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Guyana remains ‘prepared, conscious’ of Venezuela’s No.1081906
position not to accept ICJ’s imminent ruling
–– President Ali says
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Critical sea and river defence works have been completed and advanced across Region Three between 2025 and 2026 at Windsor Forest, La Jalousie, Blankenburg, Den Amstel, Hague, Cornelia Ida, Anna Catherina, Groenveldt, Leonora, Vive-La-Force, La Retraite, La Grange, Zeelugt, Tuschen and Parika (Photos: President Dr. Irfaan Ali/Facebook)
Minister McCoy condemns Opposition’s reckless –– identifies Development Bank, education, LCDS support as pathways to entrepreneurship defence of illegal electricity connections 05 Shuman urges Indigenous youth 06 to seize new financing opportunities PAGE
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Guyana insists on ‘own vetting’ under PM Phillips pledges assured new migration framework with U.S. markets for Indigenous farmers –– President Ali says country is no dumping ground, can reject individuals if unsatisfied
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–– highlights ongoing investments to enhance processing capacity, improve value-added production
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 14, 2026
Guyana remains ‘prepared, conscious’ of Venezuela’s position not to accept ICJ’s imminent ruling
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 14, 2026
–– President Ali says PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali has said Venezuelan rheto‑ ric over claims to Guyana’s Essequibo has “reduced substantially” since the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro, but stressed that Guyana is prepared for any kind of reaction once the International Court of Justice (ICJ) rules on the century‑old border contro‑ versy. In a sit‑down interview with Al Jazeera in Doha, President Ali said that since Maduro’s arrest and the rise of Delcy Rodríguez as Cara‑ cas’ key power broker under intense United States pres‑ sure, the tone coming from across the border has shifted. “The rhetoric has reduced substantially,” President Ali said, noting that the long‑run‑ ning territorial claim is now squarely before the ICJ, which is expected to hand down a de‑ cision early in the new year on the validity of the 1899 arbitral award that fixed the boundary
between the two states. “We’re prepared for any reaction to the court’s ruling. We are very conscious of these words [and] also very con‑ scious of Delcy’s position in relation to not accepting the ruling, notwithstanding the fact that Venezuela has participated fully in every aspect of the case before the ICJ, but we are hopeful that in this new envi‑ ronment, in the effort to have this region stabilise [sic] and the U.S. playing an important part,” President Ali said. Acknowledging that Ro‑ dríguez has publicly dis‑ missed Guyana’s ownership claim as a “deceptive fraud” and has vowed that Venezu‑ ela will never recognise the ICJ’s authority. Dr Ali pointed out that Venezuela has nonetheless participated “fully in every aspect of the case” before the court and expressed con‑ fidence that the judges will rule in Guyana’s favour on the basis of “principle and
on this matter.” Back in January, Maduro pleaded not guilty to charges of narco-terrorism after Pres‑ ident Donald Trump’s stun‑ ning capture of him rattled world leaders and left offi‑ cials in Caracas scrambling to respond. Maduro, 63, had plead‑ ed not guilty in a New York federal court to four crim‑ inal counts that include narco-terrorism, cocaine importation conspiracy and possession of machine guns and destructive devices.
President, Dr Irfaan Ali fact.” The president also under‑ lined the importance of a sta‑ ble western hemisphere and highlighted the role of the United States in coordinating regional security.
He rejected any sugges‑ tion that Washington’s re‑ newed engagement with Ca‑ racas has sidelined Guyana, insisting that the U.S remains an “important ally” that has “consistently stood with us
BORDER CONTROVERSY At the centre of the controversy is Guyana’s request for the court to affirm the legal validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the inter‑ national boundary between then British Guiana and Venezuela. Guyana argued that the award conclusively settled the border more than a cen‑ tury ago, while Venezuela maintains its claim of inva‑ lidity.
Importantly, the ICJ has already ruled that it has juris‑ diction to hear and determine the matter on its merits. In a December 2020 judgment, the court rejected Venezue‑ la’s challenge to its authority and ruled that it has the pow‑ er to determine the validity of the 1899 award and the land boundary between the two neighbouring states. Guyana’s Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, SC, had said the country was “more confident than ever” that the world court will uphold the 1899 Arbitral Award and definitively affirm the country’s lawful boundary, following oral hearings of the case back in May. The oral hearings, held between May 4 and May 11, saw Guyana and Venezuela present arguments in two rounds of pleadings before the ICJ — the United Na‑ tions’ highest judicial body. The court will now de‑ liberate before issuing its fi‑ nal judgment on the merits of the case, a ruling Nand‑ lall stressed will be legally binding on both countries.
Guyana insists on ‘own vetting’ under new migration framework with U.S. –– President Ali says country is no dumping ground, can reject individuals if unsatisfied
PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali has defended Guyana’s hu‑ man rights credentials, and insisted that the country is conducting its own inde‑ pendent vetting of foreign deportees arriving from the United States under a new assisted voluntary return arrangement. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Dr. Ali rejected the suggestion that Georgetown is merely helping Washing‑ ton to offload its migration challenges. Pressed on criticism from human rights groups about the scheme, he stressed that Guyana retains full sovereign control over who is allowed in, and that arrivals are not “dumped” on its shores. According to the Presi‑ dent, Guyanese authorities receive the names of intended returnees in advance, carry out their own background
checks “to our own satis‑ faction”, and then agree to accept those individuals. “This is not a situation where the U.S. turns up with a plane and just throw people off on your shores,” he said. “We can say that we are not accepting this. So that is not being taken away. The agreement is one in which Guyana has full control over what we accept,” he stressed. Dr. Ali framed the ar‑ rangement within a broader defence of Guyana’s human rights record, pointing to what he described as “excep‑ tionally good human rights credentials”. He highlighted Guyana’s efforts in land-titling and budgetary support to Indig‑ enous communities, and linked this to the way Guy‑ ana handles wider migration pressures. The President noted that
the country has been receiv‑ ing migrants from Venezuela, Cuba, and elsewhere, who, he said, are granted access to social services “without exception”. He also underscored that the deportee arrangement is being implemented with the involvement of the In‑ ternational Organisation for Migration (IOM), which he characterised as an important global partner in the process. While acknowledging that “everything in life has an element of risk”, Dr. Ali maintained that Guyana has not set an irreversible prec‑ edent, and retains the right to reject future requests to accept deportees. In a statement last week, the Government of Guyana said it intends to accept only individuals who have chosen relocation to Guyana of their own volition.
The deal with Guyana will last for one year, and does not constitute permanent resettlement “The Government of Guyana will not bear the financial cost of the pro‑ gramme. IOM has confirmed that it will not assume, and that this arrangement will not transfer to it, any of the Gov‑ ernment’s responsibilities concerning admission, legal stay, protection or removal,” according to the statement. The government has said
the arrangement does not constitute permanent reset‑ tlement: Those relocated will remain in Guyana only while their immigration status is determined, after which they may return to their country of origin or relocate elsewhere. In a comment to the As‑ sociated Press news agency, Guyana’s Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud had said that
a group of Cuban and Af‑ ghan nationals had arrived in Guyana. Persaud said that Guyana reached an agreement with the US to receive deportees after months of negotiations. The deal with Guyana will last for one year, and does not constitute perma‑ nent resettlement, Persaud stressed.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 14, 2026
World records hottest August ever
EARTH just had the hottest August on record, according to newly released weather data. Key points: Global sea surface temperature reached an all-time observed high Global tropical cyclone activity was above average, producing 19 tropical storms El Niño conditions fuelled record temperatures across vast areas of the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean The planetary heat record was documented by monthly reports from the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Service, the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NASA. Its effects were felt around the planet, the World Meteorological Organization
(WMO) said on Friday. The northern hemisphere experienced its warmest summer while the southern hemisphere had a near-record warm winter. Meanwhile, the Arctic and Antarctic each had below-average sea ice coverage in August.
