K
Tuesday Edition Trump to meet AIETEUR NEWS with Venezuelan Opposition Leader Machado on Thursday January 13, 2026 - Vol. 19 No. 02
Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $100 readership
Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly
yesterday, 44,558
Liza One & Two on track to dry up in three years ...189M barrels remaining in Liza 1, 266M in Liza 2
Guyana’s population nears one million PAGE
18
1,000,000
Estimate as at December 31, 2024
956,044
878,674
900,000 800,000
759,567
700,000
723,673
751,223
746,955
CANU issues national warning after seizure of ecstasy
2012
‘$434 million in drugs off the streets’ ...CANU tightens grip as
701,718
600,000 560,330 500,000 400,000
1960
1970
1980
1991
2002
CH&PA shuts down Chinese supermarket in Bel Air
2022
2024
Males now outnumber females Region Three second most populated Guyana shifts from transit Foreign-born population at 3.0% route to regional disruptor
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday January 13, 2026
Tuesday January 13, 2026
Kaieteur News
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Liza One & Two on track to dry up in three years ...189M barrels remaining in Liza 1, 266M in Liza 2
T
he blistering extraction rates in the Stabroek Block led by American oil giant, ExxonMobil have slashed the projected lifespan of Liza One and the Liza Two developments. What should have been a 20year project life for each development has been reduced in half as the oil remaining will only last for another three years' time. Data available on the Ministry of Natural Resources website indicates that in 2025 Liza One produced an average 140,000 barrels per day (bpd) or 51.1M barrels during the year. Further, based on previous reports of the remaining resources in early 2025, it can be deduced that only about 188,940,000 barrels remain at Liza One. At current production levels,
the life of that project could come to an end in just over three years. The Liza One project, which commenced oil production in December 2019, has a reserve of 452 million barrels of oil (MBO). Similarly, the Data Centre on the ministry's website shows that about 250,000 bpd was produced at Liza Two in 2025 or a total of 91,250,000 barrels during the year. At current production levels, the 255,750,000 barrels remaining could be depleted in a little over two years. The Liza Two project has a reserve of about 570 MBO. That project commenced production in February 2022. ExxonMobil in consultation with the government has increased oil production at the two developments which have
22-year-old dies in Corentyne accident A vehicular accident on the No. 36 Public Road Corentyne, Berbice Sunday evening, has left a 22-yearold man dead and a parked vehicle badly damaged. Dead is Lakhram Etwaroo of No. 35 Village Corentyne. The fatal incident occurred at about 23:00 hours, involving motor car #PXX 9161 owned and driven by Sumesh James, a resident of Lot 1 West Public Road, #36 Village, and a parked motor car #PAE 7288 owned by 37-year-old Avinash Doodnauth, of Lot 2A, #36 Village, Corentyne. Police investigations revealed that James was proceeding south along the eastern driving lane of the said road allegedly at a fast rate, with Etwaroo as a passenger, when the driver lost control of the vehicle, collided with a GPL utility pole and then into motor car #PAE 7288, which was parked on the eastern side of the road on a concrete bridge. As a result, Etwaroo received injuries about his
Dead: Lakhram Etwaroo body and was removed from the vehicle by publicspirited citizens and taken to the Port Mourant Public Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical treatment. His body is currently at the Ramoo Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination. The driver, who fled the scene, was arrested and is assisting police with the investigations.
Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat
resulted in the reduced project life. Despite the ramp up, Guyana has not benefitted from larger revenues in the absence of a ring-fencing provision- this since Exxon deducts 75% of monthly production to meet its expenses. Notably, oil prices over the past few years surged in light of global developments including the RussiaUkraine war. The price per
barrel hovered around US$100 in 2022, the highest in the last five years. Since then, brent crude oil prices have been sliding, with the current rate now at US$62 a barrel. The recent move by President Donald Trump to a b d u c t Ve n e z u e l a n President, Nicolas Maduro and takeover the country's oil resources could see the price dropping further to about US$50 per barrel according to international media reports. With less oil to be produced by Guyana, given the shortened lifespan of Liza One and Liza Two, the country could expect a significant decline in revenue flow. Moreover, new projects to come online will be subjected to the lower oil prices which can affect the nation's development
agenda. Ring-fencing and Govt. Ring-fencing' simply means that each project would pay for itself. Since 2023, Guyana could have been enjoying higher profits from the first three oil projects had ring-fencing been implemented. Instead, Exxon has been utilising resources that should be in Guyana's purse to finance the Stabroek Block activities. In October 2023, when Brent crude prices averaged US$91, Vice President and chief policy maker for the sector, Bharrat Jagdeo explained that Guyana is foregoing revenue now to gain massive profits in the future.
He said, “We admitted that we are foregoing revenue now in exchange for massive future income because it's going into new projects that will increase production, and so even with the same share of the 50/50, plus the two percent royalty that the future income, because of the bigger scale will be massive in Guyana's case and we are deliberately foregoing that in this period for that purpose and then trying to grab this bone now could cause you to lose all the bones, the bigger bones too in the future.” The current state of affairs however casts doubt on his projection of “massive” future revenues.
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EDITORIAL
Guyana’s war on drugs The United States Government’s 2025 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) offers Guyana a blunt diagnosis: despite unprecedented oil wealth, high poverty levels, low-paying public sector jobs, weak institutions and corruption continue to make the country attractive to drug traffickers. At the same time, local authorities, particularly the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) point to tangible gains in seizures, convictions, intelligence capacity and regional cooperation. Between these two narratives lies an uncomfortable truth: Guyana is fighting harder than before, but the structural conditions that fuel the narcotics trade remain largely intact. There is no disputing that Guyana has become a major transshipment point for cocaine, nor that 2024 and 2025 marked watershed years in enforcement activity. The seizure of more than four metric tonnes of cocaine at an airstrip near the Venezuelan border, followed by the interception of a semi-submersible vessel carrying 2.3 metric tonnes off Guyana’s coast, represented the largest drug busts in the country’s history. These operations carried out with strong US cooperation pushed cocaine seizures from a paltry 62 kilograms in early 2023 to over 6,700 kilograms by September 2024. Yesterday CANU reported that an estimated GYD $433.9 million in narcotics was removed from circulation. The agency seized 235.9 kg of cocaine, 726.3 kg of cannabis, and smaller but concerning quantities of ecstasy and methamphetamine. Sixty-two persons were charged, 29 convictions secured, and fines climbed as high as $311 million, with prison sentences reaching four years. Thirteen firearms were also seized, half of them directly linked to narcotics operations, reinforcing the dangerous nexus between drugs and violent crime. Beyond seizures, CANU’s narrative is one of institutional maturation. Intelligence-driven interdiction, improved port and border targeting, deeper collaboration with the Guyana Police Force and Defence Force, and expanded partnerships with regional and international agencies all signal a shift from reactive policing to strategic disruption. The launch of Guyana’s National Early Warning System in 2025 is particularly significant, positioning the country to detect and respond to emerging synthetic drug threats before they gain a foothold. Prevention and demandreduction programmes reached over 5,600 beneficiaries, mostly in schools, while officers received specialised training in intelligence, forensics and maritime operations. Yet the US Government’s concerns cut deeper than seizure statistics. The INCSR makes clear that poverty and underpaid public servants, including law enforcement and customs officers remain a central vulnerability. Corruption, bribery and nepotism continue to undermine investigations, with charges often dropped, cases poorly prepared, and traffickers evading prosecution. The report’s reference to four GDF officers charged with trafficking over 200 kilograms of cannabis is a sobering reminder that the security forces themselves are not immune to the lure of the drug economy. This is the contradiction at the heart of Guyana’s antidrug campaign. On one hand, authorities insist the country is no longer content to be a “convenient corridor” and is asserting itself as a regional disruptor. On the other, the economic appeal of trafficking remains powerful in a society where many struggle to see tangible benefits from the oil boom. When public sector wages lag, oversight is weak, and the legal system is slow or compromised, traffickers find willing collaborators and exploitable gaps. Robeson Benn when he was home affairs minister had repeatedly argued that Guyana is not the marketplace for drugs but a transit point caught in the crosshairs of transnational crime. That may be true, but being a transit point does not absolve the state of responsibility. Transit countries often suffer the worst consequences: corruption, violence, eroded institutions and communities pulled into
Tuesday January 13, 2026
This President’s position on this matter is an insult to the people of Guyana DEAR EDITOR, President Irfaan Ali’s latest public comments regarding the assets of Minister Susan Rodrigues raise serious concerns, not only about transparency and accountability, but about the troubling double standards that have come to characterise governance in Guyana. What is most striking is that while the President found time to defend or dismiss questions surrounding ministerial assets, he again failed to acknowledge the gravity of the multiple and persistent allegations of corruption hanging over his government. This is not an isolated issue. Rather, it reflects a pattern in which allegations against senior officials are trivialised, deflected, or
ignored altogether. This posture is an insult to the people of Guyana. The clear message being sent is that when allegations of corruption involving government ministers are exposed, there is no intention to initiate independent or credible investigations. Instead, it is business as usual. Yet, when ordinary citizens are accused or suspected of wrongdoing, they are subjected to the full blunt of the law. A current example lies in the investigation of Customs O ff i c e r s w h o , b y a l l indications, were carrying out their lawful duties. While state resources are swiftly mobilised to scrutinise lower-ranking public servants and citizens, the same urgency is conspicuously absent when
serious questions arise about the conduct and wealth of those in political office. It is difficult to have confidence in the President’s commitment to impartial investigations when he himself previously faced 19 counts of fraud. Equally troubling are longstanding public allegations involving Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, including claims that major deals were conducted from his private residence. These are not matters of idle speculation; they are issues that have been openly discussed in the public domain. Indeed, it was President Ali who assured the nation that investigations would be conducted into allegations of corruption within his administration. Three years later, the
Guyanese people are still waiting. No findings. No reports. No accountability. Lest we forget, Mr. Jagdeo himself publicly stated that he intended to pursue legal action against Chinese businessman Mr. Su. To date, the nation continues to await any evidence of court filings or legal proceedings arising from that declaration. The cumulative effect of these developments is deeply disturbing. It creates a society in which politicians appear free to act with impunity, while citizens are left with a stark choice:l; put up or shut up. Is this the Guyana we are building? Is this the standard of governance we are prepared to bequeath to future generations? Yours faithfully, Annette Ferguson
How much do we know; how much do we care; what can we do? DEAR EDITOR, In a world plagued with instability, uncertainties and violence, and with the great powers inching inexorably towards a world war yet for all, despite this precarious situation, many see capital and assets accumulation, self- enrichment and climbing the social ladder as preferred options. Under these conditions it is hard for the average Guyanese rich and poor to focus on what is going on in the world around them and to think about the implications for their daily lives. Admittedly, it is perhaps unwise at this point in time to under or over-estimate the degree of national
consciousness prevailing domestically as regards understanding the hazardous nature of global developments. I recall many years ago because Cheddi Jagan in or out of the Legislative Council, later, National Assembly, would, in his speeches, situate Guyana in context of international developments, he would be criticized by opponents claiming; “We don’t want to hear about what’s happening overseas Cheddi, tell us about Guyana.!” Jagan would nevertheless persist because he considered educating the Guyanese people his historic mission. Those were the days
criminal networks. The rising overlap between drug trafficking and firearms, even as ammunition seizures decline, should set off alarm bells. The way forward is not merely more seizures, but deeper reform. The US recommendations: stronger port security, enhanced intelligence operations, tougher anticorruption measures and stiffer sentencing are not new, but they are urgent. Paying public servants, a living wage, insulating investigators and prosecutors from political interference, and ensuring cases are properly pursued through the courts are just as critical as maritime patrols and radar systems. CANU’s progress shows what is possible when resources, training and political backing align. But isolated agency success cannot compensate for systemic weakness. If Guyana truly intends to move from being a vulnerable corridor to a resilient disruptor, it must confront the uncomfortable reality that poverty, inequality and corruption are as central to the drug problem as boats, planes and border crossings. Until then, the war on drugs will remain a battle of impressive victories shadowed by persistent risk.
