‘Renegotiation of oil deal not anti-business’ - APNU …shows country’s seriousness remain in talks to end war
‘Big
Market’ vendors lament high
cost-of-living, decline in business
about correcting imbalances border case
Govt. to roll out AI-backed borders and virtual police stations
...Pres.Alitalksuphigh-techsecuritypush
Pres.Ali: One feared up in TIP scandal to be
Indian workers caught paid on Thursday -Labour Ministry dead in Barama River accident confident of victory at ICJ in Venezuela Guyana
Pres. Ali defends U.S. multi-
million-dollar GTE deal with troubled contractor
Marcy Ramlakhana, a clothes vendor for the past 20 years, lamented the decline in business on Friday.
Pres. Ali defends U.S. multi-milliondollar GTE deal with troubled contractor
...says tender process was above board
President Irfaan Ali on Friday defended the US multi-million-dollar contract with Lindsayca, the American energy company working on the Wales Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project saying the company was not handpickedbutawardedthecontractthroughapublictender process.
Athisfirstpressconferencefortheyear,PresidentAliwas questioned on whether he believes Lindsayca is the right partner for the GTE project located at Wales West Bank Demerara.
In response to a question posed by Kaieteur News, the Head-of-State said, “Lindsayca came through a public process, first of all. It was a public tender The president of Guyana or nobody didn’t go and select Lindsayca, it came throughapublicprocess.”
TheWales GTE project, which includes the construction ofaNaturalGasLiquids(NGL)facilityanda300-megawatt (MW)powerplantatWales,WestBankDemerara,hasfaced mountingcriticismsoverdelaysandescalatingcosts.
ThispublicationhadreportedthatwhenLindsaycalanded an almost billion-dollar contract, the entity was bankrupt, faced with several lawsuits, over allegations of money laundering and other questionable business dealings KaieteurNews’researchalsorevealedthatLindsaycalackeda basic requirement to qualify for the project – experience in constructingaprojectofsuchmagnitude.
A careful examination of the company’s financials between 2016 and 2019 revealed that Lindsayca was drowning in debt to the tune of millions of US-dollars. Lindsayca, as per the pre-qualification and bidding process that started with the Request For Proposals (RFP) in September 2021 and concluded with bid submissions in September 2022 was required to submit three years of financial statements to the government of Guyana (GoG) to ensurethecompanywasingoodstanding.
Independent commentator, Chartered Accountant and Attorney, Christopher Ram reviewed the financials seen by this newspaper and concluded that the company was under “significant financial strain, with issues that go directly to liquidity, sustainability, and the reliability of what is being reported.”
Forhispart,PresidentAlinoted,“Ourintentionistowork withallthestakeholderstohavethisprojectcompletedandto ensurethatour peoplehavethebenefitof a cutin electricity rateby50percent.”
He noted however, that his administration is not happy thattheprojecthasfargonebeyondtheinitialdeadline. “We wantedthisprojecttobecompletedasquicklyaspossible,but that is the reality that is before us. They had various challenges.Wearenothappyandwesaidthatbefore.Butwe have to now take this project to the end.That is the priority. ThepriorityisfinishingthisprojectintheinterestsofGuyana andtheGuyanesepeople,”PresidentAliadded. Moreover,hepointedtoarecentstatementfromtheOffice Continued on page 3
President Irfaan Ali at the Office of the President on Friday.
…shows country’s seriousness about correcting imbalances ‘Renegotiationofoildealnotanti-business’-APNU
TheGovernmentof Guyana must
s e e k m o r e benefits for its citizens from the 2016 contract with ExxonMobil, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) saidonFriday
The party at its weekly p
h e renegotiation of the contract isbynomeansanti-business b u t w o u l d i n s t e a d demonstrate the seriousness of the country in its bid to correctimbalances.
APNU’s Member of Parliament (MP) Riaz Roopnarine said that the party is firmly committed to
renegotiation but not arbitrary nationalisation. He told reporters that where agreements are unfair or unbalanced, “things get serious”.
“The PNCR/APNU welcomes investment, respects lawful enterprise, and believes investors must have confidence in Guyana. But that confidence must be b u i l t o n f a i r n e s s , transparency,andrespectfor o u r s o v e r e i g n t y Renegotiation is not antibusiness. It is how a serious countrycorrectsimbalances, protects its people, and builds a fairer relationship withinvestors,”hesaid.
Referencingthefightfor independence, he reminded thatitwasnotsimplyhanded toGuyanabutwasfoughtfor andnegotiated.
“Makingthesmallmana realmanwasnotemptytalk. It meant that the worker, the farmer, the vendor, the public servant, the young person, the pensioner, and the family trying to survive from month to month had to see themselves in the promise of Independence. It meant that national development could not be discussed from platforms while ordinary people remained poor, powerless, and pushed aside,”
One feared dead in Barama River accident
A man who has been identified only as ‘King’is feared dead following an incident ontheBaramaRiver,Thursday Police said an investigation has been launched into the incident which occurred around 09:30hrs at Barama River, Kokerite Village,NorthWestDistrict.Involvedwere a wooden balahoo captained by a 24-yearold man of Grant Anna Regina, Lower PomeroonRiverandasmallaluminiumboat captainedby“King.”
“Initial enquiries revealed that the balahoo was proceeding along the Barama River from Bamboo Landing, North West District to Charity with four passengers when a collision reportedly occurred with
thesmallaluminiumboat.
As a result of the collision, the two occupantsofthealuminiumboatfellintothe river One occupant, a 23-year-old male of Kariako Village, was rescued, while the captain of the aluminium boat failed to resurface,”policesaid.
Efforts to locate the missing man was unsuccessful.
The rescued occupant was taken to the Moruca District Hospital, where he was treatedandremainsunderobservation.
The captain of the balahoo was arrested andisassistingpolicewiththeinvestigation. The boats and engines have been lodged as investigationscontinue.
Roopnarinesaid.
The MP referenced the People’s National Congress Reform’s (PNCR) 60th Independence Symposium on May 21, 2026, where Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram reminded thecountryofLindenForbes Sampson Burnham’s warning that Guyana had achieved political independence, but had not yet created a new economy Ram noted that sovereignty must be accompanied by economic substance and a flagwithoutaneconomythat works for the citizens is not enough.
TheAPNU believes that Burnham’s warning speaks directly to Guyana’s current situation,astodayitisanoilproducing nation, with daily reportsfromthegovernment
Pres.
on record growth, budgets, revenuesandconstruction.
“There is also the billion spent on the celebrations for the 60th Independence Anniversary, yet many Guyanese are asking simple questions; “if the country is so rich, why are so many people still struggling? Where is the independence frompoverty?Fromhunger? From low wages, high prices, and hopelessness amongouryoungpeople?”
Roopnarine said, “The PPP Government appears willing to spend billions on celebration, ceremony, lights,concerts,banners,and public relations, but it does not show the same urgency toliftordinaryGuyaneseout of economic hardship Celebrationhasitsplace.But it cannot be a substitute for
Ali defends U.S.
Frompage2 of the Prime Minister on the project. “There was a press release by the prime minister’s office…[he] outlined very clearly what are the new commitments in terms of the timeline,whatwillcomeonstreambeforethe end of the year, the power that will come on streaminthefirstquarterofnextyear…”Ali said.
The Prime Minister’s office in its statement said that substantial progress has been recorded in works at the site thus far,
better wages, lower food prices, support for farmers, opportunities for young people, and real help for families under pressure everyday.”
The MP highlighted that the people-centered development strategy of the party becomes important as developmentmuststartwith people and not propaganda, with the households and not headlines.
“It must reach the worker, the farmer, the small-business owner, the youngperson,thepensioner, and the communities still waitingtofeelthebenefitsof this oil wealth That is a modern expression of the same principle Burnham advanced:theeconomymust bejudgedbywhatitdoesfor ordinarypeople,”headded.
multi-million...
with stringent milestones set moving forward, following an agreement with Lindsayca Guyana Inc. to bring the first power turbine online by the end of 2026. It said this will be followed by all gas turbines whichareexpectedtobefullycommissioned bythefirstquarterof2027andthecombined cycle operation to be completed by June 2027.Thestatementsaidthat“failuretomeet thesemilestoneswillallowthegovernmentto re-instate liquidated damages against the contractor.”
On May 26, this nation will celebrate its Diamond Jubilee — sixty years as an independent nation. Yet the questionstillechoesacrossGuyana:wehaveIndependence, butarewetrulyfree?
Six decades after the colonial yoke was lifted from our necks should have been enough time for us to understand and embrace the true meaning of freedom. Independence was meant to bring national dignity, self-determination, accountability, and opportunity for all. But too often, it appearswemerelyreplacedforeignmasterswithlocalones.
At first glance, power today rests in Guyanese hands. Look deeper, however, and a painful reality emerges: too many of those entrusted with leadership answer not to the people,buttothemselves,theirallies,andforeigninterests. Independence has become more of a ceremonial holiday thanalivingnationalprinciple.
Successivegovernmentsandpoliticalpartieshavefailed to maximize the promise of this treasured freedom for the benefitofordinarycitizens.Informationoncriticalnational matters is released selectively — only when it serves political convenience and selfish agendas. Guyanese have painfully realized that the interests of political elites rarely alignwiththeinterestsofthepeople.
Thisfailurehasbecomeevenmoredevastatingintheera of oil wealth. The discoveries that once inspired hope for transformation now risk becoming symbols of squandered opportunity Thosesteeringtheshipofstatehavestructured systems to protect themselves first, while feeding citizens half-truths,distractions,andemptypromises.
Independence cannot survive where leaders are free to manipulate national resources without scrutiny The oil fund, our children’s inheritance and our nation’s safeguard must never become a political playground. Citizens have a duty to question fearlessly, speak boldly, and demand accountabilityrelentlessly Silenceissurrender Freedom does not end at elections. Voting is only the beginning of self-determination True Independence requires vigilance, courage, responsibility, and a citizenry willingtoholdleaderstothehigheststandards.
There is no meaning in exchanging British domination for American, Chinese, or any other foreign influence. Neither can we celebrate freedom while homegrown predators enrich themselves at the expense of the people. ThatisnotIndependence,itisanewformofbondage.
Sixty years later, Guyanese must rise above political manipulationanddependency Wemustthinkforourselves, actforourselves,andreclaimownershipofourdestiny No citizenshouldbecomeadoormatforanyleaderorpolitical machine.
The time has come to understand what Independence truly demands: national pride, accountability, courage, and collectiveresponsibility
Thetimetoactisnow
The government should be careful of the precedents, which it creates
DEAREDITOR,
Ithasbecomeagiventhat t h e r u l i n g P P P / C governmentdoesnotrespect theinstitutionofParliament. Firsttherewastheinactivity -ashutdown-ofParliament, when the election of the Leader of the Opposition shouldhaveoccurred.
In fact, during that time, inDecember2025,President Irfaan Ali delivered a major nationaladdressonthelawns of the Arthur Chung ConferenceCentre,whenhe outlined his government five-year agenda As the Speaker refused to convene Parliament to elect the Leader of the Opposition, it meant that members of opposition parties were
excluded from that event. During the time of that Parliamentaryshutdown,the Speaker attended a Conference in India. And now, during the present shutdown, the Deputy Speaker is attending a ConferenceinCanada.
A core function of parliamentarians is to perform their duties in the House of Assembly: pilot legislation, contribute towards debate, sit on committees etc. When the government shuts down parliament, it means that its parliamentarians are not performing their core functions,forwhichtheyare paid. Further, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are not
performing their core parliamentary functions at all. It, therefore, loudly begs the question whether the g o v e r n m e n t ’ s parliamentarians should be paidtheirfullsalary
Theyoughtnottobe.The situation that obtains is a manifestationpoliticaldecay at the apex of Guyana’s d e m o c r a c y A n d , metaphorically, it has an offensivestench.
