Two homes destroyed after child reportedly repor sparks Berbice blaze 14-yr-old arrested mates at Tuschen GPL signs US$27M contract with PowerChina Int’l for money changer windfall revenue from oil Pres. Ali jumps off track when asked about Secondary School further grid upgrades shot after robbing Motorbike bandit for stabbing two
ICJ border case...
Venezuela submitted
The two properties demolished by fire.
Fire victims Jeffrey Fraser (left) and Phulmattie Madramootoo
President Irfaan Ali
14-yr-old arrested for stabbing two mates at Tuschen Secondary School
A14-year-old student of the Tuschen Secondary School is in policy custody afterhestabbedtwo15-yearold students of the same schoolonThursday
AccordingtotheGuyana Police Force (GPF), the “unlawful wounding” occurred at about 10:10h. “Enquiriesdisclosedthatthe victimsandthesuspect,a14year-old student of Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo, are known to each other, having attendedthesameschool.
It is alleged that, on the dateandtimementioned,the victims were standing together during their break timeintheschoolcompound when they observed two femalestudentsengagedina scuffle.As such, the victims attempted to intervene, but were threatened by the suspect.Thevictimsthenleft the scene and decided to inform the Head Teacher, during which they were allegedly threatened again bythesuspect,”policesaid.
Police reported that a scuffle ensured between one
ofthevictimsandthesuspect during which the victim received wounds to his left hand and upper chest area from the suspect, who was armedwithasharpobject.
“The other victim then intervenedandalsoreceived wounds to his right hand,” policesaid, Reports are that several
Minister of Education
Sonia Parag during a visit to the two injured students of the Tuschen Secondary School.
teachers at the school intervened and apprehended thesuspect,whiletheinjured studentsweretakentotheDe KinderenRegionalHospital, where they were examined by doctors on duty, found to be in a stable condition and subsequentlydischarged.
“The suspect was subsequently contacted by
police, told of the allegation made against him and arrested in accordance with the procedures applicable to juveniles He was then escorted to the Tuschen PoliceStation,wherehewas placed in custody,” police said while noting that law enforcement officers from Regional DivisionThree are
investigatingthematter
Meanwhile, Minister of Education Sonia Parag in a statementThursdaysaidthat the Ministry of Education h a s l a u n c h e d a n investigation into the incident that left the two studentsinjured.
“The student perpetrator is facing expulsion from the
school and was taken into police custody, while a teacherallegedlyinvolvedin the incident has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of a t h o r o u g h p o l i c e investigation,” the minister said.
MinisterParag and other officials visited the injured boysandtheirfamiliesatthe hospital.
“Inadditiontothepolice a n d e d u c a t i o n investigations,theChildcare andProtectionAgencyofthe MinistryofHumanServices andSocialSecurityhasbeen informed to ensure the welfare of all parties is addressed,” the minister said.
The Ministry of
Education said it remains “firmly committed to ensuringthesafetyandwellbeing of all students and teachers, and continues to follow established standard operating procedures to maintain a secure and conducive learning environmentforeveryone.”
Venezuela submitted no evidence to support claim to Essequibo ICJ border case… - Guyana’s legal team
Venezuela’s case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Guyana border controversy matter is lacking in evidential value. This is the position taken by lawyers arguing Guyana’s casebeforetheworldcourt.
Addressing a sitting of the court at the Hague, Netherlands on Friday, British-French international lawyer, Professor Philippe Sands KC highlighted the attempt by Venezuela to overturn the 1899 Arbitral Award without a shred of evidence.
H e u n d e r s c o r e d Venezuela’s overreliance on
the 1949 Mallet-Prevost memorandum, which Caracas has long used to claimtheArbitralAwardwas invalid.
“There is none, not a shred of evidence, even assumingtheMalletPrevost memorandumtobeaccurate, andwehavenoideawhether it is. It does no more than describe tribunal president’s efforts to gain consensus by warning that a majority award is likely to be less attractive in one way or another,”Sandssaid. Inhissubmissionaslead counsel
controversy,ProfessorSands
notedthatVenezuelawas already aware, from the moment the award was issued in 1899, and that the decision involved compromise among arbitrators.
According to Sands, Venezuela accepted the ruling for 63 years, negotiated and signed
boundary, and faithfully adheredtoitfordecades
u p t l y changing its position in 1962.
He explained that contrary to Venezuela’s
GPL signs US$27M contract with PowerChina Int’l for further grid upgrades
The Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) on Friday signed a contractworthUS$27.3MwithPowerChina International Group Limited for further upgradestothenationalgrid.
InastatementonFridaythecompanysaid that the contract is “for the engineering, procurementandconstructionofa60MWh/ 30 MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), along with associated substation expansionsandsystemsintegration...”
GPL’s Head of Executive Management Committee Kesh Nandlall led the signing teamandhewasaccompaniedbyDivisional DirectorRyanRossandotherpersonnelfrom GPL and PowerChina International Group Limited.
“Under the project, two 30 MWh / 15 MW lithium-ion battery systems will be installed at the New Sophia and GoedverwagtingsubstationsinRegionFour
The project will add 30 MW of power to GPL’s grid and significantly improve the stability and reliability of the DemeraraBerbice Interconnected System (DBIS),”
GPLsaid.
The company added that the system will be integrated with the Guyana National Control Centre (GNCC), through a modern SCADA, Energy Management and Automatic Generation Control systems, including spare parts, maintenance services and training for the company’s engineers, with an expected completion date in eight months.
Addressing the gathering Nandlall noted that the project represents a major step in strengthening the country’s electrical infrastructure, explaining that the Battery Energy Storage System, is aimed at improving power storage, through its black start capabilities and will support the integration of renewable energy sources in keeping with the Loc carbon Development Strategy(LCDS)2030goals.
The company said it remains committed to investing in modern infrastructure aimed at improving the reliability, efficiency and sustainability of electricity supply across Guyana.
contention, it was not uncommon for arbitrators to secure consensus as this is a n o r m a l f e a t u r e o f international arbitration and should not be interpreted as wrongdoing.
Sands asked the court to reject Venezuela’s claims that the award was the product of political blackmail.
“The striving for consensus is an act of decency and wisdom,” he stated He warned that overturning an arbitral awardandatreatymorethan a century old would create serious and far-reaching globaleffects.
The professor cautioned thatanoverturnoftheaward will in fact threaten the stability of international borders established after independence acrossAfrica, Latin America and elsewhere.
“You would rekindle the e m b e r s o f d e a d empires…Youwouldplunge Guyana into a new form of domination and oppression in relations with its much larger neighbor It would threaten to open the gates of challenge to any and every colonial era arbitration award or boundary settlement,”hesaid.
In his submission for Guyana, Professor Nilufer Oral reinforced Guyana’s position, arguing that
Venezuelahadlongaccepted the validity of the 1899 Award through its own conductandimplementation of the boundary for more thanhalfacentury
Professor Oral told the court that Venezuela was awareofeveryallegeddefect in the award from the very beginning and had “lost the right” to challenge it after decades of acceptance and acquiescence.
M e a n w h i l e , international lawyer, Paul ReichlernotedthatGuyana’s claim to the Essequibo and legality of the 1899 award remains“unchallenged.”
He emphasised that Venezuela failed to provide c o n t e m p o r a n e o u s documentation supporting its allegations of coercion, fraudorconspiracy
Further,Reichlertoldthe court that historical records show it was Venezuela that sought arbitration with Britain and requested the support of the United States tosecurethatprocess.
HesaidVenezuela’snow falsely depicts Britain and the United States as having conspired in the late 19th centurytodepriveVenezuela ofterritorythroughthe1897 Treaty of Washington and the1899ArbitralAward.
“Venezuela accepted the agreement, freely and without compulsion, as servingitsbestinterests,”he argued.
The lawyer noted that this is evidenced by statements from Venezuelan officials and President JoaquinCrespoatthetime.
In further rebuttal of Venezuelaclaims,thelawyer stated Venezuela is in historical aggressor, and not asupporterofdecolonisation and Guyana’s independence asitwantstoportrayitself.
“This is nothing more than a cynical inversion of history Their claim is frivolous,”hesaid.
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, made an appealfortheICJtodelivera clear, explicit and unambiguous judgment affirming the validity of the 1899ArbitralAward.
He warned that any ambiguity could embolden Venezuelatocontinuelaying claim to the majority of Guyana’s sovereign territory
“For Guyana and its people, the stakes could scarcely be higher… “The loss of the territory claimed by Venezuela would eviscerate Guyana. Indeed, the country as we know it would cease to exist,” he asserted.
He said generations of Guyanese have lived under what he described as the “longandthreatening
Continued on page 8
Members of Guyana’s Legal Team at the Hague Netherlands on Friday
Guyana's oil wealth is growing at a breathtaking pace. Contractsareflowing,andgovernmentofficialscontinueto boast that the country is now among the fastest-growing economies in the world. Yet, beneath the glitter of oil prosperity lies a deeply troubling reality: Guyana is receivingoneofthesmallestsharesofrevenuefromitsown economyanywhereinLatinAmericaandtheCaribbean.
The latest report from the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) should alarm every citizen. According to the report,Guyanarecordedthelowesttax-to-GDPratiointhe entire region at a mere 9.2 percent in 2024. The regional averagestandsat21.7percent.Brazilcollects33.7percent. Even countries with stagnant economies and fewer natural resourcesareextractingmorerevenuefromtheireconomies thanGuyanaisfromitsboomingoilsector
ThereportexplainedthatGuyana'staxburdendeclined becauseeconomicgrowth,drivenheavilybyoilproduction, isoutpacingtaxrevenues.Insimplelanguage,thecountryis producing extraordinary wealth, but the State is collecting only a tiny fraction of it. The oil economy is expanding fasterthanthegovernment'sability,orperhapswillingness, tosecureafairshareforthepeople.
This is precisely what critics of the ExxonMobil Production Sharing Agreement warned about from the beginning. Guyana signed away vast petroleum resources under terms that continue to favour the oil companies far more than the citizens who own the resource. Today, the evidenceisundeniable.Theeconomyisexploding,butthe publicpurseremainsdisproportionatelysmall.
What makes the situation even more disturbing is the government's continued refusal to renegotiate the oil contract. President Irfaan recently declared that the administration is “not budging” on changes to Exxon's agreement. Meanwhile, international reports now confirm what ordinary Guyanese already sense: the country is not maximizingthebenefitsfromitsoilwealth.
Thegovernmentwillarguethatbillionsareflowinginto infrastructure,housing,healthcareandeducation.Andyes, projectsarebeingrolledoutatanunprecedentedpace.But development spending alone cannot mask the structural weaknessexposedbytheECLACfindings.Acountrywith one of the fastest-growing economies on Earth should not simultaneouslyholdtheembarrassingdistinctionofhaving thelowesttax-to-GDPratiointheregion.
Thiscontradictionpointstoadeeperproblem:Guyana's oil economy is becoming an enclave economy Wealth is beinggenerated,butadisproportionateamountisescaping through profit repatriation, generous concessions, tax waivers and contractual limitations. The ordinary citizen seescranes,pipelinesandbillion-dollarannouncements,yet still struggles with high food prices, poor drainage, blackouts,inadequatehealthcareandrisinginequality
TheECLACreportalsoexposesanotheruncomfortable truth. Countries that implemented deliberate tax reforms increased their revenues significantly. Barbados, Brazil, Cuba and Antigua all saw improvements after making policy changes. Guyana, however, appears trapped in a mindset that treats oil companies as untouchable benefactors rather than corporate entities operating for profit.
Thedangerhereisnotonlyeconomic;itispoliticaland generational.Oilwealthcandisappearfasterthanitarrives. Commodity prices fluctuate. Global energy transitions are accelerating.Thesamereportnoteddeclininghydrocarbon revenues across several producing nations because of falling prices and production changes. If Guyana fails to secure stronger fiscal returns now, future generations may inherit depleted reserves with insufficient long-term benefitstoshowforit.
There is also the issue of accountability The government continues to celebrate growth figures while avoiding meaningful national debate about revenue
End the Tax and Oil Profit Giveaway
DearEditor,
Inkeepingwiththe2016 PSA, Article 15 4, the published reports by the consortium (EMGL, Chevron and CNOOC) for the period 2020 to 2024 showthatGuyanapaidfrom its oil receipts US$5.2 billion in taxes for the c o n s o r t i u m ( K N https://kaieteurnewsonline.c om/2026/04/26/oggnwrites-berkshire-hathawayinc-on-chevrons-guyanaoperations/) Published reportsalsoshowthatforthe period2020to2024,Guyana onlyreceivedUS$6.3billion inoilexports.Consequently, thenetshareinoilpayments that Guyana received in real terms is only US$1 1B (US$6.3B–US$5.2B).
Additionally, for the period2020to2024,Guyana suffered a profit squeeze which denied Guyana oil profit payments of US$9.1B ( K N https://kaieteurnewsonlinec om/2026/04/25/exxonmobil -guyana-limited-chevronand-cnooc-employ-twopocket-accounting-tosqueeze-guyanas-profitshare-by-us9-1-billion/) Thisisasignificantamount, because it is larger than the combined total of export earnings for sugar, rice, bauxite,gold,andtimber
In fact, the total export earnings for these commodities during the period2020to2024(Bankof Guyana Annual Reports) is US$6.2B(Table1).
Had Guyana terminated the compulsory tax payment for the consortium from its share of profits; and also terminated the profit squeeze, the total foreign exchange earnings for the period 2020 to 2024 would have increased by US$14.3B, with the total exports earnings for the period being US$20 5 B (Table2).
This increase in foreign exchange earnings would
have reduced the foreign exchangeshortageandallow Guyana to pay down its foreign exchange debt of U S $ U S $ 7 7 B (https://kaieteurnewsonline
obtainedforthisactivity;and the same procedure must be appliedfordiamondexports.
Currently, no foreign exchange earnings are reported by the Bank of
com/2026/04/20/guyanapaid-us264-6m-in-debtservicing-for-2025/) It is therefore incumbent upon policymakers to ensure that theyclosethetaxgive-away arrangementandendtheloss inprofits.
