The AFC has issued a statement on the heels of an explosion at a gas station in Regent Street that has resulted in the death of a 7-year-old child and injured 7 people on Sunday night.
See release below:
The Alliance For Change extends its deepest condolences to the family of Soraya Bourne, whose life was tragically lost in the explosion that occurred last night at the Mobil Gas Station, Regent Street. This is an unimaginable loss, and our thoughts are with the child’s loved ones, friends, and the wider community as they grapple with grief and shock. We also wish the injured relatives a full and speedy recovery.
We stand unequivocally in full support of our security forces — the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force — for their immediate response and ongoing efforts to investigate this incident and ensure public safety. Their work at this hour is critical to restoring calm and providing answers. Likewise, we trust that international partners will be invited to assist in the investigation.
We call upon the Government of Guyana to be fully forthcoming with the facts surrounding the security threats that the country faces at present. The people of this country have a right to know what is happening, who is responsible, and how such a tragic event will be prevented in the future. Moreover, the Government must engage citizens proactively and transparently — through public briefings, community outreach, and clear communication — so that families and neighbourhoods understand the risk environment and can work with the authorities to safeguard themselves.
In relatively recent remarks, March of 2025, the former Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, warned of the presence of sleeper agents and covert operatives from Venezuela in Guyana. Nothing further was said. Given the heightened geopolitical sensitivity around border security and hybrid threats, this explosion cannot be viewed simply as an isolated accident without full scrutiny. The AFC urges that this tragic event be examined within the broader context of national security — not as a mere law-and-order issue, but as a matter of state responsibility to protect its citizenry from all forms of threat, internal and external.
We further call on:
- The Government to establish an independent fact-finding mechanism with citizen representation;
- The public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities;
- Our Party’s supporters and all Guyanese to come together in unity and compassion, rather than allow fear or division to take hold.
Finally, we reaffirm the AFC’s commitment to the rule of law, to the protection of children and vulnerable persons, and to public accountability. The loss of precious Soraya is a tragedy that should compel every institution in our country to redouble its efforts to ensure no other family endures such pain.
