack on election officials by Venezuelan shooters. No injuries were reported as Guyanese forces returned fire, amidst an ongoing territorial dispute over the oil-rich Essequibo region. President Irfaan Ali is running for re-election amid criticism regarding economic benefits from oil revenues, while facing contenders from the APNU coalition and a third-party candidate. The elections take place against a backdrop of historical and geopolitical complexities in the region.

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 stated that the incident occurred on Sunday, just a day before the South American nation's general election on Monday.

The patrol escorting the officials immediately returned fire and no injuries were reported, according to Guyana's security forces.

Venezuela has yet to comment on the matter, which arises amid a territorial dispute over the oil-rich Essequibo region.

The area in question, which spans 159,500 square kilometers and has been controlled by Guyana (formerly British Guiana) for over a century, is claimed by Venezuela. In December 2023, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's government conducted a referendum where over 95% of voters supported the claim.

Guyana has approached the International Court of Justice over this dispute, but Venezuela disputes the court's authority.

The Guyanese security forces' statement did not specify who was behind the shooting but asserted that the shots had originated from Venezuelan territory.

Despite the incident, the security forces confirmed that the ballot boxes were successfully delivered to polling stations.

As voters in Guyana head to the polls, they will elect a president for the next five years and members of parliament.

The incumbent, President Irfaan Ali of the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), is vying for a second term. He faces challenges from Aubrey Norton of the A Partnership for National Unity coalition and billionaire candidate Azruddin Mohamed.

Polls suggest that President Ali is the favorite, buoyed by an economic boom resulting from significant offshore oil deposits. The country's GDP has nearly quintupled since 2020, according to IMF data, leading to infrastructure improvements and free university education initiatives.

However, critics argue that the wealth generated from oil has disproportionately benefited traditional supporters of Ali's party, a claim he denies. Guyana's political landscape remains deeply divided along ethnic lines, often influencing voting patterns.

With the election's closing time set for 18:00 local time (22:00 GMT), observers note that the campaigns of third-party candidates like Mohamed could disrupt established voting habits and yield unexpected outcomes.