Tag: Venezuelan

Seven charged with terrorism over Mobil Gas Station bombing

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

Seven people have been charged with terrorism in connection with the October 26 explosion at the Mobil Gas Station at Regent and King Streets, Georgetown, police said on Tuesday.

The Guyana Police Force said in a statement that legal advice was obtained from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) before charges were filed against the seven individuals following what it described as a “comprehensive investigation.”

Those charged are:

1. Wayne Corriea, 44, Guyanese

2. Ramesh Pramdeo, 51, Guyanese

3. Krystal LaCruz, 33, Guyanese

4. Daniel Alexander Ramirez Poedemo, 33, Venezuelan

5. Jennifer Rodriguez, 33, Venezuelan

6. Johnny Boodram, 27, Venezuelan

7. Alexander Bettancourt, 44, Venezuelan

 

Each has been charged with the offence of terrorism, contrary to Section 3(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01, and is expected to appear before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court at 09:00 hrs on Wednesday, November 5, 2025.

The statement said the investigation was conducted “with professionalism, integrity and strict adherence to due process.” The Force added that it remains committed to upholding the rule of law, protecting citizens, and ensuring public safety, while expressing gratitude to the public and partner agencies for their cooperation.

Police probing reported abduction of two Guyanese men by Venezuelan gang

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

Police in Region Seven are investigating the alleged abduction of two Guyanese men by a Venezuelan syndicato gang operating near the Eteringbang area.

According to reports, 66-year-old boat captain Fredrick Pollard of Second Avenue, Bartica, was last heard from on August 24, 2025, when he contacted his son, Dameon Williams, a 41-year-old boat builder of River’s View, Essequibo River. Pollard reportedly said he was leaving Ekereku Backdam for Devil Hole Landing with a porter on board.

Williams told police that he has not heard from his father since that call. On August 25, he said he received a call from an unknown person claiming Pollard had been held against his will by members of a Venezuelan syndicato gang near Botanamu Creek.

Investigators later interviewed Collin Mathews, a 36-year-old boat captain from San Martin, Venezuela, who reported that while transporting nine passengers near Black Water Mouth on the Venezuelan shore, he was intercepted by armed gang members. Mathews stated that he and his passengers were held at gunpoint and observed Pollard and another man alive in the same creek. He added that the gang took fuel from his boat before releasing them.

Police also interviewed the nine passengers, who confirmed Mathews’ account. Written statements were taken from all parties.

Police said the matter remains under active investigation.

Venezuelan suspect on the run for allegedly killing Guyanese man during scuffle

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

Kwakwani Secondary School in Pathville, Upper Berbice River, was destroyed by fire around 03:40 hrs on Sunday, 24th August 2025. The blaze of unknown origin quickly engulfed the one-storey building despite efforts by police and auxiliary fire staff. A security guard on duty reported first seeing smoke from the Headmistress’s office. Investigations are ongoing.

Police are investigating the alleged murder of 30-year-old Toralpher Simon Harry, a porter with Guyana Water Inc., who was fatally stabbed during a street altercation early on Sunday in Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara.

Harry, a resident of Best Village, collapsed after sustaining a stab wound to the neck during a scuffle with a man described as a Venezuelan national, police said. The suspect fled the scene in a minibus and has not yet been apprehended.

According to Harry’s friend, Naipaul Sukhdeo, the two men had stopped to buy food at a hot dog stall at around 2:30 a.m. after attending a car and bike show at Leonora National Stadium. Harry became involved in an argument with the suspect, which escalated into a fight.

During the scuffle, the Venezuelan man brandished a knife. Harry attempted to defend himself with his belt but was stabbed and collapsed on the northern side of the roadway, bleeding heavily, witnesses said. He was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police said a knife without a handle, suspected to be the weapon used, and a brown belt were recovered from the scene. CCTV cameras in the area are being reviewed.

