seize wartime power, blunting Supreme Leader’s role
...sitting on 92 Sq km of land, with 20.6M pounds of proven reserves ...tells investors Guyana is a mining-friendly country, with a pro-mining govt.
‘Don’t be used Exxon awards new rig contract to Noble at US$375,000 day rate
in Venezuela’s
Essequibo push’ Labour minister concerned about rise in work place deaths
President Irfaan Ali (BSS/AFP)
President Irfaan Ali, on Tuesday, expressed grave
c o n c e r n o v e r t h e Venezuela’sPresidentDelcy Rodriguez’s wearing of a brooch that includes Guyana’s Essequibo Region as part of her country while onofficialvisitstoGrenada, andBarbados.
PresidentAli in a formal protest wrote CARICOM (Caribbean Community)
Chairman and Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr Terrance Drew, describing the acts by the Venezuelan leader as a “calculated and provocative assertion” that threatens to undermineCaribbeanunity
The Guyanese leader said while Guyana fully respects the sovereign right of CARICOM Member States to conduct bilateral relations with all partners, including the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, it is “deeplyregrettablethatsuch engagements have been accompanied by the prominent display of symbols asserting Venezuela’s claim to Guyana’sterritory.”
“The use of CARICOM engagements to project or promote a territorial claim againstaMemberStaterisks
being interpreted as acquiescence or tolerance.
No action, whether deliberate or inadvertent, shouldcreatetheimpression that the Community’s platforms may be used to advance claims now before the International Court of
Justice CARICOM’s principled support for Guyana must be reflected not only in declarations, but also in the context and conduct of official engagements,” the president said.
Further,thehead-of-state made it clear that the matter is not one of symbolism alone. He stated that “it is a calculated and provocative assertion of a claim that Guyanahasconsistentlyand lawfullyrejected,andwhich is before the International Court of Justice for final adjudication.” “Venezuela cannot, while
the case is before the Court, seektonormalisebysymbols, maps, legislation, appointments or official display what it has failed to establishinlaw Suchconduct
does no
undermines confidence in its statedcommitmenttopeaceful settlement, international law, and good neighbourly relations,”hesaid Ali argued that allowing suchdisplaysduringofficial CARICOM engagements risks being interpreted as regional “acquiescence or tolerance” of Venezuela’s claims. He reminded the community that the 1899 Arbitral Award settled the boundary as a “full, perfect, andfinalsettlement.”
PresidentAli maintained that Venezuela’s current conduct “undermines confidence in its stated commitment to peaceful settlement.” He called on CARICOMtoensurethatits principled support for Guyana is reflected not just in declarations, but in the “context and conduct of officialengagements.”
Meanwhile, Guyanese have been outraged by the presenceoftheEssequiboon the Venezuelan President’s brooch. The Private Sector Commission (PSC) categorised the incidents as “symbolic aggression” designedtotestinternational resolve.
“The Private Sector Commission of Guyana expresses its strongest condemnation and deep concernatthedeliberateand provocative display of imagery by a senior Venezuelan official depicting Guyana’s Essequibo region as part of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela during a recent high-level regional engagement in Barbados,” the private sector body said inastatementonMonday
The PSC said that the Venezuelan leader’s actions are “neither incidental nor benign”.
“It is unacceptable within the framework of international law and
responsible diplomacy, and is particularly troubling when it occurs within the territory of Barbados. The PSC views this latest incident as a form of symbolic aggression intended to influence perception,shapenarratives, and test international resolve, risking the
undermining of regional stability,theerosionoftrust, and the weakening of the principles of peaceful disputeresolution.”
CARICOM Chairman and Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Terrance Drew
Further, the PSC reminded that Guyana’s position is clear and unwavering: Essequibo is Guyana’s “Itisadministered by Guyana, populated by Guyanesecitizens,developed by Guyana, and protected under international law Venezuela’s continued actions, including the creation of a so-called “Guayana Esequiba” state and attempts to project authority over Guyanese territory, are illegal, provocative, and contrary to both the orders of the InternationalCourtof
Continuedonpage6
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Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456
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Tel:225-8465,225-8491. Fax:225-8473,226-8210
Lindsayca-CH4ishavingproblemstogetitspartofthe Wales Gas-to-Energy project done. The company wants a US$250MboostfromGuyanatocompleteitsbuildingofthe liquid natural gas facility and a power generation plant. Lindsayca-CH4 obviously has reassured itself that Guyanesedon'tvaluetheirmoneyandthattheydon'tknow what to do with it. Millions could be withdrawn from the Natural Resource Fund, more borrowed from willing lenders,andwithprojectcostsgrabbingstillmorefromCost Oil, Guyanese continue to be a study in apathy It makes sense to part fools from their money, as the proverb says, having already nicked them for US$102M via a dispute adjudication board's award. For anyone interested in a textbook case of tricky arrangements, secret dealings, and shiftyleadership,theWalesGTEisacrisistobestudied. The costs would never stay still, could never be pinned down.Themoremillionsthatweredoledout,themorethe secrets thickened. The more the Wales GTE intellectual author, Vice President Jagdeo, snapped at the media, the moresuspicionsgrew Whatisbeinghidden,whyistherea needtohideanythingonalavishlyfundedUS$2Bproject? Themoreheshuthismouthintotaldefianceoffearlessand responsible leadership, the more the controversies deepened,tookonalifeoftheirown.IfJagdeo,themother andfatheroftheWalesGTE,thatishangingbyathread,has distancedhimselffromprovidinganswers,hasshutdownall conversations related to what gives every indication of a wounded project, then who could? Who would want to go neartowhattrapsandstainsallwhocomenearit? Hehadall the solutions, monopolized ownership and leadership, for theproject.Ifhedoesn'tstophisescapades(busyinghimself withtravels),stepforwardandcleartheaironwhat'sgoing onatWales,andwhatisgoingtobeitsfate,thenthereisa vacuum.
Aninformationvacuumisthefirst.Aleadershipvacuum isthesecond.Acostvacuumisthethird,withacontractfreefor-allalreadyinthemaking.Thatdevelopmentislaidatthe feetofLindsayca-CH4,whichhasalreadysignaleditsintent topounceonGuyana,andbreakopenitshandsforanother US$250M. The original contract was for US$759M, and withworksattheprojectsitestrugglingtogetafirmfooting amidstvariousobstaclesanddelays,Lindsayca-CH4isstill anglingtosnatchanotherUS$250MfromGuyana.Whoin thePPPCGovernmentistheretotakecontrolofthisproject, crack the whip, knock some heads, and bring some semblanceofordertoachaoticsituation? Moneyspentwith the ease of a monopoly board game, Guyanese staring at another probable white elephant, and there is silence and a vacuumatthetopofthegovernmentleadershipchain. IsthisthebestthatGuyanesearegoingtoget,whatthey deserve,forUS$2B?Itisaprojectthathadarosypolitical beginning,withcan'tcompete,can'tbeat,promises.Butlook atwhereitisnow US$2Bisthreateningtogoupinsmoke, andthegovernmentispreoccupiedwithtargetingperceived enemies.Weatthispublicationcangiveevidenceaboutthat, becausewheneverprofessionalsattachedtothispaperasked hardquestions,theygotslappeddownincrudewaysoneach occasion.BythedefactoprojectCEO,BharratJagdeo,who then dripped with arrogance and confidence, but has since vanished from the scene of the Wales GTE blowout. Guyanesewereworriedaboutablowoutoffshore,whilethe PPPCGovernmentwasbehindoneonland. Which Guyanese who knows the basics of reading and writing would engage a company with the track record of Lindsayca-CH4 to get a cyclinder of cooking gas for the familyorbusiness?Butthisisexactlywhattheleadershipof the PPPC Government did with US$759M for two plants, and the company shaking out another US$102M for itself duetodelayscausedbyunstablesoilattheWalessite.Allof this should have been fully disclosed, except that the governmentsettledforsecrecy Whenitisn'tsecrecy,thereis silence. US$2Bisthreateningtogoupinsmoke.
DearEditor, Itmustbeveryterrifying, especiallytothehalfmillion poverty-stricken Guyanese hearing His Excellency Irfaan Ali cold-heartedly beseeching them to “brace yourself” for the onslaught of more sufferings, even though the Govt is euphorically raking in close to an extra $1Billion every dayundertheradarsincethe Iran war started.Aside from his cop-out that this is a “global problem” and an “import of inflation”, the President offers nothing for relieving the average Guyanesefromhispromised escalation of unaffordable living.
It is a brazen spin to b l a m e G u y a n a ' s unaffordability crisis on this war; since, it is common knowledge that the nation faced runaway inflation for the past six years The editorial pages have assiduously chronicled the irony of Guyana being the world's fastest growing economy while amongst the most impoverished with its people crying out about unaffordability: 58% povertyrate,escalatingfood prices,humiliationofcutting back on meals, indignity of choosing between basic necessities, Pensioners
rationing medicine, highest children malnutrition rate in the Caribbean and Latin
American Region, unaffordable housing, and hike in transportation fares. As the President matter-offactly warns, things will get painfully worse, not only becauseofhigherfuelprices and shortages that underlay inflation of all essential goods and services, but also because of further spiraling food shortages and prices duetoholdupofone-thirdof theworld'sfertilizerbrought aboutbythewar
Since the war started, oil priceshavejumpedfrom$67 to so far peak at $120 per barrel, with reputable internationalsourcessuchas Bloomberg warning to “Brace for $200 oil if war lasts until June”. Using a conservative estimated average increase of $30 per barrel and an oil production rateof930,000barrelsoilper day (bopd), Guyana's share of the extra war windfall approximates close to G$1 Billion per day and over $G 50 Billion since the war started.
Not to belabor the universal consensus of Exxon's ripping off of Guyana via the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement(PSA),thebrutal
truth is that while Guyana is doled out chicken feed from its own God given oil patrimony, Exxon and its partners grab 86% of that patrimony which, not only rescued the company from financial collapse, but revived and maintains its behemothfinancialstature.
Since Guyana doesn't haveanoilrefinery,allofits 930,000 bopd are hauled abroad, leaving Guyana having to buy back fuel refined from its own oil, whileExxonswimsinprofits fromrefiningandsellingthe refined products Plainly, whileGuyanasuffers,Exxon laughsallthewaytothebank making a killing off of Guyana's oil during crises suchastheIranwar
Guyana is said to consume approximately 27,000 barrels of fuel per day, which is a mere 3% of what it produces. In other words,theobscenerealityis that Guyana can't even get back a piddly 3% of its own oil for its survival, while Exxonprospersfromit. Thegoodnewsisthatthe bonuswarwindfallnodoubt provides the means for the Govt to immediately take decisive actions to bring relieftoitspeople'splightof unaffordable living. Notwithstanding the long-
term strategy to have an oil refinery, the following two recommendations for near term relief are presented b e l o w f o r u r g e n t consideration:
Recommendation #1 –
Use half of Guyana's extra $50 Billion war windfall to subsidize the soaring cost of living through a special emergencycashgrant,orvia the targeting of vulnerable groups; and to repeat same during the life of the war Noteworthily, such an initiative will obviously not negatively impact the 2026 national budget plan Besides, as recently reported, Minister Zulfikar Mustapha recently revealed that “with fertiliser prices surgingglobally,discussions are already underway to roll outsupportmeasuressimilar to previous fertiliser assistance programmes.” If the Govt could see it fit to provide such relief for farmers, then, it is only fair forallotherimpactedgroups to be accorded the same benefit.
