President’s lawyer admits
Wednesday Edition October 07, 2026 - Vol. 21 No. 40
reporting Opposition Leader’s
Price $200
page before Meta suspension 21
PAGE
Online readership
yesterday, 42,977
US$214 million Exxon audit dispute now - Govt. confirms failure before ICC to agree on sole expert ‘Power must not shield abusers’ - civil society demands independent probe into Karimbaksh allegations
Relatives of those who perished in the MV Barima tragedy and backed by members of civil society and politicians on Tuesday continued their protest outside of the Office of the President demanding justice for the victims. The ferry sank three months ago and is yet to be salvaged by government.
Deputy Commissioner of Police and head of SOCU, Fazil Karimbaksh
Uranium EIA exemption sparks fresh challenge - 15 citizens, three organisations demand halt to Kurupung exploration Rodrigues-Birkett MV Barima CoI to last 6 months stands by Gaza amid boycotts, protests ‘genocide’ remarks - says if her UN Charter stance is used against her, “we will see where the UN is heading”
over unsalvaged vessel
Suriname rejects 384.8
tonnes of Guyana rice over
missing import approval
Wednesday October 07, 2026
Kaieteur News
PAGE 02
EITI demands timely oil data as Guyana faces questions over production verification ...govt’s delayed disclosures raise questions over compliance with transparency standard Guyana’s membership in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) requires the Government to publish timely data on the production and value of oil and other natural resources, including information that allows the public to assess whether reported production is accurate. The requirement is set out under EITI Requirement 3.2, which seeks to ensure public understanding of extractive commodity production levels and the value of output, providing a basis for assessing expected government revenues and identifying potential leakages linked to underreported production. Guyana became an EITI implementing country after the EITI Board approved its application at a meeting in Manila on October 25, 2017. As an implementing country, Guyana is therefore
required to “disclose timely production data, including production volumes and values by commodity.” The EITI requirement is clear that data must be further disaggregated by project, where available. Moreover, the natural resource watchdog entity noted that the sources of and the methods used for calculating production volumes and values “must be disclosed”. Additionally, “Implementing countries are required to disclose existing mechanisms to monitor and verify the accuracy of production data and document findings, including any weaknesses r e l a t e d t o t h e comprehensiveness and reliability of publicly available production data,” according to the EITI. Guyana currently has a website that is used to publish oil and gas
Guyana’s largest FPSO, the ‘One Guyana’ produces hydrocarbons at the Yellowtail project
production data. It offers data regarding the number of barrels produced at the four projects currently producing oil, as well as the daily reported injected gas, flared gas and gas used for fuel. It also gives an overview on the Brent Crude prices and the amount of water produced
and injected. Government finally directed media to the website following heavy criticism from transparency activists on the release of data relating to oil production here. While the information is published to the website, Kaieteur News has reported on numerous occasions that this is done more than a month later, which flies against the EITI requirement for “timely” production data to be published. This is particularly questionable since government previously boasted about its real-time access to this information. Moreover, concerns have been raised regarding the format of the data on the website which is difficult for an ordinary citizen to interpret. The daily oil production data for each project is displayed on line graphs and is not accompanied by any written monthly report on the actual amount produced. Although EITI requires
countries to disclose measures implemented to monitor and verify the accuracy of production data reported by companies, Guyana has not implemented independent meters to verify the volume of oil Exxon said it produced.
Instead, the key policymaker for the oil and gas sector, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had promised that the country would have access to a cable from Exxon to verify the company’s production. Back in 2023, he said, “On issues relating to production verification, we said that Exxon is building an operational center as part of the head office. They are gonna have a fiber optic cable coming in, we may have to get an access to the
fiber or in the short term we will probably use satellite technology to have an independent measuring of the flows and everything else.” Jagdeo added that the use of this technology would verify the discharge waters and oil flows, along with other relevant data related to production on the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels. The former Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) however expressed worry that the fiber optic system is robust enough to provide Guyana with accurate data on what is being produced. “No fiber optic cable is going to be able to assist you with verifying what exactly is being produced out there. What they, Mr. Jagdeo and the Government, are doing is totally relying on ExxonMobil’s system to provide them with accurate information and that is not a foolproof system,” he said.
10.32 rounds of ammunition found at Pouderoyen Tarmac Police are investigating the discovery of ten .32 rounds of ammunition, which were found on Monday, about 21:00hrs during an intelligence-led operation at P o u d e r o y e n Ta r m a c , We s t B a n k Demerara. During the operation, ranks conducted a search of an unoccupied wooden stall at the tarmac, where the ammunition was found concealed in a concrete block behind an old refrigerator, police said in a press release. The ammunition was removed and taken to the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station, where it was lodged. No arrest was made.
The ammunition that was found
Wednesday October 07, 2026
Kaieteur News
PAGE 03
Uranium EIA exemption sparks fresh challenge ...as 15 citizens, three organisations demand halt to Kurupung exploration The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to exempt uranium exploration activities at the Kurupung Uranium Project in Region Seven from an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is facing a fresh challenge, with 15 individuals and three organisations formally appealing the decision and calling for the immediate suspension of all activities at the site. According to a letter dispatched to the Chairman of the Environmental Assessment Board (EAB), by Danuta Radzik on behalf of 15 individuals and three organisations. Citing an August 26th notice published by EPA exempting Lia (Guyana) Inc. from an EIA for a mineral exploration project at the Kurupung Uranium Project the signatories questioned the grounds EPA listed for its exemption, that the agency’s decision violates the section of the Environmental Act, the lack of information on the company’s track record, lack of consultation with indigenous communities, the public, health and environmental risk concerns as well as questioning the agency’s capacity to monitor such project and Guyana lacking specific regulations for uranium exploration or mining. Canada-based firm U92 Energy Corp. owns the Kurupung Uranium Project through its wholly owned subsidiary, Lia (Guyana). The project area spans approximately 92.2 square kilometres and carries a historical resource estimate of 20.6 million pounds of uranium. EPA has cleared U92 to conduct soil sampling and approximately 5,000 metres of diamond drilling from about 30 drill platforms. The company can also conduct limited access-track works, rehabilitation of approximately 12 kilometres of an existing access road, a temporary exploration camp and secure drill-core storage. The first ground listed in the appeal against the EPA’s decision contends that the agency’s decision to exempt the exploration project from an EIA and its identifying reasons for its decision stating that the project’s impacts is small, temporary and manageable, “clearly violates” the Environmental Protection Act, Part IV which sets out very clearly projects requiring EIAs. Notably, EPA in its notice
explained that following the review of the application, it determined that the proposed exploration activities are “not likely to significantly affect the environment” and are therefore exempt from the requirement to conduct an EIA. The agency explained that the its decision was based on several factors, including that the project is limited to exploration and does not involve mining or mineral processing. Another factor stated is that land disturbance will be localised and mainly confined to small drill pads, access routes and temporary facilities. However, the letter pointed to Part IV of the EP Act which states that project requiring EIAs includes those involving activities like mineral extraction, long-term liquid storage and wastewater treatment, which they argued the exploration project involves all three the aforementioned. Another point raised is that the EP Act requires EIAs for the construction of roads, as the project’s infrastructure works include construction and upgrading of access roads to the project site. “We also object to the EPA’s practice of exempting projects from EIAs, arguing that such exemptions limit scrutiny, inhibit public participation, and weaken environmental oversight,” the letter stated, outlining that EPA is mandated to ensure environmental risks are assessed before project authorization or permitting. Concerns was also raised about transparency, pointing to the narrow interpretation of statutory publication requirements, which result in a single newspaper notice and limited time for stakeholders to object arguing that it does not meet the spirit of public participation envisioned by Environmental Protection Act. Other grounds outlined in the letter were centered on environmental and health
risks of uranium exploration and environmental impacts of uranium mining. As it relates to the risk of uranium exploration, the letter noted that extracting and handling drill cores containing radioactive materials introduces localized environmental and safety hazards including through groundwater contamination, surface contamination and waste, which if left exposed to wind and rain, radioactive dust can spread, or rainwater runoff can wash contaminants into nearby soil and streams. Notably, while the letter outlined several points on environmental risks associated with environmental impacts of uranium mining – it should b e n o t e d t h a t E PA’s exemption for an EIA the EPA’s decision to exempt the exploration from an EIA does not constitute approval of commercial mining, ore extraction or processing, mine construction, or the establishment of radioactive
tailing facilities – as it is only for exploration activities at the uranium project. Another ground stated in the letter is that while the EPA in its notice said that the project is limited to exploration, they outlined safety guidelines by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on uranium mining, which require that comprehensive management systems be in place covering the entire lifecycle —from exploration to mining, processing, and closure. Other grounds raised includes the lack of consultation by EPA, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Lia Guyana or U92 Energy to engage with the Indigenous First Nation communities living in the Mazaruni/ Kurupung area to recognize and uphold Free Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) guidelines. They further questioned the company’s experience, noting that Lia (Guyana) Inc. was purchased from its
holding company Lia Industries Pte. Ltd incorporated in Singapore by U92 Energy Corp a Canadian company established in 2024. “This company has no track record or involvement in any form of mining far less uranium mining anywhere in the world. It appears that U92 Energy was founded specifically for this project which raises serious red flags due to its lack of experience in this the most environmentally challenging type of mining,” it was stated. Further, they argued that Guyana has no specific regulations for uranium exploration or mining, adding that EPA lacks necessary expertise on many environmental matters including on radiation and uranium mining. The letter outlines that there is nothing to assure the Indigenous First Nations in the Mazaruni/ Kurupung area or the Guyanese public, that the EPA has acquired the necessary expertise to monitor or regulate this or any project on uranium exploration or mining. Additionally, the letter also highlight that Guyana’s Radiation Safety and Security Act (RSSA), which has designated the Minister of Health with responsibility for the RSSA is still to appoint an independent RSSA Board. “This Board does not appear to be fully operational according to the Act, neither have suitably
qualified inspectors based on established qualifications and training requirements been appointed as far as we know,” it was stated. Other points raised point to information revealed in t h e p r o j e c t s u m m a r y, including the extensive period of uranium exploration, which will run for three years until April 18, 2027, and can be extended to five years. The signatories outlined that the exploration period had already commenced before the public notice was issued on August 26, 2026, raising questions about the temporary timeframe of the project. “Let us remember that full environmental permits for mining activities are by law limited to a 5-year period,” it was stated. It was also outlined that the exploration activities will require a full working camp and not just drill sites. Pointing to plans which include housing, a diesel generator, drum fuel storage on a concrete slab, a water well with treatment tanks, and septic tanks that drain into the soil, noting that the scale does not fit the EPA’s description of the impacts as minor and temporary. Another point raised was in relation to the Environmental Management Plan (EMP), which is supposed to monitor and manage fuel, waste, drill fluids and uranium-bearing core samples. The letter notes that the EMP is Continued on page 9
Kaieteur News
PAGE 04
Wednesday October 07, 2026
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL-TEL: 624-6456 Editor: NIGEL WILLIAMS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Follow the money, not just the drugs The warning from INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza last week that criminal networks are now operating like corporations is serious enough for Guyana, and the wider Caribbean to take note of. The days when organised crime could be understood simply as gangs moving drugs from one place to another are long gone. Criminal enterprises have become sophisticated, diversified and international. They exploit legitimate businesses, maritime routes, digital platforms, financial systems and increasingly sophisticated technologies to move people, weapons, drugs and illicit money across borders. In Guyana our extensive Atlantic coastline, rivers, forests, porous borders and expanding economic activity provide legitimate opportunities for development. But those same characteristics can be exploited by criminal networks. The country's growing connectivity also creates new avenues for cybercrime, fraud, money laundering and other technology-enabled offences. The threat is therefore much larger than the quantity of cocaine, firearms or illegal gold intercepted by law enforcement. INTERPOL's message is that law enforcement must go beyond the cargo. Urquiza pointed to Operation Guyana Shield and its efforts to trace illegal timber, gold, mercury supplies, shell companies and laundered profits. His observation that seizures take away criminals' cargo while following the money takes away their business deserves serious consideration. For too long, success in the fight against organised crime has often been measured by the number of arrests, the quantity of drugs seized or the number of illegal weapons recovered. Those are important achievements, but they do not necessarily dismantle a criminal organisation. A trafficker can lose one shipment and replace it. A criminal syndicate can lose several couriers and recruit others. But when investigators identify the people financing the operation, trace the proceeds, expose shell companies and seize the assets acquired with criminal money, the organisation's ability to operate is fundamentally challenged. That is where Guyana must place greater emphasis. The country needs strong financial intelligence capabilities, effective asset tracing, robust anti-moneylaundering enforcement and closer cooperation among the police, customs authorities, financial institutions, regulators and other agencies responsible for combating economic crime. International cooperation is equally important. As Commissioner of Police, Dr. Clifton Hicken correctly noted at the recently concluded conference, no country can successfully confront transnational crime in isolation. Criminal networks do not respect borders. They can move money, communications, people and commodities across jurisdictions far more quickly than traditional law enforcement systems can sometimes respond. Guyana must therefore ensure that its law enforcement agencies are not only adequately equipped but properly connected to their counterparts throughout the region and beyond. The proposed INTERPOL Silver Notices Initiative could provide another important tool by helping countries trace and disrupt illicit assets across borders. Guyana should make full use of every legitimate international mechanism capable of helping investigators identify and recover criminal proceeds. But international assistance cannot substitute for domestic vigilance. Financial institutions, businesses, professionals and public authorities must understand that organised crime can infiltrate legitimate economic activity. The dirty money does not always arrive carrying a label. It can be disguised through companies, property transactions, investments, gold, cryptocurrency and other seemingly legitimate activities. This means that the fight against crime must increasingly
Convicted but Coddled: How the State is Hijacking the High Court to Free BPU Director Daniel Seeram Dear Editor, The conviction and subsequent remand of Daniel Seeram, the National Director of Guyana's Border Patrol Unit (BPU), has shattered the illusion of an impartial justice system, morphing a domestic violence conviction into a glaring constitutional crisis. Found guilty of assault causing actual bodily harm against his ex-wife, Farzana Hamid, the Seeram case exposes what legal experts and civil society are calling blatant, systemic executive meddling by the ruling PPP/C government to shield a politically connected violent offender from the confines of a prison cell. The crisis centers on the chaotic and highly irregular events of October 2, 2026.
Following his lawful remand by a sitting magistrate pending sentencing, an expedited, backdoor legal manoeuvre was launched in the High Court to secure his release. More alarming than the defence's haste was the posture of the State: prosecutors inexplicably offered no objection to his release, sparking outrage that the executive branch is aggressively pressuring the judiciary to protect a key political and security asset. The Conviction and The VIP Lockup The charges stem from a violent September 2023 altercation in Cummings Lodge, where Seeram—then an APNU+AFC regional chairman—assaulted his exwife and reportedly brandished a licensed
firearm [4]. After a nearly three-year trial, Magistrate Abigail Gibbs delivered a decisive guilty verdict. Citing the stringent statutory requirements of the Bail Act of 2022, she firmly denied immediate bail, ordering Seeram remanded until his November 2 sentencing hearing to allow for a probation report and victim impact statement. What followed at the Sparendaam Magistrate's Court was a mockery of penal protocol. In a blatant display of institutional deference to Seeram's political status, the official prison transport departed without him at 1:30 p.m. He was allowed to remain unhandcuffed in a police outpost for over five hours, receiving VIP visitors. By
5:00 p.m., police forcibly cleared media personnel from the compound before rushing the unhandcuffed convict to the adjacent lockups—buying his legal team, led by Nigel Hughes, crucial hours to file an urgent Fixed Date Application (FDA) in the High Court. Trampling PostConviction Jurisprudence The defence's emergency FDA relied on the Judicial Review Act 2010, claiming the remand order was "unreasonable" and breached Seeram's constitutional right to liberty because of his vital state duties coordinating border security. However, this argument violently collides with established Guyanese and (Continued on page 6)
Let there be profits all around Dear Editor, As we launch our important Guyana Development Bank, aiming to make every one of us Guyanese, entrepreneurs in spirit in practice, in awareness and in truth. Our LEAP programme in Linden made some headway in its intended purpose, to convert our fellow citizens in Linden from the old-time company-town mindset to a new entrepreneurial, selfresponsible, paying-yourway, profitable mindset. I wish that we had been more successful, even as I recognise that culture is difficult to change. We are not aware that in the existing culture there are a thousand questions for which we know the answers. In our transition to a new culture, we must believe that we will arrive at new answers that are acceptable and better, to those same thousand questions. As we set out on this key venture of a national Development Bank, aware of our history in such
ventures, we must avoid thinking of it and approaching it as a government hand-out in another form. It would be good for us to have wide and deep discussions about profits and losses, subsidies and support/investment for the medium to long term, how wealth is created, and so on. Profitability and profits are essential but our history and religions have disposed most of us to be cautious if not outrightly suspicious of and denouncing profits. But we need perhaps two thirds of all our activities to be highly profitable beyond paying their way, so that there is money to be invested in projects that will provide an improved setting for continued and greater profits in the medium and long term. Losses offset by subsidies and support could only be temporary, to get through troughs or to transition out of goods and services that we could no longer offer competitively, or where we c o u l d n o t o ff e r t h e m
become a fight against concealment. Guyana's development must not create opportunities for criminal enterprises to entrench themselves in the economy. As billions of dollars flow into the country and new businesses and industries emerge, systems must be strong enough to distinguish legitimate wealth creation from wealth generated through criminal activity. INTERPOL has delivered the warning. Guyana must now demonstrate that it understands the challenge. The objective cannot simply be to seize the drugs, guns or illegal gold. The greater objective must be to identify who finances the operation, who profits from it, where the money goes and what assets have been acquired with it. Follow the money, and the criminal corporation becomes vulnerable. That is the fight Guyana must be prepared to wage.
