Kaieteur News

CARICOM concerned over attacks on GDF ranks from Venezuelan territory

GDF Coast Guard vessel

…urges Caracas to arrest perpetrators

The Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) haveexpressedconcernover Venezuelan territory being used to launch attacks on Guyana Defence Force (GDF) patrols along the CuyuniRiverwhichborders GuyanaandVenezuela.

CARICOM’s position

was outlined in the

communiqué issued at the conclusion of the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, heldinSaintLuciaunderthe chairmanship of Prime MinisterPhilipJ.Pierre.

According to the statement, the heads of government received an update on the latest developments in the border

casebeingadjudicatedbythe International Court of Justice (ICJ). They noted that the public hearings on

the merits in the case concerning the Arbitral Award of October 3, 1899 wereheldon4-11May2026

andcomprisedtworoundsof oral argument by Guyana andVenezuela.

The heads were also informed that the court will in due course deliver its judgment on the matter which will be final and binding on both parties, bringing the longstanding bordercontroversytoanend.

The Caribbean leaders reaffirmed their full support to the ongoing judicial process as the means of resolving the controversy peacefully, finally and in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h international law, and reiterated their unequivocal and unwavering support for the maintenance of the sovereignty and territorial integrityofGuyana.

Moreover,theheadsalso voiced concern that Venezuelan territory was being used to attack Guyanesesecuritypersonnel operating within Guyana’s sovereignterritory

It was stated that the regional leaders, “expressed their expectation that the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela will apprehend the perpetrators and place them before the judicial authoritiesinVenezuela.”

The Government of Guyana had formally protested to Venezuela over what it describes as two “hostile attacks” by armed groups operating from the Venezuelan side of the border against Guyana Defence Force (GDF) patrols along the Cuyuni Riverearlierthisyear

The note filed by John Barsa of Confidential Strategy with Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) on Tuesday April 28, 2026, detailed the two hostile attacks perpetrated by armed groups operating from the Venezuelan side of the border against members oftheGDFalongtheCuyuni RiverinthevicinityofBlack Water, on two consecutive days, 20th April and 21st April,2026.

According to the document, on 20th April 2026, at approximately

13:10 hours, a patrol travelling peacefully from Eteringbang to Makapa came under fire in the vicinity of Black Water alongtheCuyuniRiver The coordinatesofthelocationof this unprovoked attack are 6 ° 5 0 ’ 3 3 7 3 N –60°38’57.533W, the protest notedetailed.

The gunshots originated from an armed group on the Venezuelan side of the border The GDF reacted, in defence, with a measured response before continuing onitsjourney

Thedocumentcontinued that “on 21stApril, 2026, at approximately 16:25 hours, anotherpeacefulGDFpatrol traversing the Cuyuni River came under gunfire in the same area from members of an armed group on the Venezuelan side. Again, the GDF patrol exercised restraint and with measured defensive actions, the noted read.

At approximately 16:35 hours,asthepatroltraversed the same area on its return journey, it came under fire a second time from the armed group.“Tothisend”,thenote related that Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs wished “to condemn, in the strongest terms, the hostile and illegal attacks against ranks of the GDR carrying outtheirpeacefulandlawful duties.”

The ministry had also called on Venezuela to conduct a full investigation into these incidents and to takeappropriatemeasuresto preventVenezuelanterritory frombeingusedtocarryout armed attacks against Guyanese military or civilian personnel that threaten their lives, impede the lawful activities of the GovernmentofGuyana,and undermine the peace and security of the Co-operative RepublicofGuyana.

It also requested that the Government of Venezuela puts in place effective measures to prevent any reoccurrenceofsuchattacks and to avoid any further harm to the Co-operative RepublicofGuyana.

Guyana raked in US$1.2 billion from oil in 2nd quarter

The Natural Resource Fund (NRF), Guyana’s oil account, grew by US$1.2B in the second quarter of 2026.

Receipts for the fund

p u b l i s h e d b y t h e Government of Guyana (GoG) in accordance with the NRFAct of 2021 reveal that12paymentsweremade during the period April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026. One royalty payment amounting to US$107.493 million was made, relative to the first quarter of the year Royalty paymentsaremadeattheend of each fiscal quarter as stipulated in the 2016 Production Agreement (PSA).

Additionally, 11 profit oil payments were received inthesecondquartertotaling

US$1,127,736,056. Consequently, Guyana’s total profit and royalty earnings for the second quarter of 2026 reached US$1,235,229,090.

During the first three months of 2026, the NRF

recorded deposits of

US$761 Kaieteur News reported that between December 30, 2025 and March31,202610profitoil payments were made and oneroyaltyaddition.

This means that Guyana has so far earned about US$1.9 billion for the year fromthepetroleumsector

Earlierthisyear,Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh indicated in his budget speech that Guyana is projected to earn approximately US$2 8

billion from the sector with US$2.4billioninprofitsand anotherUS$375.3millionin royalties. It also expects a US$17 million signing bonustobedepositedforthe new PSA signed for exploration activities in BlockS7.

This year, government planstoutiliseaboutUS$2.4 billion from the NRF to support its national developmentprioritiesinthe budget.

Currently, Guyana has four Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels (FPSOs) producing oil in the Stabroek Block. The vessels are producing a combined total of about 916,000barrelsofoilperday (bpd) according to the contractor and operator of

Mohamed’s guard remains in custody over ‘Paper Shorts’

...asHighCourtupholds detentionorder

HighCourtJudge,JusticeSherdelIsaacs on Monday upheld a 72-hour detention extension for murder suspect Mark Richmond, validating an order originally grantedonSaturdaybyJusticeSunilScarce. The extension allows the Guyana Police ForcetoholdRichmonduntilTuesday,July 14, at 1:00 p m to facilitate ongoing investigations.

OnSaturday,AttorneyDamienDaSilva filed a Fixed DateApplication for a writ of habeascorpusagainstPoliceCommissioner Clifton Hicken, arguing that Richmond’s confinement beyond the constitutionally mandated 72-hour limit is “unlawful and wrongful” and violates Section 139 of the Constitution.

Richmond voluntarily surrendered to CIDHeadquarters,EveLeary,alongsidehis attorneyat1:00p.m.onWednesday,July8, after police visited his Werk-en-Rust home onJuly7.

Speaking to Kaieteur News, Da Silva criticised the police’s conduct, alleging a lack of transparency regarding the initial extension “An extension was granted Saturday morning a few hours prior to the filing of our application,” Da Silva said. “However,noorderofextensionwasshown toMr Richmond...norwastheorderorally communicated to him. Nor was there any entry at the police station of the extension whereheisbeingheld.”

DaSilvaurgedthecourttoscrutinisethe merits of the detention, noting that Richmond was previously investigated and detained two years ago for the same matter without charges being instituted. “During this 72-hours, no formal allegation or question in relation to any murder has been puttohim,”DaSilvacontended,addingthat his client has been confronted with no

the block, ExxonMobil GuyanaLimited(EMGL).

Thecontractorisallowed to take up to 75% of production for its expenses while the remaining 25% is splitwithGuyana.Eachside pockets 12 5% of profit; Guyana also receives 2% of petroleumasroyalty Largershare

Last month, it was reported that Guyana paid offExxonMobilthefullcost of seven oil projects approved to date by GoG, yet, the country is still to begin receiving its full 50% profitoutlinedinthePSA.

During a June 9 press engagement, Exxon’s Vice President and Business Services Manager, John Colling said that US$4.5 billionwassittinginthecost banktoberepaidbyGuyana uptotheendof2025.

“Through the end of 2025,therewasoverUS$55 billion in the cost bank of which US$51 billion had

eyewitnesses, forensics, or surveillance footage. “He is literally in a cell with the mostdeplorableconditions.”