I n w h a t o t h e r employment sectors of Guyana are employees entitledtoabandontheircore employment functions and yetbepaidtheirfullsalary
The government should be careful of the precedents, which it creates. It does not
have in inalienable right to governGuyana.Itisinoffice at the will of the people. It should eschew abusing its powers It should particularly eschew abusing parliamentary norms. The repeated shutdown of Parliament, whilst its parliamentarians are paid their full salary is corrupt, arrogant, reprehensible and facinorous. The Guyanese people are sure to remove it from power in the future, however long it takes, whereupon the PPP/C will have no standing to criticise its successor of abuse of power
Yourssincerely
WillanJCyrusEsq England
If our Independence is to have real meaning, it must address the historical injustices inflicted on all races in Guyana
DEAR
EDITOR,
May 26 marks the 60th Anniversary of Guyana’s Independence,amomentfor reflection, analysis, and an honest assessment of whether we truly share a commonvisionofthefuture. Itisnotenoughforustotake comfort in the fact we have survived six decades as a fractured society under our winner-takes-all governance system, one that subsequent reforms to the 1966 constitution failed to adequately address Both major parties, the PPP and PNC, have a history of paying lip service to executivepower-sharingand meaningful inclusive governance.
The PPP continues to justify its position with the opportunistic claim that there is not enough trust betweenthetwoparties(and I will add by extension the majorracegroups).Inrecent times, the PNC has had a betterrecordthanthePPPon thisimportantnationalissue, with Hoyte’s historic declaration that powersharingisanideawhosetime has come.After Hoyte died, the new PNC leader Robert Corbin pursued the matter withJagdeowithoutsuccess. ThePPPinsistedthatthereis aneedtobuildtrust,ignoring thefactthatitispreciselythe lack of trust that makes a solution to this national problemnecessary
In a recent interview, to markthe60thanniversaryof
independence, Elder
Hamilton Green took the opportunity to remind the nation that Burnham and Jagan had committed to a Guyana of equality and the use of the nation’s resources to improve the lives of the people.HeaccusedthePPP’s leadership of betraying that noble independence aspiration The inherent logic in Green’s criticism is thatthegovernmentinoffice hasagreaterresponsibilityto provide leadership on national unity and economic justice among the people. I concur Givenourhistoryon thesematters,theopposition, more so, the PNC/APNU, has a responsibility to provide leadership in this important area of national life and to protect the interestsofitsconstituents.
The unwillingness of the opposition and, more importantly, the collective Africancommunitytoinvest political capital to end winner-takes-all governance exposed the African people toanexistentialthreat,given the new challenges of Guyana becoming a petrostate with an entrenched racistapartheidPPPregime.
While we need united action to move the country forwardinthecontextofthe new challenges, Guyana’s oil wealth, unresolved claim by Venezuela to over twothirds of our territory, the historic racial and political division,andtheunrestricted inflow of migrants, united
action seems more remote thanlikely Thisintervention seeks to refocus the nation’s attentionontherace/political division and our winnertake-all governance system, which our rulers often treat as trivial matters Their approachdeprivesthenation of true national cohesion and, more importantly, denies the young generation of a profound understanding oftheissuesinherentinthese contradictions derived from slavery and colonialism that continue to make us vulnerable to the negative influences of internal and external forces, opening the possibility of us losing our country Ifourindependence is to have real meaning, it must address the historical injustices inflicted on all racesinGuyanaandconfront the enduring consequences of slavery and colonialism, with priority to the Indigenous and African communities, which have been the most affected. In this letter, I seek to argue that, given the present balance of economic, political, and social forces, the prospect of unity across racialandpoliticallineswill remainelusiveintheshortto mediumterm.
It is unlikely that the Indian community will mountsignificantopposition to the PPP for known historical and political reasons Meanwhile, indigenous peoples are principally concentrated in
the hinterland, which limits the effectiveness of their sustained political action outsidetheelectoralprocess. This leaves the burden largely on the African community In the short to medium term, African political action or inaction will play a decisive role in determining Guyana’s direction If the African community accepts continuedmarginalisation,it risks paving the way for the broader domination of GuyanesesocietybythePPP and its racist apartheid leadership.
While party politics is heretostayandwillcontinue tobethemajorforcedriving our politics, there is an urgent need for the development of community politics across the board. Given the existential threat facing the African and Indigenous communities, their action is urgent since time is not on their side. As an African political and cultural activist, I am conscious of the concerns ourcommunityhasaboutour future, given the PPP rule and our winner-take-all governance system. At the UNforumontheDecadefor Peoples of African Descent, the Guyana government argued that the current conditions of Africans in Guyana have nothing to do withthePPPgovernmentbut rather stem from decisions ourancestorsmadeattheend Continued on page 5
The ABCers speak and the government reacts
DEAREDITOR,
For a few weeks and from a few voices, there have been questions about Parliament convening. Either the Honourable Minister for Parliamentary Affairs has a case of memory loss or ‘eye pass’the people. Now comes the Minister as the righteous one to rebuke the kindergarteners as it relates to concerns about the sitting of Parliament. To directly quote the Minister, there is a “new style of diplomacy” that only listens “to one side and not the other.”And, on top of that, she added, “the engagement should be profoundandrespectful.”Seemstomethose words are at worst vacuous and at best contradictory
Wasn’t the right Honourable Minister seekingapprovalwhensubmittinga28-page document to the same group crying on the shoulder of the ABCers and complaining about the APNU? Wasn’t the Honourable Minister and her party of what has now become a cloaked if not borderline dictatorship pleading with the same kindergartners about democracy during the 2020 elections? Does listening to one side only work then? Does new style diplomacy
only work conveniently? The rightful Ministerneedstorecognisethatiftheirparty isleadingasovereignnation,thatstancemust bemaintainedintimesoftroubleandintimes ofpain.AsittingandfunctioningParliament reflects Democracy and the rule of law through the will of people A sitting Parliament should tend to the people’s business Parliament is not for the convenienceoftherulingparty
Parliament has not met in almost one hundreddays.Thatispainful.Now,suddenly there is a plan when theABC class speaks. I cannot come to grips with the idea that the ABCclassandnotthislegislaturewouldfirst be made aware of a pending sitting date. PerhapstheMinisterwasreadThe-riotact?
My message to the Honourable Minister isclear Theappearanceofcowardicecannot be hidden. The ABCers speak, and the government reacts. With the government giving away oil, gold, lumber, bauxite, and futureofthisnation’schildrenintheformof loans the rhetorical question becomes:What next?
Respectfully, L.A.C.Archer
We owe a debt of gratitude to all who contributed to our independence struggle
DEAREDITOR,
May 26, 2026 marks 60 years since Guyana gained political Independence after over150yearsofBritishcolonialrule.Thisis indeed a significant milestone for which we shouldallbeproud.
Itissignificanttonote,however,thatthe road to Independence was not altogether smooth There were lots of intrigues, machinationsandbrokenpromisesandadate wasfinallyfixedbyBritain,butonlyafterthe PPPwasremovedfromofficein1964mainly out of geo-strategic and ideologicalconsiderations.
Sadly, the first two decades of our postIndependence history can be considered ‘lost’ in terms of the full realisation of our dreams and aspirations as a freeandindependentpeople. T
undemocratic rule and c
economic decline which saw our country retrogressed to one of the poorest in the westernhemisphere.Thiswaslargelyduetoa rupture of the democratic fabric of the countrybythethenPNCregime.
IhumblysubmitthattheGuyanesepeople did not truly enjoy the full essence of our Independence status due to an aberration of the democratic processes by the then PNC regime under the leadership of Forbes Burnham.Itwasnotuntilthereturnof
Continued on page 6
If our Independence is to have real meaning, it must address the...
Frompage4 of slavery to cultivate provisions instead of rice. Thisrepresentsadisgraceful rewriting of our history that many view as part of a broader racialised political agenda and one that reinforces longstanding African concerns about PPP rule.
The refusal of the PPP regime to embrace a policy that oil revenue be used to correct historical injustices among our people, their attitudeonthisissueisthatof thecolonialrulersthatmight is right, and the damage to the African and Indigenous communities is a matter for the “dustbin” of history In thecaseofAfricans,wewere enslaved for more than 250 years and played a central role in building Guyana and making it habitable yet received no compensation forourlabour
We were denied the opportunity to accumulate generational wealth over centuries This historical injustice remains a major factor shaping our present economic and social condition, despite attempts bythoseinpowertodismiss or minimise its impact Africans must resist and reclaim political space b e y o n d e l e c t i o n contestation. That process must begin within our communities by giving concrete expression to our concerns about our future in acountrywhereweplayeda
major part in building. We must take to the streets to demonstrate our resistance against political domination a n d e c o n o m i c marginalisation in oil-rich Guyana.
Gone are the days when the conventional view was that African dominance in the public sector, the army, and the Police Force counterbalanced Indian control of the government, and their dominance in business, and agriculture. Whatever comfort the two communities may have had based on the above construct, the present reality isvastlydifferent.
There is no area in the economy and society that Africanshaddominancepreand post-independence that has not been replaced by Indians and non-Africans.
EvenintheArmyandPolice Force,wherewecontinueto have dominance, the PPP governmentreplacedthetop leadership with Indians or non-Indiansupportersofthe ruling party, neutralising African political advantage. In the public sector, the situation is worse; not only are the top positions held by Indians, but the number of employees is now around 60/40, a slim African majoritythatisdailyeroded.
The result is that Africans own less than 10% of the economyinoil-richGuyana. There is no commitment by the government to correct this grievous situation Ironically, President Irfaan Ali, addressing the Joint Services march for the 60th Independence anniversary, madeupprimarilyofAfrican troops,couldonlyofferthem his and the government’s thanksfortheirservicetothe nation.
I end this letter by restating an observation: the choice before us as a nation is to ensure that “King Oil” doesn’t do to us what ‘King Sugar”oncedid.Intheeraof King Sugar, we had little control over our destiny since we were subject to Britishrule.
Today, however, we claim to be an independent nation in charge of our future.
Wherever oil leads us will ultimately be the result of our own decisions and actions. If we fail, we will have to confront the reality ofaself-inflicteddemise.To theAfricancommunity,Isay this: our destiny is in your hands.
This is my reflection on t h e n a t i o n ’s 6 0 t h Independenceanniversary TacumaOgunseye
Over 1600 motorists to receive letters in driver’s licence irregularities probe - Pres. Ali
Traffic Chief Mahendra Singh will soon dispatch over1600letterstomotorists across the country to ascertain how they acquired their licences, President Irfaan Ali announced on Friday
The President was at the time speaking at his first pressconferencefortheyear held at the Office of the President.
He said the move is part of broader efforts by the administrationtoinvestigate the legitimacy of driver’s licences and strengthen accountability across the country’s road traffic administrationsystem.
President Ali also announced that driver’s
licence testing is transitioningtoafullydigital school platform, where questions are automatically generated through random sampling.
“Nobody would have anyquestionpapertwodays before. If you go now to writeit,10minutesafter,the questions are completely different,” the president toldreporters.
He noted that AI traffic cameras, radar systems, and smart traffic signals form critical components of the government’s broader modernisationagenda.
In December, the Headof-State gave persons holding an invalid or illegally obtained driver’s
licence six weeks to surrendersame.
H
followed a comprehensive post-audit conducted by the government in collaboration with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Ministry of Public S
Implementation.
“We are giving the p
o surrender invalid licences,” the president announced during the Guyana Police F
Christmasbreakfastatthe Police Officers’ Mess Annexe at Eve Leary in Georgetown.
The audit, powered by integrated digital systems, e x p o s e d s e r i o u s discrepancies in the driver’s licensing process, specifically, cases where individuals obtained practical certifications and licences without ever passing the mandatory theoreticalexamination.
“If 150 people pass the theory but 400 receive practical certificates, something is wrong,” the p re s i d e n t s t a t e d “Technology has allowed us to trace every step and we have all the names,” he said.
