GEORGETOWN, Guyana — President Dr. Irfaan Ali says investigators are making rapid progress in uncovering an alleged coordinated criminal conspiracy to destabilise Guyana, following an attempted firebombing of a major electricity substation and intelligence reports concerning possible threats to national security.
Speaking at a news conference Friday, Ali expressed confidence that the investigation, supported by international security partners and enhanced intelligence capabilities, would identify those responsible.
The president said he had received briefings about significant progress made by investigators over a relatively short period.
“I’m very confident,” Ali said, describing the work as making enormous progress.
His comments came one day after he delivered a national security address warning of intelligence suggesting a possible organised conspiracy to harm individuals, damage public and private property, disrupt essential services and undermine national security.
The warning followed an attack on the Guyana Power and Light Inc. substation at Good Hope, East Coast Demerara, at approximately 10:45 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10.
According to GPL, surveillance footage captured two individuals at the facility, with one throwing a Molotov cocktail into its energised 69-kilovolt switchyard.
Although the attack did not interrupt electricity supply or cause major equipment damage, the utility warned that a successful strike could have disrupted the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System, potentially affecting more than 220,000 customers.
In his earlier address, Ali said security agencies had obtained intelligence concerning discussions about attacks on critical infrastructure before the Good Hope incident.
Investigators are examining whether the attack was coordinated with other individuals and whether organisers, financiers or other persons were involved.
The president also raised concerns about intelligence suggesting the possible movement of senior members of the transnational criminal organisation Tren de Aragua.
Questioned Friday about the group’s possible presence in Guyana, Ali said intelligence agencies and international partners had obtained credible information concerning contact with individuals linked to dangerous criminal networks.
He declined to disclose further details, citing the need to protect intelligence sources and avoid compromising ongoing operations.
Ali maintained that Guyana’s security institutions have the resources and international support necessary to confront organised criminal threats.
He did not identify the alleged financiers or masterminds behind the suspected conspiracy.
The investigations are ongoing.