HEATWAVES AND DROUGHT Western Europe saw heatwaves in August, continuing an exceptional run of extreme heat that began in May, and severe drought conditions were reported in France, Hungary, Romania, Serbia and the United Kingdom. Large parts of central and eastern Europe also saw widespread dryness in August, in some cases persisting since May.
Global sea surface temperature reached an all-time observed high in August 2026 (WMO/Matthew Wilson) Water flow levels were exceptionally low in major European rivers, including the Rhine, Danube, Southern Bug and Dnieper. WHY SO HOT? El Niño was one of the drivers of August’s record climate conditions, WMO
reported. The climate pattern influenced global tropical cyclone activity as well as heavy rainfall and floods in some countries. Other countries were impacted by drought, with El Niño conditions favouring the intensification of
seasonal wildfires across Indonesia, as reported by the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS). WHAT IT MEANS Data indicates that all 10 of the warmest Augusts on record have occurred since 2016. In terms of heat, the global average surface air temperature in August was 1.65°C higher than the estimated pre-industrial baseline, the latest data revealed. At the same time, the global surface temperature was 1.32°C above the 20th-century average – the warmest August since records began in 1850, according to the US National Centers for Environmental Information. Predictions for what El Niño will bring are sobering.
“It is now firmly established and will intensify into a very strong event in the coming months, with big impacts on rainfall and temperature patterns well into 2027,” according to WMO’s latest El Niño Update. TRACKING THE GLOBAL CLIMATE Organisations around the world help track global climate information. WMO uses datasets from the Copernicus Climate Change Service, NOAA, NASA and others for its State of the Global Climate reports. The UN weather agency will present an update on this year’s climate at the next UN climate conference, COP31, in Antalya, Turkey, in November. (UN)
Minister McCoy condemns Opposition’s reckless defence of illegal electricity connections 5
GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 14, 2026
MINISTER within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Information, Kwame McCoy, on Sunday condemned Opposition’s reckless defence of illegal electricity connections, saying that the stance go against against responsible leadership. In a statement, the minister warned that opposition leaders must refrain from encouraging illegally. The following is the full text of the statement issued by Minister Kwame McCoy on Sunday: “The Opposition’s defence of illegal electricity connections is reckless, dangerous and wholly unfit for responsible leadership. More than 55 illegal connections were recently removed along the Linden/Soesdyke Highway, many of which are persons
squatting on the private estate of Dr Charles. These connections overload the network, damage transformers and other critical infrastructure, disrupt service and expose families and the wider community to electrocution and electrical fires. A lawful process exists for accessing electricity through Guyana Power and Light (GPl) and political leaders have a duty to encourage residents to engage the relevant authorities, respect private property and follow the law. Instead, the Opposition is attempting to legitimise electricity theft, disregard the rights of paying customers and compromise the safety of the national grid for political convenience. This campaign is being led by Azruddin Mo-
hamed, who is currently before the courts in extradition proceedings arising from an 11-count indictment in the United States involving gold smuggling, racketeering and other criminal enterprises. This is a clear pattern where illegality is dressed up as empowerment, lawlessness is sold as political courage and vulnerable people are used as props in a reckless pursuit of political power. Guyana cannot afford leadership that encourages citizens to break the law whenever it serves a political agenda. The safety of our communities, the rights of property owners and the integrity of the national electricity network must be protected. All of us as Guyanese have a duty to reject this dangerous politics of lawlessness.”
Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Information, Kwame McCoy
‘Be mindful of those seeking to divide Guyana’
–– Minister McCoy urges citizens; cautions them not to be distracted by Mohamed's diversionary tactics
MINISTER within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Information Kwame McCoy has accused Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed of attempting to sow division among Guyanese communities. M c C o y, s p e a k i n g during an Amerindian Heritage Month event, took aim at Mohamed, who has been sanctioned by the United States and is facing extradition proceedings, as he warned
citizens to be cautious of what he described as efforts to mislead communities. According to McCoy, Mohamed’s recent movement across the country and appearances in various communities were part of a broader effort to influence public opinion and shield himself from the legal challenges he faces. “He would like people of this country in the lies they peddle the trouble that he faces and
responses to the lies are all concerted efforts.” McCoy also revisited Mohamed’s long-standi n g d i ff i c u l t i e s w i t h United States authorities, claiming that the businessman had been denied a US visa since 2010, and that his father had also faced visa-related restrictions. The minister further alleged that Mohamed’s current legal troubles were connected to a history of issues involving US authorities, including
what he described as an admission by former Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman concerning his implication in tax-related matters. McCoy said those developments had ultimately contributed to the circumstances surrounding the indictment now confronting Mohamed. Tu r n i n g t o M oh a m e d ’s o u t r e a c h i n A m e r i n d i a n c o m m unities, McCoy accused the Opposition Leader of attempting to create
the impression that the Government had done nothing to improve the lives of Indigenous and hinterland communities. “They will come and mislead, and that is why they cannot be trusted. His movement around the country is to protect him from being extradited…A major part of his objective is to divide communities, and the country cannot develop and the country needs to be united and help the government in reaching
the desired objectives and reject,” the minister said. He argued that such messaging is designed to undermine public confidence in the Government’s development programme, and deepen divisions among Guyanese. McCoy said Guyana’s development required unity, urging citizens to reject what he characterised as attempts to fracture communities for political gain.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 14, 2026
Power Theft Is Not Empowerment GUYANA Power and Light recently removed more than 55 illegal electricity connections along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, many of them tapped by squatters occupying private land belonging to Dr. Charles. It should have been an unremarkable act of routine enforcement. Instead, it has become the latest flashpoint in a troubling pattern: An Opposition prepared to defend lawbreaking whenever it senses a political opening. Let’s be clear about what illegal connections actually do. They overload a network never built to carry them, straining transformers and feeders until equipment fails. They cut service to paying customers who followed the rules. And they put families, sometimes the very fami-
lies the Opposition claims to champion, at real risk of electrocution and fire. None of this is abstract; it is measurable, documented danger that utility crews deal with in community after community. Guyana already has a lawful path to electricity: Apply to GPL, follow the process, get connected safely and legally. Political leaders who genuinely care about vulnerable communities should be marching people to GPL’s door, not standing in front of illegal wires telling them their theft is justified. Encouraging residents to bypass the law while disregarding the rights of the private landowners whose property is being occupied is not compassion. It is political theatre dressed up as advocacy. This crusade is being led by Azruddin Mohamed, who is currently fighting extradition to the United
States on an eleven-count indictment tied to gold exports, covering money laundering and related fraud charges. Whatever one makes of the merits of that case, the pattern it suggests is hard to ignore: A politician for whom breaking the rules is never quite the problem, only ever the inconvenience of being caught. Recasting illegal connections as empowerment fits neatly into the same script that has defined his political rise, dressing personal and political convenience in the language of the people’s cause. Guyanese communities deserve leaders who tell them the truth, even when it’s inconvenient. The truth is that squatting on someone else’s land and stealing power from the grid is not a shortcut to develop-
ment; it is a shortcut to blackouts, fires, and families paying with their safety for a politician’s talking point. Property owners like Dr. Charles have rights. Paying GPL customers have rights. And the national grid, which every household and business depends on, cannot be treated as fair game whenever it is politically convenient to pretend otherwise. A country cannot build safe, reliable infrastructure while its Opposition tells citizens the rules are optional. Guyanese across the political spectrum should be able to agree on this much: No one’s vote is worth someone else’s safety. Reject the politics of lawlessness, and demand that anyone who wants to lead this country start by respecting the law themselves.
