‘We will not be intimidated, will not bow, will not be broken’ – Pres. Ali on Mobil gas station bombing

Nov 02, 2025 News

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(Kaieteur News) – President Irfaan Ali on Saturday condemned strongly the recent horrific bombing at the Mobil Gas Station on Regent Street which claimed the life of six-year-old Soraya Bourne and left four other persons injured on October 26.

The President, who was on an overseas duty when the bombing occurred, expressed outrage at the terrorist attack while delivering the feature address at the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) 60^th anniversary service held at the National Cultural Centre.

The President said for 60 years, the men and women of the GDF have stood watch on Guyana’s borders, they have guarded the air space, patrolled the rivers and the country’s vast coastline, working tirelessly to keep Guyana safe and secure.

“I repeat again what I’ve said before, the Guyana Defence Force is not a Force of aggression. It is not an instrument of intimidation. Ours is not a military that seeks to provoke or threaten, rather, it is a Force of peace, protection and patriotism,” he reassured.

The head of state said that Guyana’s commitment to peace must not be mistaken as a sign of weakness.

“We are peaceful, yes, but we are prepared, and we will fiercely defend our territorial integrity and sovereignty against all threats from wherever they may come,” he expressed.

President Ali noted that a threat to peace can be unpredictable and at times senseless.

“It is within this context that we must pause to condemn in the strongest possible terms the recent horrific attack on the petrol station on Regent Street, right here in the heart of our capital city. That cowardly act, which claimed the life of an innocent child, was a vile assault on the people, an attempt to create harm and fear our nation mourns with the family of the young life lost,” he condemned.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces said that the attack which bore all the hallmarks of terrorism was an attempt to sow fear and chaos, to destabilize, to create tension.

Noting that the state will get to the bottom of it, he related “Let it be known here and now that we will not be intimidated, we will not bow, we will not be broken.”

Commending the swift and coordinated response of the law enforcement authorities and the joint services, including the Guyana Defence Force, for their professionalism and response, he said that it shows that in the face of evil, Guyana stands united and unshaken.

“Investigations will continue, the motives behind this heinous act will come to light. We will pursue justice relentlessly, and we will take every lawful measure to protect our people and deter those who may contemplate similar action, we are going deep, broad and hard to the bottom on this,” he promised.

The president warned that attempts to stir fear will fail.  “You will fail because the spirit of our people cannot be terrorized. You will fail because we are one nation, resolute and indivisible. You will fail because our law enforcement agencies will ensure that peace prevails. The safety and security of our citizens are paramount, this is non-negotiable,” he declared.

Notwithstanding, President Ali cautioned that Sunday’s bombing should not be the basis for prejudice or discrimination noting that Guyana has long been a land where immigrants come fleeing hardship and turmoil.

“Yes, we must strengthen our systems of monitoring, screening and enforcement, which we are doing and will continue to do. We must ensure that those who enter our country do so in accordance with our laws and with respect for our peace, but let us not succumbed to the temptation to paint all immigrants with the same brush. Hatred is not the answer to hatred,” he stated.

The head of state told the gathering of military officials that Guyana will remain a compassionate nation, but one that is also vigilant, strong and aggressive in the protection of its citizen and sovereignty.

“The Guyana Defence Force will continue to play a vital role in maintaining this balance. We will continue to support our law enforcement agencies in upholding law and order, ensuring that Guyana remains a society of peace, stability and justice, because a nation that is at peace within sends a powerful message to the world outside. A nation united in purpose and spirit becomes an immovable pillar against those who may seek to exploit international divisions, original instability for their own dark designs,” he assured.

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• bombing, GDF, Irfaan Ali, Mobil Gas Station, Soraya Bourne

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