GEORGETOWN, Guyana — Four people were remanded to prison Wednesday and three others are set to appear in court as Guyanese authorities press terrorism charges linked to what officials describe as a coordinated plan involving foreign and local suspects operating in the Pomeroon River area, including Siriki.
The Guyana Police Force said the seven accused were charged under Section 309 (1)(b)(i) of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, which deals with acts of terrorism. The case comes amid heightened national security concerns following recent investigations into cross-border criminal networks, weapons movement, and subversive activities in hinterland regions.
The first group — Venezuelan nationals Daniel Alexander Ramirez Peodomo, 33, and Alexander Bettancourt, 44; Guyanese-Venezuelan Kristal La Cruz, 33; and Guyanese taxi driver Jhonny Boodram, 37 — appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. They were not required to enter pleas and were denied bail. They were remanded until Nov. 12.
According to police, three additional suspects — Jennifer Rodriguez, 33; Wayne Corriea, 51, a mechanic of Siriki, Pomeroon River; and Ramesh Pramdeo, 51 — will face Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court.
Investigators allege the group played roles in a wider operation that extended from the Essequibo region to the West Demerara corridor. Authorities say the case is tied to intelligence pointing to foreign-linked criminal elements exploiting river networks and border communities, with police previously signaling that the recent upsurge in hinterland patrols and maritime monitoring is part of efforts to deter such activity.
The charges follow a series of national security operations this year targeting smuggling rings, arms trafficking networks, and violent criminal syndicates believed to have cross-border support, particularly from Venezuelan criminal groups. Senior officials have repeatedly warned that Guyana faces emerging security threats linked to heightened regional instability, increased cross-border movement, and organized crime activity in remote Indigenous and riverine communities.
The seven accused remain under active investigation and additional charges are possible, police said. Further updates are expected as the matter proceeds.