Do not label all immigrants as criminals – Ali

Last Updated on Saturday, 1 November 2025, 13:51 by Writer

President Irfaan Ali on Saturday said last Sunday’s bombing at a Mobil gas station on Regent and King streets, Georgetown by a Venezuelan man was an act of “terrorism” but he appealed to Guyanese not to view all foreigners living and working here as criminals.

“Let us not succumb to the temptation to paint all immigrants with the same brush. Hatred is not the answer to hatred. Fear must not drive our national policy,” he told a religious service to mark the 60th anniversary of the Guyana Defence Force. “We must not allow or justify the outrage to lead us down a path of prejudice or discrimination,” he added.

The President sought to assure congregants, including top military and police officers, as well as ordinary ranks that his government was strengthening its monitoring, screening and enforcement to ensure that foreigners obey Guyana’s laws and respect the country’s peace. He also promised that there would be a sympathetic approach to the suffering of others. “Guyanaa will remain a compassionate nation, but one that is also vigilant, strong and aggressive in the protection of its citizen and sovereignty,” he said.

Police investigators said the Venezuelan man, said to be a member of the “R” sindicato gang in his home country, entered Guyana illegally at about 8 a.m. on October 26, 2025 with the explosive device. He and other Venezuelans allegedly conducted surveillance of the gas station before the bomb was detonated.

Dr Ali, who is also Guyana’s Commander-in-Chief, said the GDF would continue to play a vital role in maintaining this balance, we will continue to support the law enforcement agencies in upholding law and order, ensuring that Guyana remains a society of peace, stability and justice.

The President vowed that authorities would work to ascertain the motive behind the attack. ” We are going deep, broad and hard to the bottom of this,” even as he said “this attack bore all the hallmarks of terrorism. It was an attempt to sow fear and chaos, to destabilize, to create tension.”

The Guyana Police Force and the Ministry of Home Affairs had already hinted that the man could be charged with terrorism, punishable only by death for murder, attempted murder, arson and malicious damage to property.