Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly
is time Guyanese oil workers’ salaries match foreigners’
Gunmen hit operation
Brazilian miners’
…cart off with over $44M in raw gold, jewellery, ATV, other items
7 Venezuelans ordered
deported
Govt. promises tighter port security after 23 AK-47s slip through chargedwithillegal
...says Container Control Programme to target high-risk cargo in move to plug glaring security gaps at ports
Guyana, Exxon to monitor retention of local content -Routledge earnings
Oliver Jesus Urdaneta Luiz Angle
Daysmair Jaramillo Carrillo
Abigail Hernandez
Anabel Bolívar Flores
Dilmarita Figueroa Martines
Carlos Lezama Rivas
‘It is time Guyanese oil workers’ salaries match foreigners’
Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat says it is time for Guyanese workers in the oil and gas
s e c t o r t o r e c e i v e remuneration comparable to their expatriate counterparts once they possess similar qualifications, training and experience.
Speaking at the Handover Ceremony for the Letter of Approval of Local Content Plans at Duke Lodge on Wednesday, Bharrat said the issue has been discussed at the policy level and that the industry has now matured to a point where greater attention
should be paid to compensation.
“The other areas that I wanted to point out this morning is the equality, not
equal, but equality in remuneration for Guyanese workers. That is something thatwehavereallydiscussed at the policy level, and we believe that at this point in time.
It is the right time, five years after is the right time for us to start advocating more strongly for this to ensuretheGuyanesethatare employed with comparable qualification, comparable tra
ng, compa
e certification, and also now experience that they too can have a compa
ble remuneration to expat workers with similar background, and I think that isonlyfair,”heexplained.
The minister said that a few years ago, most local workers in the sector had
little or no experience, but were trained and qualified for their positions. Today, however, many have accumulated between five and eight years of experience.
Sharing his experiences from visits to offshore facilities, including Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels and the Guyana Shore Base Incorporated (GYSBI), Bharrat said he has met many Guyanese who have spent years working with theirrespectivecompanies.
“You go to Technip FMC, you will hear Guyanese working five, six years, which is good. It
-Minister Bharrat
means that they would have gained experience, it means that they would have upskilled themselves, it means that they would have acquiredcertificate,andthey would have improved in whatever skill set they’re involvedin.Ibelievenowis the right time for us to look together,togetherasasector, astohowwecanimproveon the equality in terms of remuneration for workers with comparable skill set experience, etc. I think it’s only fair,” Minister Bharrat stressed.
The minister reminded company representatives at the event that there are young, energetic, qualified
and enthusiastic Guyanese working throughout the oil andgassector. He recalled meeting s e v e r a l G u y a n e s e professionals abroad, including during a trip to Singaporewherehemetfive young Guyanese engineers workingonanFPSO.
According to Minister Bharrat, the engineers are expectedtoreturntoGuyana aboard the vessel and
continueworkingoffshore.
While acknowledging thatGuyanesearepleasedto be part of the sector, the minister said remuneration remains an issue that is frequently raised by workers.
Inthisregard,hesaid,“I think it is the right time, because we have gained experience, so that is something I want us to look atcollectively.”
Mohamed to challenge GECOM composition following rejection from Norton
Opposition Leader, Azruddin Mohamed
Opposition Leader, Azruddin Mohamed has announced plans to formally engage President Irfaan Ali and Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairperson Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh to overhaul the opposition’s block of commissioners
SpeakingexclusivelywithKaieteurNews,Mohamedstated that the opposition-nominated GECOM commissioners must changetoreflectthecountry’scurrentpoliticallandscape He contended that for years, widespread concerns have mounted thatthesittingoppositioncommissionersexclusivelyrepresent theinterestsofAPartnershipforNationalUnity(APNU)rather thanthecollectiveoppositionparties
The declaration follows rejection from APNU Chairman and former Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton regarding Mohamed’s constitutional authority to replace active commissioners
“IwillsendalettertoPresidentIrfaanAliandtheGECOM Chair,”Mohamedsaid TherowbeganonJune10,2026,when Mohamed dispatched a directive regarding the proposed appointment of three new GECOM commissioners under Article161(3)(b)oftheConstitution
Norton’sformalresponse,deliveredthesameday,labeled theoppositionleader’slegalpremiseas“fundamentallyflawed bothinfactandinlaw” Nortonassertedthatnovacanciesexist onthecommissionandthattheconstitutiondoesnotpermitthe automatic termination of a commissioner’s tenure based on changestoparliamentaryleadership
In the second part of his response, Norton warned that executing Mohamed’s demand would establish a “dangerous precedent” capable of compromising GECOM’s institutional independencebyexposingconstitutionaloffice-holderstothe volatilityofparliamentaryleadershipstruggles Hemaintained thattheconstitutionalreformsof2000wereexplicitlydesigned toinsulateGECOMfromsuchpoliticalinterference
Minister Vickram Bharrat addressing the audience on Wednesday.
The recent disclosure that 584 girls under the age of 16 became pregnant between 2020 and 2025 should have shaken the entire nation. Instead, it risks becoming just another statistic presented in parliament and forgotten by thenextnewscycle.
ButGuyaneseshouldnotallowthattohappen.
The figure, disclosed by Human Services Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud, represents children. These are not young adults. These are not consenting women. These are girls below the age of legal consent. Under Guyana’s laws, pregnancies involving children under the age of 16 are not merelysocialconcerns;theyarepotentialcriminalmatters.
The law is clear Sexual activity with a child under 16 constitutes a statutory offence. That is why one question towersaboveeveryother:Wherearethemenresponsible?
If 584 girls under 16 became pregnant over a five-year period, why did the public not hear of hundreds of men beingarrested,chargedandbroughtbeforethecourts?
The government cannot be satisfied with presenting alarming statistics while remaining silent about outcomes. Numbers alone do not protect children. Investigations do. Arrestsdo.Prosecutionsdo.Convictionsdo.
For years, Kaieteur News has reported extensively on cases of sexual abuse involving children. We have consistently highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by minors, the failures of institutions to intervene early enough,andtheneedforstrongerprotectionsforvictims.
Yet this latest disclosure exposes a troubling disconnect betweenpolicyandenforcement.
Theministerherselfexplainedthateverycaseinvolving a child under 16 is reported to the Guyana Police Force because such pregnancies constitute statutory offences. If that is indeed the procedure, then the natural question is: Whatbecameofthosepolicereports?
Howmanyinvestigationswerelaunched?
Howmanysuspectswereidentified?
Howmanychargeswerelaid?
Howmanycasesreachedthecourts?
Howmanyconvictionsweresecured?
Thepublicdeservesanswers.
Thisisnotamatterofseekingsensationalheadlines.Itis about accountability Every one of those 584 cases potentially points to a serious criminal offence. Every one represents a child whose life trajectory may have been permanentlyaltered.
Even more troubling is that this revelation comes against the backdrop of recent attempts to shield the identities of rapists and other sex offenders from public disclosure. Kaieteur News has previously reported on efforts that raised serious concerns about transparency and publicsafety
One has to wonder whether that philosophy is contributingtothesilencesurroundingthesecases.
The rights and privacy of child victims must always be protected.Therecanbenodebateaboutthat.Butprotecting victimsshouldnevertranslateintoprotectingperpetrators.
The public has no interest in knowing the identity of a 13-year-old victim. The public does, however, have every righttoknowwhetheradultoffendersarebeingarrestedand prosecuted.
There is a dangerous message being sent when nearly 600 underage pregnancies are recorded over five years, yet society cannot readily point to a corresponding number of prosecutions.
Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett’s nomination for UN Secretary General, winner-takes-all model, and the right to work and free choice of employment
DEAR EDITOR,
I would like to bring this matter to the attention of the United Nations (UN), the internationalcommunityand the International Labour Organisation (ILO). While reading a publication of a Department of Public
Information article published on 12th June, 2026, and titled ‘Guyana nominates Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett for UN Secretary General –President Ali announces’, it occurred to me that something is happening in International Organisations and the Government of Guyana which seems to be highly discriminatory, prejudicial and hypocritical, asitrelatestoemploymentof people who are associated with politics and more specifically, people who are
associated with the Opposition or are perceived to be associated with Guyana’s Opposition. The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government, particularly, from 2020, has not been supporting the employment i n i n t e r n a t i o n a l organisations of many Guyanese professionals who are associated with politics, or rather, who are associated with Opposition politics This is a blatant violation of Article 23 of the United Nations Declaration of HumanRights.Article23(1) states that ‘Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection againstunemployment’. Article (2) states that ‘Everyone, without any
Enmore
discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work’.
Article 6 (1) of the
International Covenant on Economic, Social and CulturalRightsindicatesthat ‘The States Parties to the present Covenant recognise the right to work, which includes the right of everyone to the opportunity to gain his living by work which he freely chooses or accepts, and will take appropriate steps to safeguardthisright’.
N o w , I s u p p o r t
Ambassador C
nomination, one hundred percent, for UN Secretary General. I would be very proudiftheAmbassadorwas chosen as the next UN Secretary General. She is an intelligent and hard-working professional Guyanese and
Caribbean woman, who is professional enough, like many of us, to make a clear distinction between ‘her politics’ and being professional.
Who is also professional enough, like many of us, to represent her country and other countries, Guyanese and other global citizens in a neutral organization such as
o
y n Rodrigues-Birkett is also a politician She has held several political offices in v a r i o u s P P P / C administrations, as a politician! However, her experience in politics and government is among the keyqualificationsandmakes her a competitive candidate for the position of United NationsSecretaryGeneral.
Martyrs deserve honour, not historical exaggeration
DEAR EDITOR,
Iamdeeplyconcernedby the title of a pamphlet reportedly prepared by Mr JamesAnthony Bond for the 2026 Enmore Martyrs Day commemoration: Blood Upon the Cane Fields: The Enmore Martyrs of 1948 and t h e K i n d l i n g o f Decolonisation in British Guiana The Enmore Martyrs deserve to be remembered with dignity, historicalaccuracy,andafull account of what their deaths represented However, describing their sacrifice as t h e “ k i n d l i n g ” o f decolonisation is, in my view, historically reckless because it suggests that the fire of resistance to colonial rulebeganin1948.
Continued on page 6 criminals.
Itdidnot.
The five workers killed by colonial police at Enmore on 16th June, 1948, were involved in a labour struggle shaped by exploitative plantation conditions, wages, the “cut and load” system, and dissatisfaction with union representation. Their deaths had a profound p o l i t i c a l i m p a c t , strengthened working-class consciousness, and deeply influenced Cheddi Jagan’s commitmenttotheliberation of Guyanese workers. Even Jagan’s own later account described Enmore as an e v e n t t h a t f u r t h e r strengthened an already developing belief that he had a role to play in freeing Guyanese people from exploitation.
If government agencies are identifying these cases, if hospitals and healthcare providers are making referrals, if Child Protection Officers are conducting investigations, and if the Guyana Police Force is receiving reports, then the public should be seeing evidence that the criminal justice systemisfunctioning.
Government must now go beyond releasing figures in Parliament.Itmustreleaseresults.
Tellthenationhowmanyinvestigationswereconducted. Tell the nation how many charges were filed. Tell the nation howmanyconvictionsweresecured.
Becauseif584girlsundertheageof16becamepregnant, Guyana should not be left asking where the men responsible havegone
That is significant, but significance is not the same asorigin.
Long before 1948, enslaved Africans had resisted Dutch and British colonial authority, fought for t h e i r f r e e d o m , a n d challenged the plantation system. After emancipation, Africans purchased villages, pursued land ownership, established independent communities, and continued confronting economic and political exclusion Organised labour resistance also predated Enmore Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow traced the history of British Guiana’s trade-union movement to the 1905 waterfront strike, while the British Guiana Labour Union was established in 1919. The 1924 Ruimveldt labour uprising and the major labour rebellions of t h e 1 9 3 0 s f u r t h e r demonstrate that workers hadalreadybeenconfronting colonial power and racialised economic exploitation for decades beforetheEnmorekillings. Wordssuchas“kindling” are not neutral. Kindling is what starts a fire. By 1948, the struggle against colonial dominationinBritishGuiana had already been burning for generations. Enmore did not ignite that fire. It added fuel to it, intensified it, and became one of its most enduring symbols. That is more than sufficient historical importance. The martyrs do not need the earlier struggles of Africans, labour organisers, village builders, political reformers, and other workers to be diminished in order for their sacrificetomatter Forsomeonewhosayshe conducted research before producing this pamphlet, the title is especially troubling. Historical research should establish chronology, distinguish between labour struggle and formal decolonisation, and place events within the broader political development of the colony Itshouldnottakeone important episode and elevate it into the starting point of a centuries-long struggle. I have not seen the fullcontentsofthepamphlet, so I will not claim to know everything written inside it. However, the title alone raises legitimate concerns about the historical framework being presented a t a n a t i o n a l commemoration. This concern is not an attackontheEnmore Continued on page 5
There is no principled basis on which the state can protect children from violence in some institutions while permitting violence in others
DEAREDITOR,
Recent public reports concerning the alleged mistreatment of a student at the David Rose Special Education Needs School have rightly disturbed the conscienceofthenation.We note that the Ministry of Education has reportedly completed its investigation andforwardedthefiletothe Te a c h i n g S e r v i c e Commission, including
reports, statements, findings a n d f o r m a l recommendations. Since the Teaching Service Commission is the body with disciplinary authority over teachers, that process must now proceed f a i r l y, l a w f u l l y, transparently and without delay
However, this matter should not be reduced to the conduct of individual
teachers, however serious thoseallegationsmaybe.Ifa child with disabilities is harmed in a State education setting,thecountrymustask notonly,“Whodidthis?”but also, “What system allowed this to happen?” Individual accountability is essential; institutional accountability isequallyindispensable.
