Political parties demand urgent national security overhaul

Oct 28, 2025 News

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…one day after gas station explosion

(Kaieteur News) – Condemning the deadly explosion at the Mobil Gas Station on Regent and King Streets, political parties and civic groups are calling for national unity, transparency, and urgent security reforms.

The Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), led by Amanza Walton-Desir, warned that preliminary reports and circulating footage suggest the possible involvement of a non-Guyanese national. “While facts must be verified, this incident exposes deep failures in immigration oversight, border control, and intelligence coordination,” FGM said. The party added that similar explosions in recent months underscore a disturbing lack of preparedness and the government’s inability to anticipate or mitigate threats to public safety. The political party noted that these incidents shows the government’s inability to anticipate, mitigate, and respond effectively to these threats that has left the public anxious and fearful.

“In light of these developments, the Forward Guyana Movement calls on President Irfaan Ali and the Government of Guyana to convene an emergency meeting with all Opposition Party Leaders. Such a meeting is urgently needed to craft a unified, non-partisan national response to the growing threats to public safety, and to reassure the nation that the security and well-being of every Guyanese, regardless of background or origin, remain the foremost duty of the State,” the statement reads.

In addition to that, FGM said the Government must also issue clear and credible assurances to the people of Guyana, outlining immediate steps being taken to strengthen national security, tighten coordination among law enforcement agencies, and restore public confidence. “We must all reaffirm that every life in Guyana is sacred and that the protection of our people is, and must always be, the highest responsibility of those who govern,” FGM expressed.

While urging all citizens to remain calm, vigilant and united, FGM further called on the Guyana Police Force and all relevant authorities to ensure that every available resource is mobilised to identify and bring the perpetrator or perpetrators to swift and decisive justice. “Acts of terror and violence must never find refuge in impunity,” their statement added.

Also extending its deepest condolences to the Bourne family, was the Alliance For Change (AFC) who called on the Government to be fully forthcoming with the facts surrounding the security threats that the country faces at present. AFC stated that the Guyanese people have a right to know what is happening, who is responsible, and how such a tragic event will be prevented in the future. “Moreover, the Government must engage citizens proactively and transparently —through public briefings, community outreach, and clear communication — so that families and neighbourhoods understand the risk environment and can work with the authorities to safeguard themselves,” AFC mentioned.

Recalling recent remarks made by the former Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn in March 2025, who warned of the presence of sleeper agents and covert operatives from Venezuela in Guyana, AFC explained that given the heightened geopolitical sensitivity around border security and hybrid threats, this explosion cannot 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,” the party said.

Need for stronger safety

Meanwhile, in separate statement, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) explained that this tragedy underscores the urgent need for “stronger safety and security practices across the country” to protect lives and property. PSC said it continues to work with and support the national authorities in upholding these standards. In extending its sincere condolences to the bereaved family and looks forward to a full and speedy recovery of the injured persons, PSC said it supports the directive by President Ali for a comprehensive investigation into the cause of this incident. “The Commission urges all business places and every citizen to be alert to the seriousness of this matter and to maintain a maximum and heightened state of security and vigilance as the government takes immediate and appropriate action to address the matter,” it noted in its statement.

For its part, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) noted that based on the revelations that the explosion at the Mobil Gas was triggered by human intervention, it commended the Guyana Police Force for promptly identifying the alleged perpetrator. “This disturbing incident has underscored the importance of vigilance as it relates to our domestic security and the wellbeing of our citizenry, and as such the Chamber urges law enforcement to ensure that a thorough investigation is conducted and the perpetrator is brought to justice, and that a recurrence is prevented,” GCCI disclosed.

According to the Chamber, public security must be “preserved and protected”, and they therefore urged the public to report any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities. “The GCCI extends condolences to the family and loved ones of Soraya Browne and wishes a speedy recovery to those who were injured by the explosion,” they expressed.

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• Amanza Walton-Desir, deadly, explosion, Forward Guyana Movement, Mobil Gas Station

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