Because the police application for an extension was reportedly made without notice, Da Silva argued it was granted as a matter of course without defense representation, prompting his call for a judicialreviewofthegroundsfordetention.

KaieteurNewspreviouslyreportedthata Fixed DateApplication for a writ of habeas corpus was filed in the High Court on Saturday against Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken, challenging the continued detention of Mark Richmond beyond the constitutionallymandated72-hourlimit.

The application, brought by Da Silva, describesRichmond’songoingconfinement as “unlawful and wrongful” and seeks an ordercompellingtheGuyanaPoliceForceto immediatelyproducehimbeforethecourtso the legality of his detention can be determined The filing argues that Richmond’srighttopersonallibertyunder Continued on page 6

been recovered As I mentioned in my prior talking points, US$4 5 billion was yet to be recovered by ExxonMobil Guyana Limited and its coventurers, ” Colling explained. Using an average oil price of US$80 per barrel, consideringdailyproduction for the year so far at approximately 900,000 barrels per day (bpd), the Stabroek Block generated approximately US$12 3 billioninrevenueuptoJune 20,2026. Accordingtotheoildeal,

75%ofrevenueisdedicated to cost, as such, it could be estimated that US$9 2 billionwenttowardscost,far morethantheUS$4.5billion that needed to be recovered accordingtoExxon. This means that Guyana should already be receiving its full 50% profits outlined in the PSAas the cost of all sevenoilprojectssanctioned bytheGoGhasbeenrepaid. Be that as it may, the government has been silent on the recovery of costs by the company and Guyana’s entitlement to a larger share oftherevenue.

Kaieteur News

PrintedandPublishedbyNationalMedia& PublishingCompanyLtd. 24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.

Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

Editor:NIGELWILLIAMS

Tel:225-8465,225-8491. Fax:225-8473,226-8210

EDITORIAL

Another shallow grave

The discovery of 20-year-old Kerriana Stanford, pregnant and buried in a shallow grave at Chelsea Park, Mahaica,shouldhaunteveryGuyanese.

Itisdifficulttoimagineamorechillingreminderofthe epidemic of domestic and interpersonal violence that is consumingthisnation.Ayoungmotherisdead.Herunborn child is dead. If police reports are accurate, another argument ended not with reconciliation or separation, but withmurderandanattempttoconcealthecrime.

Sadly,thistragedyisnolongeranisolatedhorror Ithas become part of a disturbing pattern. Hardly a week passes withoutGuyaneseawakeningtoreportsofhusbands,wives, partners, relatives or acquaintances attacking each other withknives,cutlasses,firearms,piecesofwoodorwhatever weapon happens to be within reach. The headlines have become painfully familiar The victims have become frighteningly younger The violence has become increasingly brutal. Crime data released earlier this year indicated that murders linked to domestic violence have risen sharply, underscoring a crisis that is growing rather thanreceding.

Kaieteur News has chronicled one heartbreaking case after another Last year an entire family was devastated at Soesdyke when a man allegedly murdered his wife, her motherandhersisterbeforeattemptingtotakehisownlife. Otherreportshavedetailedwomenbeingbeaten,stabbedor threatened by intimate partners, and men responding to domestic disputes with unimaginable violence. Even arguments between neighbours, relatives and acquaintances increasingly end in bloodshed rather than dialogue.

These incidents reveal a dangerous reality Too many Guyanesehavebecomeconditionedtosettledisagreements throughviolence.Angerhasbecomeweaponised.Jealousy is treated as love Possessiveness masquerades as commitment. Too many individuals believe that if they cannotcontrolanotherperson,theyhavetherighttodestroy them.

No government can legislate love or eliminate every violent impulse. But government has a duty to create systemsthatidentifydangerbeforelivesarelost.Toooften victimsreportthreatsonlytoreceiveinadequateprotection. Protection orders must become meaningful documents rather than pieces of paper Every breach should trigger swift police intervention. High-risk offenders must be closely monitored, and repeat abusers should face increasinglysevereconsequences.

The Guyana Police Force also requires stronger specialised training in identifying high-risk domestic violencecases.Officersrespondingtorepeatedcomplaints should not simply encourage parties to "settle the matter." Patterns of escalating threats frequently precede murder Risk assessments should become standard practice wheneverdomesticviolencereportsaremade.

Thejusticesystemalsohasanimportantrole.Domestic violencematterscannotlanguishinthecourtswhilevictims continue living in fear. Swift hearings, effective witness protection, counselling services and properly resourced shelters are essential if vulnerable persons are to escape dangerous relationships before they become homicide statistics.

Butlawenforcementalonecannotsolvethiscrisis.

Families, churches, schools and community organisations must confront the toxic attitudes that normalise abuse. Boys must be taught that strength is measured by self-control, not domination. Girls must be empoweredtorecognisecontrollingbehaviourlongbefore itbecomesphysicalviolence.Teachers,pastors,neighbours andrelativesmuststopdismissingobviouswarningsignsas "private family business." Silence often becomes the accompliceofviolence.

Mentalhealthservicesalsodeservefargreaternational attention. Many perpetrators struggle with unmanaged anger, substance abuse, trauma or possessive behaviour

The principles of transparency and accountability

DearEditor,

Transparencyandaccountabilityare required by elected officials to justify theirexistenceinthepublicspace.Their stewardship is scrutinised by the subjects over whom they govern, we require no less That critical and detailed examination of their actions is requiredatalltimes,iftheyfallbeneath the bar then consequences should follow

This goes for both government as well as opposition, because, when you assume the position of government, public transparency and accountability becomemandatorywatchwords.

Recently, there has been a flurry of information as it pertains to the president'scorruptacquisitionofalarge farmonthehighway,thisallegationhas been done by the opposition leader Azruddin Mohammed himself He comes on the scene as an overly concerned opposition leader, who has suddenlylandedonasmokinggunstory that would certainly bring Dr Ali and his government down. He peddles his story with all the sensationalism that a politician of his ilk can muster, but is thisthetruepictureofwhatispaintedin the media? I think not, because, a true assessment of the political climate of

this fugitive offender, turn concerned opposition leader, shows a man who is tryingdesperatelytosavehimselffrom extraditiontoTheUnitedStatestoface corruption charges. So, as the noose tightens around his neck, he is trying every which way to stir up trouble for the Ali Government, while hoping somehowthathispersonaltroubleswill goaway

ButwhatIcantellMr Mohammed, isthatthisisnonewphenomenonwhen it comes to the opposition's stance against the PPP/C, the corrupt blame represents a prime strategy employed by the PNC during The Jagdeo presidency; it was one of the PNC's main deceptions in their arsenal of tricks.

They hounded Jagdeo both locally and internationally, Pradoville readily comes to mind as their accusations reached melting point. So, this latest attackonAlicomesasnosurprise.The point is, the opposition is going to use everycleversubterfugetodistractfrom therealissuehere,thatis,hisimminent extradition.

Thereisanintegritycommissionto which all public officials must declare their assets, and all allegations of corruption should be directed to that

statutory body The integrity commission has the powers to investigate, if there be any evidence of misconductinpublicoffice.Dr Aliina show of transparency and accountability, has made his declarations to the int

commissionandthatisallthatmatters. Thenitbehoovesustoaskthequestion isAzruddinMohammedofthemistaken belief that he is exempt from the said commission?

Is he exempt from declaring his assets,whilemakingaccusationsofthe president?Ithinknot.

Are we witnessing another episode of the biblical character Eli and his sons? Eli's eyes could have been wide opentoseetheso-calledinebriatedlips of the praying sister, however, those eyes were conveniently blind towards theevildeedsofhissons.IsNazarand AzruddinMohammedareenactmentof thatbiblicalfatherandsonstory?