Reports have circulated that teachers at David Rose are working without
Enmore Martyrs deserve honour...
Frompage4
Martyrs. Quite the opposite. We can honour them by explaining precisely what they fought against, why colonial police opened fire, howtheirdeathsaffectedthe labour movement, and how the tragedy influenced later politicalmobilisation.Wedo not honour them by assigning them a role that requires the compression or erasureofwhatcamebefore.
It is also historically relevant that the Enmore Martyrs Monument was designed by Guyanese artist
Dr Denis Williams, constructed on behalf of the Government of Guyana in 1976,andunveiledbyPrime Minister Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham on 16th June,1977.
Burnham’s government
t h e r e f o r e h e l p e d institutionalise the martyrs’ remembrance as part of Guyana’s national heritage.
Their sacrifice was recognisedbeyondoneparty and deserves to remain part of a national, rather than selectively partisan, historicalaccount.
The Government of Guyana should be cautious
about endorsing or distributing historical material under the banner of anationalceremonywithout ensuring that it meets acceptable standards of accuracy and balance. What
will children attending or reading about the 2026 commemoration be taught?
Will they learn that Enmore was one critical episode within a much longer struggle, or will they be left believingthatdecolonisation began in the cane fields in 1948?
We have already seen African-Guyanese history reduced,softened,oromitted during major national presentations.
The Independence celebration at Fort Island emphasised flags, Dutch administration, and colonial governance without adequately confronting the suffering of enslaved Africansassociatedwiththat colonial space. African cultural representation was presented through a song from Disney’s The Lion
King when Guyana possesses its own AfricanGuyanesedrumming,music, dance,rituals,oraltraditions, andhistoricalmemory
These choices may appearseparate,buttogether they reveal a troubling pattern in which African history is either sanitised, replaced with generic symbolism, or pushed aside to make another narrative appearmorecomplete.
What makes this especially painful is when African-Guyanese people participate in that distortion.
adequatenumbersoftrained teaching aides and assistants; without resident nurses or behavioural therapists;withoccupational therapists and speech therapists reportedly available only once or twice per week; and with teacherstudent ratios said to be as high as one teacher to ten or twelvechildren.Forchildren with complex and varied disabilities, such ratios are plainly unsafe and educationallyunsound.
Itcreatesasituationinwhich our history can be diminishedwhileotherslater claim that Africans themselves approved the telling.
That is why this is not a minor disagreement over wording It concerns the historical record that will be passedtofuturegenerations.
The Enmore Martyrs were courageous workers whose deaths became an important catalyst in Guyana’s labour and political history They deserve ceremony, scholarship, and national remembrance. But they do not need historical fiction. Thetruthoftheirsacrificeis alreadypowerfulenough.
Sincerely,
NakishaSinclair
They are also reportedly inconsistentwithMinistryof Education expectations, international good practice and the Guyana Teachers’ Union position that there shouldbeoneteacheraideto oneteacher
Further concerns have reportedlybeenraisedabout classes containing children with a wide range of disabilities and support needs, making meaningful individualised education extremely difficult. Reports have also described poor washroom facilities, with only some toilets functioning;teachershaving to flush and clean toilets manually; inadequate furniture; long working hours sometimes stretching to twelve-hour days; an o v e rg r o w n s c h o o l
compound; and even snakes enteringclassrooms. If these reports are accurate, they do not describe a few minor administrativedeficiencies.
They describe a system in distress, a school community in which children with disabilities may not be receiving the level of safety, dignity and individual support they require, and where teachers may be expected to carry impossible responsibilities without the tools, staff, training and therapeutic supportnecessary
The David Rose Special Schoolestablishedin1968is one of Guyana’s oldest special educational schools. It should represent the highest national standard of specialist care. Instead, the recent allegations have opened a wider and more p a i n f u l n a t i o n a l conversation about whether both children and teachers are being placed in an environment that is underresourced,overstretchedand insufficiently supported According to news reports there are now 49-50 Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) facilities catering to 1,350 students now operating in Guyana This is to be
commended but it raises concernsaboutthequalityof care, appropriate resources includingadequatelytrained special needs teachers, support staff, teaching aids, equipmentandinfrastructure within these 49-50 new special needs facilities. And if indeed these new SEND facilitiesarebetterequipped andhavetherequiredhuman and other resources then an explanation is warranted to explain deficiencies at the DavidRoseSchool.
The Persons with Disabilities Act (2010) mandates the Minister of Education to establish special education classes in schools, ensure nondiscrimination in access to education, and require Parliamenttoprovidesfunds for special education resources.
This Act under Sub Part II Education requires the MOEtoensurepersonswith disabilities have access to free and compulsory primary, secondary education, develop and implement specialised teachertrainingprogrammes for special schools and integrated school classes for children with disabilities; promotetheestablishmentof Stateandprivatesector
Continued on page 6
There is no principled basis on which the state can protect children...
Frompage5 special schools so that children with disabilities living in any part of Guyana have access to such schools; equip the special schools with vocational training facilities and encourage the development of a system of support services. In practical terms, this means that children with disabilities are entitled not merely to a place in a school,buttoeducationthatissafe, suitable, resourced and respectful oftheirdignity
Guyana must also confront, without evasion, the continued use and cultural defence of corporal punishment. The issue exposed by theDavidRosematterisnotsimply whether one child was mistreated. It is whether Guyana continues to tolerate a disciplinary culture in which adults are permitted to use physicalforceagainstchildrenand thencallitcorrection.
Corporal punishment in any setting is unacceptable It is especially indefensible in special education settings. Many children with disabilities may have communication difficulties, sensory sensitivities, trauma histories, developmental delays, behavioural support needs or difficulty explaining what has happened to them To strike, intimidate, humiliate or physically punishsuchachildisnotdiscipline. It is a failure of care, training, supervision,lawandethics.
Wemustspeakplainly.Beating children does not teach respect. It teachesfear.Beatingchildrendoes not build discipline. It normalises domination. Beating children does notcreateaccountability Itteaches that the stronger person may use pain to control the weaker one. Guyana cannot continue to lament
Corporal punishment in Guyana is only prohibited for childreninpenalinstitutionsandas a sentence for a crime- Juvenile Justice Act 2018. The Childcare and Development Services (CDS) Act 2011 prohibits corporal punishment for children under the age of 12 years in a childcare service,definedaspre-schoolcare, playgroup,homecare,daycareor night care services or safe home/residential facility for childrenunder12years.
We do not know how closely childcare services are being monitored to ensure no corporal punishment is being administered attheseservicesasthereareagreat manyoperatinginGuyana.
Guyana signed and ratified manyyearsagotheConventionon the Rights of Children. Article 19 (1) states “State Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect thechildfromallformsofphysical ormentalviolence,injuryorabuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, includingsexualabuse,whileinthe careofparent(s),legalguardiansor any other person who has care of thechild..”Art.28(2)“StateParties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that school discipline is administered in a manner consistent with the child’s human dignity and in conformity with the presentConvention...”.
Guyana for years has been violating the CRC in relation to corporal punishment and at every Universal Periodic Review it continuestoberemindedaboutthis
violation of the rights of Guyana’s childrentobefreefromallformsof violence in schools and in the home. These are not ornamental commitments. They are binding child-rightsobligations.
There is no principled basis on whichtheStatecanprotectchildren from violence in some institutions whilepermittingviolenceinothers. Childrendonotlosetheirdignityat the school gate. Children with disabilitiesdonothavefewerrights because their needs are more complex. Teachers do not become better professionals when they are permitted to use force. Schools do notbecomemoredisciplinedwhen fearbecomesamanagementtool.
Accordingly, we call on the Government of Guyana, the Ministry of Education, the Teaching Service Commission and all relevant authorities to take the followingurgentactions:
1) Ensure the full implementation of The Persons with Disabilities Act (2010) Sub PartIIEducation.
2) Ensurefull,fairandtimely accountability for David Rose School, ensuring deficiencies identifiedarerectifiedASAP
3) Conduct an independent SENDqualityauditforDavidRose and all 49-59 special education SENDfacilities
4) Immediately prohibit corporal punishment and all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment or maltreatment in special needs schools, special needs classes in schools throughout Guyana and in allinstitutionswherechildrenarein thecare,supervisionorauthorityof theState.
5) Provide mandatory
training for all teachers, school leaders, aides and caregivers working with children with disabilities, covering disability r i g h t s , a u t i s m a n d neurodevelopmental conditions, trauma-informed practice, positive behaviour support, non-violent discipline, safeguarding and child protectionlaw
6) Establish confidential complaints and incident-reporting mechanism for parents, teachers, students and caregivers, with clear procedures for investigation and protection from retaliation with timelyfeedback.
7) Review childcare, residential care and educational institutions to ensure that existing prohibitions on corporal punishment are being monitored and enforced, particularly where young children and children with disabilitiesareconcerned.
8) Begin a national programmeofre-educationonnonviolent discipline and healing including mandatory counselling forallpoliticians,leaders,teachers andcaregiverswhothinkitisokay to beat children. There is no more need for consultation on beating children, only need for reeducationandre-learning.
Acountryisjudgednotbyhow loudly it speaks of development, but by how gently and justly it treats its most vulnerable children. WecannotbuildamodernGuyana on old habits of violence. We cannot call ourselves a caring societywhileleavingchildrenwith disabilities under-protected and teachers under-supported The mistreatment of children with disabilities must end Corporal punishment must end Underresourced special education must
end. Accountability must begin now
Sincerely,
DanutaRadzik
VidyarathaKissoon
Blossom Inc -Dr. Ayo Dalgety-
Dean
ChildLink–OmattieMadray
RedThread
Wapichan Wiizi Women’s Movement – Immaculata Casimero
OrganizationfortheVictoryof thePeople(OVP)
VandaRadzik
JanetteBulkan
DaphneKersting
BonitaHarris
JocelynDow
SusanCollymore
HalimaKhan
RenataChuck-A-Sang
LeilaJagdeo
AngeliqueLeonorForero
NicoletteFernandes
FazeelaHaniff
KarendeSouza
KeomaPearson
RaphaelSingh
RaoulRamdyal
ChrisRam
CharleneWilkinson
OliviaAnnMarieMcAllister
IsmelieLudwinaJeune
JenelleBlackman
LilawattieSingh
MarcellePerreiraBrown
SimoneRoberts
ArethaForde
KeziaOudkerk
LucyLucitaEvans
BelindaD.Nurse
TrisanaNaiomiDyal
SitaSingh
JasminEvelynValidum
AshwanaAshellCorbin
MartinSamaroo
JoanneMingHuiTan
NehemiahTappin
Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett’s nomination for UN Secretary General...
Frompage4
WhereItakeissue,however,iswith the PPP/C government’s hypocritical, prejudiced and discriminatory approach to not providing that same support to Guyanese who are associated with Opposition politics or who are perceived to be associated with Opposition politics. The government’s double standard wherebeinginvolvedinpoliticsisa positive for the PPP/C, but a negative or a death knell, literally, for people associated with the Opposition.
There were incidents where international organisations would have already signed contracts with Guyanese professionals, experts, specialists and the government would have informed those organisations that the government would not work with or was not inclinedtoworkwiththosepersons because they were associated with the opposition or perceived to be associatedwiththeopposition.
This is where the International Labour Organisation (ILO) is required to play a more active role in Guyana, generally, and as it relates to employment for
Guyanese associated with opposition politics or perceived to be associated with opposition politics.
S o m e i n t e r n a t i o n a l organisations, since 2020, seem to have determined that the risks of
recruiting and employing
Guyanese associated with the opposition,mayresultinanumber ofresponsesfromthegovernment; one of which could be the quiet withdrawal or reduce government
involvement with the organisations, or in the particular areas where these persons work, andthenlaterreviveorincreasethe government’s involvement when these ‘perceived’ political opponents either lose their jobs, theircontractsarecancelled,etc.