competitively and profitably, soon. We rightly honour our Cheddi for being a great fighter for workers and the downtrodden against mighty capitalists. I dare say that he was at the same time a fighter for profitable enterprises that were fair and just, for sustaining the enterprises in which our people worked, and having profits and savings to invest and thus improve productivity and incomes. To many it might seem that I am rewriting Cheddi, but I point to his characteristic path towards ending a strike: calling for a going to the books, proposing deferral of or reduction of debt repayments and/or less pay to the top (including reduced profit take) so that workers at the bottom could get something that was more just without collapsing the enterprise. Cheddi was aware of and acted out his awareness that a collapsed enterprise would be bad for workers. Cheddi looked to bringing better rewards for workers in the not-too-distant future by deferring some present consumptions and investing the savings in society wide developments. Let me admit that as one who was an 18-yr-old youth at the time, I was attracted to Cheddi's 1962 Development budget, regretting the view with which so many of our people were excited to riot, that Cheddi wanted us to do without, to save and invest in projects which our children
and grandchildren should do! May we have greater success as we launch on this perhaps fourth attempt in my knowledge, to kindle the entrepreneurial spirit in every one of us Guyanese, to profitably provide lawful and morally acceptable goods and services to our fellow Guyanese (and in time to our world) in a form that at the current time they are able and willing to pay for. Our new Guyana Development Bank is for earnest, serious business, not another vehicle for handouts but a vehicle for many of us to create wealth in our country. Let all of us be entrepreneurs or entrepreneurial in whatever work we do in ways that earn profits and at the same time make "profits” a good word. Make profits that are fair and just in the prevailing circumstances, so as to enable us to do good things and extend subsidies and support losses in others enduring hard times and times of transition and transformation. Only fair and just profits can do good losses cannot. Let all of us be entrepreneurial. Let us all be profitable. Let there be profits all around. Let us make "profits" a good word, for profits are essential. Let us make our new Guyana Development Bank the enabler for many of us. Samuel A. A. Hinds Former Prime Minister and President
Wednesday October 07, 2026
Kaieteur News
PAGE 05
advancement Guyana needs inclusive Development GCCIofwelcomes development bank
Dear Editor, President Irfaan Ali has spoken of Guyana experiencing a movement of people that could bring the country's population to about three million by 2030. That statement must place migration squarely within the national conversation. Migration itself is not the problem. The concern is what happens when large numbers of people enter the country while Guyanese continue to leave in search of better wages, education, healthcare and opportunities elsewhere—and whether Guyanese will retain a meaningful economic, political and social stake in the country they built. We cannot be indifferent to the possibility that Guyanese could become a smaller proportion of the population while simultaneously being pushed to the margins of their own country's economic and political life. In a society already struggling with division and questions about inclusion, such a demographic and economic shift demands serious national discussion rather than political silence. Guyana cannot pretend that all is well while the country's wealth expands, its population changes and its people remain divided along political, ethnic and economic lines. A nation cannot call itself developed while its own citizens increasingly question whether they have a meaningful stake in the wealth beneath their feet, the opportunities created by that wealth and the decisions determining their future. Our history of ethnic rivalry and political tension
should have taught us that exclusion breeds resentment, destroys trust and weakens the bonds that hold a society t o g e t h e r. I n s t e a d o f confronting these dangers honestly, Guyana risks allowing economic inequality, political division and unequal access to opportunity to deepen. Guyana's oil wealth and other natural resources must not produce a country in which citizens are spectators to prosperity. Development must mean more than impressive economic statistics, large infrastructure projects and rising national revenues. It must mean Guyanese having access to decent work, owning businesses, participating in decisionmaking, securing opportunities for their children and having confidence that their country has a place for them. If these matters are not confronted now, the consequences could become far more difficult to reverse. The trade union movement therefore places renewed emphasis on advancing international charters, conventions and laws and putting programmes in place that make social cohesion meaningful through greater inclusion, civic participation and opportunities for upward mobility. The United Nations describes social cohesion as “the glue that holds society together.” Its analysis rests on three important values: social inclusion, social capital and social mobility. It is a condition for Guyana's survival as a stable and democratic society. Social inclusion means
every citizen and group has a genuine opportunity to participate in the economic, social and political life of the c o u n t r y. G u y a n a ' s Constitution calls on us to “Celebrate our cultural and racial diversity and strengthen our unity by eliminating any and every form of discrimination.” Inclusion must be visible in who gets jobs, who benefits from national resources, who participates in decision-making and who has access to opportunity. The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) is on record repeatedly calling for constitutional protections covering inclusionary d e m o c r a c y, e c o n o m i c development, freedom of association, protection from discrimination and trade union participation in State decision-making. These obligations are reinforced by Guyana's international commitments on human and labour rights. Social capital is about trust between citizens and trust in institutions. That trust cannot survive if Guyanese believe that political connections, ethnicity or privilege determine who benefits from the country's transformation. The GTUC has in the public domain a Labour's Platform for
Guyana that advances sustainable development, decent jobs and full employment, stronger democracy and governance, and social and labour rights. Social mobility means having a real opportunity to i m p r o v e o n e ' s circumstances. Migration exposes this challenge. Guyanese continue to leave because of wages, limitations in health and education and the search for professional opportunities. The loss of graduates and skilled workers is a national development issue. Guyana must create conditions that retain its human capital and encourage those abroad to return. Gender equality is part of that equation. Women are performing strongly in education, yet qualified w o m e n r e m a i n underrepresented in decision-making. At the same time, declining educational outcomes among Guyanese boys require urgent attention. A country cannot afford to leave either half of its population behind. Guyana must also modernise its data systems so decisions are driven by evidence rather than convenience, and establish an equitable tax system in which the privileged few (Continued on page 6)
Dear Editor, The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) congratulates the Government of Guyana ( G o G ) o n t h e operationalisation of the Guyana Development Bank (GDB), which commenced operations on October 5, 2026. The introduction of the Development Bank adds a new financing avenue for Guyanese entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), at a time when access to affordable finance remains an important consideration for businesses seeking to start, expand and strengthen their operations. GCCI has consistently advocated for an enabling environment in which local businesses can access the financing, technical support and opportunities necessary to become more competitive and sustainable. The Chamber therefore views the development of the Bank as a pillar to Guyana's evolving financial and business-support ecosystem.
As Guyana's economy continues to expand and new opportunities emerge across traditional and developing sectors, greater access to capital will be critical to ensuring that local businesses are positioned to participate meaningfully in this growth. The GCCI looks forward to the Bank developing financing mechanisms that are accessible, responsive to the realities of the local business community and supportive of sustainable enterprise development. The Chamber also congratulates the inaugural Board of Directors: C h a i r p e r s o n M r. A b u Z a m a n ; D e p u t y Chairperson and GCCI President Mrs. Kathy Smith; Mr. James Bond; Mr. Sukrishnan Pasha; Mr. Dion Iniss; Ms. Nalini Singh; and Mr. Praem Rambhak, and wishes them success as they guide the institution through its formative stage. Regards Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Kaieteur News
PAGE 06
Wednesday October 07, 2026
Mahipaul: Barima survivors must not pay to testify before COI Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul is calling on the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the capsizing of the MV Barima to publicly guarantee that survivors will not be left to shoulder the financial costs associated with giving evidence. Mahipaul's call comes as the Commission prepares to formally begin its proceedings. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Opposition MP said survivors of the tragedy have already endured an “unimaginable experience” and should not have to worry about whether they can afford transportation, accommodation or meals in order to testify. “I therefore call on the Commission to make it clear,
publicly and without ambiguity, that no survivor should be financially burdened because they have chosen to come forward and testify,” Mahipaul said. He argued that survivors travelling from outside Georgetown should have their airfare or other reasonable transportation costs, accommodation and meals covered for the period they are required to attend the Commission. For survivors living in and around Georgetown, he said, transportation to and from the Commission and meals should also be provided where their attendance is required for testimony. Mahipaul said these provisions would remove practical barriers to participation and
Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul demonstrate that the Commission genuinely wants to hear from survivors. “These are not unreasonable demands. They are basic measures that
can remove practical barriers and demonstrate to survivors that the Commission genuinely wants to hear from them,” he said. The MP noted that while arrangements have been announced for public consultations and support sessions with affected families in Regions Three, Four, Five and Six, as well as Region One, he has not seen or heard sufficient public information from the Commission specifically assuring survivors about the expenses associated with giving testimony. “That needs to change,” he declared. Mahipaul said survivors' evidence could prove to be among the most important testimony before the Commission and warned
that financial difficulties should never prevent someone from coming forward. “Their voices must not be lost because someone cannot afford a plane ticket, transportation, a hotel room or meals while fulfilling their civic responsibility to testify,” he said. The Commission's secretariat, headed by Secretary Javed Shadick, has announced that proceedings will commence this week. According to the announced schedule, affected families from Regions Three, Four, Five and Six are expected to participate in consultations at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre following the formal opening. The Commission team is then scheduled to travel to Region One, with
engagements planned at the Kumaka Waterfront on October 12 and the Port Kaituma Waterfront on October 13. Mahipaul said the Commission should communicate directly with survivors to ensure that every person willing to testify understands what assistance will be available. “If we genuinely want the truth about what happened aboard the MV Barima, then we must create an environment in which survivors feel welcomed, respected, supported and protected, not burdened,” he said. He ended with a pointed appeal: “The survivors have already paid a price. They should not have to pay to be heard.”
Convicted but Coddled: How the State...
Guyana Development Bank Opens a New Door for Guyanese Entrepreneurs Dear Editor, T h e G u y a n a Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) warmly congratulates His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and the Government of Guyana on the launch of the Guyana Development Bank. Established under the Guyana Development Bank Act 2026 and backed by US$100 million in initial capital, the Bank represents a landmark investment in the people who power our economy: Guyana's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). For too long, access to affordable finance has stood between a good idea and a growing business. By offering loans of up to GY$3 million at zero interest and without collateral, paired with mentorship and technical support, the Bank removes that barrier for entrepreneurs across the country, from our hinterland and riverine communities to our towns and city. T h e G u y a n a Development Bank arrives at exactly the right moment. Many of our SMEs are no longer content to grow one small step at a time. They are aiming to leapfrog: to bypass traditional, incremental growth stages and move directly to advanced technologies, modern equipment and new business models. Guyana's economy is rapidly expanding,
Guyanese companies must be ready to compete for that business today, not years from now. Affordable capital is what will turn the ambitions into reality for small businesses to accelerate their growth and have the capacity to win larger contracts. This is a historic time for Guyanese entrepreneurs. The Guyana Development Bank tells every small business owner that their ambition matters to this nation's future. Our SMEs have talent and determination. What many lack are affordable capital to invest in the technology and systems that let them compete. That door is now open. We c o m m e n d t h e Government for this bold move, and we urge our businesses to walk through that door with well-prepared plans and the confidence to think big.The GMSA is preparing to support small businesses across all sectors to make the most of this opportunity. As the voice of manufacturing and services in Guyana, the Association will work alongside the Bank and its partners to help SMEs prepare sound business plans, financial records and loan applications; connect entrepreneurs with mentorship, technical expertise and training; link small businesses to buyers, supply chains and new markets through GMSA's industry networks and B2B
platform; encourage investment in modern equipment, technology and quality standards that allow firms to leapfrog; and carry the private sector's feedback to the Bank so its programmes continue to meet the needs of businesses on the ground. To every manufacturer, farmer, artisan, technician and service provider: this is your moment. Do not wait for opportunity to find you. Put your records in order, define clearly how financing will grow your business, and reach out to the GMSA for support. Think beyond survival to scale, and beyond today's customers to the opportunities in Guyana's growing economy and in markets across the region. Borrow wisely, invest in productivity, and repay faithfully, so that the Bank's resources keep growing and reach the next entrepreneur in line. Guyana's transformation will be measured not only by what we produce from the ground, but by the strength of the businesses Guyanese build and own. T h e G u y a n a Development Bank gives our SMEs a powerful tool to build them, and the GMSA stands ready to help turn that vision into reality. Yours sincerely, Rafeek Khan President Guyana Manufacturing & Services Association
From page 4 Caribbean post-conviction jurisprudence. The moment Magistrate Gibbs pronounced Seeram guilty, his constitutional presumption of innocence was extinguished. Under the landmark Guyana Court of Appeal decision State v Scantlebury (1976), and affirmed across the region, granting bail to a convicted person requires the demonstration of "exceptional circumstances" [30]. Prior compliance with pre-trial bail does not meet this threshold. Attempting to leverage Seeram's employment as the PPP/C-appointed Director of the BPU [16] as an "exceptional circumstance" is legally baseless. Doing so formalises a two-tiered justice system where political utility and executive access buy immunity from the penal code. The "No Objection" Anomaly: Naked Executive Meddling The most startling evidence of government interference occurred during the emergency 5:45 p.m. High Court hearing before Justice Joy Persaud-Singh. State Counsel S. Lall, representing the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Attorney General, explicitly stated on the record that the State held no objection to Seeram being granted post-conviction bail [1]. This mirrored the earlier, highly anomalous stance of Police Prosecutor Ganesh Hira in the lower court [3]. In Guyanese criminal practice, it is virtually unprecedented for the State to acquiesce to post-conviction bail for an offender guilty of violence against a vulnerable victim. This synchronised capitulation points to only one reality: direct executive instruction. The government, having poached Seeram
from the opposition APNU+AFC and handed him a sensitive national security portfolio, faces a sunk-cost fallacy. To avoid the disastrous optics of their Border Patrol Director in a prison jumpsuit, the prosecutorial apparatus is being weaponised to spring him loose. Judicial Resilience and Blatant Hypocrisy Despite this unified, politically engineered front, High Court Justice Joy Persaud-Singh refused to act as a rubber stamp. Demonstrating acute judicial independence, she denied the immediate release order, mandating a formal Memorandum of Reasons from Magistrate Gibbs and an Affidavit of Defence from the Attorney General, forcing the State to litigate on strict legal grounds rather than backroom consensus. The PPP/C administration's handling of this case exposes a devastating double standard. While the government invests heavily in anti-Gender-Based Violence (GBV) campaigns in a country where 55% of women experience violence [33], it utilises its legal machinery to facilitate the release of a convicted abuser. The message to Guyanese women is bleak and unmistakable: the laws designed to protect you are entirely subordinate to the political utility of your abuser. The Daniel Seeram case is no longer just about domestic violence; it is a national referendum on the rule of law. The impending High Court rulings will determine whether Guyana's judiciary can withstand the crushing weight of executive interference, or if the court system is merely a theatre where the politically connected hold all the strings. Sincerely A concerned citizen
Guyana needs inclusive... From page 5 cannot avoid their fair contribution to national development. Guyana is becoming richer, but that does not automatically mean Guyanese are becoming more secure, included or empowered. Oil wealth gives us an opportunity to break from the failures of the past. But if wealth is concentrated, opportunity restricted and citizens excluded from decisions affecting their future, economic
growth could intensify the very divisions social cohesion is meant to overcome. Guyana therefore needs more than development; it needs inclusive development. The nation's wealth must create decent work, broaden opportunity, strengthen institutions and give every Guyanese a reason to believe they belong in the future being built. Sincerely Lincoln Lewis
Wednesday October 07, 2026
Kaieteur News
PAGE 07
Kaieteur News
PAGE 08
Wednesday October 07, 2026
US$214M Exxon audit dispute now before ICC — Govt. confirms failure to agree on sole expert More than five years after a British consultant flagged the misuse of US$214 million of Guyana’s oil money by ExxonMobil, the stalemate has landed before the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). This was confirmed by Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat in a brief telephone interview with Kaieteur News on Tuesday. The minister told this publication, “Yes the ICC will make a decision on a sole expert.” The two sides were unable to agree to a sole expert to resolve the dispute on the first audit of US$1.6
billion in expenses racked up by Exxon during the period 1999 to 2017. As such, Bharrat said the procedure laid out in the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) has been followed where the two parties are currently before the international body awaiting the appointment of a sole expert to determine the way forward on the US$214 million dispute. He was unable to state how soon a decision from the body is likely. “It’s already with the ICC. We have to wait on them. No fixed timeframe as yet,” Bharrat added. I n J u n e t h i s y e a r, Exxon’s vice president and
business services manager, John Colling hinted that the dispute may land before the ICC. Colling said, “So we’re in discussion currently with the government of Guyana regarding the selection of the sole expert. We have not yet landed on a sole expert but have discussed a process to ultimately arrive at one.” As such, he noted, “If we’re unable to arrive at a mutual selection, that can be referred to the ICC to make the selection, which very well may be the next step in the process.” The discussions to appoint a sole expert have been ongoing between the two sides for over a year
now. Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo during a press conference in September 2024, disclosed that the time for discussions over the US$214 million disputed expenses of Exxon had expired, triggering the next step stipulated under the PSA. “We now have to trigger the provisions under the PSA. Which means some form of a mediated settlement or arbitration. So, we have gone past the issue of clarifying between the two parties’ costs. We have a dispute over $214 million that should not be part of the cost bank,” the chief policymaker for the sector said. Exxon said the two parties have been working diligently to find a sole expert acceptable to both sides. When asked whether Exxon and the government agreed to a timeline to identify the sole expert before proceeding to ICC, Colling said, “We are willing to work with the government as long as it takes to bring
Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat this matter to resolution. I think ultimately all parties would like to move forward.” He maintained, “As sole experts are considered they must meet a number of qualifications that are acceptable to both parties and certainly objectivity is one of them so that is one of the criteria that we are discussing with the government as well as
relevant experience which is another key factor.” The US$214 million in question was flagged by the British Consultant, IHSMarkit, in an audit conducted of Exxon’s expenses incurred between 1999 and 2017. Exxon submitted a bill of US$1.6 billion to Guyana for the period. The audit report was Continued on page 10
Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 07, 2026
PAGE 09
The end of the Lula era The elections in Brazil have turned out to be more than electing a government. The first round, concluded on Sunday, has effectively signalled the end of an era and the changing of an age in the region. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, at age eighty, finished second to Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of Jair Bolsonaro, the president whom Lula succeeded in 2023. The margin was narrow—47.03 percent to 45.16 percent but history is often written by margins that appear insignificant on election night and ominous in retrospect. Brazil's electoral authority has confirmed the result, with the two top candidates now proceeding to the October 25 runoff. The larger significance lies beyond Brazil. Lula had become, in a very literal sense, the last man standing against a renewed rightward surge across Latin America. The sequence is difficult to ignore. Argentina moved from Alberto Fernández and Peronism to Javier Milei. Ecuador moved away from the Correísta left, with Daniel Noboa defeating Luisa González. Peru moved through the collapse of Pedro Castillo and the subsequent conservative electoral victory of Keiko Fujimori. Chile replaced Gabriel Boric with José Antonio Kast. Bolivia ended the long electoral dominance of Evo
Morales's Movement for Socialism when Rodrigo Paz won in 2025. Colombia, after Gustavo Petro's historic leftwing presidency, turned to Abelardo de la Espriella in 2026. Costa Rica likewise moved away from the centreleft government of Carlos Alvarado, electing Rodrigo Chaves and subsequently Laura Fernández. And now Brazil. For all the differences between these countries, Brazil matters disproportionately. It is South America's largest country, its largest economy and one of its most consequential military and diplomatic powers. What happens in Brasília reverberates across the continent. Lula therefore represented more than the Workers' Party. He represented the survival of a particular conception of Latin America, one in which governments could resist external pressure, pursue independent foreign policies, defend multilateralism, maintain relations with competing centres of power and refuse to accept that the hemisphere must permanently orbit Washington. His room for manoeuvre, however, was limited. His government entered office in 2022, without a congressional majority of its own. It has had to govern through coalitions and political horse trading. History is not now on Lula's sid e. In every presidential c o ntest since 1989 that
required a second round, the candidate who finished first in the opening round ultimately won the presidency. Fernando Collor did it in 1989; Lula in 2002 and 2006; Dilma Rousseff in 2010 and 2014; Jair Bolsonaro in 2018; and Lula again in 2022. Only the 1994 and 1998 elections were settled in the first round, both by Fernando Henrique Cardoso. If Lula ultimately leaves office, as now seems certain, Latin America will lose one of its most consequential counterweights to the renewed influence of the political right. His departure would also remove from active politics a leader whose international stature and decades of political relationships have given him an influence that cannot simply be transferred to another politician. The consequences extend to Cuba. Havana has already watched its South American diplomatic space contract. Argentina has changed governments. Ecuador has changed direction. Bolivia has changed direction. Colombia has changed direction. Brazil itself may now be moving in the same direction. Guyana, once among Cuba's sympathetic Caribbean and hemispheric partners, has also distanced itself from Havana. A loss by Lula in the decisive second round of Brazil's election will change the strategic arithmetic. A
DEM BOYS SEH
Overtime is now an obsolete word A man went to he boss and seh, “Boss, I work ten hours yesterday. Where is me overtime?” Boss look at him and seh, “Overtime? You mean you want extra pay because you work extra?” “Exactly.” Boss shake he head. “Young man, you must understand business. We pay you for eight hours. The other two hours is called national service.” That is how overtime does disappear in Guyana. Not because the hours disappear, but because somehow the money does disappear with it. The law supposed to be clear. When workers go beyond the stipulated working hours, overtime is supposed to attract timeand-a-half. But apparently some employers reading the law with the same glasses people use to read small print on a medicine bottle. Worker could start at eight in the morning, leave at five, six, seven o'clock, and when payday come, he seeing only the regular salary. “Boss, what about the overtime?” “Overtime?” “Yes, I work three extra hours.” “Oh, that. We consider that part of your
commitment to the company.” Commitment? If commitment could pay bills, nobody would need salary. But here is where things get even sweeter. Some government agencies does have workers who have to remain on the job beyond 4:30 p.m. But instead of paying overtime at the proper rate, workers sometimes getting a flat allowance. Dem seh public service rules allow for commuted payment. But dem boys asking whether those rules are in violation of the Labour Act. Meanwhile private employers saying, “We can't afford overtime.” Government agencies saying, “We don't call it overtime. We call it an allowance.” Worker saying, “Call it whatever you want. Me electricity company calling it arrears.” The real mystery is who enforcing the overtime laws? Because if the law says timeand-a-half and everybody paying half-andhalf, Guyana don't have an overtime problem. Guyana got an enforcement problem working regular hours plus overtime. Dem Boys seh the only thing working harder than some Guyanese workers is the excuse for not paying them. Talk half. Leff half.