Furthermore, Guyanese mustberemindedthatahole in the ground that comes with environmental costs, alongwithdestroyedmarine life in the Atlantic Ocean, and foreign exchange debts from Government overseas borrowing,areliabilitiesthat futuregenerationsshouldnot inherit.Additionally, similar examinations should be undertaken with other nonrenewable resources, including gold, bauxite, and manganese. Incidentally, no dataarereportedbytheBank of Guyana for the extraction and exportation of manganese from Matthews Ridge, North West District(https://kaieteurnews online.com/2023/10/22/chin ese-manganese-companyboasts-of-having-best-washplant-in-the-country/) Foreign exchange must be
fairness. GDP growth sounds impressive in speeches and international conferences, but GDP alone does not feed citizensorbuildresilientsocieties.Whatmattersishowmuch ofthatwealthremainsinnationalhandsandhoweffectivelyit istransformedintosustainableprosperity
The question every Guyanese must now ask is simple: how can a nation swimming in oil still collect less revenue relative to its economy than almost every country in the region?
This country cannot afford to be intoxicated by headline growth figures while ignoring the mathematics of national benefit. Guyana risks becoming the classic example of resource wealth without equitable return. We are watching billionsflowthroughtheeconomywhiletheStatestrugglesto capture sufficient value from the very resource driving the boom.
Real transformation means securing fair revenue, buildingstronginstitutions,reducinginequalityandensuring thatthenation,notforeigncorporations
another non-renewable resource, uranium, will be added to the export mix (https://kaieteurnewsonline com/2026/04/29/canadianfirm-developing-uraniumproject-in-guyana/), making Guyana one of a few countrieswithanenergymix of oil, uranium, hydropower, wind, and solar poweropportunities,butour electricity supply is unreliable and expensive WakeupGuyana!
Sincerely, KenrickHunte
Guyana for the export of diamonds. Please end this unnecessary suffering that will pauperize future generations. Furthermore,it is important to note that
Joe PersaudFrederick Collins
DarshKhusial On behalf of OGGN (www.oggn.org) a501(c)3organization.
Housing sector must be treated as a critical component of national development and social stability
DearEditor,
I have been carefully observing housing trends across Guyana, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago, and it is becoming increasingly clear that Guyana is facing a developingcrisisinitsrental sector Rising rental rates, coupled with inconsistent standards in landlord-tenant relations, are placing undue strainoncitizenswhorelyon fair and stable housing While regional comparisons show similar pressures, the situation in Guyana is compounded by gaps in enforcement and regulatory oversight.
Reports reaching me continue to highlight a wide range of concerns affecting both landlords and tenants. Chiefamongtheseisthelack of clear enforcement of existing laws, which creates uncertainty and, in many cases, fosters conflict Tenants often feel unprotected,whilelandlords face challenges managing propertieswithoutstructured guidance or accountability frameworks that are consistentlyapplied.
A critical issue that
demands urgent attention is the right to peaceful enjoyment of one’s residence, a principle recognised under Guyanese law In many shared residential settings, tenants are subjected to excessive and ongoing noise disturbances from neighbouring units, with littletonointervention.This failure to manage noise pollution undermines not onlycomfortbutalsomental well-being and the ability of individuals to work and rest effectively
Equallyconcerningisthe lack of adherence to proper health and safety standards in rental properties. Basic exp
sanita
i
, struc
l i n t e g r i t y , w a s t e management, and safe communal spaces are too often neglected. These are not minor inconveniences but essential requirements that directly impact public health and the dignity of occupants.
There is a pressing need for clearly defined regulations that address these issues in a balanced (Continuedonpage5)
2026 Town Week: a missed opportunity to reposition Linden
DearEditor,
There are moments in the life of a community when reflection must give waytocandor LindenTown Week, in its most recent form, presents such a moment.Whilewecelebrate the vibrancy of our people and the richness of our culture, we must honestly ask whether we are using these platforms to advance the long-term interests of Linden.
As a born Lindener, I must state plainly and honestlyasIalwaysdo,that this year’s Town Week represented yet another missed opportunity to repositionLindenasacenter for investment, tourism, entrepreneurship, and regionalconnectivity
Linden is uniquely positioned. It is the only towninGuyanadividedbya river, offering tremendous potential for waterfront tourism, river tours, and recreational enterprise. Its blue lakes, historical sites, and industrial heritage remain under-marketed assets. More importantly, Linden serves as the gateway to Guyana’s interior and, with the Linden–Lethem corridor, stands poised to become a critical logistics and trade hub connecting Guyana with Brazil, the largest country and economy in South America by a wide margin, boasting an estimated nominal GDP of
over$2trilliondollars.
Thepossibilitiesforport development, cargo transport, duty-free zones, andtheoperationalizationof the Linden airstrip are real and urgent Yet, these opportunities were largely absentfromtheTownWeek agenda.
Instead, the event relied heavily on entertainment. While our local promoters deserve their well-deserved commendation for bringing life and energy to the town, entertainment alone cannot d r i v e e c o n o m i c transformation. The Linden Town Week should also function as a strategic platform for investment promotion, tourism marketing, and business development Equally disappointing was the failure to deliberately and aggressively promote local b u s i n e s s e s a n d entrepreneurs Across LindenandRegionTen,our peopleareproducingwines, baked goods, bottled seasonings, pepper sauces, herbal teas, cassava and plantain chips, soaps, skin and hair products, clothing, crafts,andmanyotherhighquality products These enterprises reflect the creativity and resilience of our people, yet many continue to operate without t h e e x p o s u r e a n d institutional support needed forgrowth.
TownWeekshouldhave showcased a strong “Made
in Linden” brand through trade expos, agroprocessing exhibitions, culinary showcases, business forums, and partnerships with tourism
a
s
h initiatives could stimulate investment, create jobs, and strengthen community pride.
One bright spot, however, was the return of the Kashif and Shanghai football competition. The overwhelming support and attendance demonstrated Linden’s capacity to host major sporting events in a safe environment. This is clear evidence of the potential for sports tourism as part of Linden’s broader developmentstrategy
The core issue to this conundrum remains leadership and vision. The municipal government should prioritize strategic initiativesforLinden’slong-
term growth, rather than focusing on internal miniscule conflicts, ego contest or celebratory events.
Future Town Weeks must include investment forums,tourismexpos,local business showcases, and deliberate efforts to market
Linden’s strategic advantages.Lindenstandsat a crossroads, both literally andfiguratively AsGuyana rapidlytransforms,ourtown cannot afford to remain on the margins of national development. Town Week must become more than a celebration; it must become a declaration of economic intentandfutureambition.
We owe it to the people of Linden past, present, and future to ensure that opportunitiesarenotmerely recognized,butrealized.
Yoursrespectfully, JermaineFigueira Former Member of Parliament
Housing sector must be...
conditions.
There
must be a level playing field
DearEditor,
I take this opportunity to wish every mother a Happy Mother’s Day, even though I’mconsciousthat,forsome, itmaynotbeahappyday!
AsIwrotethedateonthis letter, 8th May, it struck me that this is the day on which my mother died a few decadesago.Shetaughtusto embracetruth,righteousness; the benefits of hard work, respect for others, and the fearofGod!
Years ago, one of my brothers(longdeceased)was sent on a work/training assignment to a Communist country While there, he and others were being told that thereisnoGod.
Hehadrelatedtomethat when he could take it no longer,heraisedhishand(in the forum) and declared...I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven andearth!
This incident came to mindasIlayinbedearlythis morning, pondering on the injusticesandinequityinour society.
ample resources, allegedly trafficking guns and pounds of illicit substances, were granted one million dollars bail!
I read of persons with legally acquired weapons, who have been charged with no offence, being stripped of theirprotection,whileothers under investigation are allegedly in possession of theirpersonalweapons.
Ibelieveinalevelplaying field! I hate injustice, regardlessofwhotheplayers are! I join with my deceased brother and declare I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven andearth!
Someone has said...”The wheelsofjusticeturnslowly, but grind exceedingly fine”. My mother used to say “moon ah run till day ketch am.”
Frompage4 and enforceable manner. Policies must outline the responsibilities of both landlordsandtenants,while also establishing practical mechanisms for dispute resolution. Without enforcement, even the strongest legal provisions remain ineffective and fail to inspirepublicconfidence. Ultimately, the housing sector must be treated as a critical component of national development and s o c i a l s t a b i l i t y Strengthening oversight, ensuring accountability, and prioritising fair treatment for all parties will go a long way in
The time for decisive andstructuredactionisnow
Sincerely: Mr BlaneRBunbury
I’ve read of persons, no doubt poor, being remanded for having a few grams of ganja, while persons with
Delay is not necessarily denial. I have confidence in theAlmightywhositsonHis throne.TimeisinHishands. Sometimes He laughs Sometimes He smiles. SometimesHethunders!Itis afearfulthingtofallintothe hands of the Living God! (Hebrews10:31)
ClaudiaHeywood
Motorbike bandit shot after robbing money changer
Amoneychangertraded
bulletswithtwoarmed b a n d i t s o n a motorcycleonFridayafternoonon Longden Street, Georgetown, shootingoneofthem.Abystander wasalsohitintheprocess.
The other bandit managed to escape with a bag containing $200,000 that was snatched from themoneychanger
In retaliation, the money changer, a licensed firearm holder pulled out his weapon and traded shotswiththesuspects. The wounded accomplice and bystander were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.
A report was made to the police.
Chinese contractors dominate bids for Amaila Falls Hydro Project
TheGovernmentof Guyana has receivedfivebids from international contractors for the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, three of which are Chinese companies.
The project which is being executed through the OfficeofthePrimeMinister was opened at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB)onFrida.
K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that some companies bid either via consortium or joint venture. Outofthefivebids,threeare from China, while the other twoareheadquarteredinthe UnitedStatesofAmericaand India.
A c c o r d i n g t o information released on NPTAB website the five bidders are Afcon Infrastructure Limited (of India) in joint venture with Scandian Infrastructure AB (of Sweden); CAMCECMEC Consortium (of C h i n a ) w h o b i d US$668,000,000; China Gezhouba Group Company
Limited-HYI(ofChina)who bid US$432,338,377; OEC USA in joint venture with GE Vernova (of USA), and Worley (of Australia) who bid US$800,060,842; and Sinohydro Corporation Limited (of China) who bid US$416,866,949.21.
The government, in its revised Request for Proposals (RFP) which was issuedearlierthisyear,stated
In a summary of the scope of work, the RFP detailed that the project includesa165MWinstalled hydro dam, plant, and substationatAmailasite,and relatedworks.
The project involves the creation of a 23 square KM storage reservoir consistent with the environmental reportsandstudiesandprior permitting. Also interested
thatthehydroprojectwillbe done under a Build-OwnOperate-Transfer (BOOT) model, with a minimum installed capacity of 165 MegaWatt(MW).
partieswouldhavetoassume all geo-technical risks including guarantees relatingtothestructureofthe reservoiranddam.
The government also
stated that the transmission network will be built separately. “That the size of the hydro may be reengineeredtotakeaccount of changes in turbine technology thus allowing more than 165 MW to be generated and transmitted,” thedocumentstated.
The government noted that it will engage independent supervision of the design and construction, with an agreed Terms of Reference (TOR) between theparties.
Further, the RFP explained that the hydro projectwillbeexecutedviaa new “Special Purpose Company(SPC)”andwillbe issued with all previous permits, licences, and permissions, as previously existing in April 2015,
providedtheDevelopershall have responsibility for any updatesasrequiredbylaw
Under the BOOT
a r r a n g e m e n t , t h e
Government of Guyana (GoG) will purchase the electricity from the private developer
As such, the RFP
explained that government will select a suitable partner based on (i) lowest Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) price, E
Construction (EPC) price, operating cost and capital amortisation;(ii)timeframes to complete and (iii) ability to finance the project on a PPAbasis.
This publication had highlighted that since assuming office in 2020 under the first IrfaanAli-led PPP administration, government tendered twice for a contractor for the project but both were u n s u c c e s s f u l i n materialising.
The Amaila Falls Hydro project was introduced by a p r e v i o u s P P P / C Administration in 2011
However, the project faced obstacles in its realisation when the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) Opposition parties,
stopped the project back in 2014.
In its 2020 election manifesto, the PPPadministrationnotedthatthe project will be revived However, to date the PPP governmentwasunabletodo so before the end of the first terminoffice.
In 2021, negotiations hit a stalemate after Cabinet granted a no-objection for the Prime Minister’s office toengagetheChinaRailway Group Limited for construction. Discussions faltered as the company sought to alter the project’s model due to financing challenges for a BOOT model, requesting a shift to an EPC model The governmentwasreluctantto switch to the EPC option, resultinginthetalkswiththe Chinese contractor coming toanend.
The government later issued a revised RFP under the BOOT model for the AmailaFallsprojectandfour local and international firms submitted proposals for the AmailaFallsprojectthatwas scheduled to begin in 2027. However, this too was stalled.
Early in 2025, the government announced that it would once again go to tenderfortheproject.
Venezuelasubmittednoevidence...
Frompage3
shadow” of Venezuela’s claim to more than 70 per cent of Guyana’s territory As such, the attorney general called for the court to makeadeclarationthatwouldputanendto Venezuela’sclaimsonceandforall.
“If the court accepts Guyana’s arguments, as we are confident that it will, then it is essential that the court’s judgment directly, explicitly and unambiguously
affirm the validity of the 1899Award in its integrity and the boundary which it established...Anyambiguityorqualification in the court’s judgments will inevitably be seized upon by Venezuela as a basis for continuing to lay claim to vast swaths of Guyana’ssovereignterritory,”Nandlallsaid. The case will continue before ICJ on Monday when Venezuela will present its finalargument.
The five bids received for the project at NPTAB on Friday.
An artist’s impression of the Amaila Falls Project.
Running from the rumours
Mouths are still wagging and tongues are still talking about the dramatic conclusion to the 2026 Kentucky Derby One man in a betting shop, when he saw the finish of the race, nearly fainted and had to be revived with a cold Banks beer and a photograph of Secretariat.
In America, however, horse racing is not treated like a village domino competition… Triple Crown racing, there is a serious business. Horses are tested with the intensity usually associated with international espionage.Bloodtests,urine tests, saliva tests if scientists could figure out
how to interview a horse under hypnosis, they would probably do that too. By the time a horse enters the gate fortheDerby,theanimalhas been examined more thoroughly than most Guyaneseapplyingforvisas.
TheAmericansknowone thing: if the public loses confidenceintheintegrityof horse racing, then
DEM BOYS SEH
Lights, Camera, Koker!
DemboyssehGuyanadonemovefrom oil economy to “whole setta movie economy” Everywhere yuh turn now, somebody talking bout Hollywood, Bollywood, Nollywood and probably Kittywoodtoo.Islikethecountrysuddenly discover that all yuh need to make blockbuster movie is one drone, two coconuttreeandonemanwhocouldshout, “Actionbai!”