Thisisalsoabouteconomics,if a political party is in government for thirty years, it means that someone like Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkettwouldhaveheld ministerial positions at various periods, other significant government positions, then moved on to significant positions in international organisations. Some positions in international organisationsrequirethesupportof
the Guyana government, in those cases, that support is guaranteed. Thirty years of unwavering
government support This translates to bills being paid on time; mortgages being paid on time; school and university fees beingpaidontime;vacation,health and wellbeing taken care of for thirty years every time, on time; even being able to buy a simple thing like fruits, regularly, is guaranteed.
The issue here is not that Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett is or was a politician, the current United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, was the Prime Minister of Portugal; the Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus was the Minister of HealthandtheMinisterofForeign Affairs in Ethiopia; the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr OkonjoIweala,wastheFinanceMinisterin Nigeria; and the current Secretary General of the Commonwealth, was the Minister for Foreign AffairsandRegionalIntegrationin Ghana; the issue is the discriminatory, prejudiced and
hypocriticalapproachofthePPP/C government, and the violation of Article23oftheUNDeclarationof Human Rights andArticle 6 (1) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights which provides everyone (including Guyanese associated withtheOppositionorperceivedto be associated with the Opposition) to the opportunity to gain their living by work which they freely choosesoraccepts.
We call on the ILO to protect and safeguard this right to work which they freely choose, for Guyanese associated with the Opposition or perceived to be associatedwiththeOpposition.
Article 149A of the Guyana Constitutionstates that ‘No person shall be hindered in the enjoyment ofhisorherrighttowork,thatisto say, the right to free choice of employment. Citizens of Guyana have a right and freedom to participate in the democratic processes.
Article 149D (1) of the Constitution indicates that ‘The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or equal protectionandbenefitofthelaw’.
I guess some smart people will say, well it was the same when the People’sNationalCongress(PNC) wasingovernmentfortwenty-eight years, the PNC people benefited similarly However, the challenge withthatperspectiveisthattwentyeightyearsplusthirtyyearsisfiftyeightyears,that’salifetimeoffew Guyanese who were guaranteed paying their bills ON TIME. It means that the system is not necessary based on character, integrity and ethics, but rather it is basedheavilyonauthority;onwho isinauthorityoringovernment. Itwasrefreshingtoreadaspects oftheCarterCenter’sFinalReport on the 2025 General and Regional Elections. Particularly, the aspects on the challenges of the winnertakes-all model in Guyana’s politically and ethnically polarizing context, a system that lacks inclusive representation, etc. The winner-takes-all governance model in Guyana must change for basic rights to be upheld, such as therightofeveryGuyanesecitizen to decent work and to work which theyfreelychoose.
Country Manager for ExxonMobil Guyana Alistair Routledge announced on Wednesday that the company and the Government of Guyana will collaborate to introduceanIn-CountryValue(ICV)system thatwillallowthemonitoringoflocalcontent earnings to determine what percentage remainsinthecountry.
Speaking at the Handover Ceremony for the Letter of Approval of Local Content Plans, Routledge reminded attendees that Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo’s vision duringthedevelopmentoftheLocalContent Act was to ensure that wealth generated by thesectorwouldflowintothelocaleconomy
“That is what is happening in the development of local suppliers. It’s also, though, where we are looking to do some additional work later this year to introduce
metrics that will help us to truly understand that in a deeper way In country value ICV, how much of the money that we spend with the local supplier is actually retained in the country,”hesaid.
Routledge explained that the monitoring system will assess whether employees are Guyanese and whether earnings are being retained locally through local bank accounts and spending within their families and communities. It will also determine whether the suppliers used by local companies are genuinelylocalbusinesses,withownerswho possess the required documentation, including Guyanese passports, and who live andbankinGuyana.
“Those are the kind of things that we wouldliketounderstandandbeabletoshine thelighton.So,aswemakethelocalcontent
Turningtoprocurementandsupplychain development, Routledge said the growth of local suppliers has been remarkable. He notedthatbytheendoflastyear,therewere approximately 2,000 local suppliers operatingwithintheindustry
“In10years,from2015to2025inasmall economy like Guyana to have 2000 businesses,locallyaccreditedbusinessesthat aredeliveringfortheoilandsector Ithinkit really talks, it talks to that partnership between the international companies and thenthelocalinvestorsandbusinesspeople, who’ve shown the ambition. They’ve taken the risk, they’ve found the financial capability to invest in businesses, they’ve
Country Manager for ExxonMobil Guyana Alistair Routledge addressing the audience at the event.
struggled partnerships, all of which none of this is easy, in order that they can meet the standardsoftheoilandgasindustry,”hesaid.
Praising the efforts of local businesses, Routledgesaidtheirachievementshavebeen tremendousandhavelaidastrongfoundation for future growth. According to him, their successhasenabledtheoilandgasindustryto spend US$3 6 billion, or more than GYD$700billion,withlocalbusinesses.
Govt. promises tighter port security after 23 AK-47s
...says
slip through AK-4
Container Control Programme to target high-risk cargo in move to plug glaring security gaps at ports
In the wake of 23 USmanufactured AK-47 rifles slipping through Guyana’s ports undetected, the government has announced planstostrengthenmaritime
he implementation of a new
l Programme (CCP) aimed at
intercepting illegal cargo enteringthecountry.
Minister of Home Affairs, Oneidge Walrond outlined the initiative on Monday during the opening of the 31st Caribbean Port State Control Conference and Regional Meeting of Directors and Heads of
MaritimeAdministrations at theACMarriottHotel,Ogle.
concerns about weaknesses in Guyana’s port security systems following the discoverythatashipmentof assault rifles bypassed existingsafeguards.
In a press release, the Department of Public
programme in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
M
Wa
d explained that while the Caribbean Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on PortStateControlfocuseson inspections of foreign vesselstoensurecompliance with international safety, security, environmental and labour standards, the CCP will focus on identifying high-risk cargo containers that may be used for trafficking drugs, weapons, contraband, and other illicit goods.
“Together,theCaribbean MoU and the Container Control Programme will help ensure that both the vessel and its cargo are subject to effective oversight, strengthening the overall security of the maritime transport chain,” theministeradded.
According to her, integrating the two systems will improve intelligence sharing and operational coordination among key borderagencies.
“ B y c o m b i n i n g regulatory compliance measures with intelligenceledcargotargeting,wecreate acomprehensiveframework that improves port security, facilitates the detection of transnational organised crime, and supports the safe and secure movement of legitimate trade throughout the Caribbean region,” she said.
S h e s a i d s u c h coordination is essential as criminal networks continue to exploit legitimate trade routesforillicitactivity
T h e t h r e e - d a y conference brings together maritime officials and port state control representatives fromacrosstheCaribbeanto discuss vessel safety,
compliance, and regional cooperation on maritime security
Additionally, Minister Walrond highlighted the importance of strengthening integrated border and maritime security systems alongside traditional Port StateControlfunctions.
She said maritime security must be viewed within a wider national security framework involvingmultipleagencies.
“Port state control must be seen not only as a maritime administration function, but as part of a wider national security ecosystem,”shesaid.
T h e m i n i s t e r underscored the role of agencies such as the Immigration Department, theGuyanaPoliceForceand the Customs Anti-Narcotic U n i t ( C A N U ) i n safeguarding ports and preventing transnational crime.
She also pointed to ongoing efforts to improve c o o r d i n a t i o n a n d intelligence sharing across the maritime space to enhanceoverallsecurityand compliance.
The conference brings together regional maritime authorities to discuss vessel safety, inspection regimes, c o m p l i a n c e w i t h international maritime conventions, and the future of coordinated maritime governance in the Caribbean.
Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar said the Caribbean Memorandum of Understanding (CMOU) has,fornearlythreedecades, provided a vital framework for harmonising Port State Control practices and strengthening maritime safetyacrosstheregion.
He stressed that the system goes beyond technical inspections and standards, and is ultimately about protecting people and supportingtrade.
“It is about inspections, standards, compliance, and data.Butultimately,itisalso about people. It is about the safety of crews, the protectionofpassengers,the security of our ports, the preservation of our marine environment,andthe Continuedonpage11
Home Affairs Minister, Oneidge Walrond
Income tax thresholds
The government has doneitagain.Ithasindicated that workers can look forward to an increased income tax threshold of $200,000 by the end of the decade.
One Facebook comment hit the nail on the head. It urged the government to file forintellectualbankruptcy
Increasing the income tax threshold has been a staple of almost all PPPC Budgets in recent years; and themaingo-topolicywhenit
comes to increasing disposableincomes.
H o w e v e r , t h e government continues to ignore the fact that unless increasing the income tax threshold is part of a broader structure of wages, productivity,andthecost-ofliving measures, the policy will not pro-worker or propoor Tax policy cannot substituteforwagepolicy
When the income tax threshold is raised, the intended effect is to increase disposable income by reducing the tax burden on workers However, its distributive impact is inherently limited if a large share of the workforce earns at or below the threshold in thefirstplace.
In such circumstances, the policy becomes structurally regressive in its reach—not in intent, but in effect. A significant portion of low-income workers, particularly in the private sector, either pay no income tax or pay very little since they are earning below the income tax threshold. For these workers, an increase in the threshold does not
meaningfully alter their monthly income Their binding constraint is not taxation;itisthewageitself. From a macroeconomic perspective, living standards are primarily determined by productivity and the wage structure that distributes its gains. If wages at the bottom end of the labour market remain stagnant, then adjustmentstotaxthresholds will have limited impact on poverty reduction or inequality
If the minimum wage is not periodically adjusted in line with productivity growth and inflation, then the real purchasing power of low-income workers erodes. Under those conditions, raising the tax threshold becomes a policy that benefits a narrow subset of formalsectorworkerswhose incomes are just above the threshold, while leaving the most vulnerable largely unaffected. The result is a mismatch between policy narrative and economic reality
Tax relief can play a role in supporting household incomes. But it is a secondorder instrument It redistributes income after t h e
c t o f w a g e determination. It does not address the underlying distribution of income generated in the labour market.
In economies where inequality is structurally embedded, overreliance on tax adjustments can obscure themoreimportantquestion: why are wages at the bottom so low relative to the cost of basicconsumption?
Dem Boys Seh...
Dem boys seh driving at midnight on the EastCoastPublicRoadisnowanexercisein patience, faith, and wondering whether the trafficlightworkingonmoodalone.
The other night, de boys was cruising home, not a soul in sight, when he reach a junction and meet a red light standing up there like it own land. No car coming from east, west, north or south. Yet the light stay red like it studying for a PhD in stubbornness.
And dem boys seh is here the real problem start. Because you got to sit down and wait, staring into the darkness like you auditioningforahorrormovie.Twominutes feel like two hours when no traffic in sight. The light not detecting nothing, because it doesnothavenosensors.
Basictechnologythatevenacheapalarm clock possess but somehow it missing from our traffic system like common sense in a politicaldebate.
And while you there waiting, dem boys seh you start calculating life insurance
If the cost of food, transport, housing, and utilities rises faster than wages, then households experience declining real incomes regardless of marginaltaxrelief.
This is why focusing on thresholds alone can create a misleading impression of policy effectiveness. It shifts a t t e n t i o n f r o m t h e production side of the economy investment, productivity, and labour demand—to the fiscal side, where adjustments are easier to announce but less transformative.
T
adjustment in the national minimum wage creates a structural constraint on the effectivenessoftaxpolicy If a worker earns below or just above the tax threshold, then he or she either pay no income tax (and therefore gain nothing from threshold increases), or gain only marginally, while still facing rising living costs. In both cases, the wage level is insufficient relative to the cost-of-living.
Thus, without parallel wage reform, especially at the bottom of the labour market, tax threshold increases risk becoming distributively neutral for thosemostinneedofincome support.
A coherent approach to improving living standards requires integrating three elements. First there is wage policy, including a meaningful and periodically adjusted minimum wage Second, is productivity growth, which the PPPC
hardly ever mentions, driven by investment and structural transformation. Third, there is tax policy, which should complement—not substitute for—incomeformation.
Without this integration, policy becomes fragmented. Fiscal measures appear progressive in isolation but lose effectiveness when detachedfromlabourmarket realities.
Increasing the income tax threshold is a legitimate
fiscal adjustment. But in the absence of corresponding increases in the national minimum wage, its impact on poverty and inequality is inherentlylimited.
For the majority of lowincome and low-skilled workersintheprivatesector, the decisive variable is not how much tax they do not pay, but how much they earn inthefirstplace.