Shuman urges Indigenous youth to seize new financing opportunities –– identifies Development Bank, education, LCDS support as pathways to entrepreneurship
SENIOR Aviation Adviser and Member of Parliament, Lenox Shuman, has urged Indigenous youth to take greater advantage of financing, education, and other support available to develop businesses and create new economic opportunities in their communities. Shuman made the appeal during his appearance on the Starting Point podcast, during which he pointed to the Guyana Development Bank, funding available through the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and the government’s free education initiatives as tools that Indigenous young people can combine to build sustainable livelihoods. He said the opportunities available today could provide Indigenous communi-
ties with greater economic prospects if young people take the initiative to identify and develop viable business ideas. “Education is the ultimate equaliser, and when you couple that education with the Development Bank, right, $3 million dollars per person or per business to build and grow your idea. Think of the possibilities,” Shuman said. He encouraged young Indigenous entrepreneurs to look beyond traditional business models and identify emerging areas in which they can establish specialised niches. Among the areas he highlighted were technology, digital content, cultural promotion, and tourism, arguing that young people could use social media and other dig-
Senior Aviation Adviser and Member of Parliament, Lenox Shuman ital platforms to generate incomes, while promoting Indigenous culture. “Utilise social media to generate revenue for you by presenting your culture in a way that you could find money,” he said. Shuman also identified tourism as an area with sig-
nificant potential for Indigenous communities, but said entrepreneurs should focus on developing distinctive products and experiences, instead of replicating existing businesses. He argued that creating specialised tourism offerings could reduce direct compe-
tition, while giving visitors greater choice. “I think for us, when we look at tourism, it cannot be looked at as a stock approach. We have to find the niches where people want to come. They want variety, and you offer that variety,” he said. Shuman further encouraged Indigenous youth to take advantage of the government’s free-education initiatives, including the Guyana Online Academy of Learning and other opportunities extending from basic education to tertiary and postgraduate levels. He said education could provide the knowledge and skills needed to make effective use of financing and transform business concepts into viable enterprises.
“The possibilities are endless,” Shuman stressed, adding, “If you could find a way to marry all of these things together, I think that our people, our Indigenous peoples are in a very, very solid space and solid place. All they need to do is take that initiative.” Shuman also pointed to LCDS resources as another potential source of economic stimulation for Indigenous communities. He went on to note that combining such resources with Development Bank financing and education could create progressive pathways for young Indigenous people, particularly those seeking to establish businesses within their communities.
GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 14, 2026
Did the MCC undermine Nagamootoo and Ramjattan?
IN my Wednesday, September 9 column, I mentioned that I was asked by someone whose views I respect if I haven’t been too harsh on Moses Nagamootoo and Khemraj Ramjattan, in that their five years of power was hamstrung by the snub the Mulatto/ Creole class (MCC) leadership in the Alliance For Change (AFC) showed them. Yes, I agree that the MCC had little tolerance for Nagamootoo and Ramjattan because they were seen as quintessential Indian politicians and not the type the MCC wanted to be in the hierarchy of the AFC. When the APNU+AFC won power, Raphael Trotman revealed at a 2016 local government election public meeting in Bartica that David Granger had called him on the phone and said, “Raphael, this is Nassau.” Nassau refers to a casual encounter between Granger and Trotman at the airport in the Bahamas. Granger threw up the idea that there needs to be a middle-class party to function independently of the PNC. He argued that the PNC will bring in its traditional voters, while the third party secures middle-class multi-racial support. Granger via a middle class, multi-racial third party had in mind Indians that were Christian middle class. Names like Rupert Ropnaraine and Christopher Ram came up. Roopnaraine was not interested since for mysterious reasons he was more focus on the PNC after Corbin’s exit. Ram accepted to be part of the AFC. The AFC was born in Ram’s office. Ramjattan was not on the mind of the MCC to be part of the AFC. Most of the big names in the MCC who formed the leadership of the AFC did not want Ramjattan in the AFC because he was dark-skinned and a
devout Hindu. It was Trotman who argued that the AFC needed Ramjattan because the PNC votes and the middle-class votes were not sufficient. Trotman and Ramjattan had a bitter falling out when Trotman felt that Ramjattan did not know his place. Ramjattan wanted to be the AFC’s presidential candidate in 2011. Trotman was incensed. Ramjattan knew he had a major card to play to keep the MCC at bay. He secured substantial Indian funding and brought in working-class Indian folk into the party. He was instrumental in getting Nagamootoo to come over. From thereon, there was an uneasy relationship between Nagamootoo and Ramjattan on the one hand and the MCC folk in the AFC on the other hand. By 2014, the AFC looked nothing like the AFC that was formed in 2005. Its Indian component was extensive, with Nagamootoo instrumental in bringing Berbice Indians on board. Factually, the MCC personalities did not allow Nagamootoo and Ramjattan much leeway. In fact, the MCC literally sidelined the Indian component of the AFC, the first victim being Dr. Ramaya, then Rajendra Bissesar, then Charrandass Persaud. The two persons in the room who were silent when the MCC selected Dr Racquel Thomas to be Minister of the Environment were Nagamootoo and Ramjattan. They didn’t know Dr Thomas. While it is true that Nagamootoo and Ramjattan lived with the pressure the MCC put on them as ministers of government, this is just part of the story of Nagamootoo and Ramjattan in government. In 2005 and 2011, it was Nagamootoo and Ramjattan that secured the votes the AFC got. In 2015, Nagamootoo and Ramjattan took the AFC into power. None of the MCC
personalities brought in any substantial number of ballots. I spoke at 35 public meetings of the AFC in 2015, so I knew who brought in the votes for the AFC. How could one forgive Nagamootoo and Ramjattan for remaining silent from pressure from 10th-rate politicians in the MCC in the AFC, when both Nagamootoo and Ramjattan went on a rampage when they were inside the PPP. Ramjattan on several occasions confronted Dr Jagan and Janet Jagan but couldn’t open his mouth to put the 10th-rate politicians in the AFC that sidelined him and Nagamootoo in their places. All hell should have broken loose in 2016 in the government. Nagamootoo and Ramjattan should have read the Riot Act to the MCC and let them know that it was he and Nagamootoo who had
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put them where they were. Who knew and voted for Dominic Gaskin, Cathy Hughes, Noel Holder, David Patterson and Raphael Trotman in 2011 and 2015? The AFC voters in 2011 and 2015 gave their ballots to Nagamootoo and Ramjattan. Both men should have given the MCC an ultimatum – we run the part of the government that the AFC controls or we break up the AFC. It was as simple as that. The WPA caused APNU to get into power in 2015, yet Granger treated Clive Thomas as if he were an underling. Ramjattan, Nagamootoo and Thomas failed and betrayed their country. DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.