During the six-week grace period, persons who obtainedtheirlicencesunder
irregularcircumstanceswere required to surrender their documents and re-enter the l i c e n s i n g p r o c e s s legitimately
institutionalintegrity,digital t
d accountability (DPI)
The government had threatened to publish the names, suspend the licences andinitiatelegalaction. ThePresidentAli,atthat time said that the move is part of a broader national effort to p
Policehaveconfirmedthatonepersonhasdiedandone hasbeencriticallyinjuredinaboatincidentinthevicinityof the Tapir Landing in the Cuyuni River on Thursday, resulting in the death of 57-year-old boat captain Steve Daniels.OneotherpersonhasbeenadmittedtotheBartica RegionalHospital.
Police said initial enquiries revealed that a 26-foot wooden boat, powered by a 200 HP Yamaha outboard engine and operated by a 51-year-old boat captain of Batavia Village, Cuyuni River, was proceeding in the vicinity of Tapir Landing with four occupants when a collision reportedly occurred with an 18-foot aluminum boat,poweredbya40HPYamahaoutboardengineand Continued on page 9
We owe a debt of gratitude...
Frompage5 democracy on October 5, 1992 that the country experienced significantgrowthanddevelopment.
Central to all of this was the role played by former President Dr Cheddi Jagan who is widely regarded as the architect of our Independence struggle.And even though he and his party, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) was engineeredoutofofficein1964,ameretwoyearspriortothe conferral of Independence by Britain, his role in the Independencestrugglewasnothingshortofstellar
All Guyanese can now celebrate our Independence with the knowledge that Guyana is today ranked globally as a democratic and regional powerhouse, thanks to visionary leadership and sound economic policies by the PPP/C administration.Wedohavechallengestooursovereigntyand territorial integrity by Venezuela but there is a every likelihoodthatthematterwillbedeterminedinourfavourby theWorldCourt.
As we celebrate our Independence, we owe a debt of gratitude to all those who contributed to our Independence struggle and also to our current leaders who are working tirelessly to give true meaning to our independence ethos by theirvisionaryleadership.Wehaveundoubtedlycomealong way since the turbulent pre-independence days. Indeed, Guyana is now evolving along the path of greater multiculturalism, inclusivity and participatory democracy neverseenbeforeinourlongandcolourfulhistory.
HydarAlly
President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali speaking at the press conference.
Guyana confident of victory at ICJ in Venezuela border case - Pres. Ali
President IrfaanAli said Friday that
G u y a n a i s
confident that the
International Court of Justice (ICJ) will uphold the 1899 arbitral award establishing the country’s borderwithVenezuela,asthe long-running territorial dispute entered its final phase.
Guyana is now awaiting arulingfromtheworldcourt initsbordercontroversycase against Venezuela, with a decision expected by or beforeJanuary2027.
D u r i n g a n e w s conference, Ali praised Guyana’s legal and
diplomatic teams for presentingwhathedescribed as a strong case before the UnitedNationscourt.
“All that now remains is forthecourttodeliberateon the matter before it, especially on the validity of the 1899 arbitral award that determined the international boundary between the two countries, and issue its final judgment, which will be legally binding on both parties,”hesaid,addingthat Guyanaexpectedaruling“at theendofthisyear.”
The case centres on the Essequibo region, a resource-rich territory comprising nearly two-
thirdsofGuyana’slandmass.
Venezuela has long claimed the area despite the 1899 ruling that fixed the border
Ali described the proceedings as “a triumph for the rule of law and the rules-based international order”,arguingthatdisputes between states “must be resolved peacefully” and “never be resolved by threat oruseofmilitaryforce”.
He reiterated that Guyana would respect the court’s judgment “whatever it may be”, while criticising statements from Venezuelan officials rejecting the ICJ’s jurisdiction.
“We have heard the statements of Venezuelan officials that they do not accept the ICJ’s jurisdiction
President Irfaan Ali
and will not abide by its rulings,” he said, warning that such a position would breach obligations under internationallaw.
Despitetensions,Alisaid Guyana would continue to pursue peaceful relations with Venezuela while insisting that its sovereignty berespected.
“We hope that after passions recede and responsible government officials reflect, they will conclude, as we have done, that both states are best served by an end to this longstanding conflict and thattheonlywaytosecurea just and lasting peace and
enduring friendship is by respect for and compliance with the court’s final judgment, whatever it may be,asrequiredbytheUnited Nations Charter,” President Alisaid.
Meanwhile, speaking on his ‘Issues in the News programme,’ Attorney General and Minister of LegalAffairsAnil Nandlall, S.C said oral hearings in the matter were concluded on May 11 after Guyana, as the claimant, presented its case, Venezuela responded, and both sides were given an opportunitytoreply.
“The oral hearings concluded on the 11th of May, and we now await a dateforruling.Weanticipate thattherulingwillbehanded down by or before January 2027,”Nandlallsaid.
Guyanabroughtthecase before the ICJ in 2018, seeking confirmation that the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the boundary between the two countries, is legally valid.
The award had been accepted for over 60 years beforeVenezuela declared it null in 1962 and revived its claimtotheterritory
Abaddreamthatturnedintoanightmare
There are people who dream about falling. Others dream about showing up to school late. I once dreamt that I was being chased throughBourdaMarketbya gianttaxreturn.
Butnothingpreparedme for the dream I had recently
about the proposed Development Bank a bank so revolutionary, so daring, so spiritually detached from conventional banking that even Marx might have looked at it and said, “This feels financially irresponsible.”
It began innocently enough.
I was standing outside a magnificent glass building with giant gold letters
spelling out: T H E
P E O P L E ’ S DEVELOPMENT BANK
Therewasnosecurityguard, because apparently distrust iscolonial.Thedoorsopened automatically, not through sensors, but through optimism.
Inside, the atmosphere was extraordinary No tellers. No loan officers. No
a c c o u n t a n t s J u s t motivational posters. One
said: “Collateral Is
Violence ” Another declared: “Repayment Is a SocialConstruct.”
A young man wearing slippersandanexpressionof completeeconomicfreedom approached the counter “I wouldlikealoan,”hesaid.
“How much?” asked the smilingbankmanager
“Threemilliondollars.”
“What business are you starting?”
“I’m still spiritually exploringthat.”
“Excellent,” said the manager.“Approved.”
I immediately knew somethingwaswrong. Then a public servant arrived.Heexplainedthathe had no business experience, no business plan, and was already overwhelmed trying tooperateMicrosoftExcel.
“Wonderful!” shouted the bank manager “You are exactly the kind of entrepreneurweseek.”
Approvedagain.
At this point, I became uneasy because even in dreams I possess a primitive attachment to mathematics. My subconscious may be neurotic, but it still believes numbers should eventually addup.
ThenInoticedsomething peculiar Nobody was repaying loans In fact, repayment itself was considered slightly offensive. A customer who attempted to make an installment payment was escorted outside and asked not to bring “capitalist negativity”intothebuilding.
Soon the bank became wildlypopular
People borrowed money for chicken farms, barber shops,beautysalons,fishing boats,akaraokeempire,and one man who requested financing to “find himself” in Barbados for six months.
The bank approved everything Their slogan became:“DreamBig—The TreasuryIsPaying.”
Then things became stranger
The bank introduced a new financial instrument called the “ConfidenceBased Loan.”You no longer
Dem Boys Seh...
needed income verification. You simply stared deeply into the eyes of the loan officer and promised you believedinyourself.
Entire lines formed aroundtheblock.
I remember seeing one gentleman leave the bank with two million dollars to open a goat yoga retreat in Berbice. Another received financing for a mobile car wash business despite not owning a vehicle, water hose, or soap Nobody seemedconcerned.
The atmosphere became euphoric Economists disappearedmysteriously
Thencamethefirstboard meeting.
Thechairmanenteredthe room sweating profusely
a flamethrower and several folders labeled NONPERFORMINGLOANS.
“We have a slight problem,”heannounced.
Apparently, the repayment rate had fallen to three percent, though the board remained optimistic because they considered anything above zero to be “encouraging.”
One director suggested the bank offer additional loanstocustomersunableto repay previous loans. This
recycling.”
Another proposed that s
arithmetic itself should also beabolished.Atthispointin the dream the ceiling fan began spinning violently, which in dreams usually
Free does cost plenty
Dem boys seh Guyanese got two philosophiesinlife:debestrumisfreerum and de best food is free food. Once somebodyholler,“Comegetaplate,”islike Olympic sprint start. People running down duckcurry,cook-upandblackpuddinglike if famine land. And if de rum free? Lawd! Men who swear dem stop drinking since Jagdeo first term suddenly rediscover dem liver But old people always used to warn: “What sweet in goat mouth does sour in he belly.”Inotherwords,everyfreethingdoes gatpayback.
Backindeday,whenyuhpullupatgas station, yuh used to get free air Nowadays yuhdoesgattolookaroundtoseeifdemgat asignchargingyoufortheair Soondemgun chargepeopleforshadeunderdeawning. Dem boys learn another lesson de hard wayattrafficlight.Alilhustlerrunupquickquick wid sponge and soap bottle and start wiping windscreen before anybody could object.
De glass shine till dem boys could see dem own disappointment in HD. When de
meanscivilizationisending.
S u d d e n l y t h e newspapers arrived with catastrophicheadlines: DEVELOPMENTBANK REPORTSLOSSES, TREASURY
‘MONITORING SITUATION’, GOVERNMENT REMAINSCONFIDENT
That last sentence terrified me most because governments become “confident” precisely when citizens should begin worrying.
Soon the bank’s condition deteriorated Employees stopped using calculators because the numbers were depressing morale One official explained on television that profits were an outdated colonial metric and that the bank should instead be evaluated on “emotional empowerment.”
Thencametheinevitable press conference The Minister announced that although the bank had encountered “minor liquidity vibrations, ” everything remained under control To demonstrate confidence, the government injected another US$200
millionintotheinstitution— whichinthedreamappeared literally as a giant sack of cash being dropped from a helicopterontotheroof.
But the nightmare was onlybeginning.
One morning I dreamt the bank had quietly been sold to a mysterious consortium.Theysaiditwas a syndicated consortium Nobody seemed entirely certain who owned it now, onlythatthenewexecutives wore expensive suits and spoke with suspiciously foreignaccents.
The same bank that
began as a people’s revolution in finance was suddenly charging fees for breathingneartheATM.
Former borrowers wandered the streets in confusion.
“What happened to solidarity?” one man cried while trying unsuccessfully to refinance his goat yoga retreat.
The new owners simply smiled.
“Business,”theysaid.
man done, dem boys smile polite and seh, “Thankyoubai.”
Dem boys start pat pocket. Left pocket empty Right pocket got one old Massy receiptandamint.
“Boss,ahain’tgotnocash.”
Isthendecussingstart.
“Wha yuh mean yuh ain’t got money? Yuh tink dis is charity?” Dem boys seh de same man who volunteer heself to wash de glassnowtalkinglikelicensedcontractor
One boy whisper, “Next time leh we dirty de windscreen bad-bad. Maybe rain goncleanitfree.”
And don’t talk about “free samples” in supermarket. Yuh take one lil cube of sausage and suddenly yuh walking out wid $18,000groceryyuhneverplanfor
So yes, free food sweet. Free rum sweeter But as de old people know, when something too free-free, keep one eye open andonehandonyuhwallet. Talkhalf.Leffhalf.
“PRIVATE OWNERSHIP: DEVELOPING PROFITSSINCE2027.”
I woke up immediately, drenched in sweat and clutching my pillow like a man who had just seen the national budget audited by Kafka.
Naturally,Itoldmyselfit wasonlyadream.Anabsurd hallucination brought on by late-night coffee, fried rice, and excessive exposure to e c o n o m i c p o l i c y announcements.
Still,Ihavetoadmit:ever sincethatdream,wheneverI hearthewords“interest-free loans with no collateral,” I instinctively check whether my wallet is still in my pocket.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper)
And then, in the final horrifying moment of the dream, I saw a billboard outside the former People’s Development Bank.The old sloganwasgone. In giant letters it now read:
Onekilled,anothercriticallyinjured...