Until wage policy is placed at the centre of the
development agenda, tax threshold adjustments will remain marginal instruments in search of structural problemstheycannotsolve.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the a u t h o r a n d d o n o t necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
options. Because any bandit passing by will see you as a stationary target. You can even hear your own heartbeat negotiating with fear: ‘Boss, just start moving nah!’ But the light indifferent It green only in imagination.
Dem boys seh if inventors from abroad ever pass and see this, they would think we testing patience. Because everywhere else traffic lights talk to cars with sensors, but here our lights behaving like they in a longdistance relationship with logic no communication, just waiting and suffering. Meanwhile fuel burning, nerves frying, and bandits smiling in the bushes like they benefittingfromtrafficpolicy
Dem boys seh next thing you know they go installAI in everything except the traffic lights that actually need it. So we out here doing meditation at junctions, praying the red light remember it has a green side. Until then, midnight drivers must say a silent prayerwhilewaitingfuhgreen Talk half. Leff half.
Midnightvigilatdestoplight
Churches as moral compass
PresidentAligotthatone right. Institutions such as churches have a duty to function as “society’s moral compass.” I couldn’t agree more with the president
Commend him More
commendations for
ExcellencyAli:“togetherlet us find the soul of this nation.” Whoissovulgar,so crass, as to take offense at suchwell-intendedwords? I don’t I applaud those words, speaker For those waiting for the blows on the president’shead,waiton.
Again, I endorse Pres Ali’s call for churches to be “society’s moral compass.”
Generally speaking, the moral compass in Guyana’s churches (houses of worship) is in such a state there’s this peculiarity, this reversalofroles.
A political leader is callingonchurchestosetthe moral tone, to possess the moral fiber, to manifest the moral courage, to the extent that they become the standardforsocietyatlarge. Including how it should be for politicians and governments. How is this achieved? By not pulling punches. By not bowing to curry favour with anyone.
TherecordofJesusbeforea king (Herod), a superpower
governor (Pilate), and the religious establishment (Caiphas)wasofcontinuous correction and, often, outrightconfrontation.
T h e l a t t e r w a s unavoidable. Rememberhis admonitiontothePharisees: stop burdening the ordinary people. Cease and desist withthetiringhypocrisiesof holding the commonfolk to onestandard,whilelivingat another One that feathered thenestsofreligiousleaders of his day Recall: Be done with walking around and making nice speeches intended to impress, but utterlylackinginhonesty
R e m e m b e r h i s admonition to the chief priests and scribes of his turbulent times about carrying solemn faces everywhere they went, but who were like whitewashed tombs. Clean, perfumed, and presentable externally, but rotting internally from wormshavingagoodtime.
I believe that Jesus’ wordsarerelevantintoday’s Guyana. To a considerable e x t e n t , t h e l o c a l environment glistens with hypocrites, the devious and self-serving, and selfdeceivers. Menandwomen of the cloth-whatever their sacred books, the gods they
worship-have equipped themselves with skills that teach how to fall in line, to get their bread buttered. Thisdoesn’tapplytoanyone spiritual denomination, but to many It has relevance to notonesetofchurchleaders, butmanyofthem. Itshould be an eyeopener to religious leaders and their politicallyinclined congregants. They are being seen through Their games are that transparent.
The angles they take are that easily detectable. On this I am immovable, nonnegotiable:spiritualmen and women should squirm, appeartohavefallensolow, that a politician goes into their midst and sees it fit to lecture them about being “society’smoralcompass.”
On the face of it, lovely Butdoespastor,priest,yogi, ormaulanagointotheOffice of the President, or the Office of the Opposition Leader, and openly teach him or her about clean governance and honest leadership? Howshouldthe president or Opposition Leader react? What would those two leaders think? It means not only that this society is upside down. It means that Guyana is in the worstofplaces.
It has always been my position that the houses of God must represent and insist upon what moral etiquette, moral minimums, and moral excellence are all about. They preach it, they must practice it. The moral high ground, having already been travelled, is removed from the hands of any who make a production out of it. It’s lived. No need for
reminders. No thanks.
Pres Ali also spoke of churches helping to “findthesoulofthisnation.” Resonates. Now try this.
The views expressed in this article are those of the au
necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper
Before anyone-president, church leader, believer, citizen-exhort others to help find the soul of this nation, theymustfirstfindtheirown souls. If they do so, they must work tirelessly to save it. Best to the president, his audience,andallGuyana.
GUNMEN HIT BRAZILIAN MINERS’ OPERATION
…cart off with over $44M in raw gold, jewellery, ATV, other items
Police in Regional Division Seven are investigating an alleged robbery under arms that occurred on Monday, June 15, 2026, between 10:00 hrs and 17:30hrsatSewandaBackdam,Region Seven. The robbery was reportedly committed against two Brazilian national gold miners, aged 50 and 44, whoresideandworkinthearea.
Preliminary investigations revealed thatthevictimsoperateseparatemining operations located approximately 200 metresapart.Atthetimeoftheincident, four masked men, reportedly armed with firearms, entered one of the operationswhilethe44-year-oldvictim andhisworkerswereconductingmining activities.
Thesuspectsheldthevictimandhis workersatgunpointanddemandedthat the wash-down process be completed. They then robbed the victim of 15 ounces of raw gold, $150,000 in cash and one redATV, with the stolen items valuedatapproximately$15.4million.
The suspects then proceeded to the second mining operation, where they held the 50-year-old victim and his workers at gunpointandagaindemandedthatthewashdown process be completed. They robbed thevictimof30ouncesofrawgold,one20pennyweight gold chain, one 20pennyweightgoldband,one6-pennyweight gold ring, one red ATV and $300,000 in cash. The stolen items were valued at
approximately$29.265million.
The suspects also took a quantity of clothing, groceries and internet equipment beforemakinggoodtheirescape.
During the incident, the 50-year-old victimwasallegedlyassaultedandsustained injuries. The two ATVs were later found abandonednearthePuruniRiver
The suspects remain at large as investigationscontinue.
Former U.S. trade official warns of permanent shift to transactional global trade
Arun Venkataraman, Former Head of Foreign Commercial Service
ByKhadidjaBah
The era of predictable, rules-based global trade that sustained international commerce for the last 30 years is officially over, replaced by an enduring, leverage-based transactional systemfromWashington.
Speaking on Wednesday at the World Trade Centre Georgetown’s “Growing Business with the United States” session, Arun Venkataraman, former head
of the U S Foreign
Commercial Service, warned Guyanese private sector leaders that the aggressive “America First” tariff and trade regimes of the Trump administration represent a structural realignment of global economics rather than a temporarydisruption.
“If anyone thinks this is something that will happen for the next two and a half years, you’re not paying attention,” Venkataraman told the gathering. “This is notablip;thisisnotahiccup.
The change that has happened is fundamental and it is enduring... The worldthatwe’vebeenliving in for the last 30 years of relative predictability and stability-thateaseisgonefor theforeseeablefuture.”
Respondingtoaquestion from Dr Wesley Kirton, Executive Director, World Trade Centre Georgetown, regardingwhetheradifferent U.S. leader might bring a “kinder,gentlerapproach”to g l o b a l c o m m e r c e , Venkataraman emphasised that deep-seated domestic dissatisfaction with the status quo spans across the
American political landscape, meaning a return to old multilateral norms remainshighlyunlikely Venkataraman detailed how Washington has deployed a tripartite tariff strategy to force domestic onshoring and penalise trading partners This strategy relies first on
tariffrates.
THECHINADILEMMA
universal tariffs, which levy a baseline 10% duty across allimportedgoodsfollowing a series of legal battles that culminated in the U.S. SupremeCourt.
The second pillar involves country-specific duties that target individual nations under regulatory frameworks.This includes a newly proposed 12% country-specific rate for Guyana, the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, and Trinidad and Tobago stemming from a recent forcedlabourinvestigation. Finally, sector-specific duties are being utilised to strikecriticalindustriessuch as metals, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals. This includes a 100% baseline penalty on medical goods that scales down only if companies commit to U.S.basedmanufacturingplans.
While Guyana’s booming crude oil exports, comprising roughly 95% of its $5 billion annual trade with the U.S., and highgradebauxiteremainlargely insulatedviaspecificenergy sector exemptions, the former commercial head acknowledged that the traditional benefits of the U S -Caribbean Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) havebeenseverelydiluted. BecausetheCBTPAonly waives standard “Most Favored Nation” duties, it leavesGuyaneseagricultural and newly emerging non-oil industries exposed to the hefty new universal and country-specific emergency
The most pointed exchanges of the forum centered on Guyana’s delicate geopolitical balancing act between Washington and Beijing Amb. Baney Karran noted that three successive U.S. Secretaries of State, including current Secretary Marco Rubio, have traveled to Georgetown to caution against expanding business ties with China, even as a Chinese state-owned firm (CNOOC) maintains a h i g h l y l u c r a t i v e , foundational joint venture with U S oil major ExxonMobilintheStabroek Block.
Venkataraman revealed that Washington is actively c o n t e m p l a t i n g a n unprecedented overhaul of its “rules of origin” frameworks to penalise C h i n e s e c o m p a n y ownership, even when the products are manufactured entirely within third-party nationslikeGuyana.
“This administration is starting to rethink their approach to rules of origin and think about whether rules of origin should now incorporatesomeelementof company ownership,” Venkataramanexplained.“It meanstwocompaniessitting side by side in the same countrywouldfacedifferent tariff rates... Access to the U.S. market is restricted the more Chinese components areused.”
Whenpresseddirectlyon whether expanding relations with China could trigger U S e c o n o m i c “punishment” or a potential cooling of Washington’s vocal security support for G u y a n a r e g a r d i n g Venezuela’s territorial aggression, Venkataraman didnotdismissthedanger
“No,Ithinkthatisarisk. That is a very fair risk,” he stated, highlighting that the White House’s National Security Strategy explicitly targets the Western Hemisphere as the central theater of foreign affairs.
“The United States is going to pay particular attention to the role that China plays in local economies in the region. Thatcouldverymuchdrawa significantconcern.”
Quizzed by Demerara Waves journalist Dennis Chabrol on why Chinese entitieshaven’tbeen“chased out”oftheStabroekBlockif their presence is so toxic to Washington, Venkataraman
demurred slightly, suggesting U.S. authorities likely perceive a specific geopolitical “line at which that involvement is too great,” which has not yet beencrossed.
NAVIGATINGTHE CARICOMDIVIDE
Thereorientationtoward a strictly transactional U.S. trade policy creates additional friction for regional integration
Replying to David Hills, who voiced concerns that pursuingbilateraltradedeals would violate the collective bargaining spirit of the Caribbean Community ( C A R I C O M ) ,
Venkataraman admitted that the Trump administration’s rigid preference for bilateral agreements over regional pacts introduces severe institutionaltension.
“The downside of [negotiating as CARICOM] is that not all of CARICOM can bring to the table what Guyanacan,”Venkataraman remarked, noting that Washington successfully deployed similar countryby-country fracture strategies across Southeast Asia rather than negotiating collectivelywithASEAN.“I don’t know that the administration has the appetite for the type of
negotiation that allows for the full participation of CARICOM.”
Despite the challenging landscape, Venkataraman e m p h a s i s e d t h a t opportunities exist for Guyanesecompaniesnimble enough to align themselves directly with strategic U.S. national security priorities, such as securing nonChinese supply lines for criticalmineralslikebauxite, utilising custom code structures to offset input duties, and aggressively leveraging the connectivity of the Guyanese diaspora to forge direct commercial partnerships.
Frompage8 confidencethatmustunderpinmaritimetrade,”hesaid. Minister Indar also noted that ports are central to national development, particularly as Guyana continues to experiencerapideconomictransformation.
“Ourportsaremorethanpointsofentryandexit.They are gateways to commerce, investment, tourism, food security, energy security, and national development,” he stated. He added that regional cooperation, training and harmonised standards remain critical as maritime activity continuestogrowacrosstheCaribbean.
Quick response prevents spread of Lacytown fire Lacy
Onewatertenderandtwowatercarriersweredispatched to the location. Upon arrival, firefighters observed smoke emanatingfromthestoragebondofSueFashion.
According to a release, firefighting protocols were immediately activated, and the blaze was quickly brought under control and extinguished by responding firefighters. Investigationsareongoingtodeterminethecauseofthefire.
