The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has issued a forceful reiteration of national drone regulations following a high-profile complaint from Amerindian Affairs Minister Sarah Browne-Shadeek regarding unauthorized drone activity over her husband’s private residence. The regulatory body emphasized that operating Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) over both public and private property without explicit permission remains strictly prohibited under Guyanese law.
According to the GCAA’s detailed directive, drone operations must maintain a minimum distance of 150 meters (492 feet) from congested areas and organized assemblies, and stay at least 100 meters (328 feet) from any vessel, vehicle, or structure not under the operator’s control. The authority explicitly warned that violations constitute serious criminal offenses punishable by fines up to GY$1 million and/or imprisonment for up to two years.
The regulatory reminder comes amid heightened tensions following Minister Browne-Shadeek’s social media disclosure that a drone had flown alarmingly low over her husband’s property earlier Sunday, causing a female relative to “feel exposed and run for cover” after exiting the bathroom. The minister additionally reported experiencing suspicious surveillance activities, including being followed by vehicles since an earlier incident at the Amerindian Hostel where she claims to have been “bullied.”
The GCAA’s statement arrives five months after numerous government-aligned media outlets operated drones at both low and high altitudes during the official opening of the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge—an event that raised safety concerns as air traffic controllers were alerted about potential drone interference with aircraft participating in the flyover ceremony.
In a politically charged response, the main opposition party We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) published aerial photographs of the minister’s husband’s property, questioning the apparent luxury of the residence while criticizing the living conditions of indigenous communities. Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed contrasted the minister’s “more than 100 million dollar home” with the troolie leaf houses common in indigenous communities.
The GCAA has urged public vigilance and immediate reporting of unauthorized drone operations to either local police stations or their safety hotline, emphasizing their commitment to maintaining “the integrity of Guyana’s airspace” through strict enforcement of aviation regulations.