Frompage6 operatedbythenowdeceased.”
Asaresultofthecollision,thecaptainof the aluminium vessel along with three occupants received injuries about their bodies.Thecaptainwasobservedmotionless, whileoneof theoccupantssustainedserious injuries.Theotheroccupantsreceivedminor injuries.
Daniels was pronounced dead on arrival. Thepersonswithminorinjuriesweretreated andsentaway,whilethecriticallyinjuredwas admitted and is said to be in a serious condition.
The operator of the 26-foot wooden boat is currently in custody assisting with the investigation.
H@RD TRUTHS
Canthisreallybehappening
Say it is not so, Mr President!Noway, Excellency Ali!
Governor Ali Guyanese buying one tennis roll on credit? Not one bag, BUT
ONETENNISROLL.Anda glob/dab of nut butter, if possible. What happened to enhanced discretionary spending and purchasing power? One tennis roll on credit must be part of Dr Ali’sgeniusformula.
In the late 60s, the
beginning of 28 years of darkness,well-attestedtoby PPP luminaries, some Guyanesewereforcedtobuy five cents cooking oil and five cents butter They were thatpoor,andthatwasasfar as they could make it: five centsoil(one-eightofapint) andahalfpintrice.
ItwasGuyana’sIceAge, PresAli.Pre-oil.sir Itwasa barren, dismal, time; a steel guava season Now that there’s oil in vast undersea lakes, why are Guyanese forcedtothewretchednessof buying one tennis roll, one teaspoon of butter, Mister Ali? Why in this land of plenty, where the currency can’t keep up, and the treasury bursting? Why Mr Ali is there any Guyanese (one Guyanese) who is so hungry and strapped, family similarly situated, that one tennis roll only on ‘trust’ is manageable, Mr Ali? Ali is still the president, isn’t he? OrshouldIaddressothersin the PPP tycoon class, PPP royalty?
Speeches made all over the world: investors, opportunities, abundance, andtheroofathomeleaking, the toilet clogged or overflowing, and pot empty Discardthefancytextbooks, treatises, and paradox of plenty
This is perversity of Guyanese running bareheaded, barefoot, and bare-behind while the world is celebrating them. There’s the tragedy of citizens only being able to afford one tennis roll (and a handful of rice).
Theywillhavetocookit intheyard,oreatitraw Pres. Ali is busy singing on the world stage, in love with himself. I think he should hang his head in shame and vacatehisoffice.Afailure.A manwithsuchafullhandhe was a guaranteed winner The best he could manage was a spot in the loser’s column.
B i g o i l S m a l l population. Fat talk. Feeble people.Leadersswaggering,
flouncing Citizens crawling, grinding it out daily Guyana cannot be oil rich Is it a storied oil Nirvana? Yes, it is. The numbers confirm. So, what didthePPPGovtdowithall the money and power? Why are there Guyanese who must deal with the humiliation of hiding from seller and counter, then drag themselves home and hide the truth again from their children. What to tell them? Howtoinspire?Iknowhow LookhowmuchthePPP did. The PPP did this. The PPP did that, then much more. More roads. More skyscrapers Silver-tinged and gilt-edged glitter Yet, there are starving citizens that stand and shame from president to cabinet to every last damn parrot in that zoo doubling as an international circus. When so much is pouredintocementandsand (and deep pockets), how much can be left for those who were struggling before, worse-offnow?
PresAliembarrassesthis country every time he opens hismouth,sellswhathecan’t deliver Hungry, poverty strickenGuyanesestandasa testimony to the cruelty and depravityofaPPPGovtgone rogue. If all Guyanese can’t benefit when there has been so much over the last six years, then when will they? In 20 years, half of this country could be dead or dead to the brightness of Guyana Gone or going When one tennis roll is all that can be had, that dismissesallPresAlisaysto mockery and comedy The biggest GDP, and one li’l tennis roll is the best way forwardforsomeGuyanese. Perhaps, that should be the new definition of resource curse.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper)
Another excavator causes third GPL outage this week
Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) will be pursuing legal action against a contractor who caused a total power shutdown in Sophia on Friday,afteranexcavatordamaged thecompany’stransmission.Thisis the third outage the company sufferedthisweekatthehandsofan excavator.
In a statement, GPL said an investigation launched into the serviceinterruptionwhichaffected customersfromAtoEFieldSophia found that critical underground infrastructurewasdamagedduring excavation works associated with the pipe laying activities at Dennis Street,Sophia.
“At approximately 09:30hrs today, GPL’s Sophia F6 Feeder, which supplies electricity to communities from “A” to “E” Field,Sophia,tripped,resultingina service interruption to affected customers GPL immediately dispatched technical teams to investigate the cause of the disturbance. Upon arrival, teams discovered that a 13 8kV underground cable had been uprooted and severely damaged during excavation operations,” the companysaid.
The cable damaged was
sustained during works carried out by V Ramlall Contracting Services. However, following the incident, the contractor fled the scene The operator of the excavator was subsequently arrested, while law enforcement
authorities continue efforts to locatethecontractor
In keeping with the company’s zero tolerance approach towards reckless actions that lead to compromising the reliability, integrityandsafetyofthegrid,GPL
saiditwillpursuethemattertothe fullest extent of the law. It also seeks requisite compensation for thedamages,aswellasrepaircosts and operational impacts that resultedfromtheincident.
“GPL considers incidents of this nature wholly unacceptable. Damage to critical electricity infrastructure not only disrupts service to customers, but also creates serious safety hazards, placesworkersandmembersofthe public at risk, and can result in significant operational and financial consequences,” the companysaid.
In order to minimise the disruption to customers, technical teams from the company swiftly implemented alternative network arrangements and electricity supply was restored to the communities. Further assessments
The damaged cable.
and permanent remedial works are ongoing, the power company noted.
The company is again strongly
developers and all parties undertaking excavation activities to exercise the highest degree of care before commencing works in areas where utility infrastructure maybepresent.Entitiesengagedin construction and excavation activities are expected to coordinate appropriately and take all necessary precautions to avoid damagetocriticalinfrastructure.” GPL remains unwavering in protecting the integrity of the national electricity network and will continue taking firm action against individuals or entities whose negligence or disregard for established procedures results in damagetoessentialinfrastructure.
The ongoing works surrounding the damaged cable.
IndianworkerscaughtupinTIPscandaltobe paidonThursday - Labour Ministry
Th e o n g o i n g dispute between Region 7 mining operator EKAA Earth ResourcesManagementInc. (EKAAHRM) and 37 of its Indian national employees reached a turning point on Friday Following a highlevel inter-agency meeting and a tense public protest, the company has officially committed to paying all outstanding wages on or beforeMay27,2026.
The breakthrough came
during emergency consultations led by the Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning The session brought together officials from the Ministries of Legal Affairs, Home
Affairs, and Human Services, alongside company representatives, theaffectedworkers,andthe acting Indian High Commissioner
According to a ministry statement,whiletheMay27 payment deadline has been locked in, the investigation into wider allegations remains active. Both sides have undertaken to supply additional supporting documentation in the coming week, with sources relating that the workers have been asked to produce physical evidence regarding claims that their salaries
wereimproperlycut. Th
intervention followed a Thursday afternoon press conference where EKAA executives categorically re
circulating on social media regardinghumantrafficking,
conditions.
According to Chief Op
O
er Sivakumar and Human Resources Consultant
Yoganand Persaud, a former Chief Labour Officer for Guyana, the crisis stems from an “emotional imbalance” within the workforce following a suddentragedy
On May 12, 2026, Shekhar Chetri, an Indian national employed by EKAA,collapsedanddiedat the company’s Region 7 quarry site. A subsequent post-mortem examination confirmedhesufferedamild heartattack.
“The death of a member of our workforce is the gravestmatterwecanface,” COO Sivakumar stated, noting that the company is fully cooperating with authorities.
Sivakumar confirmed that EKAA has funded and f i n a l i s e d f u n e r a l coordination, medical
Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning Keoma Griffith (centre) surrounded by Ministry officials, Acting Indian High Commissioner Manoj Kumar and EKAA HRM company representatives ON Friday.
embalming, and repatriation arrangements.The company
is currently clearing statutorypaperworkwiththe Ministry of Home Affairs, Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Customs, and the Indian High Commission to returnChetri’sremainstohis family
In the wake of the tragedy, workers expressed severe anxiety over medical emergencies in the remote terrain. In response, EKAA has promised to station a dedicated health officer directly inside the camp. Previously, medical
emergenciesreliedonaboat captainfromBataviavillage to transport patients to the Batavia Primary Health CentreorBarticaHospital.
To combat allegations of labour abuse, EKAA management utilised a digital projector during the press conference to display internal records, tax d o c u m e n t s , a n d photographic logs. Despite the company’s defence, the friction on the ground remains palpable. Thursday morning, 37 Indian national workers staged a protest outside the Ministry of
Labour and Manpower Planning.
The protesting workers claimed that EKAA, which they allege only recently returned their passports, had contacted their families in India claiming they went missing “We are not missing!Wearerighthere!” the workers insisted to Kaieteur News “We just want our money and our tickettogobacktoIndia!”
EKAA officials noted that roughly 10 to 15 Indian employees refused to participate in the protests, signaling satisfaction with
their treatment
The Ministry of Labour emphasised that the process r e m a i n s o n g o i n g , emphasising that the State willcontinuetobeguidedby theprinciplesofdueprocess and strict compliance with the laws of Guyana. EKAA management has reiterated its willingness to sit down with regulators and the Indian High Commission to review individual contracts, finalise return airfares for those concluding their tenure, and resolve the matter through formal regulatorychannels.
‘Big Market’ vendors lament high cost-of-living, decline in business
Vendors across all sections of Stabroek Market in Georgetown say sales have sharply declined in recent years, with some reporting that they are earning only half of what they once did as rising prices and the increasing cost of living continue to affect shoppers’ spending.
Nichole Anderson, a grocery vendor of Buxton, East Coast Demerara(ECD),hasbeenvending atthemarketformorethan30years – since she was 16-years-old, and she couldn’t help but notice the negative effects that her business has been undergoing in recent years. For one thing, the prices for almostalloftheitemsshesellshave been raised and people are shoppingless.
“Long time, you hardly could sit down; you were always busy But now you can sit down, brace your head and do all kinds of things,” the mother of four shared, adding, “When the rain falls, peopledon’tcomeinhere.Wehave to try by the grace of God.” She believesthatsmallbusinessesneed more support and pointed out how assistanceisbeinggiventovendors in other markets, with grants of about$100,000beingdistributedin places such as Parika and elsewhere, while vendors at ‘Big
Market’continuetobeoverlooked. Anderson also recalled the longstandingpromisestoconstruct a shed outside the northern end of themarketwhereshevends,noting that despite years of assurances, nothing has been done, while markets at Mon Repos and Lusignan, ECD, have already received sheds. Her mother, 65year-old Sildia Campbell, who
vendsrightnexttoher,complained that the Chinese businesses have takenovereverything.“Theycome andknockusout.ButthankGodfor small mercies; we accept and bless.”
AndyKetwaroo,alsoagrocery vendor who has been operating in the market for more than 20 years, told Kaieteur News that business has slowed significantly as the pricesforgoodscontinuetorise.He recalled that the market was once thriving, but noted that many shoppers are now reluctant to visit
because of limited parking and fears of having their vehicles clamped. According to Ketwaroo, manycustomersprefershoppingat supermarkets where parking is available,evenifpricesareslightly higher
Furthermore, he explained that he has stopped stocking items that customers no longer purchase because of the decline in business activity, describing the market as nearly “dead,” and saying only long-standingcustomerswhohave supportedhimforyearscontinueto
shop there regularly As a father of three, he said all he can do is continue trying to survive despite theslowbusinessconditions. Ketwaroo also raised concerns about flooding in the market, claiming that despite millions of dollars being spent to paint and complete other work, conditions have worsened. He said drains should have been cleaned before the area was capped, adding that waternowbacksupintothemarket wheneveritrains.