Recommendation #2 –Similar to a Bill being introduced by Congressman Brad Sherman of California to ban the export of US oil, excepttosendittorefineries where it is refined and sent (Continuedonpage5)
Delcy Rodríguez's “Brooch Diplomacy” is an Insult to Guyana, CARICOM and Int'l law
DearEditor,
As the International Court of Justice (ICJ) prepares to hear oral arguments in the GuyanaVe n e z u e l a b o r d e r controversy starting May 4, 2026 the international community has witnessed a disturbing escalation of "symbolic aggression" by Venezuela's Acting President,DelcyRodríguez
During recent official visitstoCARICOMmember states first Grenada on April 9, and then Barbados onApril27—Ms.Rodríguez wore a brooch depicting a map of Venezuela that fraudulently includes Guyana's Essequibo region. Thiswasnotanaccident.Itis a diplomatic provocation designed to normalize an illegal annexation claim whilethematterissubjudice beforetheWorldCourt. What message is Ms. Rodríguez sending to CARICOM?
Sheistestingtheregion's resolve. By wearing this pin in front of Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell (Grenada) and Prime Minister Mia Mottley (Barbados), she is asking CARICOM to tolerate an attack on a founding member's territorial integrity Since Guyana is a Full Member of CARICOM, while Caracas is merely an observer with "acceding status," Ms Rodríguez appears to be attempting to coax C A R I C O M i n t o s i l e n c e i m p l y i n g Venezuelan aggression can be normalized within our community without consequence.
Has CARICOM or Guyana filed a formal complaint?
Todate,thereisnopublic recordofaformalcomplaint being filed by the Guyana ForeignAffairsMinistryora CARICOM representative specifically regarding the
brooch.Whereisthecerebral or intestinal fortitude of our Guyanese CARICOM representativetoaddressthis fallacy? I must state, however, that our Guyana's Private Sector Commission (PSC) and Aviation Operators Association of Guyana (AOAG) have vehemently condemned the act, calling it "theatrical aggression".
Furthermore, Guyana's Minister of Local Government, Priya Manickchand, publicly rebuked CARICOM leaders for entertaining Rodríguez while she wore the pin, stating it makes her "question our friendships".
Thank you, Minister Ms. Priya Manickchand for having the testicular fortitude to highlight this deliberateprovocation.
Did CARICOM protest thisdeliberateaction?
Publicly,CARICOMasa body has not issued a
specific protest against this specific visit While CARICOM heads reiterated "unwavering support" for Guyana at their July 2025 summit, the failure to immediately denounce a guestwearinganannexation map on official pins in our capitals is a dangerous silence.
As the PSC warned, "Silence or inaction in the face of such deliberate p r o v o c a t i o n r i s k s emboldening further escalation"
Editor, this pin is not decorative jewelry; it is a claim to 160,000 square kilometers of Guyanese land. It violates the ICJ's order for Venezuela to maintainthestatusquo.
If CARICOM hopes to remainrelevantindefending theruleoflaw,itmustspeak with one voice to reject this farceimmediately.
Sincerely, JonathanSubrianEsq.
DearEditor,
As Labour Week kicks off, with preparations for the March and Rally on Friday, May 1st, it's important to reflect on the significant contributions of the Labour Movement to Guyana's social progress.
One hundred and twentyone years ago, in 1905, a young waterfront worker,
Hubert Nathaniel
Critchlow, began organising workers for change. 14 years later, at theageof35,hiseffortsled totheformationofthefirst trade union in Guyana, the British Guiana Labour Union (BGLU), renamed the Guyana Labour Union (GLU).
This institution predated political parties and laid the foundation for the country's labour and socialjusticeframework.
T h e L a b o u r Movement's achievements
are numerous and transformative.Among the most notable is the introduction of universal adult suffrage (one-manone-vote), which gave every eligible Guyanese citizen the right to vote, regardless of privilege This milestone empowered the people, shifting the political landscape and providing the electorate with the most potent weapon of democracy:
their vote Equally important are the gains related to freedom of
association This fundamental right allows citizens to choose their allies, from trade unions to political and religious groups, without fear of reprisal. It's this right that ensures employers cannot arbitrarily set wages or impose harsh conditions without the consultation of organisedlabour
Equally important are thegainsrelatedtofreedom of association This fundamental right allows citizens to choose their allies, from trade unions to political and religious groups, without fear of reprisal. It's this right that ensures employers cannot arbitrarily set wages or impose harsh conditions without the consultation of organizedlabour
From maternity benefits to occupational s a f e t y a n d t h e establishment of the NationalInsuranceScheme (NIS), these social protections continue to uphold the dignity of workersacrossthecountry
The Labour Movement alsomadecrucialstridesin housing development Initiatives likeTUCville in Georgetown and TUCberg in Berbice, alongside other projects developed by unionssuchastheGLUand GMWU, have provided housing for thousands of Guyaneseworkers.
Labourbuiltthisnation, and more than any
institution outside of government, it laid the groundwork for the social justice framework that ensuresequalrightsforall. But recent years have seen the movement struggle against a backdrop of corruption, greed, and a lack of respect for human capital Politicians have become disconnected from
s, distracted by power strugglesandignoringtheir responsibility to work towards the collective good.Whilelabourremains a key social partner in governance, enshrined in the Constitution atArticles 38 and 149C, it is increasingly marginalised in today's political climate. Too often, the focus is on politicalparties,ratherthan on the core issue of ensuring fair living conditions for workers and families. Labour's struggle transcends party politics. Regardless of who is in power, the issues remain the same: decent wages, social protections, preservation of human rights and dignity, and a commitment to national development.
Itistimeforustorealise atrulyinclusivedemocracy in our political system Labour demands key reforms to ensure greater collaboration between governmentandopposition for the benefit of all citizens. Specifically, we
DearEditor,
call for increasing the number of votes needed to pass certain Bills in the National Assembly to foster collaboration between government and opposition, ensuring broader consensus on key issues.
The exploitation of oil and gas resources, much like the handling of past natural resources such as bauxite, gold, diamonds, and forestry, must be carefully scrutinised Guyana'swealthfromthese resources should not be an external windfall that leavesourcitizensbehind.
We must guard against situations where Guyanese are forced to settle for “crumbs” while foreign interestsreapthebulkofthe benefits.Itistimeforanew approach that guarantees substantial benefits for locals, including addressing the concerning disparityinwagesbetween local and foreign workers doingthesamejob.
Politics in Guyana should not be an endless partisan battle that wears downthepeopleandstifles cooperation. Labour calls for a return to meaningful parliamentaryengagement. Politiciansmustbringtheir issues to the National Assembly, debate them, and work through d i f f e
e n c e s i n a constructive manner Our peopledeservenothingless (Continuedonpage6)
I am writing to formally bringtoyourattentionamatter involving my current placement under the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) in Region9.
I am a nurse with over 16 years of service, having faithfully contributed to the healthcaresysteminRegion9, throughout my career I have completedmyrequiredclinical rotations at Sand Creek, St. Ignatius, and Yupukari Health Centre. However, I am now being assigned to a nonclinical department (Public Works), which is not aligned with my professional training, experience, or role as a healthcareprovider
This situation raises serious concerns about
fairness, transparency, and the effective utilization of experienced healthcare personnel within the region. Despite raising the matter through the appropriate internal channels, there has beennosatisfactoryresolution. Ibelievethisissueisofpublic interest, as it may point to b
challengesaffectinghealthcare servicesandstaffplacementin Region9.Irespectfullyrequest that your publication consider investigating or highlighting this matter I am willing to providefurtherdetailsandany supporting documentation if required.
Thank you for your time andconsideration.
Sincerely, RyanReid
Govt's extra $50 Billion...
Frompage4 back to the US, Guyana must demand per an addendum to the PSA, that Exxon allots Guyana its full supply of refined fuels – an amount currentlyequivalenttoateenyweeny 3% of the oil shipped o u t o f G u y a n a Notwithstanding Exxon's homecountrydraftlegislation, this is the least decent thing thatExxoncoulddoforapoor country that bends over backwards sacrificing its people's wellbeing to bankroll and maintain the financial security of filthy rich Exxon. As even the most powerful USArealizes,itisfoolhardyto be producing such large quantities of oil in your
country, but have fuel shortages that gravely hurts youreconomy Hence, if the richest country can take such a necessary action, why shouldn't poor Guyana!
Sincerely
Dr.VincentAdams
Frompage3
Justiceandthecommitments outlined in the Argyle Declaration.”
The body called on CARICOM and all regional and international partners “to remain vigilant and unequivocal in their support fortheruleoflaw.”
“Silence or inaction in the face of such deliberate
p r o v o c a tio n r is k s
emboldening further escalation.Guyana's Private Sectorstandsresolutelywith the Government and people
of Guyana. Our economic stability,investmentclimate, and national development depend on the inviolability of our borders and respect for international law These principlesarenotnegotiable.
Essequibo belongs to Guyana,” the statement concluded.
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya
Manickchandofferedamore pointed critique of regional allies, suggesting that principles should not be
“cowardly”or“convenient.”
On her Facebook page, the minister questioned the sincerity of leaders who entertain guests openly disrespecting Guyanese sovereignty while the legal adjudication at the ICJ is ongoing “CARICOM leaders claiming to be our friends AND benefitting from that friendship even as they entertain their other friends who are completely disrespecting Guyana by openly claiming 2/3 of my country and sporting that on a visible piece of Jewellery even as that matter is being adjudicated in the ICJ, has
Principle is principle. It shouldn'tbecowardly.Andit shouldn't be convenient,” MinisterManickchandsaid.
DearEditor,
I write to express my deep concern regarding the recent reports of a workplace altercation involving Chinese expatriate employeesatBosaiMineralsthatiscurrently circulatingonsocialmedia.
Incidents of this nature are unfortunate and have no place in any professional environment, particularly within an industry that depends heavily on discipline, cooperation,andmutualrespect.
As a former employee who served the company for over ten years, I have seen firsthand the standards that are expected of workers.Itiswidelyunderstoodamonglocal Guyaneseemployeesthatsuchbehaviourcan leadtoimmediatedismissal.
This is why many, including myself, feel strongly that the same rules must be applied fairly and consistently to all employees, regardlessofnationalityorstatus.Thisisnota call for harshness, but for fairness. Every worker deserves to be treated with dignity, and every employer has a responsibility to ensure that policies are enforced equally When this is done, it strengthens trust, promotesunity,andreinforcesthevaluesthat shouldguideourworkplaces.
I respectfully urge that this matter be handledwithtransparencyandequity,sothat confidence can be maintained among all workersandthewiderpublic.
Yoursfaithfully,
LorenzoJoseph
It is time for us to realise a truly...
Frompage5 thanatransparentandeffectivegovernment.
ToGECOM,weexpressconcernwiththe failure,thusfar,toprovidetothisnationfree, fairandcredibleelectionsasevidencedbythe refusal to provide a clean voters list and biometrics.Thegrowingdivisionsinsociety, fueled by political partisanship and misinformation, undermine national unity The future of our nation depends on finding common ground, returning to shared truths, and embracing leadership committed to
publicservice,notpersonalgain.TheLabour Movement calls on all sectors of society, including religious bodies and the media, to hold those in power accountable. Let us remain united in purpose, focusing on the long-term welfare of our people, rather than getting distracted by the shifting sands of partisanpolitics.Together,wecancontinueto push for a fairer, more just society for all Guyanese.
Sincerely
LincolnLewis
LabourMinisterKeomaGriffith has issued a stark warning: rising workplace deaths in 2026 are “unacceptable” and demand immediate, stricter enforcement of safetylawsacrossGuyana
Speaking at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) during the opening ceremony for Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Symposium 2026, Griffith, reinforced that Guyana has already made meaningful strides in advancing occupational safety and health Henotedthatbetween2020 and 2025, the ministry conducted 6,186 inspections, benefiting over 27,000 workers country-wide “Contributing to a 1278 per cent declineinwork-relatedfatalitiesand anear50percentreductioninnonfatalincidents,”henoted However, the minister warned that recent figures remain concerning, revealing 13 workplace fatalities and 64 non-fatal incidents for the periodJanuarytoApril2026.