Dem boys seh if this thing continue, soontheseawallgongetmorecelebritythan Parliament. One day yuh walking normalnormal by Marriott side and suddenly yuh see some big Hollywood actor running barefoot through Kingston because the director trying to recreate an “Amazon jungle escape scene.” The poor actor sweating like he owe GPL money while some Guyanese extra in the background asking,“Bossman,lunchvoucherdeh?”
And leh we not talk Bollywood. Dem boys seh Bollywood directors done fall in love with Guyana because nowhere else in the world yuh could dance around a sugar canefield,dodgepotholes,avoidstraycows and still finish the romantic scene before rain fall. Is only in Guyana heroine could sing love song while minibus conductor in the background hollering, “Stabroek! Stabroek!Oneseatleft!”
Dem boys seh some local people now
behaving like they is movie stars already
One man from Albouystown buy dark shades and start answering phone saying, “Tell my agent ah busy.” Agent? The man does sell plantain chips outside Bourda Market.
Another fella hear Netflix scouting locations and immediately start practising fakeAmericanaccent.Hetellpeople,“Yeah bro, I'm from South Ruimveldt… Texas side.” The accent so bad even he own dog stoprespondingtohim.
But the biggest stars gon be Guyanese mothers. Dem boys seh no Hollywood producer prepared for a Guyanese auntie passing through movie set asking superstar actorsiftheyeatyet.
Imagine some famous celebrity trying to stay in character while aunty pushing cook-up rice in deh hand saying, “Take lil morenah,yuhtooskinny.”
And honestly, if Guyana really become movie capital, dem boys seh one thing certain:nodisasterfilmcouldeverfrighten Guyaneseaudiences.WedonesurviveGPL blackout, traffic by Sheriff Street and minibus race by Regent Street. After that, every action movie just look like documentary
all you really have left is a veryexpensivepettingzoo.
Meanwhile, in Guyana, allegations of horse doping continue to float through the airlikemosquitoesafterrain. Nobody says anything directly,ofcourse.Guyanese people whisper accusations with the delicacy of spies exchanging nuclear secrets. Onemanleansacrossthebar and says, “Bai, that horse running too hard.” Another replies, “Is all ah dem supplements.”
Then there are the concerns about horses arriving in Guyana and shortly thereafter 'losing form' In horse racing language, “losing form” is one of those polite phrases designed to make tragedy sound like a minor inconvenience. It sounds as though the horse merely sat downinthestable,waitingto be fed. But the reality is grimmer 'Losing form' now means that the horse is no longer fit for running Increasingly, questions are being asked about the conditionsunderwhichsome horses upon arrival are acclimatised, trained and raced.
And recently, there have been reports of horse deaths involving animals that had notremotelyreachedoldage. Admittedly, horses are not expected to last forever But whendeathsoccurfrequently and prematurely enough to cause public murmuring, then people naturally begin to ask uncomfortable questions.
W h a t G u y a n a desperately needs is a credible regulatory system for horse racing Not a
decorative committee. What is needed is an actual functioning system with rules, inspections, veterinary oversight, and rigorous prerace and post-race drug testing.
It has now been about a year since the Horse Racing Authority Bill was passed in the National Assembly Yet many people are still wondering whether the Authority itself is fully operational. In fact, some people are asking whether it exists and who are the members. More importantly, the public has heard little about whether there is an established and transparent regime for testing horses beforeandafterraces.
There should be a public announcement about the Authority and whether it has developed the rules for the sport in Guyana, as if required by the legislation, andwhereexactlythoseroles aretobefound.
Nowperhapssystemsare being quietly established behind the scenes. Perhaps laboratories are being prepared. Perhaps veterinary protocolsarebeingfinalised. But if so, the public knows very little about it. And in horse racing, perception matters almost as much as reality
Confidenceiseverything.
If spectators do not have trust in the system, attendance will fall and greater suspicion and accusationwillbesiegeraces. Sponsors will hesitate. And eventually the sport will decline.
Another uncomfortable truthtobefacedisthathorse racing regulations cannot
inspire confidence if the people overseeing the sport are perceived to be too close to owners, trainers or promoters.
ThatiswhywhatGuyana truly needs is an Authority that is visibly independent. Independent from horse owners. Independent from trainers. Independent from promoters Independent enough that when it says a horse passed a drug test, the public believes it. Because transparency is not merely about catching wrongdoing. It is about reassuring participants that the game is fair
Horse racing can be a wonderful sport. There is excitement,pageantry,speed and drama. Few spectacles compare to the thunder of hooves coming down the stretch.
But no sport survives long when suspicion outruns thehorsesthemselves.
And so, while America continuestosubjectitsTriple Crown horses to scientific scrutiny worthy of NASA, Guyanamustdecidewhether it wants horse racing governed by modern standardsorbyold-timerumshopspeculation. Otherwise,theonlything runningfasterthanthehorses willbetherumours.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the authoranddonotnecessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
H@RD TRUTHS
WalesGTE-sayawordDr.Jagdeo-Part1
Vice President (VP), Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, has always prided himself on being the sharpesttoolintheshed. All men (and women) have the freedom to think, to fool themselves, as they please. The PPP VP is so smart, so sharp-witted and swift of feet, that he doesn’t want anything to do with the Walesgas-to-energyproject.
In the space that Dr Jagdeo operates, it is as if US$2 billion figures as much as
two measly Guyana dollars. He must have the guts, the decency, to stand in the forefront of this project and facetheGuyanesenation. What is now so wrong aboutWales’conceptionand operation? So wrong that PPP strongman, Bharrat Jagdeo, puts so much distance between himself and what is increasingly shaping up to be a US$2 billion experiment gone wrong, and a gaping
blackhole left? Long distance running is his new gimmick. First, it was New Delhi, then over to the notso-new king of England. Distancing is part of Jagdeo’s dark art of deflectingthespotlightaway from him, so he can get off scot-free. The US$2 billion Walesgasprojecthellholeis toosprawling,toocostly,and tooloadedwithhispromises for him to be spared rod or pen.
Wales is not Taskforce
n Brassington’s battle to fight. It is Jagdeo’s. Wales is not Prime Minister Mark Phillips’s bag of coals to fetch uphill, or bed of nails on which to lie. It always was,andalwayswillbeparty general secretary, and PPP GovernmentVP,Dr Bharrat Jagdeo’s to own, answer to, andobey Hedoesnothave the luxury of disowning Wales. And Project Head cumconsultantBrassington, as well as PM Phillips (a
GTE fall guy), cannot be so loyal, so lacking in selfrespect that they agree to carrying yet another Jagdeo farce,andfreehimtoslipthe noose. Comrades regularly hold one head. I urge care that complicity doesn’t lead tolosingone’shead. Jagdeo must answer; he must deliver
Dr Bharrat“Mynameis Wales GTE” Jagdeo was so full of the venomous and viciousthathecould,atwill, respond to polite media inquiries with one of his three sharply snarling responses. ‘Answered that already’ Then, ‘not answeringthatagain.’ Last, ‘there’ll be no more questionsnoranswersonthe Wales GTE?’ Blackout and his blacklist! Since this project holds out so much good for Guyanese, a reasonable conclusion would be that its mover and power, Bharrat Jagdeo, would be overflowing with answers, along with wellsupported postures and points. When the originator
and orchestrator of the Wales GTE (in its present form) is stuttering to the point of constant choking, then one of three interpretations is likely Firstly he has nothing that’s credible and convincing to offer Secondly, therefore, hemustpretend. Thirdly,the Guyanese people just got made into a creature on which a tail is pinned. The long ears and ha-ha are already in place, thanks to the PPP and its endless financialmanoeuvres.
Try as he may, climate change champion is a poor and pitiful cover It covers his face, but leaves his head exposed. Crawling away and climate change are Jagdeo’s new deflecting gigs. Fromchiefoilandgas policymaker to chief shaker andbakerforclimatechange movement Exxon is allowed to flare as it likes. The EPA has been dumbed down to rubberstamp everything,rangingfromthe menacing to what holds the potential for great national
devastation Instead of clamping down locally, Master Jagdeo is now chomping at the bit about c l i m a t e c h a n g e internationally Before he jumps from the pressure cooker (Wales GTE) into a furnace (climate change gyrations) I would advise him to consult with his Americanguruwhoisgoing in the opposite direction. That is, that DC magician has actually dismissed climate change as a hoax. For better or worse, Bharrat Jagdeo is umbilically attached to the US$2 billion Wales GTE. Wales and Jagdeo are married, inseparably knotted. He must step up and save himself. Or, forever be a sourceofmockery (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT
President Ali not budging
President Irfaan Ali’s latest declaration that his government will not renegotiate ExxonMobil’s controversial oil contract should trouble every Guyanese.
The administration continues to hide behind the phrase “sanctity of contract” while billions of dollars in oil wealth flow disproportionately into foreign hands.
What makes this position even more glaring is that the President himself once condemned the deal as unfair and pledged to review it. Today, that promise has vanished, replaced by unwavering protection of a contract widely viewed as one of the worst petroleum agreements in the world.
Even the APNU+AFC administration successfully renegotiated the royalty loophole in 2019, proving adjustments are possible when political will exists. Yet the PPP now behaves as though the agreement is untouchable scripture.
Predictability for investors is important, but what about fairness for citizens? Guyanese deserve leaders who defend national interests with the same passion now reserved for defending Exxon’s profits.
Leader of the PNC/R, Aubrey Norton
Chairman of the A Partnership for National Unity
(APNU) and former opposition leader Aubrey Norton on Friday raised concerns over the recent
statements made by
Ve n e z u e l a t o t h e International Court of Justice (ICJ) hearing that its ruling will not change its positiononEssequibo. HesaidGuyaneseshould not take comfort in the fact that the United States of America (USA) now controls the neighbouring
U.S. control of Venezuela will not stop border controversy - Norton
state as this will not end the country’s “spurious” claims to Guyana’s rich Essequibo region.
Nortonremindedthatthe party previously urged a more robust and aggressive foreign policy to integrate Latin America and the Caribbeaninthisregard. HearguedthatVenezuela hasnoevidencetosupportits claims. “Where are the birth records, the legislation, the l o c a l g o v e r n m e n t administration,thehistorical and cultural landmarks, and theburialgroundsthatshow Essequibo is Venezuelan? There are none,” the leader stated.
Norton went on to remindthatduringhistenure as opposition leader and MemberofParliament(MP), he informed the house that theICJrulingwouldnotend Venezuela’saggression.
“We now have to look at options; we have to be careful not to create the false mood that once the ruling c o m e s , Ve n e z u e l a n aggression will end. I just think it will take different forms.Wecannotconcedean inch to Venezuela,” he told theNationalAssemblyatthe time.
Nowthatthecountryhas boldly confessed it does not plantoaccepttheoutcomeof theWorldCourt,Nortonsaid it is unfortunate that governmentdidnotheedand prepareforthiseventuality
As such, he reiterated calls for Guyana to utilise economic diplomacy to stymieVenezuelanefforts.
The leader explained, “Again,inourlaststatement we said, “We must use our vast resources Canada came to invest. China came to invest. Russia came to
invest. These countries were given opportunities to participate in Guyana’s growing economy, so why has the PPP not deliberately c r e a t e d s i m i l a r opportunities for CARICOM States to build deeper economic partnership and regional loyalty? Why can we not provide incentives to CARICOM States, create a s t r u c t u re d re g i o n a l investment cooperation platform, create a visible regional food security programme, identify agricultural lands in G u y a n a a n d i n v i t e CARICOM governments into joint food production a r r a n g e m e n t s w i t h guaranteed food security for their populations, provide concessionary energy understandings, and provide incentives for CARICOM investmentsinGuyana?”
Furthermore, he told KaieteurNewsinresponseto a question that the United States control of Venezuela will not stop the country from taking acts against Guyana.
During a visit to Guyana last year, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a strong
Map showing the geographic map of Venezuela and Guyana.
warning to Venezuela, stating that any aggression againstGuyanaorAmerican oil giant, ExxonMobil’s operations in Guyanese waters would have serious repercussions.
Infact,hesaid,“Itwillbe a very bad day for the Venezuelan regime. If they were to attack Guyana or attack ExxonMobil or anything like, it would be a very bad day or very bad weekforthem,anditwillnot endwellforthem”.
Notably,Nortonsaidthat while the opposition welcomes this statement, Guyana as a country should notjustrelyonpromisesbut shouldhaveaplanofitsown tocounteranyattack.
“We welcome the statement by Secretary of StateMarcoRubiobutweas acountrycannotlivejuston those statements. We have said continuously that Venezuela is an adversary,” heexplained.
The leader continued, “...your contention seems to be that America is now in charge of Venezuela and therefore they are not likely to be aggressive. I do not agree Countries develop institutions of their own,
they develop a mindset There are many people in Venezuela who have been fooled into believing that Essequibo belongs to them. A mere change of government or who controls the government will not changethatfact.”
Norton said that while the United States can apply pressuretothecountrynotto actonitsclaims,itwoulddo nothing to remove the fact “they are an adversary who will do everything to try to getEssequibo.”
In explaining the historical controversy, the leader pointed out that the countryhasfailedtoprovide any documentation or evidence to suggest there was “some concoction between the judges in the arbitralawardof1899.”
On the other hand, he argued that evidence proves that Venezuela agreed with the arbitral award. “They took it to their parliament anditwasratified.Theytook partinthe1905development ofthemaps,theytookpartin the1831establishmentofthe tri-junction point where Guyana, Venezuela and Brazilmeet,”Nortonsaid. Moreover, the former o p p o s i t i o n l e a d e r highlighted that Venezuela also produced stamps that acknowledged the true map ofGuyana.
He therefore concluded thatthestateisnotinterested in history or facts, but in making“spuriousclaims”.
Consequently, the politicianstated,“...Iamnot at all optimistic. I believe at the end of this process, just like I said in Parliament, Venezuelawillcomeupwith a new scheme to be able to claimGuyana’sterritoryand wehavegottobepreparedto dealwithsuchasituation.”
Pres. Ali jumps off track when asked about windfall revenue from oil
Instead of directly responding to questions recently posed by the Baker Institute on how Guyana is managing the expectations of the population in light of the windfall revenues coming to the country as a result of the recent events in the Middle East and Russia,
President Irfaan Ali embarked on a broad discussion ranging from AI, digitisationandtheapproach by his government to invest in infrastructure, free health careandoldagepensions.
The Baker Institute is a think-tank located on the campusofRiceUniversityin HoustonTexas.
Seebelowforasummary of the question posed to the president and the somewhat confusing response that was provided.
