Businessman who was set on fire by Venezuelan woman succumbs to injuries

Frederick Stafford Junior, 36, who was set on fire by a Venezuelan woman on March 9, 2025, at Mango Landing, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) has succumbed to his injuries.

The Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara (ECD) businessman died this morning at the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he had been a patient since the attack.

The Venezuelan woman, Veronica Rondon Alfaro, had been charged with attempted murder and was remanded.

Police had reported that Alfaro and Stanford had been in a relationship for the past year while residing at Mango Landing.

On the night of the incident, Alfaro reportedly left Stanford’s business place and went to a nearby shop owned, where she consumed alcohol.

At approximately 23:00h, she returned to Stanford’s premises, which was closed at the time, and knocked on the door. When Stanford responded, he allegedly told her to “go back where you went.”

Upon gaining entry, Alfaro is accused of rushing into the establishment with a one-litre bottle containing gasoline, which she allegedly threw on Stanford.

A scuffle ensued between the two, resulting in gasoline spilling on Alfaro as well. Moments later, Alfaro reportedly ignited a lighter, causing both herself and the businessman to suffer burns.

Public-spirited individuals intervened and transported both of them to the Eteringbang Police Station before they were medevacked to Georgetown via a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) aircraft for medical treatment.