“This increase is unacceptable andunderscorestheurgentneedfor
stricter compliance and health and safety protocols,” he stressed The labour minister further emphasised that“occupationalsafetyandhealth standardsmustnotbeoptional,they must be rigorously enforced across everysector”
He also noted that compliance alone does not protect workers, statingthatpreventionwill Minister Griffith explained that workplaces must address both physical and psychosocialrisks,includingstress, burnout,andharassment
A new global report by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) said that more than 840,000 people die each year from health conditions linked to psychosocial risks, such as long working hours, job insecurity, and workplace harassment These work-related psychosocial risks are mainly associated with cardiovascular diseases and mental disorders, including suicide The report also finds that these risks account for
nearly45milliondisability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost annually, reflecting years of healthy life lost due to illness, disability, or premature death, and are estimated to result in economic losses equivalentto137percentofglobal GDPeachyear
The report, ‘The psychosocial working environment: Global developments and pathways for action, highlights the growing impact of how work is designed,
organized,andmanagedonworkers’ safety and health It warns that p s y
factors including long working hours,jobinsecurity,highdemands with low control, and workplace bullying and harassment can
environments if not properly addressed
Meanwhile, Prime Minister, MarkPhillipssaidGuyanais
Continued on page 9
There is no question that Guyanese would have noticed the brooch worn by Delcy Rodríguez during her recent visits to Grenada and Barbados. Nor is there any doubt that for Guyanese the depictionoftheEssequiboas Venezuelan on that brooch cutsdeeply
Butitdoesnotfollowthat Barbados or Grenada should have turned that provocation
i n t o a d i p l o m a t i c confrontation.To expect that outcome is to misunderstand how diplomacy actually works.
Let us flip the coin
Should Venezuela then also take offence every time a Guyanese official wear or displays a pin or lapel showing the Essequibo as part of Guyana? If symbolismaloneistotrigger diplomatic protest, then consistency would demand outrage on both sides; yet
diplomacy has never functioned on that basis, because states routinely e x p r e s s t h e i r positions even contested ones without expecting thirdpartiestopolicethem.
Diplomacy begins with protocol When a state receives a high-level visitor, particularly one acting in a presidential capacity, it assumes obligations of courtesyandrespect.
Asking a visiting leader toremoveanitemofpersonal attire, even one laden with political symbolism, would be highly irregular and almost certainly interpreted asapublicinsult.Forasmall state like Barbados, such a move would have been counterproductive.
HadBarbadosintervened over the brooch, it would have been seen not as a neutral host but as an active participant in the dispute.
That, in turn, could have provoked a sharp response from Venezuela, injecting unnecessary tension into regional relations Diplomacy, especially in the Caribbean, often relies on loweringthetemperature,not raisingit.
Caribbean Community states have consistently supported Guyan
's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Nothing done recently should call that into question But despite unequivocally supporting Guyana's sovereignty, CARICOM states have also preserved channels of communication with Venezuela.
That dual approach CARICOM states to advocate for international law while still engaging Venezuela in dialogue. If Barbados had publicly rebuked Rodríguez over her
Frompage8 meeting the modern standards of occupational safety systems and policies. Speaking at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) during the opening ceremony for Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Symposium 2026, the Prime Minister stated that our occupational safety systemsandpolicieshavebeenreviewedand strengthened,andthatwecontinuetoassess improvements at the policy and legislative levels.
He underscored at the opening ceremony that with Guyana's rapid economic
expansion, particularlyin the energy sector, there has been a need to make strong safety frameworksessential.
“We will not trade safety for speed becausethevalueofhumanlifeisparamount in everything we do as a nation”, he stated. Theprimeministeralsohighlightedashiftin focus beyond physical safety, pointing to psychosocial risks in the workplace “Sustainable productivity is inseparable frombalance,”hesaid,addingthatwork-life balanceandmentalwell-beingarecriticalto reducing errors, improving morale, and ensuringworkersperformattheirbest.(DPI)
Dem boys seh if yuh really want study modern science, forget lab—just go and standupbyAnnandalePublicRoadanytime o' day Peak hour, off-peak hour, midnight, broad daylight—traffic does behave like it getPhDinconfusionrightdehwherethebig four-lane highway suddenly remember it is actuallymergingintoatwo-lanepublicroad byBuxton–onelanegoingeastanddeodder goingwest.
Now, dem boys seh the engineers musta been feeling romantic because nothing says “love” like forcing two strong lanes goinf east into one lil lane going in the same direction, and hoping everybody cooperate. ButGuyanesedriversdon'tcooperate,boss. Wedoesnegotiate…aggressively Oneman easingin,nextmanrefusingtogiveway,and thethirdmancreatingabrand-newlanethat exist only in he imagination and half on the parapet.
Butwait,itgetbetter Somebrightsparks decide, “why sit in traffic when Annandale got side streets?” So they peel off north, disappear like Houdini, and then magically reappear through another side street by Buxton, squeezing back in like they was invited all along. Dem boys seh is like a
brooch, it might have compromised its ability to function as a credible interlocutor
There is, too, a practical dimension that the PSC's position seems to overlook. Where exactly would one draw the line? If a brooch is unacceptable what if the same map had been tattooed onthevisitor'sarm?Oraless conspicuous part of the person anatomy. Would Barbados have been expectedtodemandthatitbe coveredorremoved?
The absurdity of that scenario underscores the difficulty of policing symbolic expression in diplomacy Once a host begins to regulate the personalorpoliticalsymbols of its guests, it enters a minefield.
More importantly, focusing on the brooch risks missing the larger picture. Venezuela's recent diplomatic outreach to Grenada and Barbados and the Venezuela's President's meeting with a former TrinidadPrimeMinisternow in the Opposition, is not occurring in a vacuum. It is part of a broader effort to reassert influence in the
region and to shape political alignments By engaging capitals like Bridgetown and St George's, Caracas is signalling that it retains friends and partners in the Caribbean, despite external pressures. In that sense, the visitwaslessaboutapieceof jewellery and more about geopolitics.
Indeed, one could argue that the real objective was to test and, if possible, widen divisions within the region, particularly between those states seen as sympathetic to Venezuela and those aligned with positions associated with United States policy towardCaracas.
None of this diminishes Guyana's right to defend its sovereignty vigorously, including through what is sometimes called “map diplomacy.”WhenGuyanese officials attend international conferences, they are fully entitled to protest the use of maps that do not reflect the territory over which Guyana lawfully exercises sovereignty
But it is one thing for a party to a dispute to advance its claims; it is quite another toexpectthird-partystatesto enforce those claims in the
course of routine diplomatic engagement.
In the end, diplomacy is often about choosing which battles to fight and where to fight them. Barbados choose not to turn a symbolic provocationintoadiplomatic rupture. That was not an act of indifference, nor of disloyaltytoGuyana.Itwasa calculation rooted in protocol, prudence, and the realities of small-state diplomacy
The PSC is right to insist on vigilance in defending Guyana's borders. But it is wrong to assume that every gesture must be publicly contested by every friendly state.
Sometimes, restraint is not weakness. It is strategy Butoneshouldnotexpectour Private Sector Commission tounderstandthis.
The views expressed in this article are those of the authoranddonotnecessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper
trafficrelayrace.Passthebatonthroughthe villageandrejoinwithfreshlegs.
And the police? Oh, dem boys seh the police know They know But knowing and doing is two different sports. So every day, the same chokepoint does perform like a matinee show No tickets required, just patienceandafulltankofgas.
Dem boys seh the real question is just whatwillittaketofixthis?Asign?Abarrier?
A traffic light that actually respected? Or maybeamachineimportedduty-free?
Because if the authorities can't sort out one stretch of road where everybody could literally see the problem from space, then perhapsittimetosubcontractthejob.Giveit totheminibusdrivers.Theyalreadycreating systems on the fly Or better yet, put one market vendor in charge; nobody does manage crowd and confusion better than somebody selling bora on a Saturday morning.
Until then, dem boys seh pack yuh snacks, cue up yuh favourite chutney, and prepare for the daily Annandale Olympics where everybody racing, but nobody reachingfaster Talkhalf.Leffhalf.
Attorney General and Minister of LegalAffairs, MohabirAnil Nandlall
…Nandlall pushes digital shake-up to clear case backlog
Attorney General MohabirAnil Nandlall has signalled an aggressivepushtodragGuyana’scriminaljusticesysteminto the modern age, warning that delays, outdated systems, and weakcoordinationcannolongerbetolerated
SpeakingatthelaunchoftheUnitedNationsDevelopment ProgrammeandtheEuropeanUnionunderthePartnershipof theCaribbeanandEuropeanUnion(PACE)onJusticeProject, Nandlall made it clear: the days of sluggish justice must end The Attorney General said the initiative aligns directly with Guyana’sbroaderobjectiveofstrengtheningandmodernising the administration of justice, particularly through addressing delaysandimprovingefficiencywithinthecourtsystem
He explained that the PACE Justice Project is designed to supportnationalauthoritiesinreducingexistingcasebacklogs whilepreventingfutureaccumulationofcriminalmatters “The PACE justice project aims to support national authorities to reducecurrentandpreventfuturebacklogsofcriminaljustice casesinGuyana,”Nandlallstated
He noted that several systemic issues have contributed to delays in the justice system, including outdated case management processes, limited digital systems, and weaknesses in evidence handling and data capture across agencies According to him, the project has already begun remedying these gaps by providing modern technology, including integrated software and hardware for key justice sectorinstitutions
TheseinstitutionsincludetheMinistryofHomeAffairs,the OfficeoftheDirectorofPublicProsecutions,andthejudiciary These systems, he said, are improving document preparation, facilitating the digitisation of records, and strengthening communicationbetweenjusticesectoragencies
The AG also pointed to extensive training programmes delivered under the project for judicial officers, prosecutors, and other stakeholders These include training in restorative justice, criminal mediation, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and forensic investigation. He said these interventions complement earlier reforms introduced by the Ministry of Legal Affairs, which include the Bail Act, the RestorativeJusticeAct,thePleaBargaininglegislation,andthe abolitionofpreliminaryinquiries.Thesemeasureswereaimed atspeedingupthedeliveryofjusticeandimprovingcaseflow.
Nandlallfurthernotedthatcrimeisnowbeingtreatedatthe regional level as a major social concern, with the CARICOM recognising it as a public health issue requiring coordinated intervention “Infact,attheleveloftheHeadsofGovernmentof CARICOM,crimeisnowacceptedasapublichealthhazardin theCaribbean,”hesaid
On the national front, he reported progress in expanding restorativejusticeservices,withcentresalreadyestablishedin six regions and plans underway to extend coverage to all administrative regions of Guyana He also outlined ongoing legislativework,includingamendmentstotheSexualOffences Acttoestablishasexoffendersregistry
TheAttorneyGeneralalsohighlightedemergingchallenges posedbycybercrime,organisedcrime,andmoneylaundering, noting that Guyana is working closely with international partners, including the United Nations, to strengthen its legal framework in these areas He announced plans to introduce mandatory continuing legal education for legal practitioners, describingtrainingasessentialformaintainingprofessionalism andimprovingthejusticesystem
Theministeroflegalaffairsencouragedparticipantstofully engageinthefour-daytraining,statingthatcontinuouslearning remains vital to improving the administration of justice and strengtheninginstitutionalcapacity (DPI)
Cement Maddox being escorted away from GNSC’s Wharf by the Coast Guard
Questions are being raised over fairness and possible preferential treatment at the Guyana National Shipping Corporation (GNSC)Wharf on Lombard Street, Georgetown, after an international vessel, MV Maddox, was reportedly forcedtohaltdischargeoperationsandvacatetheporttomake wayforacompetingsupplier’sshipment.
