In brief
Ahead of a crucial general election, Guyana's authorities reported an attack where a boat transporting election officials and ballot boxes was shot at from Venezuelan territory. The incident occurred just hours before polls opened, with no injuries reported. This escalation comes amid ongoing territorial disputes between the two nations over a rich oil region, fueling tensions as Guyana prepares to elect its next president.
Security forces in Guyana report that a boat carrying election officials and ballot boxes was shot at from the Venezuelan shore in the disputed Essequibo region. The incident occurred just before the South American nation's general election set for Monday.
According to a joint statement from the police and the Guyana Defence Force, the escorting patrol responded by returning fire, fortunately resulting in no injuries. Venezuela has yet to comment on this incident, which intensifies the ongoing territorial dispute over the oil-rich Essequibo region.
This 159,500-sq-km area has been administrated by Guyana for over a century, although Venezuela claims it. Recently, more than 95% of Venezuelan voters supported their claim in a referendum orchestrated by President Nicolás Maduro's government in December 2023.
Guyana has appealed to the International Court of Justice regarding this matter, yet Venezuela contests the court's authority. Security forces have not pinpointed who they believe was responsible for the shooting, but they firmly stated that it came from Venezuelan territory. All ballot boxes on the attacked boat were delivered to remote polling stations safely.
In the election, Guyanese voters will choose a president and members of parliament. Incumbent President Irfaan Ali from the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) aims for re-election and is currently leading in polls, buoyed by an economic boom from offshore oil discoveries.
President Ali faces challengers Aubrey Norton from the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition and Azruddin Mohamed, a billionaire attempting to disrupt the traditional two-party system. While Ali remains confident of victory, critics argue that oil revenues have unfairly favored certain groups, which the president denies. This election also sees potential changes in voting patterns due to the challenge from Azruddin Mohamed.
The ballots are set to close at 18:00 local time (22:00 GMT).
