Rupununi uprising

Rupununi uprising

Damage to the Lethem police station from rebel bazookas
Date2–4 January 1969
Location
Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo
Result Guyanese victory
Belligerents

Guyana (1966–1970) Guyana

Rupununi rebels
Support:

 Venezuela (alleged)[disputed – discuss]
Commanders and leaders
 Valerie Hart
Elmo Hart
James Hart
Averrel John Melville
Strength
200 soldiers[1][better source needed] 120–300 rebels[2]
Casualties and losses
  • 5 police officers killed
  • 2 civilians killed
  • 20 total wounded[2]
  • 2–3 Amerindians killed[3]
  • 28 rebels arrested[3]
    • Guyana–Venezuela
    territorial dispute
    History

    The Rupununi uprising was a secessionist insurrection in Guyana that began on 2 January 1969 led by cattle ranchers[4][5] who sought to control 22,300 square miles (58,000 km2) of land.[2] Occurring less than two years after Guyana's independence from the United Kingdom, it constituted the country's earliest and most severe test of statehood and social solidarity. The rebels were ultimately dispersed by the Guyana Defence Force, with the group's leaders fleeing to Venezuela.[4][5]

    1. ^ [1], La insurrección de Rupununi.
    2. ^ a b c Ishmael, Odeen (2015). The Trail of Diplomacy: The Guyana-Venezuela Border Issue (Volume Two). Xlibris. pp. 225–257. ISBN 9781503531284.
    3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference :9 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
    4. ^ a b "Guyana Reports End of Uprising, Says Venezuela Aided Rebels". The New York Times. 6 January 1969. Retrieved 25 November 2023. The government charge that the revolt had been led by wealthy cattle ranchers who coerced indigenous Indian peasants into supporting them
    5. ^ a b Times, Special to The New York (1969-01-12). "GUYANESE MAY TRY REBELS WHO FLED". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-11-30.