Continued on page 16
Marcy Ramlakhan has been a clothes vendor for the past 20 years
Grocery vendor Andy Ketwaroo
Nella Gibbons at her stall on Friday
Vendor Nichole Anderson (left) with her mom Sildia Campbell.
Satesh Ramessar cleans eddoes
Acquisition of Berbice Bridge to be finalised within weeks - Pres.Ali
President IrfaanAli on Friday said the government will finalisetheacquisitionofthe oldBerbiceBridge“withina nextcoupleofweeks”.
The president provided an update on the agreement during a press conference, his first for the year, at the Office of the President, Georgetown.
“Ontheacquisitionofthe old bridge by the government, the final set of meetingsareongoingnow I think they are almost at agreement and within a next couple of weeks that will be finalised.”
Back in February, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill told the National Assembly that the
t
government ” If the acquisitionisnotfinalisedby the time the new Demerara River Bridge is operational, the Berbice River Bridge crossing will also become toll-freesimultaneously Moreover, the current BerbiceRiverBridge,which was constructed between 2006and2008atacostof$8 billion, received financial backing from loans and equity contributions from various entities, including the state-run National InsuranceScheme(NIS)and privateinvestors.
The bulk of the money invested in the Berbice Bridge came from NIS Sharing ownership percentages in the Berbice
government was finalising negotiations for the full acquisition of the Berbice Bridge.
The minister made the disclosure while responding to APNU’s Member of Parliament (MP), Saiku Andrews,duringdaythreeof the consideration of budget estimatesandexpenditures.
“…the Berbice Bridge and I don’t want to use this opportunity to make an announcement, I want to inform the House that the GovernmentofGuyanaison itswaytofinalisingallthei’s and crossing the t’s for the ownership of the Berbice RiverBridgeandbasedupon the figures I have been looking at, what it will be costing the Treasury for the acquisition of the bridge wouldbelessthanifwehave to pay toll between now and next year, based upon the figures I’m looking at,” Edghill told the National Assembly Back in October 2022, when President Irfaan Ali announced plans for a new Berbice River Bridge he said, “we are in the process of discussing with the Berbice Bridge Corporation the possible acquisition of
transfertotheStatein2027.
“The rationale for accelerating purchase by o n e y e a r r e m a i n s unconvincing Theopticsof directing public funds to private stakeholders ahead of an already agreed transfer raise legitimate c o n c e r n s a b o u t beneficiaries and fiscal prudence,”Andrewssaid Andrews expressed that the government’s intention of the buying the bridge makes “no sense at this point” However, if the governmentgoesaheadthen consideration about maintenance and all other costs should be taken into account.
“ N o w , i f t h a t maintenance schedule is not
honoured, then we have to factor in what it would cost to honour that maintenance schedule, because it makes no sense, we purchase a bridge in 2026 which is supposed to come to us free in 2027 and we’re saddled withallthemaintenancecost that the bridge company is contractually obligated to honour So, we have to consider all of those and come up with a discounted buyout price in 2026, that couldbeaprudentapproach. So, if that is the approach, then yes, we can receive value for money,” he explained.
Andrews shared that recently in parliament, Minister Edghill when questioned about a ballpark
figure the government will pay for the bridge indicated thatitwouldbelessthanthe existing government subsidies.
“That is not a sufficient answer for the Guyanese people who have spent almost 20 years being saddledwiththehighcostof crossing that bridge To
come to this point when they’re supposed to get this bridge for free, at zero cost, and you’re going to say to them, you’re going to purchase it one year in advance, but it will be cheaper than if you were to subsidisethetoll,thatisnota sufficient answer,”Andrews posited.
Bridge Company Inc (BBCI): National Industrial a n d C o m m e r c i a l Investments Ltd (NICIL) holds10percent,NISowns 20.2 per cent, and other stakeholders include Handin-Hand Fire Insurance (10 per cent), New GPC (20 per cent), Queens Atlantic Investment Inc. (20 per cent), and Secure International Finance Co. Limited(20percent).
It was reported that as part of the concession agreement, the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. is set to hand-over the structure to the Government of Guyana in2027.
In a previous press conference,AndrewsinanA Partnership for National Unity (APNU) press conference stated that the government’splantoacquire the Berbice Bridge one year before it is supposed to be transferred to the State at no cost raises legitimate concerns about fiscal prudence.
He said, that the government announced its intention to purchase the bridge from private operators even though ownership is scheduled to
The Berbice Bridge.
President Irfaan Ali
VACANCY WANTED
Stores Man/Bond Clerk responsiblefortrackinginventory & loss prevention. Call 644-7088/624-7248.Location Triumph.
Wanted skilled mason, carpenters and labourers to workinLinden.$18,000per day.Call701-1998.
Wanted one watchman, seven days a week. Contact 612-2125.
One live in maid / cleaner, salary $80,000 per month. Call:#660-9140.
Wanted receptionists to workshift,storeclerksat109 Durban St, Werk-En-Rust. Call:601-5090.
MAI INVESTMENT INC
.Lot 1 Public Road Ruimveldt,wanted salesman/VanDriver.Please contact638-0850or652-7444
Wanted one professional jeweller.Contact:612-2125.
Excavator Operations to workintheinterior.Contact: 223-5273/4,621-5907.
VEHICLES FOR SALE
1 Honda CRV, includes TV, musicsystem,alarm,reverse camera,spoiler,lowmileage, PTTSeries(firstowner).Call: 649-0956.
SERVICES
Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada&UK:Graphicsdesign,advertisements,wedding archrentals.Tel:626-7040.
FOR SALE
TRUCK TIRES 295/ 75
R22.5 $40K EACH. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL / WHATSAPP: +592-688-3201.
Gentleman seeking a very nice,singlechristian
for companionship (50-60 yrs). Tel:695-9599.
One clerk for TSI Eccles office English 1, Maths 2 call 615-9132oremailapplication totechserigy@gmail.com
Driver must be able to assist inworkshopatEccles,age2350,Car/Vanlicence.Call6159132.
Maid for East Bank area call 615-9132.
One(1)Plumbercall:615-9132
General Domestic (4 day work) & experiened handyman, apply at Keyfood Trading,McDoomnexttothepost office.
Reliable housekeeping staff needed. Must be punctual & detail-oriented.Call:225-0198
Reliable deskstaff needed. Must be punctual. Call: 2250198.
Now Hiring Bus Drivers. Route 47 Zone (can be changed if required). Call / Whatsapp:592-681-8119
LEGALNOTICE
2025/1419-FD-PET-DEM INTHEHIGHCOURTOF THESUPREMECOURTOF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MA TRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILYDIVISION PETITIONNO.FD-1419
BETWEEN: (DANIELS)
ROVENA ROSANA nee
BUNBURY also known as ROVENA ROSANA
DANIELS also known as ROVINA ROSANA
BUNBURY Petitioner/ Applicant-and-(DANIELS)
DAVERespondent
TO: DAVE DANIELS St. Cuthbert’sMissionMahaica River Guyana
(LastKnownAddress)
TAKE NOTICE that on the 24thdayofDecember,2025a PetitionforDivorcewasfiled against you by ROVENA ROSANA DANIELS nee
BUNBURY Also known as ROVENA ROSANA
DANIELS also known as ROVINA ROSANA
BUNBURY, the Petitioner/ Applicant in the
FamilyDivisionoftheHigh Court in Georgetown, Demerara.ANDFURTHER TAKENOTICEthataspart of an Order made on the 4th day of May, 2026, the Petitioner/Applicant was directed to effect service of her Petition on you bypubli cation of Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturdayissues oftheKaieteurnewspaper(a daily newspaper printed, published and circulated in Guyana and on the world wide web (online). AND FURTHERTAKENOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent orAttorney-at-Law at the Registry of Family Divi sion of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petitiontogetherwithrelated documents
AND FURTHER TAKE
NOTICE that if you desire to defend this Divorce,then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition and Application, you must file anAcknowle dgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer and/or Cross Petition Viathe elitigationPlatform(online)https:/ /ejudiciary.supremecourt.gy within 35 (thirty-five) days from the date of the final publication of this Notice. YouraccesscodeisHamKkL TAKE NOTICE that the Divorce is fixed for DirectionsHearingonFriday the24thdayofJuly,2026at 9:00a.m.in-personbefore the Honourable Justice PeterHugh.
INDEFAULTofyourfiling an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend, Answer and/or CrossPetitiontheCourtmay proceedinyourabsenceand may make any Order it considers approp riate, including granting the Divorce.TheRegistryofthe FamilyDivisionoftheHigh Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara].Theofficeisopen to the public between 8:00 amand3:30pmMondaysto Thursdays and 8:00 am to 2:30pmonFridaysexcepton public holidays and on such other days as the Registry isclosed.Datedthe11thday ofMay,2026
LEGALNOTICE
LEGALNOTICE
2025/1237-FD-PETDEM
INTHEHIGHCOURTOF THESUPREMECOURTOF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCEANDMATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISIONPetitionNo.1237
BETWEENMANDY MORRISON nee
MOHAMED Petitioner/ Applicant -v- SEAN EON MORRISONRespondent TO:SEAN
EONMORRISON
Lower Flat lot 76 Ivan Road, Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara (Last Known Address)
TAKE NOTICE that on the 10th day of November 2025,PetitionforDivorcewas filed against youbyMANDY MORRISON nee
MOHAMED,thePetitioner/ Applicant in the Family DivisionoftheHighCourtin Georgetown,Demerara.
ANDFURTHERTAKE
NOTICE that if you desire, you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of Family DivisionoftheHighCourtin Georgetown,Demerarawhere you will be issued with a certified copy of the Application together with related documents.
ANDFURTHERTAKE
NOTICEthatifyoudesireto respond to this Application, then upon receipt of the certified copy, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (forms are available at the Registry), andAnswer via the online portal, (https:// ejudiciary.supremecourt.gy) within50(fifty)daysfromthe date of the final publication of this Notice. Your access codeisFp2ZnZ.
TAKENOTICEthatthe matterisfixedforDirections Hearing on Thursday the 25thdayofJune,2026at9:50 am before the Honourable Madam Justice Sherdel Isaacs-MarcusinCourt1A and/or via Zoom using Meeting ID: 986 289 5666 andPasscode:Court1
IN DEFAULT OF your filinganAcknowledgmentof service/NoticeofIntentionto Defend, and Answer, the Court may proceed in your absence and may make an Order it considers appropriate. The Registry of the Family Division of the
‘Big Market’ vendors...
From page 14
Marcy Ramlakhan of Hope, ECD,hasbeenaclothesvendor for the past 20 years and hasseenherbusinessdecline significantlyoverthepastfew years. “Sometimes you have to take money out your own pockets to pay staff. Sometimeswebarelymakeittopay staff and you have nothing foryourself,”sheshared.She toobelievesthatthesituation is due in part to the many Chinese and Indian stores that are opening up and offering customers cheaper items.
Ramlakhan allows her staff to do work outside her business just so they can make ends meet. “It’s very hardbutyoucan’tclosedown the business because you have bills to pay,” she said, noting that the country’s oil wealth is doing little to help citizens at the market stall level.“Beforewedidn’thave oilwealthbutwewereselling more,nowwehaveoilwealth and selling less. Those foreigners with big businesses arekillingthesmallman.”
Another vendor, Nella Gibbons,whohasbeenoperating in the market for 20 years selling handbags, said businesshasdeclinedsignificantly, with sales slowing to the point where she is struggling to properly sustain her business. She noted that there are far fewer customers in the market and explained that she has had to make personal sacrifices to make ends meet.
Gibbons said she now cooks only once per day and eats simple meals such as breadandplantainintheevenings to reduce expenses. While she previously bought meals during the workday, she now prepares and carries her own food because she
Demerara.Theofficeisopen tothepublicbetween8:00am and 3:30 pm Mondays to Thursdaysand8:00amto2:30 pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed.