Baker Institute- Recent events in Middle East and Russia is bringing windfall toyourcountry Howdoyou manage the expectations of thepopulation?Howdoyou combine prudence with macroeconomicstabilityand thedifferentdimensions?
PresidentAli:“Iwantto start from the premise of your question and that is a windfall because of what is happeningandwehavetobe carefulaboutclassifyingthis asawindfallbecausewelive inaglobalsystem.Wedon’t live on an island by ourselves Whilst we see increase in revenue from crude oil, we also see mass
n everything else. Global transportation, fertiliser, grains, insurance Every single aspect, food prices, pharmaceuticals because some of the important i n g r e d i e n t f o r pharmaceuticals You will see the impact on the speed of AI and digitization when we see the impact on the p r o d u c t i o n o f semiconductors.
So, this crisis is multifaceted and yes, you will get some additional revenue but you would have to net off that against the increased cost, increased prices and the opportunities missed because investments would also be redirected to
rebuilding and we have not calculated that in the matrix asyet-howmuchinvestment will go back to rebuilding where those investments would be made mostly Whether countries will now try to shore up their military capacity and capability. Whethercountrieswilltryto build new systems to avoid drones, what are the new critical infrastructure routes thatwillbecreated,whether its maritime routes, who are
President Irfaan Ali
the new strategic partners that will be integrated together These are all big questions that this conflict has opened up that we will havetomanoeuvre.
“So yes, additional revenue, windfall I would not go so far because you havetobalancethisoff.”
This brings me to the question of additional revenue and we have Exxon here in the room too. This allows us to deal with the
costbankatafasterpace.So we also have to match that with the expectations of Exxon in moving to a new development. How we add newcosttothebank,buthow wedealwiththecostbankso we can get the additional revenue to come into the system to help the development and deal with the expectations and this is the complexity of the message.
When people wake up every morning and see the headlines that you are flushedwithmoney,itdrives a certain expectation. That expectation if not managed and if governed by kneejerk reaction can lead resource curse It can also lead to creating a society that is not built on sacrifice and hard work.Thatisnotbuiltonthe value of labour and innovation, the value of ideas, the value of creativity andwehavetoavoidthat.
That is why we are investing in tools and mechanisms that will optimise the potential of our people, give them a high
quality of life and open opportunities for them. That is why the local content legislationissoimportantin developing as much local opportunitiesfromthesector aspossible.
One of the differences hereisthatourdevelopment is deep-water so whilst you may have thousands of personsonanFPSOatdeepsea, the population will hardly see that. They don’t full hotel rooms or apartmentsandthat’sthebig difference Therefore, we have to create the type of infrastructureandmodelthat will allow the other aspects of the economy to showcase how the revenue unlocks opportunitiesforourpeople. Take for example hotels, in the last four or five years, we have 14 hotels, international branded hotels completed or under construction, nearing completion We have to ensure that those hotels are meaningful that is why we have to build out an orange economythatcreates
Continued on page 23
The two properties demolished by fire.
Two homes destroyed after child reportedly sparks Berbice blaze
Twoseparatefamiliesare now homeless and seeking public assistance after a devastating midday fire destroyedtwohomesatSheet AnchorVillageonFriday. Thefire,saidtohavebeen caused by a four-year-old, began at the residence of Jeffrey Fraser, a 54-year-old
plumber of Sheet Anchor Village. He told reporters he hadreturnedfromCorentyne, andlefttogoashortdistance from his home to purchase somethingtoeat.Onhisway back, he saw what appeared to be smoke, but did not imagine it to be his home wherehelivedfor20years.
“Ileftandwentoutonthe roadlilbittogoandbuyaroti. BythetimeIcomeinbackby theheadofthestreet,soonas I swing so, I said like it was rubbish burning. By time I reached so close, my house getketch,”Fraserstressed. Hisfour-year-oldsonwas homewhenhelefttomakehis
A distraught Phulmattie Madramootoo, who lost her home to fire on Friday.
purchase. On his way back, and noticing the fire, he observed that his son was already out on the road and away from danger The man lived with his wife and his son, and disclosed that everythingwaslostinthefire.
Based on initial observation, he said that the fire originated from the back
portion of the house Neighbours confirmed that the fire started between 11:30hrs and 12:00hrs. The
woodenhomebeforemoving to the home of neighbour, PhulmattieMadramootoo.
Madramootoo, 60, who lived with her son, said she
saw smoke rising from Fraser’s home and alerted neighboursthattheman’sson was in the home. He was quickly rescued. However, effortstopreventthefirefrom spreading to her property proved unsuccessful, and her home was eventually destroyed.Shemeasuredher
Continued on page 23
Jeffrey Fraser, whose home was destroyed by fire on Friday. His four-year-old son was said to be playing with matches.
Henry boys murder trial hears chilling testimony from father, police
ByShermonHawker
The trial of Vinood Gopaul and Anil Sanchara continued at the Berbice High Court on Friday, with Gladstone Henry, the father of Isaiah Henry sharing distressing details about his son’sdeath.
Guided by state prosecutor Marisa Edwards, the senior Henry recounted the horror that took form from September 5th, 2020 when word spread that the
twocousinsweremissing.
He said he left home at 04:45amforworkasacane harvester, and returned just aboutmidday,whenhiswife, who is now deceased, informed him of the situation.
Thefathersaidhedidnot see his son that morning. Together with his other son and Isaiah’s friend, the parentssetouttofindthetwo cousins, perusing the No. 2 and No. 3 Backdams. The search being futile,
Gladstonetoldthecourtthat they resumed the following day, with him soliciting the assistanceofhisworkmates. After combing the No. 2 Backdam leading into Cotton Tree Backdam, he disclosedthattheystumbled uponthemotionlessbodyof hisson.
The senior Henry said Isaiah’s throat was slit, his shirt was pulled up halfway, and his hands were over his head. Amidst his shock, the father told the court that he
stood guard until the police arrived,ensuringthatnoone touched his son’s body The police,henoted,arrivedlate, and examined the corpse, then took evidence before escortingthebodyoutofthe location with a tractor On S e p t e m b e r 9 , h e accompanied other relatives to the Memorial Gardens whereheidentifiedhisson’s body He said he did not witnessthepost-mortem.
Cross-examined by the defense’s attorney Dexter
Anil Sanchara, who maintains his innocence, being taken from the Berbice High Court.
Todd, Henry confirmed that theareahadalotofcoconuts and mangoes, and that he saw a bag of coconuts Furtherprobed,hestatedthat his son usually visited the backdam and would return with mangoes and coconuts. Heconfirmedthatfarmlands in the backdam are not formally secured. He said theyoperatedonfamilyland, while neighbors own the nearby land. Of the two murdered boys, Isaiah frequented the lands more, and Joel had only accompanied him that day, thefathertoldthecourt.
Other testimonies were given on Friday by three ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), including Detective Inspector Shane James,ofCIDMajorCrimes Unit. Under cross examination from the defense, he denied that any of the accused was forced intoconfession.
On Thursday, Lyris Fullerton, relative of the deceased told the court that theboysfrequentedheryard to play cricket, as they lived not too far from her at No.3 Village,WestCoastBerbice. She recalled that on September 5, 2020, she was
taking a nap after returning from the market, when a child came and told her somethin
mother on a search after word went around that the two cousins were missing. Checks were made at the No.2 Dam where Isaiah, the youngerofthetwo,wassaid tooftenvisit.Personsatthat location said they were unsureofhiswhereabouts.A report was made to the police.
On September 6, the woman and others proceeded to the backdam. By afternoon, the party advancedthroughtheterrain via tractor Shortly after, a group confirmed that they had made the gruesome discovery of the boys. She recalled that Isaiah’s jersey was pulled halfway up, and hishandswereoverhishead. Following her testimony Winston Henry, cousin to bothmurderedboystookthe stand. He confirmed that he was among relatives who visited the Memorial Gardenstoidentifythebody of Isaiah on September 9th. However,hewasnotpresent
Continued on page 19
Vinood Gopaul being escorted out of the Berbice High Court.
U.S. court convicts four men in Haitian president’s assassination
Reuters - Four South Florida men were convicted on Friday of plotting to kill Haitian President Jovenel Moise in 2021 by hiring mercenaries to assassinate him at his Port-au-Prince home,courtrecordsshow
Prosecutors argued duringthenine-weektrialin a Miami federal court that the men assembled two dozen former Colombian soldiers and supplied them
with money, guns, ammunition and tactical vests in a conspiracy to kill Moise The 53-year-old president was shot dead in July 2021 at his private residence in the hills above Port-au-Prince,akillingthat left a gaping political vacuum in the Caribbean nation and emboldened powerfulgangs.
Standing trial were Arcangel Pretel Ortiz, 53, a former FBI informant, ColombiannationalandU.S. ‘permanent resident; Antonio Intriago, 62, a VenezuelanAmericanowner of a security firm; James Solages, 40, a Haitian American handyman; and Walter Veintemilla, 57, an EcuadoreanAmerican.
They were convicted of
A person holds a photo of late Haitian President Jovenel Moise, who was shot dead earlier this month, during his funeral at his family home in Cap-Haitien, Haiti, July 23, 2021. REUTERS/Ricardo Arduengo/File Photo
multiple counts of conspiracytokillandkidnap a person outside of the United States resulting in death, and of providing materialsupportorresources to carry out a violation resultingindeath. All four men face life in prison.
A fifth defendant, Christian Emmanuel Sanon, a Haiti-born doctor - who courtpaperssaywantedtobe namedpresidentafterMoise
waskilled-willbetriedlater duetohealthissues.
Thekillinghasprompted multiple investigations and indictments in Haiti and the United States, while giving rise to competing theories over who ordered the assassination‘andwhy Defense lawyers for the Florida men said the government used unreliable evidence from Haiti, the Miami Herald reported They argued their clients
Henry boys murder trial...
Frompage18 in the room for the postmortemexamination.
IndeerjeetSingh,another witness of No. 3 Village, West Coast Berbice, said Isaiahgrewupinahomejust behind him, and that he and theboy’sfatherwerefriends. Singh recounted that on the morning of September 5, 2020, he, his son and brother-in-law left home at 6:30amtovisitthebackdam withatractor Hesaidhesaw the two boys walking towards the backdam. He said they had a bicycle, but wasunsurewheretheywere headed The cousins appeared normal, without injuries or physical wounds. After observing them at ‘TrainLine’,hesaidhenever sawthemagain.
Closing off Thursday’s testimonies was Corporal Nelci Whyte. The officer saidshewas stationedatthe Fort Wellington Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at the time, functioning as CID investigatorandcrimescene technician. Whyte noted that on
September 6, 2020, upon arrivalonthescene,Joelwas observedfacedowninaman hole, wearing a black long pantsonthewrongside,and a green long sleeve jersey withwhitestripe. He had a wound behind theneck,underthechin,and injuriestohislefthand,with his left side face swollen.
She said nothing of evidential value was found inthemanhole.
About 150 ft. from Joel, Isaiah’s body was discovered among some bushes surrounded by coconut trees, while blood wasseenonsomeleaves.He was wearing a 3/4 pants turned on the wrong side, andlyingontheground,feet in the southern direction with both arms above his head. A long-sleeve jersey coveredhisface.Pullingthe jersey downwards, she observed injuries to his entire face and under his neck.
Both teens were motionless.Whytethentook photographs of the scene, andthebodieswereescorted fromthelocation.
only intended to serve an arrest warrant on the president because he had overstayedhisterm.
The defendants also claimed that by the time the Colombiansarrivedtoarrest him,Moisehadalreadybeen killed by his own security forces and officials in his government.
“This is ` a Haitian plot
attorney Emmanuel Perez said, arguing that the men were being used as scapegoats in a flawed FBI investigation, the Miami Herald reported. A divisive figure in Haiti who declined to leave office after his term ended ‘in February 2021, Moise’s death added to the Caribbean nation’s political instability and unleashed widespreadgangviolence.
JakeJohnston,aresearch
associate at the Center for Economic and Policy Research in Washington, said it would be a “misconception” that the case would address `all the questions surrounding the killing.
“TheMiamicrewisjusta smallsliver,”hesaid.“There are all these people accused in Haiti. The big picture is that we’re not going to get thefullstoryhere.”
On Sep 7, 2020, she revisited the scene with two assistant superintendents of police (ASPs) and two corporals,wheretheyfurther processed the scene, took blood samples and 22 photographs.
Todd then pressed for confirmation on what role Whyte played on the day in question- whether it was a crimesceneinvestigatorora crimescenephotographer,to which she confirmed on the latter
Probing further, the defense counsel sought why the crime scene was not preserved, pointing to the absence of crime scene equipment in the 22 court exhibitsofthescene.
W h y t e a l s o acknowledged that she did nottakeanystatementatthe crime scene, and that she arrived after civilians. She said she inquired from civilians if the scene was tampered with. The answer wasdocumented,butWhyte responded that it was not in herpossession.
The matter continues on Monday,May11.
Iran seized tanker in Gulf of Oman, as U.S. ‘disables’ two ships
(AL-JAZEERA)Iran'sIslamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)claimstohavecapturedan oiltankerina“specialoperation”in the Gulf of Oman, as the US militarysaysitdisabledtwotankers seekingtoenterIranianports.
ThestatementsonFridaycame just hours after the US and Iran tradedfireintheStraitofHormuz, threatening a fragile pause in fighting and ongoing efforts to reachalastingceasefiredeal.
In a statement carried by the Fars news agency on Friday, a spokesperson said Iran's navy had seizedtheOceanKoibecauseithad attempted to “disrupt oil exports and the interests of the Iranian nation”.
State-owned PressTVreleased a video of Iranian forces boarding and detaining the ship. According to MarineTraffic, the vessel is registeredinBarbados.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) separately said the military had disabled two Iranianflaggedtankersastheyattemptedto access Iranian ports in the Gulf of Oman.“US forces in the Middle East remain committed to full enforcement of the blockade of vessels entering or leaving Iran,” CENTCOM commander Admiral BradleyCoopersaidinastatement.
Hours earlier, the US and Iran tradedfireintheStraitofHormuz, in one of the largest threats yet to theongoingpauseinfighting.
US President Donald Trump saidthatIranhadattackedthreeUS Navydestroyersinthestrait.
Iran's top joint military command,meanwhile,accusedthe US of violating the ceasefire by targeting an Iranian oil tanker and anothership.Itsaid10sailorswere wounded in the strike, and five moreweremissing.