when, because of the Cold Wa r , t r e n d s i n t h e international situation were easily discernible, given the dominance of the two superpowers, the Warsaw Pact versus the NATO countries, the assertiveness of the nonaligned countries, coups and counter coups and the covert actions of intelligence agencies operating under the cloak of spheres of influence and unilateralism. With contributions by Jagan, Burnham and many other well-known Guyanese academics and intellectuals of that time, debates about global developments was the order of the day. And with the local press independently reporting and highlighting their own views editorially and otherwise on such matters, Guyanese were much the wiser about global affairs. Nowadays, save for information gleaned principally from the Western media, a few editorials and syndicated columnists now and then, it must be wellnigh impossible for Guyanese to understand, much less grasp the essence of the global chaos, instability and prospects of a nuclear war. Under prevailing circumstances, we are left to wonder how much do we know, how much do we care and what can we do to help
turn the tide from the breakdown of and trampling on international law; the revivification of spheres-ofinfluence; violating countries’ sovereignty; decapitation strikes on governing entities; passing laws to annexe huge chunks of countries’ territory and holding ‘elections’ to validate such laws; sending gunboats to intimidate and terrorize states and legitimate offshore investments in oil; kidnapping sitting Heads of State; enforcing control of the world’s largest proven reserves of crude oil and unilaterally assuming distribution of that country’s oil products globally; ‘running’ the internal affairs of another nation; dismantling the so-called ‘Rules-based International Order;’ maintaining illegal economic blockades of countries; extrajudicial killings at sea; abandoning the practice of ‘strategic ambiguity and ‘geo-political flexibility in international relations and diplomatic practice;’ appropriation through coercion of territory belonging to a NATO member; implications of aligning with a world power that gives short shift to international law; authorizing the CIA and MI5 to conduct covert activities in sovereign states; using (Continued on page 09)
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Tuesday January 13, 2026
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Abortion: Government Ignores We are witnessing a growing culture High Court Ruling for 10 Years of lawlessness, political victimization DEAR EDITOR On January 15, 2026, the Government of Guyana will celebrate its tenth anniversary of ignoring an unequivocal High Court ruling regarding the legal right of mid-level healthcare professionals to provide n o n - s u rg i c a l a b o r t i o n services in early pregnancy. In 1995, Guyana distinguished itself by becoming the first country on the South American continent to pass legislation making abortion legal. Now the Government embarrasses itself by its sustained avoidance of any positive action to implement a central facet of that law regarding mid-level healthcare professionals. One of the major innovations in the MTOP Act was a provision at section 5(1) for mid-level healthcare professionals to provide non-surgical abortion care in early pregnancies under the supervision of a doctor. The term “or supervised by a medical practitioner” did not mean physical presence; all that was required was for the doctor to be “on call”, accessible by phone. This is what we now proudly call telemedicine. The legal history of this provision is instructive of the power struggle between doctors and all other health care workers, in this case, nurses. The UK’s 1967 Abortion Act only contemplated abortions being performed by “registered medical practitioners” but by the late 70s termination by medical induction using extraamniotic fluid was in practice. And this procedure involved nurses. The process was slow and took 18-30 hours. So, this tedious service was left to nurses. The Royal College of Nursing was concerned about the vulnerability of its members, since nurses were not mentioned in the Abortion Act. The case reached the
House of Lords, where it was decided that so long as the nurse was acting under the direction of a medical practitioner, her/his actions were lawful. There was no need for the doctor to remain at the patient’s bedside; s/he just had to be accessible by phone. (Royal College of Nursing v DHSS [1981] 2 WLR 279) So, the primary consideration was the convenience of doctors rather than any empowerment of nurses. In our case, the driver for this provision was the hinterland – vast areas, sparsely populated very difficult terrain, poor and expensive transportation, and few medical practitioners. If access was to be meaningful and safety was to be secured, mid-level healthcare professionals had to be empowered to provide abortion care. But the Ministry of Health, our doctor-centered culture, and the Attorney General, all objected to this provision. In 2013 we appealed to the High Court for an interpretation of section 5(1). The declaration was unambiguous: Justice Roxanne George ruled that within the constraints established by the Act “medexes, midwives, nurses, pharmacists and any other appropriately trained and registered mid-level member of the health profession” could lawfully provide non-surgical abortion care. The Government never appealed this ruling. Instead, for ten years, it has simply ignored it. This is not benign neglect; it’s malignant indifference. The consequences are real for poor women. Thirty years after the law and ten years after a court ruling, 84% of mid-level health care workers remain unaware of their legal authority to provide early, non-surgical terminations.
Even more startling, although the technology of abortion has shifted from surgery to medication, 91% of pharmacists are unaware that they can lawfully administer medication abortion. The Government has chosen not to inform them. Unfortunately, midlevel professional associations, like Midwives’, Nurses’, and Pharmacists’ have apparently chosen not to challenge the doctordominated culture and assert their legal rights within the MTOPA. But there is no need for a fight. All they need to do is (i) contact the Telemedicine Centre for a cooperating supervisory doctor; (ii) ask the Centre to make Form F available so they can report any services, and here is the k i c k e r, ( i i i ) a s k t h a t Misoprostol (Cytotec) be made available in District Hospitals and Public Health Clinics as the World Health Organization recommended in its Abortion Care Guideline, 2022. Mid-level healthcare workers do not need a separate registration to provide abortions in the first eight weeks. Similarly, there is no need for approval of facilities for abortions in the first eight weeks. The legal path is clear for mid-level health personnel to respond to clients seeking early abortions. But the Ministry will almost certainly continue to frustrate this service by restricting Mifepristone and Misoprostol to GPHC and Regional Hospitals alone. Sincerely Fred Nunes
DEAR EDITOR The Irfaan Ali regime can no longer credibly claim it pursues policies that unify t h e n a t i o n . We a r e witnessing a growing culture of lawlessness, political victimisation, sabotage of Parliament, and attacks on the independence of the j u d i c i a r y. E x e c u t i v e lawlessness is evident in economic mismanagement, the reckless proposal to import third-country nationals in an arrangement with the United States without consulting local stakeholders, and the government’s troubling silence on the recent arrest of Ve n e z u e l a ’s P r e s i d e n t Nicolás Maduro by the United States. Silence is also a decision. In matters like Venezuela, this inaction is alarming for a small state like Guyana that relies on international law, diplomacy, and peaceful negotiations to resolve disputes. It undermines our s o v e r e i g n t y, s e t s a dangerous precedent for how external powers may influence our region, and casts doubt on the reliance on the International Court of Justice to settle the border controversy with Venezuela. Our migration system remains chaotic. Repeated calls, including mine, for a structured migration programme that prioritises the safety, well-being, and culture of Guyanese have been ignored. Political selfinterest and vote-seeking manoeuvres have facilitated policies that disregard workers’ rights, undercut local labour protections, and dismiss just demands for living wages and improved working conditions. The politics of victimisation, discrimination, and exclusion are visible everywhere. People are forced to the breadline, denied
opportunities, or relegated to minimal government contracts such as weeding and drain cleaning. This is not due to incompetence but because of political affiliation, independence, or identity. These actions flagrantly violate citizens’ right to equal treatment under the law. Equally disturbing is the preferential treatment of foreign interests while Guyanese are forced to realise their government will sacrifice their safety and livelihoods for others. Parliament, the nation’s highest decision-making forum, is being rendered dysfunctional because of personal differences between the Mohameds and the PPP leadership. The people, through their elected representatives, are shut out of their House, unable to hold the government accountable or deliberate on matters that directly affect their lives. Every day we hear promises of monetary disbursements to this group or that, yet the source of funds remains unclear. The 2026 budget has not been prepared, and funds from last year’s budget and supplemental allocations appear to have vanished. Over at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), both the Government and Opposition remain disturbingly silent on repeated reports by Commissioner Vincent Alexander that procedures necessary for the declaration of results under Section 96 and 99 of the Representation of the People Act have not been followed. These results
have been gazetted but not declared, and the silence by the Opposition, even if the Government is complicit, threatens the very integrity of the vote. Our leaders are failing on critical issues that touch the law, citizens’ rights, and the sovereignty of the nation. Ignoring these issues does not make them disappear; they grow more entrenched, harming every citizen. Poverty continues unabated, and ordinary Guyanese see no improvement in their standard of living despite the nation’s oil wealth. The consequences of poverty and lawlessness are dire. Exploitation, unsafe working conditions, and wage stagnation prevail where labour laws are weakly enforced. Rising crime and social instability further threaten livelihoods. Children and vulnerable adults are forced into informal or hazardous work, perpetuating cycles of deprivation. These conditions crush productivity, discourage collective organisation, entrench inequality, and make it impossible for ordinary Guyanese to benefit from the nation’s wealth. Addressing poverty and strengthening the rule of law is critical not only for workers’ rights and safety but for sustainable economic growth and national development. We must stand and fight for economic, political, social, and cultural justice. We must act collectively because in unity there is strength. Those who say we should not protest or demand (Continued on page 16)
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Tuesday January 13, 2026
Ram questions resolution proposed for banks AGM DEAR EDITOR On January 11 2026) Stabroek News carried a notice by Banks DIH Holdings Inc. convening its second Annual General Meeting for Saturday, 31 January 2026. The newspaper also reported that the company proposes to cap shareholder voting power at 15%. No shareholder I have spoken to - including several members of staff at Ram & McRae - has received either the notice of meeting or the company’s annual report. An electronic copy of the annual report was, however, made available to me, having reportedly been downloaded f r o m t h e c o m p a n y ’s subsidiary’s Facebook page. That circumstance immediately raises questions concerning the adequacy of notice and the distribution of the annual report. The Companies Act sets out a clear statutory framework governing these matters, and compliance with both the Act and the company’s constituent documents is not optional. While that matter is important, I treat it as secondary. The more serious concern lies in one of the proposed resolutions and, in particular, the proposed amendment to the company’s by-laws. The Notice states that
“Article 8 of the By-Laws” is to be amended to impose a 15% cap on shareholding and voting power, with votes above that threshold to be rendered invalid and not counted. The proposal further provides for the aggregation of interests held by spouses, children, trusts, controlled companies and persons said to be “acting in concert”, establishes a special register, appoints a “Special Registrar”, and ultimately empowers the directors to compel the disposal of shares deemed to be held in excess of the limit. This proposal is misconceived, constitutionally unsound, legally impermissible, and violative of the most basic principles of company law and the fundamental nature of a public company. It seeks, through bylaws, to do what the law permits, in appropriate circumstances, only by amendment of the articles of incorporation by way of a special resolution. To begin with, there is a fundamental conceptual error. There is no such thing in our Companies Act, or in company law generally, as an “Article of the By-Laws”. Articles are mandatory constitutional instruments; by-laws are separate and s e c o n d a r y, g e n e r a l l y confined to internal
administration. They cannot define, restrict, or extinguish proprietary rights. The reference to “Article 8 of the By-Laws” therefore reflects not loose drafting, but d i s a p p o i n t i n g l y, a f u n d a m e n t a l misunderstanding of the most basic principles of company law and the hierarchy of corporate instruments established by the Act: first the Act, then the Articles, and only then the by-laws. More fundamentally, a restriction on voting rights or on the effective enjoyment of shares is a restriction on p r o p e r t y. U n d e r t h e Companies Act, such restrictions must be expressly stated in the articles and should appear on the share certificate. They cannot be imposed, e n l a rg e d , o r e n f o r c e d through by-laws, however carefully they are worded. A by-law cannot lawfully invalidate rights attached to issued shares, nor can it set conditions to their disposal. Even unanimous shareholder approval cannot cure an illegality. But beyond illegality, the proposal is objectionable in conception. It is not evenhanded. While it aggregates certain relationships to enforce the 15% cap, it ignores economically aligned companies that
together exercise significant influence. That selectivity exposes the proposal for what it is: a mechanism to entrench existing control by neutralising potential rival shareholders. Restrictions of this nature belong to the private-company model and, in those limited circumstances, require amendment of the articles by special resolution. In a public company, their effect
would be to destroy its public character by undermining the free and proportionate exercise of shareholder rights. There are additional concerns with the structure of the proposed resolutions. The prudent course is either to withdraw the Notice and reconsider the proposal, in which case a new meeting would have to be convened, or, if it is satisfied that the statutory
notice period has been properly complied with, to withdraw the impugned amendment and proceed with the remaining business on the agenda. That would ensure and demonstrate compliance and respect for the law, for shareholders, and for the integrity of the company’s governance. Regards Chris Ram
R3CCI expresses concern over arrest of businessman following public commentary DEAR EDITOR The Essequibo Islands – West Demerara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (R3CCI) notes with concern the widely reported arrest and cybercrime charge involving Region 3 businessman, Mr. Stanley Basdeo. The arrest was made subsequent to the publication of a TikTok video in which Mr. Basdeo expressed frustration about delays in obtaining a firearm licence and referenced what he said he was told about bribery, without naming or identifying any specific official. Public reporting indicates Mr. Basdeo was charged in relation to the video, granted bail, required to lodge his U.S. passport, and the matter was adjourned to 26 February 2026. R3CCI supports the rule of law and responsible public discourse. At the same time, we are concerned about the chilling effect this type of
enforcement action can have on entrepreneurs, investors, and ordinary citizens who raise concerns about public services and administrative processes. A modern business environment depends on trust, predictability, and the ability to critique systems without fear of criminal sanction, once that critique is not a threat, not incitement, and not a targeted attack on a private individual. In that spirit, R3CCI respectfully requests public guidance from the Honourable Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs on a straightforward issue: Where, specifically, does G u y a n a ’s c y b e r c r i m e legislation outlaw general critique of public institutions, including the Guyana Police Force, when no human individual is identified, threatened, or incited against? We ask that the relevant
provision, legal rationale, and enforcement threshold be clearly explained to the public so businesses and citizens understand the boundaries of lawful expression. We n o t e t h a t t h e Government, through the Attorney General, gave public assurances that cybercrime reforms are not intended to suppress freedom of the press and freedom of expression. R3CCI stands ready to engage constructively with the Ministry of Legal Affairs and relevant stakeholders to ensure Guyana maintains both public order and a climate where legitimate concerns can be raised responsibly, investigated properly, and addressed transparently. Regards Essequibo Island– West Demerara Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Tuesday January 13, 2026
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Tuesday January 13, 2026
No response from court to prosecution's request to bring forward Mohamed extradition case Despite a request by prosecutors to advance the hearing date in the extradition proceedings involving father and son Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed, the Georgetown Magistrates' Court is yet to give a response. Prosecutors in the matter, including lead counsel Terrence Williams SC, submitted a letter to the Clerk of Court requesting that the magistrate reschedule the continuation of the hearing for late January instead of early February, a date that had been agreed upon by both the prosecution and the defence at the January 8 hearing. Lead attorney for the Mohameds, Roysdale Forde, confirmed with Kaieteur News on Monday, that he has not received any update or information from the court to date. The matter was last heard on Thursday before
State prosecutor Terrence Williams SC Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman. During those proceedings, the case which centres on allegations of fraud, money laundering and tax evasion, was put on hold after prosecutors submitted additional evidence that had not been previously disclosed to the defence. The
new evidence consisted of a statement from Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd. The defence team, led by attorneys Roysdale Forde SC, Damien Da Silva, and Siand Dhurjon, strongly opposed the new evidence, which they argued could alter the course of their
defence. As a result, the defence requested an adjournment to allow time to review the new material. The magistrate granted the request and adjourned the matter to February 5, a date agreed to by both the prosecution and the defence. However, later on the same day, the prosecution, led by Terrence Williams SC, submitted a letter via email to the Clerk of Court for the attention of the magistrate, requesting that the hearing be brought forward to a date later in January. “ We h u m b l y a n d respectfully request consideration be given to rescheduling the date for continuation of the captioned matter to an earlier date,” the prosecution wrote. The letter explained that counsel for the requesting state had rearranged their schedules following the adjournment announced in
Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman
Lead attorney for the Mohameds; Roysdale Forde
Trans Guyana Airways slashes hinterland airfares by 7% Trans Guyana Airways Beechcraft.