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PM Phillips pledges assured markets for Indigenous farmers
GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 14, 2026
–– highlights ongoing investments to enhance processing capacity, improve value-added production
PRIME Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips has stressed the need to ensure Indigenous farmers have reliable markets for their produce, as he outlined a raft of government investments aimed at transforming hinterland communities from subsistence livelihoods to sustainable commercial activity. Speaking at the 2026 Heritage Village celebrations in Bumbury, Region One, over the weekend, the prime minister said government’s strategy is to pair farm support with guaranteed market access, processing capacity, and reliable transport so that Indigenous producers are not left vulnerable after increasing production. Region One, he noted, is receiving focused agricultural support, including the commissioning of a pontoon and two excavators to improve drainage and irrigation capacity, critical infrastructure for expanding cultivation in low-lying areas. Additional agricultural extension officers are to be deployed across the region to work directly with farmers, providing technical guidance and helping them adopt improved practices. Government has already distributed more than 18,000 coffee plants and over $50 million in planting materials and agricultural inputs to
farmers there, a move aimed at diversifying crops and raising incomes. “Farmers must be able to grow with the confidence that there is a market for what they produce, processing capacity and dependable transportation will determine whether that transition succeeds,” the prime minister said. At the value-added end of the chain, Phillips pointed to the processing facilities at Hosororo and other communities which are supporting the development of ginger and turmeric production. These facilities, he explained, are intended to move Indigenous producers higher up the value chain by enabling them to supply processed products rather than only raw commodities. Beyond farm-level support, the prime minister cited wider investments in productive assets and transport that are expected to reinforce agriculture-based livelihoods. Approximately 300 tractors are now owned across Amerindian villages, along with boats, outboard engines and minibuses provided to strengthen transportation and economic activities. These assets are intended to help farmers move inputs to their farms and get produce out to markets more efficiently, particularly from remote riverine communi-
ties. He framed these measures as part of a broader effort to ensure that Indigenous farmers are not only producing more, but are securely integrated into stable, profitable markets. Bumbury itself, which has approximately 300 residents, was highlighted as a model of community-driven development. The prime minister highlighted a $5 million sewing centre, an additional $2 million in furnishings from the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, the installation of 20 streetlights under the Presidential Grant Programme, and approximately $12 million in Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) funding used to renovate 56 homes. This year, the village received a further $7.5 million in LCDS resources for projects identified by residents. “Amerindian development cannot be successfully planned from Georgetown by central government alone,” he said, adding that village leaders and residents are best placed to determine their priorities, while government’s role is to listen, support and ensure accountability for public spending. Prime Minister Phillips outlined that over the past five years, some $41.7 billion has been invested in
PM Phillips during his address during the Heritage Village celebrations at Bumbury, Region One Amerindian villages and communities nationwide, including $21.7 billion through the Amerindian Development Fund and $14.2 billion via the LCDS. Parallel to the economic push, government has in-
vested $1.6 billion in ICT hubs between 2021 and 2026, resulting in 170 fully operational hubs and 25 more under construction. More than 3,000 people from 200 communities have received ICT training, 75
per cent of them women, while hinterland power generation has expanded from 1.62 megawatts to roughly 17.5 megawatts, supporting schools, health centres, businesses and homes.
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McCoy hails Amerindian Heritage Month as symbol of inclusion, development
GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 14, 2026
–– warns against political posturing, points to PPP/C’s impressive record of investment
Minister McCoy engages residents and visitors during the heritage celebration at Swan Village on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway MINISTER within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Information, Kwame McCoy, has hailed Amerindian Heritage Month as a powerful symbol of Guyana’s commitment to inclusion, development, and respect for its first peoples. He made this known while addressing a lively celebration at Swan, along the Soesdyke–Linden Highway. Speaking at the event, which brought together scores of residents and visitors, Minister McCoy described the heritage celebration as a “family occasion” that unites Guyanese across communities and backgrounds.
He said the activities at Swan offered “an opportunity for us to see on full display our talent, our culture, and for us to educate ourselves about the heritage of our Indigenous people, and to remind us of where we came from and where we are headed.” Reflecting on the evolution of the Swan community, the minister recalled its beginnings with the allocation of 40 acres of land dedicated to Amerindian people, noting that the community has come a far way from its “humble days” to its present state of development. He framed this progress as part of a broader national push for inclusion, stressing that Amerindian brothers
and sisters have been fully integrated into the development paradigm of Guyana. “We can recall the beginnings of the Swan community, an allocation of 40 acres of land dedicated to American people, and moving from then, the humble days, to where it is today, a far way to development and the type of development that speaks to inclusion, because right across our country, our Amerindian brothers and sisters have been fully integrated into the development paradigm of our country. thanks to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic, our government remains a government for the people, for our Amerindian brothers and sisters.” Underscoring the sig-
nificance of Amerindian Heritage Month, observed every September, McCoy pointed out that no other ethnic group in Guyana has been accorded an entire month dedicated to their observance and celebration. He said this in itself was “special” and a reminder of the value the state places on the culture, history, and identity of the Indigenous population. Beyond cultural preservation, the minister highlighted the economic dimension of heritage activities. He said events such as the one at Swan are not only about song, dance, and ceremony, but they are also about supporting small businesses and local economic ventures, as artisans,
vendors and performers earn from providing services and cultural displays that coincide with the celebrations. He cautioned the audience about political figures who “will come, and they will walk around, and they will run around… in their most pretentious fashion,” contrasting this with what he portrayed as the PPP/C’s consistent record of tangible support and investment in Amerindian communities. “Our government remains that government, genuine and true for the development of our people. We have, over many years and continuously, made sacrifices and investment in the people of our country, including our Amerindian brothers and sisters, and
today there is a lot to boast about, and today that we can see development right across our country, and to be reminded that these developments came with tremendous sacrifice and in the investments we made in the people of this country, the first people, the people to which we honour and we treasure and we grant our respect, the heritage comes together with development.” McCoy further linked the occasion to the wider development agenda of the government under President, Dr Irfaan Ali, stating that the administration is “continuously” committed to improving the lives of people in Swan and communities across the country.
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Skeldon Line Path Secondary welcomes FLOW initiative
GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 14, 2026
SKELDON Line Path Secondary School is pleased to welcome FLOW, a Recover Guyana project being implemented in collaboration with the Greater Guyana Initiative and the Ministry of Education. Recently, a training session and handing-over ceremony was held at the school. The session was informative, engaging and greatly beneficial to our school community, providing valuable knowledge and resources to support successful implementation of the project. Line Path Secondary School was also pleased to attend the official FLOW handing-over ceremony on September 11, 2026, which marked another important step in advancing environmental awareness, sustainability and practical learning among young people. Skeldon Line Path Secondary School extended sincere appreciation to Recover Guyana, the Greater Guyana Initiative, and the
Ministry of Education for investing in initiatives that provide our learners with meaningful opportunities to develop their knowledge, skills, and environmental consciousness. The school said that as
THE Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) has invested more than $50 million in specialised training as it prepares its workforce to operate the new Guyana National Control Centre, which will provide real-time monitoring and control of the national electricity grid. This was disclosed by head of the power company’s Engineering and Projects Department, Ryan Ross, during a site visit to the new control centre, during which he said that the investment is part of a broader effort to ensure employees are adequately prepared to operate and maintain the sophisticated systems and equipment being installed at the new facility. The new control centre is being equipped with a state-of-the-art Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system and fibre-optic communications infrastructure, allowing GPL
to monitor power plants, substations, and transmission infrastructure in real time. Ross said the training programme is focused largely on upgrading existing employees who already understand GPL’s electricity network but will now have more advanced tools to manage it. “It’s not a new body of staff we are hiring; it’s upskilling and upgrading our existing staff who understand the system. It’s just that we are giving them much more efficient tools to work with to better monitor and manage it.” According to Ross, GPL has so far spent in excess of $50 million on specialised training for the SCADA equipment, with further investments expected over the coming years. The training includes both local and overseas programmes, with members of GPL’s SCADA team, oper-
Initiative (GGI), Recover Guyana, and the Ministry of Education. As GGI’s national signature project, it reflects the organisation’s core values and overarching strategic objectives.
The project aims to provide access to purified, cool drinking water for more than 58,000 students across 141 public secondary schools, 10 TVET institutes, and four special-needs schools, ensuring inclusive access for learners in all 10 regions and 11 educational districts of Guyana. In addition to improving student well-being, the initiative seeks to eliminate approximately 25 million plastic water bottles in schools by 2030, while promoting more sustainable habits. It also encourages responsible use of resources by incorporating clean-energy solutions aligned with Guyana’s long-term development goals. FLOW represents a significant national investment in both education and environmental sustainability and aims to create a future where every student in Guyana has access to clean, safe drinking water in a sustainable way.
which employees receiving specialised overseas instruction return and share their knowledge with colleagues locally. “The last programme we had is one that we call train the trainers, so when they get the training they come back, you help to train those here, because you cannot send everyone at the same time,” Ross said. GPL has also engaged consultants, including SCADA and building specialists, to provide additional training to employees. Ross said the need for preparation extends beyond operating the electricity grid, noting that the GNCC itself contains sophisticated building management systems that require specialised knowledge. “Just operating in this environment, nothing to do with the grid as yet, just this building requires a lot of training to get people up to
speed,” he said. During the site visit it was disclosed that the new control centre is being developed as the central point for monitoring and managing GPL’s transmission network. Signals from power plants and substations will be transmitted to the centre through fibre-optic connections, giving operators greater visibility of power flows, equipment status and disturbances. The facility is expected to support GPL’s longer-term transition towards a smart grid, with officials saying the system will eventually allow faults and outages to be detected almost immediately and, in certain circumstances, enable automated switching to alternative lines or equipment. The facility is expected to be operationalised later this year, with GPL preparing to transition from its existing temporary control centre.
