evidence: Oct 25, 2015 APNU Column, Features / Columnists "The Venezuelan National Armed Forces seized the 7-km² Ankoko Island in the Cuyuni River in October 1966, Guyana’s independence year, and has remained in illegal occupation ever since. The island is used as a military garrison to harass miners and to engage in occasional acts of provocation against the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) border detachment at Eteringbang on the opposite bank of the river."- President David Granger, October 22, 2015. Before President David Granger in his address to Parliament on October 2, 2015, mentioned the seizure of Ankoko Island by Venezuela in October 1966, many Guyanese were unaware that for 49 years Venezuela has illegally occupied Guyana’s territory. The eastern half of Ankoko Island, situated at the confluence of the Cuyuni and Wenamu Rivers, which forms part of the boundary between Guyana and Venezuela, was taken over by the Venezuelan Army in 1966. The Venezuelans constructed a military base an airstrip and a Post Office and brought in civilian settlers. [...] Ever since the completion of the work of the Boundary Commission, the eastern part of Ankoko was recognised as juridically and administratively part of Guyana and totally within its boundaries. The Venezuelan Government had never before challenged the validity oraccuracy of the map produced by the Boundary Commissioners and had at no time asserted sovereignty over the entire island of Ankoko.