Death Penalty to be pursued after Venezuelan confesses to Mobil Service Station explosion

Authorities will seek the death penalty against Venezuelan national Daniel Alexander Ramirez Peodomo, who has confessed to causing Sunday’s deadly explosion at the Mobil Fuel Station on Regent and King Streets, Georgetown.

The blast resulted in the death of six-year-old Soraya Bourne and left four others seriously injured.

According to Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum, Peodomo entered Guyana illegally by boat on the same day of the incident and was assisted by both Venezuelan and Guyanese nationals.

Investigators said Ramirez detonated explosives concealed in a plastic bag using a switch before fleeing the scene in a waiting vehicle.

Acting on intelligence, police arrested him on Monday at Vergenoegen sideline dam, East Bank Essequibo.

Three other individuals, including Venezuelan national Roberto Fuentes, remain in custody.

Fuentes, the registered owner and alleged driver of a silver vehicle PSS 7874, believed to have transported one of the suspects, surrendered to police on Sunday night.

Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Waldron in a press conference this evening said the government will pursue the death penalty and expressed confidence that it will be applied if Ramirez is convicted.

Ramirez has been charged with terrorism, while additional charges—murder, attempted murder, arson, and damage to property—are awaiting advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Under Guyana’s Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01, Section 3(1), a person convicted of a terrorist act resulting in death is liable to be sentenced to death.

Forensic teams are analysing fragments from the blast site, and police continue to urge anyone with relevant information to come forward.