The Flow water project at Line Path Secondary School for students to access clean water it continues to embrace the academic theme, “From Resources to Results: Empowering Learners, Elevating Achievements,” it looks forward to putting the resources to meaningful use and ensuring that young
learners reap the full benefits of the FLOW project. FLOW, the National Water Purification and Sustainability Initiative is a flagship project implemented through collaboration between the Greater Guyana
Existing staff being upskilled for new National Control Centre
Head of GPL’s Engineering and Projects Department, Ryan Ross (Sachin Persaud photo) ators and training officers being sent to specialised programmes in Minnesota.
In addition to this, they have also adopted a “train the trainers” approach, through
Labour Ministry intensifies workplace safety drive with over 6,000 inspections in five years
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 14, 2026
THE Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning has significantly intensified workplace safety inspections, conducting more than 6,000 Occupational Safety and Health inspections between 2020 and 2025, with the pace accelerating sharply in 2026. Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning Keoma Griffith said the ministry has already surpassed its 2026 inspection target of 2,000, recording more than 3,000 Occupational Safety and Health inspections within the first five months of the year. He said the increased inspections reflect government’s determination to strengthen prevention and
ensure that safety standards keep pace with Guyana’s rapid economic transformation. “What we did in five years, we have already crossed 50 per cent in 2026 alone in terms of inspections,” Minister Griffith said, highlighting the expanded focus on high-risk sectors. The ministry has also expanded offshore inspections, sector-specific training, workplace engagements and public awareness activities across all ten administrative regions under its “Putting People, Putting Safety First” campaign. Minister Griffith said the campaign has taken occupational safety education to communities through sym-
Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning Keoma Griffith delivers remarks at the commissiong ceremony of the OSH Centre of Excellence posiums and awareness ses- expected to continue across sions, with the programme every high-risk sector.
The ministry is also reviewing Guyana’s Occupational Safety and Health legislation, policies and wider safety architecture in collaboration with the International Labour Organization, recognising that the country’s existing framework must evolve alongside the diversification of the economy. Minister Griffith said government is also pursuing dedicated Occupational Safety and Health regulations for the oil and gas sector and will undertake consultations with stakeholders to develop effective standards for workers in the industry. He noted that employers, supervisors and workers all have responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and
Health Act. This includes the provision of safe equipment, adequate training, proper protective devices and procedures for identifying and controlling workplace hazards. The minister also stressed that enforcement must be complemented by a strong culture of prevention, particularly as Guyana continues to expand its construction, mining, infrastructure, manufacturing and oil and gas activities. “Safety is everyone’s business,” he said, underscoring the need for government, employers, workers and regulators to work collectively to prevent accidents and protect lives. (DPI)
Eye surgeries to be offered in hinterland regions
Doctor-in-Charge of the National Opthalmology Hospital Dr. Saif Alli
Nursing Staff at the hospital THE National Ophthalmology Hospital at Port Mourant has come a long way in recent years, clearing all surgical backlogs and is now looking to take eye surgeries to the Hinterland regions. Ophthalmologist and Doctor-in-Charge of the hospital Dr. Saif Alli recently spoke with the Department of Public Information (DPI). He highlighted all of the positive changes that have been made at the hospital. Over the years, medical teams have visited other re-
gions to screen patients, and once they are identified as needing surgeries, they are transported to the hospital at Port Maurant to conduct those surgeries. However, this will soon change. “Instead of getting the hinterland patients to come to our institution, we are planning surgical outreaches which will start in October, where we go out there and do the surgery right there,” Dr. Alli stated. These outreaches will start with Regions Eight and Nine, followed by the other
hinterland regions. This will eradicate the need for patients to travel to Berbice. Additionally, under the previous administration, the hospital had stopped doing eye surgeries. However, the hospital underwent major upgrades, and surgeries were reintroduced. “When the hospital was closed off, they were having no surgery. We had a lot of backlog with cataract surgery and other surgeries. At the moment, we don’t have
a waiting list for cataract surgery or any other surgery. You can come in today and get the surgery tomorrow. We came a far way to get where we are at this moment,” he stated. Also, patients who visit the hospital can have a complete eye examination. With the use of new technologies, issues can be detected earlier. “This year, we started doing the OCT, which is an examination of the back of the eyes, because, before that, we had to send the pa-
tient to private facilities,” he noted, adding: “We can scan patients with diabetes and pick up early changes before they have damage at the back of their eyes.” The hospital also offers patients laser treatment and intravitreal injections. The hospital sees approximately 90 patients per day for various services, and also does emergency surgeries. He said diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma are major concerns, as there is a
growing number of patients with those diseases. Annual eye examinations are also recommended, especially after the age of 40, especially for glaucoma, which does irreversible damage to the eyes, but early detection can prevent blindness. The work this hospital is doing forms part of the government’s broader effort to create a healthier society in which its citizens can access modern and world-class medical care. (DPI)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 14, 2026
Building a new Guyana as infrastructural transformation reshapes daily life
THE transformation of infrastructure in Guyana is increasingly being reflected in the everyday lives of citizens, from shorter journeys to improved access between communities, regions and neighbouring countries. Across the country, mud dams have been revamped to rigid pavement concrete roads and footpaths. Deteriorated community roads have also been upgraded, while major highways, bridges and other transport networks are changing the way Guyanese commute daily. Projects such as the Ogle-to-Eccles Road, Man-
dela-to-Eccles Highway, Eccles-to-Great Diamond Highway known as the Heroes Highway and the Schoonord to Crane fourlane highway have resulted in significant easing of traffic congestion, while improving connectivity and reducing travel times. The benefits extend beyond motorists. Bus and taxi drivers, passengers, truck operators, students, farmers and businesses all depend heavily on the expanding network to move more efficiently. Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill said the scale of the government’s infrastructural programme
during the first year of its second term in office transcends what was imagined. “We have been able to make interventions in each and every village, in each and every region. And I have said this before; we have delivered development without discrimination,” he said. Perhaps one of the clearest examples of how the strategic buildout of the country’s infrastructural network is the new Bharrat Jagdeo River Bridge across the Demerara River. For years, commuters travelling between Regions Three and Four faced lengthy queues, particularly
during peak periods, with many leaving home hours earlier to avoid congestion. The four-lane bridge has changed that experience, offering greater convenience and predictability for thousands of people travelling between the two regions. Before its completion, Region Three resident Frank Watson described the project as an important development for commuters. “The four-lane bridge
is one of the best highways that [is] coming to this country because the harbour bridge right now affects a lot of people,” he said. He said, “So, I think the best move is a four-lane bridge which has no retraction, so people can go back and forth as they like.” University Student Cianna Johnson also pointed to the congestion experienced by commuters, saying travelling by boat had some-