Kaieteur News understands that MV Maddox arrived at Georgetown’s outer anchorage at approximately 01:48hrs on April23carryingaround16,000metrictonsofbaggedcement for KSM Investments Inc, a locally owned concrete products manufacturerandmajorcementimporter
The vessel is reported to have been instructed to await its turn to discharge the shipment of cement at the GNSCWharf after another vessel occupying the facility would have completedoperationsanddepart
According to a reliable source, on Sunday evening (April 25)KSMInvestmentsInc receivedanall-clearinstructionfrom the GNSC to dock their ship The vessel arrived late Sunday eveningalongsidetheGNSCWharfandcommenceddischarge at around 03:00hrs on MondayApril 27 KSM is said to have paid almost GYD$25M in upfront discharge and wharfage feestotheGNSC.
Accordingtoreports,hourslater,dischargeoperationswere haltedbytheGNSCGeneralManager,IndranauthHaralsingh, in letters sent to KSM as well as the ship, despite the earlier approvaltodockanddischarge Thecrewwasreportedlytold that it had to undock and leave immediately to accommodate anothervessel,theMVNanamiBright.
TheNanamiBrightarrivedalongsidetheGNSCWharfon Tuesday(April28)–almostfivedaysafterMaddoxarrived No other explanation was given to the crew onboard the vessel Kaieteur News understandstoothattheGuyanaDefenceForce (GDF) Coast Guards were also sent to escort Maddox away fromtheporttoaccommodateNanamiBright.Heavily-armed policewerealsodeployedonthewharf.
Kaieteur News later found out that cargo onboard the Nanami Bright is also cement (a different grade) for a competitor ThatcompanydespitearrivingafterMaddoxhad Sunday posted on its Facebook page, “Cement shipment arrivingToday”tonotifyitsclientsandpotentialbuyersthata Vietnambrandcementwillbebackinstock.
AreliablesourcetoldKaieteurNewsthatsuchamoveisnot onlydisregardfora‘firstcomefirstservebasis’butwillcostthe owner of the cement onboard Maddox millions of dollars in additionalexpenses(lossesanddemurrage)
KSM was reportedly out of the big bag cement to run its manufacturingoperationsatGoodHope,EastCoastDemerara, due to its shipment being delayed as a result of the war in the MiddleEastandtheheavyincreasesinfreightrates
The source explained that the affected supplier will now havetospendanadditionalUS$24,000todockandundockthe vesselagain ThesupplierwillalsohavetopayUS$16,000more per day for at-least 10 days in demurrage costs until it gets anotherapprovaltooffloaditscargo
Demurrage is a penalty fee charged by shipping lines or terminal operators when cargo ships (remain at a port or terminalforlongerthantheagreedperiod)
Shipping sources told Kaieteur News that the forceful evictionoftheMVMaddoxwillhaveseriousimplicationsfor Guyana where international shipping and maritime is concerned. Another source said “this is the first time I am hearing of something like this. This may be a first in internationalshipping”
Up to press time, no valid explanation for the move was givenbytheGNSCauthorities Kaieteur News learntthatone oftheindividualsconnectedtothecompetitormightbeaperson of influence in the current administration Several efforts to contact Mr Mahadeo Panchu, owner and CEO of KSM were unsuccessful
MV Maddox departing from GNSC Wharf after port authorities ordered its removal to accommodate a competing supplier
…sitting on 92 sq km of land, with 20.6M pounds of proven reserves …tells investors Guyana is a mining-friendly country, with a pro-mining govt.
U92 Energy Corp., a Canada-based firm this week announced that it is advancing a 20.6 million pounds (Mlbs) uranium project locatedinRegionSevenGuyana.
In a detailed corporate update on phase oneofthedrillingandtechnicaladvancement for its flagship Kurupung uranium project, U92 highlighted that Guyana’s rapid rise as one of South America’s most attractive mining jurisdictions, with a pro-mining government.
UraniumisdescribedbytheInternational AtomicEnergyAgency(IAEA)asanaturally occurring radioactive element that serves as the primary fuel for nuclear power plants worldwide–thatbelongstoaspecialgroupof elementscalled“actinides.”
As an actinide uranium is 70% denser thanleadandfoundwidelyinrocks,soil,and water It is primarily used to produce electricity, providing a highly concentrated energy source where one small pellet can equaltheenergyoutputof88tonnesofcoal. IAEA states that uranium special properties make it the main source of fuel for nuclear reactors.Infact,achicken-eggsizedamount of uranium fuel can provide as much electricityas88tonnesofcoal.
In its ‘Why Invest’ U92 outlined that it controls a major land package of about 92.2 square kilometer in Guyana with proven mineralization.U92saiditisexcitedtobuild on the project’s historical Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE), comprising 10.6 Mlbs indicated at a grade of 0.072% and 10Mlb Inferred at a grade of 0.067% UO, while advancing a set of high-priority, previously untested targets across the project area, withinitstwoexplorationlicences.
U92alsonotedthattheprojectpositionsit tocapitaliseonastructuralsupplydeficitand theglobalexpansionofcleannuclearpower Back in March, U92 entered into a commercialagreementwithOrbitGarantfor phase one 5,000 metre diamond drill programmeattheKurupunguraniumproject. In its most recent update, the company confirmedthatthediamonddrillrigassigned toU92iscurrentlyinGuyana.Thecompany anticipates that the rig will be available for mobilisation to site in the near term to commence phase one drilling on highprioritytargetsattheproject.
TheCanadianfirmhasalreadysubmitted the required environmental application for drillpadpreparation,andthatfieldteamsare on site to complete camp infrastructure, including construction of a fuel storage facility in accordance with the applicable requirements. It was also revealed that key machineries have been sourced to support access road upgrades and drill pad construction.
Commentingonthecompany’sprogress, ChiefExecutiveOfficer(CEO)ofU92Adam Clode said, “We are making strong, coordinatedprogressacrosssitedevelopment anddrillmobilization,asweadvancetowards ourfirstholesinthecurrentdrillingcampaign at Kurupung. We are very excited about our upcoming drill program as we build on the Company’s historical MRE, with the objective of incorporating the phase one drilling into a pit-constrained, updated mineral resource estimate in the second half of2026.”
thecompany’sfocus is on ensuring that all elements of the programme, from target definition to operationalreadiness,areinplacetosupport efficient execution once drill mobilisation is
complete. He said the objective is to deliver meaningful results and building long-term valueforitsshareholders.
In parallel with site development and drillingpreparation,U92isalsoadvancingits
technical understanding of the Kurupung projectthroughongoingdataintegrationand interpretation work. The company disclosed thatthisexercisehasconfirmedthe Continued on page 22
Phase One of the Matthew’s Ridge Airstrip has been completed
TheMinistryofPublicWorksonTuesday announcedthatphaseoneofthe$800million Matthew’s Ridge Airstrip in Region One which is approximately 2200 feet is now completed.
The Ministry said that the previously earthen runway has now been upgraded to a reinforced eight-inch-thick concrete surface andoutfittedwithaparkingspaceforaircraft.
“The next 2000 feet of works are underway, utilizing the Community ParticipationModel,underthesupervisionof the Ministry’s Special Projects Unit,” the ministrydisclosed.
Kaieteur News understands that when fully completed, the 4200x80 feet upgrade willelevatethefacilitytoaTier1aviationhub, capableofhandlingcapacityequivalenttothe
Eugene F Correia International Airport at Ogle.TheministrynotedalsothatMatthew’s Ridgeservesasavitaltransportationhubfor the manganese mining community and surroundingvillages
Thenewrunwayisexpectedtostrengthen regional connectivity, support economic expansion, and drastically improve access to essentialservicesforresidents.
Theministryinitiallysaidthattheproject isscheduledtobecompletedinJune2026
Kaieteur News understands that the projectiscurrentlybeingexecutedbyover60 residentsfromthevillageandtheministry
The Matthew’s Ridge airstrip is among severalairstripsinthehinterlandthatarebeing upgradedtoclimate-resilientstructuresbythe government
The Ministry of Health is currently seeking bids for the construction of a new DorothyBaileyHealthCentreinGeorgetown.
This is according to an invitation for bids published on April 24, 2026 in the Kaieteur News which state that bids are expected to openattheNationalProcurementandTender Administration Board (NPTAB) on May 14, 2026.
KaieteurNewsreportedthatduringthesod turning ceremony for the Campbellville Polyclinic in March last year, Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony announced the government’s plans to upgrade the Dorothy BaileyHealthCentre.
“TheDorothyBaileyHealthCentreisalso
being upgraded this year (2025) with the governmentallocating$55milliontoimprove thefacilityandensurethatpatientsreceivethe caretheydeserveinbetterconditions,”hesaid atthetime.
Thegovernment,throughtheministry,has been upgrading the facilities to ensure that patientsreceivethebesthealthcare.
Minister Anthony stated also that the construction and renovation of health centres arepartofthegovernment’sbroadereffortsto decentralise and expand healthcare services providedtoGuyanese.
Further several regional hospitals have beenbuiltandothersarebeingconstructedto providespecialisedcaretoresidents.
A wave of public criticism has erupted followingtheunveilingoftheofficiallogofor Guyana’s 60th Independence Diamond JubileebytheMinistryofCulture,Youthand Sport Guyana, with many Guyanese describing the winning design as uninspired and raising concerns about the ministry’s generalapproachtothemilestonecelebration.
TheministrylastMondayannouncedthat adesignsubmittedbyJenelleAdamshadbeen selected as the winner of its national logo competition, describing the process as a “rigorous evaluation” carried out by a Ministerial Sub-Committee. The logo, the ministry noted in a Facebook post, would serve as a unifying symbol throughout the Jubilee year, representing the resilience, culture,andidentityoftheGuyanesepeople.
However, within hours of the announcement, the design drew sharp backlashacrosssocialmediaplatforms,where critics questioned both its quality and the integrityoftheselectionprocess.“Iknewyou guys would choose an AI-generated logo. Predictable,” one Facebook user wrote under the ministry’s official post. Others echoed similar sentiments, accusing the ministry of disregarding its own competition guidelines andundermininglocalcreatives.
“Wasoneoftherulesofthecompetitionto notusegradientcoloring?Whatmessageisthis sending to creatives who took their time to createalogoandmatchallyourrequirements?” another commenter asked “This is very disappointing to see anAI image chosen over mysubmission I’mnotupsetaboutlosingbut I’mupsetthatthisAIgarbagewon”
The winning logo that was announced on Monday
Several users also cast doubt on the transparencyofthejudgingprocess.“Iwould havelovedtohearwhatwasdiscussedinthese rigorous evaluation meetings that made this logo the winner,” one comment read, while another suggested favoritism, stating that the outcome reflected “friends, families and favourites.”
Beyond questions of fairness, critics argued that the design itself failed to meet basicartisticstandards.Oneuserpointedtoa lackof“composition,creativity,balance,and identity,” warning that such decisions could discourage serious artists from participating in future national initiatives.Another bluntly describedtheoutcomeas“embarrassing.”