AzruddinMohammedispretending to have morals, and virtues which he does not actually possess, because he points the accusing finger when he himself is the epitome of corruption. I leavemyaudiencetojudge.

RespectfullySubmitted, NeilAdams

No watchdog journalism

DearEditor, KiskadeeWatch'sJuly12 editorial, entitled, “The President'sResponse”,reads lesslikeaneditorialthanthe brief of a prosecutor who misplaced his evidence but decided to proceed with the chargesanyway Its central conceit is that everyanswersuppliedbythe president, about his farm, is not an answer but an invitation to invent three more questions Every disclosure becomes proof that another disclosure must exist. Every denial is recast asevidenceofconcealment.

Theeditorialbeginswith the seemingly reasonable proposition that public officials should be transparent Few would quarrelwiththat.Butalmost immediately it abandons accountability for conjecture. The editorial's favourite phrase "for argument sake" deserves recognition as perhaps the most abused expression in contemporary Guyanese commentary.”For argument sake," perhaps the poultry

suppliergavethepresidenta discount.

"For argument sake," perhaps agricultural policy was designed to enrich his farm."For argument sake," perhaps Barbados' sheep programme secretly benefitedhislivestock.

"For argument sake," perhaps the extension of electricity became a presidentialconspiracy

One waits patiently for the evidence. None arrives. The conditional tense becomes the editorial's principal source. "Could."

"Might " "Perhaps " "Imagine."Itisaremarkable innovationinjournalism.

By this standard, every government official lives under a cloud of presumed corruption. If government repairs the road leading to his/herproperty,perhapsitis self-interest.Ifbanksreduce lending rates, perhaps his/her mortgage benefits. If electricity reaches his/her village,perhapsitisbecause he desired air conditioning. The editorial inadvertently establishes a doctrine that

Earlyinterventionprogrammes,conflictresolutiontrainingand accessible counselling should become integral components of communityhealthservicesratherthanafterthoughtsfollowing anotherfuneral.

The death of Kerriana Stanford should not simply provoke temporary outrage until the next horrific headline appears. It must become another urgent call for national action. Every ministry,everycommunityleader,everyreligiousorganisation and every household has a responsibility to confront this scourge.

would render private o w n e r s h i p a l m o s t impossible for anyone holdingpublicoffice. Its treatment of the integritycommissionreveals the same intellectual sleight of hand. The president says hefiledhisdeclarations.The editorialdismissesthisas"of no consequence at all" because, in its opinion, the commissionservesnouseful purpose This is an extraordinary proposition Compliance with the law is declared meaningless because the commentator has little confidence in the institutionadministeringit.

One wonders whether

thislogicextendselsewhere. If the courts disappoint us, a r e c o u r t o r d e r s meaningless? If parliament disappoints us, are acts of parliamentvoid?Institutions cannot simultaneously be dismissedasirrelevantwhile their alleged failures are cited as evidence against those who complied with them.This is not watchdog journalism A watchdog barks because it detects an intruder KiskadeeWatchhas instead perfected the art of barkingatshadowsandthen congratulating itself for exposingthedarkness.

Regards

RoopnauthHardyal

Ministry urged to clarify Grade Six assessment data

DearEditor,

I see statisticians tripping over themselves trying to unravelthepublisheddataforthe2026NationalGradeSix Assessment. One point of contention is whether given the useofstandardisedscores,yeartoyearcomparisonscanbe made.Statisticallyno,thiscannotbedone.

However, the ministry has in recent times made public the percentages of each cohort who have attained 50% or moreofthemaximummarks.If,bythat,itmeans50%ofthe rawexaminationmarks,thenthisisafixedbenchmarkthat can support cautious (please note cautious) comparisons across years. But this requires that the examinations are broadly comparable in difficulty.The ministry should thereforestatewhatstepsithasbeentaking,alongwiththe CXC,toensureconsistencyindifficultyacrosseachyear's examination,andifthenumbersitgivesconcerningsubject pass rates refers to raw scores.This would be helpful in better analysing the data. But I doubt whether the ministry willrespondtoalettertotheeditor

Sincerely, RoopnauthHardyal

Democracy demands evidence, not endless allegations

DearEditor,

One of the defining features of any healthy democracy is the existence of a strong and effective opposition. Governments mustneverbeimmunefrom scrutiny,andthoseentrusted by the electorate to serve in opposition have both a constitutional right and a democratic obligation to question, investigate, and challenge the actions of thoseinoffice.

H o w e v e r , t h a t responsibility carries with it an equally important obligation to distinguish between suspicion and proof, allegation and evidence, political rhetoric andestablishedfact.

Recentpublicstatements concerning President Irfaan Ali's private farm have generated public interest, headlines and intense political discussion. If there are legitimate concerns regarding compliance with the law, financial disclosures, procurement, environmental approvals, taxation,oranyothermatter of public interest, those concerns deserve to be examined through the appropriate constitutional andlegalmechanisms.

Butinanationgoverned by the rule of law, accusations alone cannot become convictions in the courtofpublicopinion.

Guyanahastravelledthis roadbefore.

In the period leading up to the 2015 General and RegionalElections,the then opposition, I included mounted a vigorous campaign centered on allegations of widespread corruption within the incumbent administration The Guyanese people were repeatedlyassuredthatonce in government, evidence would be uncovered, those responsible would be prosecuted, and several ministers and public officials would ultimately faceimprisonment.

Upon assuming office, t h e A P N U + A F C Government established institutionsandstrengthened investigative mechanisms, including the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) and later the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA),bothofwhichwere vested with significant investigative and legal powers to examine allegations of financial crimes, illicit enrichment, and the recovery of state

assets.

Yet, despite years of investigations, extensive state resources, and broad statutory authority afforded to these agencies, the sweeping allegations made duringthecampaigndidnot culminate in the widespread criminal convictions or imprisonment that many Guyanese had been led to expect While various investigat

ons we

e undertaken and some matters proceeded through the courts, the broader political narrative advanced during the campaign was nevermatchedbyequivalent judicialoutcomes.

T h i s h i s t o r i c a l experience offers an important lesson for every political actor, regardless of partyaffiliation.

In a constitutional democracy, allegations may trigger investigations, but they are not substitutes for evidence.

Suspicion may justify scrutiny, but it cannot replace proof Political speeches may influence public opinion, but they cannot replace the rigorous evidentiary standards requiredbythecourts.

That is precisely why every allegation whether made against President Irfaan Ali, a government minister, an opposition parliamentarian, or any public official must ultimately be tested against v e r i f i a b l e f a c t s , documentary evidence, independent investigation, anddueprocess.

The Guyanese people deserve better than a politicalculturewhereevery accusation is immediately treated as proof of corruption before any competentauthorityhashad the opportunity to investigatethefacts.Suchan approach weakens public confidence in democratic institutions and risks reducing accountability to little more than political spectacle.

Equally, public office

should never shield anyone from legitimate scrutiny Presidents, ministers, parliamentarians,andpublic officials must all be held to the highest standards of integrity and transparency. Where credible evidence exists, investigations should proceed professionally, independently, and without fearorfavour Ifwrongdoing is established by the courts, accountabilitymustfollow Conversely,

n unsupportedbycredibleand verifiable evidence, fairness and justice require restraint.

The presumption of innocence is not a political conv

a fundamental principle of democratic governance and theruleoflaw

Guyana stands at a

unprecedented economic transformation presents extraordinary opportunities, but it also demands a higher

leadership. Citizens expect

improving healthcare, education, public security, constitutional reform,

employment, economic diversification,andensuring that the nation's growing wealth benefits every Guyanese.

An opposition earns credibilitynotbythevolume of its accusations but by the quality of its evidence and the strength of its policy alternatives.

