Army Chief visits Kaikan, Paruima & Eteringbang to reinforce border security, reaffirm support for Guyana’s frontier communities

In a continued show of commitment to national defence and inclusion, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Brigadier Omar Khan, MSS, has undertaken a series of visits to frontier communities in Guyana, reaffirming the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) presence and support in the country’s most remote regions.

Most recently, Brigadier Khan visited Kaikan, a strategically located village along the Wenamu River in the Upper Mazaruni. Its proximity to the national border makes it a critical point in Guyana’s defence strategy. The CDS engaged with Toshao Katiuska Rodrigues and community members to discuss ongoing concerns, development opportunities, and the shared responsibility of safeguarding Guyana’s sovereignty.

The visit was met with warmth and appreciation, as the GDF also spearheaded the mounting and distribution of the Golden Arrowhead throughout the village. This symbolic act reinforced national unity, pride, and protection, while serving as a visible reminder of the Force’s patriotic duty to every Guyanese citizen.

Brigadier Khan’s outreach forms part of a broader series of engagements across the Upper Mazaruni and Cuyuni-Mazaruni regions. Just days prior, the CDS visited Paruima, a vibrant village known for its rich cultural heritage and strong communal spirit. There, he held discussions with Toshao Lee Williams and other village leaders, fostering open dialogue on local aspirations and security concerns. His visit to schools in the area underscored the vital role of education in building national resilience and empowering future generations.

With the nation’s 59th Independence Anniversary approaching, the GDF also led the patriotic mounting of the Golden Arrowhead across Paruima—an act filled with symbolic meaning, honouring Guyana’s hard-won sovereignty and national pride.

Earlier, on 19 May, Brigadier Khan visited Eteringbang, a key border settlement in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni region. The engagement marked a strategic reaffirmation of the GDF’s mission to uphold national security and deepen relationships with border communities. There, the CDS met with members of the business community, soldiers, and other patriots who stand as guardians of Guyana’s territorial integrity.

In Eteringbang, Brigadier Khan also toured local schools, engaging informally with students, teachers, and staff—listening to their experiences and reiterating the GDF’s unwavering support for education and youth development.

Across all three visits, Brigadier Khan’s presence sent a powerful and unifying message: that all Guyanese communities—regardless of distance or remoteness—are seen, valued, and protected. His engagements reflected the GDF’s steadfast resolve to guard the promise of independence with patriotic duty and deep national pride.

As Guyana approaches another milestone of independence, these visits underscore that every inch of the country is sacred, every citizen matters, and the defence of sovereignty remains a collective and enduring mission.