Thecontroversyhasalsoreignited Continued on page 22
April28(Reuters)-China’sCNOOCLtd(600938.SS),a 7.1%riseinfirst-quarternetprofitonTuesdayastheIranwar, pushedupglobaloilpricesandtheoffshoreoilandgasmajor increasedits
Net income for the January-to-March period was 39.14 billion yuan (US$5.73 billion), compared with 36.56 billion yuanayearearlier,accordingtoafilingwiththeHongKong StockExchangeonTuesday
CNOOC Ltd, the listed arm of China National Offshore Oil Company, reported total net production at ‘205.1 million barrelsofoilequivalent(boe)inthefirstquarter,up8.6%from ayearearlier,withproductionincreasingfrombothdomestic and overseas operations. Domestic net production was 140 million boe, up 7% year-on-year, with projects including Kenli10-2intheBohaiBasinoffnorthChinacontributing.
Overseas net production was 65.1 million boe, up 12.3% year-on-year,mainlyduetocontributionsfromprojectssuch asYellowtailinGuyana.
Thecompany’sunauditedoilandgassalesrevenuewas97 billion yuan, up 9.9% year-on-year CNOOC, as one of ‘world’s lowest-cost offshore producers, reported all-in production costs of $28.41 per barrel in the first quarter, up from2025whole-yearcostat$27.
First-quarter capital spending came in at 33.02 billion yuan, up 19.1% year-on-year, due to the accelerated deployment of exploration and adjustment wells and faster capacity construction. CNOOC’s ‘share price is likely to be supportedintheshorttermbygeopoliticaltensionsandglobal supplydisruptions,whiletheIranconflictisunlikelytoaffect itsproduction,accordingtoFitch‘Ratings.
“CNOOC’s overseas business accounts for about 35% of itsoilandgasassetsand31%ofsalesvolume,withCanadathe largest contributor and limited Middle East `exposure,” said BetsyGuo,AssociateDirectoratFitchRatings.
TheenergyministrytoldReutersanother10%comesfrom solar power making it one of the most renewable-based electricity systems in Europe. CNOOC’s Hong Kong-listed shares have risen 36.06% year-to-date, outperforming the Hang Seng Index (.HSI), opens new tab, which has gained 0.19%.($1=6.8356Chineseyuanrenminbi)
The cocaine and cannabis that were seized by police ranks
Onemanhasbeenarrestedafterpolicefoundaquantityof cannabisandcocaineonTuesdaymorning duringanoperation conductedattheCharityOldMarket,EssequiboCoast Enquiries revealed that ranks, acting on information received,wenttotheareawheretheyobservedan18-year-old unemployedmaleofCharityVillage.Uponseeingthepolice, the suspect reportedly threw a black bag into nearby bushes and attempted to escape, but he was pursued and apprehended.
Thebagwasretrievedandopenedinhispresence,during which a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis,alongwithaquantityofcreamishwhitishsubstance suspectedtobecocaine,werefound.
The suspect was arrested and escorted to the Charity Police Station, where the suspected narcotics were weighed in his presence. The suspected cannabis amounted to 64.6 grams, while the suspected cocaine amounted to 30 grams before both were lodged.The suspect remains in custody as investigationscontinue.
The Caribbean
C o m m u n i t y (CARICOM) on Tuesday cautioned Member States against being used to push claims that are before the International Court of Justice(ICJ).
CARICOM's statement followed President Irfaan Ali'sformalcomplainttothe body about Venezuela's President Delcy Rodriguez wearing a brooch that includes the Essequibo on officialvisitstoGrenadaand Barbadosthismonth.
PresidentAli in a formal protest wrote CARICOM (Caribbean Community)
Chairman and Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr Terrance Drew, describing the acts by the Venezuelan leader as a "calculated and provocative assertion" that threatens to undermineCaribbeanunity
The Guyanese leader said while Guyana fully respects the sovereign right of CARICOM Member States to conduct bilateral relations with all partners, including the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, it is “deeplyregrettablethatsuch engagements have been
accompanied by the prominent display of
symbols asserting Venezuela's claim to Guyana'sterritory.”
“The use of CARICOM engagements to project or promote a territorial claim againstaMemberStaterisks
being interpreted as acquiescence or tolerance.
No action, whether deliberate or inadvertent, shouldcreatetheimpression that the Community's platforms may be used to advance claims now before the International Court of Justice.
CARICOM's principled support for Guyana must be reflected not only in declarations, but also in the context and conduct of official engagements,” the presidentsaid.
Hours later, CARICOM in response said that it has taken note of the engagements and President Ali's letter on Tuesday and reaffirmed that each Member State retains the sovereign right to conduct bilateral relations with externalpartners.
“This principle is well established and respected within the Community.
Those engagements are conducted in a manner consistent with the shared obligations and collective c o m m i t m e n t s o f CARICOM.”
Notwithstanding, CARICOM said that “it u n d e r s c o r e s t h a t Community platforms and engagements should not be used, whether directly or indirectly, to advance or appear to legitimise claims that are the subject of o n g o i n g j u d i c i a l proceedings before the International Court of Justice.”
Additionally, the statement issued by the CARICOM Secretariat pointed to the commitments made under the Revised TreatyofChaguaramas-the bindinglegalinstrumentthat defines the Community, its objectives, and the conduct expected of its Member States.
“The Treaty commits Memberstothepreservation oftheCommunity'sintegrity and cohesion in their external relations, ” CARICOM said while m a i n t a i n i n g “ t h e Community's longstanding and unequivocal support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana,andforthepeaceful resolutionofthecontroversy through the Court remains firmandunchanged.”
CARICOM said too that it remains committed to unity, to the rule of law, and tothepeacefulsettlementof disputes in accordance with internationallaw
The ICJ will on May 4 begin several days of oral hearings on the merits of Guyana's case against Venezuela on the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Tribunal Award.
Guyana instituted the case in March 2018, following a determination
by United Nations
Secretary-General António GuterresthattheICJwasthe appropriate mechanism for resolving the longstanding controversybetweenthetwo countries.
Guyana is seeking the court's confirmation that the 1899ArbitralAward, which established the international boundary between Guyana and Venezuela, is legally validandremainsbindingon both states under internationallaw
Although Venezuela recognisedthevalidityofthe award and accepted the established boundary for more than 60 years, it reversed its position on the e v e o f G u y a n a ' s Independence, rejected the Award, and asserted a claim to more than two-thirds of Guyana's territory, encompassingtheEssequibo Region.
Venezuela previously sought to have the case dismissed, filing two objections to the court's jurisdiction in 2019 and 2022,respectively
Both objections were rejected by the court by overwhelmingmajorities.
Venezuela's nonrecognition of the tribunal award means that it continuestolayclaimtothe 160,000 square kilometre mineral and forest-rich Essequibo Region and Guyana's exclusive economic zone off that region.
In December 2023, following Guyana's request prompted by Venezuela's threats to seize and annex Guyana's territory, the ICJ ordered both parties to refrain from any actions that could d i s t u r b G u y a n a ' s administration andcontrol of the disputed territory while the case remains pending.
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DUBAI, April 28
(Reuters) - The UnitedArab Emirates on Tuesday said it wasquittingOPEC,dealinga blow to the oil producers' group as an unprecedented energy crisis caused by the Iran war exposes discord amongGulfnations.
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The exit of the UAE - one ofthegroup'sbiggestproducers - weakens 's control over global oil supplies and widens a rift between the UAE and its neighbour Saudi Arabia, effectively the leader oftheOrganizationofthePetroleumExportingCountries. It could also free the UAE to increase output once exports viatheGulfresumeasitwould no longer be governed by OPECquotas.Inhisfirstpublic comments since the announcement, UAE Energy MinisterSuhailMohamedalMazrouei told Reuters in a telephone interview that the decision was taken after examining the country's energy strategies. He said the UAE had not discussed the issue with any other country. "This isapolicydecision,ithasbeen done after a careful look at currentandfuturepoliciesrelated to level of production," ?Mazroueisaid.
UAEWILLLEAVE ONMAY1
He also said the world would demand more energy, implying the UAE would be positioned to meet that need. Oil prices on international markets trimmed gains on TuesdayfollowingtheUAE's announcement it would on May 1 leave OPEC and OPEC+,whichbringstogether OPEC and allied producers. Mazrouei said he did not expect much immediate market impactfromthenewsbecause of constraints in the Strait of Hormuz.
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OPEC Gulf producers have been struggling to ship exports through the Strait, a chokepointbetweenIranand Oman through which a fifth of the world's crude oil and liquefiednaturalgasnormally passes, because of Iranian threats and attacks against vessels.
As Gulf supplies have become stuck, the International Energy Agency said OPEC+'s share of global oil output fell to 44% in March from about 48% in February It is likely to fall further in April as production shut-ins become more pronouncedand then further in May as the fourth biggest producer leaves the group.
AWINFORUSPRESIDENTDONALDTRUMP?
The UAE's exit representsawinforU.S.President DonaldTrump,whoina2018 address to the .N. General Assembly ?accused the organisation of "ripping off the rest of the world" by inflating oil prices. Trump has alsolinkedU.S.militarysup-
portfortheGulfwithoilprices, sayingthatwhiletheU.S.defends OPEC members, they "exploitthisbyimposinghigh oil prices". Analysts said it wasalsopositiveforconsumersandthebroadereconomy "This opens the door for the UAE to gain global market share when the geopoliticalsituationnormalises,"said Monica Malik, chief economist at ADCB. Jorge Leon, analyst at Rystad, noted the UAE's significance as one of the few members of OPEC, apartfromSaudiArabia,with spare production capacity thatallowsitto?addextraoil to the market. "Outside the group, the UAE would have both the incentive and the abilitytoincreaseproduction, raising broader questions about the sustainability of Saudi Arabia's role as the market'scentralstabiliser,"he said.
Once firm allies, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh have de-
veloped a simmering rivalry, clashing on issues from oil policy and regional geopoliticstotheraceforforeign?talent and capital.
The UAE is a regional business and financial hub and one of Washington's most important allies. It has pursued an assertive foreign policy and carved its own sphere of influence across the Middle East and Africa. Especiallyaftercomingunder attackduringtheIranwar,the UAE has strengthened its relationships with the United States and Israel, with which it opened ties in ?the 2020 Abraham Accords. It views therelationshipwithIsraelas aleverforregionalinfluence and a unique channel to Washington.SomeGulfleaders,meanwhile,metinperson on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia, a summit that a Gulf official saidaimedtocraftaresponse to the thousands of Iranian missileanddronestrikestheir nations have faced since the U.S.andIsraellaunchedtheir war on Iran in late February
From page 16 prioritisation of high-confidence, high-priority drill targets for the upcoming programme and beyond.
Moreover, U92 said its technical team has been workingwithWatts,Griffis& McOuat (WGM), to reinterpret historical drilling data, geological mapping, and available geophysical datasets across the project area.
The company explained thatthisworkbuildsonmore than129,000metresofhistorical drilling completed on the licences at the Kurupung Project, along with an extensive historical drilling data-
base across multiple deposits and target areas.
With over 14,000 metres of historic drilling, which is not included in the historical MRE,thefirmsaiditisrefining its geological model to supportfuturedrilltargeting. The company underscored that particular emphasis has been placed on structurally controlled zones associated with known uranium mineralisation, including areas along strike from previously identified deposits withinmagneticlowcorridors, as well as underexplored targetswherepriordrillingintersected significant uranium mineralisation.U92saiditwill
provide further updates as mobilisation progresses, and whendrillingcommences.
Thecompanyhighlighted thatthehistoricaluraniumresourceestimatesarefromtwo technical reports by Alexander & Breede (2009) and Workman & Breede (2012).
These estimates are considered historical, have not been verified as current mineralresources,andshouldnot be relied upon.
The company noted that sufficientworktoclassifythe historical estimate as a currentmineralresource,andthe Company does not treat it as such.