Likewise,agovernment earns public trust through openness, accountability, and a willingness to answer legitimate questions with transparency

As our democracy

political discourse must mature with it Guyana cannot afford a politics d

iven by emotion, speculation, suspicion, or innuendo. It must be guided by facts, evidence, and the impartial application of the (Continuedonpage6)

Minister Manickchand's 45,000 schools, what about the outdated curriculum?

DearEditor,

Priya Manickchand spoke in a video that 44 schools were built. I would like to indicate to her that is notherachievement.Money isobtainedfromtaxpayersor borrowed, contractors are hired and schools are built. That is not a feather in your cap. It is not something that youaccomplished.

Now you are Minister of Local Government and you are now talking about the garbage situation and increasingfinesforlittering, but when you were Minister of Education you had an opportunitytohelp.

As minister what i n n o v a t i o n , w h a t transformationdidyoueffect within the delivery of education. It was primarily academic. Nothing in it to produce a rounded education.

Let me give you an example. I was a teacher at Rama Krishna Primary School. The littering in the compound was horrible. I raised the issue with the teachers and they said it cannotbestopped.

I spoke to my students and they stopped and they started telling others not to litter

During the 2005 flood when I volunteered and was instrumental in clearing the eastcoastofgarbageIgavea talktothestudentsofgolden grove primary school with

regards the environment, Latera parentcalledmeand said she littered and her son told her that Mr Bisessar saiddonotlitter I taught my children not to litter and one day I forgot and threw a paper out of the carwindowandmy10-yearolddaughtercorrectedme.

I wrote many times that traffic education should be taught in school and this wouldsavelives.Iwrotethat the fifth formers should be taughtthetrafficrulesasthey are the future drivers. They should be taught about defensive driving and most ofalltheneedforcourtesyas drivers I am positive courteous actions could reduceaccidents.

I see something about this in the press but I think the lessons should be much more comprehensive in the fifthforms.

PerformanceinMathand English is poor. We can screamandshoutabouthow wetoptheCaribbeanetc.but belowthatthereisnothingto be really proud of The president woke up from his slumberandspokeaboutthe poor performance in these subjects You were the minister Whatdidyouputin p l a c e t o i m p r o v e performance in these two mostimportantsubjects?

You had a PR. I wrote a letter in the press saying thereisabsolutelynoneedto have a form one and two

student doing 14 subjects when they can hardly read andwrite.Isaidninesubjects with heavy emphasis on Math, English, and Comprehension.

We can do without these databasesubjects. Also,our classes are big so we should have extra teachers in every Math and English class moving around giving individual attention We shouldhavethebestteachers informonetwoandthree.At theendofformthreeachild should be able to self-study, go through the example do the exercises. The teachers stand by ready to help Childrencanproceedattheir ownpace.

In addition, students in the upper forms should be taught how to deal with i n t e r v i e w s , a b o u t approaching the bank, about theapproachtofillingforms and let's not forget first aid andCPR.

The teacher/student ratio shouldbere-examined.

I believe that we have a bloatedbureaucracy Itaught in three schools and hardly saw education officer One keeps hearing about poor conditions in the yard and sanitaryblocks.

What about broadcast to schools. Our students today don'tevenknowthenational anthem much less the patriotic songs While singing God save the queen (Continuedonpage6)

Mohamed’s guard remains in custody ...

From page 3

Section 139 of the Constitution has been flagrantly breached Court documents reviewed by Kaieteur News indicate that police ranks visited Richmond’s Werk-enRust home on July 7, telling his wife he was wanted for questioning. After speaking by phonewithanofficeratthescene,Richmond turned himself in voluntarily, accompanied by his attorney, at CID Headquarters, Eve Leary, at approximately 1:00 p m on Wednesday,July8.

That timestamp is central to the application: the 72-hour window during which police may hold a suspect without judicialauthorisationexpiredat1:00p.m.on Saturday, July 11. Richmond has not been charged, has not been brought before a magistrate, and according to the defense, no court order extending his detention has been produced.

DaSilvatoldthispublicationhehasbeen

unable to get any information on his client’s status.

“No one is willing to speak with me, nobody is at Eve Leary Doors are locked. AndIcan’tspeaktonoone.Noinvestigating rank. No police rank has formally put any allegation to Mark Richmond, even though he’s wanted for questioning…,” Da Silva stated.

The application also alleges that Richmond has been repeatedly shuttled between CID Headquarters on Vlissengen Road and the Kitty Police Station, and subjected to continuous questioning without legal counsel present, conditions the defense characterizesas“oppressive”anddesignedto weardownhiswill.

The filing further argues that the investigation can proceed without Richmond’s continued incarceration, pointing to his full cooperation since the outset.

Minister Manickchand's 45,000 schools...

Frompage5 underBritishrule,westillsangourpatriotic songs.

So just building infrastructure is nothing toboastabout.Whilealotofmoneyisbeing spentoninfrastructure,somenecessarysome could be deferred, most overpriced and poorlyconstructed,thequalityoflifeforthe bottom half of the population has not improved. Many poor children are not in school.We care grant delivered $232 a day Doesnotevencovertransportation.Andthis is given to the rich and poor What about those who cannot afford to go to the school.

Thereisnostrategytodirectassistancetothe vulnerable.Whataboutthosewhoarenotin school? How about two more Training institutes like Guysuco? Did you not anticipatethedevelopmentneedsofGuyana givenoutoildiscovery?

Most of the tax and other measures benefitthebetteroff.Ihavewrittenaboutthis tothepress.TheMinistersandPresidentsdo not read or they do not understand or they prefertojustfollowtheroutine.NovisionNo creativity

Regards RajendraBisessar

Democracy demands evidence, not...

Frompage5 law The lesson from our recent political history is clear: allegations may capture headlines, but only e v i d e n c e s e c u r e s convictions Political narratives may excite supporters, but only facts withstandjudicialscrutiny

The Guyanese people deserve a politics that rises

above personalities and embraces principles; one where truth prevails over speculation, institutions prevail over theatrics, and evidence not assumption

remains the ultimate measureofaccountability

That is the standard worthy of Guyana, and it is the standard to which every politicalleader,regardlessof party, should willingly submit.

Yoursrespectfully, JermaineFigueira Former Member of Parliament

For in the end, d e m o c r a c y i s n o t strengthened by who shouts the loudest It is strengthened by who proves theircase.

PUC flags GWI’s unsustainable finances, $13.4 billion lost through water leaks

The Guyana Water

Incorporated (GWI) remains under severe financial pressure, with its revenue in 2025 falling short of what was needed to meet operating and financing costs, while an estimated $13 44 billion worth of treatedwaterwaslostbefore it could generate income, according to the Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC)2025AnnualReport.

Thecommissionsaidthe utility’s financial position remains unsustainable despite continued investment in expanding the c o u n t r y ’ s w a t e r infrastructure.

According to the report, GWI earned $5.72 billion in revenue last year, a 28.5 per centdropfromits2022peak of about $10.5 billion. The companyalsorecordedanet loss of $177 4 million, leavingitunabletocoverits operating expenses and financingcosts.

“The indicated figures werenotenoughtocoverthe combined operating and financing costs,” the PUC stated.

WhileGWIsawstronger performance in the second halfoftheyearandincreased water sales by 2.5 per cent, thegainswerenotenoughto return the company to profitability

“Despite improved performance in the second andfinalquartersanda2.5% increase in sales, the utility still incurred an overall loss,”thereportsaid.

The commission noted

that GWI continued investing heavily in upgrading treatment facilities and expanding the distribution network under theCoastalWaterTreatment Infrastructure Programme, which is partly financed by

adoptpracticesusedbymore efficient regional utilities, pointing to Belize Water Services Limited, which has reduced non-revenue water to about 25 per cent through aggressive leak detection, infrastructure replacement andfullmetering.