ThecommandalsosaidtheUS carried out air attacks on civilian areas on Qeshm Island, a strategic pointattheentrancetotheStraitof Hormuz and had responded by strikingUSmilitaryvesselseastof the strait and south of the port of Chabahar Trump has since downplayed the exchange as a “lovetap”,denyingitconstituteda breach of the current pause in fighting. On Friday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the administrationwasstillexpectinga response from Iran on its latest proposal for a more lasting end to the war Meanwhile, US Vice PresidentJDVancenetwithQatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Washington, DC, on Friday, according to Qatar's Ministry of ForeignAffairs.
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy's speedboats move during an exercise in Abu Musa Island, in this picture obtained on August 2, 2023 [IRGC handout/West Asia News Agency via Reuters]
spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, meanwhile, said on Friday Tehran wasstillreviewingtheproposaland considering a response, according to remarks carried by Iran's semiofficialTasnimnewsagency
He also condemned the latest attacks, saying Iran's forces are closely monitoring the situation and fully ready to respond to any “aggressionandadventurism”.
'Newmaritimeregime'
Al Jazeera's Resul Serder, reporting fromTehran, said Friday wasnotthefirsttimetheIRGChas seized ships, referring to three previously confirmed cases in the StraitofHormuz.
However, he explained that it marksashiftinIran'sstrategy
“Iraniansareseeingthatthewar has changed the strategic environment in the region, and thesestraitsandtheGulfhavebeen usedagainstournationalsecurity,” Serdersaid.
HesaidIraniscomingupwitha “newmaritimeregime”,whichwill see the country place “new rules, new regulations and new protocols”.
Thenewbodywillbecalledthe “PersianGulfStraitAuthority”and will manage passages through the StraitofHormuz.
“So, according to the new regulations that were just released, anyshipsattemptingorintendingto pass through the Strait of Hormuz in and out need to have full coordination and clearance from theIranianforces,”Serdersaid.
Shipsintendingtopassthrough the waterway – through which a fifth of the world's oil normally passes–willhavetosendanemail toIranianauthoritiesdetailingtheir
countryoforigin,whatthevesselis carrying, and the final destination. Iran will then assess and ask them topaytollfees.
He said this bold move is symbolic because it shows that “Iraniansareputtingincontrolover these strategic chokepoints –withouttheirapproval,noshipsare
allowedinandout.”
'Politicalclout'
Alex Alfirraz Scheers, a defenceanalyst,toldAlJazeerathat bycapturingtheshipintheGulfof Oman, the IRGC is “exerting its ability and its authority within the Strait–it'stryingtoprojectpower, which it can now do, which it couldn'tdoprior.”
He explained that the IRGC is using“controlofthestrait”tomake
the waterway “inhospitable and dangerous”, saying that this is enough to show that it has “strategic clout” and “political clout”.Scheers linked this to the shaky negotiations, saying that if the United States is unwilling to compromise on the terms of a potential deal, then this is the kind ofthingthe“IRGCwoulddototip the balance of things in their favour.”
VACANCY WANTED
1 welder,spray painter,mechanic and handboy. Living accomodation. Call:6391315,627-5043.
StoresMan/BondClerkresponsible for tracking inventory & loss prevention. Call 644-7088 / 624-7248. LocationTriumph
Crew for Dredge operation. Call:688-3844or681-3801
Construction company seeks Junior Accounts Clerk, Maths & English required,BelAirVillage,Email latchmiekumar @amcomguyana.com or whatsapp758-4277
General Domestic (4 day work) & experiened handyman,applyatKeyfoodTrading Mc Doom next to the post office.
Vacancy exists for one nanny & one house keeper Pleasecall:647-8005.
LAND FOR LEASE
Wales Public Road, W.B.D, Parcel21(0.467acres)20,342 sqft.AvailableLongterm2025 years. Sign on property Phone/Whatsapp:615-2270/ 628-8619.
WalesPublicRoad,W.B.D, Parcel 25 (0.494 acres) 21,388sqft.AvailableLong term 20-25 years. Sign on property. Phone/ Whatsapp: 615-2270/6288619.
Malgre Tout, W.B.D, (South of Masjid)-Lot "C" (1.347 acres) 58675 sq ft. AvailableLongterm20-25 years. Sign on property Phone/Whatsapp: 6152270/628-8619.
Versailles,W.B.D,(Southof Aracari Hotel)-Lot 167 (4.6606acres)203,016sqft. Available Long term 20-25 years. Sign on property Phone/Whatsapp: 6152270/628-8619.
La-Grange W.B.D road to river,SilverHill20acres,Craig (9 acres) Spring Gardens (Dora) 20 acres,Long creek & Tucan Drive.Contact Ray'sRealty627-9685.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Aracari Hotel Renovated rooms,A/C,TV,Restaurant, Bar,Pool,Gym.Stay7nights, 1FREE!Call:264-2946.
ENTERTAINMENT
Family FunAracari Resort! Crystal clear pool, safe kids & adult sections, Music & food.W.B.D.Call:264-29469.
TRUCK TIRES 295 / 75R22.5 $40K EACH. FORMOREINFORMATION CALL / WHATSAPP:+592-6883201. FOR SALE
2026–HC–DEM–CIV–P-INTHEHIGHCOURT OFTHESUPREMECOURT OF
JUDICATUREDECLARATIONOFTITLESAMSON LOW-A-CHEEand SHARONMILLICENT TEEKADALOW-A-CHEE ofLot59,CanaanGardens, Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara,Guyana,has presented a Petition for DeclarationofTitleby Prescription of the property described herein attached. Any person intending to oppose the said Petition must within one month after the date of the first publication of this notice file in the Registry of the High Court, in the CityofGeorgetown,Notice of his/her Opposition and anAffidavit orAffidavits in Support upon the said Petitioners. The said Petition is accompanied by a plan of the said property, which may be inspected at the Registry during office hours.
Dated this day of March, 2026SCHEDULEInthematter of Lot 59 of Tract ‘K’, beingaportionofBlock‘G2’, Plantation Land of Canaan, Canaan Gardens, situate on the East Bank of Demerara, in the County of Demerara, in the Republic of Guyana.
The said Tract lettered K, being part of the Tracts now being known as Canaan Gardens, part of BlockG2(G-two)beinga portion of that part of Plantation Land of Canaan south of theVillage of Canaan situate on the East
LEGALNOTICE
BankoftheDemeraraRiver, in the County of Demerara, part of Land of Canaan havinganareaof411.4 (four one one decimal four) English acres shown on a planbyE.C.H.Klautky, SwornLandSurveyor, dated the 30th day of July, 1910 and deposited in the Deeds Registry on the 15th day of June, 1916, the said BlockG2havinganareaof 215.85(twoonefivedecimal eight five) acres being shown and defined on a planbyF.R.LeeSworn Land Surveyor, dated the 23rddayofFebruary,1979, and deposited in the Deeds Registry at Georgetown on the 26th day of November, 1979 save and except Plot ‘A’, part of the above described property transportedtoGeraldBurchSmith et al on the 4th day of October,1978-No.2029 together with the right of the transportee to use the trench running along and outside the northern boundary of the said Block G 2 and shown on the said plan for the purpose of drainage and irrigation on the condition that the said transportee at their expense maintains the southern half of the said trench in good order and condition; the said Tract K being shown and defined on a plan by K. N. Maraj Sworn Land Surveyor dated the 28th day of December, 1998 and deposited in the Deeds Registry on the 15th day ofAugust, 2001. The said Lot 59 being shown on aplanbyDellonU. Congreaves, Sworn Land Surveyor, dated 22nd day ofSeptember,2025and recorded in the Guyana LandandSurveyCommission on the 8th day of October, 2025.The address for service of the Petitioners at the Chambers of MohamedS.G.F.Khanand KashirA.Khan Attorney-at-Lawof215 KingStreet,Lacytown, Georgetown,Demerara. 2026–HC–DEM–CIV–P -INTHEHIGHCOURTOF THESUPREMECOURTOF
JUDICATUREDECLARATIONOFTITLEInthematteroftheTitletoLand(Prescription and Limitation) Act Chapter 60:02 Laws of Guyana -and- In the matter of the Rules of the High Court (Declaration of Title) Chapter 3:02, Laws of Guyana – and – In the matter of Lot 59 of Tract ‘K’, beingaportionofBlock‘G2’, Plantation Land of Canaan, Canaan Gardens, situate on the East Bank of Demerara, in the County of Demerara, in the Republic of Guyana. The said Tract lettered K, beingpartoftheTractsnow beingknownasCanaanGardens, part of Block G 2 (Gtwo) being a portion of that part of Plantation Land of Canaan south of the VillageofCanaansituateon
the East Bank of the Demerara River, in the County of Demerara, in the Republic of Guyana, the saidpartofLandofCanaan havinganareaof411.4(four one decimal four) English acres shown on a plan by E.C. H. Klautky, SwornLandSurveyor,dated the 30th day of July, 1910 and deposited in the Deeds Registry on the 15th day of June,1916,thesaidBlockG 2 having an area of 215.85 (two one five decimal eight five)acresbeingshownand defined on a plan by F. R. Lee Sworn Land Surveyor, dated the 23rd day of February, 1979, and deposited in the Deeds Registry at Georgetownonthe26thday ofNovember,1979saveand except Plot ‘A’, part of the above described property transported to Gerald Burch-Smithetalonthe4th day of October, 1978No.2029 together with the right of the transportee to use the trench running a long and outside the northern boundary of the said Block G 2 and shown on the said plan for the purposeofdrainageandirrigation on the condition that the said transportee at their expense maintains the southern half of the said trench in good order and condition; the said Tract K being shown and defined on a plan by K. N. Maraj SwornLandSurveyordated the 28th day of December, 1998 and deposited in the Deeds Registry on the 15th day of August, 2001.The said Lot 59 being shown on a plan by Dellon. Congreaves, Sworn Land Surveyor,dated22nddayof September,2025
and recorded in the Guyana LandandSurveyCommission on the 8th day of October, 2025 and – In the matterofthePetition bySAMSONLOW-ACHEEandSHARON MILLICENTTEEKADA LOW-A-CHEEofLot59, CanaanGardens,Landof Canaan,EastBank Demerara,Guyana for a Prescriptive Title to the hereinbefore described property. Petitioners.
RespondentTO:SHAWN DELISLEBESTLot73 PlantationProvidence, EastBankDemerara, Guyana.(lastknownaddress) TAKENOTICEthatonthe10th dayofMarch,2026aPetition for Divorce was filed against youbyNATASHANICOLA BESTneeMCPHERSON,the Petitioner/Applicant in the FamilyDivisionoftheHigh CourtinGeorgetown,Demerara. ANDFURTHERTAKENOTICEthataspartofanOrder made on the 23rd day ofApril, 2026 the Petitioner/Applicant was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of a Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of Kaieteur News a daily newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana. ANDFURTHERTAKENOTICEthatifyoudesireyoumay appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or
Attorney-at-Law at the RegistryoftheFamilyDivision of the High Court at Georgetown,Demerarawhere you will be issued with a certified copy of the Notice ofApplication together withrelateddocuments.AND FURTHERTAKENOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Application, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Notice ofApplication, you must file an, Notice of Intention to Defend and/or Answer in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown,Demerarawithin 35(thirty-five)daysfromthe date of the Second and final publication of this Notice. TAKENOTICEthatthe Applicationisfixedfor DirectionsHearingonThursdaythe11thday ofJune,2026at9:30am beforetheHonourableMr. JusticeGinoPersaudin personatCourt3.atthe FamilyDivisionoftheHigh CourtatGeorgetown.IN DEFAULTofyoufilinga Notice of Intention to Defend and/orAnswer the Court may proceed in your absence and maymakeanyOrderit considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce. The Registry of the FamilyDivisionoftheHigh Court is located at the Law Courts[Georgetown, 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 29th day of April,2026.
SIMONPetitioner Applicant -and-(JACKSON)AUBREY RespondentTO:AUBREY JACKSONofLot133 DanrajStreetKitty, Georgetown,Guyana. TAKENOTICEthatonthe 28th day ofAugust 2025, PetitionforDivorcewas filedagainstyouby LIZON RHONDELLAJACKSON neeSIMON,thePetitioner/ ApplicantintheFamily Division of the High Court inGeorgetown,Demerara. ANDFURTHERTAKE
NOTICEthatifyoudesire, you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorizedAttorney-at-Law at the Registry of Family Division of the High Court atGeorgetown,Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Application together with relateddocuments.AND FURTHERTAKENOTICE that if you desire to respond to this Application, then upon receipt of the certified copy, you must file an Acknowledgementof service, Notice of Intention toDefend(formsare available at the Registry), and Answer via the online portal, (https:// ejudiciary.supremecourt.gy) within50(fifty)daysfrom the date of the final publication of this Notice. Your access code is xPTdBF.TAKENOTICE that the matter is fixed for DirectionsHearingon Thursdaythe9thdayof July2026at9:30ambefore theHonourableMadam JusticeSherdelIsaacsMarcusinCourt1Aand/or viaZoomusingMeetingID: 986 289 5666 and Passcode:Court1 INDEFAULTOFyourfiling anAcknowledgement of service/Notice of Intention to Defend, andAnswer, the Court may proceed in your absence and may make an Order it considers appropriate. The Registry of theFamilyDivisionofthe High Court is located at the LawCourts,Georgetown, Demerara.Theofficeisopen to the public between 8:00 am and 3:30 pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00 am to
SELMAN — Claimantsand-JOELBANCROFT— DefendantNOTICE: TO: JOELBANCROFTLot89 Eastville Housing Scheme, Annadale, East Coast Demerara, Guyana. TAKE NOTICEthataStatementof Claim was filed on the 30th day of September, 2025, against you by BEVERLY SELMAN,intheHighCourt in Georgetown, Demerara, where the Claimant claims for: a)An Order for Special Damages in the sum of $2,000,000.00(Twomillion dollars) for the defendant’s unilateralbreachofcontract, whichoccasionedonthe1st March,2025.b)AnOrderfor consequential losses in the sum of $750,000.00 (seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars).c)AnOrder/Declaration that the defendant’s careless, reckless, and callous Conduct amounts to a unilateralbreachofcontract.
d) An Order / Declaration that the defendant is liable for unilateral breach of contract dated the 3rd day of December, 2024, and ought to pay restitution, compensation, and/or damages in thesumof$2.5M.e)An Order/Declaration that the defendant do pay statutory Interestcalculatedat6%per annumfromthetimeofsigning of the agreement, being the 3rd day of December, 2024,upuntiljudgmentand at4%fromdateofjudgment up until judgment is fully paidintermsofChapter7:02.
f)AnOrder/Declarationthat the defendant do pay substantialandsignificantCourt and Wasted Costs, in excess of$500,000.00.g)Anyother or further order as this Honourable deems and sees fitandjust.ANDFURTHER TAKENOTICEthataspart of an Order made on the 4th day of March, 2026, the Claimantisdirectedtoeffect service of this Claim on you bypublicationofaNoticein two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of a newspaper of general circulation in the Republic of Guyana. AND FURTHERTAKENOTICE that if you desire to defend this Claim, you must forthwith, within 42 (forty two) days, after the second and final publication, enter an Appearance thereto, and serve a Defence on Mr Patrice Henry, whose ad-
TheOfficeofProfessional Responsibility (OPR) of the GuyanaPoliceForce(GPF)is investigating an incident which occurred on Sunday involving a Senior Officer of the Force, a Police Corporal and a Police Constable.