court and proposed several dates of availability. These included a date before January 20, 2026, January 20, 2026, and the week of January 26, 2026. “In the circumstances, and with due respect for the court's processes, we respectfully ask that Her Wo r s h i p c o n s i d e r s convening, with notice to all parties, the earliest hearing date that is convenient to all parties and the court's diary,” the prosecution added. Upon receiving the letter, the defence immediately objected. In its response, the defence stated that lead counsel Roysdale Forde, along with the other attorneys, would be unavailable on the proposed dates. “Each is unavoidably bound by certain engagements which can admit of no rearrangement and would, in any event, be absent from the Georgetown jurisdiction for a major portion of the suggested period. In those circumstances, counsel for the requested persons is unable to consent to any departure from Her Worship's well-considered
adjournment orders,” the defence wrote. The defence also pointed out that the February 5 adjournment date was agreed upon by both parties after extended discussions in court. “It is material to recall that the adjournment orders made today followed an extended discourse, culminating in the fixture of the present dates which were expressly confirmed as suitable to all parties. No explanation has been advanced for Mr Williams KC's subsequent change of position on this night,” the defence stated. Up to the time of publication, no response or ruling has been issued by the court. Both counsels remain awaiting a decision from the magistrate. The Mohamed family faces charges in a U.S. federal court in Miami, Florida. A 25-page indictment, unsealed on October 2, 2025, accuses them of masterminding an extensive fraud scheme that involved gold exports, customs fraud, bribery, and evasion of millions in taxes and royalties owed to Guyana.
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Tuesday January 13, 2026
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The 30-year war waged against Venezuela I
n the blood-soaked dawn of 3rd January 2026, when American bombs fell on Venezuelan soil, when Venezuela’s president was abducted by force and spirited away to a New York jail, and when the United States’ warships stalked Caribbean waters like predatory leviathans, one would have hoped for astonishment. Instead, what should have shocked was merely the ostensible scale of violence — not its logic. For those who have watched the long arc of US policy toward Venezuela, these recent events are not anomalies. They are the apotheosis of a foreignpolicy worldview that has always demanded control over Venezuelan oil and obedience from Caracas, from Caracas’s earliest neoliberal subservience in the 1980s to the violent regime change operation of 2026. During the late 20th c e n t u r y, Wa s h i n g t o n ’s demands were bureaucratic and economic before they became military. Venezuela’s vast oil wealth made the country a jewel of geopolitical interest long before Hugo Chávez’s election in 1998. In the 1980s and 1990s, Venezuela was pressed
to adopt neoliberal reforms—deregulation, privatization, IMF conditionalities—that opened its economy to foreign capital while hollowing out domestic social structures. The resulting austerity produced mass misery, exemplified by the Caracazo uprising and brutal military repression that killed thousands. This was not collateral damage but the social cost of a model that prioritized foreign profit over human life. When Chávez came to power, he did more than challenge a government; he challenged a system. He nationalized oil revenues to fund health care, education, and housing, refused to subordinate Venezuelan policy to US wars, and forged alliances across the Global South, including the Caribbean. For a Washington habituated to dictates rather than dialogue, this was intolerable. What followed was not diplomacy but the artful application of economic and psychological warfare, culminating in the lethal carnage of January 2026. The United States and its allies worked to overthrow the Venezuelan government under Chavez and Maduro. This included t h e April 2002 coup
attempt against Hugo Chávez, during which Wa s h i n g t o n s w i f t l y recognized a short-lived, u n e l e c t e d regime that dissolved the constitution before collapsing under mass popular resistance. When overt coups failed, regime change was repackaged as “constitutional transition,” most blatantly in 2019, when the US and allied governments recognized Juan Guaidó as “interim president” despite his lack of electoral mandate, transferring control of Venezuelan state assets abroad while intensifying sanctions. Across both periods, US-funded opposition networks, media campaigns, street violence, and mercenary plots functioned as complementary tools in a sustained strategy to f r a c t u r e Ve n e z u e l a n s o v e r e i g n t y, e r o d e legitimacy, and force political submission. Simultaneous with these political acts of destabilization was the economic war waged against Ve n e z u e l a : s a n c t i o n s designed not merely to punish a government but to t h r o t t l e t h e c o u n t r y ’s economy. Starting formally in 2015 under the Obama administration—yet accelerated under Trump and consistently
DEM BOYS SEH
Zebra Crossing is not animal path We had neglected painting zebra crossing on our roadways that when these crossing were reintroduced a few years ago, many motorists did not know their uses. One time a pedestrian was walking along the road. He wanted to cross over, so he used the side which has a zebra sign and a caution ZEBRA CROSSING boldly written on the roadway even though he saw a vehicle, hoping as usual the vehicle would stop because of the zebra sign. But the car didn’t stop and kept coming closer to him. Terrified, the man jumped immediately out of the way and screamed, “Are you crazy?! Didn’t you see the Zebra sign?!” The driver brought out his head from the window and said, “Are you a Zebra?!” Even the elderly seemed to have forgotten the uses of a zebra crossing, Dem boys was in town yesterday and saw an old lady trying to cross the road. Every time she stepped off the kerb a car nearly knocked her down. I shouted at her, “There’s a zebra crossing down there.” She shouted back, “I hope he’s having more luck than I am.” In Guyana, some pedestrians does behave like the driver supposed to have crystal ball. They walking nice-nice on the side of the road, minding their own business, and then suddenly make a sharp right turn straight into the crossing. When
you slam brakes and horn, dem look at you like you tief dem lunch money. If you don’t stop fast enough, the cussing start flowing. Dem boys seh is like some people believe the zebra stripes have supernatural powers. Once foot touch white paint, vehicle must vanish. Physics must pause. Brake distance must shorten. Common sense must take holiday. But lemme remind dem gently — zebra crossing give priority, not an absolute right of way. A pedestrian supposed to look left and right, make sure vehicle got time to stop. You can’t just fling yourself in front of a car and expect sympathy, especially when the driver already too close to stop safely. And drivers ain’t angels neither. Driver duty clear: once pedestrian already on the crossing, you must stop. No arguing, no revving engine, no pretending you ain’t see dem. Approaching a zebra crossing mean slow down and be ready, not speed up and hope for best. The big legal point — and dem boys underline this in bold — is timing. Before stepping on the crossing: pedestrian must check and indicate intention. Once on the crossing: driver must give way. If a pedestrian suddenly dash out and collision happen, the law don’t automatically blame the driver. Pedestrian can share fault, or even get the whole blame, depending on how careless they behave. Talk half, Leff half.
e x p a n d e d thereafter—sanctions struck at the heart of Venezuela’s fiscal lifeline: oil. By targeting Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA), the state oil company that accounted for over 90 percent of Venezuela’s foreign earnings, the United States choked off the economy’s ability to earn hard currency and pay for imports essential to human survival. Between January 2017 and December 2024, Venezuela is estimated to have lost oil revenues amounting to 213 percent of its GDP — roughly US$226 billion, or US$77 million every single day — because of sanctions that strangled exports and scared off financial partners. Oil for Venezuela is the foundation of national income that paid for fuel, medicine, food, spare parts, electrical power, and water systems. When US coercive measures froze central bank assets, blocked access to international loans, and restricted foreign transactions, the Venezuelan state saw its ability to import essential goods plummet. The value of average monthly public imports was roughly halved in 2019 and again in 2020. Nor are these statistics dry numerals. They represent a collapse in human dignity. Food imports were slashed by 73 percent; hunger surged; HIV/AIDS patients could not access
treatment; and hundreds of thousands of surgeries were canceled because basic supplies could not be paid for. Banking restrictions and secondary sanctions led financial institutions to shun Venezuelan commercial activity altogether, further hamstringing the economy and cutting off remittances. This is what modern economic warfare looked like: sanctions that do not explicitly ban food and medicine, but that make imports bewilderingly expensive or impossible; sanctions that freeze a nation’s foreign c u r r e n c y, f o r c i n g hyperinflation and misery; sanctions that drive millions to emigrate in desperation, weaponizing migration itself as a diplomatic cudgel. And the United States did not stop at economic siege. It seized Venezuelan tankers at sea, asserting control over crude shipments as if it were the rightful owner of Venezuela’s hydrocarbon wealth. Preparation for the 2026 invasion included legal maneuvers to block Venezuelan oil revenues from ever returning to Caracas while positioning US oil corporations to reap the spoils. All of this — the blockade, the financial embargo, the systematic undermining of Venezuela’s oil industry — prepared the psychological terrain on which bombing campaigns and the abduction of the country’s leadership became conceivable. The actions of
3rd January 2026 were not a sudden rupture but the violent consummation of decades of hostilities. The brutality of airstrikes and kidnappings is merely the most visible expression of American coercion; the economic strangulation that preceded it was the silent artillery that devastated Venezuelan society. To forget the economic siege is to misunderstand the violence. Bombs do not fall in a vacuum; they are hurled from the vantage point of power, and power is often first established through financial dominance, trade controls, and sanctions. The United States’ bombing campaign was the instrument of a policy that began not with coup attempts, missiles but with tariffs, banking restrictions, and oil sanctions. This is the pattern of empire: first the economists, then the bureaucrats, and finally the soldiers. By 2026, Venezuela had already fought a decade of war without bullets. What it faced in January was merely the overt climax of that long campaign. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
How much do we know; how much... From page 04 drones to attack other nations’ energy and military assets; imposing ‘bone-crushing’ trade tariffs and sanctions against nations; seizing ships on the high seas; abandoning the treaty on inter-continental ballistic missiles; asserting the view that ‘might is right;’ attacking oil refineries of sovereignty states; and attacking the official residence of a sitting President. These hostile acts are real not imaginary, and, apart from provoking confrontations, cumulatively, they carrying with them the risk of war by miscalculation. In the circumstances, there is only one way to reverse and set in motion an
irreversible course going forward; dialogue, and diplomacy aimed at the pursuit of people-centered development globally and world peace. Thanks to social media and the scores of podcasters around the world who carry an anti-colonial, anti-imperialist, anti-racist, progressive, national democratic and in some cases, liberal democratic line in their podcasts, people around the world have access to alternative viewpoints that inspire them to mobilize in an effort to turn the tide to create a better world. Clement J. Rohee Former Minister of Foreign Affairs
Kaieteur News
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UTH
D TR
HAR
HK
BY G
LALL
Tuesday Monday January May 13,02, 2026 2022
H@RD TRUTHS
BY GHK LALL
Other countries' people Note is taken of GuyanaUS talks about this country accepting the citizens of other countries here (Demerara Waves, Jan 05, 2026). It is polite to call that process talks, which may already have concluded. Guyana gets to look good: it is locked in discussions with the mighty USA about taking those human beings for which the US is seeking a dumping ground. Guyana is perfect. Not due to its vast spaces and great opportunities; nor its wonderful climate that is very healthy for folks in need of rehabilitation. Guyana is perfect for one and one
reason only: it can't say NO! Because Excellency Nicole D. Theriot was part of t h e D e m e r a r a Wa v e s caption, I didn't want to dismiss outright the talk about “talks.” What talks, may I ask? The issue is when they start to arrive, and how many were decided upon, with Guyana having no say. It's the nature of the so-called special relationship between the US and Guyana. Special in that it should remind still thinking Guyanese of that Exxon oil contract. People all over the world also call that special, because it is so one-sided. It so
handcuffs and hogties Guyana, with leaders helpless and reduced to mere messenger boys and smiley faces, as if they are emojis; or in the throes of some rictus interval. To their credit, local leaders, regardless of the political party to which belong, have tried to look like men, walk like men, and talk like men. I salute them for trying, when the cards are so stacked against them. Now I return to my earlier inquiry: what choice does Guyana and President Ali have? No is neither an option nor an answer. Either way it is suicidal, and that's a potent that this country has
CCAC probed $509.6M in disputed transactions last year ...recovered $156M for consumers so far in crack down on non-compliant businesses More Guyanese are pushing back and the numbers prove it. Between January and December 2025, 506 consumers filed formal complaints with the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC), involving a staggering G$509.6 million in disputed transactions. The surge, a 5% increase over 2024, is being credited to sustained public awareness campaigns urging consumers to assert their rights, while warning suppliers that noncompliance with the Consumer Affairs Act No. 13
administrative regions of Guyana. Of the initial inspections conducted, 176 or 13% businesses were deemed compliant while 411 were found to be noncompliant. Following the continuous process of reinspections, the CCAC assisted 378 of those defiant businesses to attain compliance, while 366 of them remain non-compliant, the press release added. There is a continuous process of re-inspections and public awareness to ensure that there is improvement in business compliance. The
highest value of complaints, G$312,713,686. “It must be noted that the CCAC brought its first-ever criminal complaint to the Magistrate's Court against a supplier. The complaint resulted in the consumer securing redress through settlement. This follows the success of the civil litigation matters the CCAC engaged in at the High Court in previous years, which also resulted in consumers obtaining redress by way of a court order and settlement,” the release noted. However, it will continue
Auto Industry/ Auto Repairs/ Auto Parts
156
$
312,713,686. 00
Electronics/ Electrical /Accessories/ Repair/Service
72 $
6,345,306.00
Construction/Building Materials & Service / Electrical Installation Materials
65 $
131,263,426.00
Appliance/ Parts / Repairs
53 $
31,322,947.30
Shipping / Online Shopping Services
29 $
6,678,506.58
of 2011 will no longer be quietly tolerated. In a press release on Monday the commission said it resolved 428 or 85% of the complaints and secured redress valued at G$156,552,871. The remaining cases are in the process of being resolved. A total of 1,331 business inspections were done across all
Commission issued 259 compliance certificates to businesses in all the administrative regions. Additionally, 75 compliance certificates were renewed in Regions 2, 4, 6, 7, 9 and 10. 1. The auto, electronics, and construction industries dominated the list of complaints, with the auto industry accounting for the
to heighten its enforcement measures as is necessary. For the year 2025, the CCAC received one complaint under the Competition and Fair Trading Act Cap. 90:07. Consumers can easily file complaints online at ccac.gov.gy. Consumers are encouraged to call the CCAC at 219-4410/3 or WhatsApp at 592 625-0557 for inquiries.