“The commission intends to collaborate with the company on a comprehensive strategy to reduce physical leaks and improve billing accuracy, a necessarysteptoaddressthis

financial drain,” the report said.

CollectionsImprove,But CashStillSlowtoFlow

Despite its financial struggles, GWI exceeded international targets for collectingrevenue.

The utility billed customers $6 32 billion during 2025 but collected $7.38 billion, reflecting the recovery of outstanding arrears and advance payments.

“This performance

reflected the successful recoveryofpriorarrearsand prepayments, ” the commissionnoted.

However, the report foundthatcustomersarestill taking far too long to pay theirbills.

The PUC estimated GWI’s Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) at about 150 days, nearly double the accepted utility benchmark of60to80days.

“While the collection efficiency remained within

acceptable levels, the elevatedDSOsuggestedthat payments were not made within reasonable timeframes,”thereportsaid.

According to the commission, delayed payments could point to affordability challenges, billing weaknesses or poor enforcementofcreditcontrol measures.

“As a result, cash flow andcapitalexpenditurewere impacted,” the report concluded.

the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

However, those projects havealsoincreasedpressure onthecompany’sfinances.

“Theseinvestmentswere aimed at enhancing the service quality, [but] they wereacontributingfactorto funding pressure on a shorttermbasis,whichinfluenced a continued dependence on the support of the government,”thereportsaid.

A l t h o u g h G W I maintained enough liquidity to meet its short-term obligations,thePUCsaidits overall financial position remainedweak.

BillionsLostBeforeWater ReachesCustomers

The commission identifiednon-revenuewater as GWI’s biggest financial burden It estimated that approximately $13 44 billionworthoftreatedwater was lost in 2025 through leaking pipelines, illegal connections, faulty meters and other unbilled consumption. The losses represented between 60 and 70 per cent of all potable water produced during the year.

“This high volume of losswasprimarilydrivenby aged infrastructure and environmental factors, thoughincrementalprogress is expected following upgradedservicenetworks,” thereportstated.

The PUC said those lossescontinuetocripplethe company’sfinances.

“Much like in previous years, these losses impeded the company’s ability to generate a profit and required government subventions to cushion the financial impact of nonrevenue generating connections,”itadded.

To reverse the trend, the commission urged GWI to

CARICOMbacksRodrigues-BirkettforUNSecretaryGeneral

Heads of Government

of the Caribbean Community(CARICOM) have expressed full support for Guyanese Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett in her candidacyfortheposition of Secretary General of theUnitedNations.

President Irfaan Ali had announced that Guyana will formally nominate Ambassador Carolyn RodriguesBirkett, the country’s

P e r m a n e n t RepresentativetotheUnited Nations, for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations when the term of current SecretaryGeneral António Guterres endsonDecember31,2026.

In a release issued on Monday, CARICOM highlighted its commitment to multilateralism undergirded by the United Nations Charter and InternationalLaw,especially in the face of the pressing g l o b a l c h a l l e n g e s

confrontingtheinternational community

The community noted thatanewSecretary-General oftheUnitedNationsistobe appointed during a particularly critical time for theworld.

They acknowledged with appreciation that several distinguished candidates have been nominated from Latin America and the Caribbean tofillthepost

Accordingtotherelease, “the heads of government

strongly welcomed Guyana’s nomination of Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and expressed their full endorsement for her candidacy.”

Last month, President A l i m a d e t h e announcement in a video statement posted to his page, that Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett would be a candidate applying to succeedGuterres.

The head of state tied the nomination directly to Guyana’s rising standing in internationalaffairs.

“Over the past several years, Guyana has emerged an influential voice on the global stage. Our successful election to the United Nations Security Council, and the successful completion of our 20242025termonthebody,have demonstrated to the world that Guyana can provide leadership at various levels of the global system,” he declared.

leadership at various levels of the global system, noting that throughout its 20242025 term on the UN Security Council, the country pressed consistently for peace, dialogue and respectforinternationallaw

HesaidGuyanahadalso carved out an increasingly prominent role on climate change, food and energy security, biodiversity, and the interests of small and developing states, arguing that the country has shown economic growth and environmental stewardship canmovetogether

To this end, he said Rodrigues-Birkettbringsthe depth of experience the office demands She has

PermanentRepresentativeto the UN since 2020 and led the country’s participation during its historic Security Counciltenure.

“Ambassador Rodrigues Birkett has acquired the experience, expertise, judgement, and diplomatic skills necessary to perform ablyandeffectivelycarryout the duties of SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations,”heaffirmed.

Her career spans more than two decades in public service She served as Director of the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s liaisonofficeinGenevafrom 2017 to 2020, as Minister of ForeignAffairsfrom2008to 2015, and as Minister of Amerindian Affairs from

Government members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) have asked for moretimetoconsideranoppositionproposal toexaminethe2020,2021and2022Auditor General’s Reports simultaneously, a move APNUsayswouldspeedupthecommittee’s workandreduceunnecessarycosts.

The request was made during Monday’s meetingofthenewlyconstitutedPAC.

Speaking with Kaieteur News, Opposition PAC member Ganesh Mahipaul said the committee met with full attendance anddealtwithseveraladministrativematters before considering proposals put forward by theopposition.

“We have agreed that the committee will decideonthenextmeetingdateandournext meeting date is the 27th of July. At that meeting we are going to examine the remaining paragraphs of the 2019 Auditor General’s Report, which will feature basicallytheMinistryofFinance,”Mahipaul said.

He added that updates are also expected from ministries and agencies that have outstanding information to provide to the committee.

On APNU’s proposal to merge the examination of the 2020 to 2022 reports, Mahipaul said government members requested additional time before taking a position.

“Thegovernmenthasaskedforsometime toconsidertheproposaltomerge2020,2021 and 2022. The committee has granted them thetimetoconsidertherequest,”hesaid.

Mahipaularguedthatexaminingthethree reports together would allow the committee to clear its backlog more efficiently while reducingcoststotaxpayers.

He warned that rejecting the proposal would prolong scrutiny of years that have alreadypassedanddelayguidanceforcurrent accountingofficers.

“It will be considered wasting taxpayers’ moneyandwastingresourcestobringallthe accounting officers, especially from the farflung regions, to come again and again and again when they can come just one time to dealwiththethreeyearstogether Ifthereisa

2001 to 2008, where she championed the rights and welfare of indigenous peoples.

Guyana’s president said the next secretary-general must be able to build trust among member states, restore confidence in multilateral institutions and leadwithvision,qualitieshe said Rodrigues-Birkett has demonstratedthroughouther career

HervisionfortheUN,he

multilateralism, making the organisation more effective and responsive, and keeping it capable of confronting conflict, climate change, f

emerging threats to peace andsecurity

need,thentheywillreturnbasedonwhether weseetheneedforthemtoreturn,”hesaid.

Headdedthattheproposalwouldhelpthe PAC devote more attention to current financial management issues instead of spendingyearsreviewingolderreports.

In a statement issued after the meeting, Mahipaul also said the committee discussed APNU’sproposalforweeklymeetings.

“Regarding APNU’s proposal for the committee to meet on a weekly basis, it was agreed that, at the conclusion of each meeting, the committee will determine the date of its subsequent meeting. In keeping withthatdecision,thenextmeetinghasbeen scheduled for 27th July, 2026, and on that date the committee will determine when it willmeetthereafter,”hesaid.

Describing Monday’s sitting as productive, Mahipaul expressed hope that members would continue working collaboratively

“Overall,today’smeetingwasproductive andconductedinaconstructivespirit.Itismy hope that this approach will continue, allowing the Public Accounts Committee to effectively discharge its responsibility of promoting accountability, transparency, and prudent management of the people’s resources,”hesaid.

