Authorities in Guyana have issued search warrants for three individuals believed to be responsible for the murder of 23-year-old Cuban national, Dainier Vegas Infante. The young man was fatally shot last Sunday while at his workplace in Georgetown.
The Guyanese news outlet Demerara Waves reported that the suspects are Mikhail Mario Joseph, aged 26; Baraka Haraohn Bayneuzzi Garnett, aged 25; and Nicholas Daby, whose age remains undisclosed. These men are wanted for the homicide that transpired on May 10 at Lot 23, Forshaw Street, Queenstown.
Vegas Infante was employed as a janitor at a bar located at the aforementioned address. Around 5:45 a.m., four individuals arrived at the establishment.
One suspect, armed with a firearm, approached two people seated outside the venue and initiated a conversation.
"It is alleged that the victim later exited the establishment and approached the suspects, at which point the armed individual fired in his direction, causing him to fall to the ground," stated the police in an official release.
Following the shooting, the gunman fled in a vehicle along Forshaw Street, while the other suspects escaped in separate cars.
Surveillance footage enabled authorities to identify a car linked to the case, leading to the arrest of a 45-year-old woman who manages a business in Little Diamond, East Bank Demerara. However, recent police updates have not provided information on the current status of this detainee.
The police noted that the four primary suspects remain at large and are believed to be foreign nationals.
Authorities urge anyone with information to contact them via 911 or the numbers 227-1611, 268-2328, 268-2329, 226-3411, 225-8196, and 227-1159, or to visit the nearest police station.
Increasing Threats Against Cubans in Guyana
The murder of Vegas Infante is part of a disturbing rise in violence against Cubans in Guyana, a trend that has escalated since October 2024.
Since then, at least five Cuban nationals have been killed in the country: Yuni Zamora Castro, José Aurelio Ramírez, Davely Morales, Pedro Alexander Frometa Slonchak — who was shot by a security guard in a Georgetown supermarket in August 2025 — and Ariel Betancourt Ramírez, who was fatally stabbed in a suspected robbery in December 2025.
In April 2026, a 19-year-old Cuban survived a critical emergency surgery in Guyana after a knife was lodged in his brain.
The Cuban community in Guyana, estimated to number between 5,000 and 7,000 individuals, predominantly resides in Georgetown, working in construction and services, with many facing precarious immigration statuses.
FAQs on the Rising Violence Against Cubans in Guyana
What is the current situation for Cubans living in Guyana?
Cubans in Guyana face increasing violence and threats, with a significant rise in attacks and murders since October 2024. Many reside in Georgetown, working in construction and services.
Who are the suspects in the murder of Dainier Vegas Infante?
The suspects are Mikhail Mario Joseph, Baraka Haraohn Bayneuzzi Garnett, and Nicholas Daby. They are wanted for the crime committed on May 10 in Georgetown.
What actions are authorities taking to address the violence?
Authorities are actively seeking the suspects involved in the recent murders and are urging the public to provide any information that could lead to their capture.