times been easier. For Simone Britton, a public servant from Zeelugt, the traffic situation had even influenced her decision on whether to purchase a vehicle. “It will benefit us, the people of Region Three, a great lot because the congestion will get easier, and it will be easier to get to Georgetown and to get to work on time also. When the bridge come, I gon get
An aerial view of the paved Linden to Mabura Hill road
Engineering solutions using concrete, side drains and sedimentation boxes that were part of the project
Completed works on the Champagne mud road in Burma, Region Five
The highway connecting the East Coast from Ogle to Eccles on the East Bank was recently commissioned
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The new Bharrat Jagdeo River Bridge across the Demerara River my car and I will be driving straight to work,” Britton said. Beyond transportation, the bridge has also taken on another role, becoming a space for recreation and exercise, with Guyanese using the structure for walking and running. Minister Edghill said the impact of infrastructure should therefore not be measured solely by the cost or physical size of projects. “Everything cannot be counted just in dollars and cents and kilometres of road or width of drains, but it’s how people’s lives are better, better drainage, better irrigation, better roads, better access. And for me, it’s the way we serve people,” he emphasised. The Demerara River Bridge forms only one part of a wider infrastructural plan aimed at linking roads, bridges and ports into an integrated national transport network. In the east, the Palmyra-to-Moleson Creek corridor is expected to eventually connect with the planned bridge across the Corentyne River between Guyana and Suriname. The government is also advancing plans for a new four-lane bridge across the Berbice River, which would accommodate increasing traffic and support the movement of commercial goods. “Now the Palmyra to Moleson Creek Road is
to be linked to the bridge across the Corentyne River, which is to be built between Guyana and Suriname,” Minister Edghill explained. He said, “So, you get over the Berbice River, not on a two-lane floating bridge, but on four lanes because of traffic volume… So, we have a whole connection.” The same approach is taking shape farther south. From Linden, commuters and commercial traffic will be able to cross the new Wismar-Mackenzie Bridge before connecting to the Linden-Mabura Road and, eventually, travelling through Kurupukari and Lethem towards the Takutu River Bridge and Brazil. Similar connections are being developed west of the Demerara River. The new Demerara River Bridge is being integrated with the wider Region Three road network, including the planned Schoonord-to-Parika four-lane corridor and the modern port facility being developed at Parika. A new Parika-to-Goshen Road is also expected to improve access for farmers and communities, while providing a more direct connection to the port. Meanwhile, the Timehri-Sand Hills Road is intended to create another route into Guyana’s interior, reducing dependence on river transport for moving people, vehicles and goods. Together, these projects
are intended to provide alternative routes, improve access to agricultural and commercial areas, and strengthen Guyana’s connections with neighbouring countries and the wider South American market. As the road network expands, attention is also shifting towards another issue that directly affects communities -- drainage. “We have built out the roads. The next phase is concrete drains,” Minister Edghill said. The programme is expected to complement road upgrades by improving the movement of water and reducing the risk of flooding in communities. Small local contractors are playing a significant role in that effort, with more than 1,200 contractors engaged in drainage and related infrastructural works. Before concrete drains are constructed, existing earthen drains are being cleared to ensure they can adequately carry water. “You will see now, and people would have seen, trucks, dozens of people in the drains, taking out the silt, putting them in bags, putting them in the trucks, moving, cleaning out all of the garbage,” Minister Edghill said. He was adamant that, “That’s the first wave, because while we are building the concrete drains, the earthen drains must be able to have the capacity to take
off [the water], if not people are going to be flooded.” As new roads, bridges, ports and drainage systems are connected, the government’s wider objective is to
create a transport network in which individual projects no longer operate in isolation. For the people using various networks every day, the transformation
is increasingly measured not only by what is being built, but by how those developments change the way they live, work and travel. (DPI)
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Buzz Bee Dam to Land of Canaan highway takes shape GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 14, 2026
Construction is progressing on the new four-lane highway from Craig (Buzz Bee Dam) to Land of Canaan. The major infrastructural project will ease traffic congestion and improve connectivity along the East Bank of Demerara corridor (Photos: Vice-president Bharrat Jagdeo/Facebook)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 14, 2026
Driver abandons pickup with 72.1 pounds of cocaine - police
POLICE are investigating the discovery of 72.1 pounds (32.7kg) of cocaine, which was found on Friday, September 11, 2026, at about 17:00hrs during an operation along the Five Miles–Ituni Trail, Upper Demerara River. During the operation, ranks observed a motor pickup travelling out of the trail. Upon seeing the police, the driver
stopped the vehicle and fled into nearby bushes, leaving the pickup behind. Ranks subsequently searched the vehicle and found a large garbage bag on the floor behind the driver’s seat containing thirty (30) rectangular parcels. Upon examination, the parcels were found to contain a whitish rock-like substance suspected to be
cocaine. The suspected cocaine was escorted to the Mackenzie Police Station, where it was weighed and amounted to 72.1 pounds (32.7kg), before being lodged pending investigations. The motor pickup was also lodged. No arrests have been made as investigations continue. (GPF)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 14, 2026
GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 14, 2026
Guterres: Old global order must change as power shifts to emerging economies
UN Secretary-General António Guterres meets Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi (Press Information Bureau, Government of India) UN Secretary-General António Guterres told leaders of a bloc of major emerging economies in New Delhi on Sunday that a more balanced global order requires an overhaul of the institutions built after the Second World War, including the UN Security Council. The group – Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and several other nations that have also signed on – was founded to give major developing economies a stronger voice in a global system long dominated by Western powers. This year’s summit, hosted by India, has drawn heads of state alongside the leaders of the World Health Organization and the World Trade Organization. REFLECTING REALITY “Today’s economic, demographic and geopolitical realities are not those of 1945,” Mr. Guterres said. “Our institutional structures must reflect it.” He told the assembled leaders that they themselves embodied the change he was describing. “Countries represented at this Summit speak to that changing reality,” he said, adding that “we are increasingly moving
towards a multipolar world.” That shift, he argued, was something to embrace rather than resist. “Multipolarity helps bring balance and equity to global systems and institutions,” he said – but only if it comes with reform of bodies including the Security Council and the Bretton Woods system “to reflect the world of today.” GO FOR GROWTH Mr. Guterres framed four priorities for what he called “inclusive global growth”: financing, technology, climate justice and peace. On finance, he said developing countries “need massive international support” to meet the Sustainable Development Goals and called for multilateral development banks to become “bigger, better and bolder.” On artificial intelligence, he warned the technology’s benefits remained concentrated. “Its power sits with a few companies, in a few countries,” he said. “Unchecked, the AI divide will widen every other divide — in income, in opportunity, in security, and in sovereignty.” DANGEROUS CLIMATE His starkest language