Everybody's a constitutional scholar until the Wi-Fi goes down

I made the mistake of logging on to social media theotherday.Itwasentirely my fault Within five minutes, I encountered a gentleman who announced with the certainty that Guyana has no democracy

because there is no separationofpowers.

Now,Ihavenoobjection to people having opinions. Opinions are wonderful things. I have dozens before breakfast The problem begins when opinions start masquerading as political philosophy Then we are all in trouble because suddenly

every fellow with a smartphone becomes half Aristotle, half constitutional lawyer, and one hundred percentcertain.

The argument went something like this: no separation of powers equals no democracy It sounds convincing. It also happens to confuse two entirely differentideas.

The notion of the separation of powers comes from the eighteenth-century French philosopher Montesquieu. His concern was not democracy as we

ordinarily understand it today He was trying to answer a different question altogether

Montesquieu asked: How should governmental powerbeorganisedsothatit cannot easily become tyrannical? He was not asking who should govern. That question belongs to democracy

Democracy, in its modern understanding, is built upon the principle that governments derive their legitimacy from the consent of the governed. Citizens choose their leaders through elections Governments remain in office because the peoplepermitthemtodoso, and they leave office when thepeopledecideotherwise.

That answers the question: Whogoverns?

Montesquieu's theory answers another question entirely: How should those whogovernexercisepower? These are not identical questions You can have elections and still have a g o v e r n m e n t t h a t accumulates excessive pow er Conversely, you can

haveconstitutionallimitson power in a political system that falls well short of modern democracy In fact, t h e E n g l a n d t h a t

Montesquieu admired was certainly no universal democracy Most people couldnotevenvote.

His concern was liberty

inevitablyinvitesabuse.His solution was not to create three parts of government that never spoke to one another

W

dispersion of governmental authority among institutions capable of checking one another The legislature would make laws The executive would carry them out. The judiciary would interpretthem.

Each would possess enough independence to preventanotherbranchfrom becomingall-powerful.

However, this is not the samethingasinsistingupon a complete and hermetically sealed separation. In fact, Mo

lf recognised that government

DEM BOYS SEH

Shoppingcanbehazardoustoyuhhealth

Dem boys seh shopping is one of dem activities wah look peaceful from outside, but inside it got more danger than crossing EastBankPublicRoadwhendetrafficlight stopwukking.

Dem hear about one couple who decide fuh do de weekly supermarket shopping together Now everybody know dat when twopeoplepushonetrolley,onedoesalways believedemisdeMinisterofFinanceandde other one believe dem is de leader of de opposition.

One shopping list. Two budgets. Three arguments.

De husband wander off to de aisle wah gotalldeliquidrefreshments.Heeyecatcha caseofbeerwidonebrightredsignsaying, "SpecialPrice-$1000."

He smile like he just discover oil again. Quick-quick, he lift de case and ease it into detrolley

Just then he partner appear from nowhere. Nobody still can't explain how peopledoesknowexactlywhenyuhputting somethingunnecessaryindecart.

"Whatyoudoing?"sheask.

Hepointproudlytodesign."Look!Ison sale!"

She fold she hand. "Put it back. Just because something cheap don't mean we needit."

Demansighandquietlyreturndebeerto de shelf before peace negotiations collapse completely

Couple aisles later, he notice she studyingonetinyjaroffacecream.Tinyso till if yuh sneeze, yuh gon lose it. Price? $2,000.

institutions. His objective was not isolation but restraint. Freedom would be protected not because rulers suddenly became saints but because the constitutional structureitselfmadetyranny moredifficult.

This distinction somehow evaporates the moment certain people

acquire an internet connection Social media possesses an extraordinary capacity to transform every concept into alphabet soup.

Democracy becomes separation of powers Separation of powers

b e c o m e s j u d i c i a l independence Judicial independence becomes constitutional supremacy Constitutional supremacy somehow becomes whether somebody's cousin got a governmentcontract.

By the time the discussion ends, Plato, Locke,Montesquieuandthe fellow selling pepper sauce online have all become authorities on the same subject.

One begins to suspect that if Isaac Newton were

alive today, someone would explaingravitytohiminthe commentssection.

None of this means governments should be immune from criticism. On the contrary, constitutional arrangements deserve constant examination

Citizens ought to debate whetherinstitutionsperform their checking functions effectively

Those are legitimate discussions.

But we should at least know which discussion we are having. One person is discussing democracy Another is discussing constitutionalism. A third is discussing judicial appointments. A fourth is discussing the price of chicken. Everybody leaves believingtheyhavedefeated everyoneelse.

This is why we ought to be cautious about assigning too much credibility to confident declarations on social media. Confidence is not evidence. Volume is not scholarship Repetition is notproof.

Sheplaceitcarefullyindetrolley

Heclearhethroat.

"Whathappennow?"shesaid

He tap de little jar."But ah thought we tryingsavemoney?"

"Itisfacecream,"shereply "Ithelpsme lookbeautiful."

Dehusbandnodserious-serious."Sodid debeer Anditcosthalfasmuch."

Witnesses say after dat conversation de supermarketPAsystemannounceacleanup inAisle Seven. Dem boys ain't saying what spill. Dem only know de husband was later seenlimpingoutdesupermarketpushingde trolley wid one hand and holding one ice packwiddeother

Nowbeforeanybodyaccusedemboysof picking pun husbands or wives, dem boys sehbothsidesguilty

Some people could walk into a supermarketfuhbuybreadandcomeoutwid threescentedcandles,,sixstoragebins,two tubsoficecreamandacaseofbeerbecause itwas"calling"todem.

Others does go in fuh toothpaste and somehowleavewidabarbecuegrillbecause desalesmanwhisper,"Boss,todayisdelast day."

Datiswhysomecouplesgotonesimple rule.Onepushesdetrolley Deotherholdsde shopping list. Neither one allowed to make eyecontactwidde"SpecialOffer"signs.

Demboyssehmarriageain'treallytested bysicknessorpoverty

It tested by one supermarket trolley and two people saying, "We only coming in fuh onething."

Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

constitutionalgovernmentis complicated. Social media has somehow improved upon this process by reducing centuries of political philosophy into a memethatcanbereadwhile waiting for doubles. That is technological progress of a sort. The real lesson is wonderfully simple. Before accepting a sweeping c

somebodyaboutdemocracy, ask whether the speaker has confused the question of who should govern with the questionofhowgovernment shouldbelimited. If the answer is yes, you have not discovered a constitutional crisis You have merely discovered the social media. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)

History's great political thinkers spent decades wrestling with difficult questions because they u n d

TRUTHS

Guyanesestudythesequencenotthestory

Imarvel at the spectacle of this country Institutional and political grandeur One that involves holding pattern, timing pattern. Just like the nervewracking work of air traffic controllers. I urge my fellow Guyanese: the sequence, studythesequence. There’stherichstory It was deadly It’s also a beauty, with proper regardforfamily

March2021:amanexecutedinthestreet. Cold. Calculated. Within a stone throw of the official residence of Guyana’s chief governor Amanwithayoungfamily;guests usually assembled, milling around. Alethal shooting that outraged, a slap on Pres Ali’s face.

It happened in the too-close-for-comfort vicinity of Main Street, didn’t it? The presidentdidn’tseemtooanxious. Perhaps, the frenzied ecstasies of the bruising 20192020electionsstillburnedbrightly Unready tocoolamidthecelebrations.

But a killer volley near the president’s front yard had called for all-hands-on-duty and an all-points bulletin. To track the killer(s). Despite COVID-19 roadblocks, surveillance cameras, and covert intel, law

enforcement came up empty The charred remainsofatorchedvehicle. Deadmentell notales.