7 ordered deported Venezuelans
...as 40 persons charged with illegal entry, mining
Some 40 persons have been convicted following a joint services operation carried out in the Iwokrama Protected Reserve between June 13 and June 14, with several Venezuelan nationals ordered deported after pleading guilty to illegally enteringGuyana
The defendants appeared virtually before Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s CourtonTuesday,wherethey faced charges of with illegal entry, contrary to Section 34(1)(b) of the Immigration Act, Chapter 14:02, and illegal mining, contrary to Section 14(1)(a)(i) of the MiningAct,Chapter65:01
Five Venezuelan nationals pleaded guilty to both illegal entry and illegal mining Those persons are:
Luiz Angle, Carlos Alberto Lezama Rivas, Oliver Jesus Urdaneta, Anabel Bolívar
Flores and Daysmair JaramilloCarrillo.Twoother Venezuelan nationals, Abigail Hernandez and DilmaritaFigueroaMartines, pleadedguiltytoillegalentry
Meanwhile, the other 33 defendants, all charged with illegal mining, also pleaded guiltytotheoffence Theyare:
KamelRoberts,JoelSampson called “Naldo”, Alex Simon called “John”, Jushan Stephens, Ezra McCurdy, Duran Harvey called “Leopold”, Ilight Hendricks, Junior Whittington called “Jerry”, Joel Daw called “Godson”, Walter Devon called“Dunce”,AlexVincent called “Bernard”, Rayon Faleim, Michael Earle called “Dove”, Olden Murray,
Rohan Rambhrrat, Dexter Atkinson, Winston Gomes, Travis McCallum, Shane McCalmon, Reaz Khan, Terrence Hinds, Ivor Albert, AngiloFelix,ShawnWilson, Thelston Edward, Carlos Alberto,RonaldoTudor,Orin Jones, Devin London, Imran Jacobus, Peter Andrew, Alanzo Christian and Sonita Miguel
G2 Goldfields Inc announced on Monday that its shareholders have approvedtheUS$2.2B(C$3 billion) arrangement to consolidate its Oko-Ghanie gold project with fellow Canadian firm G Mining Ventures (GMIN’s) fully permittedandfullyfinanced OkoWestProject.
The company also noted that its shareholders have alsoapprovedthespin-outof another company, G3 Goldfields Inc. – which will hold G2’s remaining propertiesnotincludedinthe acquisition.
In April 2026, it was announced that GMIN entered into a definitive agreement with G2 Goldfieldstoconsolidatethe two adjacent gold projects located in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
Acquiring G2 will bring the Combined Measured & IndicatedMineralResources of 7.0 million ounces and Inferred Mineral Resources of 2.3 million ounces. The deal will also expand GMIN’sfootprintinGuyana by 293 square kilometers (km²), creating a combined contiguous land package of over362km².
G2’s Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) released last year, outlinesacombinedopenpit and underground operation witha14-yearminelifeand estimate total production of 3 2 million ounces gold Annual production is projectedtoaverage298,000 ounces during years three through 10 The deal is expectedtoclosethismonth, subject to shareholder and courtapprovals.
InaJune16thstatement, G2 said under the terms of thearrangement,GMINwill acquire all issued and outstanding common shares of G2, while G2 will concurrently complete a spin-out transaction with G3.Thevotewaspassedand finalised at G2’s special meeting of shareholders. A total of 208,496,197 G2 shares were voted in person or represented by proxy at the meeting, representing approximately 80 61% of the total outstanding shares as of the record date. The resolution to approve the arrangement passed with 208,445,379 votes in favour (99.99%) and 19,585 votes against(0.01%).
The closing of the arrangement is expected to occurinJuly2026,subjectto the satisfaction or waiver of
takeoverofGuyanagoldproject
s, including obtaining the approval of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (CommercialList).Uponthe
completion of the transaction on the effective date,G2shareholderswillbe entitledtoreceive0.212ofa GMIN common share and 0.5 of a G3 common share foreachindividualG2share held as of the close of businessonthebusinessday immediately prior to the effectivedate.
During a recent press conference, President Irfaan Ali was asked whether the growing trend of foreign firms ‘flipping’ large-scale miningassetsinGuyanaisa c o n c e r n t o h i s administration, and whether government believes stronger policies are needed to ensure the country benefits directly from those transactions.Forhispart,Ali hasdefendedthetransferand sale of Guyana’s mineral properties among foreign mining companies, arguing that such transactions are part of the global mining industry and not unique to Guyana.
Kaieteur News reported that the Oko West Gold Project was added to GMIN’s portfolio back in 2024 following a business combination with fellow Canadian firm, Reunion
Gold Corp valued at US$638M (C$875 million).
The Oko West project is estimated to hold 4 64 millionouncesofprovenand probable reserves at an averagegradeof1.89grams of gold per tonne The project is expected to produce about 350,000 ouncesofgoldannuallyover a12.3-yearminelife.
Early 2026, G2 announced new gold discoveries outside its existing mineral resource areasatthehigh-gradeOKO Gold Project. The company had set its eyes on total productionofapproximately 3.2 million ounces of gold from the project, with average annual output projected at about 281,000 ounces during the mine’s peak years. The project’s
maiden Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) had outlined that the project will entail a combined open-pit and underground operation with a 14-year life of mine. G2’s latest mineral resource estimate for the Oko project stands at 1.6 million ounces of gold in the Indicated category and 1.9 million ounces in the Inferred category
GMIN and G2 had disclosedthattheintegration ofthedepositsisexpectedto enhance mine sequencing
a n d o p t i m i s a t i o n
opportunities, supporting highermillfeedgradesanda morebalancedblendofopen pit and underground mining over the Life of Mine (LOM) The combined project is also expected to deliver significant near and long-term synergies across throughput, operating costs, capital costs due to shared infrastructure, mine sequencingandpermitting.
GMIN had also stated thatthereisanopportunityto accelerate Oko-Ghanie’s permitting timeline by combining with the fully permitted Oko West Project – which is expected to start goldproductionnextyear
The arrangement with G2 delivers on GMIN’s stated vision to build and operate a large, long-life, Tier-1 mine in Guyana with the ultimate objective of generating industry leading returnsforitsshareholders.
GMIN plans to move quickly through technical studies to verify the optimal mine plan, sequencing, and throughputforthecombined
Continuedonpage18
Capping stack installed at Vreed-en-Hoop Shore Base
…Min. Bharrat says
massive reduction in oil spill response time in event of well blowout
Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat, during a visit to Vreed-en-Hoop Shore Base Inc. (VEHSI) on Tuesday.
Guyana has significantly strengthened its offshore emergency response capability by installing an in-country capping stack at the Vreed-en-Hoop Shore Base Inc. (VEHSI), becoming one of only a handful of countries globallywithimmediateaccesstothespecialisedequipment.
MinisterofNaturalResourcesVickramBharrat,duringa visittothefacilityonTuesday,saidthedevelopmentreflects Guyana’s commitment to building a world-class and responsibleoilandgasindustry
With the capping stack now housed locally at VEHSI, response time has been reduced dramatically “With this capping stack being in Guyana, to mobilise and transport it offshorewillprobablytaketwodays,maximumtwotothree days,sothere’samassivereductionintimeinrespondingto the unlikely event of a well blowout offshore,” Minister Bharratsaid.
The capping stack arrived officially in Guyana 2024 and wasbeinghousedatGuyanaShoreBaseInc.Itwasrecently transferred to VESHI where it will be easily accessible. A cappingstackisaspecialisedpieceofemergencyequipment usedonadamagedoilwelltostoptheflowofoilorgasand bringthewellbackundercontrol.Thecappingstack,whichis usedtocontainthehydrocarbons’flowintheunlikelyeventof an offshore well blowout during exploration or production activities,isoneofonly13availablegloballyandoneofjust twostationedinSouthAmericaandtheCaribbeanregion.
“Inourcountry,Guyana,thispieceofequipmentisoneof 13 that are available globally, and in this part of the world, thereareonlytwo,oneinBrazilandoneinGuyana,”Minister Bharratstated.
He noted that Guyana’s requirement for an in-country capping stack under its Production Licence and Environmental Permit framework demonstrates the government’s focus on preparedness and environmental protectionasoilproductionexpands.
The minister explained that prior to the equipment being stationedinGuyana,operatorssubscribedtoaccessacapping stackstoredinHouston,Texas.Mobilisingthatequipmentto offshore operations in the Stabroek Block could take approximatelyoneweek.
Minister Bharrat said while Guyana does not anticipate needing to deploy the equipment, its presence provides an added layer of assurance that the country is equipped to respondswiftlyandeffectivelyifrequired.
The agreement is expected to unlock more than C$1B in measurablesynergies,drivenbyreducedcapitalandoperating costs, as well as increased throughput.According to GMIN, these stem from shared infrastructure, optimised mine sequencing,andstreamlinedpermitting.
According to GMIN combining the two gold projects would avoid approximately C$850M in capital expenditure thatwouldotherwiseberequiredtodevelopastandaloneOkoGhanie Project. It was noted that this is largely due to the eliminationoftheneedforaseparatemillandtailingsfacility, alongwiththeintegrationofkeyinfrastructure.
Govt.approvesover40LocalContentAnnualPlansfor2026
The Ministry of Natural Resources’ Local Content Secretariat on Wednesday signed over 40 Local Content Annual Plans of companies operating in the oil and gas sector for the reportingyear,2026.
A handing over ceremony of the letter of approval of local content plans was held at the RoraimaDukeLodge,Duke Street,Kingston.
The Natural Resources Ministry shared that local c o n t e n t a n d i t s implementation is largely driven by the submission of local content plans as articulated in the Local ContentAct.
K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that the annual plan is one of the plans that mandate reporting
c o n t r a c t o r s a n d subcontractors to set out theirvisionforlocalcontent for each calendar year It positions these reporting
c o n t r a c t o r s a n d s u b c o n t r a c t o r s t o deliberately consider how theyforeseecomplyingwith theirstatutoryobligations.
The annual plan comprisesofanarrativeand is supplemented by a procurement sub-plan, an employmentsub-plan,anda capacity development subplan.
According to a release fromtheministry,theannual planmustbesubmittedtothe ministerforapprovalnolater than thirty days after the beginningofacalendaryear Thelocalcontentsecretariat, acting on the minister’s guidance, rigorously reviewstheseplanstoensure compliance with the letter andspiritoftheAct.
Reporting companies have an opportunity to respond to the secretariat’s observations and routinely resubmitthroughaniterative collaborative review process Approving the annual plans reinforces
reporting companies’ commitmenttolocalcontent
implementation and
government’s commitment (through the natural resources ministry) to ensuring Guyanese are meaningful participants in Guyana’s patrimony, the ministrystated.
Approved annual plans signify alignment with the localcontentact’slegislative aspirations, and companies must now implement the plans as approved. These approved plans, along with the subsequent half yearly reportsmonitorlocalcontent implementation, which paves the way for increased opportunities for Guyanese andGuyanesecompanies.
Director of Local
Content Michael Munroe in his remarks said the submissionofanannualplan is a statutory obligation “The (Local Content) Act stipulates what needs to be containedinthoseplansand reallyandtrulyannualplans is the bedrock of local content implementation because once these plans would approve, it forms the basis for the local content implementation activities of thecompanieswithintheact reportingscope,”hesaid. According to him, the reviewprocessoftheseplans was very rigorous, and the secretariat’s team took the due diligence to ensure that the plan aligns with the objective of the Local Content Act Noting continuedcollaborationwith these companies, the Director added “We want to encourage the companies to predispose to the local contentimplementation,itis veryimportant.”
Applauding companies for adhering to the local content legislation, Minister of Natural Resources
Vickram Bharrat in his address said, “We are comfortable approving your annuallocalcontentplanfor 2026becauseyouhavebeen fulfilling whatever obligations you have towards Guyana and the LocalContentlegislation.”
Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat (2nd left) joined by Director of the Local Content Secretariat and the ministry’s Legal Officer Mr. Michael Munroe and President of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), Alistair Routledge handing over the approved Local Content Annual Plan to company representatives on Wednesday.
Speaking about the country’s oil and gas sector, henotedthattheintentionof the local content legislation was to get Guyanese and G
involvedinthesector
Hestatedthatsince2015, there have been 2,000 local
suppliers and almost 7,000 Guyaneseworkingintheoil andgassector.
“We said to our local companies that you need to becompetitivethatyouneed to be competitive both in quality and price. And we have seen that and the local
Capping stack installed at Vreed-en-Hoop...
Frompage18
“Guyana is well prepared… and I amverypleasedthatinthedevelopment andbuild-outoftheoilandgassectorin Guyana, today we can boast of having oneof13cappingstacksinGuyana,”he stated.
Managed through Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL) under an annual subscription arrangement, the capping stack is designed for deployment in deepwater operations and includes specialised equipment such as heavy debris-removal shears. The unit weighs approximately 42 metric tonnes (93,000 pounds), stands
6.8 metres tall, is rated to withstand pressures of up to 15,000 pounds per square inch (psi), and can operate in water depths of up to 3,800 metres. Its modular design also allows for air freighttransportationwhennecessary
Moreover, President and General Manager of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge, said the investment inemergencyresponseinfrastructureat theVreed-en-HoopShoreBasereflects a deliberate approach to ensuring that the growth of Guyana’s oil and gas industry is matched by strong environmentalsafeguards.