came on climate. “Scorching heat, devastating glacier melt, raging wildfires, devastating floods are all a preview,” he said, warning that “a supersized El Niño will only make matters worse” as the world approaches the 1.5-degree limit above pre-industrial levels. He pressed wealthy nations to honour existing pledges – $300 billion dollars a year, tripled adaptation finance, and greater loss and damage funding – and took aim at the handling of critical minerals: “Enough plundering.” On peace and security, he pointed to Gaza, the wider Middle East, Ukraine and Sudan, calling on states to uphold the UN Charter, including “sovereign equality,” territorial integrity and “peaceful settlement of disputes.” COPLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY He closed by casting the reform agenda as a shared project rather than a concession. “As we move irreversibly to a multipolar world, all countries must work to strengthen and safeguard a multilateral system that delivers for all with the United Nations at its centre,” he said. (UN)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, September 14, 2026
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ENGLISH RACING TIPS SEDGEFIELD 09:00hrs Fairlawn Skipper 09:30hrs You Be Lucky 10:00hrs Jeteye
10:30hrs Mr Mcwhinny 11 : 0 0 h r s W i l l i a m Yeats 11:30hrs Littletown Lad WINDSOR 08:42hrs Crafty Blue 09:12hrs Red Blue Point 09:42hrs Wootz 10:12hrs Queen Of Scotland 10:42hrs Cape Toronada 11 : 1 2 h r s P a r i s i a n Scholar 11:42hrs Crazy Plan 12:12hrs Dragon God KEMPTON 12:00hrs Femme Fatale 12:30hrs Snooker Mccrew 13:00hrs Unionville 13:30hrs National Honour 14:00hrs Bling 14:30hrs Encore 15:00hrs Sax Avoidance 15:30hrs Angel Summer AMERICAN RACING TIPS FINGER LAKES Race 1 Romantic Charmer Race 2 My Devine Onr Race 3 Puckish Race 4 Big Jackie Race 5 Register Race 6 Ouster Race 7 Belloro CANADIAN RACING TIPS FORT ERIE Race 1 Frederick's Rose Race 2 Buff Bay Race 3 Bennys Jet Race 4 My Emmy Race 5 Back To Reality Race 6 Ring Bit Race 7 Beautiful Sky
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, September 14, 2026
Antonelli wins inaugural Madrid Grand Prix
(Formula 1) Kimi Antonelli has boosted his title ambitions with victory in the Spanish Grand Prix, the Mercedes driver edging out Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Lando Norris in a race swayed by strategy. The opening laps saw plenty of clashes up and down the field, with Norris narrowly holding onto the lead from pole position as Antonelli cut two corners during his concerted efforts to pass the Briton. Antonelli ultimately
didn’t need to overtake him on track thanks to a Virtual Safety Car, which played perfectly into Mercedes’ hands but ruined Norris’ chances for victory. A tale of contrasting pit stops unfolded as the Italian gained the net race lead while a slow change dropped Norris behind both Antonelli and Verstappen. Despite expressing worries with his steering, the 20-year-old inherited control of the race once Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who didn’t box during the VSC, gave up on his
hopes for a Safety Car and finally peeled into the pits after 48 laps. Adding an eighth win to his season tally, Antonelli has extended his lead to 81 points in the Drivers’ Championship as his team mate George Russell settled for P5, and Lewis Hamilton retired early on due to a issue with his brakes. Liam Lawson was sixth in the second Red Bull ahead of Franco Colapinto, who made it a successful day for Alpine as their sole scorer, McLaren's Oscar Piastri, Racing Bulls' Arvid
Lindblad and Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg. Haas’ Esteban Ocon just missed out on points in P11 and was followed by Pierre Gasly and Gabriel Bortoleto, while Yuki Tsunoda took P14 in his third weekend competing for Racing Bulls. Alex Albon was up next as the lone finisher for Williams, leading Ollie Bearman, local favourite Fernando Alonso and Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas. There were four retirements in total – Carlos Sainz failed to complete his home
race, Sergio Perez faced a suspected water system issue, and
Lance Stroll joined Hamilton in his brake troubles.
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday, September 14, 2026) CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD., 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel:2256158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) ABF (2) GAW & Barbados Tridents Today’s Quiz: (1) How many times Barbados Tridents have won the CPL title? (2) How many times SLK have been champions? Answers in tomorrow’s issue
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, September 14, 2026
Warriors defeat Tridents in final WCPL group game
THE Guyana Amazon Warriors defeated the Barbados Tridents for the first time in Limacol WCPL history, securing a fighting five-wicket victory on Sunday afternoon at Kensington Oval. It was the final match of the league phase, with both teams hoping to win by a big enough margin to leapfrog table-toppers Trinbago Knight Riders.
However, neither side was able to do so. Both the Warriors and Tridents have nevertheless secured their places in the play-off match and will meet again on Wednesday at 10:00hrs at Kensington Oval. The winner will advance to the final, where they will face the Knight Riders the following day. The other franchise in the tournament, Jamaica
Empress, has been eliminated. The Warriors’ victory was set up by their top order as they completed the highest successful run chase of the season, and the second-highest overall, reaching their target of 159 for the loss of five wickets with an over to spare. Opener and Player of the Match, Tazmin Brits, anchored the chase
with a composed 46, receiving valuable support from fellow opener Eboni Brathwaite (22), Nadine de Klerk (20) and Shemaine Campbelle (36), all of whom scored at better than a run a ball. For the Tridents, spinners Afy Fletcher and Hayley Matthews were both economical and effective, combining for 3-45 from their eight overs. Seamer Cher-
ry-Ann Fraser, however, proved expensive, conceding 46 runs from her three overs. Earlier, the defending champions posted a competitive 158 for 7, led by captain Matthews, who produced her season-best 50. Kiran Navgire added 38 at number three and combined with Matthews for a 63-run partnership for the second wicket,
laying a solid foundation for the innings. Suzie Bates then provided the late impetus, smashing an unbeaten 22 from just 11 balls. Off-spinner Sheneta Grimmond was the pick of the Warriors’ bowlers, claiming 3/21, while Erin Burns provided excellent support with 2 for 19 to cap a disciplined bowling performance overall.
All-round Motie drags Tridents into Playoffs
THE Barbados Tridents, led by the batting of Gudakesh Motie, smashed 17 from the final over in their match against the Jamaica Kingsmen in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League to secure a dramatic win and a place in the knockout stages. Motie – coming in at number nine – slashed Odeen Smith for four over point and smashed a straight six off the first two legal balls, accompanied by two wides, then managed to take a quick single on the final delivery of the over to get the Tridents over the line from the most unlikely of positions. The bowler turned batting hero earlier took 2/7 from three overs to halt momentum of the Kings-
Gudakesh Motie hit 17 off the last over to gift the Barbados Tridents the win men innings to restrict the already qualified side to 150. Shadrack Descarte’s
56 from 42 balls set up the chase towards the back end of the Tridents’ innings
before Motie’s final-over heroics. The Kingsmen were al-
lowed to get off to a flying start, scoring 50/1 in the PowerPlay, and captain Chris Green bowled a full allocation inside the first 10 overs, a chance for a big total was on for the Jamaican side. Maaz Sadaqat set the platform with 47 at the top of the order before Motie removed him to leave the Kingsmen at 86/3. The experienced middle-order which have proved valuable for the Kingsmen in the competition to date, couldn’t find anything more than brief cameos with Andre Russell, Hassan Khan and Keacy Carty all providing a six and a four but then soon departed in a Tridents fightback. It was the reverse story for Tridents on home turf
however. Three wickets in the PowerPlay set them on the backfoot and momentum could never be offered. With up to two-a-ball needed for the majority of the latter half of the innings, Descarte timed his only two sixes for a crucial 15th over, striking 16 to keep the fight alive in a memorable maiden T20 half-century. In the final over it was Motie who took his team to victory and in doing so secured a place for them in the latter stages of the tournament. Although they were defeated in this match, the Kingsmen also make the Playoffs as the fourth-placed team thanks to having a superior Net Run Rate to the Saint Lucia Kings.