Vehiclesputtodeathcarrytheirsecretsto the grave A family grieved Scant sympathy Clamoredforjustice. Nothing. A casegrewcold. Thedeepfreezewaited. The backofit. Apolicesergeantspoke. Aperson of interest spoke through a suit. There, the matter of an execution style killing slumbered feverishly The blood of a man murderedcryingfromthefreezerforjustice. Fromwhere? Bywhosehand?

In this country, friendships have contributed enormously to subversions of justice Verifiable travesties in and of themselves. InGuyana,warringfoesleadto the rediscovery of that elusive entity called justice.

July 2026: It took developments over a farm for redevelopment of interest in that MainStreetcoldcase. Whatbecametoohot to remain in cold storage. One man made himself into a nuisance, a bigger one. Throughdisclosuresaboutafarmwithfowls andwhatreleasedafoulsmell. Anotherman took to the airwaves to holler to the world

about murder and assorted other felonious malignancies. All part of a tsunami laden with catastrophe and tragedy What’s ugly and dirty Stick religiously to the sequence, citizens. For immediately before, or too closeafter,asuspectisarrestedfortheMain Street murder After five cruel and dismal years, there is this breathtaking swiftness servingascrimeresolutionandgovernancein thiscountry

Ithinkthatiftherewasnofarmexposure, there would be no talk of murder and suspected murderers. And no arrest for the dirty, rotten crime. It’s my conviction, the sum of reflections, persuasions, interpretations. I suppose Guyana’s chief legal teacher would be beside himself with joy Athowthewheelsofjusticerollinthis country

The speed of their revolutions, the directions that they follow, the time and placesoftheirterminations. Mygod! Thisis the law operation at its blindfolded, avoirdupoisembroidered,majesticbest. For years such matters were under lockdown. Not a whiff. Not a leaf stirring. Then, an estatewithitsstatesofdisarray,dispute,and

distress ar unchained Revelation begets revelation. One crime alleged. Anothercrime-asetofthem-thrown right back into the face of the first accuser Time does have a way of baring its bottom. Secrets. I behold tit-for-tat: take that; let’s prove who has more fat. To absorb. Roll with the punches. Smell cleaner Cleaner? Someone has to be kidding, a confirmed jester Istartedwiththesequence. SoftlyIleave myfellowcitizenswiththesamesequence:a murder Ashrug. Alull. Awhistleblower Developmentdashed. Coldcase. Coldfront. Then a farm. Next, stops pulled out. Last, the bottom falling out. It sounds and feels likeanancystory ItisGuyana’spoliticaland institutionalreality Factsonthegroundwill always defeat criminal fictions. Be they political,social,orenvironmental. Guyanese are now living under a full-fledged crime wave. Checkout who denied. Now check whodisclose.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflecttheopinionsofthisnewspaper.)

11 contractors vie to build National Neurological Centre

The Ministry of Health has received 11 bids for the constructionoftheNationalNeurologicalCentre. This is according to the minutes of the tender openings published on the National Procurement and Tender AdministrationBoard(NPTAB)website.

No engineer’s estimate was stated, but based on the submissions,contractorstenderedbidsbetween$557million and$953millionfortheconstructionofthecentre.

AccordingtoNPTAB,thebiddersareKeystoneBuilders and Supplies Inc. - 656,821,000; Karnassa Investment Incorporated - $585,823,730; K&D Contracting Services$559,500,000; M&D Investments - $605,220,550; Dundas Construction Inc. - $597,680,500; Nabi Construction Inc.$833,420,138; Satar Mohamed & Son Construction & Hardware Supplies - $689,799,850; B M Property Investments Inc - $953,736,160; Navin & Son’s Construction - $576,636,342; Garnet Logistics & contracting;andDigitalDesignConstruction,Logisticsand Supplies - $557,560,000. During the presentation of the nationalbudgetearlierthisyear,thenationalassemblyheard thatplanswereunderwayfortheconstructionofthecentre, which will provide specialised clinical care and long-term managementofbraininjuriessuchasstroke,headandspinal cordandneuro-musculardisorders.

Senior Minister with the responsibility for Finance, Dr AshniSinghsaidthat$1.1billionwasbudgetedtobuildthe centrealongwithamodernoncologydepartmenttoprovidea comprehensivepatient-centeredcancercarefacility At the sod-turning ceremony for the Industry Polyclinic back in August last year, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony said the projects were part of the government’s commitmenttotransformingthelocalhealthsector.

“Whilewearedoingthat,wealsorecognisethatthereisa challengewithpersonswhoarehypertensive.Someofthem might get complications that ended up with a stroke and so wearealsoworkingtobuildanationalrehabcentreforstroke patients,”Dr Anthonysaidatthetime.

“Andso,maybenexttwoyearsorso,youwouldseethat cometofruition.So,whenwetalkaboutaworldclasshealth care,we’renotpayinglipservicetothis,whatwearedoingis investing.Thegovernmentisinvestingtomakesurethatwe candevelopthesetypesoffacilities,”headded.

Theprojectwillformpartofthe$134billionapprovedin thenationalbudgetthisyearfortheMinistryofHealth.

Pregnant heifers safely reach Ebini

...as GLDA rejects neglect claims ...Opposition questions handling of operation

Th e G u y a n a L i v e s t o c k

Development Authority (GLDA) on Monday rejected what it

described as false, m i s l e a d i n g a n d unsubstantiated claims circulating on social media regarding the welfare,

t r a n s p o r t a t i o n a n d management of recently imported Brazilian cattle, evenasOppositionMembers

of Parliament raised concerns over the handling of the operation after encountering delays at the Tacama/Ebinirivercrossing.

In a statement, the authority assured the public that the health, welfare and humane treatment of the animals remained its highest priority throughout the importation process and maintained that at no stage were the cattle neglected, abandoned or transported

w ithou t con tinu o us veterinarysupervision.

Contrary to claims circulated online, the authority said the cattle underwent a mandatory

seven-day pre-export quarantine in Brazil, where they were inspected, monitored, tested and certified by the competent veterinary authorities as healthy and free from transboundary animal diseases.

Upon arrival in Lethem, the animals were subjected to further veterinary inspection by the GLDA before being cleared to continue their journey to the authority's Ebini Livestock Facility

The authority stated that throughout the journey the cattle were transported in accordance with strict animalwelfareprotocols.

Government of Guyana or the Guyana Livestock DevelopmentAuthority,"the statementsaid.

The authority also dismissed suggestions that the cattle were intended for any private farming operation, stating that they are public assets procured under a national livestock development programme aimedatimprovinglivestock genetics, strengthening food security and increasing

d o m e s t i c l i v e s t o c k productivity

Later on Monday, GLDA Chief Executive Officer Dr Dwight Walrond released a video confirming that the animals had safely reached theEbinistation.

"Ithinkwehaveonlyone ortwotrucksremainingtobe offloaded, and that will be completed within half an hour or so, and the animals willcontinuetoreceivethe Continued on page 16

Brazilian cows imported by government were initially stuck at Tacama/Ebini Landing, Berbice River in Region 10

"Mandatory rest stops were conducted every four hours, during which the animals were provided with feed and clean drinking water supplemented with electrolytes During each stop, GLDA veterinarians and animal health personnel carried out routine welfare assessments to monitor the animals for any signs of stress, illness, injury, or f a t i g u e Ve t e r i n a r y supervision and technical support have remained continuous throughout the o p e r a t i o n , " G L D A explained.

Further, GLDA said the temporary delay at the river crossingwasnottheresultof poor planning or inadequate animal care, but rather "prevailing tidal conditions a n d p r e c a u t i o n a r y operational measures" implemented to ensure the safe transfer of livestock transport vehicles across the river

Throughout the delay, theauthoritysaidtheanimals

c

n drinking water, veterinary ca

e and continuous monitoring.