From page 18 criticism of what some observers describe as a slow and underwhelming lead-up to Guyana’s 60th Independence celebrations. The logo competition was one of the few publicly announced initiatives tied to the anniver-
sary,whichisbeingpromoted undera“homecoming”theme aimed at fostering national pride and reconnecting with the diaspora. The ministry had invited creatives nationwide to submit original designs reflecting Guyana’s heritage and aspirations,
promising that entries would bejudgedoncreativity,originality, and relevance to national identity The winning logowasexpectedtobecome a central visual emblem for the Jubilee. The ministry has since provided no response to the issue.
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Ex x o n M o b i l
Guyana Limited (EMGL) has awarded a new drilling
contract to offshore
c o n t r a c t o r N o b l e Corporation for its Noble
Developer, a semisubmersiblerig,atadayrate ofUS$375,000.
According to Noble's first quarter 2026 earnings report,itsecuredaone-well contract with ExxonMobil for operations in Guyana. The contract is expected to begin in early 2027, immediately following the rig's current drilling programme.
EMGL has already contracted four of Noble's drillships operating in Guyana's prolific Stabroek
Blockatamarket-basedday rates in the low-to-high US$400,000 range Exxon's in its contract with Noble agrees to pay the market-based day rate for the drill rigs: Noble Tom Madden, Noble Sam Croft, Noble Don Taylor, and NobleBobDouglas. The day rates for Tier 1 drillshipslikethoseworking inGuyanahaverangedfrom thelowtohighUS$400,000. Notably, market-based day rates are reset twice per year (March 1, and September 1 each year) to the projected market rate at thattime.
It should be noted that for every day that the drill ships work, Guyana will have to foot the bill. Owing
to the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), GuyanasignedwithExxon–all of the company's expenses will be recovered. Under the deal, Exxon receives profits after 75 percent is withdrawn to coveroperationalexpenses.
In May 2023, Noble announcedthatExxonMobil Guyana had extended their contractfortherentalofthe four ultra-deep-water drill ships to work in Guyana untilsecondquarterof2027. The following year, the company announced that ExxonMobil has extended its contract for four of its drillships to work in the StabroekBlock.
According to Noble, ExxonMobil awarded 4.8
additional rig years of backlog under the Commercial Enabling Agreement (CEA) which has been assigned evenly across the four drill ships extendingeachrig'scontract duration from June 2027 to August2028.
This publication had reportedthatExxonhadalso contracted drill rigs from StenaforitsStabroekBlock operations.
DUBAI, April 28 (Reuters)-Twomonthsinto a war with the U.S. and Israel, Iran no longer has a single, undisputed clerical arbiter at the pinnacle of power — an abrupt break with the past that may be hardeningTehran'sstanceas itweighsrenewedtalkswith Washington.
Since its creation in 1979, the Islamic Republic has revolved around a supreme leader with final authority on all key matters ofstate.
But the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the first day of the war, and the of his wounded son, Mojtaba, have ushered in a differentorderdominatedby commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and marked by the absence of a decisive, authoritativereferee.
Mojtaba Khamenei remains at the apex of the system, but three people familiar with internal deliberations say his role is largely to legitimize decisions made by his generals rather than issue directives himself. Wartime pressure has concentrated power into a narrower, harder-line inner circle rooted in the Supreme
National Security Council (SNSC), the Supreme Leader's office and the IRGC, which now dominates both military strategy and key political decisions, Iranian officials andanalystssay “The Iranians are painfully slow in their response,” said a senior Pakistani government official briefed on peace talks between Iran and the UnitedStatesthatIslamabad has been mediating. “There is apparently no one decision-making command structure. At times, it takes them2to3daystorespond."
Analysts said the obstacle to a deal is not internalinfightinginTehran, but the gap between what Washington is prepared to offer and what Iran's hardline Guards were willing to accept The diplomaticfaceofIranatthe talks with the U.S. has been Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, more recently joinedbyparliamentspeaker MohammedBaqerQalibaf-a f o r m e r G u a r d s commander, Tehran mayor andpresidentialcandidate-who has emerged during the warasakeyconduitbetween Iran's political, security and clericalelites.
People ride motorcycles near a billboard featuring an image of Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, amid a ceasefire between U.S. and Iran, in Tehran, Iran, April 20, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS/File Photo
Ontheground,however, the central interlocutor has been IRGC commander Ahmad Vahidi, according to a Pakistani and two Iranian sources who identified him weeks ago as Iran's pivotal figure,includingonthenight a ceasefire was announced. Mojtaba, who was severely injuredintheopeningIsraeli andU.S.strikethatkilledhis fatherandotherrelativesand left him disfigured with serious leg wounds, has not appeared publicly and communicates through IRGCaidesorlimitedaudio
links because of security constraints,twopeopleclose tohisinnercirclesaid.
The stunning loss of the UAE, a longstanding OPEC and OPEC+ member, could sowdisarrayandweakenthe energy producing bloc There was no immediate reply from the Iranian foreignministrytoarequest for comment on the issues raised in this article. Iranian officials have previously denied any divisions over negotiationswiththeUnited States.
REALPOWER WIELDEDBY WARTIME LEADERSHIP, INSIDERSSAY
Iran submitted a new proposal to Washington on Monday,whichaccordingto senior Iranian sources envisions staged talks, with the nuclear issue to be set asideatthestartuntilthewar ends and disputes over Gulf shipping are resolved Washington insists the nuclear issue must be addressedfromtheoutset.
“Neither side wants to negotiate,” said Alan Eyre, an Iran expert and former U.S. diplomat, adding that both believed time would weaken the other -- Iran through leverage over Hormuz and Washington through economic pressure andablockade.
Fornow,neithersidecan afford to bend, Eyre said: Iran's IRGC is wary of appearing weak to Washington,whilePresident Donald Trump faces midterm election pressure andlittleroomforflexibility withoutpoliticalcost.
"For either, flexibility wouldbeseenasweakness," Eyre said That caution reflectsnotjustthepressures
pressure, particularly on nuclear policy and Iran's regionalreach.
In practice, the Guards' ideologyshapesstrategyand decision-makingrestsfirmly in their hands. With the country at war and Ali Khamenei gone, no actor inside the system has the power or scope to resist them,eveniftheywishedto, the people close to internal discussionssaid.
of moment, but the way power is now exercised insideIran.WhileMojtabais formally Iran's ultimate authority, he is a figure of assentratherthancommand, insiders say, endorsing outcomes forged through institutional consensus, rather than imposing authority Real power, they say, has moved to a unified wartime leadership centered ontheSNSC.
“Important deals probablypassthroughhim,” Iranian analyst Arash Azizi said, “but I can't see him overruling the National Security Council How could he go against those runningthewareffort?”
Hardline figures such as former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili and a cluster of radicalMPshaveraisedtheir profile using forceful rhetoric during the war, but they lack the institutional clout to derail decisions or shape outcomes Mojtaba owes his elevation to the Guards, who sidelined pragmatists and backed him asareliableguardianoftheir hardlineagenda.
Already strengthened by war, the Guards' growing dominance signals a more aggressive foreign policy and tighter domestic repression, sources familiar with the country's inner policy-making circles told Reuters.
Driven by revolutionary Islamismandasecurity-first worldview, the Guards see their mission as preserving theIslamicRepublicathome while projecting deterrence abroad. That outlook, often sharedwithhardlinersacross thejudiciaryandtheclerical establishment, prioritises rigid centralised control and resistance to Western
The choice facing Iran's leadership is no longer between moderate and hardline policy, but between hardline and even harder line. A small faction may argue for pushing further still, two Iranian sources close to power circles said, buteventhatimpulsehasso farbeenkeptincheckbythe Guards.
The shift marks a decisivereorderingofpower from clerical primacy to security dominance. “We've gone from divine power to hard power,” said Aaron David Miller, a former U.S. negotiator "From the influenceoftheclericstothe i n f l u e n c e o f t h e RevolutionaryGuardCorps. This is how Iran is being governed.”
While differences of o
consolidatedaroundsecurity institutions, with Mojtaba actingasacentralconvening figure rather than a lone decider,addedAlexVatanka, senior fellow at the Middle EastInstitute.
Despite sustained military and economic pressure from the United States and Israel, Iran has shownnosignsoffractureor capitulation nearly nine weeksintothewar
Nor, as Miller noted, is there evidence of fundamental rifts within the system or meaningful opposition on the streets. That cohesion suggests that command now sits with the Guards and security services, which appear to be driving the war rather than merely executing it A strategic consensus has emerged—avoidareturnto full-scale war, preserve leverage,especiallyoverthe Strait of Hormuz, and emerge from the conflict politically, economically and militarily stronger, Millersaid.
The Westside Golf Course welcomed dozens of food enthusiasts on Sunday foritsfirst-everBreakfaston theGreenevent,deliveringa unique blend of dining, leisure, and sport in a scenic outdoor setting. The event was hosted by Monnaf Arjune, Madewini Gardens Pools&EcoResort.
Among those in attendance was former Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, who joined patrons in enjoying the relaxing atmosphere, exceptional cuisine, and the distinctive combination of golfandbreakfast.
Guests were treated to a well-curated menu while overlooking the lush greens,
Frompage31 solid but still allowed the Eagles to pile up a copious amountofruns.
Volcanoes opener
AckeemAuguste(7)playeda mirroring innings, falling to pace yet again this time to Shamar Joseph (1-4), at basically the same time and periodoftheinningstowhich hedidafewdaysago.
Anotherreoccurringplay was opener Stephan Pascal (4*)andKavemHodge(4*), who have been tasked yet againtotryinthisgoaround to probably aim for a draw when they resume the hunt today
Bylunch,theEagleswere 122-5 with Chanderpaul safelygettingtohisfiftyafter toiling for most of the morningsession.
continuing his growth as a full-fledged, lower-order batsman which has been a welcome for the West Indies and Guyana, especially in a crisissituation.
Motie's aggression and timing took immense pressure off Chanderpaul, smacking 8 fours and a six before falling to part-timer KavemHodge(1-33).
A n u n m o v e d Chanderpaul,inthe90'skept his cool and when the time was right, scurried for his runs which brought up the first century by a Harpy Eaglesplayerthisseason.
WednesdayApril 29, 2026
ARIES (Mar 21–Apr 19
If you admit you've made a mistake, people are more likelytoforgiveyou.Youhave a confrontational day ahead, Aries.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
You may have been wishing for some recognition and appreciation lately. Perhaps you had your eye on a promotionatwork.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
Ifyouhappentobetrainingfor a new trade, learning a new technique, or perhaps you're being evaluated after an internship period, you can expect these pursuits to concludeonahighnote.
CANCER(June21–July22)
Although you might find the dayaheadsomewhatstressful, it's a key day in your professional evolution. Since you've lacked inspiration lately, you must not miss the opportunity you'll be presentedwithtoday
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
oday the celestial energy will be trying to teach you something, Leo, specifically, how to share with others. But first you must get to a place where you truly want to share somethingofyourself.
VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)
Today'senergywillbemaking you think only about your relationships, Virgo. It isn't easytohaverelationshipswith others, as you may have noticed The respective demands of each one in a relationshipcanbedifficult.
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Some of your demons may come back to haunt you today, Libra. You could find yourself battling some of those same old doubts and insecurities that you thought you'dleftbehind.
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)
It might seem like you no longer completely believe in what you're doing, Scorpio, perhaps because you've been goingalittletooquicklyinyour questtogetwhatyouneed
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)
Today's planetary energies will be very demanding, Sagittarius. As you agonize overwhetherornotyou'reup to“standard,"theplanets,ina very cheeky way, respond thatyouarenot!
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
You seem to want to become old and wise before your time, Capricorn Today's aspects will take you by the handandleadyoubackintothe heatoftheaction,experiencing lifeinallitsintensity
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)
You're likely to have tremendous concentration that seemstohavematerializedout of nowhere Use this to your advantage, Aquarius, because itmaynotlastlong.
