NEWS: Investors Worry as Guyana President Warns of Terrorism

Guyana is a small country with small roads and very few alternate paths to the airports. Investors already nervous about civil strife have found themselves confronted with the very real threat of terrorism as described by Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali.

In a nationally televised address this week, Ali referenced a criminal organization called “Tren de Aragua”, which he described as a “terrorist-designated criminal organization operating out of Venezuela”, and warned of intelligence concerning the possible movement of its senior members. He also cited “incendiary statements” circulating on social media, alleged links between those statements and “planned criminal activities,” and what he called a “centrally coordinated conspiracy” intended to “harm or intimidate individuals, destroy or damage public and private property, disrupt essential services and economic activity, and create disorder.”

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The President pointed to the November 10 alleged attack on a Guyana Power and Light substation at Good Hope, where two individuals were captured on CCTV throwing Molotov cocktails at the facility. No damage was reported. He said investigations are underway to establish whether the attack was planned or coordinated, and warned that perpetrators, including “intellectual authors”, would face the “fullness of the law,” with potential charges under Section 309A of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, including terrorism-related provisions.  Members of the public are skeptical about these claims by the government.