Deadly explosion triggers opposition demands for screening foreigners, heightened security

Last Updated on Monday, 27 October 2025, 23:18 by Writer

We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) on Monday demanded that government screen migrant workers and foreigners in Guyana, and A Partnership for National Unity recommended that security be boosted at several key installations, in the wake of Sunday night’s explosion of a device that was left at the Mobil gas station on Regent and King streets, Georgetown, by a Spanish-speaking man.

“We call on the government to strengthen protection of critical infrastructure such as fuel depots, power substations, and public markets through updated safety audits and drills,” APNU said in a statement.

WIN called for heightened national security measures and intelligence coordination and “stricter border monitoring and background checks on all non-Guyanese entrants.”

That party said two explosions at the Ruimveldt Police Outpost and the Guyana Power and Light’s substation on Mandela Avenue in May 2025 and Sunday night’s incident were “interconnected” “attacks”.

WIN, which won 16 seats in the September 1 general and regional elections, hinged its fears on multiple warnings that a number of persons crossing Guyana’s borders with open access to every sector of the society “might be members of the Venezuelan army or intelligence services, and not all have good intentions.”

That party accused the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC)-led administration of “allowing the influx of tens of thousands of Venezuelans into our country” that compromised the nation’s national security because party politics took precedence among those who were more interested in winning an election. WIN said the PPPC administration ignored “the necessary checks that should be put in place when another country is trying to take control of three-quarters of its territory.”

In obvious reference to the United States’ (U.S.) heavy military build-up in the Caribbean and fears that the stage is being set to depose the Nicolás Maduro-led administration under the guise of fighting narco-trafficking, WIN said Guyana needed to be wary of the implications. “Given the current geopolitical dynamics, Guyana must remain on full alert for any potential negative repercussions or retaliatory actions from Venezuela,” that party said.

Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago enjoy extremely close relations with the U.S. Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar earlier this year pledged to allow American troops to use her country to defend Guyana against a Venezuelan invasion to press its demand for the mineral and forest-rich Essequibo Region.

For its part, the People’s National Congress Reform-led APNU also identified the need to register all foreigners in Guyana. “We call on the government to implement immediate screening and documentation of all migrant workers and non-nationals presently in the country, ensuring that every entrant is registered, verified, and law-abiding, while protecting the rights of genuine refugees and asylum seekers,” that party said.

APNU, which won 12 seats at polls, urged the government to reconvene the National Assembly’s security and home affairs oversight mechanisms at the earliest opportunity to guarantee civilian scrutiny of national security readiness.

In terms of the bombings so far for this year, APNU is calling on government to publicly release updates on the investigations into the earlier bombings at the East Ruimveldt Police Outpost and the Guyana Power & Light sub-station, including any links to the most recent attack and the actions taken to close those cases.

Touching on Sunday night’s explosion of a device at the Mobil gas station on Regent and King streets, Georgetown that was taken there in a bulky plastic bag by a Spanish-speaking man, APNU urged a transparent, professional investigation supported by all relevant national security and intelligence agencies, with external technical assistance where necessary.

That party also wants government to publish a full incident report detailing the coordination among the police, fire service, defence force, and health agencies, and the specific security lapses identified.

APNU also wants government to provide adequate financial and psychosocial support to victims and their families.

The Alliance For Change (AFC) recalled that in March of 2025, the former Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, warned of the presence of sleeper agents and covert operatives from Venezuela in Guyana.

Nothing further was said.

Given the heightened geopolitical sensitivity around border security and hybrid threats, the AFC said that explosion could not be viewed simply as an isolated accident without full scrutiny.

“The AFC urges that this tragic event be examined within the broader context of national security — not as a mere law-and-order issue, but as a matter of state responsibility to protect its citizenry from all forms of threat, internal and external,” that party said.