In a statement on Friday, the GPF said that the investigationwasinitiatedfollowing the circulation of a video online.
In the video, a woman who said she is a police officerwasstoppedbyacorporalreportedlyoftheanti-crime unit. The woman, visibly upset, contacted a male who subsequently identified himselfasDeputyCommissioner FizalKarimBaksh,whoheads the Special Organised Crime Unity(SOCU).
Thepolice,whoidentified himself as Corporal Sage ahead of speaking with the person identifying as the deputycommissioner,toldhis
colleague to record the conversation. “Just record the conversation,” the police officersaid.
To which, the deputy commissioner asked him to identifyhimself.“Whospeaking here? He asked to which CorporalSageidentifiedhimself.
“And you want to record my conversation?” Karimbakshasked.
Thepoliceaskedthecaller to identify himself. “You are speaking with Deputy Commissioner Karimbaksh,” the callersaid.
Karimbaksh then continued to question the police about the recording of the conversation to which the officer noted that, “the body cameraisonsir”.
The senior police then asked his junior why he is enforcing traffic laws. The policetriedtoexplainhimself but was quickly interrupted.
“Goanddoyouranticrime duties!” Karimbaksh told the junior officer before stating, “Don’t enforce traffic laws; that is not your function.”
The police indicated that “it is a stop and search exercise.” However, his explanation was not sufficient. Karimbaksh responded, “Let the traffic police go and do theirwork.
Thatisnonsensewhayall doing there. Go and do your anticrimeduties.”
The police retorted, “AnticrimedutiesIamdoingsir.”
In response, Karimbaksh shouted,“Hello!Stopenforcingtrafficlaw ThatisaSOCU staff let her go.”
Meanwhile, the police sought to upbraid the woman in the car about her “attitude towards the police.”
“If that is your attitude towards the police, God help you and whosoever you have dealingswith,”CorporalSage said.
The woman, seemingly unbothered said, “Who I have dealings with? I am policejustlikeyou!” CorporalSagethenasked the woman to produce her documents. She then informedhimthat,“Iaintgetme licenceponme.”
Meanwhile, the GPF said that “matters involving the conduct of its ranks are treated with the seriousness they deserve. In this regard, animpartialinvestigationwill beconductedinkeepingwith the Force’s standards of accountability, discipline and professionalism.”
“TheForceremainscommitted to ensuring that the matter is properly examined and that the appropriate proceduresarefollowed.Further information will be provided as the investigation progresses,” the statement concluded.
Pres. Ali jumps off track when asked about windfall ...
From page 14 demand so this is where the revenue and the model becomes critical, increasing pensions, whether its old age pension, free university education-allofitfree,freehealth care. Investing in a world class health care system, worldclassinfrastructurethat allows your value and your property to go up. We have property values that went up by thousands of percentage points.
So,theseareallspinoffeffects of the strategic investments that we are making to create an enabling environment for prosperity and wealthcreationbutmanaging that expectation is not easy, especiallyinaworldwhereas some people classify, we are inaninformationpandemic.
If you look at social media, the speed at which infor-
platform with the use of the authorisation code: ngvXHX, not later than 4 (four) days before the date fixed for hearing of the application, and you or your Attorney-at-Law must appear at the hearing. ANDFURTHERTAKE NOTICEthatifyoufailto file a Defence and/or if you fail to appear at the hearing,finaljudgmentmay be given against you notwithstanding your absence. 2:30pmonFridaysexcept on public holidays and on such other days as the Registryisclosed.Datedthe 30thdayofApril,2026.
dress for service and place of business is at Lot 10 Croal Street,Stabroek,Georgetown, Tel. No. 592-691-3505, 2271905, and file same to this cause in the Registry of the HighCourtatGeorgetownvia the High Court’s eLitigation online
FORREGISTRAR
Dated this 9th day of March,2026
mation flows, every time the Senior Minister in the Office ofthePresidentwithResponsibility for Finance by law must declare all the revenue thatcomestotheNaturalResource Fund within 30 days. Everytimethatdeclarationis made is a national headline but the expectation that comes out of those headlines makes it sometimes very difficult for the policymaking environment because whilst you make long-term decisions, you have to always understand that the shortterm interest and expectation mustbeexamined.
And we are in the businessofpolicymakingbutwe arealsopoliticianswhowere elected and it will be foolish not to address these chal-
lenges but it is a responsibility of addressing it, keeping in mind the long-term sustainability of the country That is why we prefer to invest in opportunities that create wealth, invest in the development of the human capitalandinfrastructure,socialsafetynetsthatallowour people not to lose their own capacity, to be innovative, hardworkersandtobebuilders rather than waiters, waitersforopportunity,waiterfor a cash grant, waiter for some cashtransfer. It’snotsustainable. Wedon’tknowultimately wherethepriceofoilandgas will rest but we know it will not be where it is today We also know that Guyana is blessed because of the cost
of recovery
Our break-even point is much more efficient than many other producers which allow us to be in the top tier ofdevelopmentanddevelopers - that’s an added advantage that will work in our favour in an oil-producing world beyond 2060 because then efficiency and productioncomesintoplayandefficiency and production will least impact on the environmentbecomesamajorindicator of success and who will beabletostayintheindustry and that is what positions Guyana ahead of all its competitors and that is what positions our investors in the best possible manner for the long term and I’m sure they know this.”
Twohomesdestroyedafterchild...
From page 16 losses in the millions. “Imakeupthehousetheother day.Ibuynewbed,newwardrobe, my son over half a millioninjewellery,hechainand heband,allmyfurniture,two beds, brand new mattress, everything (destroyed),” she told reporters on Friday.
Her son was at Albion, Corentyne when he was informedofthefire. They did manage to save their two vehicles from damages. She stated that she resided at the 3-bedroom property for 30 years.
According to Divisional FireOfficer,CliveMcDonald, a call was made to the operationsroominNewAmsterdam at 11:57hrs with a report that abuildingwasonfireatSheet Anchor
Now contemplating how torestarttheirlives,bothvictims are seeking any form ofassistancefromthepublic.
Jeffrey can be contactedon(+592)664-0058, whileMadramootoocanbe reached on 655-6479.
Two fire tenders were sent to the location and measures were taken to contain the blaze. Fraser’s building was already completely demolished, while firefighters attempted to save Madramootoo’s property Though still standing, the building was still destroyed. Successful efforts by the firefighterspreventedfurther extensionofthefire,asmany buildings are closely aligned through that narrow street. The senior fire official also said that investigations confirmedthatthechildwasplaying with matches, which promptedtheblaze.
Rubio defends new US sanctions on Cuba, targeting military-run conglomerate GAESA
(AP)—U.S.SecretaryofState Marco Rubio on Friday defended the Trump administration's decision to slap new sanctions on Cuba,thelargestofwhichisagainst G A E S A , o r G r u p o d e Administración Empresarial S.A., a business conglomerate operated bytheCubanRevolutionaryArmed Forces.
In addition to GAESA and its leader, the sanctions announced Thursday included Moa Nickel, a Cuban joint venture with Canada's Sherritt International, which immediately announced it would withdrawfromthebusiness,ending a32-yearpresenceontheisland.
TheMay1executiveorderand the new designations announced May 7 significantly expand the legal authority through which the U S government can levy sanctions on third-country nationals and firms, explained Lee Schlenker, a research associate at theQuincyInstitute'sGlobalSouth programme.
“Not only are they subject to having their assets frozen but their U.S.accountsaswellastheirtravel to the U S , that of their shareholders, investors or employees,” said Schlenker “This is bound to have an extremely significant impact of the presence offoreigncompanies”inCuba.
EconomistPavelVidal,aCuba expert at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, told The Associated Press that the measures are “very concerning” for an economy already “practically paralyzed ”
The U S has blocked fuel shipments to Cuba since January, further escalating the island's yearslong economic crisis. Vidal notedthatthenewsanctionswould likely deter GAESA's remaining partners,sayingthat“veryfewwill riskdefyingthem.”
The new measures amount to “totalisolation,”saidVidal,driven by the fear they instill in international banks, insurers and corporations.
As an expert who has analyzed GAESA's internal documents, Vidalnotedthattheconglomerate's deepreachintonearlyeverysector of the Cuban economy makes any connectiontotheislandapotential liabilityunderthenewU.S.rules.
According to reports analyzed by Vidal, GAESA commands nearly 40% of Cuba's gross domesticproduct.Asofearly2024, theconglomerateheld$14.5billion in liquid reserves, with annual revenuestriplethesizeoftheentire Cubanstatebudget.
FamilytieswiththeCastros
Established in the 1990s under military control, GAESA was the Cuban Armed Forces' strategic response to the economic collapse that followed the Soviet Union's fall and the tightening of U.S. sanctionsinplaceatthetime.
Despite being state-owned, GAESA's accounts are exempt from audits by the Office of the Comptroller General Gladys Bejerano, the entity's director,
admittedtothislackofoversightin a2024interview;shortlythereafter, sheretired.Foryears,untilhisdeath in July 2022, Luis Alberto RodríguezLópez-Callejaservedas GAESA's general manager As the son-in-law of former President Raúl Castro, he was a pillar of the family—alegacycontinuedbyhis son, Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro. While the younger Castro of
grandfather's chief bodyguard, he has recently emerged as a pivotal
discussions with the U S This week's sanctions also added Ania Guillermina Lastres to the U.S. blacklist As the successor to López-Calleja,shecurrentlyserves as GAESA's executive president, overseeingtheconglomerate'svast internationalfinancialinterests.
Based on the limited information available, GAESA overseesdozensofretailoutlets— selling everything from food and clothing to home appliances — as
wellasasprawlingservicenetwork that includes car rentals and travel agencies. Notably, it also manages Cuba's financial institutions, currencyexchangebureaus,andthe administration of the country's majorhotels.Inremarkstothepress Friday, Rubio said the sanctions were not on the Cuban people and he referred to GAESA as a company that “is taking anything that makes money in Cuba and illegally putting it into the pockets ofafewregimeinsiders.”
Cubanauthoritiesmaintainthat thesanctionsconstitute“collective punishment” designed to strangle the island's economy, arguing the Trump administration's policies showadisregardforthewelfareof the Cuban people in favor of politicalleverage.
The new sanctions on Havana come under the weight of U.S. energy blockade that has caused sweepingwaterandpoweroutages along with severe gas and water shortages.
AutoCADLabcommissionedatAbramZuilSecondarySchool
Minister of Education, Sonia Parag on Friday commissioned the country's first ever AutoCAD (computer-aided design) Laboratory at the Abram Zuil Secondary School in Region Two, which will enhance the delivery of Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) inschoolsinadigitalway
The state-of-the-art lab enablesstudentstoturntheir technical drawing sketches into precise 2D and 3D models.
In her address at the
“And so, this is why this is important because we need to not only assess what's existing in our country now, but what's going to exist in our future, whatthefutureofGuyanais goingtolooklike.Ifyouare young kids, and you are growing up here, you are seeing what's happening in Essequibo on a daily basis. For someone who has left andcomebackafterawhile, it's a new place to me. It looks like something new to me because of all the transformation that's taking
ceremony, Minister Parag stated that the lab is the first inaseriesofsuchprojectsto becommissioned.
Notingtheimportanceof the investment, the educationministersaid,“Itis relevant, and it is going to take you a step further to contemporary times and transformation.”
With the construction boom happening across the country, minister told students that the skills they will gain now will equip themforfuturecareers.
place, you wouldn't quite understand that,” she explained.
Shetoldstudentsthatthe skills they will gain will provide them with opportunities to become globallycompetitivelateron inlife.
“So, this is where that takesyou,nolongeryougot to be doing on a paper, erasing, fixing. I mean, you canstilldothat,butnowyou have technology that is integrated in digitising, pushingyouastepfurtherto
Deputy Chief Education Officer with responsibility for Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET), Dr. Ritesh Tularam
where developed countries are. And that is how you b e c o m e g l o b a l l y competitive.Thatishowyou build the skills you can utilise internationally,” she said.
Stating that t
AutoCAD labs will provide foundational training for th
o technology, engineering and advanced engineering careers,sheurgedstudentsto
utiliseit.
The commissioning of the AutoCAD (computer-aided design) Laboratory at the Abram Zuil Secondary School in Region Two.
“I hope that you will utilise this lab. I hope that youseethislabforwhatitis. Our president has invested tremendously in education over the last six years, he's going to continue to do that, andheisgoingtocontinueto invest in technical and vocational training throughout the country, so that every region will experience one of those
Minister of Education, Sonia Parag
centers. We will continue to have the AutoCAD labs throughout the school system, you will continue to benefit from resources available throughout the system,andyouwillbeable to do what your parents possibly could not afford.
The government is working towards ensuring that you aresupportedthroughoutthe
school system, ” she expressedinherremarks.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Education Officer with responsibility for Technical Education, Dr RiteshTularam,saidwiththe opening of this AutoCAD lab, the government is now advancing TVET students with acquiring the skill sets and competencies in the full utilisationofcomputeraided designs.
He recalled that during (Continuedonpage29)
DPI - Guyana must treat energy efficiency as a structural pillar of its development and not an afterthought,PrimeMinister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips said on Friday as he openedtheNationalSeminar on Energy Efficiency (EE) and Conservation at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre(ACCC).
Addressing government officials, private-sector representatives, financial institutions, academics, and students, the prime minister pointed out that building more power plants and importingmorefuelwillnot beenough.
He said that there is a need for the country to get serious about how it uses its energy
“Energy efficiency is a national priority, a strategicimperative,anda matter of direct public interest,” he said. “Before we build a new power plant, before we import a
‘See energy efficiency as a business opportunity’
– PM Phillips tells private sector
curve,whichheexplainedis costly, environmentally d a m a g i n g , a n d unsustainable.
drop of additional fuel, we should ask, have we used what we already have as efficiently as we possibly can? In Guyana, honest reflection tells us we have moreworktodo.”
