Gas station bomber confesses

Mar 24, 2026 News

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…says was given device by Guyanese
…but claims sole responsibility for crime

(Kaieteur News) – What was expected to be a routine paper committal hearing at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court took an unexpected turn Monday, when the main accused in the Regent Street gas station bombing openly confessed to the crime, claiming full responsibility and insisting that he acted alone.

The accused also signalled his intention to cooperate fully with the prosecution in an effort to bring the matter to a swift conclusion.

The development unfolded during proceedings before acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty, when 33-year-old Venezuelan national Daniel Alexander Ramirez Poedemo, previously identified by investigators as the alleged mastermind behind the deadly attack, made the admission through his attorney, Shellon Boyce. Boyce informed the court that during a recent visit with her client, he made significant disclosures regarding the incident. As a result, she reached out to prosecutor Mandel Moore to explore the possibility of taking a different legal approach based on her client’s statements. However, she declined to disclose the specifics of their conversation in open court.

Poedemo is currently facing a charge of committing an act of terrorism, stemming from the October 26, 2025 bombing at the Mobil Gas Station located at Regent and King Streets in Georgetown. The prosecution alleges that the explosive device was used to threaten Guyana’s sovereignty and security or instil fear among the population. The explosion tragically claimed the life of six-year-old Soraya Bourne and left several others traumatised.

Monday’s hearing had initially been set to commence paper committal proceedings involving several co-accused, including 44-year-old Venezuelan Alexander Betancourt, Venezuelan national Krystal LaCruz, and Guyanese taxi driver Johnny Boodram. Also before the court were Wayne Correia, 44, Ramesh Pramdeo, and Jennifer Rodriguez. All six individuals had been charged with aiding and abetting Poedemo in carrying out the attack, with the prosecution maintaining that they played various roles in the planning and execution of the operation. However, in light of Boyce’s disclosure to the court, the proceedings were halted.

When questioned by the magistrate, through a translator, about his intentions moving forward, Poedemo responded that the decision rested with his lawyer and the court. At the same time, he firmly maintained that the other individuals charged in connection with the incident were innocent. Pressed further by the magistrate to clarify his position, he confirmed his willingness to cooperate with authorities. Through the translator, the court was told, “Yes, he speaks with his lawyer, he explained everything and he wants to continue like that. He wants to finish off the matter as quickly as possible so that the innocent persons come out.”

In a further exchange, Poedemo made a direct admission of guilt, stating that he “want to admit everything,” thereby confirming his involvement in the bombing. He disclosed that he had received the explosive device from a Guyanese-Venezuelan individual but added that he “did what he had to do.” Despite this, he continued to insist that he acted alone and that none of the other accused persons should be held responsible for the crime.

In light of these significant developments, the case is now expected to be reviewed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who will determine the appropriate course of action moving forward. Prosecutor Moore told the court that he will require a formal proposal from the defence before presenting the matter to the DPP’s chambers, noting that the review process could take approximately two weeks. The matter has since been adjourned to April 20.

During Poedemo’s initial court appearance on November 5, 2025, the prosecution had outlined a very different narrative, alleging that all seven accused individuals acted in coordination, with Poedemo serving as the primary orchestrator of the attack. According to the state’s case, the other accused were either aware of the plot, assisted in its execution, or played roles in transporting Poedemo before and after the bombing. However, attorneys representing several of the co-accused strongly rejected these claims.

Attorney Mikel Puran, representing taxi driver Johnny Boodram, argued that his client had no knowledge of the alleged plot and was simply hired to transport individuals. Similarly, attorney Bernard Da Silva, who represents Guyanese nationals Wayne Correia and Ramesh Pramdeo, maintained that his clients were not connected to the bombing in any way. He explained that Correia, also a taxi driver, was in Pomeroon at the time and had merely contacted Pramdeo to assist in transporting two Venezuelan men, believed to be gold miners, to a hotel in Essequibo. According to Da Silva, Pramdeo carried out the request without any knowledge of the men’s intentions.

The prosecution, however, disputed these assertions, arguing that the accused were aware of the plan. Investigators pointed to alleged communication between Poedemo and LaCruz following the explosion, claiming that she assisted him after the attack. It is alleged that LaCruz, who is reportedly in a relationship with Poedemo, picked him up, transported him to her home, and later took him to the residence of Jennifer Rodriguez. During this time, Poedemo allegedly used LaCruz’s phone to contact individuals in Venezuela to request money before she returned to work.

Further details from the investigation, previously disclosed by Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum, indicated that the suspects may have used a food purchase at a nearby KFC outlet as a cover to scout the gas station prior to carrying out the attack. According to a senior police officer, the prime suspect and an accomplice traveled to Georgetown along with a female accomplice and a hired taxi driver. “They parked the car in the vicinity of the gas station. The female accomplice then exited the vehicle and went to the KFC outlet… where she purchased food for the two Venezuelans,” the officer explained. “It was during that time that the Venezuelans took the opportunity to conduct surveillance of the fuel station before executing their act to bomb the station.”

Blanhum had also revealed that Poedemo and an alleged accomplice were believed to have links to a Venezuelan gang known as “R,” which is associated with the Sindicato criminal network, a group reportedly involved in several violent cross-border activities. Investigators further determined that the explosive device was activated moments after Poedemo exited a vehicle and entered the gas station.

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage captured Poedemo, clad in a blue jersey, black trousers, and a khaki hat, entering the gas station with a bulky black bag. The footage reportedly showed him attempting to place the bag in a bin at one of the fuel pumps, but he was stopped by an attendant. He then moved toward an area where cooking gas cylinders were stored. Moments later, the device exploded.

At the time of the blast, a vehicle carrying young Soraya Bourne and her family was seen reversing out of the station. The explosion hurled the occupants into the air, killing the child. The tragic incident sent shockwaves across the country, and the motive behind the attack remains unknown.

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• bombing, Daniel Alexander Ramirez Poedemo, gas station bomber, Mobil Gas Station

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