to swallow. Guyana can try that, and then check the skies (and the seas) to determine to which far horizons its Air Force safety net has vanished, as if this country has suddenly become the Bermuda Triangle. Enter Venezuela. This is a big game played by big boys with big guts and big ideas. If Guyana's Pres. Ali cannot utter one quiet word of departure (not disapproval, not disagreement) about the manner in which the head of a sovereign nation is airlifted, as though a bag of oil, then it is questionable about how much say he has in the citizens of other countries being dumped here. Guyana doesn't have a choice, really. I will go out on a limb and assert that the talks were over before they started, and for a simple reason. The US studied what was before its people. Tallied up the matrixes. We i g h e d w h i c h countries would put some resistance, and then, viola, which countries stand as
sitting ducks, and are waiting to be picked off. To s a y t h i s differently, from a US point of view, there is Guyana, and it is duty bound, on the pain of its own selfdestruction to take as many people as are stuffed into planes and packed off to GT. A nice bucket of turkeys, those are. This national oil patrimony, of which I hear so much, has now mutated into a plague on Guyana's house. Everybody wants it. Guyanese, by and large, can't get it. ut it can be, and is, used to hold this country to ransom. Instead of the oil enriching, it has made a dependent of this country, with the US holding the Gerber Baby formula bottle. The issue at hand is not if Guyana will absorb of these whatever citizens they are called. The issue is how many, and when the shipments of live human cargo will start. Since it is a New Year, I will be kind and give to Pres. Ali and his government that they have a number in mind.
Unfortunately, it is my belief that the US has already made that call, and they have a piece of paper waiting for Excellency Ali to sign on the dotted line. He may have a fit when he sees those zeros that are not loan dollars, but people that are part of Planned Parenthood Guyana. The showman will have one of those rare moments, where he must try his best to be a serious man. If there is any Guyanese, who truly believes that Americans like Secretary Marco Rubio have any two-way conversations with the likes of Guyana in mind relative to this acceptance issue, then they just haven't lost their heads. It confirms that they never had one in the first place.. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
CH&PA shuts down Chinese supermarket in Bel Air The Sheng Lian Supermarket in Bel Air Village
The Central Housing and Planning Authority on Monday issued a cease and desist order to the owners of a property in Bel Air, Georgetown who have rented same for the operation of a Chinese supermarket. The notice was addressed to Ms. Zabedei Ramdial and Mr. Kamoul Ramdial of Lot 22, being a part of Area “L” known as Bel Air Village. The notice read: “The Central Housing and Planning Authority has observed that you and your agents have unauthorisedly, unlawfully, and illegally commenced operation of a Supermarket at Lot 22, being a part of Area "L" known as Bel Air Village, part of Plantation Bel Air, Georgetown, in breach of the Town and Country Planning Act, Chapter 20:01.” The Central Housing and Planning Authority pursuant to Section 22 of the
Town and Country Planning Act, Chapter 20:01 hereby issues this Notice for you to: “IMMEDIATELY CEASE AND DESIST FROM THE UNAUTHORISED, UNLAWFUL, AND ILLEGAL operation of Supermarket at Lot 22, being a part of Area "L" known as Bel Air Village, part of Plantation Bel Air, Georgetown.” According to the notice the owners are advised to apply to the Central Housing and Planning Authority through the Single Window portal for planning permission to carry out any non-residential development at the property. “Your failure to comply with this Notice will result in the Central Housing and Planning Authority taking such legal action as is necessary to enforce the Town and Country Planning Act, Chapter 20:01 without further notice to you.”
Kaieteur News
Tuesday January 13, 2026
PAGE 11
Pres. Ali dismisses probe calls …backs Susan Rodrigues amid growing wealth questions President Irfaan Ali has dismissed calls for an investigation into the rapidly expanding asset portfolio of Tourism Minister Susan Rodrigues, insisting that the minister has sufficiently accounted for her wealth through public explanations and statutory declarations. Speaking to reporters at a weekend event, the President said there was no basis for questioning Rodrigues, a former Minister of Housing, in relation to allegations of corruption. According to Ali, the minister has already “cleared the air” by outlining the sources of her income and submitting asset declarations to the Integrity Commission. “I think the tourism minister has made it very clear that she can account for whatever she owns. The tourism minister has also shared that with the
public,” the President explained. Further, he pointed out that since members of the People's Progressive Party (PPP) in public life were in Opposition they had been submitting their declarations to the Commission. When asked if he was satisfied with the explanation provided by the minister regarding the acquisition of her wealth over the past few years, Ali responded, “The minster has demonstrated, I have no question when the minister has demonstrated. Allegations are always made.” Opposition parties, including We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) had called for the resignation of Minister Rodrigues over her alleged involvement in corrupt activities which led to her ownership of several assets
in a short period of time. Rodrigues strongly denied these allegations, despite admitting to the ownership of a $116M property in Florida, USA and two prime parcels of land at Peter's Hall, East Bank Demerara. Additionally, a c o m p a n y, R e v e l l e Investments LLC was registered on January 16, 2024 in the US by Rodrigues. In addressing concerns of how her salary was able to finance the assets she owned locally and overseas, the minister explained, “Azruddin Mohamed has repeatedly and wrongly equated my assets to my public service salary. This is an unfair and asinine comparison that completely disregards how a person leverages equity to access loans from the banking system. In addition to my
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues (left) with President Irfaan Ali
public service salary, I receive rental income from other properties and proceeds from our family businesses.” With regard to the source of funds for the two plots of land at Lots 1242 and 1243 Peter's Hall, East Bank Demerara, owned by Rodrigues, the minister noted that she acquired mortgages to facilitate the payment.
Vendors return outside Yhip's Bakery despite court order Vendors who previously operated in front of Yhip's Bakery at the corner of Robb and Alexander Streets, Georgetown, have returned to the area despite a High Court order prohibiting vending at the location. On January 4, 2026, at least 15 vendors were left distressed after their stalls were dismantled following a final notice to vacate the private property. The action was taken in compliance with a High Court order issued in late 2025, which prohibited vending in front of the building after vendors were found to be blocking its entrance. The affected vendors, many of whom are women with children, had occupied the parapet space in front of the building for several years. Approximately two weeks prior to the dismantling of the stalls, they were ordered by the court to vacate the entryway. Several vendors said they were uncertain about where to relocate and remained at the site until their stalls were removed. In a previous interview with Kaieteur News, Mayor of the City Council Alfred Mentore said that the council was petitioning the High Court to allow the vendors to remain in front of the building temporarily, until preparations are completed at Merriman's Mall, located between Orange Walk and
Cummings Street, where vendors operating in the Bourda Market area are expected to be relocated. He also clarified with this publication that the removal of the stalls was not authorised by the mayor and city council. According to him, the action was taken unilaterally by the town clerk,
and Guianas Limited since 1962 and never changed ownership. The transport for this property is part of the public record and can be easily verified. My partner is the operator of this establishment. We do not own any of the assets on that property.” H e r U S p r o p e r t y, according to her is being financed through a mortgage.
Photo showing vendors returning in front of the private property on Monday.
shelter and proper security. H o w e v e r, f o l l o w i n g t h e removal of their stalls, and with vending being their primary source of income, some vendors returned to the area the very next day. Others joined in the days that followed, erecting temporary structures and using vehicles to continue their
Photo showing the day the stalls were dismantled infront Yhip's Bakery
without the council's approval. He emphasized that the council has been working to keep vendors in the area until proper relocation arrangements are finalised, and vendors are being provided with proper utilities such as water,
With regard to the property at Lot 946 Herstelling, East Bank Demerara where the minister said she currently resides, that house was acquired in 2016 by Denisha Bobb, her spouse. Rodrigues denied that she was the owner of a gas station at 224 Camp and New Market Streets in Georgetown. She pointed out, “The gas station has been owned by Shell Antilles
trade. When Kaieteur News visited the location, it observed several vendors once again operating outside the building, using vans, cars and tables to display their goods. Some vendors have also
begun renting nearby spaces to store their supplies. Speaking with Kaieteur News, vendors said they are determined to remain at the location until the Merriman's Mall site is fully prepared, despite repeated calls by one of the building's shareholders for their removal. Vendor Anesha Haridat said she will continue selling despite ongoing pressure to leave. “They keep fighting us to remove, but today (Monday) they didn't come, so that's good. I use my bus now to store my goods and come out to sell. We have nowhere else to go and we didn't want the goods to spoil, so we came back out here. I can't move until the other place is set up, so this is what I'm doing for now,” she said. Another vendor, Jerry Budhram, expressed similar concerns. “We had to come back out. How are we going to survive? We have bills, we have to maintain
things, and we have children to send to school. So we are here waiting to hear the position from the court,” he said. Ve n d o r N a z D a l c h a n d explained that she borrowed a vehicle to continue operating. “This is a neighbour's vehicle and I put two benches out here to sell. As soon as I'm finished selling, I pick up everything from the road,” she said. Other vendors, including Indira Indar, Risha Ramanand, Tandika Stephany, Leona Leacock, Camille Singh and Kavita Roberts, were also among those who have continued to ply their trade at the location, many of them accompanied by their children. The vendors explained that the next court date with the High Court will commence on January 15, regarding the courts' position to allow the vendors to stay in front of the building until the Merriman's mall is complete.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday January 13, 2026
'$434M in drugs off the streets' ...CANU tightens grip as Guyana shifts from transit route to regional disruptor An estimated GYD $433.9 million in narcotics were ripped out of circulation here in 2025, resulting in 62 persons being charged and 29 convictions secured, with fines soaring as high as $311 million and prison sentences stretching up to four years, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) has said. According a report from the agency: 235.9 kilograms of cocaine, 726.3 kilograms of cannabis, and smaller but troubling quantities of e c s t a s y a n d methamphetamine were seized. Additionally, during the year 117 arrests were made. According to CANU Guyana is no longer content to be viewed as a convenient corridor for traffickers, but is instead positioning itself as an active regional disruptor. Meanwhile, according to CANU a major institutional leap came in 2025 with the formal launch of Guyana's National Early Warning System (EWS). The system strengthens national capacity to detect, assess and respond to new psychoactive substances (NPS) and emerging drug threats before they gain a foothold. The EWS integrates law enforcement, forensic, health, and analytical inputs to support rapid alerts, e v i d e n c e - b a s e d interventions, and informed
Director of Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), James Singh
policy responses, aligning Guyana with regional and international best practices. The anti-drug agency said throughout 2025, the unit intensified intelligencedriven interdiction operations, targeting trafficking routes, organised criminal networks, and highrisk ports and border points. These operations, CANU said contributed to significant seizures, arrests, and case development, reinforcing Guyana's role as an active disruptor rather than a passive transit point within regional trafficking networks. Additionally, CANU said during the year operational collaboration was enhanced among key national stakeholders, improving information sharing, joint operations, and coordinated responses to drug-related threats. “This integrated approach strengthened investigative
outcomes, enhanced operational efficiency, and reinforced whole-ofgovernment accountability,” the agency said. According to CANU in 2025, the Unit deepened engagement with regional and international partners, supporting joint operations, intelligence exchange, technical cooperation, and capacitybuilding initiatives. These partnerships enhanced crossborder threat awareness and reinforced Guyana's commitments within regional and global drugcontrol frameworks. In the area of demandreduction, CANU said efforts were expanded through targeted prevention programmes, public awareness campaigns, and continued collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, and the Ministry of Home (Continued on page 16)
CANU issues national warning after seizure of ecstasy The Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) has issued a formal Early Warning System Alert after ranks seized multiple tablets confirmed to be 3,4Methylenedioxymethamphe tamine (MDMA), commonly known as ecstasy.The seizure occurred during a targeted operation at MovieTowne, Georgetown.In a statement to the media CANU said that, “ The operation, executed based on actionable intelligence, resulted in the interception of a vehicle with three occupants and the discovery of several zip-locked packets containing brightly coloured pills. Field testing indicated the presence of amphetamine-type stimulants, which was later forensically confirmed by the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory (GFSL) to be MDMA. CANU has classified the situation as EWS NOTICE LEVEL 2 – Emerging Circulation Confirmed, indicating that MDMA is now present in Guyana in a context suggesting active distribution.”First responders and health officials are advised that the MDMA tablets have varying strengths and may be laced with other dangerous substances. Use of the drug can lead to overheating, dehydration, rapid heart rate,
The MDMA pills that were seized.