The warning comes against a backdrop of mounting pressure on Guyana’senergybudget.
For context, the country hasseenanaverage74.8per cent increase in fuel import costs since the start of this year alone Gasoline acquisition costs rose 62.4 per cent, diesel climbed 7.3 per cent, and jet fuel surged by102.6percent.
These figures, Prime Minister Phillips said, translate directly into higher costsforutilities,businesses, andhouseholds.
With electricity demand projectedtogrowfivefoldby 2030,PMPhillipscautioned that expanding supply without managing demand wouldtrapGuyanainacycle of endlessly chasing a rising
He urged the private sector to see energy efficiency as a business opportunity
Hethencalledonenergy s
, technology suppliers, and building professionals to bring both their ingenuity andtheircapital.
Financial institutions were also asked to develop greenloans,revolvingcredit facilities, and performancebased contracts to unlock investmentatscale.
Regulators,includingthe Public Utilities Commission and the Guyana National Bureau of Standards, were t
ng enablingframeworkssuchas building codes, appliance standards, and alignment with CARICOM’s regional e n e rg y e ff i c
y guidelines. T
responsibilityfallsonthem.
He pointed to the
government’s existing commitments,theexcisetax on fuel held at zero per cent sinceMarch2022,expanded fuel storage infrastructure, and a supply-side push that has added over 186 megawatts of generating capacity sinceAugust 2020, including solar farms, minihydropower plants, and morethan37,000solarhome energysystems.
But those achievements, hestressed,areonlyoneside oftheequation.
“Energy efficiency begins at home, with the choices we make, with the applianceswebuy,andthe habitswedevelop,”hesaid. Ourgovernmentwillinvest in public education and awareness,butacultureof efficiency is ultimately builtbyourcitizens,notby policyalone.”
The seminar, jointly organised by the Guyana Energy Agency and the World Bank, is expected to producearoadmapcovering the public, commercial, industrial, and residential sectors.
PMPhillipssaidhelooks forward to receiving the key action points at the closing session.
A section of stakeholders at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Friday
Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips
AutoCAD Lab commissioned at...
Frompage24 histimeinsecondaryschool andevenattheUniversityof Guyana the traditional methodology of technical education or technical drawing, students used to haveadrawingboardwitha set square with a pair of compasses, pair of dividers, tocreatetheirdesigns.
In the ministry's efforts tomoveawayfromthat,Mr Tularam stated that within the last few years, there have been significant strides and or investments
a
s
on of quality, relevance and equity in the delivery of technical educationatschools.
He noted too that with the
ansformati
n happeningacrosstheregion and the country as a whole, theywillneedpersonsinthe fieldofarchitecture,incivil engineeringandmechanical
engineering and surveying, and “all these are engineering disciplines that will require designs or concepts or creation of an idea.”
“And so here is where our students at this institution can now benefit from this facility by acquiring those skill sets so that they can have that smooth or that fluidity in terms of their career projection,movingontothe University of Guyana and completing a program in architecture, and, by e
,
engineering.
They are now being prepared with what we call the requisite skill sets, so that upon entering the UniversityofGuyanaorany other technical institutes, you are preparing yourself, you're protecting yourself
for that opportunity, so that you can compete equally in this space that is existing beforeus,”heelaborated.
During his remarks, he not only encouraged students to maximise the opportunities of the laboratory but to also take care of it, so that the people to come after, the students that will benefit after, they canenjoythesamebenefits.
In brief remarks, headteacher of the school, SirJeromeRampersaudsaid this is just not only a commissioning ceremony, but it is about opening the doortonewpossibilitiesina spacecreatedforstudentsto gain hands on experience in design and drafting skills that are essential in engineering, architecture andothertechnicalfields.
“I am delighted to see that with this initiative, we are closer to realising our
institution's vision, which is to provide experiences for every student to be empowered to make a worthwhile contribution to society, our students will nowbevestedwiththeskills to navigate the digital and technologically driven world.
IenvisionthisAutoCAD lab as a hub of learning, collaboration and innovation, where ideas can betransformedintotangible solutions, which is what we do best at Abram Zuil Secondary School,” he expressed.
Healsourgedstudentsto embrace this opportunity, noting that the rewards are high,thecompetitionisreal and they now have the tool todesignandbuild.
“Let your future be shaped as your imagination meets technology,” he added.
Djokovic stunned on return to action in Rome
BBC Sport - Novak Djokovicwasbeatenbygutsy qualifier Dino Prizmic on his return to action in the Italian
ARIES (Mar 21–Apr 19
If you admit you've made a mistake, people are more likelytoforgiveyou.Youhave a confrontational day ahead, Aries.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
You may have been wishing for some recognition and appreciation lately. Perhaps you had your eye on a promotionatwork.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
Ifyouhappentobetrainingfor a new trade, learning a new technique, or perhaps you're being evaluated after an internship period, you can expect these pursuits to concludeonahighnote.
CANCER(June21–July22)
Although you might find the dayaheadsomewhatstressful, it's a key day in your professional evolution. Since you've lacked inspiration lately, you must not miss the opportunity you'll be presentedwithtoday
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
You must have felt the pressure rising in the past week.Intense,isn'tit?Doyou have a job to finish at the last minute? Is there some ill humor or misunderstanding amongyourrelations?
VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)
There's some likelihood that your heart will flutter as certain plans begin to be realized. If you have your heart set on someone who seems impossibly remote, or you'rehopingtotransformand improve an existing love
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Although the forecast is stormy, the day ahead may give you an opportunity to freeyourselffromyourfamily, literallyorfiguratively
It might seem like you no longer completely believe in what you're doing, Scorpio, perhaps because you've been goingalittletooquicklyinyour questtogetwhatyouneed
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)
The day ahead will be as busy as can be. Matters that had been left unsettled are nowbecomingurgent.Today brings an opportunity to releasesomesteam.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
You can expect today to be tense, Capricorn, as the peopleclosetoyouarelikely to be especially irritable Adults and children alike may throw tantrums for no reason,andyou'llbecriticized for having overlooked some smalldetail
(Jan.20–Feb.18)
The moment has come to affirmyourindividualityand life choices, Aquarius. The planetaryenergywillmakeyou workhardtorethinkthenumber ofobligationsyouundertake
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
Whynotgodirectlytotheheart of the problem, Pisces? This could be the question you've been
f concerningacommitmenttoa cause that's important to you.
Opensecondround.
World number four Djokovicwasplayinghisfirst match since 12 March - and more crucially his first of the year on clay - after missing several tournaments with a shoulderinjury
A six-time champion in Rome, Djokovic started stronglybutwaslabouredand looked to be struggling with illnessinthesecondset.
However, that is to take nothing away from Croatia's Prizmic, who played bravely tooverpowertheSerb2-66-2 6-4.The 20-year-old, one of many players who counts Djokovic as his idol, wrote "Nole it was a pleasure" on the camera lens after the match Djokovic, who received a first-round bye in Italy, said afterwards he will not play before the French Open begins on 24 May, where he will once again be chasing a standalone record 25thGrandSlamsinglestitle.
“I'mnotdefinitelywhereI want to be to compete at the highestlevelandtobeableto getfar,"the38-year-oldsaid.
"I don't recall last time I had a preparation where I didn't have any kind of physical issues or health issues coming into the tournament.
" T h e r e ' s a l w a y s something. Kind of a new reality that I have to deal with "Djokovic, a semifinalist at Roland Garros last year, reached the final of the Australian Open in January, losing in four sets to Carlos Alcaraz.He will turn 39 two days before the French Open getsunderway
Dino Prizmic (right) was two years old when Novak Djokovic won his first Grand Slam title. (Getty Images)
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)
AQUARIUS
Why Is Joshua Da Silva still on the outside looking in? Forgotten Runs, Forgotten Man:
Will we see Joshua Da Silva back in the West Indies setup, or will the selectors continue to overlook one of the region's most a c c o m p l i s h e d y o u n g wicketkeeper-batters for reasons nobodycanproperlyexplain?
StatisticianCharwayneWalker initially asked the question about Da Silva. That question continues to echo across the Caribbean cricket fraternity as the stylish Trinidadian remains excluded fromtheseniorred-ballsetupsince December 2024, despite producing one of the strongest first-class campaigns by any wicketkeeper in the region this year Atjusttwenty-sevenyearsold, Da Silva should be entering the prime of his career Instead, he finds himself watching from the sidelines while uncertainty,
inconsistency, and questionable selection policies continue to plagueWestIndiescricket.
And if there was any doubt about his quality, Da Silva answeredittheonlywaycricketers know how — with runs. Lots of them. Watching his commanding 220againsttheLeewardIslandsin the regional first-class season was a batting defiance directed squarely at the people responsible forselectingtheWestIndiesteam.
The innings carried weight beyond the scoreboard. DaSilva double century was touted as another entry for his selection.
DaSilva is also the third West Indian wicketkeeper-batter since 1978 to score a first-class double century, joining the late David MurrayandJuniorMurray
David Murray's unbeaten 206 came for the West Indies against
East Zone during the 1978 tour of India,whileJuniorMurrayblasted 218againstGuyanainGrenadain 1997. Nearly three decades later, Da Silva's magnificent 220 now stands alongside those historic performances.
Yet somehow, remarkably, it stillhasnotbeenenoughtoreclaim aplaceintheregionalside.
intensified growing concerns
favoritism, and the apparent disconnect between performances
opportunities at the international level.
For years, West Indies cricket has spoken publicly about rebuilding through meritocracy andrewardingconsistency ButDa Silva'scontinuedomissionpaintsa verydifferentpicture.
Trinidad and Tobago's discarded Wicketkeeper/Batter
Joshua DaSilva 'keeps knocking' on CWI door with another first-class double. (ESPNcricinfo photo)
Colin Croft with his Raleigh Racing Roadster
"Outdoor activities are the keystofitness!"
This magnificent, historical bicycle is "Big Ben", my (Colin Croft)RaleighRacingRoadster
This racing roadster was "madetomeasure"forme,Colin Croft, in Summer 1995, thirtyone,YES,31yearsago.
Papa!!
Thiswasaccomplishedduring my (Colin Croft) very first international tour as a Sports Journalist / Cricket Commentator / Analyst / Summarizer, for BBC Television and BBC Test Match Special(TMS)Radio.
The British Broadcasting Corporation had most of the "HOME" broadcasting rights backthen.
Colin Croft muses
about his Raleigh Racing Roadster as he remembers the 1995 series in England
The cricket tour was West IndiesSix-TestTourtotheUnited Kingdom 1995. (Yes - Six Test Matches).
tremendously exciting, ending in a 2-2 Tie. England won the ThreeGameODISeries2-1. The tour was also extremely
controversial, with very serious upheavals So many incidents during that tour ONE West Indies cricketer was banished and sent back home in shame, supposedly for "bad behavior". There was serous disunity in the West Indies camp. ONE of West Indies "star" players even voluntarily left the team in the UK several times, to returntotheCaribbeaneachtime.
TeamManagersandothershad to return to the Caribbean too, to actually BEG that same player, to returntotheteamintheUK.
YES. That was some cricket tour to the United Kingdom in 1995.
Thatbikehaskeptmeinpretty good shape these many years. Magnificent!! ThankYouGod.
Howdoesaplayerwithproven Test experience, regional consistency, and a history of producing under pressure suddenlybecomeexpendable?
Thisisaplayerwhorepeatedly rescued the West Indies batting lineup during difficult periods. Time and again, Da Silva showed composure when more senior battersfailed.
His calmness behind the stumps, technical patience at the crease, and willingness to fight throughpressuremadehimoneof the more dependable figures in an otherwise unstable Test environment.
Yet since December 2024, he has seemingly been discarded without transparency or proper explanation.
Thatsilencefromtheselection panel has created a dangerous vacuum,onenowbeingfilledwith frustration, suspicion, and uncomfortablequestions.
Across social media and cricket discussions throughout the Caribbean, supporters continue asking whether regional cricket is truly being governed by performance, or whether internal politics and favouritism are once againovershadowingmerit.
Some observers have even revisitedthehistoricaltreatmentof players of Portuguese descent withinWestIndiescricket.Figures such as Karl Nunes, the Jamaican wicketkeeper-batsman who captained the West Indies during their inaugural Test tour of England in 1928 remain important symbols of Caribbean crickethistory
Now, whispers are beginning to surface in cricket circles: is Da Silva unfairly paying a hidden price because of his Portuguese heritage, or is this strictly a
cricketingdecision?
There may never be a public answertothosequestions.
But what cannot be denied is that Da Silva has done everything expected of a professional cricketer seeking re-selection. He returned to domestic cricket, produced runs, displayed resilience,anddeliveredoneofthe standout innings of the regional season.
In any properly functioning cricket structure, those performances would force the selectors'hand.
Instead, the continued exclusion of Joshua Da Silva has become symbolic of a wider problem within West Indies cricket, a system where accountability appears absent, communication remains poor, and deservingplayersaretoooftenleft in limbo while inconsistency is rewardedelsewhere.
Perhaps the most admirable part of this entire situation is Da Silva'sresponse.
There have been no public outbursts. No dramatic headlines. Nobitterness.Onlyruns. And sometimes, in cricket, runsspeaklouderthanpolitics.
Withanewseasonuponusand ample overseas tours on the horizon, many supporters will hope the selectors finally recognize what has become increasingly obvious: West Indies cricketcannotcontinuediscarding proven players while expecting stabilityandsuccessatthehighest level. Whether the board listens, remainstobeseen.
Butonethingiscertain;Joshua Da Silva's bat is once again demanding attention, and the longerheisignored,thelouderthe questionssurroundingWestIndies cricketwillbecome.
Colin Croft
Man United's Fernandes and City's Shaw win FWA Footballer of the Year awards
(Reuters) - Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was named the F o o t b a l l Wr i t e r s ' Association men's player of the year on Friday after a standoutseasoninwhichhis helpedhissidebackintothe Champions League, while Manchester City forward Khadija “Bunny” Shaw claimed the women's award forthesecondtime.