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
Be careful about shutting yourselfofffromtherestofthe world, Pisces. You might hesitate to talk to people.You could have the feeling that
creating an experience that seamlessly merged fine dining with recreation
Feedbackfromattendeeswas overwhelmingly positive, with many highlighting the event as a standout familyfriendlyexperience.
Younger guests, in particular, expressed their excitement, taking full advantage of the open invitation to explore the grounds, learn the basics of golf, and even experience driving a golf cart—adding aninteractiveandmemorable dimension to the morning's activities.Locatedjustoffthe CraneRoundabout,Westside GolfCourseisGuyana'sonly public golf facility Open daily from 10-8pm, it offers an inviting space for individuals and families to enjoy high-quality service, food, beverages, and desserts,whilealsoproviding opportunities to learn and play the game of golf Equipment and balls are available, ensuring accessibility for beginners andenthusiastsalike.
Following the success of this inaugural event, Westside Golf Course looks forward to hosting Dinner UndertheStarseveryFriday, Saturday and Sunday (reservations available by calling645-0944).
Chanderpaul's master innings perhaps came at the expense of a few of his teammates, as skipper Tevin Imlach (32) and keeper Kemol Savory (12) and allrounders Keemo Paul (11) alongside Richie Looknauth (1)failedtopushforward.
OnlyMotieheldhisown,
By the time Chanderpaul raised his bat, Guyana had alreadyamassedawhopping 250-plus run lead with an entire afternoon session still intact but with wickets dwindling.
Veerasammy Permaul (29) hit a pair of fours and a six while Shamar scored a run-a-ball17featuringafour and a six, as the Eagles tail yet again stood tall with the battotheverylastwicket.
The final day of action continuestoday
The stage is set for a t h r i l l i n g conclusion to the 2026 'Kings of the Streets' Futsal Championship, with the grand finale scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, April 30, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall tarmac.
Following some electrifying semifinal action lastevening,thetournament has now reached its most anticipatedmoment.
Yesterday, tournament supporters were treated to a
high-energy showcase as Festival City, North East, Team Spirit, and Ballers Empirebattledfiercelyfora place into tomorrow's final.
Each contest delivered the intensity, the skill, and the street-style flair that has definedthisformat.
The semifinal night saw two lively exhibition matches that warmed up the crowd before the stakes intensified.
In semifinal #1, Festival CityclashedwithNorthEast in a gripping encounter,
while the second semifinal sawTeamSpiritgoingheadto-head with Ballers Empire in a battle for the remaining finalsberth.
Asanticipationbuildsfor
showdown, organisers have ensured that fans will be entertained from start to finish.
Adding to the spectacle,
shootoutisscheduledforthe halftime break, promising a
highlight for supporters in
Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), through its locally produced beverage brandsTOPCOJuiceDrinks and Savannah Milk, has announced the signing of two outstanding Guyanese cricketers as official Brand Ambassadors.
Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie will representtheSavannahMilk brand, while Women's allrounder Sheneta Grimmond willrepresentTOPCOJuice Drinks.
Bothathletesarerapidly advancing in their professionalcareers,making thispartnershipatimelyand significantinvestmentinthe futureofGuyanesecricket
T h r o u g h t h i s collaboration, Motie and Grimmond will represent their brands in marketing campaigns, community outreach initiatives, and promotional activities throughout the year, further strengthening the sport's visibility and impact nationwide.
Cricket holds a special place in Guyanese culture, and DDL's investment in these partnerships reflects its commitment to aligning its brands with individuals who inspire the nation both onandoffthefield.
Both athletes have firmly established themselvesinbothdomestic and international cricket, earning widespread recognition as players of exceptional talent and excellence.
“At DDL, supporting local talent is seen as a
New Brand Ambassadors for Savannah Milk and TOPCO Gudakesh Motie and Sheneta Grimmond.
attendance.
Tournament coordinator has also extended an open
enthusiasts and the wider
public to come out in full force and witness the c
champion. With momentum fromthesemifinalscarrying
unforgettable atmosphere and top-tier futsal action underthelights.
r esponsibility These two cricketers represent the determination and passion that define both our brands andournation. As they continue to rise intheirprofessionalcareers, weareproudtostandbehind themandinvestinthefuture ofGuyanesecricket.Weare delighted to welcome them totheTOPCOandSavannah family,” said Marketing Director, Sharda VeerenChand.
G r i m m o n d said: “It's an honour to partner with DDL and TOPCO, brands that have beenpartofourcountryand culture for so many years. I'm proud to represent a company that continues to investinlocaltalent.”
Motie added, “This partnership means a lot to me.Crickethasgivenmeso much, and I'm excited to work with a brand that supportsthedevelopmentof youthandsportinGuyana.”
The stage is set for a blockbuster finale in the 2026 Commissioner of Police T20 Cup, when action gets underway tomorrow, ThursdayApril 29 from 13:00h at the Police Sports Club Ground.
After inclement weather forced the final round of the tournament to be rescheduled, defendingchampionsHeadquarterswillnow facelastyear'srunners-upandfinalistsagain thisyear,withtheGPFOfficers.
This encounter will be somewhat of a returngrudgematchandahigh-octanebattle with huge implications involved for both teams, who are ultimately gunning for this year'schampionship.
Meanwhile, in the 3rd Place Play-Off, a keenlycontestedbattlebetweenRegion3and Region6startingat9:00amwillalsoheadline Thursday's final round; with their being the ideal appetizer ahead of the main course betweenHeadquartersandtheOfficers.
2026/27 West Indies Regional 4-Day Championships Round 3…GHE vs WWIV Day 3...
ByCliftonRoss
Opener Tagenarine
Chanderpaulfinallybrokethe shackles after a few halfcenturies this season, by carving a laser-focused, unbeaten hundred which left the Windward Volcanoes, in an uphill battle as they hunt the 302 runs required for victory with a day left at the CoolidgeCricketGround.
Following their 1st innings242allout,theEagles wouldgoontorackup299all out in 99.1 overs batting a second time, leaving the Volcanoes a gargantuan 300plustargetwithadayleft.
Although Chanderpaul was his usual self in the middle, he played more like hisfatherthegreatShivnarine Chanderpaul, by carrying his bat towards a triple figure score; notching up his 9th 1st classton.
His 117 not out off 297 balls with 10 fours and a solitary maximum was exactly what the Eagles
continue further piloting the innings for the entirety of Guyana'sinningsofday3.
The trio of Ryan John (358), Kenneth (3-52) Dember and Gilon Tyson (2-53) were (Continuedonpage29)
Opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul stroked the first hundred of the season for Guyana while putting his team in a winning position.
needed,notjustfortheoverall directionastheylooktoclose out the tournament with another piece of silverware; butsomethingforthebowlers toplaywithduringthesecond innings.
GudakeshMotie,whowill have another important spell come today, gifted his team a brisk 53 off 66 balls which helped Chanderpaul to
Mark Wiltshire displays the first place Trophy.
TheannualOneGuyanaPrimeMinister'sdominoes tournamentissetforMay5atShanghaiPlaceinthemining townofLinden.
Entrancefeeis$25,000formaleteamsand$20,000for femaleteams.Thewinningteamwilltakehomeatrophyand $1,000,000,runnerup$400,000,thirdplace$300,000and fourthplace$100,000.
Thebestuniformedteamwillreceive$100,000andthe MVPinthefinal$20,000.Thetournamentwillbeplayedon afour-game,six-sitting,twoinoneoutbasis.Teamscan contactShanghaion621-7925orMarkWiltshireon6598672forregistration.
By Samuel Whyte
Organizerandsponsorof the New Amsterdam Inter Secondary school female Cricket competition, Ms. Petula Angela Samuels aka Petal Samuels, was in Guyana to make preparations and arrangements for thetournament.
The overseas based Guyanese Halloffamerandawardeealsomet with Mayor of New Amsterdam Wainwright McIntosh during her visittoherhomeland.
Thecompetitionwillbeknown as the Georgia Women Cricket Association-NewAmsterdamInter Secondary Schools girls' Inaugural T10crickettournament.
It will be held from the 12th14th June. All matches will be played at the Berbice High School groundbeginningat09:00hrs.The finalissetforthe14thbeginningat 15:00hrs.
ApartfrommeetingwithMayor Mc Intosh. Ms. Samuels met with representatives of the Ministry Of Education and the respective schools. She also put together a local committee headed by Mayor Mc Intosh that will assist in the organizingofthetournament.
Samuels a native of New Amsterdam, was a former student oftheNewAmsterdamMultilateral
Secondary School. She migrated and has been living in the United Statesfordecades.
She has a long and outstanding career in the area of Sports, Sports administration and Community DevelopmentwhilstinGuyanaand overseas.
Sheisthefounderandpresident of Georgia Women Cricket Association (GWCA) and Atlanta Pearls Women's Cricket team Apartfromplayingthegamesheis certified Cricket Umpire and Cricket coach. Over the years she has organized cricket development camps, coaching clinics and tournaments in the USAand plans
todothesamethinghere. Hergoalshesaidisdeveloping cricketerstotheirfullestpotential.
Heraimistoimpartsomeofher skillslearntovertheyearsoverseas, back in Guyana. The goal being,
spurring the development of women's cricket in USA and Guyana.Shewantstousehertalent andvastexperiencegainedoverthe years to do the same back home in Guyana.
In 2015 she was inducted into the Cricket Hall of Fame in Hartford, CT In March 2016 she washonoredbytheGeorgiaHouse of Representatives for her work in promoting youth and women's cricket. She was presented with a Resolution at a ceremony held at theGeorgiaStateCapitol. She was also presented with a proclamation by the Mayor of the City of Forest Park declaring March 8, 2016 as “Petula Samuels Day.”
Attractive prizes including cash, trophies and other incentives will be awarded to the top teams andoutstandingindividualplayers.
After an absence of two years, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS would be publishing its annual youth review magazine The club was forced to shelve publication of the magazine in 2024 and 2025 due to the illness of ClubSecretaryHilbertFoster but took a decision to go aheadwiththepublicationof the twenty fourth edition of themagazinethisyear Foster,statedthattheclub first published an annual magazinein2000attheFand H Printery with just two hundredcopies.
The long serving secretary stated that the current magazine would
consistoffiftytwopagesand that the entire magazine would be multi colored. The magazine would be handled by an editorial board headed byFosterandincludeRobby Kissoonlall, Keith Hicks, Tyrone Pottaya, Danellie M a n n s , J o n a t h a n Rampersaud and Nicholas Cameron.Itwouldbeprinted at J's Printery in New Amsterdam and is expected tobecompletedbyearlyJune for free distribution in Guyana, the Caribbean and NorthAmerica. RHTYSC C
Manager and Organising Secretary Robby Kissoonlall stated that the magazine would include numerous articles including remarks fromtheSecretary,Honorary Patron, Mayor of Rose Hall TownDaveBudhuandTown ClerkNatashaGriffith.Other articles would include achievements of the club 1990 to 2026, National Players for 2025, Official sponsorsoftheclub,profiles of the different teams of the
Mr Chandradatt Chinatamani hands over his support to youth cricketers of the club.
club, international players produced by the club and several pages of pictorial review
Major club activities like the annual cricket academy, Republic Bank Summer Camp, Christmas Village, MedicalOutreach,Christmas Charity Outreach and the T
highlighted in articles in the
MinistriesofAgricultureand Housing would also be contributing articles directed toyouths.
possible this year including the Ministry of Agriculture, M
, Panthera Solutions, Factory Price, KSM Investment, Bakewell, HA Snacks, GNNL, Berbice Cricket Board, Rose Hall Town Council, Poonai Pharmacy, Sterling Products Ltd, Chattergoon Sports, Deluxe Brand, Len and Sons Supermarket,
Chintamani, V Net Communications, Metro Office Supplies and Trophy Stall.