confusion, collapse, agitation, risk of seizures, as well as heightened danger when mixed with alcohol or other drugs, CANU said. A d d i t i o n a l l y, M D M A related emergencies often occur in nightlife or party settings, and CANU is urging increased vigilance, especially among youth and young adults. CANU is warning the public that “MDMA remains illegal in Guyana under Schedule I of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, Cap. 10:10 Possession, trafficking, or distribution can result in severe criminal penalties. Members of the public are strongly advised not to consume unlabeled pills, regardless of colour, shape, or packaging.” The tablets discovered during the operation were pink and green packaged in several small ziplock bags. In light of this law enforcement has now
implemented a number of measures including the increased monitoring of entertainment districts, enhanced surveillance of micro-distribution networks, strengthened intelligence sharing with venue security teams.For the health sector CANU is advising that alerts issued to emergency departments, there be monitoring for MDMArelated cases, as well as rapid reporting protocols enforced via GUYDIN/EWS channels. Finally, the organisation is advising and encouraging both the public and private sectors, particularly parents, operators of nightlife and community leaders to be vigilant and report suspicious activity or unfamiliar pills circulating amongst youth. Reports can be made confidentially via Tel: 592227-3503 / 592-226-0431 E m a i l : guyana_ews@canu.gov.g
Tuesday January 13, 2026
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
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Tuesday January 13, 2026
Four Berbice properties demolished by fire in one week A spate of fire-related incidents in New Amsterdam over the last week has seen four properties being completely destroyed by fire. Of these four instances, two have been ruled suspected arson, while one was determined to be electrical in origin and the other so far uncertain. Notably, no one was harmed in any of these cases. January 3, Ministry of Labour former building In New Amsterdam, Berbice, a building previously occupied by the Ministry of Labor at Princess Elizabeth Road, was completely ravaged by fire on January 3 The building also formerly housed offices for the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, as well as the Ministry of Agriculture, for access to those services in the region. Fire officials in New Amsterdam reportedly received a call just after 9:00pm informing them of a building on fire, not too far from the Berbice High School (BHS). Firemen with two units from the New Amsterdam Fire Service rushed to the scene, but by the time they arrived, the entire building was already engulfed. They did manage, however, to contain the blaze, preventing damages to nearby buildings. Divisional Officer Clive
Palmyra
Penitentiary Walk fire
had cleared out from the location. Reporters were informed that the property was recently acquired and works and demolition works had begun. One of the buildings was already demolished, and works on the other were ongoing. The owner told reporters that he left the location around 5:30 and while at home sleeping, he was awoken by his wife with news that the property was on fire. January 10, Palmyra Meanwhile, just beyond the bounds of New Amsterdam, another residential property was decimated by fire, this time at Palmyra Village, East Canje, Berbice. Fortunately, the building was at the time uninhabited. The owner of the two-story building, Prithiraj Singh, is currently in the United States.
Ministry of Labour former building
At 3:19 on January 10, an emergency call was placed to the New Amsterdam Fire Station relative to a fire at Lot 35, Palmyra, according to Divisional Head, Clive McDonald Two units were quickly dispatched to the location, where the firemen managed
to prevent an extension of the fire to other properties. The fire official disclosed that the fire was intentionally set to the wooden and concrete home. January 11, Angoy's Avenue At Levi Dam in Angoy's (Continued on page 15)
The Anna Regina Airstrip in Region Two. (DPI photo)
McDonald disclosed that based on initial assessment, the fire was electrical in o r i g i n . H o w e v e r, o n e security guard stationed at a nearby residence told this publication that he frequently observed persons, mostly vagrants, entering and exiting the premises.
January 8, Penitentiary Walk, New Amsterdam Just around 21:00 hrs. on January 9, fire destroyed a two-story building located at Penitentiary Walk in a yard that accommodated two buildings. The wooden and concrete rented house, was gutted not long after tenants
$221M for Anna Regina Airstrip upgrade The Government is set to pour more than $221 million into the rehabilitation of the Anna Regina airstrip in Region Two, alongside the construction of a new passenger waiting facility. This is another costly infrastructure push justified as necessary to boost connectivity and tourism along the Essequibo Coast. Kaieteur News understands that the project, being executed through the Ministry of Public Works, was tendered at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) in November 2025, attracting bids from four contractors. The works were divided into two lots. According to information provided at the time, Lot 1 involves the rehabilitation of the airstrip, and was estimated at $222,467,018, while Lot Two, covers the construction of the waiting facility, and carries an estimate of $28,375,274. This publication understands that out of the four bids, Lot1 was awarded to Builders Hardware General Supplies and Construction for $194,859,315, and Lot 2 was awarded to ICAN Engineering and
Construction for $26,492,494. Together, the works total $221,351,809. Kaieteur News reported that during a meeting with residents at Charity back in March 2025, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill had mentioned the government's plans of upgrading the Anna Regina facility. The Department of Public Information (DPI) reported at the time that the public works minister revealed plans to renovate the facility to include a waiting area, among other features. The airstrip at Anna Regina is located near a popular tourist resort, Lake Mainstay. The upgrades also aim to encourage and support the increasing tourism sector and economic activity along the Essequibo coast. “Of course, once we do the airstrip, we also have to do the road because we can't get to the airstrip if we don't have a road,” the minister said according to DPI. President Irfaan Ali commissioned two newly upgraded hinterland airstrips, one at Aishalton, Region Nine which cost $920 million, and the other at Paramakatoi Village which cost $799 million.
Tuesday January 13, 2026
Kaieteur News
PAGE 15
State-owned DPI to pay Vincent Alexander $10 million for defamation The high court has ordered the state-owned Department of Public Information (DPI) to pay chairperson of the International Decade for People of African Decent Assembly – Guyana (IDPADA-G), a not-forprofit organisation, Vincent Alexander $ 10 million for defamatory statements published in August of 2022. In his original suit, Alexander had sued both the DPI and Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo claiming in excess of $150 million for damages and special damages done as a result of the words uttered by Jagdeo. The statement of claim document lists Jagdeo, (DPI) and the attorney general of Guyana as respondents in the case. The document outlined that Jagdeo defamed
Alexander by claiming that he had a personal financial interest in the administration of the affairs of IDPADA-G. Alexander has countered by saying he was never paid a penny and acted purely as a volunteer. The lawsuit accused Jagdeo of making the claims when there has not been a shred of evidence to support them. As a result, the claimant is also seeking a public apology, retraction for information that was broadcasted over the electronic media. On August 19 2022, during a press conference, Jagdeo accused the organisation's leaders of pocketing State funds to support Afro–Guyanese. Jagdeo had alleged that the organisation's board of directors were personally benefitting from an almost
$500 million state allocation, and singled out Alexander, as one of the beneficiaries who have done little to nothing for Afro-Guyanese. Jagdeo stated too that while the organisation is registered as a private agency, receiving state funds, it has not been accountable to the government and has been conducting private audits in relation to its spending. Jagdeo questioned how much of the $100 million per year IDPADA-G received since 2019, was spent on salaries and details on those that were paid. However, the case was heard and determined by Justice Fidela Corbin at the supreme court in Georgetown found that Jagdeo was not liable for defamation. Jagdeo successfully defended his
case justification, qualified privilege and fair comment. The court found that in the instance of qualified privilege as a public official Jagdeo was addressing matters of public concern and that Alexander failed to properly plead or prove malice. As the publisher of alleged defamatory statements on 19th and 20th of August 2022, and continuing on its website, DPI failed in its bid to raise the defenses of qualified privilege, fair comment, justification and innocent dissemination. Mr. Nandlall SC, the attorney-general, is on record as the attorney for DPI. According to the record of the ruling handed down by the judge, the attorney general, filed a witness statement, was called to give
Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo evidence and was on record as the attorney for DPI and himself having filed a defence. The court document noted that the witness statement filed by Mr. Nandlall SC outlined that that he was authorised by Jagdeo give evidence on his behalf and that he makes “this statement in support of the defences filed herein.”
Chairperson of IDPADA-G, Vincent Alexander The court noted that it was not immediately apparent on whose behalf Mr. Nandlall SC was giving evidence having regard to the fact that Jagdeo was sued in his personal capacity and the attorney general was made a party based on DPI being a media outlet owned and controlled by the state. Under cross (Continued on page 16)
$150,000 cash grant per fisher …as govt. rolls out support programme Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha on Monday distributed cheques to more than 2,000 fisherfolk from Region Four as part of the Government of Guyana's ongoing efforts to deliver relief to them. The distribution exercises, held at the Everest Ground in Georgetown and in Lusignan and Unity on the East Coast of Demerara, formed part of a commitment made by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and represent a government investment of approximately $309 million, the ministry said in a press release. Overall, approximately 7,000 fisherfolk nationwide are set to benefit from a p p r o x i m a t e l y $1,050,000,000. While addressing the gatherings, Minister Mustapha said this is the second time fisherfolk are receiving assistance in the form of a grant from the PPP/C government. He further noted that, in addition to direct cash support, the government has been making significant investments to strengthen the fisheries sector. “ We ' v e e x p e n d e d millions of dollars to upgrade the landing sites across the country because we want to ensure the facilities are in place for the
sector to develop and make it resilient. We've built sheds, installed water, lighting, security, and washroom facilities. While we are making these investments, as fisherfolk, you must have a broader outlook because you can no longer depend on one activity. We have to diversify the sector. When I meet with fisherfolk across the country when catches are low, they insist that they do not have any other activity. So, as fisherfolk, you have to diversify,” the Minister said. He also indicated that institutional support for fisherfolk is being strengthened and that fisherfolk will soon benefit from training to commence additional wealthgenerating activities while away from sea. “We've been working with various organizations w i t h i n t h e s e c t o r. I resuscitated the National Fisherfolk Organization, and they, along with the Fisheries Department, will work with you to see how we can assist individual fisherfolk to get involved in other activities so that you don't have to depend solely on fishing. So, if you have your homestead, we can assist you with a small shadehouse to cultivate different crops in your backyard because you do not need a lot of land for
that. We've already started that process in several areas in the country,” he noted. Highlighting safety and cost-reduction measures implemented by the government, Minister Mustapha spoke about some additional interventions that were implemented by the government to improve the livelihood of fisherfolk. “We've been working with you to put new mechanisms in place. Many of you who are boat owners know that we have been procuring and installing Vessel Monitoring Systems on vessels so that we can respond to emergencies at sea. We removed all the taxes from fishing inputs. Things like seine, twine, and rope. We also removed the taxes on outboard engines up to 150 horsepower so that boat owners can have this equipment at a cheaper cost,” he explained. He also spoke about ongoing efforts to create new opportunities within the sector through training and value-added initiatives. “The President spoke about value-added being p r io r itized w ithin th e agriculture sector. So, the Fisheries Department will be working with the various fisheries organizations to train fisherfolk across the country so that they can get
Fisherfolk waiting for their cash grant from the government involved in value-added initiatives and other alternative livelihood opportunities that we have planned for fisherfolk,” the Minister explained. Turning to aquaculture development, Minister Mustapha noted that the sector is being expanded to create new income streams for fisherfolk. “We are also developing the aquaculture industry. We started to produce our own prawns, and soon, we'll commence exporting these same prawns across the region. In the coming years, that project will also be replicated across the country. The brackish water project that started in Region Six is another success story. We are now working with other persons to replicate that project in region five and other parts of the country. So, when we are
speaking about the fishing industry, we are not only speaking about marine fishing. We are speaking
about diversification and expanding the industry and how we can support our fisherfolk,” he said.