Fernandes has scored eight league goals and provided 19 assists, leaving himoneshortofthePremier League record jointly held byThierryHenryandKevin De Bruyne, with three matches remaining.The 31year-old Portuguese midfielder beat runner-up DeclanRiceofArsenalby28 votes, with Manchester City striker Erling Haaland third, and Fernandes is the first
Soudal Quick Step's Paul Magnier celebrates after crossing the line to win stage 1. (REUTERS/ Stoyan Nenov)
United player to win the award since Wayne Rooney in2010. United, inspired by a rejuvenated Fernandes, and
Manchester City's Khadija Shaw celebrates scoring their fifth goal and completes her hat-trick. (Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff) Cairnduf
manager Michael Carrick, have flown up the Premier League standings to third spot and are already assured ofareturntotheChampions
Magnier avoids crash and sprints to win Giro d'Italia opening stage
NESSEBAR, Bulgaria, (Reuters) - France's Paul Magnier (Soudal QuickStep) outsprinted Denmark's Tobias Lund Andresen (Decathlon CMA CGM) to win the opening stage of the Giro d'Italia in Burgas on Friday after a crash near the linemarredthebunchfinish. The crash happened around 600 metres from the finish, leaving less than 10 riders to battle it out for the win,andMagnierpippedthe Dane on the line to take his first Grand Tour stage victory, with Briton Ethan Vernon(NSNCyclingTeam) cominginthird.
"I'msoproudoftheteam and also my performance," Magniersaid.
"Itwasreallyhecticinthe
final because it was a pretty easy day, everybody was reallyfreshandweknewthe narrow road in the final wouldbetrickysowetriedto getingoodposition."
The flat 147-km ride from Nessebar, the first of threestagesinBulgaria,was a relatively calm affair until thehecticfinish.
An early two-rider breakaway of Italian ManueleTarozziandSpain's Diego Pablo Sevilla were kept under close control by thepelotonandreeledinwith 22-kmtotheline.
Pre-race favourite Jonas Vingegaard and his VismaLease a Bike team played it safe near the back of the peloton leaving others to jostleforpositionatthefront
coming into the final kilometre.Magnierwasatthe front with two teammates when several riders went downjustbehindtheleaders, with the rest of the peloton blocked behind the fallers who included Australian Kaden Groves, who would havebeenexpectedtofigure intheracefortheline.
Italy's Jonathan Milan wasoneofthehotfavourites totakethesprint,andhehad Lidl-Trek colleague Max Walscheid leading the way but Milan was unable to respond and had to settle for fourth.
Magnier will wear the leader's jersey for Saturday's stage two which takes the riders 221-km from Burgas toVelikoTarnovo.
Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes celebrates scoring their first goal. (Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff)
League next season after a two-year absence.Jamaican
, w
previouslytooktheawardin
2024, has led City to their firstWomen's Super League (WSL)titlein10years.Shaw has netted 19 goals in 21 games, on track to win the Golden Boot for a third
successiveseason,andwasa landslide winner of the vote ahead of last year's victor, Arsenal's Alessia Russo Chelsea's Lauren James finishedthirdinthevote.
MCYS / East Bank Inter Village Football...
Grove and Kuru Kururu to collide in Saturday's
final; Herstelling and Agricola play for 3
The penultimate night of action in the inaugural Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport / East Bank Inter Village Football Tournament continued to serve up absorbing play with Kuru Kururu and Grove turningbackthechallengesoftheir opponents to contest the final on Saturday night at the Eccles EE Ground.
Both semifinals were grueling encounters, Kuru Kururu storming back from a goal down to beat Herstelling 3-1 via kicks from the penalty mark while Grove needled Agricola in the opening game which was affected by a power outage15minutesintothefirsthalf and lasted for about 40 minutes. ThisdelayresultedinbothCaptains Domini Garnett (Grove) and SolomonAustinagreeingtoreduce thegameto70minutes.
It was soon after the resumption that Grove defender, Trevor Jones found the space and range to slot one past Agricola's custodian,AndelMohanlall,andas itturnedout,itwasthegoldengoal th inthe17 minute.
Theexchangesbetweenthetwo villages were end to end as Grove sought to defend their advantage andAgricola constantly went after the equalising goal.Agricola were able to smother the efforts tournament's leading goal scorer, Domini Garnett (6 goals) in their defensivethirdbutitdidnotmatter forGarnett.
The night's main attraction producedahumdingerofaclashas theladsfromtheSoesdykeLinden Highway, like Grove, maintained their unbeaten run in the
tournament with a come from b e h i n d w i n th
Herstellingtooktheleadinthe24 minute through a Jesus Perez goal and defended that lead up until the th65 minute when Kevin Scott scored his third goal of the tournament to restore parity to the game.
Attheendoffulltimethescores was locked at 1-1 and it remained the same after extra time was exhausted. Kicks from the penalty markdidnotgowellforHerstelling as they missed three of four opportunities, on the other hand, Kuru Kururu converted three of theirfiveshotstobookadatewith Grove on Saturday night in the c h a m p i o n s h i p m a t c h AtstakewillbeOneMilliondollars for the winner with the losing finalistreceiving$500,000.
The winner of the third-place clash between Agricola and Herstelling,willearn$250,000and fourth place, $150,000
The MVP of the tournament will cash in on $100,000 with $80,000 eachsetasidefortheHighestGoal Scorer and Best Goalkeeper Gratitude is being extended to the
Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport,OfficeofthePrimeMinister, Ministry of Housing, National Sports Commission, Bounty Farm Ltd.,FitnessExpress,StarRentals, Trophy Stall, NAMILCO and RepublicBankfortheirpartnership which has made this tournament p o s s i b l e
Grove
Trevor Jones
Kuru Kururu
Kevin Scott (right), Joseph DeFreitas and Marvin Joseph - Kuru Kururu
Olympic rings in front of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), during an Executive Board meeting at the Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland, May 6, 2026. (REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo)
International Olympic Committee lifts restrictions on Belarusian athletes
L A U S A N N E , Switzerland,(Reuters)-The International Olympic Committee on Thursday lifted all restrictions on Belarusian athletes, clearing the way for their return to international competitions, including qualifiers for the LosAngeles 2028 Olympics, itsaidinastatement.
T h e I O C h a d recommended that Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials be banned from events since 2022 following Russia'sinvasionofUkraine. Belaruswasusedasastaging groundfortheinvasion.
"The IOC Executive Boardnolongerrecommends any restrictions on the participation of Belarusian athletes, including teams, in competitions governed by InternationalFederationsand international sports event organisers," the Olympic bodysaid.
The lifting of restrictions should clear the way for athletes from Belarus to compete freely under their own flag and anthem, including in team sports, and allow them to take part in all qualifying events starting later this year for the 2028 LosAngelesOlympics.
Yet the global governing body of athletics said its sanctions against Belarusian athleteswouldremain.
"As a consequence of Russia'sinvasionofUkraine, World Athletics sanctions implemented in March 2022 excluding Belarusian and Russianathletes,officialsand supporting personnel from competitionremaininplace," a Wo r l d A t h l e t i c s spokespersonsaid.
"Our Council has made a cleardecisionthatwhenthere is tangible movement towards peace negotiations it can begin to review its decisions.
We all hope this will be soon, but until that happens the Council continues to be united in standing behind the decision it made in March 2022 and revisited in 2023 and2025."
RESTRICTIONS REMAIN FOR RUSSIAN ATHLETES
At both the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter
Olympics, only a handful of carefully vetted Russian and Belarusian athletes, with no links to the military the war, were allowed to compete, in individualeventsonlyandas neutral athletes without their flag.
Look, our national footballteamisnot'traveling' to the United States.The IOC urged federations in December 2025 to readmit RussianandBelarusianyouth athletes (under-23s) to international events without restrictions, in a first clear step towards easing sanctions.
TheIOCsaidtheliftingof restrictions would not apply toRussianathletes.
There has been increased speculation that a similar decision could be made for Russiainthecomingmonths.
TheOlympicbodysaidits legal affairs commission was reviewing information regarding the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) while also examining the country'santi-dopingsystem, with ongoing investigations by the World Anti-Doping Agency a concern for the IOC IOC President Kirsty Coventrysaidtherehadbeen "constructive discussions" with the ROC but there were stilloutstandingissues.
"Ourremitissportandwe have to figure out what it means,"Coventrytoldapress conference "We want all athletes to be able to participate.
I believe this decision shows that."As for Russia, shesaidtherewasnospecific timelineregardingapotential decision for an unrestricted returntointernationalsport.
"We have, as an organisation, to listen to all sides of the story and that is why we are where we are," Coventrysaid.
Russia's Olympic committee was suspended in October2023forrecognising regional Olympic councils forRussian-occupiedregions of Ukraine - Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia - following Russia'sinvasion.
The IOC said at the time thishadviolatedtheOlympic Charter and the territorial integrity of Ukraine's OlympicCommittee.
Otamendi, Caicedo cleared to play after FIFA changes World Cup suspension rules
(Reuters) - FIFA has amended its World Cup disciplinary rules to ensure that minor suspensions pickedupinqualifiersareno longer carried over into the 2026 finals, clearing Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi and Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo fortheir'openingmatches.
FIFA said on Friday the movewasdesignedtoallow countries to field their strongest squads on the sport's biggest stage, while preserving disciplinary f
integrity
Following consultations with the confederations, the Bureau of the Council unanimously decided to
'single yellow cards and pending one or two-match
s u s p e n s i o n s a s a consequence of cautions in different matches in the preliminary competition, an indirect red card, or a direct red card for denying the opposing team a goal or an obv
ng opportunity or for serious foulplayarenotcarriedover tothefinalcompetition'.
FIFA added that 'any other pending match suspensions imposed as a result of a red card in matches in the preliminary competition are carried over tothefinalcompetition.'
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) said on Thursday it had carried out negotiations with the FIFA
Alejandro Dominguez was also involved in the negotiations on behalf of Otamendi and Ecuador's midfielderCaicedowhowas also sent off in the same match.
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo had already been cleared in November to play in the opening games at the World Cup, when FIFA suspended the final two games of a three-match ban for a red cardinhisside'spenultimate qualifying match against Ireland.At last weeks FIFA
FIFPRO hails 'landmark' ruling as European body admits football calendar challenge
(Reuters) - Football players' union FIFPRO on Friday hailed a "landmark" legal win after a European rights body agreed to investigate whether France failed to uphold labour standardsforprofessionalfootballers.
BureautoallowOtamendito playintheirfirstmatch,after the defender was sent off in their final qualifying match aga
September.
SouthAmericanFootball
n (CONMEBOL) president
Council meeting in Vancouver an amendment was made whereby single yellow cards at the World Cup will be cancelled after the group stage and then againafterthequarter-finals.
The World Cup, cohosted by Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, begins on June 11.
The unanimous decision by the European Committee of SocialRightsonMarch16marksthefirsttimeaplayers'union has successfully advanced a collective complaint under the European Social Charter, paving the way for an investigation into whether France has failed to ensure proper working conditionsforprofessionalplayers,includingminors.
FIFPRO described the heart of the dispute as the French state's failure to protect professional footballers from the health and safety risks posed by a congested and expanding international match calendar, which it argues is driven by FIFA'sunilateraldecisionsoncompetitionformats.
The French government had sought to have the case dismissed,arguingthatanyallegedlabourviolationswerethe responsibility of private sports bodies, such as FIFA or the FrenchFootballFederation,ratherthanthestate.
The Committee rejected that objection, affirming that national governments remain legally responsible for fundamental workers' rights are upheld within their jurisdictions, regardless of whether a private entity manages theindustry.
FIFPROEurope,whichissupportingtheFrenchNational Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP) in the case, describedthedecisionasa"signalcase"fortheindustry.
It added that the complaint highlights how global governingbodies"frequentlybypassnationallabourstandards regardingrestperiodsandcollectivebargaining."
FIFPROEuropeconfirmeditwouldprovidefullsupportto the UNFP during the upcoming proceedings and called on otherEuropeanstatestoholdfootballauthoritiesaccountable for "systemic failures" that it said prioritise commercial interestsoverplayersafety
"Franceisnotalone:manyotherstatesareinacomparable situation, with minimum standards for working time, rest periods, occupational health and collective bargaining structurallyunderminedbydecisionstakenatgloballevel,"it saidinastatement.
Argentina's Nicolas Otamendi scores their third goal from the penalty spot. (REUTERS/Rodrigo Valle)
Argentina's Rodrigo De Paul, Argentina's Nicolas Tagliafico, Argentina's Gonzalo Montiel and Argentina's Juan Foyth remonstrate to referee Wilmar Roldan as Ecuador's Moises Caicedo is sent off. (REUTERS/Cristina Vega)
Slingerz FC to face Linden Town Week football champions at Bayroc tonight
With preparations intensifying ahead of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Shield tournament in July, Slingerz Football Club will head to Linden today for a high-profile encounter against the Linden Town Week Inter-Ward champions at the BayrocNationalStadium.
Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm, with the Georgetown-based club set to face the Blueberry Hill/Alleys/Valleys/Christianburg combination team, winners of the recently concluded Linden Town Week Football tournament organised by the Kashif and ShanghaiOrganisation.
A Linden versus Georgetown Veteran game will serve as the supportinggame,from5:00pm.
The fixture forms part of Slingerz FC's ongoing preparation programme for the CFU Club ShieldcompetitioninTrinidadand Tobago, where the club will represent Guyana on the regional stage.Slingerz FC's Head Coach, Jamaal Shabazz, said the match is an important component of the club's efforts to ensure the players are fully prepared for the demands ofregionalcompetition.
“As Guyana's representative in the CFU Club Shield, Slingerz Football Club is committed to
ensuringthattheteamisadequately prepared to proudly represent both the club and country on the Caribbeanstage,”Shabazzstated.
The experienced Trinidad and Tobago coach explained that the club has strengthened its roster significantly in recent weeks, adding several overseas-based players as part of its push to
competeatahigherlevel.
“We have boosted the squad with the inclusion of players from The Gambia, Sierra Leone and Cameroon, and this match in Linden gives us anothervaluable opportunity to see the players in action and
The encounter is also expected to provide football fans in Linden withanopportunitytowitnesstop-
level competition at the newly constructed Bayroc National Stadium, a venue Shabazz praised highly
“Linden has produced several outstanding footballers over the years, and I'm very pleased to see football returning strongly in the community with an even better venuethanbefore,”hesaid.
Shabazz also encouraged football supporters across Linden and surrounding communities to come out and support the event, noting that the presence of a club like Slingerz FC can help inspire localplayers.
“SeeingSlingerzFCinactionin Linden can help boost the competitive spirit of players in the community,whileatthesametime helping our club continue its preparations We are looking forwardtoagoodmatchandstrong support from the fans,” Shabazz added.
Slingerz FC qualified for the CFUClubShieldafterwinninglast season's Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League withanunbeatenrecord.
Jamaican Kemar Beckford will be in action tonight in Linden.
Slingerz Football Club will be in Linden today for their clash with the Town Week champs.
