Venezuelan authorities have reportedly arrested seven men who were said to be part of the gang that descended on Mango Landing on Wednesday; shooting two miners and beating several others while demanding gold.
The two miners Robert Wilson, 23, of Eteringbang and 22-year-old Lamaha Embankment resident Damian Harris, are both in a stable condition in the Georgetown hospital. Wilson was shot in the upper left leg and Harris in the upper right side leg and groin.
Claude Anselmo, Toshao of Kaikan Village yesterday radioed officials at the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) in the city and reported that three suspicious men, one of whom spoke English, consulted him about hiring a boat to Mango Landing on the morning of the incident. And others armed with guns were spotted on Venezuela’s side of the border.
Kaikan Village is located about eight hours by foot or ten minutes by plane from Mango Landing; the area where the Arau and the Wenamu rivers meet. The Wenamu River separates Guyana from Venezuela and it takes about five minutes to cross it. It is suspected that after the men failed to obtain a boat, they walked along a track on Venezuela’s side of the Wenamu River then crossed, wreaking havoc at Mango Landing, which is a popular waterside liming spot for miners.
Stabroek News understands that following the attack Venezuelan authorities arrested several persons and requested the help of eyewitnesses. However, before the eyewitnesses could arrive in that country, the authorities informed them that the men were indeed linked to the incident. Police have since been deployed to the area to conduct investigations. This newspaper understands too that Toshaos in Venezuela would communicate via radio with those in Guyana and Anselmo reported to the APA that they were informed that seven of the bandits were arrested by Venezuelan authorities. This newspaper was told too that two persons from Arau Settlement, Cuyuni/Mazaruni, who witnessed the incident were preparing to go Venezuela yesterday morning to identify the men. The other two men remain on the run.
Anselmo said he did not suspect any mischief was afoot as persons from Venezuela and other places regularly pass though the village. The APA said that the captain told them that the men were very courteous and he told them that if they were going to Mango Landing they would have to produce documents to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) officials who are stationed there.
Stabroek News understands that Anselmo may have alerted the men to the GGMC presence because he thought that they were seeking employment. They then headed back to Venezuela after their attempts to hire a boat failed.
It wasn’t until after their departure that the villagers began inquiring about the reason for the men’s visit. Information then circulated that men with guns were spotted on the Venezuelan shore. Anslemo said after he received that information he immediately sent word to the officer in charge of a military base located in the village that armed men were making inquiries and that they were headed to Arau Settlement.
The village captain said he even suggested that troops be deployed to Mango Landing to patrol the area but his calls went unheeded. Stabroek News was not able to obtain a comment from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on the issue. However, a source said the army was aware of the threat as more troops were seen in the village. This newspaper understands that the closest army presence to Mango Landing is at Eteringbang and Kaikan. Mango Landing is located between these two villages.
Harris was on his way to a shop at the said location when he was held at gunpoint by a man who was among a group of nine men. The Spanish-speaking gunman reportedly demanded gold from Harris and after he gave him seven grammes, the bandit demanded more. When Harris told him he did not have more the man discharged two rounds, injuring him. The gunman then shot Wilson but both men escaped and hid in the bushes.
Police said Harris’s employer took him and Wilson to the station at Eteringbang where they were treated by a medex from the GDF and later flown to the city in a GDF aircraft. (Zoisa Fraser)
