The We Invest in Nationhood party believes that Guyana has found itself in a very “precarious situation” that must be handled with the utmost maturity, which focuses squarely on the national interest and not partisan politics.

In response to last evening’s deadly bombing, the WIN party reminded that Sunday night’s bombing was the third bombing that the residents of Georgetown have had to endure in recent months, with the first two targeting the East Ruimveldt Police Outpost and a nearby Guyana Power and Light substation.

“These attacks are interconnected and important, especially given the multiple warnings that some individuals crossing our borders, with open access to every sector of our society, might be members of the Venezuelan army or intelligence services, and not all have good intentions. This administration has allowed the influx of tens of thousands of Venezuelans into our country”, the WIN party said.

The party noted that “national security was compromised the moment party politics took precedence among those who were more interested in winning an election than ensuring the security of our country and its people, ignoring the necessary checks that should be put in place when another country is trying to take control of three-quarters of its territory”.

The party has issued a call for there to be heightened national security measures and intelligence coordination, as well as stricter border monitoring and background checks on all non-Guyanese entrants.

The Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) has also condemned the attack.

It said while the facts must be verified through due investigation, the incident highlights the deep failures in the country’s immigration oversight, border control, and intelligence coordination.

“These are not new deficiencies; they are longstanding vulnerabilities that our successive warnings have failed to correct. This irresponsible attitude by the government now leaves our people exposed to unacceptable danger,” FGM said while pointing to the earlier explosions.

It said whether or not these incidents are connected, the pattern reveals a disturbing failure of preparedness and preventive security measures.

The party wants the Government to convene an emergency meeting with leaders within the opposition to craft a unified, non-partisan national response to the growing threats to public safety, and to reassure the nation that the security and well-being of every Guyanese, regardless of background or origin, remain the foremost duty of the State.

In a statement, the Alliance For Change (AFC) expressed condolences to the family of the six-year-old, while wishing the survivors a full and speedy recovery.

The AFC said it stands in full support of the security forces – the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force – as they investigate the deadly explosion while ensuring public safety. However, it is hopeful that Guyana’s international partners would be called in to assist with the investigation.

But while offering its support to the Joint Services, AFC underscored the need for the Government to be transparent throughout 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 presented in the future,” the AFC said

It said it was just last March, that the then Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn warned of the presence of sleeper agents and covert operatives from Venezuela in Guyana. AFC said since then, nothing else has been said of the sleeper agents.

In light of Sunday’s attack, AFC wants the Government establish an independent fact-finding mechanism, and examine the country’s national security, not as a mere law and order but as a matter of state responsibility to protect its citizens from all forms of threat, internal and external.

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