hemisphere with fewer governments prepared to oppose intensified American pressure gives Washington greater room to further strangle Cuba and eventually invade a country that it once tried to buy on three occasions. Russia, China and Iran can provide Havana with diplomatic, economic or political support, but geography remains an inconvenient fact of international politics. None possesses the immediate hemispheric position that Brazil commands. Mexico remains an important
potential counterweight, but its ability to compensate for the disappearance of Brazilian support should not be exaggerated. This is why Sunday's Brazilian vote deserves to be read as more than a contest between Lula and Bolsonaro's son. It is a contest over the political direction of the continent. Lula, once the towering figure of the Latin American left, now finds himself standing at the edge of the platform, watching the train that once carried his political generation disappear around the bend.
At the age of 80 a loss on October 25 will bring an end to the Lula era. The people of Brazil will decide whether he boards another train on October 25. He would have to defy the history of Brazilian elections to do so. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper
Uranium EIA exemption sparks fresh... From page 3 nowhere to be found on the EPA website, has not been shared with the general public and, as such, cannot be scrutinised. Further, it was outlined that the concept of EMPs is nowhere to be found in Guyana's Environmental Act. “In extractive mining projects an EMP usually is dependent on the findings of an EIA for operational rules and accountability. But here there is no EIA so how there can be an EMP, what would this be based upon. This is putting the cart before the horse,” they argued. Another concern listed was in relation to the 88,000 metres of drill core, equivalent to 54 miles, from prior drilling. Pointing to information in the project summary, the signatories outlined concerns about how badly these core drill samples were stored. “So we have serious concerns that these may have already leached into the surrounding areas and caused serious environmental risks to flora, fauna,
waterways including air dispersion which could have affected communities and people using this airstrip over a period of many years,” it was noted. “…as concerned Guyanese, environmental defenders, and Indigenous First Nations demand the immediate suspension of all aspects of uranium exploration and mining by Lia (Guyana) Inc. Mineral Exploration Project– Kurupung Project until full disclosure, public information, environmental regulations and necessary expertise is made available to all Guyanese,” the letter concludes. The letter was signed by: Abbyssinian Carto, Bonita Harris, Charlene Wilkinson, Desmond Ali, Frederick Collins, Joel Simpson, Jeremy Peretz, Kamini Bulkan, Ludex Mcdonald, Neville Trotz, Norris Witter, Raphael Singh, Vanda Radzik, Vidyaratha Kissoon, Greenheart Movement, Organization for the Victory of the People (OVP) and Red Thread.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 10
Wednesday October 07, 2026
MV Barima tragedy...
Would have handled differently Things could have been different. I would have made allowance. But when it was the same stink and dutty story with the MV Barima tragedy, there was only one road left. In the late hours of that fateful Saturday night of July, those early hours of Sunday morning, the little that was known amounted to
this. The MV Barima was in serious problem, an unknown number of Guyanese was in dire peril. The dead had no time to welcome death, so swift was its coming, with some still groggy from sleep. Those who were about to die were clutching at foam and air for traction, unwilling to believe, to accept, that their
time had come. The boat itself was in its death rattle, its last death roll. Then, that was it, other than survivors floating far and farther away. F r o m t h o s e circumstances, in those first hours, this much could be gathered. A tragedy of enormous magnitude. The people with the best information, with most of
the still sketchy details on Sunday morning were officers of the government. Guyanese were living in dread. They wanted to know. Yet, that was when the old and tired, the tried and the trashy, took over. Lockdown of information. Lashing out at questioners. Thus, the standard was set. An ancient one that is the hallmark of the PPP Govt. The captain that should have been on the bridge of the ship of state was MIA. So, the MV Barima spun its path to the bottom of the sea. And official spinning began to gain a full chimney of smoke. This was the crucial point, that most sensitive of moments. The road not traveled, the path not taken, that could have made all the difference. Someone in the PPP Govt. had to find that inner light called humanity and decency. Stepped forward, and said three simple words: I am responsible. I take responsibility. I offer myself. But no! the PPP doesn’t know about that degree of integrity, that type of human dignity. It opted for scoring points, bent on controlling
damage, limiting releases. It was about somebody standing humbly before Guyanese, and saying contritely: I failed. On my head. For one dead, I could have looked away. But not for a hundred. I believe it would have been the same reaction from the government, if it were 1000 dead. The president had to lead. The ministers then had to follow. The cabinet couldn’t have closeted itself and pretended (not my portfolio). A hundred dead is everyone’s portfolio. I make it mine. The president, or a minister, could have said humbly and sincerely, I am sorry. I let down the dead by choice of priorities. I lost them due to misplaced policies. I hurt them through practices that have no place in honest governance. But No! the character of leadership that should have been, never was present. If they had taken responsibility, offered honest apology, how could I have then said: I damn you, and still condemned them all? Maybe all Guyana would have denounced them, but due to that presidential and ministerial
(and g r o u p ) admission, I couldn’t and would not have done so. But then resistance and coverup (noise) and Commission of Inquiry and floating the sunk boat all took on more than a hint of taint. Then the road already stretching in front had to be walked, come what may. Now I discern the shady lengthening and slicksters up to their usual tricks. I see a land blighted by deformed men and women, and a population bound to go along to get along. To stay secure. To be part of the silence that obscures, is safe. I want to stand for leaders. But when they stand for nothing but the frothy and the slippery, what would that say about me, if I do? When 100 died how they did, then the cons ended. When they continued more strongly, there was no option left. But to stand and denounce them all. For how they destroy Guyanese. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
US$214M Exxon audit dispute now... From page 8 completed and handed over to the GoG since March 2021. The consultant advised that “GoG has reasonable grounds to dispute $214.4 million plus overhead adjustments of the costs currently included by EEPGL (now EMGL) in the cost bank. This amount represents 12.8% of the cumulative cost recovery balance as of Q4 2017 Statement.” SOLE EXPERT AND THE PSA Article 26 of the Petroleum Agreement states that if the parties fail to agree on a sole expert within 30 days, such expert shall be appointed by the ICC in accordance with its rules for the appointment of experts and neutrals. That timeline has long expired with some stakeholders accusing government of dragging its feet on the matter. The oil contract states at Article 26.10 “…the parties shall cooperate fully in the
expeditious conduct of such expert determination and provide the expert with access to all facilities, books, records, documents, information and personnel necessary to make a fully informed decision in an expeditious manner. The sole expert shall act as an expert and not as an arbitrator or mediator, and shall endeavour to provide an opinion on the dispute within thirty (30) days of his appointment, but no later than sixty (60) days after his appointment…” While the first audit drags on, two other audits of the company still remain to be concluded as well. The second audit, for the period 2018 to 2020 was conducted by VHE consulting. The local audit team found that another US$65 million of the US$7.2 billion in expenses was incorrectly charged to Guyana. Questions still remain on whether the full report was published by the GoG for the US$7.2 billion audit. Meanwhile Exxon’s third and largest audit, on record to date, amounts to a whopping US$19.6 billion. It was conducted by the same local group, VHE. Although government received that report since May 2025, it has refused to make the document public. The administration is also not inclined to highlight the disputed costs flagged by the auditors.
Wednesday October 07, 2026
AFC hails Corbin’s role in opposition unity
Former PNCR Leader, Robert Corbin The Alliance For Change (AFC) has paid tribute to former PNCR Leader and Opposition Leader, Robert Corbin, describing him as an astute politician, formidable strategist and a key figure in G u y a n a ’s p o l i t i c a l development. In a statement issued yesterday following Corbin’s passing, the AFC said his political contribution spanned decades and extended beyond the offices, which he held as party leader, minister, parliamentarian and attorney-at-law. The party singled out Corbin’s contribution to political cooperation and opposition unity, crediting his strategic vision and willingness to undertake the difficult task of bringing political forces together. According to the AFC, Corbin’s efforts helped set the stage for the formation of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and, s u b s e q u e n t l y, t h e Cummingsburg Accord, which brought the AFC and APNU together for the 2015 General and Regional Elections. The AFC described that development as an important m o m e n t i n G u y a n a ’s p o l i t i c a l h i s t o r y, demonstrating what could be achieved when political leaders looked beyond immediate partisan interests in pursuit of a broader national objective. The party acknowledged that there were tensions and political differences between the AFC and PNCR in the early years of their relationship. However, it said Corbin never allowed those differences to descend into personal rancour or disrespect towards the AFC. “ M r. C o r b i n n e v e r allowed those differences to descend into personal
rancour or disrespect towards the AFC,” the party said, describing his dealings with the Alliance as marked by “maturity, stoicism, restraint and a strong sense of nationalism.” The AFC said Corbin understood that political competition should not destroy the possibility of dialogue, cooperation and mutual respect. “Political parties and politicians are temporary custodians of a nation whose interests are greater than any individual or organisation,” the AFC said, reflecting on C o r b i n ’s a p p r o a c h t o politics. The party said it therefore honoured Corbin not merely for the offices he held, but for his contribution t o G u y a n a ’s p o l i t i c a l landscape and the development of the nation. The AFC extended condolences to Corbin’s wife, children, wider family, colleagues and friends, as well as all those mourning his death. “May they find strength and comfort in this difficult time,” the AFC said, while recognising Corbin’s service to Guyana and his contribution to the formation and development of the country.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 11
The meeting, held at the Aiden by Best Western Hotel, was chaired by Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Field.
Guyana takes regional aviation lead as CASSOS board meets Guyana has assumed a two-year leadership role within the Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System (CASSOS), with the regional body convening its 29th Board of Directors Meeting in Georgetown on Friday. The meeting, held at the Aiden by Best Western Hotel, was chaired by Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Field, A.A., marking the first CASSOS board meeting under his chairmanship.
According to the GCAA, all CASSOS member states were represented at the meeting, which focused on several key regional aviation priorities. Among the issues discussed were the full implementation of the CARICOM Multilateral Air Services Agreement (MASA), strategic organisational restructuring, measures to strengthen CASSOS’s financial sustainability and the advancement of the One Stop Security initiative. The discussions, the GCAA said,
reflected a shared commitment among Caribbean countries to strengthen cooperation and advance regional aviation standards. CASSOS is a specialised unit within CARICOM responsible for enhancing aviation safety and security oversight across the Caribbean. Guyana will hold the CASSOS Chairmanship for the 2026–2028 term, placing the country at the forefront of regional aviation leadership and efforts to maintain Caribbean standards in line with global aviation best practices.
PAGE 12
Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 07, 2026
Wednesday October 07, 2026
Kaieteur News
PAGE 13
Kaieteur News
PAGE 14
GHRA renews call for international probe into Guyana Police Force ...blasts Home Affairs Minister’s response to Karimbaksh allegations The Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) on Tuesday renewed its call for an independent international investigation into the Guyana Police Force, arguing that allegations of sexual assault against Deputy Commissioner of Police Fazil Karimbaksh have exposed what it described as longstanding weaknesses in the Force’s accountability mechanisms. In a strongly worded statement, the Association criticised the response of Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Waldron to the allegations involving Karimbaksh, questioning why the senior police officer has not been placed on leave or otherwise removed from operational duties pending the outcome of an investigation. The GHRA said the explanation that Karimbaksh cannot be sent on leave because he has not been charged, and that he cannot be relieved of his duties because the Police Service Commission (PSC) has not been appointed, raises further questions about accountability. The Association pointed out that the President is responsible for appointing the PSC and questioned whether the Minister would be calling on President Irfaan Ali to move to establish the Commission. Instead, the Minister has indicated that she intends to consult with the Commissioner of Police, the GHRA noted. The Association also questioned the continued tenure of the Commissioner, Clifton Hicken arguing that he is beyond the statutory retirement age and can be removed at any time. The GHRA said its archives contain numerous examples of what it described as failures in the handling of police matters, which it attributed to a lack of principled approaches to policing. “Ten days after the allegations were made no official statement has been made
President of GHRA, Michael McCormack over the investigative process to be adopted,” the Association said, drawing a comparison with the speed with which the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions recently recommended death sentences for three men held responsible for the 73 deaths aboard the MV Barima. The Karimbaksh allegations, the GHRA said, also revive concerns over the handling of sexual assault complaints by police. The Association referred to the November 2021 case involving a teenage girl who died by suicide shortly after her allegations of rape were investigated by officers at the Cove and John Police Station. According to the GHRA, the circumstances surrounding that case were subsequently used to justify the discontinuation of further official investigation into her rape claims. The Association also cited the death of child Adrianna Younge in 2025, which triggered nationwide protests and scrutiny of the Guyana Police Force. The GHRA said no charges were ultimately laid in that matter and recalled
that the controversy led to a petition calling for an “immediate, independent and thorough investigation” into the operations, conduct and leadership of the Guyana Police Force by a credible and impartial international organisation. The petition, signed by 195 individuals and supported by approximately 8,000 social media signatures, also raised concerns about alleged misconduct, money laundering, illicit acquisition of assets, procurement practices, politically driven promotions, the disappearance of narcotics and weaknesses in internal controls. The GHRA said allegations involving sexual assaults against female police officers and recruits should now be added to that list of concerns. It further claimed that the parliamentary petition was dismissed by the Speaker and was never placed before the National Assembly. The Association maintained that allegations of corruption and financial misconduct involving senior police officers, including claims of money laundering, bribery, illicit acquisition of assets and the disappearance of seized narcotics, underscore the need for an independent examination of the Force. “The arguments for an independent investigation of the Guyana Police Force remain valid and urgent,” the GHRA said. The Association welcomed a statement from the Women and Gender Equality Commission calling for a genuine investigation into the Karimbaksh matter. It also called on female Members of Parliament, particularly Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr. Vindhya Persaud, to publicly support a transparent investigation into the allegations. The GHRA said such action would be consistent with the responsibility of addressing the safety and protection of women.
