Deadly gas station bombing: Mastermind withdraws guilty plea as DPP pursues terrorism charges against all suspects

– paper committal proceedings to commence on June 8

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has opted to proceed with terrorism charges against all remaining accused in the deadly Regent Street gas station bombing case, despite repeated claims by the alleged mastermind that he acted alone and that the others were innocent of any involvement. The disclosure was made on Wednesday when the matter came up before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Prosecutors informed the court that the DPP will continue with proceedings against Venezuelan national Daniel Alexander Ramirez Poedemo, along with his co-accused, Alexander Bettencourt, Jhonny Boodram, and Krystal La Cruz, in connection with the October 26, 2025, bombing at the Mobil gas station on Regent Street.
The explosion claimed the life of six-year-old Soraya Borneman and left several of her relatives injured. It also triggered widespread public outrage and an extensive investigation by law enforcement authorities. During several previous court appearances, Ramirez Poedemo repeatedly declared that he was solely responsible for the deadly attack and pleaded with the court to release the other accused, insisting they had no knowledge of or participation in the incident. Earlier this year, the Venezuelan national had also indicated his intention to plead guilty to the charge. However, on Wednesday, Ramirez Poedemo informed the court that he no longer wishes to admit guilt after learning that the DPP had decided to proceed with terrorism charges against the three other defendants jointly charged with him. His change of position came shortly after the prosecution formally advised the court that the charges against all four accused would remain in place. Following the latest development, Acting Chief Magistrate McGusty announced that paper committal proceedings are scheduled to commence on June 8 at 13:30h at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. During those proceedings, the court will review witness statements, investigative reports and other documentary evidence to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to commit the accused to stand trial before the High Court. The case has already produced varying outcomes for several persons initially charged in connection with the bombing. Back in April, at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court, Magistrate Alisha George upheld a no-case submission filed on behalf of Guyanese nationals Wayne Correia and Ramesh Pramdeo, ruling that the prosecution had failed to establish sufficient evidence linking them to the attack. However, another Venezuelan national, Jennifer Rodrigues, was committed to stand trial in the High Court after the court found that there was enough evidence for the matter to proceed against her.