Three non-nationals wanted in “act of terrorism” at Georgetown police station and power facility
GEORGETOWN – Authorities in Guyana have launched a manhunt for three foreign nationals suspected in a brazen improvised bomb attack that damaged a police outpost and an electrical substation in Georgetown earlier this month. Investigators believe two Spanish-speaking men and one Brazilian national conspired with a local accomplice to detonate homemade explosive devices in the early hours of May 17 – a coordinated act officials are calling domestic terrorism.
The first blast struck around 12:40 a.m. at the East Ruimveldt Police Outpost, blowing the station’s metal gate off its hinges and shattering part of a concrete wall. Moments later, a second explosion ripped through a nearby Guyana Power and Light (GPL) substation on Mandela Avenue. No injuries were reported, but the twin bombings sent debris flying and gouged the street, sparking fear in surrounding neighborhoods. CCTV footage captured a bright flash and flames at the police post as the device detonated. A female constable on duty recalled hearing two loud blasts and discovering the compound’s southern gate missing entirely.
Within hours, specialized police and army units swarmed the scenes. Crime Scene investigators recovered bolts, nuts, and fragments of a hard plastic container – evidence of an improvised explosive device (IED), likely assembled from readily available materials. The attacks raised alarms about potential cross-border extremist activity, given their sophistication. By May 27, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) issued wanted bulletins for the three foreign suspects believed to have orchestrated the plot.
A major breakthrough came when police arrested a 35-year-old Guyanese minibus driver, Seon Carmichael, who allegedly aided the bombers. Carmichael was charged with committing a terrorist act for ferrying the suspects and procuring supplies used to build the explosives. In court, his lawyer claimed the foreign men threatened to kill Carmichael’s family if he spoke up, leading him to cooperate under duress. The defendant told the magistrate one suspect was an acquaintance who paid him G$20,000 for transport – only afterward did he realize their deadly intentions. Carmichael has since provided video and written statements to police, aiding the investigation. He remains in custody after being denied bail due to the severity of the charges.
Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken said authorities are pursuing leads on the whereabouts of the foreign fugitives, who may have already fled Guyana. “This was a calculated attack on public security infrastructure,” a senior police official noted, underscoring that the assailants likely had external backing and training. The Spanish language heard in intercepted communications has fueled speculation of a Venezuelan link, though officials have not confirmed any state involvement. The attacks came amid heightened tensions with Venezuela over the disputed Essequibo region (though no direct evidence ties the incidents to that dispute).
The government has condemned the bombings as an unprecedented act of terror in the capital. President Irfaan Ali vowed that those responsible “will face the full force of the law,” and he praised the quick response of law enforcement in preventing further harm. Security has been stepped up at police facilities and power plants nationwide, with patrols intensified and surveillance increased at ports of entry in case the perpetrators attempt to slip out.
Guyana’s opposition parties have largely refrained from politicizing the incident, instead joining in calls for public vigilance. The attack – rare for this generally peaceful South American nation – has rattled Georgetown residents. But officials insist there is no cause for panic. “We will not be intimidated by cowardly acts,” Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn said, urging citizens to report suspicious activity as investigators work around the clock.
As the probe continues, Guyana has enlisted assistance from regional and international partners. Law enforcement agencies in neighboring Brazil and Suriname have been alerted to monitor their borders. A wanted bulletin with the suspects’ descriptions has been disseminated via INTERPOL channels. Meanwhile, forensic teams are examining residue from the blast sites to trace the origin of explosive materials.
This coordinated bombing is the first known terrorist-style attack on Guyanese soil in recent memory. It comes just months before national elections, raising stakes for security forces to ensure stability. With one alleged accomplice in hand and foreign suspects identified, Guyana’s police say it is only a matter of time before the perpetrators are brought to justice.
Region: Georgetown (Demerara-Mahaica)
Sources: Guyana Police Force; Stabroek News; Suriname Times surinametimes.comsurinametimes.com