Elite League season 8…
Western Tigers take commanding win over Camptown
WESTERN Tigers saw four different scorers on Saturday as they captured a commanding win over debutant Camptown FC at the Guyana Football Federation National Training Centre on Saturday. The Tigers secured all three points in the end, but it was Camptown’s Marlon Bethel who put his side on the score
sheet in the opening minute of play. Tigers’ Jamal Fraser found the equaliser 13 minutes into the encounter, which was followed up by Hakeem Legall in the 38th minute, putting the Tigers into the lead for the first time as they went into the half. Michael Oie and Rondel Peters capped the victory with two late goals to secure the vic-
tory. Meanwhile, Fruta Conquerors FC picked up their first win of season eight, a 1-nil victory over Ann’s Grove FC. It was a dogged contest as Fruta Conquerors FC fought hard to secure the three points on offer. Jermain Harry was the difference maker, scoring the lone goal three minutes after the resumption
Western Tigers goal scorers Jamal Fraser, (13th) Hakeem Legall (38th) Michael Oie (72nd) and Rondel Peters, (87th)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, September 14, 2026
Bris-0’s promotion in association with CBO Caribbean Boxing Showdown…
Stewart knocks out Venezuelan Ocando in main event
Guyanese Jamal Eastman beat Surinamese kickboxer Edinio Ginsberg by unanimous decision in the junior welterweight bout By Sean Devers
The towering James Moore and countryman Joel McRae in the cruiserweight division
The crowd at the ‘Sports Hall’ had a rollicking time on Saturday night
NEW York-based Guyanese Laured the ‘Lion’ Stewart pounded gutsy Venezuelan Williams Ocando for six rounds of the Main Event of the Bris-0’s promotion in association with the Caribbean Boxing Organisation Caribbean Boxing Championships before knocking him out in the wee hours of Sunday Morning at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. The ‘Lion’s entourage included ‘Granny Ivy and the cast of those people. The vocal crowd included Ring Doctor, ex-City Mayor Patricia Chase-Green, MP Odessa Primus, Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, boxers Elton Dharry, Keevin Allicock, Dexter Marques and former WBC FECARBOX
Middleweight Champion Wayne Harris. Ocando, with 43 fights, was floored in the opening round after a barrage of vicious body shots in their eight-round cruiserweight bout. In the second stanza, the Venezuelan ‘threw’ Stewart between the ropes as Stewart continued to pepper him with several unanswered combinations to the head and mid-section. The trend continued in the next two rounds, and although Ocando, who employed the tactic of hugging, attempted to counterpunch, soaking up Stewart’s brutal punches like a sponge while refusing to quit. In the sixth round, a crunching uppercut to the body was followed by a right
cross to the head, sending Ocando sprawling to the canvas. Although the Venezuelan got up, the referee had seen enough as the Lion roared to his sixth win in seven professional fights. This was his fifth knockout, while he has lost only once. Earlier, on the Pro-Am Card, Ryan Roger beat Trinidadian Shastri Ramsanahi on points, while Simeon Haymer stopped Koto Martin in 47 seconds of the second round in the amateur division. In the first professional bout, Jamaican Daniel Hyiton knocked out Guyana’s Septon Barton in two minutes, 47 seconds of the fourth and final round of their lightweight affair, after Barton had controlled the fight until a crushing right floored him. In the super middleweight
contest, Grenada’s Rickenson suffered a first-round knockout from Mitchell Wielson of Suriname. Guyana's Kevin Isaacs lost on a split decision to T&T’s Shakir Garcia in a shot-filled featherweight bout, Suriname’s Chivarro Blackson defeated Bajan Tyreec Taitt by a unanimous decision in their middleweight clash. Guyana’s Joel Williamson knocked out Jamaica’s Toriano Nicholas in the first round of their junior welterweight clash Guyanese Jamal Eastman beat Surinamese kickboxer Edinio Ginsberg by unanimous decision in the junior welterweight division in one of the most entertaining fights.
Ginsberg kept getting hit by uppercuts to the body and clinical jabs, followed by brutal right hooks, but kept coming back for more. Eastman was caught by a few good shots as the fighter from Suriname ‘flew’ into the Guyanese, both feet off the ground, to land punches on a bewildered Eastman, evoking loud laughter from fans at the modern-looking venue, equipped with multiple areas selling food and beverages. When Ginsberg lifted his right leg while punching, the excited crowd roared. Ginsberg, with a Roberto Duran look, seemed greedy for punishment and would not go down. Another hilarious fight was between the towering James Moore and countryman Joel McRae in the cruis-
erweight division. Moore used the canvas like a trampoline, bouncing close to a foot off the ground. With the longer reach, Moore would look at someone in the crowd before turning quickly to punch the much shorter McRae in the face. He used the ‘peek-a-boo’ tactic and hit McRae with some good shots. Imran Khan knocked out Charwin Estwick in the sixth round while in the clash for the celebrity title, Bradley ‘Doggie’ Sampson provided Terrence Green a walkover The crowd was entertained by pulsating rhythms from the sound system and live steel pan music by the one-man steel pan man Lennox Cupindoh while the card was televised.
FROM BACK PAGE Glenn Phillips attempted to spearhead that fightback, but it was short-lived as spin once again provided the breakthrough. George Linde got Phillips to hole out to Chris Green before striking again with the very next ball, removing Dwaine Pretorius first delivery and setting up a hat-trick opportunity. Quinton Sampson and Romario Shepherd offered some resistance against the Tridents’ attack, but Johann Layne eventually broke the
partnership, claiming Sampson as his second wicket. He then smashed the stumps of Ronaldo Alimohamed with the very next ball to create another hat-trick opportunity for the Tridents. Sherfane Rutherford was brought into the attack and made an immediate impact, needing just one delivery to dismiss Romario Shepherd and wrap up the Warriors’ innings. The Warriors, who have dominated opponents for much of the season, were
now on the receiving end of a dominant display as they were bowled out for 99. Despite the low total, the Warriors would not have considered the game over. There had been plenty of low-scoring matches towards the back end of the tournament, meaning early wickets could still have changed the complexion of the chase. Veerasammy Permaul provided the first breakthrough when Zachary Carter fell cheaply, before Mehidy
Hasan Miraz produced a surprise blow by bowling Quinton de Kock for just three. The Warriors had made some inroads, but the Tridents had still made significant progress towards the modest target, reaching 33 for 2 at the end of the Power Play. The Warriors then turned to their captain, Imran Tahir, making his 100th CPL appearance, hoping the veteran leg-spinner could produce another magical spell and wrestle the momentum back
from the home side. Tahir made an immediate impact by removing Rutherford, but Brandon King and Shadrack Descarte refused to be intimidated. They took the attack to Tahir, with Descarte particularly entertaining the Kensington Oval crowd with an array of sweeps and reverse sweeps, showcasing his explosive power-hitting. The weather interrupted his entertaining innings, forcing the players off the field for a brief spell. When
play resumed, Descarte was unable to recapture his earlier momentum, but King remained composed and took control of the chase. The opener finished unbeaten on 44, steering the Tridents comfortably home with 31 deliveries to spare and ensuring they closed the group stage on a high. Despite the defeat, the Warriors finish the group stage at the top of the table. The Tridents also advance to the play-offs, securing third place.
Tridents turn up the heat with fourth...
Tridents turn up the heat with fourth straight win
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, September 14, 2026
The Barbados Tridents have won their last four games THE Barbados Tridents ended the group stage of the 2026 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in style, defeating the Guyana Amazon Warriors by six wickets at Kensington Oval. A.M. Ghazanfar and Jo-
hann Layne claimed three wickets apiece as the Tridents bowled out the Warriors for just 99, their second-lowest total of the season. Brandon King then produced an impressive unbeaten 44 to guide the Tridents to their sixth vic-
Shadrack Descarte plays a shot during the final group game tory of the tournament. Sent in to bat by the home side, the Warriors appeared to make a promising start, finding a few boundaries during the opening two overs and settling into their innings. That all changed in the
Warriors defeat Tridents in final WCPL group game SEE PAGE
third over when Ghazanfar ripped through the Guyana batting line-up, claiming three wickets in the space of five deliveries. First came a fortunate stumping, with the ball rebounding off Quinton de
Kock’s chest before the wicketkeeper completed the dismissal of Mavendra Dindyal. Two balls later, Shai Hope chipped one to short mid-wicket before the big wicket of Shimron Hetmyer followed. Hetmyer edged the
ball onto his pads, sending it spinning into the air for de Kock to pouch. At 15 for 3, the Warriors were suddenly in serious trouble and desperately needed a recovery. TURN TO PAGE 23
Bris-0’s promotion in association with CBO Caribbean Boxing Showdown…
Stewart knocks out Venezuelan Ocando in main event 23 SEE PAGE
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The Guyana Amazon Warriors women celebrate a wicket
Laured the ‘Lion’ Stewart knocked out Venezuelan Williams Ocando in their cruiserweight fight
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| MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 , 2026