Guyana soldiers attacked three times in 24 hours amid tensions with Venezuela

Countries dispute ownership of Essequibo, oil-rich region where Venezuela claims it will hold elections this month

Guyanese soldiers have come under attack three times in 24 hours in an oil-rich border region also claimed by neighboring Venezuela, which says it will hold elections there this month.

Armed men in civilian clothing carried out three separate attacks on troops conducting patrols on the Cuyuni River in the disputed Essequibo region, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) said.