Wednesday October 07, 2026
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Fizal Karimbaksh
GPSU women demand immediate leave for Karimbaksh over rape, gun threat allegations The Women’s Advisory Committee (WAC) of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has expressed “deep outrage and profound concern” over grave allegations of rape, systemic harassment and gun-related threats levelled ag ain s t D ep u ty Commissioner of Police and Head of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), Fizal Karimbaksh, by a female Police Inspector. According to the WAC, the formal police report contains allegations of multiple instances of forced sexual relations, explicit threats to life involving a firearm and abuse of power allegedly occurring within the headquarters of the Guyana Police Force. The Committee described the allegations as “tragic and sad,” particularly because they involve an institution entrusted with protecting citizens and upholding the law. “The allegations as described have to be traumatic to the female rank and to her family,” the WAC said, stressing that all persons are equal before the law. The Committee also criticised what it described as the “snail crawl” in delivering justice to the female officer, arguing that the delay appears to demonstrate disregard for her calls for impartiality. The WAC said the allegations, if established, represent serious violations of human rights, workplace safety and the institutional integrity of Guyana’s law enforcement apparatus. As an organisation dedicated to protecting the rights, safety and dignity of women in the public sector, the Committee said it is particularly concerned that Karimbaksh remains on active duty while the allegations are being investigated. “Leaving an accused perpetrator of highranking power in active
control of his office creates an environment ripe for witness intimidation, systemic bullying, and the tampering with crucial evidence,” the WAC stated. The Committee further argued that the State’s handling of the matter undermines the Decent Work Agenda and is inconsistent with the principles of ILO Convention 190, the Violence and Harassment Convention, which seeks to ensure workplaces are free from violence and harassment. The WAC is therefore demanding immediate action, including the placement of Karimbaksh on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. It is also calling on the Police Service Commission and other relevant oversight bodies to intervene and ensure that the investigation is independent, transparent and free from interference. The Committee is further demanding comprehensive psychosocial, legal and professional protection for the female Police Inspector and any witnesses who come forward, particularly protection against workplace retaliation and victimisation. “It is a stain on our public institutions that those months have elapsed before this female officer’s cries for justice were formally acknowledged,” the WAC said. The Committee declared its “absolute solidarity” with the female officer and women in uniform, while calling for an end to what it described as a culture of silence, protectionism and institutional complicity surrounding powerful alleged perpetrators. “The culture of silence, protectionism, and institutional complicity surrounding powerful perpetrators must end today,” the WAC said.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 07, 2026
Firefighters at the scene of the blaze on Monday.
Fire service contains blaze on Norton Street The Guyana Fire Service on Monday contained a fire from spreading at Norton Street, Georgetown. In a press release, the Fire Service said it received a call about a house on fire at Lot 22 Norton Street, Newburg Georgetown and immediately deployed water tenders 130, water carrier #26 and
crews under the command of Section Leader Devent of Headquarters, water tender #131 and crew under the command of Section Leader Marcus and crew from Campbellville Fire Station. Upon their arrival, smoke and fire were seen and they went swiftly into action to extinguish the blaze. The fire
was seen emanating from rubbish in the yard that had ignited with nearby combustible materials and spread to the nearby house, the Fire Service explained. The firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze stopping the fire from spreading further. Investigations are ongoing.
PAGE 15
Guyanese theatre, beauty and fashion pioneer Sita Singh Davenport dies at 80
Sita Singh Davenport
Sita Singh Davenport, a Guyanese woman whose extraordinary life took her from the theatre stages of Georgetown to the glamour of the European modelling world, has died. Davenport, who was born in Guyana on August 25, 1946, passed peacefully on October 1, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Florida, following a long illness. She was 80. Her death marks the passing of a woman remembered not only for her beauty and talent, but also for her pioneering contribution to Guyana’s theatre, beauty and fashion landscape. According to a statement issued by her sister, Supriya Singh Bodden, CCH, Davenport was among the performers in Continued on page 21
PAGE 16
Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 07, 2026
Wednesday October 07, 2026
Kaieteur News
PAGE 17
OP:ED BRAZIL ELECTONS 2026
A PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS As widely predicted, the 2026 Brazilian presidential election goes to a second round – a runoff election- on 25th October, since neither of the two leading candidates received 50% +1 of the votes cast, with Flavio Bolsonaro, son of imprisoned former president Jair Bolsonaro receiving 47.03 % of the votes cast and incumbent President Lula Da Silva gaining 45.16% of the votes. Under the 1988 Constitution of Brazil, if no candidate receives 50 %+1 of the total votes, a runoff between the top two candidates takes place. It is interesting to note
changes in government in Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Peru over the last year. On the other hand, Flavio Bolsonaro won the Southeast Brazilian state of Minas Gerais in the first round and his victory in this state carries added significance, since in every election since the return to direct elections in 1989, the candidate who won this state has become Brazil ‘s president. Analysts now posit that a fresh round of mobilisation must now be initiated to receive support from the voters who supported the
through the ‘mano dura’ or ‘iron fist’ approach to criminal gangs and drug traffickers, along with the construction of new prisons, following the popular model initiated by El Salvador. In relation to foreign policy, apart from being seen as a triumph for President Trump’s hemispheric policy, a Bolsonaro presidency would bring close alignment with US foreign policy positions including participation in the US-led Shield of the Americas and, in stark contrast to the Lula administration, a potential retreat from multilateralism and
that 21.04 % (33.4 million) of eligible electors did not vote at Sunday’s elections and 2.2 million blank ballots and 3.6 million invalid ballots were recorded. The eliminated candidates collectively totaled 7.82% of the votes cast. Of equal significance is that no candidate who has placed second in the initial round of a Brazilian election has ever won in a second/runoff round since it was introduced under the country’s 1988 Constitution. These statistics indicate a crucial test for President Lula, who at 80 years old, and facing an emboldened opposition, has already witnessed anti-incumbent voting and
eliminated candidates in the first round and, at the same time, bring to the polling places, a significant number of voters who abstained from Sunday’s first round. It has been observed while his right-wing political orientation remains strong, like most of the new Latin American presidents, Flavio Bolsonaro has campaigned on issues mainly articulated by frustrated citizens, and on a platform centered around fiscal conservatism, and a return to economic growth through reduced federal spending and lower taxes. Additionally, Bolsonaro has pledged aggressive policies aimed at reducing crime
reduced engagement with the BRICS group. President Lula, on the other hand, framed his campaign around the maintenance of social protection, higher minimum wages, the strengthening of national institutions, border security and the protection of state sovereignty. Additionally, in relation to foreign policy, President Lula’s campaign included the maintenance of multilateralism as a priority area of focus, continued alignment with the Global South and sustained engagement with the BRICs group. A new government under Lula may seek to enhance South American relations through a reengineered regional
By Dr. Mark Kirton Director, Center for International and Border Studies integration effort and a reconfigured UNASUR which can serve to provide mutual benefits in areas such as trade, security and energy security. As a neighbouring state, with more than five decades of formal diplomatic relations, Guyana must seek to strategically analyse the potential outcomes of the elections in that country. As previously noted, Brazil, a reliable partner, which has settled borders with Guyana for more than a century, has consistently supported the sanctity of juridically - established borders and provided support as a counterweight to potential aggression and, irrespective of the government holding office, has continued to actively pursue the enhancement of bilateral ties. In Sunday’s elections, in the border state of Roraima, Flavio Bolsonaro received 71.1% of the votes cast, while Lula Da Silva received 21.1 % of the votes. In the state of Amazonas, Bolsonaro received 45.1% and Lula received 48.1 % of the votes cast. In Georgetown, the only polling centre in Guyana, where there was a low voter turnout, Flavio Bolsonaro received 81.13 % and Lula garnered 13.21 % of the 53 votes cast. This turnout could be attributed to the location of the singular polling place in the capital, while large numbers of Brazilians are located in the hinterland and interior regions of Guyana. Irrespective of the political configuration in both states of Northern Brazil, Guyana-Brazil trade and economic relations as well as people - contact continue Continued on page 20
Kaieteur News
PAGE 18
Wednesday October 07, 2026
NAREI gets $60M vehicle boost to strengthen extension services, CFF surveillance
Some of the pick-up trucks handed over to NAREI
Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha hands over the keys of the vehicles to an official of NAREI Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha on Tu e s d a y h a n d e d o v e r approximately $60 million in vehicles to the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) to strengthen its extension services and enhance national surveillance, monitoring and control of the Carambola Fruit Fly (CFF).
The fleet comprises five pickup trucks, six AllTerrain Vehicles (ATVs) and 12 motorcycles and was procured under the Agricultural Infrastructure Development Programme (AIDP), for which the Cooperative Republic of Guyana received financing from the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF). During the handing-over
exercise, Minister Mustapha u n d e r s c o r e d N A R E I ’s critical role in supporting the development and modernisation of Guyana’s agriculture sector through research, extension and technical support to farmers, the Agriculture Ministry said in a press release. “NAREI is the premier research institution in this country. We have been
ensuring that NAREI has the facilities and is well equipped to provide the necessary guidance and services as we advance our food security efforts,” Minister Mustapha said. He noted that strengthening institutions such as NAREI forms part of the Government’s wider food-security agenda and its efforts to position Guyana as a major agricultural producer within the Caribbean. “Our President, as you know, is placing a lot of emphasis on food security, not only at the local level, but also at the regional level. We want Guyana to be the premier food producer in CARICOM, and we are moving aggressively in those efforts,” he said. Minister Mustapha pointed to the significant increase in public investment in agriculture over the years, noting that the sector’s budget has grown from approximately G$18 billion to G$113 billion in 2026. He said these investments are geared towards providing the infrastructure, equipment, technology and other resources necessary to improve productivity and
strengthen the services available to farmers. He also reminded NAREI’s employees of the important responsibility they have in ensuring that the Government’s policies and programmes are effectively implemented. “As employees of this institution, you play a very important role. You are tasked with the responsibility of executing the Government’s policies, and this is why we are working to provide, as best we can, the necessary facilities,” he said. Minister Mustapha also urged staff to safeguard the new vehicles and ensure they are used strictly for their intended purposes. “I urge that you use them in the best interest of the country and for their intended purposes. Let’s not abuse these very critical assets,” he added. The investment will significantly improve the m o b i l i t y o f N A R E I ’s technical and extension personnel, particularly in farming communities and areas where access can be challenging. A major focus will be the strengthening of Guyana’s national CFF surveillance network, allowing officers to conduct regular trapping,
monitoring and field inspections, particularly in major fruit-producing areas. The Carambola Fruit Fly Programme is a national initiative aimed at preventing the establishment and spread of the destructive pest. Effective surveillance, early detection and rapid intervention are critical to p r o t e c t i n g G u y a n a ’s expanding fruit industry and supporting the country’s efforts to achieve pest-free status and safeguard access to export markets. The additional transportation will also s t r e n g t h e n N A R E I ’s engagement with farmers and communities through extension visits, farmer education and public awareness, while allowing officers to respond more effectively to agricultural issues in the field. Through continued investments in research, extension, infrastructure, technology and institutional capacity, the Government is working to ensure that agencies such as NAREI are adequately equipped to execute their mandates while protecting farmers’ livelihoods, food security, agricultural production and G u y a n a ’s e x p a n d i n g agricultural trade.
Several ATVs were also donated to NAREI
Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 07, 2026
PAGE 19
MV Barima CoI to last 6 months amid boycotts, protests over unsalvaged vessel The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the MV Barima disaster will likely take up to six months to complete its work and produce a final report, despite a two-month timeframe initially mandated by the president. Commission Secretary Javed Shadick at a press briefing on Tuesday explained that interviewing over 100 potential contacts, managing crossexaminations, and conducting regional field visits mean the twomonth deadline is unrealistic. An interim or final report is now expected within six months. The extended timeline coincides with a low initial turnout of witnesses, alongside deep hesitation from victims’ families over the sunken ship itself. According to Shadick, only one person has formally approached the
secretariat to indicate an intent to provide evidence as sittings and site visits begin. “I would say now that not many persons have stepped forward. Only one person has met with the secretariat, informing us of their intent to step forward,” Shadick stated. The low participation follows strong pushback from grieving relatives. Speaking to Kaieteur News during their weekly protest outside the office of the president, family members of the deceased stated they are unwilling to participate in the CoI because the MV Barima has not been salvaged. They contend that a thorough investigation into seaworthiness and capacity is impossible without a physical inspection of the vessel’s hull. Furthermore, members of the
crew and the captain, including those currently remanded or facing legal proceedings, are eligible to testify. “They are most welcome to [give evidence],” Shadick noted, adding that constitutional protections against selfincrimination will apply. The commission’s legal team, led by counsel Arudranauth Gossai and Teni Housty, alongside maritime technical experts on the panel, will interview witnesses grouped into distinct categories, first responders, maritime officials, technical experts, and survivors. The commission has outlined an intensive upcoming itinerary to begin its work. Sittings will commence with an initial open listening session at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, followed by an afternoon meeting with survivors and families of the victims. On
Thursday at 09:00 AM, the panel will conduct a site inspection of Kingston Wharf, followed by visual inspections at the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) and the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) on Friday. Sittings will then expand next week to include field outreach visits in Mabaruma and Port Kaituma. Reporters raised additional procedural hurdles facing the sixmonth probe, including incomplete passenger manifests, potential crew fatigue, and communication challenges with non-English speaking survivors or families. The secretariat confirmed that translation services and counseling support are being put in place for foreign-language participants. To address missing manifest data and overcrowding claims,
Secretary Javed Shadick commissioners with specialized maritime expertise will analyze all available operational documentation gathered by legal counsel. To overcome the high aviation costs that prevent Region One residents from traveling to Georgetown, the commission will consider taking its sittings directly to Mabaruma, Port Kaituma, and surrounding hinterland communities depending on “the numbers”.
Suriname rejects 384.8 tonnes of Guyana rice over missing import approval
Application submitted after part of the cargo was cleared (Starnieuws)
Phyto certificate Guyana (Starnieuws) Surinamese authorities have rejected a 384.8-tonne shipment of rice from Guyana and ordered that it be returned to the country of origin after discovering that the importer had failed to obtain the required authorisation before taking the agricultural product into the
country. Suriname’s Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (LVV), Mike Noersalim, told Starnieuws that the shipment entered the country without the importer completing the mandatory authorisation
procedure with his ministry. Part of the cargo had already been cleared and removed from the port by customs when LVV authorities discovered that the required permissions had not been obtained. The cleared portion was subsequently ordered returned to the port. The shipment, which was destined for the B. Ramadhin Rice Factory in Nickerie, arrived from Guyana aboard the MV Falk. Guyanese phytosanitary documentation obtained by Starnieuws indicates that the cargo consisted of 384,800 kilogrammes of rice. The phytosanitary certificate was issued by Guyana’s National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) on September 29, 2026. However, Noersalim said a phytosanitary certificate issued by the exporting country does not, by itself, authorise the importation of
agricultural products into Suriname. Under Suriname’s regulations, importers are required to obtain advance phytosanitary authorisation from the Surinamese NPPO and comply with specific import conditions established by LVV. The minister said the importer must submit an application for phytosanitary authorisation together with the exporter’s phytosanitary certificate and commercial invoice. LVV then conducts a document review before granting official permission for the import. Once the shipment arrives, the importer must also coordinate with LVV for a mandatory physical inspection before the goods can be released. Noersalim said that even where goods arrive outside regular working hours and an exemption is granted for temporary transfer to Continued on page 22
PAGE 20
Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 07, 2026
Guyana economy projected – World to grow 23.7% in 2026 Bank Guyana is set to remain the fastest-growing economy in Latin America and the Caribbean, with real GDP projected to expand by 23.7 per cent in 2026, according to the World Bank’s latest Latin America and the Caribbean Economic Update. T h e Wo r l d B a n k ’s October 2026 report places Guyana’s projected growth well ahead of every other country in the region, reflecting the continuing impact of the country’s oildriven economic expansion. The report projects Guyana’s economy to grow by 18.7 per cent in 2027 and another 15.3 per cent in 2028, following growth of 19.3 per cent in 2025. Guyana recorded growth of 43.8 per cent in 2024 and 33.8 per cent in 2023. T h e Wo r l d B a n k specifically identifies Guyana and Suriname as
exceptions to the more tempered economic recovery occurring elsewhere in the Caribbean, describing their performance as being driven by oil expansions. Tourismdependent Caribbean economies, by contrast, continue to face high energy and transportation costs. The report’s projections show the scale of Guyana’s economic outperformance. While the wider Latin American and Caribbean region is expected to grow by only 2.2 per cent in 2026, G u y a n a ’s p r o j e c t e d expansion is more than ten times the regional rate. Regional growth was 2.4 per cent in 2025. LAC REU Executive Summary Oct 2026. However, the World Bank cautions that the region’s headline growth figures mask significant differences among
countries. It argues that stronger economic performance is possible where governments pursue sound and durable policies capable of encouraging investment and strengthening market confidence. The report also highlights artificial intelligence as a potential new engine of productivity across the region. It warns, however, that access to AI technology alone will not automatically translate into higher productivity. According to the World Bank, the major constraint is “absorptive capacity”—the ability of governments, businesses and workers to effectively adopt and use new technologies. This requires stronger human capital, digital infrastructure, usable data and better management practices.
A PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS From page 17 to grow and it can be expected that these ties will continue to grow as development on both sides of the border increases. As analysis of the potential impact on Guyana of the results of the second round of Brazil’s presidential elections unfolds, there are several issues which must be interrogated. While that country’s support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity will undoubtedly remain unhindered, Brazil must be consistently engaged, as the middle-power state in South America, irrespective of the government in place, to play a leading role in supporting compliance with the judgment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) , in the post-adjudication period , extending its influence to ensure that South America is maintained as a zone of peace. A government led by Flavio Bolsonaro, given its alignment with US policy positions, and with membership of the US-led Shield of the Americas early in the life of that government, can join Guyana which is already an active participant in the Shield’s activities, and this can lead to a more robust and coordinated defence and security engagement. On the other hand, while there are those who posit that the presence of a regional power as a neighbour with close alignment to the United States can bring about a more predictable geopolitical environment geopolitical and can yield mutual benefits, the current transactionalist approach of the US government has to be considered, given its current moves to engage Venezuela, especially in the oil and gas sector and its implications for smaller regional states like Guyana. A new Lula-led government will be expected to continue its policy focused on the maintenance of Guyana’s sovereignty and its borders settled, and on the diversification of Guyana’s linkages to reduce reliance on a singular distant security alliance. In relation to trade and infrastructure development, any new Brazilian government, led by Bolsonaro or Lula, will
seek to accelerate the development of surface, air and maritime connectivity as priorities to maximise the potential benefits of increased trade and people-contact through the completion of the Linden Lethem roadway and the proposed deepwater harbour, as well as new airline connectivity, given the fact that Guyana is the only South American country that does not currently have direct airline connectivity with any Brazilian city. Additionally, Guyana’s emerging oil and gas sector has attracted serious interest globally, will also see additional focus being placed on the energy corridor in the Guiana Shield, which includes Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela. A new government in Brazil in early 2027, led by left-wing Lula Da Silva or rightwing Flavio Bolsonaro must continue to receive close attention from the government and other Guyanese stakeholders including the private sector and civil society. Issues related to environmental protection, the Amazon rainforest and its contribution to the global community, border security, irregular migration and energy and food security must continue to be priorities on the bilateral agenda for sustained engagement. There is a saying that “it ain’t over ‘til the fat lady sings’. In other words, we should not assume an outcome until the event is completed. Both Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro must now be saying ‘Let’s get ready to rumble’, as they start this new abbreviated but competitive and complex phase of campaign activity. The first verse was sung by the proverbial ‘fat lady’ last Sunday and the second or last verse will be sung in three weeks’ time. Guyana must however be prepared and strategically positioned to join the chorus of engagement with a new government in Brazil that leads to sustained bilateral cooperation, greater understanding, enhanced mutual trust and greater benefit to citizens of both states.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 07, 2026
PAGE 21
President’s lawyer admits reporting Opposition Leader’s page before Meta suspension Attorney Selwyn Pieters has confirmed that he warned Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed that legal action could be taken over a social media post concerning President Irfaan Ali, while denying any involvement in the subsequent removal of several Facebook pages associated with Mohamed. The disclosure followed public statements by Mohamed and Pieters concerning a series of telephone calls on October 3, 2026, after Mohamed published a post about a Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) raid at a property linked to Ernesto Choo. According to Mohamed, his attorney, Siand Dhurjon, was contacted by Pieters on the evening of October 3. Mohamed said Dhurjon asked Pieters who he was representing, to which Pieters replied: “His Excellency the President.”
Azruddin Mohamed, Leader of the Opposition Mohamed further claimed that Pieters issued a direct warning during the conversation. “Let me be very clear. If those defamatory comments are not removed, particularly the reference to His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, I will have to deal with this in the context of defamation. Mr. Mohamed cannot cry victimization if I am forced to have Meta suspend his page. Again.”
Attorney Selwyn Pieters
Kaiet eur News subsequently contacted Pieters and asked him directly whether those were his words during the conversation with Dhurjon. “Yes, yes,” Pieters responded, confirming the statement.Mohamed has since pointed to the subsequent removal of three major Facebook pages associated with him-Team Mohamed's, which had approximately 540,000
followers; We Invest in Nationhood, with about 40,000 followers; and Azruddin Mohamed, leader of the opposition, with approximately 59,000 followers-as evidence of political censorship. “When those in power seek to silence the opposition leader because they object to what is being said, democracy itself is under threat,” Mohamed said. He described the
Region One gets first SEND school \The Ministry of Education has expanded access to specialised education in Region One with the official opening of the region's first Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) school in Mabaruma. In a press release the ministry said the 57th of its kind nationally, the new school can accommodate up to 30 learners. It currently has an enrolment of 15 learners and four staff members who are trained in Special Education Needs and Disabilities. The establishment of the Mabaruma SEND School represents another important milestone in the Ministry's ongoing efforts to strengthen inclusive education and ensure that learners with special educational needs and disabilities have access to the personalised support, resources, and learning opportunities they need to reach their full potential. Through the provision of specialised educational support within the region, learners and their families will have greater access to educational services without having to travel outside of their communities to receive the assistance they require. Moreover, the Mabaruma facility will not be the only SEND school in Region One, as similar initiatives are planned for the other two subdistricts – Moruca and Matarkai.
The new SEND school at Mabaruma
development as “authoritarianism” and the conduct of a “dictatorship.” He said efforts are currently underway to restore the main pages, while his team is operating through an alternate Facebook page, Hon. Azruddin Mohamed, Leader of the Opposition, which has about 14,000 followers.However, Pieters has rejected Mohamed's allegations “out of hand,” maintaining that he had no role, directly or indirectly, in the earlier deactivation of the primary Team Mohamed's Facebook page. Pieters challenged Mohamed to produce concrete evidence to support the allegation, including any official correspondence from Meta outlining the reasons for the initial suspension.He also pointed to conflicting explanations previously offered by Mohamed and his team for the page's removal, including claims involving the Guyana Police Force and allegations of copyright infringement. Pieters acknowledged, however, that he personally reported the specific post at the centre of the October 3 dispute to Meta.
He said the decision was made independently in his capacity as legal counsel authorised to represent President Ali in matters involving alleged defamation on social media. “In my considered professional judgment, the contents of that post were defamatory and went beyond the bounds of legitimate political criticism,” Pieters said.“I exercised the authority vested in me as counsel... and submitted the matter to Meta for its consideration under its applicable processes and p o l i c i e s . M e t a independently considered the submission and took whatever action it deemed appropriate.” Pieters maintained that freedom of expression and press freedom, while fundamental rights, do not protect individuals from the consequences of defamatory statements. “Where I determine, in the proper exercise of my professional judgment, that my client's legal rights have been infringed, I am entitled and professionally obligated to pursue the lawful remedies available to him,” he said.
Guyanese theatre, beauty...
Teachers engaging students at the school
From page 15 Mother Courage, a production which debuted in Guyana in the late 1960s. Her connection with the arts remains etched into the history of the Theatre Guild, where her photograph still hangs in the lobby. But theatre was only one dimension of Davenport’s creative life. A trained aesthetician and hairstylist, she established Coiffure d’Elegance in Guyana during the 1960s, one of the country’s early Parisian-inspired salons. The establishment reflected her flair for beauty, fashion and style at a time when such influences were beginning to reshape Georgetown’s social and cultural scene. Davenport later moved to London, where she pursued a successful modelling career. Her life there brought her into the orbit of the celebrity culture of early 1970s Europe, where she encountered famous singers, actors and personalities and experienced a lifestyle far removed from the Guyana in which she had been born. Yet, according to her family, it was not the glamour, beauty or celebrity associations that ultimately defined Davenport. It was her heart. “She was extraordinary,” her sister recalled, describing a woman with a “limitless, caring and loving heart” for everyone she encountered. Davenport remained deeply connected to her family and was known for looking out for its members with great love, while also giving back to the communities in which she lived. She leaves behind her daughter, Gina Gajraj. She was the daughter of the late barrister-at-law Sugrim Singh and the late Chandra Singh, and sister of the late Krishna Singh, Dr. Ranjit Singh, her twin sister Savitri Prashad, Chiquita Rahaman, Kamal Matthews, Sorojini Alli, Andrani Singh, Nandini O’Connell and Supriya Singh Bodden, CCH. She was also a beloved aunt to Rikesh, Dino, Nicholas, Natasha, Johann, Maya, Julian, Nadira, Emily, David, Graham, Amjad, Saara, Adam, Farah, Zahrah, Khalil and Javed. Her best friend, Ana Heitman Ardon, also mourns her passing.
PAGE 22
Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 07, 2026
France suspends high school classes as protesters clash with police WANTED One cook preferable form the East Bank.Contact #616-5700 or 748-0359 Reliable housekeeping staff needed. Must be punctual and detail oriented. Call 2250198 Reliable deskstaff needed. Must be punctual. Call 2250198 Reliable Receptionist needed. Must be punctual. Call 2250198
SERVICES Visa Application:U.S.A, Canada & UK:Graphics design, advertisements, wedding arch rentals.Tel:6267040. PEN PAL 51 year old male of African decent looking for future partner of any race within the age group of 40-50yrs. Call #603-6400
(AL-JAZEERA) Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has suspended high school classes across France for the rest of the week as protests demanding education reforms continue to sweep the country.Police fired tear gas at protesters blockading high schools on Tuesday as hundreds of thousands rallied in a number of cities calling for improvements to the education system, including replacing absent teachers, making lunch breaks longer and changing the length of the school day. Authorities put the number of protesters nationwide at about a quarter of a million, but organisers estimated the number of students and activists at closer to half a million. The High School Students Union said nearly 2,000 high schools were blockaded or closed for the day.Reporting from a march in the capital, Paris, Al Jazeera's Natacha Butler said a growing number of groups had joined the demonstrations.“We're seeing people from various unions – like the farmers' union, energy workers, teachers' unions – who've also said they're going to come out in support of the students,” said Butler. “Parents and teachers said they want to be here not just to support their children but to protect them as they are worried about troublemakers who may infiltrate the protests and excessive police force,” added Butler.
In the cities of Marseille, Nantes and Lyon, demonstrators took to the streets holding aloft signs which read “they don't really care about us” and “survive or study”. In Strasbourg, Lyon and Rennes, the protests turned violent at times, with police firing tear gas and protesters lighting fires in the streets and hurling projectiles. “When the answer is violence, it means democracy is no longer working,” said Hugo Vetzel, a recent high school graduate in Strasbourg preparing to attend university. “There is such a gap between the elites and us.” Government pledges The protests started two weeks ago in Paris's poorest suburbs, lighting a blaze that has spread across the country. The government said the movement has turned into urban violence, and riot police were deployed to some rallies. “Burning down a high school does not improve the state of high school buildings,” said Lecornu, as he announced the cancellation of classes. The prime minister added the move was aimed at empowering headteachers, teachers and pupils to pursue “internal democracy” to address concerns over school conditions. He also ordered ministers to address the students' demands by the end of October, saying that the government will look into repairing old campuses.There are doubts, however, how quickly the government can respond. “France is riddled with
debt; France has a real budget crisis. Where would that money come from to put budget into public services?” said Al Jazeera's Butler said. France's Ministry of Interior said that it has arrested 6,100 people since the beginning of the protests, the majority of them under the age of 18. The Ministry of Justice announced that more than 1,800 will be prosecuted, including 1,483 minors. During the protests, at least 215 teenagers have been wounded along with 715 police officers, according to Lecornu.On Monday, a 15year-old's hand was blown off during clashes between high school students and the po-
FOR SALE TRUCK TIRES 295/75R22.5 $40K EACH. CALL/ WHATSAPP +592-688-3201.
VACANCY Operators and Mechanic/ Serviceman needed for mining operation. Call #688-6575 Male cooks needed for mining operation. Call #688-6575
FOR RENT Furnished Apartment for rent. Tele#621-5282
importer’s expense. Authorities opted to return the Guyanese rice. The minister also confirmed that the importer will face legal action and financial penalties, describing the circumvention of the required procedures as an economic offense. FERTILISER SHIPMENT ALSO UNDER REVIEW Starnieuws also reported that the MV Falk carried a separate consignment of urea intended for the same enterprise. A pro forma invoice dated September 17, 2026, shows that Nand Persaud and Company Limited of Guyana billed R. Ramadhin Rice Mill for 600 metric tonnes of urea, comprising 12,000 bags of 50 kilogrammes each, with a stated value of US$600,000. Noersalim said documentation relating to the fertiliser shipment is also being reviewed. He noted that the invoice was submitted only after the vessel had arrived in Suriname, which he characterised as a deliberate act of deception. The minister also raised
about schools, this is about Islam wanting to take over a once great Country!” In August, the Republican president described Democratic candidates in the upcoming midterm US elections as “jihadists”, in an apparent reference to Muslim Democratic contender Abdul ElSayed after he secured his party's nomination for the Michigan primary elections last week.Advocates say such pronouncements fuel a proliferating wave of Islamophobic discourse among Republican lawmakers and elected officials in a bid to appeal to right-wing voters ahead of November's polls.
Landslides, hospital flooded, schools closed as tropical wave batter SVG (St Vincent Times) Heavy torrential rainfall from a passing tropical wave continues to pound St. Vincent and the Grenadines, triggering widespread flooding, road-blocking landslides, and severe community disruption across the island.Overnight downpours inundated key public infrastructure, including the country’s primary medical facility, while trapping families in their homes, forcing school closures, and obstructing critical transit corridors into the capital city of Kingstown. The intense deluge severely impacted the island’s main health facility, the Milton
Suriname rejects 384.8 tonnes of Guyana... From page 19 an importer’s warehouse, the cargo must still be inspected during regular working hours before final approval is granted. “Without one of these documents, he cannot remove that cargo from the port,” Noersalim told Starnieuws. In this case, customs had already cleared part of the shipment, allowing it to leave the port. LVV subsequently intervened after determining that the required import procedure had not been followed and ordered the cargo returned. Noersalim expressed concern over how the shipment was cleared without the necessary LVV authorisation and said he was consulting with the relevant authorities to determine how the breach occurred. Under Suriname’s plant protection legislation, unauthorised agricultural imports can either be destroyed or returned to their country of origin at the
lice in the northern city of Lens. The government said that approximately 200 to 250 protesters had thrown objects at the police.French newspaper La Voix du Nord said the teenager lost his hand and part of his arm after he picked up a police grenade during the protest. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has waded into the protests in France, blaming runaway immigration and Muslims, without providing any evidence. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump claimed that “what's happening in France is nothing less than out of control mass migration. This isn't
concerns about the impact of unregulated rice imports on Suriname’s domestic agricultural producers. He said locally produced paddy is currently selling at approximately SRD 700 per bale. While imported parboiled rice can be diverted to animal-feed markets, he said it does not have the same nutritional profile as the white broken rice produced from locally grown paddy. Noersalim warned that unregulated imports of cheaper rice for industrial or animal-feed purposes could undermine sales of locally produced broken rice and place additional pressure on Suriname’s agricultural sector. He reiterated that all agricultural imports must comply with Suriname’s legal and phytosanitary requirements and that the regulations would be enforced. “Nobody should call me to talk about things that are wrong,” Noersalim warned, stressing that the law would be applied firmly to prevent such practices.