The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports would like to express thanks to all those who have contributed to
The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League
(CPL) has officially unveiled the fixtures for the 2026 season, with 39 matches set to take place from 7 August to 20 September
For the first time, the competition will feature seven teams, as Antigua & Barbuda Falcons, Barbados Royals, Jamaica Kingsmen, Guyana Amazon Warriors, SaintLuciaKings,StKitts& Nevis Patriots are joined by reigning champions the Trinbago Knight Riders in thebattleforCPLglory
The 2026 edition will also mark several historic milestones for the tournament.StVincent&the Grenadines will host CPL matches for the first time, with the opening fixtures scheduled for the scenic Arnos Vale Stadium,
Thirty junior cricketers of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club last week enjoyed a one day tour to the Garden city and also region three The visit was organisedbytheclubmanagement inconjunctionwiththeTrendsetter
visited included the seawalls area, the Red House, National Cricket Stadium, the Zoo, Botanical Gardens,FarfanandMendesHead Office,MinistryofHousingandthe newly opened Guyana-China FriendshipparkinWestDemerara.
TourGroupwithsponsorshipfrom theRiazComputerStore.
Players on the tour were selected from the Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy under11, 13 teams along with the Rose Hall Town Farfan and Mendes Ltd Under16team.
The excited group was accompanied by Club Secretary Hilbert Foster, Cricket Manager Robby Kissoonlall, Asst Cricket Manager Tyrone Pottaya and under19 players Danellie Manns and Nicholas Cameron. Places
Theywerealsotakenonabusride around the city at popular venues like the St George Cathedral and StabroekMarket.
Club Secretary Hilbert Foster stated that one of the main aims of the city tour was to educate the youthsonthedevelopmentstaking placeintheirhomeland.
The boys were privileged to meet former President of Guyana, DonaldRamoutar,duringtheirvisit to the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre. The former Guyana leader tracedthevalvedcontributionofDr
bringing the excitement of CPL cricket to a new audience.
At the other end of the tournament, Barbados will host the CPL finals for the first time, setting the stage foralandmarkconclusionto thecompetition.
PeteRussell,CEOofthe
Republic Bank Caribbean PremierLeague,said:“With an expanded tournament in 2026,wearedelightedtobe bringing CPL cricket to St Vincent & the Grenadines forthefirsttime. We are equally excited about hosting finals week in Barbados, where we have
ambitious plans to deliver the biggest and most memorable finale in the tournament's 14-year history
Each year, our goal is to raise the bar, and I am more confidentthaneverthatCPL 2026willbeourbestseason yet.”
Jagan to the country's fight for
development. President Ramoutar also urged the attentive youths to develop a culture of respect and discipline RHTYSC Honorary Patron,MinisterofHousingCollin Croal in a one hour meeting with the teams spoke widely of the importance of an educational background Minister Croal answeredawiderangeofquestions from the players and then donated sixjuniorcricketkitstotheclubfor its developmental programmes Organising Secretary Robby
Kissoonlallexpressedthankstothe Honorary Patron for his assistance and pledged to use the equipment for the intended purpose of unearthing more talents for the future.
Theyouthsalsovisitedthehead offices of their sponsor Farfan and Mendes Ltd, where General M
es expressed his delight to host them.
MrMendescongratulatedtheteam onrepresentinghiscompanybrand well over the years and cautioned themonthemisuseofillegaldrugs andalcohol. Thetourendedwitha
visittotheSevenPondsareainthe Gardenswhereseveraloutstanding Guyanese are buried including three Presidents, national poet Martin Carter and Sir Sonny Ramphal.
The management of the club wouldliketoexpressthankstothe Ministry Of Tourism, Trendsetter ToursandRiazComputerStorefor the roles in making the visit a success. Theclubintendstomake moreofthesevisitsinthefuturein their ongoing personal development programme for its youthcricketers.
The Regional Police Division #6 (East Berbice Corentyne) of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) recently hosted a one day domino competition a
s Headquarters compound in New Amsterdam. The day's activity brought together ranks from across the division, members of the public, and representatives fromthejointservices.Atthe end of the competition, Subdivision No1, which is l e d b y A s s i s t a n t
Action in the dominoes competition as Deputy Superintendent Michael Newland contemplate his next move.
Superintendent Quacy Gravesande with 54 games came out on top. The other players were S. Coppin, D. Gomes T Christian, T Munroe, M. Deen and C. Paul. In second place was guest team Fire Service with 5 1 g a m e s , w h i l e Headquarters with 47 games placedthird.
Theotherteamsthattook part were Sub Division No2, Sub Division No 3 and SpecialConstabulary
The outstanding players were – D Gomes and Munroe of the No 1 SubDivisionandJ.Amsterdamof Fire Service. The first love was administered by KingBarry
(Continuedonpage32)
After four electrifying nights of action, the Georgetown Zone of the Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” Championship reachesitssemifinal'sclimax tonight, April 29, at the National Cultural Centre Tarmac,withadoubleheader that promise some riveting action The opening encounter will see former champions Leopold Street take on New Bay Ballers (formerlyTigerBay)inwhat many are already describing as a “virtual final.” Both teams boast rich histories, but Leopold Street, with a title already in the bag, may hold a slight edge over the new faced Tiger Bay side. Theirpassionatefanbaseson both sides of the fence will expect nothing short of a championship performance. Withexperienceandprideon the line, neither team is expected to give an inch in pursuitofaplaceinthefinal.
Thesecondsemifinalpits two of the tournament's breakout teams; Island All Stars,acraftyunit,andBent Street B, backed by several promising junior talents in a matchup guaranteed to produce a first-time finalist. Both sides, considered dark horses, have played with confidence and fearlessness, dismantling several established opponents along the way.With close to $2 million in prize money and
trophies at stake, along with an automatic berth in the National Guinness Finals, the incentive is firmly in placeforapulsatingnightof streetfootball.
Judgingfromthesupport over the past few nights, a massive turnout is expected. LeopoldStreetandNewBay Ballers traditionally attract strong followings, while the rise of Island All Stars and BentStreetBisalsolikelyto mobilize support from their respectivecommunities. Interestingly, all four semifinalists began their campaigns as underdogs but have delivered standout performances to reach this stage, eliminating formidable street football giants such as Back Circle, GoldisMoney,SpartaBoss, and defending champions LaingAvenuealongtheway Tonight's action will begin with the Plate Championship, featuring North East La Penitence, Festival City, Team Cruel, National All-Stars, Sparta Boss, Gold is Money, Laing A v e n u e , a n d Albouystown setting the toneforwhatpromisestobe a blockbuster night of street football.
With pride, prize money, and progression on the line, Georgetown is set for a semifinal spectacle that couldredefinethebalanceof powerinthesport.
The National Sports
Commission (NSC) continued its community outreach efforts with the distribution of a quantity of footballs to youths in Farmers Field, Plum Park, South Sophia, in a move aimed at strengthening grassroots sport and youth engagement.
Theinitiativewasledby Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, following direct intervention from community leader Andre Jackman, who advocated on behalf of young players in the area.Jackman expressed gratitude for the timely support, noting that the equipmentwillplayacritical role in sustaining youth involvement in football, particularly with the recent upgrades to the community ground “This distribution came at a meaningful time, whereitwillbeusedtohelp engage our youths and help
them to utilize the ball field which was recently upgraded by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports,” Jackmansaid.
He explained that footballremainsthesportof choice among many young people in South Sophia, but access to proper equipment hasoftenbeenachallenge.
“With the playfield recently upgraded, it has now become a space where many of them are meaningfully occupied, and this support will only enhancethat,”Jackmansaid.
In an invited comment, Ninvalle reiterated the NSC's commitment to supporting communities acrossGuyana,emphasising that initiatives like these are part of a broader national efforttopromotesportatthe grassrootslevel.
“The NSC has always assisted communities throughout Guyana, and
Sophia is no different,” Ninvallestated.“Withmany community grounds being upgraded by the Ministry of
Withatopprizeof$1Mand$400,000for thelosingfinalistbeingatstakethisFridayin theinauguralKashifandShanghaiorganized in association with the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) Linden Inter Wardfootballtournament,thetoptwoteams from group play are going to be decided tonight(Wednesday)attheBayrockNational Stadium.
Thesecondplacedqualifiersinthegroup play will then play on Friday for third and fourth places where $200,000 goes to that winner and $150,000 the fourth placed finisher.In the last set of matches played on day two, Monday, in a Group A clash, the Central /South Mackenzie/ Mines and Amelia's Ward / Kara/Kara /Bamia match ended in a 0-0 stalemate, but the Group B clash ended with a lopsided 4-1 victory for Silvertown against Block 22/ Wisrock with strikerShaneHaynesgettingdoublewithone each for Azainneo Benjamin and Shemiah Samuels.Tonight's double header feature startsat7.00pmwhenBlueberryHilltakeon Block22andat8.30pmOneMile/HalfMile/ SchemematchskillswithAmelia'sWard.
Having won their first of two games, a draw would secure One Mile/ Half Mile/Schemegoingsafelythrough.Theyare favouritestoreachthisfinalhavingwhipped Central/SouthMackenzie/Mines5-0onthe openingnight.
Central/ South Mackenzie/ Mines' only hopetohaveachancetoplayforthirdplace now rests with a six-goal defeat ofAmelia's Ward/ Kara Kara / Bamia, which seems unlikely against One Mile/ Half Mile/ Scheme, who only need to avoid defeat to advancetothefinal.
Meanwhile, play in Group B brings together Blueberry Hill /Alleys/Valleys/ Christianburg who are favoured to beat Block 22/Wisrock, after Block 22/Wisrock lost their game against Silvertown/ West Watooka/ Canvas City 4-1, and Blueberry HillhadrompedpastBlock224-1.
Asitisnow,awinwouldsendBlueberry Hill to the final, while Silvertown/ West Watooka/CanvasCityarealmostassuredof makingittothesecondplaceofthegroup,to qualifytovieforthirdandfourthplaceprizes onFridaynight.
Culture,YouthandSports,it is important that these facilities are fully utilised, especially by our young people.” He added that providing basic sporting equipment is essential to ensuring that
investments
opportunities for youth development.
Soesdyke Masters of Guyana cart off Grenada T20 Festival trophy
SoesdykeMastersofGuyanasurgedtoa commanding75-runwintoclaimtheannual Grenada T20 Festival trophy after beating Munroe Road Masters of Trinidad and Tobago in the final on Sunday at Tanteen ground,St.George,Grenada.
Soesdyke Masters reached a formidable 221-3 from the allotted 20-over having won thetossandoptedtotakefirststrike.
MunroeRoadMastersinreply,onlygotto 147-3attheexpirationofthe20-overs.
Opener Clement Archer struck a blistering, unbeaten 122 for Soesdyke Masterstoleadtheway
Theright-handedArcherclobberedeight sixesandninefoursduringhis59-ballstayat thecrease.
He also featured in a flamboyant, 148-
run, opening stand with Felix Walker who contributed20.
When Munroe Road Masters batted, Captain Anil Barlo offered a fight with 30 whileGlennFarleyandJeromeSmithscored 28*and23respectively.
Seamer Anthony Ifill grabbed 2-6 from two tidy overs while former Guyana youth pacer Ucil Armstrong also collected two wickets and conceded 29 runs from his maximum four overs delivering for the visitorsonaresponsivepitch.
The other teams that took part in the round-robin competition were: Spice Isles Masters, Amaas Masters and West Indies Masters.
Soesdyke Masters received a trophy and US$5000.