Harry’s body is at the Ezekiel Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Dr. Gonsalves engages Maduro amid Guyana-Venezuela tensions

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

Interlocutor in the peace accord on the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, met today with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to address “the rising tension” between the two nations.
A release from St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Agency for Public Information stated that Dr. Gonsalves departed for Venezuela on Monday.
It was noted that the Vincentian Prime Minister had already spoken with Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Monday, “urging calm and restraint and for both parties to return to diplomacy.”
He reminded both parties of the Argyle Declaration, which they signed in December 2023, committing to maintaining peace as the border controversy remains before the International Court of Justice.
“Dr. Gonsalves also cautioned that an escalation into open conflict could devastate both nations economically and socially, and destabilise the entire Latin American and Caribbean region, potentially leaving us with a humanitarian and refugee crisis,” the Prime Minister warned.
He advised that both nations resolve their issues in ways that do not lead to open conflict.
PM Gonsalves’ visit to Venezuela comes a week after the Bolivarian Republic intruded into Guyana’s exclusive maritime zone.
A Venezuelan military patrol ship engaged oil and gas assets operated by ExxonMobil on March 1, falsely claiming that the FPSOs were illegally working in Venezuelan territory.
Reacting to the incursion, Dr. Gonsalves had said that the FPSO platforms were “undoubtedly under Guyana’s jurisdiction.”
Venezuela’s intrusion into Guyana’s maritime space was widely condemned.

Guyana urges Venezuela to eschew aggression, respect sovereignty of other states

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

Guyana today observed the 59th anniversary of the 1966 Geneva Agreement, calling on neighbouring Venezuela to eschew aggression, pursue a path of peace, and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other States.
The Geneva Agreement provides the framework for resolving the controversy surrounding Venezuela’s unilateral attempt to nullify the legality of the 1899 Arbitral Award, which definitively established the land boundary between Guyana and Venezuela.
After 27 years of bilateral discussions between the two countries under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary-General, and with Venezuela failing to prove its claim of nullity of the 1899 Arbitral Award, the Secretary-General, on the basis of Article IV(2) of the Geneva Agreement, chose the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as the means for resolving the controversy.
In accordance with the Secretary-General’s decision, Guyana filed an application with the Court in March 2018, asking the Court to adjudge and declare, inter alia, that the 1899 Arbitral Award remains valid and binding on both Guyana and Venezuela.
The resolution of the controversy will come in the form of a final and binding judgment from the ICJ, under international law. The court has already ruled twice that it has jurisdiction under the Geneva Agreement to resolve the dispute over the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award and the related question of the land boundary between the two countries.
Both states have participated in the proceedings before the court, and oral hearings are expected to be held in 2026, followed by the Court’s judgment. Guyana has pledged to abide by the ruling, as both countries are legally bound under the United Nations Charter.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has noted that “despite the internationally recognised lawful process, Venezuela continues to misinterpret, undermine, and violate the 1966 Geneva Agreement and the rule of international law, particularly through its provocative, illegal, and aggressive actions aimed at annexing and exercising control over Guyana’s sovereign territory.”
The ministry reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to international law, the sanctity of treaties, and full compliance with the judicial process currently before the ICJ.
“As we mark this anniversary, Guyana calls on its sister republic to eschew aggression and colonialist tendencies and pursue a path of peace, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other States, and the rule of international law,” the ministry said.

Chemical tanker detained in Venezuela with Guyanese flag not registered here-MARAD

Posted on by Editor

The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) has advised that the chemical tanker, “Four Plus” bearing IMO No. 9203930, which was recently detained by Venezuelan authorities for unauthorised entry into that country’s waters was falsely flying the Guyana flag. The maritime department in press statement earlier this week disclosed that the vessel is not registered in Guyana and was not authorised to fly the Guyana flag or claim Guyanese nationality. MARAD said it wishes to remind stakeholders and the public that it operates a closed Ships’ Registry and does not offer a flag of convenience.

The agency reminded of recent media reports highlighting the sanctioning of five oil tankers linked to a Syrian conglomerate with ties to Iran and Venezuela by the United States Treasury Department. These vessels also bore false registration documents. MARAD had pointed out less than a month ago that since 2021 incidences of false Guyanese registration was coming to the fore, with states such as Panama also being targeted by the perpetrators.

“The issues of fraudulently registered vessels and the operation of a global shadow fleet remain on the radar of the global maritime community. The IMO at the 112th Session of its Legal Committee, scheduled for March of this year, is expected to further develop measures to prevent these unlawful practices,” MARAD said.

Venezuelan news had reported that the country’s military detained the tanker after it was found in Venezuelans waters without the necessary permits.  The vessel flew the Guyanese flag, but was manned by a crew of Chinese nationals.