Cato Memorial Hospital in Kingstown. Floodwaters penetrated the facility overnight, forcing health officials to prepare for the suspension of several hospital services as cleanup and damage assessments get underway. In central Kingstown, floodwaters that submerged several major thoroughfares overnight began receding by Tuesday morning. However, significant hazards remain, with heavy debris and sludge left scattered across Lower Bay Street and adjoining commercial zones.Emergency responders and local authorities received reports of severe community damage in Buccament, where heavy flooding and accumulated debris reportedly trapped at least two families inside their homes. In response to the deteriorating weather conditions and ongoing safety hazards, the Ministry of Education announced that all schools across St. Vincent would remain closed on Tuesday to ensure student and staff safety. Multiple landslides and waterlogged roadways reported early Tuesday morning: Fair Hall Road: A major landslide occurred just before Hill Top Church, making vehicular passage through the area extremely difficult. Sally Spring and Frenches Routes: The main road in the Sally Spring Bus area leading directly into Kingstown was rendered impassable, along with the connecting road running from Sally Spring through Frenches. Level Garden: Local residents reported an additional landslide blocking access early Tuesday morning. According to a 72-hour weather bulletin issued on Monday evening by Meteorological Forecaster Gregory
Cato at the St. Vincent Meteorological Services, the tropical wave will maintain unstable atmospheric conditions across the archipelago through Tuesday. Weather forecasters advise residents and motorists residing in areas prone to flash flooding and landslides, or those living near rivers and streams, to remain vigilant and exercise heightened caution.Despite the unstable weather and localized damage, meteorologists confirmed that no formal weather or marine advisories or warnings were officially in effect at the time of the update. Govt. pledges full support for recovery after heavy rains pummel SVG Prime Minister Dr. The Hon. Godwin Friday led a high-level government delegation to assess the damage caused by heavy overnight rainfall between October 5th and 6th.The inspection tour covered several heavily impacted areas, including Kingstown, the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, Campden Park, and Buccament. During the visits, the delegation evaluated physical site damage and met directly with emergency response personnel working in the field. Prime Minister Friday and his team reaffirmed the Government’s full commitment to providing the necessary support for nationwide recovery and infrastructure restoration. The Prime Minister was accompanied on the ground by key cabinet ministers and senior law enforcement officials: Major Hon. St. Clair Leacock, Hon. Nigel Stephenson, Hon. Laverne King, along with Junior Simmons (Operations) and Frankie Joseph (Administration), Deputy Commissioners of Police.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 23
‘Power must not shield abusers’ - civil society demands independent probe into Karimbaksh allegations A broad coalition of civil s o c i e t y o rg a n i s a t i o n s , activists, academics, religious representatives and individuals is demanding urgent action over allegations of sexual violence involving senior officials, arguing that men in positions of power must be held accountable regardless of their political, professional or social connections. The call comes against the backdrop of allegations of rape and threatening behaviour made by a serving female police inspector a g a i n s t D e p u t y Commissioner of Police Fazil Karimbaksh, head of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), and the recent conviction of former Region Four Regional Democratic Council Chairman and current National Border Patrol Director Daniel Seeram for assaulting his former wife. The Guyana Police Force has confirmed that it received allegations of rape and threatening behaviour against a senior officer and that Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken established a team to investigate the m a t t e r. H o m e A ff a i r s Minister Oneidge Walrond has said that, in her view, Karimbaksh should be placed on administrative leave while the investigation proceeds. She has also acknowledged that the Police Service Commission, which ordinarily has responsibility for disciplinary action involving senior police officers, is not currently constituted. The civil society signatories, however, say the situation raises fundamental questions about accountability within the Guyana Police Force and the wider system for dealing with gender-based violence. “Men in positions of power across the spectrum in
Guyana, including those with ministerial positions, or exercising leadership roles in political parties including the political party in Government have to take responsibility and action for their continuing and appalling, disgusting, abusive and criminal behaviour towards women,” they said. T h e y p o i n t e d specifically to the Karimbaksh allegations and the case involving Seeram as two recent examples of what they described as the abuse of women by men occupying positions of authority. Seeram was convicted on Friday of assaulting his former wife following a case that had been before the Sparendaam Magistrate's Court for almost three years. He was remanded pending sentencing on November 2. His subsequent application for bail was refused by the High Court. The signatories said gender-based violence remains widespread despite legislation, government programmes and training of police and other frontline workers. They questioned the effectiveness of programmes such as the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security's National Gender Empowerment Seal, arguing that success should not be measured simply by the number of people trained. “Clearly more needs to be done, better, more efficiently, and based on empirical evidence,” they said, adding that outcomes must include accountability for alleged abusers who have connections or occupy positions of power. 'What message is being sent?' The group said the allegations involving Karimbaksh must also be viewed against reports that previous allegations of gendered abuse had been made against him. They
Deputy Commissioner of Police and head of SOCU, Fazil Karimbaksh argued that a failure to properly investigate earlier allegations could potentially have allowed subsequent alleged abuse to occur. The signatories said the situation should prompt serious questions about the Guyana Police Force, particularly when senior officers face allegations of serious misconduct. “What is this saying about the Guyana Police Force when it seems there are no accountability measures when senior policemen face allegations of abuse?” they asked. They also questioned what message the handling of such cases sends to survivors and perpetrators of gender-based violence. The group rejected any suggestion that the absence of a functioning Police Service Commission should prevent action. “Surely it does not matter if a President or an unemployed person commits a sexual offence, the law must apply without fear or favour,” they said. Demand independent investigation The signatories are demanding that an independent investigation and special independent prosecutor be appointed to deal with the allegations against Karimbaksh. They questioned whether survivors and the wider public can have confidence in police investigating
Gold miner charged with unlawful possession of firearm, ammunition Mark Gentle, a 33-year-old gold miner of Durban Street, Lodge, Georgetown, was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Unlawful Possession of Ammunition without Licence, contrary to Section 16(2)(a) of the Firearms Act, Chapter 16:05.Gentle appeared on Tuesday before Her Worship Magistrate Caressa Henry at the Bartica Magistrate's Court, where the charges were read to him. He pleaded not guilty to both charges and was remanded to prison until November 17, 2026.
Mark Gentle
National Border Patrol Director Daniel Seeram
allegations against one of its most senior officers. “Justice must not only be served, it must appear to be served,” they said. Their concerns extend to reports that a confrontation between Karimbaksh and the female inspector could form part of the investigative process. The group contends that such a confrontation would conflict with Section 42 of Guyana's Sexual Offences Act. Section 42 provides that, once a report is made under the Act, a complainant cannot be required during the investigation to recount the complaint, or any part of it, in the presence of the accused unless the complainant wants to do so. The law also restricts requiring a complainant to be in the presence of the alleged perpetrator except for identification purposes, with safeguards including audiovisual links and twoway mirrors. The controversy over the issue intensified on Monday after Minister Walrond rejected claims that she had instructed investigators to confront the complainant with Karimbaksh, saying she had merely relayed information about the investigative process and did not direct anyone to violate
the law. The signatories nevertheless want the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security to ensure that the Sexual Offences Act is followed “to the letter.” They are also calling on the Commissioner of Police to work with the Human Services Ministry and civil society organisations to establish clear protocols for holding senior police officers accountable. “Training without accountability does not result in improved compliance with the law,” they said. The group also appealed to men who witness or become aware of violence against women not to remain silent. They argued that violence against women thrives in environments where other men refuse to challenge abusive behaviour by colleagues, friends, relatives or bosses. The signatories also expressed support for the female police inspector and other survivors who report abuse, describing the decision to speak out as a difficult and traumatic experience. They called for survivors to receive psycho-social and trauma counselling and other
support services. “We demand justice for the survivors of Deputy Commissioner Fazil Karimbaksh's alleged sexual crimes,” they said. “We demand that a special independent investigation and prosecutor be appointed for this case.” They further demanded that any confrontation prohibited by Section 42 of the Sexual Offences Act immediately cease and that persons responsible for conducting an unlawful confrontation be held accountable. The statement was signed by Alissa Trotz; Amerindian Peoples Association (APA); Arianne Harris; Blossom Inc.; Breadfruit Collective — Christine Samaroo; Carol Ann Marcus; Colette McDermott; Colin Klauky; Danuta Radzik; Darsh Khusial; Denise Dias; Desmond Ali; Elizabeth Cox; Ferlin Pedro; Fred Collins; Guyana Organization of Indigenous People (GOIP); Guyana Presbyterian Church — Rev. Patricia Sheerattan Bisnauth; Halima Khan; Immaculata Casimero; Indigenous Peoples Delegation of Guyana — Mark Anthony Rodrigues; Janette Bulkan; Jocelyn Dow; Joe Persaud; Kenrick Hunte; Linda Hustler; Ludex McDonald; Makushi Research Unit; Margo Boyce; Melissa De Santos; Mellissa Ifill; Mike Persaud; Nicola Noel; Renuka Anandjit; Reshma Persaud; Sexualities, Women and Genders (SWAG); Sherlina Nageer; Sonia Noel; Terry C a r s a r ; Tr a n s p a r e n c y International Guyana (TIGI); Trudie Daniels; Vanda Radzik; Vidyaratha Kissoon; We The People; and Wintress White.
Police find ganja during raid at Mahdia Police in Regional Division # 8 are investigating the discovery of a quantity of cannabis which was found on Saturday between 11:00hrs and 12:00hrs, during an operation conducted at 111 Miles Mahdia Arcade, Region #8. During the exercise, ranks conducted a search at Mahdia Arcade, during which a black plastic bag containing a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis was found concealed in an old refrigerator. The suspected cannabis was escorted to the Mahdia Police Station, where it was weighed and amounted to 470 grams before being lodged. No arrest was made. Investigations are ongoing.
The ganja that was seized by police ranks
Kaieteur News
PAGE 24
Rodrigues-Birkett stands by Gaza says if her UN Charter stance is used against her 'genocide' remarks —candidacy, “we will see where the UN is heading” Guyana's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, is standing by her characterisation of Israel's military actions in Gaza as genocide, even as her outspoken position reportedly threatens her bid to become the next UN Secretary-General. Last month, The New York Times and regional media reported that the United States was opposed to Rodrigues-Birkett's candidacy because of her strong criticism of Israel's military conduct in Gaza and her use of the term “genocide”, among other foreign-policy concerns. Speaking to veteran broadcaster Laura Trevelyan on her weekly programme, The Exchange, RodriguesBirkett addressed reports that Washington, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, could
block her candidacy. “Every word that I've uttered, I've uttered for my country and my government,” she said. The former Foreign Affairs Minister maintained that Guyana has consistently adhered to the UN Charter and advocated peaceful solutions to international conflicts. “What I've seen during these last years is lots of criticism being directed to the UN, particularly because we have not been able to end and prevent conflicts. We are in a situation where we have the highest number of conflicts since World War II,” she said. Rodrigues-Birkett pointed to the UN Charter's stated objective of saving succeeding generations from “the scourge of war”, arguing that the organisation must be judged by its ability to advance peace and security. “So to be effective, we have to work to have peace outcomes,” she said.
Guyana's Permanent Representative to UN, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett
The Ambassador acknowledged the geopolitical realities surrounding the UN and her candidacy, but said Guyana remains committed to defending international law and the principles of the Charter. Guyana was elected to the UN Security Council
with 191 of the 192 votes cast in the General A s s e m b l y, a m a n d a t e Rodrigues-Birkett said the country took seriously. “And so in every situation where there was a violation of international law, a violation of the Charter, Guyana spoke about this… Whether it was
in Sudan, whether it was in Gaza, wherever it occurred, we did,” she said. At the same time, Rodrigues-Birkett rejected any suggestion that her position amounted to hostility toward Israel. “But let me also say this, to paint me as anti any country is wrong,” she said, noting that as Foreign Affairs Minister she had appointed what she described as “the best ambassador I had” to Israel. She stressed that her statements were made in her capacity as Guyana's representative and in keeping with the position of the Guyana Government, rather than as a candidate for UN Secretary-General. Pressed on whether her stance could ultimately be used against her in the selection process, Rodrigues-Birkett said she would not retreat from the principles she has defended. “What I've heard from
the entire member states that I've spoken with in this campaign and before is they want a secretary-general that is true to the United Nations Charter, which is true to international law,” she said. “And if that is what I demonstrated on behalf of my country in the Security Council, and if that is what is going to be used against me in this, then I guess we will see where the UN is heading.” Despite the uncertainty surrounding her candidacy, Rodrigues-Birkett said she remains optimistic about the possibility of serving as Secretary-General and using the office to advance peace and cooperation among nations. “I would wake up every day looking to how we could find peace outcomes through different means, using the tools, but also the Security Council, working very closely with the Security Council,” she said.
Waldron denies ordering confrontation in Karimbaksh case Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Waldron has sought to clarify remarks she made about a “confrontation” between a female police officer and Deputy Commissioner of Police Fizal Karimbaksh, who is facing allegations of rape, harassment and threats. Waldron, during an online podcast, had said that a criminal investigation into the allegations was underway and that a confrontation between the two parties was expected to form part of the investigative process. “The confrontation has to be held with the team that is assigned and then after that confrontation then the matter will be adjudicated whether it is disciplinary action or criminal action. That will be for the criminal investigating department to determine and this team who is doing the investigation,” Waldron said. She had also indicated that because Karimbaksh is a Deputy Commissioner, a specific procedure had to be followed. Her comments, h o w e v e r, c a m e u n d e r scrutiny from human rights and transparency organisations, including Red Thread and Transparency
Institute Guyana (TIGI), which questioned the legal basis for such a confrontation. The groups pointed to Section 42 of Guyana's Sexual Offences Act, which provides protections for complainants and restricts circumstances in which a complainant may be required to recount an allegation in the presence of an accused person or to be in the accused's presence. Responding specifically to Red Thread in a statement posted on Facebook, Waldron rejected what she described as an attempt to mischaracterise her comments. “For the avoidance of doubt, I did not say that the complainant would be confronted by the accused. I did not mandate such a confrontation, and I have issued no instruction directing investigators to subject the complainant to any procedure contrary to the Sexual Offences Act,” Waldron said. She explained that she was communicating information provided to her about the investigative process. “The conduct of a criminal investigation is a matter for investigators, operating within the
parameters of the law. I neither design nor direct the day-to-day investigative procedures of the Guyana Police Force,” she said. Waldron accused Red Thread of attempting to turn her remarks into an instruction to violate the complainant's rights, calling that interpretation “false.” The Minister also criticised what she described as Red Thread's “predictable selectivity” in its public advocacy. “On matters involving the PPP/C Government, it readily emerges from the shadows, often with sweeping condemnation before establishing precisely what was said and in what context,” Waldron said. She argued that advocacy is important in a democracy but contended that “selective advocacy” should not be used to attribute positions to public officials that they did not express. Waldron also pointed to what she said was an important part of her position that had been overlooked her public call for Karimbaksh to be placed on administrative leave while the investigation is conducted. “I publicly stated that, in my view, Deputy
Minister of Home Affairs, Oneidge Waldron Commissioner Karimbaksh should be placed on administrative leave pending the investigation,” she said. The minister maintained that both the complainant's rights and the accused officer's right to due process must be protected. “The complainant is entitled to the full protection afforded by law, including the applicable protections under the Sexual Offences Act. Equally, the person against whom allegations have been made is entitled to due process,” she said. Wa l d r o n s a i d investigators must ensure that both protections are upheld and insisted that the matter should be determined by evidence rather than
Deputy Commissioner of Police and head of SOCU, Fazil Karimbaksh public pressure. “I remain resolute that the in v es tig atio n mu s t b e professional, impartial and thorough. Let the
investigators investigate. Let the evidence determine the outcome. And let the law take its course,” she said.
Wednesday October 07, 2026
Prison Service spends $44.1M on training, rehabilitation so far this year The Guyana Prison Service (GPS) has spent $44.1 million so far this year on the training of prison officers and the rehabilitation of inmates, as part of efforts to reduce recidivism and improve the reintegration of prisoners into society. According to the Ministry of Finance’s 2026 Mid-Year Report, the GPS is seeking to reinforce its commitment to lowering recidivism rates through increased training and rehabilitation programmes. During the first half of the year, 268 prison officers benefitted from training, including advanced prison management and human rights-focused programmes. A further 132 ranks are expected to undergo training during the second half of the year. At the inmate level, 682 prisoners have so far received training in areas including carpentry, literacy, mental health and psychology, with another 818 inmates expected to benefit from training during the remainder of the year. The report said the programmes are intended to equip both prison officers and inmates with skills that can contribute to safer prison environments, rehabilitation and successful reintegration into society. Meanwhile, the GPS has also been spending heavily on upgrading its infrastructure. Some $17.803 million was spent during the first six months of the year on efforts to modernise and strengthen the security of the prison system. The works include improved accommodation, enhanced security infrastructure and facilities to support vocational training for inmates. The latest spending follows significant expenditure on prison training and infrastructure last year. According to the 2025 Mid-Year Report, $36.8 million of the $140 million allocated for inmate training had been expended at the time. A total of 303 inmates had completed programmes in agriculture, block making, carpentry and joinery, while 1,297 inmates were slated to undergo training during the
second half of 2025. The report also said 270 prison officers had completed theoretical and practical training in prison management, with another 130 ranks earmarked for continued training. The training was aimed at strengthening prison management, conflict resolution and securityconsciousness among officers, while supporting the broader goal of reducing recidivism. Beyond training, the Government had also significantly increased spending on prison infrastructure in 2025. Some $2 billion was expended during the first half of last year on the modernisation of prison systems and infrastructure nationwide, with projects targeting security, safety, rehabilitation and reintegration. At Lusignan Prison, construction of the prison headquarters, two cell blocks, a kitchen and bridge, along with the installation of a fire suppression system, had been substantially completed. Works were also continuing on the female prison, living quarters and administrative building. At Mazaruni Prison, works had advanced on the rehabilitation of several buildings and the construction of male and female living quarters. The officers’ mess, accessway and prison entrance were also substantially completed. At New Amsterdam Prison, several facilities—including a training facility, kitchen, storage bond, sports club, reception building, infirmary annex, overhead storage tank and treatment plant—had been substantially completed. Male and female officers’ living quarters were also being developed, while work was expected to a d v a n c e o n t h e reconstruction of a solitary confinement facility and a cell block. The continued investment comes as the GPS seeks to move beyond incarceration and place greater emphasis on rehabilitation, skills development and preparing inmates for eventual reintegration into society.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 25
PAGE 26
Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 07, 2026
Kaieteur News
PAGE 27
PAGE 28
Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 07, 2026
Kaieteur News
PAGE 29
Djokovic claims 102nd career title in Beijing Novak Djokovic captured the 102nd singles title of his remarkable career on Sunday after Alex de Minaur was forced to retire from the China Open final with an apparent left thigh injury. The 39-year-old Serbian was leading 7-6 (7-3), 0-1 when De Minaur was unable to continue, bringing an abrupt end to a contest that had produced a fiercely contested opening set. Both players required medical timeouts during the 68-minute first set, but while Djokovic was able to continue, De Minaur managed only one game after returning to the court before conceding the match. The victory extended Djokovic’ extraordinary record in Beijing, where he is
now unbeaten in 34 matches and has captured the title seven times. It also means he has won at least one singles title in each of the past 21 years. Only Jimmy Connors, with 109 titles, and Roger Federer, with 103, have won more singles trophies than Djokovic. “ always have high expectations and want to visualise myself with the trophy, but particularly here in Beijing, the place where I've never lost,”Djokovic said. The title is Djokovic’ first in more than a year and comes during a season in which he has carefully managed his schedule amid physical challenges. It was also only his second final of
Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning the China Open the year, following his defeat by Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open final in January. Djokovic’ route to the Beijing final included a victory over world number two Alexander Zverev, while his semi-final against Daniil Medvedev ended when the
Wednesday October 07, 2026 LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19 Feel free to go shopping Try not to think too much online for yourself, Libra. about what is "supposed" to While you're at it, you might happen next. The truth of the as well pick out some things matter is that things don't for others, too. You're apt to be necessarily work out the way in tune with the pleasant spirit they're planned, so don't count on of the people around you. something that has no guarantee of coming to fruition.