Four Berbice properties... From page 14 Avenue, New Amsterdam, a fire quickly demolished a small property owned by Rasheed Sinclair, a 30-year-old farmer. At the scene, the distraught man told media operatives that he was at home when someone shouted to him that his home was on fire. He ignored the first alert, but the second shout, which carried more distress, prompted him to investigate, which confirmed that indeed his house was ablaze. By then, the fire was too much for him to contain."I couldn't handle it, to say is a lil thing so I could shy a bucket of water to out it," Sinclair told reporters.The New Amsterdam Fire Station responded and extinguished the flames which had already consumed Sinclair's home. The residence is next to the New Amsterdam School of Nursing. Divisional Head, Clive McDonald, summarised that the fire was an act of arson. His conclusion was supported by Sinclair, who noted that a fire cannot be without a logical origin. Sinclair noted that his property did not have electricity. He was also not cooking at the time.Structural upgrades to the home began last November by Sinclair's overseas-based mother, who left the country only two days ago.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday January 13, 2026
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From page 12 Affairs. The unit said ongoing support to the Drug Treatment Court reinforced the link between enforcement, rehabilitation, and social reintegration. In terms of narcotics seizures CANU reported that a total of 235.9kg of cocaine was seized in 2025; Cannabis: 726.3 kg; Ecstasy: 674 g; Methamphetamine: 83 g and cannabis products: 9.16 g. “Cocaine and cannabis remained the two dominant threats, representing the majority of trafficking attempts into and through Guyana. A major reduction in cocaine quantities compared to 2024 is linked to a single extraordinary seizure that occurred in Region One the previous year,” the CANU reported states. Giving a breakdown of the seizures by region CANU reported that Region 4 recorded the highest cocaine seizures (172.8 kg); while Region 6 recorded the highest cannabis volume (576 kg). It said too that synthetic drugs, appeared in small but increasing quantities, prompting continued monitoring by the Early Warning System. For the years 117 people on drug-related offences while 62 of them were charged. Approximately 82% of all arrests were male, consistent with global drug-crime patterns, CANU said. The highest number of arrests were made in the months: April, May, July, and September. CONVICTIONS Further, CANU reported that a total of 29 drug-related convictions were secured during the year: Cocaine: 14 convictions; Cannabis: 12 convictions; Synthetic drugs: 3 combined (ecstasy/cannabis products). Fines ranged up to GYD $311M, and sentences extended up to 4 years depending on quantity and trafficking intent. The estimated value of the drugs
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not a passive transit point, CANU said it enters 2026 with advanced intelligence tools, expanded partnerships, and strengthened operational readiness to counter evolving trafficking methods and rising synthetic-drug risks. High poverty, low pay In its 2025 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), the US Department of State had noted that high poverty and lowpaying jobs in the public sector have led many Guyanese into the narcotics trade, which contributes significantly to increased crime and corruption, the United States government has said. “Despite growing oil wealth and the government’s increased efforts, the public sector – including law enforcement and customs officials – remains underpaid. Coupled with a lack of adequate resources and shortcomings in the legal system, this allows traffickers to exploit government systems and move illicit drugs through Guyana,” the report stated. The US Department of State said that the government can fight drug trafficking by enhancing law enforcement and customs capability through port security improvements, intelligence operations with regional and international partners, implementing stronger anti-corruption measures, and strengthening its legislation relating to drug trafficking sentencing, to make it less attractive. The report noted that as a matter of policy, the Government of Guyana does not encourage or facilitate the illicit production or distribution of narcotics, psychotropic drugs, or other controlled substances, or the laundering of proceeds from illegal drug transactions. However, the US said corruption in Guyana poses a sig-
nificant obstacle to its efforts to combat drug trafficking. “Corruption within law enforcement, bribery, and nepotism in the public sector and political entities further complicate the fight against drug trafficking,” the US report stated. The report added: “Authorities often drop charges or never file them and do not conduct serious investigations; traffickers are able to evade prosecution. Additionally, the economic appeal of the drug trade in Guyana, with its high poverty rate and low-paying public sector jobs, leads individuals to become involved in illicit activities and hinders efforts to curb trafficking. In two separate incidents in July, four GDF officers were charged with trafficking a total of 213 kilograms of cannabis. “ The report said that marijuana is the most used and produced drug in Guyana, and the country remains a major transhipment point for cocaine trafficking. Back in 2024 then Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn had told the National Assembly that the drug trafficking situation here is putting tremendous pressure on the security sector, noting then that there had been an increase in transnational crime, but it is not directly related to Guyana, instead, it is a result of the drug trade. “We are not the marketplace for the drugs. We are transit points, and the fact that the drug trafficking activity and criminality bring tremendous pressures in relation to the security sphere. We will continue to fight. We’re putting more money into this effort, and we are working at continuing to bring down the planes and to make the necessary seizures to deal with this nefarious business,” Benn had told the House.
State-owned DPI to pay Vincent Alexander... From page 15 examination, counsel for Alexander, Eusi Anderson sought to clarify on whose behalf Mr. Nandlall was giving evidence. Nandlall first stated that when he swore to the affidavit of witness statement, he swore to it on behalf of the 2nd and 3rd defendants. He was asked whether in paragraph two of his defence, whether he was familiar with Part 30.01 (2) of the Civil Procedure Rules 2016 (“CPR”) which was read to him. He indicated he would
need to consider the rule further. Under further cross examination he was asked whether he was there to give evidence in his capacity as attorney general representing DPI and he stated he was there to give evidence exclusively for Jagdeo. In determining the outcome, the court noted that Nandlall who was listed as defendant in the matter was equally liable for paying the$10million judgment award. In determining the quantum of costs, Justice Corbin
took into consideration all the circumstances including the time reasonably spent on the case and the overriding objective. In addition to the $10 million award, she ordered DPI and the attorney general to pay Alexander additional costs of $500,000. He in turn has also been ordered to pay $350,000 in costs to Mr. Jagdeo. In addition to the damages award, DPI has been ordered to remove the interview from its website by January 16, 2026 and to pay $500,000 in costs to Alexander.
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seized was pegged at $433,973,770- $235.9M for cocaine and $197.7M cannabis. According to CANU, cocaine and cannabis seizures accounted for over 99% of the total street value. During the year, CANU also seized 13 firearms, with 9mm pistols being the most common weapon type. Half of all firearms recovered were directly linked to narcotic trafficking operations, the drug enforcement agency said. Furthermore, CANU noted that for last year ammunition seizures declined by 62%, but the presence of 9mm and shotgun ammunition reflects continued overlap between drug and firearm networks. In its efforts to combat the trafficking and use of narcotics, CANU said it reached 5,678 beneficiaries nationwide through: school-based programmes, youth engagements; community outreach and special-needs and vulnerable-group interventions. More than 86% of all prevention outreach occurred in schools, aligning with the academic calendar and targeting the most at-risk age groups, CANU said. CANU said its officers also underwent capacity building training with some 27 of them receiving training both locally and internationally. Some of the training activities were supported by: UNODC, REDTRAC, CICAD/OAS, CBSA, French Special Operations, Colombian authorities, Singapore SCP, and national partners. Capacity growth included improvements in: crime scene processing; intelligence analysis; digital forensics; firearms proficiency and maritime and cybersecurity frameworks. Noting that it is poised to ensuring that Guyana remains positioned as a regional disruptor and
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From page 05 what is rightfully ours act out of ignorance or self-interest, undermining the collective well-being of citizens and the nation. We must defend what we
have gained and push forward. That is resilience. Prayer alone is meaningless if it is not accompanied by action. On this Sunday, I leave you with the biblical refrain,
“God helps those who help themselves.” We must act, organise, and fight for the justice that is due to the people of Guyana. Regards Lincoln Lewis
Kaieteur News
Tuesday January 13, 2026
PAGE 17
Region Three Chamber of Commerce condemns cybercrime charge of businessman The Essequibo Islands - West Demerara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (R3CCI) has added its voice to the public condemnation over the widely reported arrest and cybercrime charge of Region Three businessman, Stanley Basdeo. Basdeo’s arrest was made subsequent to the publication of a TikTok video in which he expressed frustration about delays in obtaining a firearm licence and referenced what he said he was told about bribery, without naming or identifying any specific official. Public reports indicate that Basdeo was charged in relation to the video, granted bail, and was required to lodge his U.S. passport. The matter was adjourned to February 26, 2026. Basdeo was charged with cybercrime in relation to the video where he expressed frustration over obtaining a gun licence and the prevalence of bribery in Guyana. He subsequently appeared at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court last Friday and was released on $200,000 bail, with the requirement to lodge his US passport. In a statement, the R3CCI noted that while it supports the rule of law and responsible public discourse, at the same time, the chamber is
concerned about the chilling effect this type of enforcement action can have on entrepreneurs, investors, and ordinary citizens who raise concerns about public services and administrative processes. The R3CCI noted “A modern business environment depends on trust, predictability, and the ability to critique systems without fear of criminal sanction, once that critique is not a threat, not incitement, and not a targeted attack on a private individual.” To this end, the R3CCI noted that it requests public guidance from the attorney general and minister of legal affairs on a straightforward issue: Where, specifically, does Guyana’s cybercrime legislation outlaw general critique of public institutions, including the Guyana Police Force, when no human individual is identified, threatened, or incited against? “We ask that the relevant provision, legal rationale, and enforcement threshold be clearly explained to the public so businesses and citizens understand the boundaries of lawful expression. We note that the Government, through the Attorney General, gave public assurances that cybercrime reforms are not
intended to suppress freedom of the press and freedom of expression,” the statement added. R3CCI said it stands ready to engage constructively with the Ministry of Legal Affairs and relevant stakeholders to ensure Guyana maintains both public order and a climate where legitimate concerns c a n b e r a i s e d r e s p o n s i b l y, investigated properly, and addressed transparently. The statement from the R3CCI comes days after a number of opposition parties including the Azruddin Mohamed led We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) accused the Guyana Government of violating basic United States (US) and Guyana laws on free speech by charging USbased businessman Stanley Basdeo with cybercrime, using the court to intimidate the public from speaking out against and exposing widespread corruption. Representatives of other political parties -APNU parliamentary leader Terrence Campbell and leader of the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) Amanza Walton-Desir – have also condemned the charge. “Our party calls on the … Irfaan Ali administration to drop charges against the American businessman for expressing his
right to freedom of speech as granted in the USA constitution under the first amendment and in the laws of Guyana,” WIN Member of Parliament Odessa Primus said in a statement. “If allowed in the court, then it will be used against other Americans and Guyanese to silence them and control what they say about corruption and bad governance. Already the Ali government has censored local Guyanese from exposing corruption with newly passed (unconstitutional) cyber laws,” the statement continued, adding, “The draconian cyber laws are being used to restrict the free speech of Guyanese and Americans. Guyanese leaders are overreacting to criticisms of their involvement in corruption.” Walton-Desir, too, shared that this case raises serious concerns about freedom of expression, proportionality, and consistency in governance. “Cybercrime legislation exists to address hacking, fraud, identity theft, and genuine digital harm,” she said. “It was never intended to criminalise speech or to punish individuals for raising complaints online.” What makes this matter especially troubling, she noted, is
Region Three businessman, Mr. Stanley Basdeo the broader context in which the president has publicly declared zero tolerance for corruption and has urged Guyanese to return illegally obtained licences and benefits. “Yet when an allegation of bribery is made in a licensing process, the response appears not to be investigated or transparency, but criminal charges against the complainant. That contradiction cannot be ignored.” She said treating speech as cybercrime creates a chilling effect on public discourse, weakens trust in institutions, and undermines the credibility of the commitment to fighting corruption. “This case therefore goes beyond one individual and speaks directly to the health of our democracy and the standards we apply when criticism is raised.”
DPP hails sharp drop Over $1B in grants distributed to Region Four fisherfolk in criminal backlog …as 2026 Demerara Assizes opens
T
he Director of P u b l i c Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC, has announced a remarkable reduction in criminal cases listed for trial over the past five years, as the January 2026 Demerara Criminal Assizes opened on Monday with 126 cases scheduled from January to March. Reflecting on the figures, Mrs. Ali-Hack noted there were 318 cases listed in January 2020. January 2021",342 cases listed, January 2022, 367 cases listed, January 2023, 307 cases listed, January 2024, 259 cases listed and in January 2025, 134 cases listed. The DPP noted that herself and her staff have been aggressively working to address the backlog of cases as well as to deal with current cases so as to ensure that persons who are awaiting
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, trials, their cases are heard in a timely manner in accordance with the Constitution of Guyana, “we are proud of the bocklog that we have cleared up so for and continue to do same. It’s o work in progress.” The DPP has assured that her office will continue to work assiduously to clear up the backlog of criminal cases, not only in the Demerara Assizes, but as well as in the Berbice and Essequibo Criminal Assizes. A n d w h i l e s h e
acknowledged and thanked the Guyana Police Force for its work in support of the DPP’s Office to achieve its objective in clearing the backlog, DPP spoke to some of the challenges confronting her efforts. “ We s t i l l f a c e t h e challenge of the police locating the witnesses to testify as well as accused persons who have been granted bail. ln some instances, the persons have moved and in other instances, wrong addresses were given to the police at the time of their investigations.” Ali-Hack noted that more efforts need to be put into ascertaining the accuracy of the addresses at the time of the police investigations. “Ascertaining the accuracy of addresses of witnesses and accused persons during investigations is critical to the prosecution of the cases.”
distributed to more than 2,000 fisherfolk from Region Four as part of the g o v e r n m e n t ’s o n g o i n g efforts to provide relief. The handing over of the cheques was done by the Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha. “The distribution exercises, held at the Everest Ground in Georgetown and in Lusignan and Unity on the East Coast of Demerara, form part of a commitment made by H.E. President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and represent a total government investment of approximately $1,050,000,000. Approximately 7,000 fisherfolk nationwide will each receive cheques for $150,000,” the statement said. In his address to those gathered, the minister said that the event marked the second time fisherfolk were receiving assistance from government, adding that along with the direct cash support, his administration has also been making significant investments to strengthen the sector. Speaking on ongoing efforts to create new
Zulfikar Mustapha opportunities within the sector through training and value-added initiatives, he said that “while we are doing that, we are working to train fisherfolk to incorporate value-added opportunities. In the coming months, a number of opportunities will become available to you. We will also be establishing a seafood processing plant to produce value-added commodities.” On Saturday, 1704 fisherfolk on the Corentyne Coast also received financial relief. There, Minister Mustapha reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the fisheries sector, as he
spearheaded the cash relief distribution exercise. He reminded that the initiative fulfills a commitment made by President Irfaan Ali to provide direct, timely support to those operating within the industry. In Region Six alone, the relief represents an investment of $245.6 million. Addressing fisherfolk at the Albion community centre ground, Minister Mustapha said the exercise goes beyond the distribution of financial assistance. “What we are doing here today is another commitment and a promise … We want to build an industry that is strong, resilient and one that will take us into the future,” he said. Minister Mustapha noted that hundreds of landing sites have been developed or upgraded across the country, including several in Region Six. These landing sites are facilities that include sheds, lighting, water systems and washroom facilities, aimed at improving working conditions for fisherfolk.
