By Sharda Bacchus
When the powerful explosion ripped through the Mobil Gas Station at Regent and King Streets, Georgetown on Sunday night, few imagined the chain of events that would follow- a high level investigation, a confession and attention on one of neighbouring Venezuela’s most notorious criminal networks.
That network is known is as the R Organization also referred to as Organización R (OR).
That’s the group from where the prime suspect of the attack originate from, the Guyana Police Force confirmed.
His name is Daniel Alexander Ramirez Peodomo, a Venezuelan national. He entered here illegally by boat just hours before the blast on Sunday last. His arrest and the details he reportedly provided to law enforcement officials have drawn attention to the group that has long held sway over Venezuela’s gold-rich south.
THE R ORGANISATION?
The R Organization is one of the fastest-growing sindicatos. It is a mining gangs in Venezuela’s Bolívar state, where gold mining has become both a source of livelihood and conflict.
According to Insight Crime, the gang was founded around 2008, that’s about 17 years ago. The group evolved under the leadership of Eduardo José Natera Balboa,, who is known as ‘Run’ and ‘El Pelón’.
Initially involved in robberies and weapons theft, the R Organisation expanded its reach into the gold-mining regions of Tumeremo, an area now synonymous with fierce territorial disputes.
Tumeremo is a town in the state of Bolívar in eastern Venezuela. The group has been accused of violence, extortion and smuggling.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum on Tuesday night told a news briefing that Daniel arrived in Georgetown around 18:15 hrs on Sunday and was seen carrying two large black garbage bags.
He first tried to dispose of the bags in a bin but was stopped by a pump attendant. Daniel then moved to the southwestern corner of the gas station compound, near metal cages used to store cooking gas cylinders. There, he placed the bags on the ground and walked away.
Moments later, an explosion erupted- shattering glass, setting cars ablaze, and leaving the scene engulfed in smoke.
Among the victims was six-year-old Soraya Bourne, who had arrived with her family to purchase KFC. Soraya died at the scene, while several of her relatives suffered severe injuries. Their car, parked near the epicenter of the blast, was completely destroyed.
An investigation was launched and overtime it widen leading to the extensive manhunt and even offering of a $5 million reward for Daniel who was eventually arrested in Vergenoegen, Region Three. Clothing believed to have been worn during the attack was recovered shortly before this.
A total of nine individuals, including Venezuelans and locals, have since been detained for questioning.
Blanhum confirmed that Daniel has confessed to being involved in the bombing and told investigators he had brought the device, which had a switch, from Venezuela.
THE MOTIVE?
Despite the confession, the motive remains unclear.
Investigators are now examining whether the bombing was an isolated act or connected to previous attacks, including recent incidents at the East La Penitence Police Outpost and the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) facility at Mandela Avenue.
Authorities have not confirmed any formal link to organized groups, but the similarities between the incidents , all involving explosive devices, have prompted deeper scrutiny.
During a press briefing, Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond said the government intends to pursue the death penalty in cases involving terrorism, emphasizing that such acts will not be tolerated.
LINGERING QUESTIONS
As the investigation continues, several questions remain unanswered.
Was Daniel acting on his own or under direction? How did he obtain the explosive device?
For now, the focus remains on the investigation and its outcome.
But the case opens a wider conversation including about issues wider issues such as migration and cross-border crime.
The post The R Organisation – the Venezuelan gang possibly behind the gas station bombing appeared first on News Room Guyana.
