– investigators looking into possible threats to individuals, property and essential services
President Irfaan Ali yesterday said security agencies were investigating whether the attack on the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) substation at Good Hope, East Coast Demerara, was part of a wider plot to intimidate or harm individuals, damage property and disrupt essential services and economic activity.
In a national security address, Ali said intelligence suggested that the attack and possible attacks on other sites may have been discussed at an earlier meeting. He said information from people who attended had enabled security agencies to take precautions. Investigators were seeking to establish the purpose of the meeting, who was involved and whether other facilities or individuals had been identified as potential targets.
Ali said surveillance footage showed two people throwing incendiary devices at the substation at about 10.45 pm on Tuesday, apparently targeting a transformer before fleeing. He said the facility escaped damage, but the attack could have disrupted electricity supply and endangered the public.
The President said two people he described as politically affiliated had been recorded days earlier discussing the making of an incendiary device. He did not name them or identify their political affiliation. He said investigators were working to identify the people seen on the substation footage and determine whether they had coordinated with others.
In their initial account on Wednesday, police said security guards had alerted a GPL operator to a fire near the main transmission line. The operator reported that the fire lasted about three minutes. Police said they found four bottles containing a liquid suspected to be kerosene, along with a lighter, a saw frame and broken glass. The Guyana Fire Service was called in to assist.
Ali said the government was also examining statements circulating on social media, including some about ongoing court proceedings. He said intelligence suggested links between certain statements and planned criminal activity. He did not identify the statements or the proceedings.
“These matters are under active investigation,” Ali said. He said investigators would seek to establish the roles of those suspected of organising, directing or financing any criminal acts, as well as those who carried them out. He said possible charges included conspiracy, aiding and abetting, attempted offences and terrorism-related offences where the evidence supported prosecution.
Ali said law enforcement agencies were particularly concerned about attempts to organise tyre burning and road blockages, incite violence online, threaten public officials or private citizens and their families, and sabotage essential infrastructure. He said the government respected the constitutional right to express views and protest peacefully.
“These rights do not extend to violence, intimidation, destruction of property, or criminal incitement,” he said.
The President also referred to intelligence about the possible movement of senior members of the Venezuelan criminal organisation Tren de Aragua designated as a terrorist group. He said the Joint Services and intelligence agencies were working with international partners, and that security agencies were reviewing threats to critical infrastructure and taking preventive measures. He urged citizens to remain peaceful and report unlawful activity.
In a separate incident on October 30, GPL said it suspected deliberate interference after the L2 transmission line between Grove and Sophia tripped, causing widespread outages. It was reported that GPL had found no physical condition during inspections that explained the trip and said it was increasing surveillance of key transmission infrastructure.
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