Kaieteur News
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Tuesday January 13, 2026
Guyana’s population nears 1 million • Males now outnumber females • Region Three second most populated • Foreign-born population at 3.0% By Renay Sambach After more than three years of anticipation, the preliminary findings of the Guyana National Population and Housing Census 2022 were made public on Monday offering the most comprehensive snapshot of the country’s demographic and housing landscape in a decade. The results provide data on the population size and distribution, household composition, population density, sex ratios, local and foreign-born populations, and building stock. It should be noted that these findings will be further refined and expanded in a final report to be released at a later date. The preliminary report was presented by the Bureau of Statistics to Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown. Population count O n C e n s u s D a y, September 15, 2022, Guyana’s population stood at 878,674, representing an increase of 131,719 persons or 17.63 percent when compared with the 2012 census count of 746,955. Accounting for natural growth and net migration since 2022, the Bureau estimates the population rose
to 956,044 by the end of 2024, placing Guyana close to the one-million mark. All regions recorded population growth between 2012 and 2022. Region Four (Demerara–Mahaica) remains the most populated, accounting for 39.58 percent of the total population with 347,759 people. Region Three (Essequibo Islands–West Demerara) has now replaced Region Six as the second most populated region, with 143,884 residents or 16.38 percent of the population. Region Eight (Potaro–Siparuni) continues to be the least populated, with 13,598 people or 1.55 percent. Region Seven (Cuyuni–Mazaruni) recorded the highest intercensal annual growth rate at 5.14 percent, followed b y R e g i o n O n e (Barima–Waini) at 3.49 percent and Region Three at 2.93 percent. Notably, coastal regions accounted for 765,852 people, or 87.16 percent of the population, while hinterland regions recorded 112,822 residents, representing 12.84 percent. Local and foreign-born population The foreign-born population includes persons not Guyanese at birth who reside in Guyana, including those who later became citizens through naturalisation. Locals are defined as persons born in
Guyana or abroad to Guyanese parents. In 2022, locals accounted for 96.93 percent of the resident population, while the foreign-born population stood at 3.07 percent. This represents an increase from 2012, when locals accounted for 98.90 percent and the foreign-born population 1.10 percent. The Bureau noted that some foreign-born residents remain unaccounted for due to undocumented status. Household count and size The census recorded 271,946 households nationwide, up from 204,625 in 2012. Region Four had the highest number of households at 112,876.The national average household size declined to 3.23 persons per household, compared with 3.65 in 2012. A general reduction in household size was observed across all regions. Population density National population density increased from 3.47 persons per square kilometre in 2012 to 4.09 in 2022. Region Four remains the most densely populated, with 155.81 persons per square kilometre, followed by Region Three with 38.32. Region Nine was the least densely populated, with 0.52 persons per square kilometre. Population by sex The preliminary findings
show that of the 878,674 persons counted in 2022, males accounted for 50.18 per cent (440,882) and females 49.82 per cent (437,792). This resulted in a sex ratio of 101 males per 100 females, reversing the 2012 position when there were 99 males per 100 females. In hinterland regions, the sex ratio was significantly higher at 113 males per 100 females, compared with 99 males per 100 females in coastal regions. Both geographic areas recorded increases in the male population compared with 2012. Building stock G u y a n a ’s n a t i o n a l building stock grew by 42.02 percent, increasing from 219,509 buildings in 2012 to 311,742 in 2022. Coastal regions accounted for 88.58 percent of the building stock, while hinterland regions (Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine) represented 11.42 percent. Of the total buildings recorded, 80.99 percent
(252,474) were occupied. Buildings under construction accounted for 4.47 percent (13,942), while 1.41 percent (4,381) were classified as dilapidated. The remaining 13.13 percent, or 40,945 buildings, were recorded as vacant, closed or not stated. Region Four recorded the highest number of unoccupied buildings at 21,319, followed by Region Six with 9,377. Region Eight recorded the lowest number at 817. The most significant growth in building stock occurred in Region Seven (105.17 percent), followed by Region One (92.88 percent) and Region Eight (88.5 percent). Region Six recorded the lowest growth rate at 22.89 percent. Moreover, Chief Statistician and Census Officer, Errol La Cruez in his address, disclosed that more than 2,000 temporary staff were engaged for the census exercise and highlighted the support received from international and regional
partners, including the Caribbean Community Statistical Unit and the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America. For his part, Minister Singh said work will continue as preparations are made for the release of the final report, which “will come in due course.” Further, the Bureau of Statistics acknowledged the high level of public anticipation surrounding the census data but stressed that adequate time was required to ensure accuracy and reliability. It outlined that a census is conducted every 10 years to support policymaking, resource allocation and analysis of demographic trends. The 2022 exercise was Guyana’s first census conducted using ComputerAssisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) technology through tablets, marking a significant advancement in data collection and processing.
Trump to meet with Venezuelan opposition leader Machado on Thursday (AL-JAZEERA) United States President Donald Trump will meet with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado on Thursday, according to White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt. T h e Ve n e z u e l a n opposition figure has played little role in debates about the country’s future since the US abducted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro earlier this month, with Trump expressing doubt that she has the support necessary to govern Venezuela. Machado said last week that she had not spoken to Trump since
October. I n s t e a d , M a d u r o ’s former vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, has assumed the role of interim president under the threat of further military attacks if her government does not submit to US demands on a range of issues. T h e Ve n e z u e l a n government said on Monday that it had freed dozens of political prisoners, some of whom were jailed during protests against Maduro following the disputed 2024 election. “I think it would be very tough for her to be the leader,” Trump said of Machado after Maduro’s
abduction. “She doesn’t have the support or the respect within the country. She’s a very nice woman, but s h e d o e s n ’t h a v e t h e respect.” Machado, the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025 that Trump had sought for himself, met with Pope Leo XIV on Monday. “Today I had the blessing and honour of being able to share with His Holiness and express our gratitude for his continued support of what is happening in our country,” Machado said in a statement. “I also conveyed to him the strength of the Venezuelan people who remain steadfast and in
prayer for the freedom of Venezuela, and I asked him to intercede for all Venezuelans who remain k i d n a p p e d a n d disappeared,” she added. Pope Leo has said that Venezuela must remain an independent country following the US attack, stating that he is following developments there with “deep concern”. “The good of the beloved Venezuelan people must prevail over every other consideration,” said Leo. “This must lead to the overcoming of violence, and to the pursuit of paths of justice and peace.” Machado has sought to
cultivate close ties with the Trump administration, dedicating her Nobel Prize to Trump and, more recently, stating that she would like to share the prize or give it to him outright. “The good of the beloved Venezuelan people must prevail over every other consideration,” said Leo. “This must lead to the overcoming of violence, and to the pursuit of paths of justice and peace.” Machado has sought to cultivate close ties with the Trump administration, dedicating her Nobel Prize to Trump and, more recently, stating that she would like to share the prize or give it to
him outright. “I do want to say – on behalf of the Venezuelan people – how grateful we are for his [Trump’s] courageous vision, the historical actions he has taken against this narcoterrorist regime, to dismantle this structure and bring Maduro to justice,” Machado said last week in an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News. The Norwegian Nobel Institute said in a statement last week that the peace prize cannot be revoked, transferred, or shared, declaring that “the decision is final and stands for all time”.
T N U L B . . . T B N U T L N T B . U . L . L T B . N . U . N U T L N B . U . T . L N T U N B . N U . . L U L LUNT B . T . . T T N N B U B . U . L . L T B . B . . N . . . T T LU N N T U U L N L B U . B . . L . . . T B T . . N . Lectures from Western di p lomats N T U L N LU B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . N T B . . U N . L T U B L N . . B . U . . T L . N T B . . U N . L N T B U N . . L . U T B L . . N B . . . T U . L N T B U . . L . UN T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N B U U .BLUNT. . . L . T B . . N . T U . L N . T B U . UN .BLUNT.. UNT...BL T...BL . L N . T B U . . L LUN ...BLUNT. LUNT...B NT...BL T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U BBL T...BLUN BLUNT... ...BLU . T . N . N T T U L U N L B U T...BLU U B . L . N . B T . . . N T U N N N L U U U B L . L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Tuesday January 13, 2026
Kaieteur News
The calls from the United States, Canada, Britain and the European Union for the swift election of Guyana's Leader of the Opposition should embarrass, not reassure, those in authority.
When foreign diplomats are compelled to remind local officials of basic constitutional duties, something is seriously amiss. More than two months after the ceremonial opening of Parliament, the National Assembly remains effectively paralysed, not by law or logistics, but by deliberate inaction. The election of a Leader of the Opposition is a routine, perfunctory matter. Its prolonged delay, without explanation from the Speaker and amid silence from the government, raises troubling questions about political interference and democratic intent. Parliament cannot function properly without an opposition leader, and democracy cannot thrive when constitutional processes are selectively stalled.
Guyana does not need lectures from diplomats. It needs its leaders to respect the Constitution, convene Parliament, and allow elected representatives to do the jobs voters assigned them. Delay only deepens suspicion and erodes trust.
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Cricket West Indies announces squad for T20 series against Afghanistan - Brandon King is captain, with Shamar Joseph and Evin Lewis back as Quentin Sampson earns a maiden international call-up ST JOHN’S, Antigua Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced its 16member squad for the threematch T20 International
series against Afghanistan, scheduled to be played at the Dubai Cricket International Stadium in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from
January 19–22. The series will serve as crucial preparation ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup scheduled to begin on
Tuesday January 13, 2026 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You'll find that things are slipping nicely into place for you today, Aries. Your persuasive manner and gentle nudges are just enough to get people where you want them. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) When faced with ten entrees on the menu, it might be hard for you to choose just one. Feel free to order two or more, Ta u r u s . D o n ' t l e t indecisiveness slow you down. At the same time. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your dreams won't come true unless you believe in and act on them, Gemini. No one else is going to do it for you. Unless you have a fairy godmother, you need to take matters into your own hands. CANCER (June 21–July 22) If people hassle you or give you a hard time about your appearance today, pay them no mind, Cancer. You have the right to live your life any way you want to. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Reach for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, Leo. It's closer than you think. Indeed, your dreams are completely within your reach, and there are huge forces at work helping you achieve your goals. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Today is your day to dream and dream big, Virgo. Think about what it is that you want most out of life. Aim your arrow to the stars and pull back your bow as far as possible. There's no limit to how far you can go.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Expand your mind to its furthest reaches today, Libra. There's an incredible opportunity opening up for you in which you can make great strides in a creative realm. Follow the music. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your mind may seem rather cloudy today, Scorpio, but don't let this hinder you. In fact, you'll find that you can use this feeling of fantasy to your advantage. Try to bring more magic into your life. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Today is an excellent day for you, one in which you'll find a great deal of strength in your emotions, Sagittarius. Trust that your instincts are serving you well. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Things might get a bit confusing for you today, Capricorn. Don't feel like you need to make sense of it all. In fact, this task may be impossible. Just be yourself. Let your creative nature shine through. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Mix your reality with a bit of fantasy today, Aquarius. Allow your feet to come off the ground for a little while. Give yourself a rest. Take some time to meditate and clear your mind of your daily worries. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Let yourself go into high creative mode and drift into a whole other world, Pisces. Escape your present reality and explore your fantasies through any sort of artistic endeavor. Dream as big as your mind allows.