Routledge explained that the shore
base,developedaspartoftheYellowtail project, now serves not only as a logistics and subsea support hub for offshore developments in the Stabroek Block but also as a centre for regional emergencypreparedness.
“Thiscollectionofequipmenthere, fromacappingstacktoboomstodeploy in the water and chemicals that we can usetodisperseoil,isalllocatedhereso we can respond quickly,” Routledge said.
He added that the capability positionsGuyanaasaregionalleaderin offshore emergency response (ModifiedfromDPI)
private sector answer to the call, to taking the risk and answering the call and investing,”hementioned.
Having been supporting thesectorsovertheyears,the ministerstatedthattheyhave seen that many local companies have the ability and can compete regionally, and are heading to having a space at the global stage as well.
Frompage15
Some of the over 40 companies whose Local Content Plans were approved and signed were ExxonMobil Guyana Ltd., MODEC Guyana Inc., CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Ltd., Guyana Deep Water Operations Inc , SLB, Halliburton, Saipem, Baker Hughes, Ramps Logistics, Technip, Airswift, and GPort.
In a separate matter, 37-year-old Raul James a porkknocker of Kara Kara, Mackenzie, Linden, Region 10, was chargedwithpossessionoffirearmwithoutalicence,contrary toSection16(2)(a)oftheFirearmsAct,Chapter16:05 James appeared virtually before Magistrate Clive Nurse and he pleaded not guilty Bail was refused, and he was remandedtoprison.ThematterwasadjournedtoSeptember 23,2026.
Pres.AliinvitesGAWUtomanagesugarestates … as govt. pushes reform of sector
President Irfaan Ali
As the government continues to hunt strategiestoensurethelong-termsurvivalof the sugar industry, President Irfaan Ali has called on the Guyana Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) to manage one of the sugar estatesinthecountry
In his address at the commemorations of the 78th anniversary of the Enmore Martyrs on Tuesday, the head-of-state said the government is committed to reviving the industryandupliftingthelivesofworkers.
“Let me also say this clearly, the responsibilityforrevivingthesugarindustry doesnotrestwithmanagementalone.Itrests with all of us, because sugar does not only support sugar workers, sugar supports the entire community, the markets, the stores, it supportsanentireecosystem,”hesaid.
Noting that the government has invited proposalsfortherevivalofsugarestate,like theoneatSkeldon,hestatedthattheyarealso extendinganinvitetotheUnion.
“Ifyouwouldliketotakeupthemantleof management, and to take one of the estates and make it a model, we give you that challengeopenly Takeoneoftheestatesand to manage it, we give you that opportunity, we give you that opportunity with the workers so then we can have different models. We invite you to be part of the managementalso,becausethatiswhatgood, responsible government does,” he said on Tuesday
Adding that the government will work with them, he said, “Do not shy away from theopportunity.”
The president in his remarks, shared that sugar is a heritageindustry For generations,
henotedthatithasbeenthebackboneofthe country’s rural economy, it has sustained villages, it has supported families, it has created communities, and despite the challengesitfacestoday,itcontinuestoplaya vitalroleinnationallife.
Expressingthatheisnotpleasedwiththe failure of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to consistently achieve the production target, the president said he has read the Riot Act to management, and demandedgreateraccountability
“I’ve demanded greater efficiency I’ve demanded better results. I’ve also asked the union to be a better partner, not to strike unnecessarily,”hestated.
He also said that his government’s investment must bring returns, and at the leveloftheestates,changeswillbemade
Continued on page 24
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CALgoesdailyonGuyana-Torontoroute
...as demand surges; non-stop flights to begin July 1
CaribbeanAirlineswillintroducedailynon-stopflights between Georgetown and Torontofrom1stJuly,2026,a movetheairlinesaysisaimed at meeting rising travel demand between Guyana and Canada and strengthening economic and family ties between the two countries.
The announcement was madeinamediareleaseissued on Tuesday from Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
According to the airline, theexpandedschedulecomes astravelbetweenGuyanaand Canada continues to grow, fueled by increased business activity,tourismandvisitsby members of the Guyanese diaspora living in Canada.
Thenewarrangementwill see Flight BW 616 depart Georgetowndailyat9:20a.m. forToronto,whileFlightBW
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Caribbean Airlines said theadditionalflightswillprovide passengers with greater flexibility during the peak summer travel season while increasing the number of available seats on the route.
Acting Chief Executive Officer,VarmaKhillawan,describedGuyanaasoneofthe airline’s most important and fastest-growingmarkets.
“Guyana remains one of the airline’s most important andfastest-growingmarkets.
The introduction of daily Toronto to Georgetown flights reflects our commitment to meeting customer demand and strengthening connectivity between GuyanaandNorthAmerica,”
Khillawansaid. He added that whether passengers are travelling for business, leisure, education ortoreconnectwithrelatives, the enhanced schedule will offer greater convenience throughout the summer and beyond.
Theairlinealsonotedthat the move supports Guyana’s continuing economic expansion and its growing international profile, while making travel easier for thousands of GuyaneseresidinginCanada.
Over the past several years, Guyana has experiencedasignificantincreasein air travel demand, driven largely by rapid economic growth,theexpandingoiland gas sector and increased movement by investors, pro-
fessionals and members of the diaspora.
CaribbeanAirlinessaidit will continue investing in its route network and fleet to provide reliable services and seamless connections throughout the Caribbean, North America and South America.
Passengers can book flightsthroughtheCaribbean Airlineswebsite,mobileapp, reservationscallcentre,ticket offices and authorised travel agents.
DailyFlightScheduleEffective 1stJuly,2026
BW 616: Georgetown (GEO) to Toronto (YYZ) –9:20a.m.daily
“The new base now is a new threshold, and we said that before the end of this term, that new base will be $200,000 upon which ourworkerswouldstand,$200,000tax-free,” the president said during a ceremony to commemorate Enmore Martyrs Day onTuesday
The pledge would further extend the steady climb in the threshold since the People’sProgressiveParty/Civic(PPP/C)returnedtoofficein2020.
The figure stood at $65,000 when the administrationtookoffice.Ithassincebeenlifted in successive budgets to $75,000 in 2022, $85,000in2023,$100,000in2024,$130,000in 2025and$140,000inthisyear’sbudget.
Eachincreasehastakenthousandsofearners out of the income tax net altogether, with
the latest adjustment removing about 5,000 workers and adding more than $2 billion in disposable income.
“It is the People’s Progressive Party that has successfully increased the base upon which every worker in this country stands,” the president said.
“Five years ago, the struggle was for a higher threshold. We delivered. The struggle was for higher salaries. We delivered. The struggle was for a better pension. We delivered,” the head of state added.
Hesaidthegovernmentaimedtokeeplifting workers rather than settle at any single figure.
“Our level for the workers is not a hundredthousand.Ourlevelistomovethemfrom one status to the next status, so that their childrencanenjoyadifferentleveluponwhich they start their base.” (DPI)
Pres. Ali invites GAWU to manage sugar...
From page 22
because they are necessary for the investments they are making. “We don’t shy away, andyes,technicalexpertisewillcomein,and yes, we are looking at proposals for the reinvestment in Skeldon Estate, but we are also lookingatopportunitiestolifttheworkersfrom one level to the next level, and if we have to deploy a system of support through public policytolifttheworkersfromoneleveltothe next level with a direct conversation with the worker with retraining and retooling, reorganising, repositioning, restrategising, reorienting.YoucanrestassuredthePeople’s Progressive Party will do it,” he assured.
He also mentioned that while some may have advocated for closing the sugar industry,whichmeanttheyareeffectivelyadvocating economic devastation for large section of rural Guyana, he added that his government will continue to support the industry
PresidentAli said his government is on a path to finding variations of formula that would ensure the long-term survival of the industry. “We have to look to a plan that will strengthen the industry, optimise production, reduce cost of production, while at the same time looking at newer areas for growth and development within the sugar plantation,” he disclosed.
Noting that they are modernising the factories, he said that GuySuCo is pursuing an aggressive mechanisation programme, and already, approximately 44% of its lands have been converted for mechanical harvesting.
At the same time, drone technology is being deployed for crop surveillance and for the application of chemicals and fertilisers.
The modernisation of the sugar industry, he pointed out is necessary for its survival, resilience, and sustainability
GCCI seeks Chinese Embassy’s help over complaints against suppliers
The Georgetown
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has engaged officials of the Chinese Embassy following mounting concerns from local businesses about difficulties encountered when dealing with suppliers inChina.
GCCI President Kathy Smith and Senior Vice
P r e s i d e n t G a v i n Ramsoondar met with ChineseEmbassyEconomic andCommercialCounsellor Li Hanqing last Friday to discuss complaints raised
by several Chamber members,theGCCIsaidina statement.
According to the body, the meeting was convened amid increasing trade relations between Guyana and China and growing concerns about the need to safeguard local businesses fromunreliablesuppliers.
Among the issues raised were instances of suppliers becomingunresponsiveafter paymentsweremade,aswell as cases where businesses received products that did
not match their orders, the GCCIstatementread.
During the discussions, both sides explored avenues for closer collaboration, including the development of a list of legitimate and verified Chinese suppliers and trading platforms that Guyanese businesses can u
confidence.
The Chinese Embassy also expressed its willingness to assist in investigating complaints submitted through the Chamber and work towards addressing disputes to promote transparency and a c c o u
y
n commercialtransactions.
The GCCI said ensuring that Guyanese businesses can confidently engage with credible international partners is critical, particularly as trade and investment links between Guyana and China continue toexpand.
...moves aimed at protecting Guyanese businesses amid growing trade ties
GCCI President Kathy Smith and Senior Vice President Gavin Ramsoondar meeting with the Chinese officials.
Earlier this year Reuters rep
ed that Br
zil reclaimed top spot globally for Chinese investment in 2025, attracting 10.9% of total outbound capital, followed by the U.S. and Guyana, with 6 8% and 5 7%, respectively, accordingtodatareleasedby the Brazil-China Business Council(CEBC). Brazil received $6.1B in
Theinitiativeisexpected to strengthen trust in crossborder commerce while providinganadditionallayer of protection for local companies seeking opportunities in the Chinese market.
Three charged in Honey Camp Landing murder
Three men have been charged in the 9th June, 2026 killing of Robert Noble, police said in a releaseonWednesday
RaymondCorroll,called “Kunga Joe,” a 64-year-old businessman of Victory Valley, Wismar, Linden; Tyrone Phillips, called “Wormey,” a 63-year-old gold miner of Golden
Grove, East Coast Demerara;andRafeekShan Austin,called“Shan,”a34year-old gold miner of Victory Valley, Wismar, Linden, have been charged with murder, contrary to commonlaw
Themenallegedlykilled Noble, called “Curry,” at Honey Camp Landing, MiddleMazaruniRiver
The accused appeared on Tuesday, 16th June, 2026, at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court before His Worship Teriq Mohamed,wherethecharge wasreadtothem.Theywere not required to plead and wereremandedtoprison.
The matter has been adjournedto31stJuly,2026, forcontinuation.
Chinese investment across dozens of projects, a 45% increaseincapitalcompared to 2024, as Chinese companies worked to diversify their presence in Latin America’s largest economy and increase their footholds in the country’s clean energy and mining sectors.
With bilateral trade surgingtonearlyUS$2.9Bin 2025, more than doubling within a year and cementing China’s position as one of
Guyana’s major trading p a r t n e r s , C h i n e s e Ambassador to Guyana, Yang Yang, back in February underscored the deepening economic and diplomatic ties between the twocountries.
Theambassadorhadsaid then that the partnership between the two countries has entered a “fast track” of development under the strategic leadership of President Irfaan Ali and Xi Jinping. According to Yang,
bilateral trade between Guyana and China reached nearly US$2.9B in 2025, more than double the figure recorded the previous year She highlighted the completion of the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge by a Chinese company, describing it as a “Bridge of Friendship and Development” that is improving transportation, easing daily commutes and stimulating regional economicactivity
GPL unveils five-year growth plan to business community
...CEO says utility investing in infrastructure, technology and workforce development to meet rising energy demand
GuyanaPowerandLight Inc (GPL) on Tuesday intensified its engagement with the private sector, outlining an ambitious fiveyear strategic plan aimed at modernising the country’s electricity network and preparing the utility to meet Guyana’s rapidly expanding energydemands.
The engagement, held with members of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), was led by GPL Chief Executive Officer and Head of the Executive Management Team, Kesh Nandlall, along with a delegation of the company’s directors.
In a press release GPL said during the meeting, it presented its current operational priorities, ongoing infrastructure projects and long-term vision for transforming the electricitysector
Delivering the feature
a d d r e s s , N a n d l a l l highlighted several key initiatives geared towards improvingservicereliability,
expanding network capacity and modernising the company’soperations.