Dated the 15th day of May 2026
said meal in the market costs about$2,000nowadays. She also reflected on the days she travelled to SurinameandPanamatobuy stocks, but noted that business conditions have changed so much that trips are no longer profitable as Chinese-owned stores now dominate the market with a widerangeofgoods.According to her, many consumers no longer have extra spending money and are only purchasing necessities, observing that in the past, customers would frequently buy new bags to match uniforms or keep up with changing styles and patterns, but that now most people wait until theirbagsaredamagedbefore replacing them because of the high cost of living.
Gibbons said that rising fuel prices continue to drive up the cost of goods and suggested that authorities reduce gas prices. She recalled that in 2020, she could take $5,000 to purchase greens and fruits at the back of the market, but that is no longer possible because prices have increased so sharply. She also complained about “unfair competition” from Chinese-owned stores.
SateshRamessarofCanal Number Two, West Bank Demerara, has been vending provisions, fruits and vegetables for the past 15 years andnotedthatthemarkethas not been showing any improvementsoverthepastfew years. He said most people aremovingtowardsshopping at supermarkets because of parking and security issues atthemarket.
“From2016tonow,business has been going downhill drastically We are now doinghalfofthebusinesswe used to do then. So due to thepressure,wedivertedand started other businesses. We doalittlefarming,somebusiness at home and some wholesaling. Before, we solely depended on the market.”
Ramessar said it makes little sense to complain, but that finding alternative sourcesofincomemightwork out better. “I think the (authorities) should do some more ground work and come andlistentothesmallerguys. To me, they are just focusing on the companies and the biggerrichpeople.Tome,the smaller guys are not having their voices heard.”
PENPAL
lady
Govt. to roll out AI-backed borders and virtual police stations
President IrfaanAli
o n F r i d a y
unveiled the country’s future security blueprint emphasising that, “… The objective of our
n a t i o n a l s e c u r i t y infrastructureofGuyanaisto develop one of the most modern technologically integrated systems in the world.”
The president was at the time addressing reporters at hisfirstpressconferencefor the year He explained that thegovernmentisseekingto createacommoninterfaceto enhance inter-operability and efficiency, built on partnerships with key allies and integrated into global systems.
“ T h e a d v a n c e d procedure information system in the coming years will be a critical tool for every single country,” Ali noted, adding that
digitisation, digital passports, and digital ID cards are vital investments for shared international securityresponsibility
The internal security architecture is built around seven core modern pillars: technology, intelligence, governance, resilience, community, civil society, and citizen services. Key components of this framework will include smart police stations, AIpowered policing, online crime reporting, integrated national databases, and realtime command and control centers that are regionally decentralisedbutcentralised atanationallevel.
“The second and the objective of this is to ensure thatwehaveafaster,citizenfriendly, data-driven policing architecture,” the President explained, pointing to newly placed security outposts within communities.
“The fact is that our communities are becoming deeper and more stratified, so the infrastructure and structure of our security architecturemustreflectthis changing dynamic,” the president said while highlighting artificial intelligence and predictive securityasessentialfeatures to help in predictability, traceability, and crimesolving while removing humanbiases.
“That does not say that humans are not there Humans are there in the backroom, but AI helps in doing analytics at a faster
pace, scouring the dataset, scouring the footages, and coming up with scenarios, helping police and the system to respond more effectively and efficiently.
So, AI is going to be an important part of our n a t i o n a l s e c u r i t y operations,” the president said.
President Ali listed predictive crime analytics, facial recognition, behavioural analytics, automated threat detection, smart surveillance, AIs u p p o r t e d t r a f f i c management, and drone integration as core capabilities.
“This will allow us, in realtime,topredictpatterns, networks,” he explained, giving the example of monitoringlargecrowdsata stadium with a single specialised vehicle
“Assessingthreats,assessing behaviour, and giving advanced information to officersastowhatandwhere these threats and behaviour can lead to security challenge. This is where the world is heading, and this is whereweareheading.”
The third pillar focuses on national surveillance and safe country infrastructure, withanaimtohavetheentire country fully covered by CCTVby2030.Thenetwork will integrate an intelligent traffic system using smart traffic cameras, which have already yielded massive reductions in speeding and accidents.
Ali revealed, “AI can nowgenerateforuswhoare therepeatoffendersintraffic offences, so you don’t need to go through days of documents. In milliseconds, we can generate a report about repeat offenders so thatthatcanbeintegratedin the judicial system, and the judicial system can take the appropriate action based on therepeatoffenders.”
He also detailed a successful pilot of a mobile traffic unit that flags outstanding offences automatically “The test a few nights ago on the East Coast alone found 250 plus vehicles with outstanding tickets just driving through. And no human can interfere withthesystem,becausethe system would pick them up, document it on a screen, put itinadatabase,andthenturn oneventhetraffic,thesirens, to stop the vehicle,” the presidenttoldreportersatthe OfficeofthePresident.
This s
illance infrastructure will utilise sensor-enabled systems, including traffic lights that adjust their timing automatically based on realtime traffic flow “The s e n s o r - e n a b l e d infrastructure would also go astepfurther,”thePresident explained. “Our intention is that in critical areas, critical and sensitive areas, we will have sensor-enabled patterning.Sowecanlaunch the eyes in the sky with a vehicle that committed a crime.Andthedroneswillgo tothepaththatthevehicleis goingandbeabletoidentify that vehicle, trace that vehicle.”
Henotedthatthisallows law enforcement to network alllocationsavehiclevisited 72hoursbeforetobreakinto criminal networks, adding, “If you see the camera, the cameraisseeingyou.Andif you are hiding from the camera, you are hiding something So this infrastructure is going to be thebackboneuponwhichwe arebuildingourcountry.”He cited the smart street monitoring pilot in the Stabroek area, where the crime rate plummeted from over 90 reports to less than six because everyone was integratedintothesystem.
Toachievefullcoverage, the government needs more than 25,000 static cameras across 6,700 sites, moving aggressively from the current closing figures of 1,300 sites and 6,000 cameras. This network will be supported by roving cameras,eyesinthesky,and private commercial or home security systems, which the state is encouraging via investment incentives. “And this will be interesting,” the Presidentnoted. “So, the system is
already delivering these results for us. The system allows for automated post audits.”Herevealedthatthis audit capacity has enabled a deeper look into regulatory systems,statingthat“todayI can tell you, I know the Traffic Chief will have sent out 1,600 letters, just above 1,600letters,onpersonswho they’re interested in to find out how they acquired their driver’slicence.”
To secure this process going forward, the state is migrating examinations away from human handling. “Wearenowmovingthetest, the driver’s licence test, to the Guyana Digital School platform, where the questions are automatically generated,” Ali announced.
“Nobody would have any question paper two days before. If you go now to writeit,10minutesafter,the questions are completely different It’s random sampling The system throws up the questions and markitimmediately So,you canknowyourresultsthere,” hedisclosed.
The data backbone will also anchor cybersecurity anddigitalresilienceascore national pillars, particularly astheStatepreparestofully implement the national
up high-tech security push
payment system by the end of this year. “So you can go andjustscanaQRcodeand payforanything.Youcando allyourtransactionsonyour phone,”Aliexplained.
“You can pay anything globally, anywhere in the world, from your phone. So that tells you that major investment will be made in cybersecurity and digital resilience,” President Ali said.
This includes a refined national strategy and a world-class, 24/7 Cyber Emergency Response Team to protect critical data and economic infrastructure, such as energy systems, oil and gas assets, fertiliser plants, and the Wales DevelopmentZone.
“As we move towards owningmoreofourdataand having data sovereignty, we have to ensure that the backbone is there to protect that data so that it’s not stolen,” the President emphasised, noting that domesticlawswillbefurther amended to align with internationalstandards.
For border security and immigration control, the State is actively deploying technologylikeautomatedegatesandworkingoncustom components to remove long immigration and customs forms in favour of selfdeclaration backed by stronger penalties. President Alihighlightedtherolloutof the digital ID card, which will be distinct from the votingIDcard,servingasthe essential document for all banking and civic transactions. To support an aggressive rollout, the government is expanding registrationfrom10regional sitestoanadditional60sites across the country This will interface with a biometric immigration system, smart visas, and AI-supported travelerriskassessments.
“Once you express an
interesttobookaticket,that is where the security system kicks in,” Ali explained. “AndwithAI,onceyouhave this system, it gives you an alertthatpersonXisaperson ofinterest,andthey’retrying to book your ticket... If the person then proceeds to pay for the ticket, it then gives youahighalert...Soyoucan stop Countries are even stoppingnow Thatperson,if itissomeoneintheblacklist, theyarestoppingthatperson from even booking the ticket.Soyouarepreventing the threat even before the ticket is booked to come to your country That is how advanced and integrated the global system is now And thatiswhereweareheading with this securi
architecture,” he told reporters.
This integration extends directly to port security, whereadvancedAIscanners will track shipping containers from origin to destination to ensure cargo profiles remain untampered with To manage these interconnected feeds, the sixth pillar introduces an integrated intelligence and interagency coordination system. “It’s very important thatalloursystemsareinteroperable. And they can talk toeachother Andthey’renot silos. This is important for efficiency and to ensure a whole-of-government security coordination,” the Head-of-State said while naming the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Defence Force, Customs Antinarcotics Unit, the Special Organised Crime Unit and the Financial Intelligence Unitascoreparticipants. This platform will facilitate real-time information sharing, tiered command centre access based on clearance, and a unified crisis management system.
President Irfaan Ali
Iran says ‘deep and significant’ gaps with U.S. remain in talks to end war
(AL-JAZEERA) Iran says peacenegotiationswiththeUnited States face “deep and significant” differences and it’s difficult to say if a deal can be reached over the next“weeksormonths”.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesmansayspeacenegotiations with the United States are not “close”,andit’sdifficulttosayifa dealwillbereached“overweeksor months”.
State media quoted Esmaeil Baghaeiassayingthegapsbetween Tehran and Washington are “deep andsignificant”.
“Wecannotnecessarilysaythat we have reached a point where an agreement is close,” he said. “The focus of the negotiations is on ending the war Details related to the nuclear issue are not being discussedatthisstage.”
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has told the United Nations chief that Washington’s “excessive demands” are the main obstacle to ongoing peace negotiations.
Araghchi, speaking by phone withAntónioGuterres,saidtheUS had repeatedly undermined diplomacy through broken promises, contradictory positions, andmilitaryaggression,butIranis nonetheless engaging seriously in thePakistan-mediatedtalks.
Guterres, for his part, rejected
Vessels sail through the Strait of Hormuz, Musandam, Oman, May 20, 2026. [Stringer/Reuters]
theuseofforceagainstanystate’s sovereignty and called for diplomacy to restore stability in the region, according to aForeign Ministry readout as reported by the semi-official Tasnim news agency
A flurry of diplomatic activity is ongoing in Iran in an effort to reach a peace agreement with the UnitedStates.
“The current process and the presence of senior Pakistani officials in Tehran means that we have reached a turning point or a decisive situation,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil `Baghaei.
“Thereasonwedon’ttalkabout the details of nuclear-related discussions is clear We have done
this twice, and the other party’s greed led us into war We cannot ignore this experience,” said Baghaei.
“Regarding nuclear issues, the matter is very clear – we are a memberoftheNPT[NuclearNonProliferation Treaty] and we have the right to use nuclear energy for peacefulpurposes,”headded.
Meanwhile, Iran said any demandthatIranmusthandoverits highlyenricheduraniumtotheU.S. is a non-starter, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil ‘Baghaei says.
“Wewillnotreachaconclusion ifwetrytodelveintodetailsrelated to highly enriched uranium in Iran,” the official IRNA news agencyquotedhimassaying.
Baghaei also said a Qatari delegation currently holding talks withIran’sForeignMinisterAbbas Araghchi, ‘adding ‘Pakistan remainsthemain‘mediatorin‘the ‘negotiations.
Iran’s oil minister is urging Iranians to reduce their fuel consumption following U SIsraeli attacks on Tehran’s oil and gasinfrastructure.