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Water your plants today and make sure they're getting enough light. If you don't have any plants, take this opportunity to go to the nursery and pick up a couple for your home or office.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You're on a roll today, Gemini. Don't let other people's i nsecurities or shallow understanding about an issue get in the way of your progress.
CANCER (June 21–July 22) You may be wondering whose shoulder you should cry on, Cancer. Usually yours is the shoulder that everyone else likes to use. The collar of your shirt is probably soaking wet by now, thanks to all the tears that have spilled on you. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You may feel especially warm and loving, Leo, and romance could be on your mind. Time spent with a love partner from another state or country might seem especially appealing. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22)
Be wary of big promises today. This could be one of those days when people are more likelytotakeagamblebecause they're unrealistic about how things are going to work out.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You're likely to gravitate toward those who can put on a show and carry your imagination to a far-off land today. . SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Connect with those who carry you upward and encourage your fantasies today instead of those who try to bring you down to reality. There's a need for you to shine more brightly than usual, and there's no reason why this wish shouldn't be granted. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You're likely now on the brink of completing a major move of some sort. Your first reaction may be to sit in solitary deliberation as you wrestle with the pros and cons of each piece of the situation. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) This is one of those days when you will be walking along and all of a sudden hear a street performer playing music. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Don't take things that don't belong to you. Your penetrating eyes are apt to spot things that are easily pocketed, even though you know deep down that those things aren't meant for you.
Russian was defaulted with Djokovic leading by a set and a break. Despite the difficulties he has experienced physically in recent seasons, Djokovic continues to demonstrate that he can compete against the world’ best when fit. He reached the
Wimbledon semi-finals before losing to eventual champion Jannik Sinner and was beaten by Joao Fonseca in the third round of the French Open. At the US Open, Djokovic was eliminated in a gruelling first-round encounter. The Beijing triumph will also move Djokovic back inside the world’ top 10. Meanwhile, Alcaraz returned to the winners’circle by successfully defending his Japan Open title in Tokyo, defeating Czech Republic player Jiri Lehecka 7-6 (7-4), 6-4. The Spaniard, who returned to competitive tennis at the US Open following a wrist injury, fought back from an early break to claim his third title
of the season. Alcaraz had earlier won the Australian Open and Qatar Open and reached the US Open quarter-finals, where he lost to Ben Shelton in five sets.
ExxonMobil U18 Schools... From page 35 joins the national programme on October 10 with four boys' matches at Friendship Park. Westminister Secondary will face DeWillem Secondary at 10:00h, followed by Leonora Secondary against Stewartville Secondary at noon. We s t D e m e r a r a Secondary will then take on Uitvlugt Secondary at 14:00h, before Vreed-enHoop Secondary and Patentia Secondary close the day from 16:00h. The tournament will subsequently reach some of Guyana's more distant communities. Region One's Mabaruma section begins on October 15, when Hosororo Secondary faces Wauna Primary Top at 15:00h. The Moruca leg follows on October 16 at Santa Rosa, with Santa Rosa Secondary facing St. Nicholas Primary Top in both divisions, while Waramuri Secondary and Kwebanna Secondary will also meet in boys' and girls' action. Region Ten begins the same day at Wisburg, where Linden Foundation Secondary faces Harmony Secondary at 14:00h, f o l l o w e d b y Wi s b u r g Secondary against New Silvercity Secondary at 15:30h. Region Five starts on October 17 at the No. 5 Ground, with Mahaicony Secondary and Bygeval Secondary competing in both divisions. Belladrum Secondary and No. 8 Secondary will also square off in boys' and girls' action. Region Two will be the final zone to enter the opening phase, with its programme scheduled to begin on October 23 at the Richmond Ground. Charity Secondary will meet Cottonfield Secondary in the boys' competition at 10:00h, before Charity Secondary faces Abram Zuil Secondary in the female division at noon.
Wednesday October 07, 2026
Kaieteur News
PAGE 30
Boyce, Xavier break new ground …Guyanese duo to compete at Commonwealth Cue Sports Championship in India
G
uyana will break new ground in international cue sports when Andre Boyce and Anthony Xavier represent the country at the 2026 Commonwealth Cue Sports Championship in Ahmedabad, India, beginning this week. The duo, selected by the Cue Sports Association of Guyana (CSAG), will carry the Golden Arrowhead into a major international competition that brings together some of the leading cue sports players from across the Commonwealth. The championship is scheduled for October 7-10 at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad. The event is being hosted by the Billiards and Snooker Federation of India and recognised by the World Confederation of Billiards Sports (WCBS) and Commonwealth Sport. The 2026 championship is the second edition of the Commonwealth Cue Sports Championship, following the inaugural staging in Mauritius in 2025. This year's event marks the first
time the multi-discipline championship will be held in India, with athletes from approximately 46 Commonwealth nations expected to compete. Competition will span several disciplines, including 10-ball pool, heyball, blackball, snooker and billiards, providing a broad international platform for cue sports athletes. Carom is also listed as a demonstration discipline. Against that backdrop, Boyce and Xavier's participation carries particular significance for Guyana. According to the CSAG, their appearance represents the first time Guyanese pool players will compete internationally under the country's flag at this level, creating a landmark moment for the development of the sport locally. According to CSAG President Steven Persaud, “ndre and Anthony are not only representing themselves and CSAG; they are representing every Guyanese player who dreams of one day competing for their country.
We encourage them to embrace this opportunity, compete with confidence, show respect and sportsmanship, and give their very best for Guyana.” The significance of the championship extends beyond the competition itself. Cue sports are seeking a greater presence within the Commonwealth sporting movement, with Indian federation president S. Balasubramaniam recently noting that the Ahmedabad championship is part of efforts to strengthen the case for cue sports' inclusion in the Commonwealth Games programme. For Guyana, therefore, Boyce and Xavier's journey provides local players with exposure to an international competitive environment and gives the CSAG an opportunity to build relationships and pathways for future participation. The association believes the historic outing can also inspire a new generation of Guyanese players while strengthening its efforts to establish more structured competition, training and international opportunities.
Anthony Xavier (L) and Andre Boyce
Iyer’ 102 crushes West Indies S
hreyas Iyer produced a breathtaking century on his T20I captaincy debut as India dismantled the West Indies by eight wickets in the opening match of their five-game series at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Tuesday. Chasing 172 for victory, India reached 172 for two in just 14.4 overs, with Iyer finishing unbeaten on a spectacular 102 from 43 deliveries. His innings, which featured 10 fours and six sixes, propelled India to victory with 32 balls to spare and gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in the series. The result extended India’ winning streak in T20 internationals to 10 matches and underlined the hosts’dominance in the shortest format. West Indies, sent in to bat, struggled for momentum early and were reduced to 41 for three at the end of the Powerplay. Arshdeep Singh provided India’ first breakthrough, while Axar Patel made a decisive impact with the final over of the Powerplay, removing Shimron Hetmyer
and Rovman Powell in a double-wicket maiden. At 44 for three, the visitors needed a substantial partnership to rebuild their innings, and Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford delivered precisely that.
added 93 for the fourth wicket and temporarily shifted the momentum in West Indies’favour. Their partnership helped West Indies recover to 82 for three after 10 overs, but India regained control during the
Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford
Shreyas Iyer hammered a 42-ball century to help India over the line (BCCI photo)
Hope, coming off an unbeaten 162 in the third ODI against India, continued his strong run of form with a composed 52 from 37 balls. Rutherford provided the aggression, striking 56 from 34 deliveries as the pair
latter stages of the innings. Naman Dhir claimed three wickets for 31 runs, while Axar returned two for 26 as the visitors were bowled out for 171 in 19.1 overs. The West Indies total
appeared competitive at the halfway stage, but India’ response quickly transformed the contest into a one-sided affair. The hosts lost two early wickets and were 35 for two inside four overs, offering West Indies a glimpse of an opportunity. Iyer, however, changed the complexion of the chase with an extraordinary display
of clean hitting. Partnering with Ishan Kishan, who contributed a valuable 37 from 27 balls, Iyer dismantled the West Indies attack. The pair added an unbeaten 137-run partnership, taking India from early trouble to a commanding victory. Iyer reached his maiden T20I century in just 42 balls
before finishing on 102 from 43, making his innings one of the most destructive performances in recent T20I cricket. The teams now turn their attention to the second T20I, scheduled for Friday at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi, with the remaining matches being played in Indore, Hyderabad and Bengaluru.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 07, 2026
PAGE 31
The GGA Umami $1M Hole-in-one challenge remains unbeaten despite some top performances this past weekend.
Million-dollar hole-in-one remains elusive at Westside Golf Course T
he search for a million-dollar hole-in-one continues after the second Umami One Million Dollar Hole-in-One Challenge ended without a winner at the Westside Golf Course on Sunday. The event attracted a strong turnout of male, female and junior golfers, all eager to test their accuracy and nerve for a chance to pocket the coveted $1,000,000 cash prize. Despite numerous attempts at the challenging
hole, none of the golfers managed to produce the perfect shot, leaving the seven-figure prize untouched. However, the challenge remains firmly on the table. According to Umami Managing Director Chris Persaud, the opportunity will continue until a golfer finally finds the cup with a single stroke. “It will continue to be made available until it’ won!”he said. The excitement continued following the
hole-in-one challenge, as golfers took part in a threehole Best Ball tournament designed to bring experienced players and newcomers together in a competitive but relaxed setting. The format provided newer golfers with an opportunity to experience tournament play while gaining valuable knowledge of course etiquette, teamwork and competitive strategy from more seasoned players. The contest went down
to the final hole, with Team 2, captained by Bashur, holding a slender advantage after a superb chip from just off the green. Their hopes of claiming victory, however, were dashed by an even better effort from Sookdeo, a rookie player representing Team 4, who produced a decisive shot to swing the contest. Te a m 4 u l t i m a t e l y emerged victorious, with Captain Afwraz Baksh joined by junior player Czavier Raghunanan,
Sookdeo and Orind. The winning quartet received hampers packed with merchandise, compliments of Sterling Products Ltd. The tournament is part of a broader initiative by the Guyana Golf Association, Nexgen Golf Academy and Westside Golf Course to make the sport more accessible and welcoming to a wider cross-section of the community. Particular emphasis has been placed on introducing beginners, women and junior players to golf, with
similar tournaments scheduled each weekend to provide regular opportunities for participation and competition. Westside Golf Course is also expanding its community-focused calendar beyond golf. The venue is set to host its second Under the Stars Drive-In Movie Night on October 31, further positioning the facility as a recreational destination for families, friends and golfers of varying abilities.
Berbice set for ‘Drags Invasion’ Berbice will become the centre of Guyana’ drag racing action on Sunday, October 11, when the Berbice Drags Invasion 2026 takes over the Rose Hall Canje Airstrip. Organised by the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC), the event is scheduled to get underway at 10:00hrs and is expected to attract a strong field of competitors and thousands of motorsport enthusiasts from across the country. The Rose Hall Canje Airstrip will provide the stage for a full day of high-speed competition, featuring a variety of performance and modified vehicles as drivers battle for supremacy in their respective classes. With drag racing continuing to build a strong following in Guyana, the Berbice Drags Invasion is expected to provide another major platform for the country’ growing performance-car community, while giving fans an opportunity to witness some of the fastest
machines on the local circuit. The event is being supported by a number of major sponsors, including ENet, Tropical Shipping, Castrol, GuyOil and KFC. Ahead of race day, the GMR&SC will host a mandatory competitors’meeting on Wednesday, October 7, at 18:00hrs at the club’ Thomas Lands office. All registered competitors are strongly encouraged to attend the meeting, where officials will address critical aspects of the event, including race procedures, safety protocols, vehicle classes, staging, regulations and arrangements for race day.The meeting is expected to ensure that drivers and their teams are fully familiar with the rules and operational requirements before competition begins. Meanwhile, organisers have reminded prospective competitors that registration closes on Thursday, October 8. The registration fee is G$20,000, while entries submitted
Drag Racing heads to Canje, Berbice this weekend after the deadline will incur a G$10,000 late fee, taking the total cost of late registration to G$30,000.Drivers are therefore being urged to complete the registration process before the
deadline to avoid the additional charge.Spectators will also have several options for enjoying the action. General admission has been set at G$3,000 for adults and G$1,000 for children.
For fans seeking a more premium experience, the J’ Supermarket VIP section will be available at G$25,000, with the package including unlimited food and drinks.
Wednesday October 07, 2026
Kaieteur News
PAGE 32
DCC, Malteenoes renew historic rivalry …Dodson Family/Andrew Lyght Cup officially launched By Clifton Ross
I
n a fitting tribute to one of Guyana’ most electrifying cricketing icons, the Dodson family yesterday officially launched the 2026 Andrew Lyght Cup, a highly anticipated 40-over tournament scheduled for November. The annual one-match fixture will pit arch-rivals Malteenoes Sports Club and Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) against each other, reviving a historic rivalry while preserving the legacy of the late opening batsman for a new generation of cricketers. Speaking at the launch on behalf of the Dodson family, relative Delon Moffett highlighted the family’ deep-rooted connection to sport and Lyght’ lifelong bond with the family. Corey Percival, son of former Guyana player Andre Percival, welcomed the initiative, describing the cup as a "good initiative for players looking for continued support," while expressing gratitude to both families for making the event possible. Malteenoes captain Daniel Scott said his first-division squad is fully prepared and eager to renew the rivalry with DCC, adding, "because of the rivalry, it is an absolute pleasure to play this
match.” Former national youth player Shaquille Williams also expressed gratitude to the Dodson family, stressing the importance of the fixture "for the sake of history, helping young teens to truly understand the caliber of player Lyght was." The tournament has also received government support, with Steven Jacobs, Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, underscoring its importance. "It is important to show appreciation to the Dodson family for seeing this as something significant and something that should happen," Jacobs stated. Jacobs also pointed to Lyght’ famously aggressive, "monster" approach to batting and his disciplined physical preparation as qualities that young cricketers should seek to emulate. Before his untimely death from cancer in 2001 at the age of 44, Lyght was widely regarded as one of the Caribbean’ most destructive and exciting opening batsmen. A local hero at DCC, Lyght represented Guyana in 29 firstclass matches between 1976 and 1988, scoring 1,604 runs, including six centuries. Renowned for his fearless and ultra-aggressive strokeplay, he terrorised regional bowling attacks
and famously struck a blistering century against a world-class visiting England attack in 1981. Despite narrowly missing out on a West Indies Test cap amid the unprecedented depth of the legendary West Indies batting lineup of that era, Lyght left an indelible mark on Guyanese cricket. Founded in 1885 and located in Queenstown, Georgetown, DCC is affectionately known as "The Home of Legends." The club has long been synonymous with aggressive and flamboyant Guyanese batting, a tradition Lyght embodied. Its illustrious alumni include West Indies greats Clive Lloyd, Lance Gibbs, Roy Fredericks and Roger Harper. Malteenoes Sports Club, established in 1902 by a group of passionate local cricketers, has similarly played a significant role in Guyana’ cricketing history. Based at Thomas Lands, Georgetown, the club has been a pillar of discipline, development and community engagement, producing West Indies players such as Rex Collymore, Clayton Lambert, Barrington Browne and Indomattie Goordial-John. For decades, DCC-Malteenoes clashes were among the most anticipated fixtures in local club cricket, marked by fierce
Andrew Lyght
competition, uncompromising performances and mutual respect. The Andrew Lyght Cup now offers a new chapter in that storied rivalry, ensuring that the battle
Videsh Persaud claims Round 3 honours in Golf League
T
he PromoTech and Genuine Auto Spares and Tools National To p F l i g h t G o l f L e a g u e (NTFGL) Tour 3 continued on a competitive note, with Round three producing the tournament's largest single-round turnout to date as 24 golfers took to the course. Played under bright sunshine and on well-manicured fairways and greens, the third round featured another strong display of scoring as players battled for valuable points in the standings. Chet Bowling set the early pace, carding a net 33 on the front nine to secure the two points available for the best score over the opening nine holes. Videsh Persaud responded with an equally impressive performance on the back nine, recording a net 32 to claim the two points. His consistent play across all 18 holes earned him an overall net score of 66, securing eight
points for first place and 10 points for the round.Joseph Szeplaki finished runner-up with a net 71, edging Bowling on a tiebreaker to collect five points. Bowling had to settle for third place, also recording a net 71 and earning three points, taking his total for the round to five. Ronald Bulkan secured fourth place with a net 72 for two points, while Patrick Prashad completed the points-paying positions with a net 73. Prashad prevailed over Pantanjilee Persaud on a tiebreaker to claim the final available point. The result moved Videsh Persaud to the top of the Tour 3 standings with 15 points. Bowling sits second on 13, while Oliver Downes and Szeplaki are tied on 10 points. Mike rounds out the leading group with eight points. Round three also featured the first Skins Game of the tournament, attracting six participants and producing 12
skins. Anand Persaud and Szeplaki led the way with four skins apiece, with each skin valued at GYD $1,000. With the Tour reaching its halfway stage, the standings are beginning to tighten, setting the stage for an increasingly competitive battle as players seek to accumulate points and improve their positions. Round 4 of the PromoTech and Genuine Auto Spares and Tools NTFGL Tour 3 is scheduled for Sunday, October 11, when competitors will return to the course for another round of stroke play and points competition. The NTFGL has extended its appreciation to PromoTech and Genuine Auto Spares and Tools for sponsoring the entirety of Tour 3, while also thanking participating members and supporters for their continued contribution to the success and growth of the tournament.
between two of Georgetown’ most respected clubs continues while celebrating a batsman who played the game with unmatched aggression, passion and flair.