He said GPL’s five-year strategic plan is centred on boosting operational efficiency, strengthening customerservice,supporting national development and positioning the utility to cater for Guyana’s fastgrowing electricity demands.
According to Nandlall, the company is pursuing major investments in t r a n s m i s s i o n a n d distribution infrastructure, technological upgrades and
GPL Chief Executive Officer and Head of the Executive Management Team, Kesh Nandlall.
workforce development to build a more reliable and resilient electricity network nationwide.
The session also provided an opportunity for members of the business community to engage directly with GPL’s executive team, raising concerns and sharing perspectives on issues affecting businesses and G u y a n a ’s b r o a d e r developmentagenda.
GCCI President Kathy Smith welc
Senior Vice President Gavin Ramsoondar also commended GPL for providing members with a detailed overview of its projectsandfutureplans.
GPLsaidtheengagement forms part of its ongoing c
t m e n t t o transparency, stakeholder c o l l a b o
a t i o n a n d continuous improvement as it works to build an electricity sector capable of supporting Guyana’s evolvingenergyneeds.
he initiative and thanked GPL forengagingtheChamberon matters of national importance.Sheemphasised the importance of sustained dialoguebetweentheprivate sector and public utilities as Guyana continues its economicexpansion.
Raymond Corroll
Tyrone Phillips
Trump says Iran deal averted ‘economic catastrophe’ but says he could still restart war
(Reuters) - U S President Donald Trump on Wednesday defended his interim agreement with Iran, saying it had averted a globaleconomiccatastrophe,while warning he could launch fresh attacksifTehranfailedtohonourits commitments.
Speaking at the close of a G7 summit in France,Trump also said maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuzhadrisensharplysincethe trucewasannouncedthreedaysago and expressed hope it could mark thestartofawiderpeaceacrossthe MiddleEast.
“We’re going to bomb the hell outofthem(Iran)iftheyviolatethe agreement. I don’t want them to. I wantthemtohonortheagreement,” Trump told a press conference, adding that the Iranians were “smartpeople”.
Earlier, he had said: “If I don’t like it, if they (Iran) don’t behave, we’ll go right back to dropping bombsrightsmackinthemiddleof theirhead,OK?”
The war, which began with U S and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 and spiraled into a broader regional conflict, has driven up energy prices, renewed inflationarypressuresandsparked concerns about a major food supply crisis in developing countries
“So the one thing I didn’t want to see is, I didn’t want to see economic catastrophe. If you kept this going, that could have happened,” Trump `said He
U.S. President Donald Trump looks on as he arrives for a working session with G7 leaders and outreach partners on promoting economic growth, during the G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, June 17, 2026. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin for being “neutral” duringtheconflict,sayingtheyhad not thwarted his efforts to curb Tehran’snuclearambitions.
Oil prices fell again on Wednesday on prospects for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, withBrentcrudefuturesbelow$80, at their lowest level since the opening salvos of the U.S.-Iran conflict.
But they later regained more than 1% afterTrump said he could resumethewarifhewasunsatisfied withIran.
Speaking to reporters, a senior U.S.officialreadoutthetextofthe signed memorandum of understandingwithTehranbutsaid
the parties could still walk away untilabindingdealisreached.
The 14-point draft, which had alreadycirculatedwidelybeforeits contentswerepublished,extendsa ceasefire announced in April by another 60 days to allow the two sides to negotiate a permanent truce.
G7 LEADERS
WELCOME IRAN DEAL
The memorandum includes an immediate end to the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, the full resumption of maritime traffic in theStraitofHormuz,theliftingofa U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, the waiving of international sanctions on Iran, and a plan worth $300 billion for the economic rehabilitation of the Islamic
Lula says Trump must ‘stay out’ of Brazil elections
(Reuters) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Wednesday that US President DonaldTrumphastherighthavean electoral preference in Brazil, but warned his U.S. counterpart to “stayout”ofthisyear’selections.
Lula, who intends to run for reelection in October’s vote, made the comments shortly after Trump told reporters that Brazil has become a “little rough” and “dangerouspolitically.”
“They play pretty tough, but `nobody plays tougher than the UnitedStates,”Trumpsaid.
The jabs were the latest backand-forth in the up-and-down relationship between the two leaders, who were both in Switzerland on Wednesday for the lastdayoftheG7summit.
Lula’s main challenger in polls isSenatorFlavioBolsonaro,sonof Trump ally and Brazil’s exPresident Jair Bolsonaro, who is living under house arrest after he wasconvictedlastyearofplottinga coupafterthe2022election.
The U.S. president met with ‘Bolsonaro last month, alongside his brother, Eduardo Bolsonaro, a former lawmaker living in the
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks during a ceremony announcing deforestation data in the Amazon, in Brasilia, Brazil, June 11, 2026. REUTERS/Adriano Machado
UnitedStates. Trumphadmetwith Lulajustafewweeksearlier Eduardo Bolsonaro, who has been working to gather internationalsupportforhisfamily, was convicted on Tuesday ‘by Brazil’sSupremeCourtofcourting interference from the Trump administration in his father’s trial lastyear,whichhedenies.
Republic.
Iranalsoundertakesnottobuild nuclear weapons, reaffirming a vowithadmadefordecades.
Despitehistypicallycombative rhetoric, Trump appears to have achieved little of what he said he wantedattheoutsetofthewar
However, leaders hailed ‘the agreement at their summit, held in the French town of Evian-lesBains, an hour’s drive along the shore of Lake Geneva from where the Iran ceasefire memorandum is due to be signed at a ceremony acrosstheSwissborderonFriday
They share Washington’s concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme and other issues, but neverendorsedhisdecisiontogoto war, and worry Tehran has gained leverage by withstanding the superpower onslaught and assertingcontroloverthestrait.
“We underline the need for the negotiation toaddressthethreats posed by Iran in the region and beyond and ensure that they never obtain a nuclear weapon,” the leaders of France, Germany, Britain, Japan, Italy, Canada and theU.S.saidinastatement.
They also demanded an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon, wherethememorandumcallsfora halttohostilitiesbetweenIsraeland the Iran-backed Hezbollah group that have displaced more than a ‘million people. Fighting there has abated but not ceased since the agreementwasreachedonSunday, andIsrael,whichwasnotpartofthe negotiations,saysitretainstheright touseforce.
TRUMP CHIDES NETANYAHU
Trump on Wednesday gently rebuked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over his tactics in Lebanon against
Hezbollah. The two men have repeatedly clashed over Israel’s refusal to constrain its pursuit of Hezbollah in Lebanon, where a cessation of hostilities is a key Iraniandemand.
“Netanyahu happens to be a good man, gets a little excited sometimes,”Trumptoldreporters.
“We have a little dispute over Lebanon. I say you `can do a little softer touch, Bibi,” he said, using Netanyahu’snickname.“Youdon’t have to knock down a building every time somebody walks into it that’sfromHezbollah.”
Lebanese state media reported freshIsraeliairstrikesandartillery fire in several southern towns throughout Wednesday Lebanese securitysourcessaidHezbollahhad alsolaunchedtwodroneattackson Israeli forces in the south. The group did not publicly claim the attacks.
Israel later said five of its soldiers had been injured in two Hezbollah drone attacks in southernLebanon.
MOST IRANIANS ‘ARE IN SURVIVAL MODE’
The mood among ‘ordinary Iranians, grappling with economic woes further exacerbated by months of war, remained grim, even as their leaders declared this week’s interim deal a diplomatic victory for Tehran over Washington.
“I think 99% of people are in survival mode and just living day by day,” said Amir, 34, a media production company owner in Isfahan in central Iran, who declinedtogivehissurname.
“I don’t think anybody has any hopes anymore I don’t think anybodyhasanyvisionsofwhatthe futuremightlooklike.”
Police Inspector charged with unlawful transfer of ammunition
A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department ‘said Eduardo Bolsonaro’sconvictionwaspartof a “pattern of persecution and lawfare by the Brazilian courts againsttheirpoliticalopposition.”
The spokesperson added that “politicaldebates`shouldbesettled by democratic elections, not by convictions.”
at the GeorgetownMagistrate’sCourt,wherethechargewasreadtohim. Hepleadednotguiltyandwasgrantedbailinthesumof$150,000. Thematterhasbeenadjournedto24thJune,2026,fordisclosure.
organisers would provide each child with educational materials for the four weeks camp while the top student would also take home a whopping five hundred thousand dollars worth of prizesincludingonehundred thousand dollars cash prize, laptop computer, electric bike, electronic tablet, Comfort Sleep mattress, designer clothing among others.TheRHTYSCwould besharingoutoveramillion dollars worth of educational
materialstoeveryparticipant of the cricket academy and summer camp including school bags, hard cover exercise books, pens and pencils.
Formernationalcricketer Lennox Cush and his company Star Party Rental last Friday donated two hundred thousand dollars worthofschoolbagstowards the event along with a large amount of trophies. Cush, stated that he was delighted to assist the club which has produced a total of 133 Berbice Players, 76 for Guyana and thirteen at the internationallevel.
Managing Director of
Thursday June 18, 2026
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
Your calm will be put to the testtoday,Aries.Trynottofall intothistrap.Youshouldtryto show people that you're a thoughtful person and your past experiences have given youwisdom.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
You tend to think that you're the only person on this planet born under a lucky star, Taurus. Try to trust the ones you love, because they might not appreciate having to deal withyouranxiety
GEMINI(May21–June20)
You're an eccentric person, Gemini. Yet you also feel the need to be loved and feel the approvalofthosearoundyou. It isn't always easy to think differently from other people ortofeelcompletelydifferent.
CANCER(June21–July22)
Your altruism and ability to listen to others will greatly influence the day Someone close to you is having difficulties and doesn't know howtoexplaintheproblem.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
The day belongs to you. The celestial movements encourage you to think about your future. Don't be afraid. With your usual selfconfidence and dynamism, you're in the best position to haveaheadstart.
VIRGO(Aug 23–Sept 22)
There's a radical change takingplaceintheZodiac.The changes in the economy and society seem to suggest that nowisthetimetothinkabout how your actions impact the lives of your loved ones and societyatlarge.
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Libra, the atmosphere of the day gives you the impression that there could be a lot of changes waiting to unfold in your personal life. Most of them will concern your relationships.
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)
You're the type of person who lovesknowingalotofdifferent people, Scorpio. You feel that you must help your friends communicatesothattheyhave a better forum in which to expressthemselves.
SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)
Youshouldmakemoreofyour own decisions, Sagittarius Don't let others have so much controloveryourlife.Whenin a relationship, for example, you tend to let your partner dominate.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
You are very interested in technological breakthroughs and innovation, especially if it has some benefit for individuals. Since you also concern yourself with social issues, like psychology and spiritualtherapies.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)
You're a reasonable, generous person, Aquarius Your altruismplaysabigpartinyour life. This is why your friends will be amazed to see you expressalotofpersonaldesires now
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
Today, you'll need to come up withtheanswertoanimportant question, Pisces. What do you really want? Events might compelyoutochoosebetween yourcurrentwayof livingand amorestablelife.
TrimConstructionCompany
of New Amsterdam, Jermaine Bagot also offered support by handing over a financial scholarship for the top student of the summer camp Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir supported witheducationalmaterials.
Other sponsors on board are Jamie McDonald of Fitness Express, John Lewis of John Lewis Styles, Carol Trim Bagot, Guyana NationalNewspaperLtd,JR Engineering Inc, Ramdeo Kumar of Beacon Cafe and several overseas friends of the club S,D and L Accounting , Bounty Farm
Ltd,NationalHardwareLtd and Comfort Sleep Director of the two events, Robby Kissoonlall and Club SecretaryHilbertFosterboth expressed thanks to all the donors.
Kissoolall reassured all of the donors that both programmes would be well organised and achieve all of their objectives. Interested parents are urged to visit the RHTYSC Office at the AreaH Ground during w
application
information.
Ian Rogers of Fitness Express hands over sponsorship to Robby Kissoonlall.
GFF President Forde announces Guyana Junior Jaguars’ participation in FIFA Global Under-15 Boys Festival
President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Wayne Forde, has announced that Guyana’s Junior Jaguars will participate in the inaugural FIFA Global U-15 Boys Festival, a groundbreaking youth football initiative that will bring together talented young footballers from across the world in a unique developmentalenvironment.
Thefestivalisscheduled to take place in October 2026, with the host nation andofficialtournamentdates to be announced by FIFAin the coming months. All 211
FIFA Member Associations are eligible to participate, making the event one of the most inclusive youth football d
football’sgoverningbody The competition is open to boys born in 2011 and 2012andwillbeplayedinan innovative8versus8format on half of a standard FIFAregulation football field Matches will consist of two 20-minute halves with running substitutions, creating a fast-paced environment designed to
involvement and decisionmakingopportunities.