Mohsen Paknejad said the US andIsrael“targetedsomeofthegas facilities, storage tanks, and fuel supplyinTehranprovince”.
“Although we quickly restored a large part of what we had lost… westillneedthepeople’ssupportin efficient fuel consumption,” Paknejad was quoted by the IRNA officialnewsagency
It is difficult to say right now whether the U.S. and Iran are on a solid diplomatic path or whether the war will resume in some way, saysRossHarrison,seniorfellowat theMiddleEastInstitute.
“One of the things I think we should be looking [at] is not just these proximity talks, which occurred in Islamabad four or five weeksago,ortheindirecttalksthat are taking place now; I think we need to look for more intensive direct negotiation between the parties,”HarrisontoldAlJazeera.
The analyst believes that currently “all the parties are trying to establish some kind of framework agreement”, a process being undermined by Trump’s “vitriol”and“bravado”.
This is because the Iranians “are going to be quite sensitive to the optics of surrendering to some of the threats and potential military action coming from the United States, because from their perspective they believe that to really end the war, they have to createdeterrence,”saidHarrison.
Essentially,Iranwantstomake sureit’sinastrongpositionbefore thewarends,saidHarrison,adding thattheU.S.,meanwhile,“needsto believe that it gained something that it didn’t have before the war, and that’s the escalation trap that Trumpisin”.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Cuba poses a national security threat to the U.S.
(AL-JAZEERA) United States
President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio haveissuednewthreatsofmilitary actionagainstCuba.
Rubio told reporters late on Thursday that Cuba has been a national security threat for years because of its ties to U S adversaries Russia and China, whileTrumpsaidheislikelytobe thepresidenttofinallytakeaction.
The Trump administration, with Cuban-American Rubio at the forefront, has been raising the pressure on the communist-led island in an apparent bid to institute “regime change,” including a fuel blockade that has put the Cuban economy on the edgeofcollapse
The push has accelerated in recentdays,withtheU.S.indicting Cuba’s former President Raul Castro and gathering military forcesintheCaribbean.
Rejecting suggestions of “nation building,” Rubio told reporters the issue is one of “national security”. He added that whileanegotiatedagreementisthe U.S. “preference”, the path of diplomacywithCubais“nothigh”. “Their economic system
doesn’t work. It’s broken, and you can’t fix it with the current political system that’s in place,” Rubiosaid.
Over the years, Cuba has gotten used to “buying time and waiting us out,” Rubio said.
“They’re not going to be able to wait us out or buy time. We’re very serious, we’re very focused.”
Separately,PresidentDonald Trump told reporters that U.S. presidents have considered interveninginCubafordecades, but that it looks like he will be “theonethatdoesit”,addingthat hewouldbe“happy”todoso.
In response, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez lambasted Rubio for falsely labellingCubaathreat.
“TheU.S.secretaryofstatelies once again to instigate a military aggression that would provoke the shedding of Cuban and American blood,”Rodriguezsaid.
RAISEDTENSION
Since returning to office, Trump has slapped Cuba with numerous sanctions, implemented a fuel blockade and overseen a militarybuild-upintheregion.
The renewed threats on
United States
President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have issued renewed threats of military action against Cuba [File: Kylie Cooper/Reuters]
Thursday came amid rising tensionsbetweenthecountries.
The U S indicted Cuba’s former President Raul Castro on Wednesday,inconnectionwiththe 1996downingofaplane.
On Thursday, Adys Lastres Morera – sister of a high-ranking executive of the Grupo de Administracion Empresarial SA (GAESA) conglomerate, which is controlled by Cuba’s military and controls large swaths of the
economy–wasarrested.
More sanctions were imposed on the Cuban government in the past week The U S military announcedthatseveralnavyships, including an aircraft carrier, had arrived in the Caribbean on Wednesdaytotakepartinmaritime exercises with partners in Latin America.
Rubio has noted that Cuba had earliertentativelyacceptedanoffer of $100m in aid in return for
reforms. But he said it was unclear if the U.S. would accept Cuba’s terms, as Washington insists on circumventing the military-backed conglomerate GAESA.
Analysts caution that Trump and Rubio are eyeing a similar course of action in Cuba to the regime change manufactured in Venezuela. Left-wing President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were kidnapped in a military operation in January They were takentotheU.S.,whereMaduro w a s c h a r g e d w i t h “narcoterrorism”.
RubioinsiststhatCubaposes aseriousnationalsecuritythreat totheU.S.becauseofitssecurity and intelligence ties with China andRussia.
Both countries have criticised theU.S.pressureontheisland.
China said on Friday it “firmly supports”CubaandurgedtheU.S. to de-escalate tensions and “stop threateningforce”.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said: “We believe that under no circumstances should such methods – which border on violence – be used against either formerorcurrentheadsofstate.”
BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT
Thecrossovercost
Political crossovers in Guyana have evolved from quiet acts of embarrassment into public spectacles complete with applause, appointments and political fanfare.
The PPP/C has mastered the art, not merely to gain supporters but to psychologically destabilise opponents while advertising that there is indeed “life after defection.” But every smiling convert comes with a hidden political cost. For every newcomer elevated, some loyal party foot soldier is quietly shoved aside after decades of sacrifice, loyalty and trench warfare in defence of the party.
Politics now rewards converts more generously than believers because defectors are treated as trophies of conquest.That is the dangerous arithmetic of political accommodation. A party too eager to embrace defectors risks breeding bitterness among its own faithful. In the end, political gravity remains undefeated. When new bodies enter the orbit, somebody else must inevitably be displaced.
Motieendsastournament’s...
Frompage25 given that two of the three bowlerstoleadthechartsfor most wickets were pacers
Ace left-arm spinner
Gudakesh Motie who topped the list with 27 scalps from the 5 games played,followedbytheRed ForcetwinpacersAnderson Phillip who had 25 wickets forhissecondplacespotand Jayden Seales who bagged 23victims.
Veteran lefty spinner
Veerasammy Permaul snatched 22 wickets to end
his season as the next best bowler for Guyana aside from Paul (16 wickets), wrappingupanicefirstclass return to full form after working his way back into topshape.
SpeedsterNialSmithcan alsoholdhisheadhigh,ashe returnedatotalof14wickets after a great season by fastbowlingstandards.
Outside of the top two pacers in Phillip and Seales, followed by Paul along with his teammate Smith; only Red Force fast-bowler
Terrance Hinds (15 wickets) managed to claim 15 scalps or more in a season dominated mostly by the slowerbowlers.
The Eagles meanwhile can feel proud of their performancesinthefield,as three of their players in Kevlon Anderson (9 catches), Paul (8 catches) and glove-man Savory (6 catches) dominated spots 13 in the Most Catches category; a testament to their efforts in the field all season
Nothing is eternal’: Guardiola to end decade-long Man City reign at end of season
ManchesterCityattheendof the season after a decade in charge, the club announced onFriday,bringinganendto one of the most successful eras in English soccer and one of the most influential managerialreignsofalltime.
The departure of the 55year-old Catalan coach will close the book on a remarkable chapter that has seen transform into a footballingjuggernaut.
Saturday May 23, 2026
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
You might feel a little worn outrightnow,Aries,asifyou haven't been getting enough vitaminsorrest.Oryoucould feellikeyou'relosingtrackof issues that are important to you, such as your children's progressinschool.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
Ifyou'reinlove,Taurus,you'll lovetoday Youcouldplanfor almost anything from a little trip together to a lifetime full ofchildrenandgrandchildren. Let yourself yield to the unexpectedalittlebit.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
Youmayfeelalittletiredand depressed over breakfast this morning. Domestic responsibilities overload your spirit. How about treating yourselftoashortvacation-a littlefreetimejustforyou?
CANCER(June21–July22)
This would be a good day for you to sort out your business. You should file important papers and get rid of extraneous materials or trivia atwork.Takingthetimetodo this will save you even more timeinthelongrun.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
Thisisgoingtobeagoodday to see the doctor The atmosphereisidealforgetting a checkup.You've been using a lot of energy recently, and you'd be well advised to take careofyourbody.
VIRGO(Aug 23–Sept 22)
Thisshouldbeapeacefulday for you, Virgo. Be sure to make the most of it, because it's the calm before the storm. This could be a day of discussionwithclosefriends.
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
“Evidence” is the word for today, Libra. Everyone knows that you have a facility for spending your time thinking and analyzing. Today, on the other hand, you're going to be "seeing”things.
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)
Youwillsailthroughthisdayon the gentlest of breezes It's like you've just come back from a week in the country You're calm, refreshed, and relaxed, and no amount of trouble at workcanshakethefeeling
SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)
Ifyou'relookingforanewjob, Sagittarius, perhaps this is the day you find it. "Lucky” is the word that sums up today! Without encouraging you to play the lottery, you can be pretty sure that you'll feel a surgeofconfidence.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
You're filled with vitality today In other words, you're going to feel great about yourself! You're less afraid of meeting people, and you have fewerdoubtsabouteverything, includingyourself!
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)
You may have gotten a financial boost lately in the form of some sort of raise or reward. The day ahead will make you realize that more discipline and work will be necessary if you want to continuetoprosper
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
You're almost certainly in a phase of psychological transformation, Pisces, and therehaverecentlybeenmajor changes in your circle of friendsandassociates.
people, the memories, the love I have for my ManchesterCity
“We worked. We suffered. We fought. And we did things our ownway Ourway.”
Although City ‘sealed the domestic cupdoublethisseason,
Guardiola, who took charge of City in 2016, has won six Premier League titles — including four in a row — three FA Cups, five League Cups and the Champions League, but his sidehavenotwontheleague intwoyears.
“Don’t ask me the reasonsI’mleaving.Thereis no reason, but deep inside, I know it’s my time, ” Guardiola said in a statement.
“Nothing is eternal, if it was,Iwouldbehere.Eternal will be the feeling, the
Guardiola saw his dreams of a seventh Premier League crown dashedwhentheydrew 1-1atBournemouthon Tuesday to hand Arsenal the title, with City set to finish second.
His final game in charge is Sunday’s home fixture against Aston Villa before he takes on the role of Global Ambassador in the City Football Group, giving technical advice to clubsinthegroup.
City also announced the expandedNorthStandatthe Etihad Stadium will be named the Pep Guardiola Standwhileastatuethatwill feature on the approach to the stand will be
commissioned.
RECORD-BREAKING CAMPAIGNS
Guardiola had arrived in Manchester with a resume already stuffed with silverware from Barcelona and Bayern Munich, taking overfromManuelPellegrini inJuly2016.
After inheriting a successful club financed by the Abu Dhabi United Group, Guardiola will walk away having built a footballing empire after overseeing a paradigm shift inPremierLeaguetactics.
As Guardiola faced the challenge of adapting to England’s famously fastpaced and physical league, possession became an art form and a defensive tool at City as teams ‘craved completecontrol.
‘Ifyou’reacasualvisitor to the World Cup from around the world, I think there’s a very low risk that you would be at risk of Ebola.’
The result was not just utter dominance evidenced by recordbreaking campaigns like the 100-point 2017-18 season with106goalsscored—but also relentless consistency year after year, including a record four league titles in a row.
Guardiola’s squads set newstandards,forcingother teamstoevolve,whileCity’s financial muscle combined withshrewdsigningssuchas themuchsought-afterstriker Erling Haaland helped deliverthetreblein2022-23. However, the spectre of the 115 charges of alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules loomslargeoverhistenureat theclub.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. (Reuters)
Archery Guyana shows major growth as...
Frompage27
recognised IANSEO Scoring softwarewhichfacilitatedaccurate scoring and live result updates throughoutthechampionship.
Thanks were extended to Results Manager Mr Saeed Karim and Results Verifier Ms. Anoopa Ramdial.
Official signalling and timing wasdoneautomaticallybyArchery Guyana’s newly acquired TS archery timer and signalling equipment, which the Federation recentlyinvestedsignificantlyin.
This system was purchased to ensurethatGuyanesearchersattain
experience and can compete at home with feedback from internationallevelratedequipment which is approved by World ArcheryAmericas.