Videsh Persaud is now the current leader of the NTFGL League
Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 07, 2026
PAGE 33
GFF pours over $100m into Golden Jaguars Gold Cup push …Forde lauds team’s performance; praises coach Marco Bonofiglio By Rawle Toney The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) is putting its money where its ambition is, investing more than GYD $100 million in the Golden Jaguars’push for a second Concacaf Gold Cup appearance, and promotion to League A of the Concacaf Nations League. Guyana has enjoyed a perfect start to its Concacaf Nations League campaign, closing the first window of matches at the top of Group A in League B with a maximum 12 points from four matches. The Golden Jaguars opened their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Puerto Rico before defeating the Cayman Islands 2-0. They then produced back-to-back emphatic victories over Dominica, winning 5-1 before completing an 8-1 demolition to maintain their perfect record. The four victories have seen Guyana score 16 goals, the most in League B, while
conceding just two. For GFF President Wayne Forde, however, the performances on the pitch must be matched by the investment required to give the national team every opportunity to achieve its objectives. In a heartfelt congratulatory message to the Golden Jaguars’players and staff on Facebook, Forde revealed the significant financial commitment being made by the federation. “To date, the GFF has invested more than GYD 70 million in preparing and supporting the Golden Jaguars through these four matches, with a further GYD 35 million projected for the November window,” Forde revealed. That would take the federation’ projected investment in Guyana’ League B campaign to approximately GYD $105 million, underscoring the importance being placed on returning the Golden Jaguars to League A and securing
qualification for the 2027 Concacaf Gold Cup. Forde acknowledged the considerable demands associated with international football, stressing that success requires much more than what is visible during the 90 minutes on match day. “International football is demanding, both on and off the field. Behind every match is an enormous amount of planning, sacrifice, coordination and financial commitment,” The GFF president stated. Guyana famously qualified for the Gold Cup for the first time in 2019, marking a historic achievement for the country’ football fraternity. Forde reflected on that accomplishment as one of the defining moments of his tenure and made it clear that the GFF is determined to create the conditions for the Golden Jaguars to repeat that feat. “We are determined to give our Golden Jaguars every possible opportunity
to experience that feeling again and to secure Guyana's second appearance at the Confederation's premier men's national team tournament. That ambition requires commitment, and it requires investment,”Forde said. While the Golden Jaguars’ attacking numbers have commanded attention, with 16 goals scored and only two conceded, Forde believes the most encouraging signs extend beyond the results. He singled out head coach Marco Bonofiglio for his leadership, while praising the growing cohesion within the squad and technical staff. According to Fode, “hat we are seeing is not only reflected in the results on the pitch, but in the chemistry, discipline, confidence and body language of our players and staff. There is a sense of togetherness and belief within this group that is deeply encouraging.”
GFF President, Wayne Forde
Forde said Bonofiglio’ mandate was always bigger than simply competing in the Nations League, adding, “When I tasked Coach Marco with leading the professionalisation of our Senior Men's National Team programme, I made it clear that the objective was not simply to participate, but to deliver results for the nation while building a programme capable of sustaining success.” He added that, “ne of the principal performance objectives placed before him
(Coach Bonofiglio) was qualification for the Concacaf Gold Cup. While we still have two crucial matches to play, I believe it is fair to say that Marco and this team have made believers of us all.” The Golden Jaguars will return home in November to face the Cayman Islands and Puerto Rico.With 12 points already secured, Guyana needs only one victory from those two matches to seal qualification for the 2027 Gold Cup and move closer to a return to League A.
‘Fill up the stadium’ …Savory rallies Essequibo fans for T10 Tapeball Blast finals
N
ational cricketer and SVC/AJM CC captain Kemol Savory has issued a passionate rallying call to Essequibo supporters, urging them to turn out in numbers at the Anna Regina National Stadium on Sunday for the grand national finals of the Lotto/Let’Bet One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast. Savory, affectionately known as the “rince of Essequibo” guided SVC/AJM CC into the final four after a thrilling victory over Av i n a s h A l l - S t a r s i n t h e Georgetown/East Coast Demerara Zone final, earning the side a place in Sunday’ national championship showdown. While Savory is naturally hoping for strong support for his team as they pursue national honours, he s t r e s s e d t h a t t h e occasion should ultimately showcase the quality and e x c i t e m e n t o f t a p e b a ll cricket while giving Essequibo fans a memorable sporting
spectacle. "I'm calling on all Essequibians to come out in their numbers," Savory said ahead of Sunday's action. "Naturally, we'd love the home crowd behind SVC/AJM CC, but every team coming to Anna Regina is packed with quality and ready to put on a show for the fans. It's going to be a grand day of tapeball, so bring the energy and let's fill up the stadium," Savory added. The stakes are high, with an additional $2 million winner’ purse awaiting the eventual champions. The runners-up will collect $1 million, while each of the two losing semi-finalists will receive $500,000. The action gets underway at 14:30 when GrillMaster Sip N Play All-Stars face Mahdia (Movements Family) in the opening semi-final.SVC/AJM CC will then take the spotlight at 16:30, with Savory and his teammates
battling Lusignan Bulls DTP II for a place in the final. A six-over women’ exhibition match between Tapakuma (Elite Warriors) and Capoey United is scheduled for 18:30, adding another dimension to the day before the grand final bowls off under lights at 19:30. Admission to the stadium will be free, although organisers have implemented a strict no-cooler policy. Individual prizes will also add incentive, with the tournament’ Most Valuable Player set to receive a brand-new motorcycle and $150,000 cash. The leading run-scorer and top wicket-taker will each pocket $100,000 and a television set, while the Player of the Final will collect $75,000. The players recording the Super Strike Rate and Best Economy Rate, subject to a minimum of 12 balls faced or bowled, will each earn $50,000.
Kemol Savory
Wednesday October 07, 2026
PAGE 34
Deputy Mayor Cup returns with 24 teams …annual nine-a-side knockout tournament kicks off October 18 at Den Amstel As footballers continue to enjoy more reliable playing seasons, several players have been preparing for challenges that comes with it. T h e a n n u a l I n t e r - Wa r d Football tournament continues to provide the freedom of competition for many of these developing players. Yesterday several community teams have confirmed their availability to represent their wards in the Annual Deputy Mayor Knockout Football Tournament which runs from October 18 to November 8 at the Den Amstel ground. Playing dates include October 24, 25 and 31, with the night of finals scheduled for November 8 at the Plaisance ground Twenty-four ward teams will go full throttle over five nights of star-studded action. The Beavers football team is back and ready to compete. Other communities featuring in this year’
tournament includes; Uitvlugt, Wa l e s , B u x t o n , Vi c t o r i a , Lilliendaal, Herstelling, Zeelugt, Pourderyen, Stewartville and Den Amstel. They will line up alongside seasoned campaigners such as Pele, Black Pearl, Order and Discipline, West Side Alliance, Belle West stars and Number One Allstars, as well as newcomers Goers Academy. The winners will collect $500,000, while the runners-up team will take home $200,000 in cash. Medals and a trophy will also be awarded to the top-performing teams. With community development at the core of this annual fixture, Deputy Mayor of Georgetown Denise Miller is honoured once again for her involvement in sport, a role that fits seamlessly into her community development strategy. Sport, she believes, can provide unity among all. The event has a reputation of its own,
bringing together players from as far as Uitvlugt, Mahaica and Timehri on the east bank. Delighted to hop on board, Deputy Mayor, along with several other main contributors are ready to deliver another year of epic nine-aside action. The journey has been incredible, many young players first kick/dribble happens right here at these same community spaces, and the Deputy Mayor Cup has been creating similar pathways that often go unseen. For the players, inter-ward football offers a space to stay fit and compete at the same time, which improves performance and personal development. Organiser Lennox Arthur continues to be the driving force behind this initiative, bringing together players from several footballing communities to determine the kings of inter-ward football, through this annual championship.
During the launch, Arthur urged patrons to come out and support their favourite player,
Deputy Mayor of Georgetown, Denise Miller
team, ward. Noting that, there will be intense action across five nights, where the winner takes all.
Ronaldo breaks silence over Portugal fallout with Jorge Jesus …star forward set to return to National team Cristiano Ronaldo has broken his silence over the dispute that led to his departure from the Portugal national team camp, accusing head coach Jorge Jesus of twice breaking his word while reaffirming his commitment to the national team. In a lengthy statement released Tuesday, the 41year-old captain provided his account of the events surrounding his decision to leave the squad ahead of Portugal's UEFA Nations League meeting with Denmark. Ronaldo said the disagreement centred on a playing plan that had been established with Jesus to manage his physical condition. Ronaldo said Jesus initially outlined a plan under which he would feature in Portugal's opening and final matches of the window, with his playing time managed because of fitness considerations. He said the plan was accepted by both parties. H o w e v e r, R o n a l d o
claimed that the arrangement changed before Portugal's match against Norway, when Jesus informed him that he w o u l d p l a y f o r approximately 30 minutes. Ronaldo said he agreed to the request despite it falling outside his recovery programme. He subsequently warmed up throughout the second half but was never introduced. According to Ronaldo, that episode represented the first breach of trust between the pair. The situation escalated after the Norway match, with Ronaldo saying a subsequent meeting involving Jesus and Al Nassr sporting director Simo Coutinho produced an agreement that the coach would publicly clarify what had happened. Ronaldo said an eightpoint document was subsequently prepared, outlining that he had never demanded playing time, had respected the coach's decisions and that Jesus considered it a mistake to
have him warm up without eventually bringing him onto the field. However, Ronaldo said Jesus did not follow through with the agreed explanation during his subsequent press conference. “This was the second time he broke his promise.” Ronaldo then decided to leave the training camp, acknowledging that his actions were wrong while insisting that he felt continuing with the squad would have been detrimental to the team. He apologised to Portuguese supporters for f ailing to gr eet them following the Norway match and also apologised to his teammates for leaving camp. The veteran forward also accepted that the Portuguese Football Federation should determine whether he should be punished, stressing that his position as captain made his actions more serious. “The Portuguese Football Federation must assess the consequences of my actions and punish me for them. I believe the
Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal National team coach, Jorge Jesus punishment should not be reduced. I am not just an ordinary player; I am the captain of the team, and this is an aggravating factor.” Despite the bitter fallout, Ronaldo made it clear that he has not closed the door on his international career. He rejected suggestions that his focus was now solely on arranging a farewell appearance, saying competition and representing Portugal remain his priorities. “If I am physically fit, playing with my team, and
hopefully scoring goals, after my suspension period ends, I will be available, as I always have been, to compete and win with our national team.” The controversy comes at a pivotal stage of Ronaldo's international c a r e e r. H e r e m a i n s Portugal's record goalscorer and most-capped player, while the national team continues its campaign under Jesus following the 2026 World Cup. Jesus has previously maintained that Ronaldo
remains important to his plans and has left the door open for his return. Portugal's Football Federation has yet to publicly respond in detail to Ronaldo's latest statement. For now, the dispute has placed a cloud over the relationship between Portugal's most iconic modern footballer and its current head coach. However, Ronaldo said whatever punishment follows his departure from camp, he remains willing to wear the Portugal shirt.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 07, 2026
PAGE 35
Golden Jaguars Coach targets perfect Nations League finish H By Rawle Toney
ead Coach of G u y a n a ’s s e n i o r m e n ’s n a t i o n a l football team, Marco Bonofiglio is setting his sights on a perfect finish to the Concacaf Nations League, with the Golden Jaguars needing two more victories in November to complete a six-match sweep and strengthen their bid for qualification to the 2027 Concacaf Gold Cup. Bonofiglio took the reins of the Golden Jaguars this year following the departure of Thomas Dooley, and his first Nations League campaign has produced an impressive start. With a squad blending leading local players and members of the Guyanese diaspora, Bonofiglio has guided the Golden Jaguars to four consecutive victories in League B’ Group A. Guyana opened the campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Puerto Rico before producing a composed 2-0 win against the Cayman Islands. The Golden Jaguars then exploded offensively against Dominica, recording consecutive 5-1 and 8-1 victories during the October window in Puerto Rico. The two results against Dominica produced 13 goals, taking Guyana’ tournament tally to 16 goals from four matches while conceding only two. The Golden Jaguars therefore sit comfortably atop Group A with 12 points, leaving them within touching distance of a return to the Concacaf
With two matches remaining, Bonofiglio is now focused on ensuring the momentum generated during the opening four games is carried into the decisive November window. Guyana will host the Cayman Islands and Puerto Rico, with one victory from those two matches enough to secure qualification for the 2027 Gold Cup. Despite the Golden J a g u a r s ’s t r o n g p o s i t i o n , Bonofiglio is conscious of the need to manage the squad carefully before the final push, since the players will return to compete with their respective clubs. “We want to take this break to recovery properly. I know we’e had some injuries. We don’ have to worry too much about the yellow
cards, I think the boys have been pretty discipline, so I’ happy for that. But we want to use this window take the time now to regroup, tweek somethings, and come back stronger,” Bonofiglio said. The November matches will represent another significant test of Bonofiglio’ approach as he seeks to complete his first Nations League campaign without dropping a point. Bonofiglio is the fifth head coach to lead the Golden Jaguars since Guyana’ historic 2019 Gold Cup campaign under Michael Johnson. Since that breakthrough qualification, Guyana has reached the Gold Cup Preliminary Round in each subsequent edition but has been unable to advance further.
Osaze De Rosario has been on target for Coach Marco Bonofiglio
Gold Cup and promotion to League A. Following the emphatic 8-1 victory over Dominica, which brought the October window to a close, Bonofiglio said the objective from the outset had been straightforward; “he game plan is to win six matches, and we’e almost there with four (wins)…nd what I’e noticed is the hunger from
these boys.” The Italian coach also praised the players for translating their work on the training ground into performances on match day, adding that “t’ about sticking to the objective, and taking what was being worked on in the training camp, onto the field. I thought we did very well, but I’ proud of the boys.”
Golden Jaguars Head Coach, Marco Bonofiglio
ExxonMobil U18 Schools Football returns today The inaugural ExxonMobil Under-18 Schools Football Tournament is set to enter another busy phase this week, with competition expanding across several regions as schools begin their respective campaigns in both the boys' and girls' divisions. Organised by the Vurlon Mills Football Academy, the tournament has already produced its first result in Region Seven, where Three Mile Secondary opened the competition in impressive fashion with a 4-0 victory over Bartica Secondary in the boys' division. The focus in Bartica now shifts to the female competition, with the two schools set to renew rivalry today, at the Bartica Community Centre Ground from 14:00h. From there, the tournament will spread rapidly across the country, with several zones scheduled to begin their programmes on October 9. On the East Bank of Demerara, Dora Secondary will face Covent Garden Secondary in a boys' fixture at Providence from 15:00h. The East Coast Demerara leg
will also get underway on October 9 at Plaisance, where Bladen Hall Secondary will meet Annandale Secondary in the female competition at 14:00h. That match will be followed by the boys' encounter between Plaisance Secondary and Beterverwagting Secondary at 15:30h. Region Six will launch its campaign the same day, with New Amsterdam Secondary taking on Tutorial Academy in a female fixture at All Saints from 14:00h. The Berbice programme continues on October 10, with Lower Corentyne Secondary facing Canje Secondary in both divisions. Corentyne Comprehensive will also battle Vryman's Erven in the boys' and girls' competitions, while Port Mourant Secondary will oppose Tutorial Academy in the boys' division. Georgetown will also be heavily involved from October 9, with the North and South zones beginning their campaigns. In Georgetown North, Queen's College will host Tutorial High in
Action from the opening game between Three Mile Secondary (in yellow) and Bartica Secondary.
the female competition at 14:00h before the corresponding boys' match at 15:30h. Campbellville Secondary and North Georgetown Secondary will also meet in a female fixture. Georgetown South will feature
East Ruimveldt Secondary against Lodge Secondary in both divisions at the West Ruimveldt ground, while Tucville Secondary will host Charlestown Secondary in boys' and girls' encounters. The South zone continues on
October 10, when Brickdam Secondary takes on North Ruimveldt Secondary in a boys' fixture. The New Central High and Dolphin Secondary will also clash in both divisions.Region Three (Continued on page 29)
GFF pours over $100 million into Golden Jaguars Gold Cup push …Forde lauds team’s performance; praises coach Marco Bonofiglio
Coach Marco Bonofiglio celebrating one of the Golden Jaguars’ goals in their 8 – 1 over Dominica.
s t r o Sp Malteenoes and DCC will reignite their rivalry as part of the 2026 Andrew Lyght Snr. 40-Over inter-club tournament sponsored by the Dodson Family.
DCC, Malteenoes renew historic rivalry …Dodson Family/Andrew Lyght Cup officially launched
ExxonMobil U18 Iyer’ 102 Schools Football crushes returns today West Indies
Golden Jaguars Coach targets perfect Nations League finish
Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.