February 6, with the final squad for this highly anticipated competition to be announced ahead of the three-match T20I series against South Africa set for January 27–31. T20 Captain Shai Hope, along with established players Roston Chase, Akeal Hosein and Sherfane Rutherford were unavailable for selection due to commitments in the ongoing SA20 tournament. In Hope’s absence, Brandon King has been appointed captain. King has previously led the West Indies in T20 Internationals, including during the home series against South Africa in early 2024, and brings valuable leadership experience into this assignment. Shamar Joseph and Evin Lewis are back in action for this series, with both players successfully clearing returnto-play protocols after recovering from injuries sustained in previous series. Alzarri Joseph, who was also sidelined by injury towards the end of 2025, had been making encouraging progress in his return-to-play programme but has not been included at this stage as a precaution following medical review. He will continue to be monitored and assessed to determine his eligibility and potential selection for the World Cup squad. Quentin Sampson, the Breakout Player of the 2025 Caribbean Premier League, has earned his maiden international call-up. He replaces Rovman Powell, who has been rested for the series alongside Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd as part of workload management. Head Coach, Daren Sammy, noted that in addition to being utilized as a fine-tuning opportunity ahead of the ICC World Cup, this series facilitates the reintegration of key players coming off significant periods of absence. “The opportunity to play competitive matches in subcontinental conditions is ideal, as it assists with our
Jayden Seales Ramon Simmonds Shamar Springer Shimron Hetmyer Team Management Unit Rawl Lewis - Team Manager Daren Sammy - Head Coach Floyd Reifer - Assistant Coach (Batting) Ravi Rampaul - Assistant Coach (Bowling) Rayon Griffith Assistant Coach (Fielding) Physiotherapist: Dr Denis Byam Strength & Conditioning Coach: Darc Browne Massage Therapist: Fitzbert Alleyne Performance Analyst: Avenesh Seetaram Content & Media Officer: Jerome Foster Full Tour Schedule: 1st T20I: 19th January 2026 @ Dubai, UAE 2nd T20I: 21st January 2026 @ Dubai, UAE 3rd T20I: 22nd January 2026 @ Dubai, UAE
preparations and confidence building ahead of what will be a competitive T20 World Cup.” “It also presents a valuable platform to assess players who would’ve missed significant time towards the end of 2025, as well as those stepping into important roles for this series, prior to the selection of the final squad for the international tournament.” The squad will depart the Caribbean on January 14 and is scheduled to arrive in the UAE on January 16. West Indies T20 Squad against Afghanistan Brandon King (Captain) Alick Athanaze Keacy Carty Johnson Charles Matthew Forde Justin Greaves Amir Jangoo Shamar Joseph Evin Lewis Gudakesh Motie Khary Pierre Quentin Sampson
Berbice River Bridge Closure to Road Traffic Tuesday January 13, 2026
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CWI Women’s Blaze T20 Championships Round 1…
Tuesday January 13, 2026
2026 ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup…
Defending champs Guyana face Windies battle Tanzania Windwards today in season opener in World Cup opener
T
he defending champions Guyana face-off against Windward Islands today in St. Vincent, as the Cricket West Indies (CWI) R e g i o n a l T 2 0 Championships bowl off today. Guyana will open the tournament versus Windwards today from 9:00h, as part of the tripleheader. Other Round 1 matches today features Leeward Islands playing Jamaica from 14:30h with Trinidad and Tobago playing under lights against Barbados The team left in high spirits following a period of structured preparation and team bonding during an intensive encampment held between the Everest Cricket Ground in Georgetown and the Lusignan Cricket Ground on the East Coast of
Demerara. The encampment, which ran over six days, focused on technical skills, tactical execution, fitness conditioning, and matchsimulation exercises as the players prepared to defend their Regional T20 Blaze title while also targeting success in the 50-over format. The Guyana squad will be under the watchful eyes of Head Coach Tremaine Smartt, and her Deputy Clive Grimmond with experienced West Indies international Shemaine Campbelle captaining the side. One huge plus is the inclusion of Blaze T20 player of the tournament for last year, spinner Plaffianna Millington will also be a huge factor in the tournament given her recent form with the ball over the past two years both locally
and regionally. The Regional T20 Blaze will be contested first, followed by the Regional 50-over Championship, providing the Guyanese players with an opportunity to compete across formats against the region’s top women’s teams. The Guyana Cricket Board has expressed strong confidence in the experienced Shemaine Campbelle-led Guyana squad, noting that the defending champions are focused, well-prepared, and ready to defend their title. The President of the Guyana Cricket Board, Bissoondyal Singh, stated that the team’s blend of experience, leadership, and depth has created a positive and confident environment, with players showing strong commitment throughout their preparations. He emphasized that the
GCB is fully confident in the squad’s readiness and believes the team is wellpositioned to perform creditably while proudly representing the nation and defending their title as champions.All matches will be played at the Arnos Vale Cricket Stadium. Guyana Women’s squad: Shemaine Campbelle (captain), Ashmini Munisar (vice-captain), Shabika Gajnabi, Sheneta Grimmond, Realeanna Grimmond, Nyia Latchman, Kaysia Schultz, Laurene Williams, Latoya Williams, Analesia D’Aguiar, Plaffianna Millington, Mandy Mangru, Feona Benjamin, Tremaine Marks. Reserves: Cyanna Retemiah, Letisha Jordan, Crystal Durant, Tiea Isaacs, A n a s t e c i a Va l e n z u e l a , Tifeny La Rose, Sarah Bheir, Nyomi Barkoye
Guyanese Johnathan Van Lange and Shamar Apple will be preparing to show their skills on the world stage in a few days time.
W
est Indies will commence t h e i r campaign in the 2026 ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup, with an important opening round encounter versus Tanzania, with action bowling off from January 15. Te a m s a s s e m b l e d recently as they prepare for 50-Over action across host nations Zimbabwe and Namibia, with the Joshua Dorne-led Windies side seeking to win their first encounter against one of the home-team countries. Prior to the departure, both skipper Dorne and his deputy, Guyanese Johnathan Van Lange said the team was brimming with confidence heading into the Cup. Van Lange, one of the key players in the side with bat and ball, said he personally hopes to make full use of his time on the big stage to further showcase his skills; as they seek to win this year’s title. Another Guyanese on
show is all-rounder Shamar Apple, who was drafted to the squad. The highlytalented utility player will add tons of flexibility to the squad, with his powerhitting and quick scoring, adding to his team’s already stacked cache. The Windies will look to hold down Group D which features South Africa, Afghanistan and Tanzania, with their Games being played exclusively at the High-Performance Oval in Windhoek, Namibia. Meanwhile, the West Indies will play their second match against the young Afghans on January 18. West Indies U19 team J o s h u a D o r n e (Captain),Jonathan Van Lange (Vice-Captain), Jewel Andrew, Shamar Apple, Shaquan Belle, Zachary Carter, Tanez Francis, R’jai Gittens, Vitel Lawes, Micah McKenzie, Matthew Miller, Isra-el Morton, Jakeem Pollard, Aadian Racha, Kunal Tilokani.
Tuesday January 13, 2026
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Tinnie and Persaud win 2026 National U-12 Rapid Chess Championships titles A
iden Tinnie is the new U-12 Open Rapid Chess Champion, while Divya Persaud is the newly crowned U-12 Girls Rapid Chess Champion for 2026. The eleven-year-olds delivered splendid performances in the MOO! Milk-sponsored U-12 Open Chess Championship last Saturday, January 10th, 2026, at the ACADO Building on the East Bank of Demerara. Tinnie scored a perfect 7 points in the Open Category, while Persaud ended with 6.5 points in the Girls’ Category in the sevenround Swiss competition. The competition had a turnout of 42 children, including 28 boys and 14 girls. Tinnie, a promising young player, has been marking his progress
steadily up the ranks. His path to the U-12 Open title was marked by critical victories over fellow talented contenders Vir Narine in the fifth round and Javier Davenand in the sixth. Ten-year-old up-andcoming talent Narine secured a commendable second place with 6 points. Fresh off a successful appearance at the CAC games in Puerto Rico, Narine’s only loss of the day was to the tournament champion in the fifth round. Arian Tinnie, another promising and determined young player, rounded out the top three with 5 points after losing to his brother, Aiden, and Narine. Securing the fourth and fifth place, respectively, were Rafael Cappell and Javier Davenand, who both finished on 5 points.
Aiden Tinne receives his Championship trophy from Ms. Aaliyah Kendall (L), Brand Manager MOO!
Divya Persaud receives her Championship trophy from Ms. Aaliyah Kendall (R), Brand Manager MOO!
Prize winners for MOO! Milk sponsored the National U12 Chess Tournament. In the Girls’ U12 competition, Persaud displayed her skill over the board, winning all her games and drawing her last game with Maya Alli. Eleven-year-old Amaya Sharma earned the secondplace trophy with 6 points. Sharma’s strategic patience was on full display, with her only loss coming against the tournament champion in the third round. Third place was claimed by Saura Ruplall, one of the most experienced competitors in the field, who finished with 5 points. The competition highlighted the emerging talent in the younger age brackets with trophies and medals. In the U-10 Open Category, Mark Defreitas claimed the first-place prize, followed by Avery Munroe in second and Pranav Suman in third. In the U-10 Girls Category, Malia Thompson took first place, with Amiyah Ally and Isabella Shariff taking second and third place, respectively. Additionally, the U-8 Boys Category saw Pranav Suman securing first place, while Roshan Ali finished second, and Tariq John rounded out the top three. All of the young players were forced to think and execute moves in a limited time during Seven Rounds of t h e O n e - D a y championships. Prizes and certificates of participation were presented to the players during a simple prize-giving ceremony by Ms. Aaliyah Kendall, Brand Manager of the MOO! Brand at the conclusion of the tournament. The young
participants were also treated to goodies from the company. Thanks to the Chief Arbiter, John Lee, and the assistant arbiters Kim Shing Chong, Ethan Lee, Italy TonChung, Kishan Puran, and Oluwadare Oyeyipo, who
ensured that every move was played in strict accordance with international rules and regulations through their diligent supervision and hard work. The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) expresses its sincere gratitude to
ACADO Guyana and their MOO! Milk brand for their steadfast sponsorship. Their unwavering support for youth chess and the generous provision of the tournament venue have been instrumental in the success of this event.
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Tuesday January 13, 2026
Bynoe Jr. donates cricket kits to support Under-13 players across Counties
T
he Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has acknowledged a donation of three cricket kits from Colin Bynoe Jr, which have been distributed to Under-13 players from Essequibo, Berbice and Demerara as part of efforts to support youth development at the grassroots level. The recipients of the kits are Demarcus Thomas of Essequibo, Adrian Emmanuel of Berbice, and Hezekiah HohenKirk of Demerara. Bynoe Jr said his decision to donate the kits was motivated by a desire to assist young players at the very beginning of their cricketing journey, noting
that the cost of equipment can often be a challenge for parents. “My motivation was quite simple. Cricket kit is expensive, and the aim was to reach players at the very start of their journey,” Bynoe Jr said. “This is a small contribution toward strengthening that foundation. Parents do face some challenges in securing a kit, so I thought it best to contribute in this way.” He explained that the gesture is something he has long wanted to do and expressed hope that it could become an annual initiative. “I always wanted to do something like this. Hopefully it can be an annual
gesture,” he said. “At that age, under 13 to 15, feeling that someone believes in you can be just as important as the kit itself. It builds confidence.” Each kit presented included one bat, one pair of white batting leg guards, two pairs of batting gloves, one kit bag, and two bat stickers. Bynoe Jr also shared words of encouragement to the young cricketers as they continue their development. “My message to them is this: take your development seriously, respect your coaches and teammates, and always be willing to work when no one is watching,” he said. The Guyana Cricket Board has welcomed the
donation, noting that initiatives of this nature
contribute meaningfully to the growth of cricket at the
youth level across the three counties.
FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets advance phase open
The Guyana Football Federation has informed that FIFA has officially opened the advanced phase of ticket sales for the FIFA World Cup 2026, taking place across the USA, Mexico and Canada beginning June 11, 2026.
All prices are listed in US Dollars (US$). All Expression of Interest Deadline (EOI) must be submitted by January 19, 2026 to the email address fwc26tickets2@guyanafootball.org.
Ticket Allocation for the Public Each person will be allowed to request one (1) ticket during this phase. All ticket purchases will be processed through FIFA and are subject to availability.
An official Factsheet has been provided with all the important details you’ll need, including: How to submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) Ticket categories & pricing Key instructions & deadlines
Official FIFA match schedule We encourage everyone to read the Factsheet carefully before applying so the process runs smoothly. More updates are expected shortly.
Tuesday January 13, 2026
2026 to see eight tournaments with increased focus to expand the KFC invitational Series and the inclusion of the inaugural University Championship.
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Petra Organisation launches packed 2026 Football Calendar of Activities - With inaugural Tertiary Football Tournament set for January kickoff expanded international field, with invitations expected for teams deeper into the Caribbean diaspora. “Our commitment is to create opportunities for every player across the ten administrative regions,”
Building on what it calls “most remarkable year” in i t s h i s t o r y, t h e P e t r a Organisation has launched a comprehensive 2026 football calendar, promising an unprecedented year of youth development. The headline addition is the i n a u g u r a l Tertiary/University Football To u r n a m e n t , a l o n g discussed initiative aimed at narrowing the gap between secondary school and senior football. Directors Troy Mendonca and Marlan Cole announced the schedule, positioning the new tertiary competition, slated for a late January kickoff, to the top of the 2026 agenda. This tournament aligns well with Petra’s inclusivity drive, introducing another layer to grassroots development, and perhaps the solution to cultivating larger portions of Guyana’s football talent. “This tournament has the potential to bridge a critical gap,” said Mendonca. “With football’s growth in recent years, the tertiary level is the logical next step in our development pathway.” The 2026 slate maintains Petra’s signature focus on school-aged athletes while expanding its reach. According to the release, the action resumes in March with the 11th Annual Massy U18 Secondary Schools Round Robin Championship (March 15–April 19), followed by ExxonMobil’s 11th Annual Boys’ and Girls’
U14 tournaments (May 2–June 20), widely regarded as the breeding ground for emerging talent. The summer features the ninth Digicel Secondary Schools Football Championship (tentatively July 4–August 15), offering another major platform for skill enhancement and added play-time. The Petra Organisation is driven by youth, after the vocational period, they will then shift focus to the Primary level, hosting the 13th Annual Courts Pee wee U11 Boys’ tournament from September 12. The competitive climax for secondary schools will be the Republic Bank U18 League (October 18–November 29), now in its seventh edition, which will crown the nation’s top two teams in school’s football, providing them with a chance to represent Guyana in the yearend intivitation Series. Meanwhile, another exciting layer to the calendar’s diversity is the MVP Sports Girls’ U11 Football tournament, the event will shift the spotlight on the female aspect of development, introducing the next generation of female footballers from November 14 to December 5. After that, Petra plans to close the year with the prestigious KFC International Goodwill S e r i e s i n D e c e m b e r. Organisers hint at an
Co-director of the Petra Organisation, Troy Mendonca.
stated Cole. “We’re building a standard all can enjoy and nurturing young players on their journey to elite levels.” Wi t h t o u r n a m e n t s r u n n in g f r o m J an u ar y through December, the 2026 calendar reaffirms Petra
Organisation’s role as the primary architect of grassroots football in Guyana, aiming to deliver another year of skill development and competitive opportunity for the nation’s youth.
Jason Holder, Rovman Powell and Romario Shepherd have been granted rest. (CWI)
rts Spo
Cricket West Indies announces squad for T20 series against Afghanistan - Brandon King is captain, with Shamar Joseph and Evin Lewis back as Quentin Sampson earns a maiden international call-u Petra makes ambitious move in local football with new Tertiary/University Football tournament.
Petra Organisation launches packed 2026 Football Calendar of Activities - With inaugural Tertiary Football Tournament set for January kickoff
2026 ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup…
Tinnie and Persaud win 2026 National Windies battle Tanzania in World Cup opener U-12 Rapid Chess Championships titles Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.