It is noted that while an internationallevelArcheryspecific shootingfacilityisnotyetoperated by Archery Guyana, the board continues to equip the Federation with high quality assets for when thatfacilityismadeareality
The Board of Directors of Archery Guyana extended sincere thankstotheHonourableMinister Charles Ramson, Honourable Minister within the Ministry Mr.
Steven Jacobs, Ministry of Culture,YouthandSport,Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, the National Sports Commission, F
MacArthurandthededicatedstaff of the Sports Hall for their invaluable support and assistance in ensuring the smooth execution ofthechampionship
Special appreciation was also expressed to our longstanding sponsor,GuyanaBeveragesInc.for providingOasisWaterandAltitude Energy Drinks to keep athletes, officials and volunteers hydrated throughouttheevent.
The federation thanked Dr. Ariane Mangar, Vanessa Wickham and Aretha Legall for their collaboration and support in providing physiotherapy services t
championship.
Mrs. Persaud-McKinnon also announced that Archery Guyana will soon commence vision
initiatives for athletes and officials as part of the federation’s growing commitment to athlete welfare, health monitoring and highperformancedevelopment.
Photography coverage from both competition days was also completed successfully by Mr BideshDwarka,withimagesmade availablethroughtheofficialFlickr links circulated by the federation forathletes,clubsandsupportersto relive memorable moments from thechampionship.
Meanwhile,Assistant Director of Sport Ms Melissa DowRichardsonwhopresentedmedals totheBarebowUnder-18Women, noted that the successful hosting
Championship 2026 reflects the
development, organisational excellence and the advancement ofarcherythroughoutGuyana
Fullresults:
RecurveMen
Gold–TrevaughnWaldron
Silver–MehandraChatargum
Bronze–PurshotamSharma
RecurveWomen
Gold–EslyneGomes
Silver–KarinOnicaToppin
Bronze–RoshiniBoodhoo
RecurveUnder-18Men
Gold–SaifullahGani
Silver–KeziahArcher
Bronze–BrandonCummings
RecurveUnder-18Women
Gold–SamiyyahLaCruez
Silver–FatimaGani
Bronze–AmeerahKhan
CompoundMen
Gold–GerardMekdeci
Silver–AnandMangra
Bronze–ErrolToppin
CompoundUnder-18Men
Gold – Ravish Singh (Pro Archers)
Silver – Nicholas Sukhu (Pro Archers)
Bronze – Timothy Sukhu (Pro Archers)
BarebowMen
Gold–NolanGray
Silver–ShivaTularam
Bronze–DorianDhanraj
BarebowWomen
Gold-ShianneAffonso-Simon
Silver–Jo-LeeZammet
Bronze–SuzanneAffonso
BarebowUnder-18Men
Gold–EzekielHernandez
Silver–AlecSimmons
Bronze–AalimKahn
BarebowUnder-18Women
Gold–NeepaChaturgum
Silver–AleandraRodrigues
Bronze–NikasieMcGregor
Top individual honours following dominant 2026 Windies C’ship…
champions TT Red Force not only claimed this season’stitlebutmanagedtoclaim top honors across both batting and bowling categories, finishing with somewhat of a clean sweep of the main individual awards after a dominant 2026 West Indies 4-Day Championships.
Seekingtheir3rdstraighttitlein asmanyseasonsdatingbackafew seasons ago, the Tevin Imlach-led Guyana Harpy Eagles were outplayedbytheirarchrivalsfrom the Twin Island Republic, thus failing to capture another title which would have solidified their newlegacywithathree-peatofthe Regional4-Daytitle.
Theredforceintheotherhand, ensuredthatatwodecadelongwait would not further elude them as theyhoistedthetrophyforthefirst time in modern 4-Day franchise cricket,astheylooktonowbuildon what could be the blueprint for developing the core pieces of the teamfor,nextseason’stitledefense andbeyond.
Batting
Captain Joshua Da Silva ended theseasonwith413runsfromthe5 games played, scoring two halfcenturies and a tournament-best 220, followed by his teammate
Amir Jangoo in second place with 411 runs with the tournament’s secondhighestscoreunderhisbelt of203*.
Barbados Pride’s Kevin WIckham ended the season as the
third leading scorer with 393 runs, with Guyana Harpy Eagles opener Ta
C
occupyingthethirdplace.TheWest IndiesTestopenerhitanimpressive 342 runs from just 4 games, with twofiftiesanda117*toendasthe number one run-getter for the Eagles.
Only Kemol Savory with 261 runs and all-rounder Keemo Paul 212runs,clippedthe200-runmark this season alongside Chanderpaul for Guyana, who had a balanced tournamentwithbothbatandball.
OpenerMatthewNanduhadan epic double ton against the West IndiesAcademy(WIA),inamatch which was one of the more entertaining games of the season butheldnomeritasitwasusedasa pre-finalswarm-up.
Bowling
One huge plus for the former champs is the quality of their bowlingthisseason,especially Continued on page 23
Anderson Phillip Gudakesh Motie (ESPN Cricinfo)
SRH win big but RCB, GT seal top two spots
(Cricinfo) - Sunrisers
Hyderabad (SRH) won, and yet it didn’t feel like a win.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru(RCB)lost,butit didn’tfeellikethateither
In a nutshell, that’s how Friday night went in HyderabadasRCBsecureda top-twofinish-theyfinished No. 1 - despite a 55-run defeat, while SRH remained third.
On the back of halfcenturies from Abhishek Sharma, Heinrich Klaasen and Ishan Kishan, SRH postedamonstertotalof255, but had to restrict RCB to 166orbelowforachanceto moveintothetoptwo.Rajat Patidar’s 56, Venkatesh Iyer’s 44 and Krunal Pandya’s unbeaten 41 ensured there were no blushesforRCBevenasthey finished the league stage withadefeat.
That left the top three teams all on 18 points, with Gujarat Titans sandwiched betweenthetwoteamsatNo. 1 and No. 3. Eventually, it camedowntonetrun-rateto decidewhichteamwouldgo to Qualifier 1, and which team would play the Eliminator
RCBsecuretopspot
Going into the game,
RCB wanted to win but also wantedtoensuretheydidn’t slip outside the top two should they lose.After SRH pumped 255 for 4 in 20 overs, the equation became clear - RCB had to avoid losingby90ormoreruns. The start given by their new opener, Venkatesh, calmed the nerves. He gave Pat Cummins a four-six jab inthefirstover,andsavedhis best for the fourth over delivered by left-arm wristsp
K
Shivangfortwosixesinone over, with a boundary
Sakib
Hussain celebrates after getting rid of Virat Kohli. (BCCI)
sandwiched in between Venkatesh fell for a 19-ball 44 but by then RCB had already scored 60 in 4.3 overs.
Even though Virat Kohli (15)failedtoleaveamarkin the game with the bat, a spunky 21 from No 3 Devdutt Padikkal ensured RCB stayed on course for 166evenifthechaselooked to get out of hand. Sakib Hussain,whodelivered1for 31infourovers,wasamajor reason why RCB could not pushon.
Patidar scored his fourth half-century of the season,
awayswingers moved into his takedown of Suyash Sharma’s googly and Romario Shepherd’s seamupballs.
Abhishekwasfinallyout intheninthover,butbythen his turbo-charged innings had SRH almost touching triple-digits.
Klaasen,Kishen reachnewhighs
stayinginfromthesixthover to the 19th. His 39-ball 56 includedcrispboundariesoff Eshan Malinga, Cummins andHarshalPatel,butfellto part-timer Travis Head Krunal stayed till the end with an unbeaten 41 in 31 balls as RCB finished on a commendable 200 for 4 by theend.
Abhishekhurts butter-fingeredRCB Dropped in the sixth, seventh and eighth overs, Abhishek made full use of the chances RCB’s fielders offeredhim.Onaflatsurface with no grass, he did not let
Kishan had three fifties againstRCBinhislastthree outings, and on Friday, he made it four in a row with a 46-ball 79. While Abhishek was going, Kishan took his timetoscorenineoffhisfirst ten balls, but then found his groove. Hisbestshotofthenight was probably the leg-side slog towards the bigger boundary against Krunal in the 11th over, a sign that timingandformcontinuedto be on his side. A sixth 50plus score for Kishan this season also made IPL 2026 his most prolific as a batter His sweeps, cuts and pulls allowed SRH to pump 73 runsacrossovers11to15.
Klaasen’s story was
similar,startingoffwithonly five runs in nine balls, but one that was unlocked with his takedown of Josh Hazlewood in the 13th over Onesixovercowcornerand twomoreoverlong-onmade Hazlewood leak 27 His
e ff o r t l e s s l o f t o f Bhuvneshwar over extra cover took him close to yet another landmark, and he brought up his sixth halfcentury of the season in the 16thover
Hefellinthe17thoverto a low-arm slinger from Krunalfor52,butnotbefore becoming the first player to cross 600 runs while batting at No. 4 or lower in a T20 tournament.
Nitish Kumar Reddy scoredablazingunbeaten29 in12ballstogiveSRHalate push. He hit Krunal for two sixesinhisfirstthreeballsin thecreaseandthendeposited Hazlewoodforanother
The late flourish took SRH past 250 while also leaving RCB’s senior seamb o w l i n g p a i r o f B h u v n e s h w a r a n d Hazlewood ducking for cover Hazlewood conceded 55 on the night while Bhuvneshwar leaked 51 They both finished the eveningwicketless.
Archery Guyana shows major growth as 2026 National Indoor Championship ends
T
he National Indoor
Championship 2026 hosted by Archery Guyana concluded efficaciously last Sunday at the iconic Cliff Anderson Sports Hall Archery competitions requiresaminimumoftwodays, inwhichbothdayssawexciting and high-level competition, sportsmanship and camaraderie among archery athletes from acrossGuyana.
The championship brought together athletes from clubs including Pro Archers, Bow Nation, The Archery Guild and Golden League Archery and some independent archers Competitors contested in Recurve, Compound and Barebowdivisionsacrosssenior andyouthcategories.Theevent showcased the continued growth and development of the sportofarcheryinGuyana,quite notablytheincreasednumberof youth archers whose performances drew admiration from spectators and officials alike.
At the medal presentation
ceremony, remarks were delivered by President of the Guyana Olympic Association, Godfrey Munroe, who commended Archery Guyana for its organisation, discipline and commitment to athlete development.
He congratulated the athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers for contributing to another successful national championship.
Medals were presented by President of Archery Guyana, Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, Assistant Director of Sport, Melissa Dow-Richardson, President of the Guyana Olympic Association Mr Godfrey Munroe,Vice-Chair of theNationalSportsCommission and Vice-President of the Guyana Olympic Association, Cristy Campbell, along with special guests Cubie Seegobin andJacquelineSeegobin.
During her remarks, Mrs. Persaud-McKinnon expressed gratitudetoallstakeholdersand volunteers whose efforts made
the championship possible. She specially recognised National JudgeandDirectorofShooting, Ryan McKinnon, whose acknowledgment was met with resounding applause from the gathering in appreciation of his tireless dedication to the sport andleadershipbehindthescenes andthroughoutthecompetition.
A
appreciationtotheJudges,Ryan McKinnon, Robert Singh and Afzal Karim who ensured the event was conducted in accordancewithWorldArchery standards.
Also the competition committee, volunteers, range officials, set-up team and all supporting personnel from the CompetitionsCommitteewhose collective efforts contributed to theprofessionalexecutionofthe event.
The federation applauded the efficiency of the results and technicalteamfortheirefficient useoftheinternationally Continued on page 24
Vice-President of the Guyana Olympic Association, Cristy Campbell, presented medals to the Recurve Women top finishers.
Sports
Motie ends as tournament’s leading wicket-taker, ‘Tage’ is Eagles’ top run-getter Topindividualhonoursfollowing dominant2026WindiesC’ship…
National Indoor Championship ends
Guyana Harpy Eagles finished as the runner up in this year’s tournament.