Guyana’sdelegationwill comprise 14 players and six officials, including a
Safeguarding Officer, reflecting the Federation’s unwavering commitment to player welfare and child protection.
The GFF Technical Departmentwillundertakea
t identification exercise to select the nation’s best young players.The scouting process will include both
domestic-based players and members of the Guyanese diaspora,ensuringthatevery eligibleyoungfootballerhas an opportunity to earn selection.
throughout the festival, providing participating Member Associations with criticalinsightsthatwillhelp shap
development programmes and strengthen grassroots f
worldwide.
The ongoing GFF Youth Ensemble U-15 Boys Championship will serve as a vital platform for player
The FIFA Global U-15 Boys Festival has been specifically designed to assess and develop key technical and tactical attributes in young players. The small-sided format encourages greater ball contact, faster decisionmaking, enhanced technical execution, improved fitness levels, and increased game intelligence FIFA will c o l l e c t v a l u a b l e p
footballerscompetingacross the country’s nine Regional Associations each weekend, GFF’s talent identification team will be actively scouting and evaluating prospects in collaboration withmemberassociations.
The Youth Ensemble Programme was conceived and designed to provide developing players with s
u r e d a n n u a l competition, meaningful match exposure, and an environment where youth coachescanapplyandrefine their technical and tactical expertise. The programme has become the cornerstone of the Federation’s grassroots development strategyandwillcontinueto guide the GFF’s youth footballagendaoverthenext fouryears.
Announcing Guyana’s participation,GFFPresident Wayne Forde described the FIFA initiative as a t r a n s f o r m a t i o n a l opportunity for the nation’s emergingfootballtalent.
“The FIFA Global U-15 Boys Festival represents a significant step forward in our commitment to developing the next generation of Guyanese footballers International football presents unique challenges,andmanyyoung players experience considerable psychological pressure when representing their country for the first time This initiative will provide our boys with invaluable international exposureatacriticalstageof
their development, helping them build confidence, resilience and the mindset required to compete on the globalstage.
I am particularly excited about the opportunity to discover talented young playersfromeverycornerof Guyana. Our ongoingYouth E n s e m b l e U - 1 5 Championship is creating unprecedented opportunities for talent identification across all nine Regional Associations, and I am confident that hidden gems w i l l e m e rg e f r o m communitiesthroughoutour country.”
“I encourage parents to takeanactiveinterestintheir sons’ football development. Support them, encourage them to work hard, remain disciplined, embrace good values and dare to dream of representing Guyana. The pathway is open, and the opportunityisreal.
Mostimportantly,Iwant every young player and every parent to know that selectionwillbebasedsolely onmerit.Everyeligibleboy, whether he resides in Guyana or within our diaspora, will be given an equalandfairopportunityto earn his place in the Junior Jaguarsprogramme.”
“Our vision is clear: to build a sustainable player development pathway that identifies talent early, nurtures potential responsibly, and prepares our young footballers to excelatthehighestlevelsof the game. This FIFA initiative aligns perfectly with that vision and further s t r e n g t h e n s o u r determination to create opportunities that inspire, develop and transform the lives of our young people throughfootball.”
The Guyana Football Federation will provide further updates regarding scouting activities, player selection criteria, and tournament preparations as additional information becomes available from FIFA.
Max Massiah earns prestigious GOAT Honours Martial Arts induction
Guyana’s martial arts diaspora community has another reason to celebrate after veteran practitioner and instructor, Master Max Massiah,securedoneofthesport’s highest international recognitions, earning induction into the GOAT HonorsMartialArtsClassof2026.
Massiah has been officially added to the Grand Master Lawrence Martial Arts events, which form part of the prestigious GOAT Honors (Greatest of All Time) 2026 programme scheduled for July 25 in Virginia, United States.
The induction recognises individuals who have dedicated their lives to the advancement of martialartswhileexemplifyingthe values of discipline, leadership, mentorship, and community service. It is regarded as a distinguished honour within the global martial arts fraternity and celebrates practitioners whose contributions have extended far beyondcompetition.
For decades, Massiah has been a leading figure in USA’s martial arts, helping to develop athletes, promote traditional values, and strengthen the sport’s presence in the United States His latest accolade further cements his reputation as one of the most
respectedmartialartistes.
correspondent, Massiah’s journey has inspired generations of practitioners and contributed significantly to fostering unity and brotherhood throughout the
community His career has been characterized by excellence, commitment, and unwavering dedication to the principles of Budo, qualities that have earned himwidespreadadmirationamong hispeers. The Guyanese-born master has also received endorsements from severaldistinguishedmartialartists aroundtheworld,includingCuba’s Shihan Omar Rodriguez Negro, a seventh-degree Dan of Shinbuddo
Ryu Cuba, who praised Massiah’s longstanding contributions to the discipline.
An emotional Massiah expressed gratitude upon learning ofthehonour
“I am grateful for everything I have achieved in martial arts Martial arts remains very dear to me and I will continue to serve in any capacity possible. Hopefully, I can inspire many more martial artists in the years to come,” Massiahsaid.
Massiah through a style he developed, Maxido, has been teaching self defence to local practitioners.
Thestyleisbasicallyforanyone who wants to learn basic self defence techniques that are workable in regular situations. It hasbeenspecificallytailoredforall ages, while mainly targeting females and other vulnerable persons He has done demonstrations overseas at events attended by the best of the best in Martialartsandreceivedveryhigh reviewsandrecognition.
As he prepares to be honoured in Virginia next month, Massiah’s induction stands as a proud achievement not only for himself but also for global martial arts fraternity
GCF visits Leguan Island as part of training exercise
Guyanese, Master Max Massiah, has been recognised for his outstanding contributions to Martial Arts over the years.
The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF)visitedLeguanIslandaspart of a training initiative directed towardsteachingthefundamentals acrosstheschool'ssystem.
Chess federation
students of Leguan Secondary School.
Former Sports Journalist
Al McDonald to be remembered at ‘night of reflection’ tonight at
Guyana Veterans Legion
Thelocalbasketballfraternityandsports fans will be given a chance this evening (Thursday) from 6.00pm at the Guyana VeteransLegiononCarifestaAvenue,togive their tributes for the late former sports journalistAlMcDonald,whodiedonMay25 following burns to his body while being treated at a hospital in Florida, in the United States.
His ashes after he was cremated on Monday, 8th June, in Florida were brought backtoGuyanabyfamilymembers.
Tributes were given by several persons including Patrick Haynes, General Secretary oftheGuyanaBasketballFederation,Miamibased former President of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation John ‘Fishy’ Yates, and President of the Linden Amateur Basketball Association Dawn McCammon Barker Al Mc before migrating to the USA
Al McDonald
worked as a sports journalist and basketball officialfromthemid-1970suntil1984when he left these shores to cover the 1984 Los AngelesOlympics.
The Rose Hall Town YouthandSportsClubandits ten cricket teams are busy finalising plans for the hosting of their 36th annual cricket academy and the18th edition of the Republic Bank Grade Six Summer Camp. The two programmes would be held at the popularAreaH Groundfromthe13thofJuly and would be organised by the Poonai Pharmacy under 11 and 13, Farfan and Mendes under 15, Bakewell under17andseconddivision,
Thunderbolt Flour under 23 andFirstDivisionteams.
Theacademywouldcaterforonehundred youths between the age of eight to nineteen years. The main objectives of the academy would be to properly prepare the youths to play the game at the highest level, to correct any technical problems in their game and to get them educated about the history and traditionofthegame.
The academy would be headed by level three coachWinston Smith and he would be supported by coaches Eon Hooper, Floyd Benjamin, RyanAlgu and Balram Samaroo.
The RHTYSC would provide all the necessary cricket equipment and gear, while participantswouldbeprovidedwithlunchon
adailybasis.
TheCricketeroftheAcademyselectedby the coaches would take home over five hundred thousand dollars worth of prizes including an electronic bike, personal laptop computer, West Indian gold medallion, collection of cricket gears, household items, kitchenutensilsanddesignerclothing.
The Republic Bank Summer Camp main objective is to properly prepare grade six students to make a successful entrance into secondary school. The camp would involve one hundred students and they would be taught five subjects-Maths, English A, Science,HistoryandbasicSpanish.The Continued on page 29
Imlach to lead WI Select XI in crucial Warm-up match today
- Guyanese
By Clifton Ross
Backed by three of his countrymen and Guyana Harpy Eagles teammates, National Captain Tevin Imlach will lead the West Indies Select XI in today’s start to an important 4-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua. Having won the T20 series 2-1 recently, action now shifts to the longer format as the Sri Lankans will look to have muchbetterresultsintheTestarena.
Apart from the Guyanese national Captain, the 13-man squad features a few more of the right-hander’s countrymen like wicket-keeper Kemol Savory, fast-bowler NialSmithandall-rounderKeemoPaul.
The match presents a great opportunity forbothSavoryandSmithwhohavebeenon the radar in recent seasons, but have not yet gotten the full bite at the apple; making this shotatdestinyallthemorecrucialfortheduo.
While Savory and Smith will both be lookingfortheirbreakthroughsontotheTest circuit, the pair of Paul and Imlach have already gotten a nibble at the apple regarded asinternationalcricket.
Both men have already gotten their maroon caps but have yet to fully establish themselves, with Paul’s Renaissance being more important this trip after he was once touted as a key piece in both the fastbowling/pinch-hitters departments before battlinginjuriesandformonhiswaybacktoa seeminglygoodcricketplace.
A number of other top West Indies prospectslikeGilonTyson,KevinWickham, Karima Gore, Joshua Bishop and others will also be looking to use this opportunity to showcasetheirskillsandkeepthemselveson theselectors’radaraheadofabusysummer; thus keeping the spirit of competition alive amongsttheCaribbeanside.
The first Test match will bowl off from June25thattheSirVivianRichardsStadium, Antigua.
WI Select XI: Tevin Imlach (Captain), Joshua Bishop, Jonathan Drakes, Karima Gore, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kirk McKenzie,KeemoPaul,KemolSavory,Ojay Shields, Nial Smith, Gilon Tyson, Kevin Wickham.
Lennox Cush hands over sponsorship to RHTYSC Cricket Manager Robby Kissoonlall.
Guyanese/WI pacer Joseph etches name in cricket T20 history books
ByCliftonRoss
HavingmadeabigimpressioninTest
cricket early on in his career, GuyanesespeedsterShamarJoseph has written a new chapter in the history books; this time in T20I following the West Indies’ historic bilateral series win over the Sri Lankans.
Joseph concluded the series with a staggering 11 wickets, averaging a breakthroughroughlyeverysixdeliveries.
The Guyanese’ phenomenal three-game returns broke records across the region and placedhimineliteglobalcompanies.
JosephbecamethefirstWestIndianbowler evertosecure11wicketsinathree-matchT20I bilateral series. Following his feats, Joseph became the second bowler in international cricket history to achieve this milestone, matching the legendary benchmark set by Afghanistan skipper and leg-spinner Rashid Khan.
Joseph,whosaidaftertheT20seriesthathe wantedtoreturntothe150km/hbowlingspeed mark, consistently recorded numbers north of 140 km/h, combining lethal yorkers with an aggressive short-ball strategy that left the
In the series opener, Joseph paired with veteran all-round seamer Jason Holder, managedtochokeSriLankaforjust147.
Joseph’s relentless line yielded 3 wickets and a much-needed 1-0 advantage after a comfortable7-wicketwin.
DespiteaheavybattingcollapsethatsawSri Lankaleveltheseriesby43runs,Josephwasa lone shining light with the ball, bagging three morescalpsinalosingeffort.
Withtheseriestied1-1,Josephdeliveredhis finest white-ball performance to date, even finding himself on a hat-trick inside the powerplay before ultimately wrapping up the inningswithaspectacular3-wicketburstinthe depth stages, to register his maiden T20I fivewickethaulof5-33.
Having kickstarted a new T20 World Cup chapter,Josephwillnowshifthisattentionback to the red-ball format after officially being namedintheWestIndiesTestsquad.
Sri Lanka, having lost the limited overs series, will now look to make amends in a crucial two-match World Test Championship serieswhichbowlsoffnextweek,June25atthe SirVivianRichardsStadiuminAntigua.
West Indies/Guyana pacer Shamar Joseph etched his name yet again in the history books of international cricket. (ESPNcricinfo)
GFF President Forde announces Guyana Junior Jaguars’ participation in FIFA Global Under-15 Boys Festival
Guyana’s Junior Jaguars set to participate in the inaugural FIFA Global U-15 Boys Festival.