GLDA acknowledged that three animal mortalities

occurred during the operation but said the losses were promptly documented and managed in accordance with established veterinary protocols.

"Importantly, under the terms and conditions of the procurement contract, the supplier is contractually obligated to deliver all animals alive to the GLDA's Ebini Livestock Facility Consequently, the supplier will be required to replace the three animals at no additional cost to the

Canadian firms working through final conditions to close US$2.2B deal for tier-one gold mining hub in Guyana

CanadianfirmsGMining Ventures (GMIN) and G2 Goldfields Inc. are workingthroughthefinalstagesto complete the US$2 2 billion acquisition that will see the firm’s gold properties in Guyana combined into a 7-million-ounce tier-1mininghub.

In an update on Monday, GMIN’s president and chief executive officer (CEO) LouisPierre Gignac said, “We remain fully committed to closing the acquisition and creating a tier-one goldmininghubinGuyanaandone of the largest, lowest-cost gold operationsintheAmericas.”

GMIN noted that the transformationaltransactionmarks asignificantmilestoneinitsgrowth strategy “By combining complementary assets and leveraging our proven mine development expertise, G Mining Ventures is reinforcing its position as an emerging mid-tier gold producer,withaportfolioanchored in Brazil and Guyana,” the companysaid.

Itwasalsonotedthattheparties are actively working through the remaining closing conditions, whichareexpectedtobecompleted by the end of July 2026. Last month, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) and

G2’s shareholders already approved among other things for GMIN, to acquire all of the issued andoutstandingcommonsharesof

G2andforG2tocompletethespinout of a new company, G3 Goldfields Inc. – which will hold G2’s remaining properties not

includedintheacquisition.

GMIN and G2 Goldfields are bothCanadianfirmsthatowngold projects in Region Seven (Cuyuni-

Mazaruni). The deal allows the companies to consolidate the two adjacentgoldproperties,G2’sOkoGhanie project with GMIN’s fully permitted and fully financed Oko West project which holds 4.6 million ounces of proven and probablereserves.

The acquisition enables plannedproductionatOkoWestto increase the mine’s annual production from 350,000 to reach approximately 500,000 ounces of goldperyearoveraminimummine life of 15 years. By itself, the Oko Westprojectisexpectedtoproduce about 350,000 ounces of gold annuallyovera12.3-yearminelife.

Meanwhile,accordingtoG2,its Oko-Ghanie gold project average annual output is expected to reach 281,000ouncesannuallyduringthe mine’s peak years-with a total production of approximately 32 million ounces of gold over the life ofmine

The arrangement to consolidate theprojectswillbringtheCombined Measured & Indicated Mineral Resourcesof70millionouncesand Inferred Mineral Resources of 23 millionounces

The deal will also expand GMIN’sfootprintinGuyanaby293 square kilometers (km²), creating a combined contiguous land package ofover362km²

Pensioner killed in West Berbice accident

News of a fatal incident disruptedaweddingcelebrationon Sunday at Cotton Tree Village, WestCoastBerbice,asrelativesof a 78-year-old man received details thathewasinvolvedinavehicular accident and was left lying on the road.

KundalPersaud,apensionerof Lot 51 Bacchus Street, Rosignol, West Bank Berbice, lost his life afterhewasreportedlystruckfrom his electric bicycle while on his way from a wedding reception on Sunday evening, his relatives confirmed to Kaieteur News on Monday.

Esther Persaud, one of his daughters, said her father prepared himself for the occasion close to nightfall.Shesaidhewasreluctant to go, citing health concerns, but decided eventually to proceed to the family event to show his support.

“His brother had a little wedding His brother’s granddaughtermarrying.Hedidn’t wanttogotheweddingbecausehe sick.Youknow,oldperson,notable with the hassle. So he go, show he face,givehugs,kissandthing,and drink aVita Malt and he (prepared to) come home back,” she disclosed. Based on information the

family received, the elderly man wasmakinghiswaytothejunction toturninthedirectionofhishome, whenacardrivenbya25-year-old EastCanjemanslammedintohim.

The impact caused him to be thrown to the road, receiving critical injuries. The incident occurredaround8:00pm.

“Iwashome.Peoplestarttocall usandtellusthatourfathermeetin an accident. My daughter went to theweddingtoo,andsherunouton theroadandsheseehimlyingdown on he face in a pool of blood,” she related.

Bythetimetheyarrivedonthe scene, the man’s brother, who had left the wedding reception following the news, had already assistedthepoliceintakingtheman to the Bath Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.Thispublicationconfirmed

thatthedriverofthemotorcarisin policecustody.Persaud’sdaughters are calling for the full measure of the law to be administered to the individualtheyholdresponsiblefor theirfather’sdeath.Theynotedthat hewassicklybutmanagedtomove around fairly ok on his e-bike, and clarified that he was not intoxicated.

“My father is very Ill. He’s 78 years old. He don’t drink. He’s taking medication from the hospital. He goes to the hospital everymonthtodocheckingupasa pensioner Since he fall sick, from Januarytonow,noalcohol,”Esther toldthispublication.

The family disclosed that he

died on the spot. A post-mortem was conducted on Monday, indicating that he died from multipleinjuries.

Pained over the manner in which her father met his demise, another daughter, Angela Deosarran pleaded for a full investigationintotheincident.

“I want justice for my father, because this accident (and the way he died) is worse than an animal. My father went out with a brandnewelectricbikeanditcomehome bruk up. We need justice,” she expressed.Themanlivedaloneina three-bedroom, two-storey property,whichalsohousedasmall shopthatheoperated.

For more than 30 years, ANSA MCAL has been proud to grow with Guyana, investing in businesses, creating opportunities and contributing to the country's development. to Guyana. Over 400 employees from ANSA Motors Guyana, ANSA McAL Distribution Inc., Guyana Breweries

That commitment continues with the expansion of We Are the ANSA, our Group-wide employer brand campaign, Inc., ANSA Building Solutions Guyana, Mix FM and the Real Estate sector came together for a day focused on connection and shared purpose.

This marks another important milestone in our ongoing commitment to our Guyanese teams, with more opportunities to connect, develop and celebrate our people still to come.

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U.S.reinstatesblockadeofIranianshipping inStraitofHormuzafternewclashes

(Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Monday the United States was reinstatingitsblockadeofIranianshippingintheGulfand would ensure the Strait of Hormuz stays open for a fee, afterthetwosidesexchanged more missile and drone at-

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tacks.

The latest hostilities followed Iran’s announcement at weekend that it was closing the vital waterway, casting further doubt on an interimdealtohaltthewarand drivingoilpriceshigher

“The Hormuz Strait is OPEN,andwillremainOPEN, with or without Iran. We are reinstating THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE,”Trumpsaidon TruthSocial.

“TheU.S.A.willbe,from this point forward, known as ‘THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT’, but as such,andasamatterofFAIRNESS,willbereimbursed,at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped.”

Iran’s top joint military command said the U.S. had noroleindeterminingthefutureofHormuzandwouldnot be allowed to intervene. Iranian Foreign MinisterAbbas Araqchi wrote on X that Tehran was the guardian of the strait and would remain so “forever”, adding in responsetoTrump’scomments that: “20% is of course too much.Wewillbefair.”

The UN’s shipping agency pushed back against Trump’s proposal, saying it opposes any fees for straits

used in international navigation and stressing that there isnolegalbasisforintroducing mandatory tolls on strait transits.Trump has previously suggested the U.S. could charge tolls on shipping through the strait, but it has so far not done so and it wasunclearifitwouldfollow through on Trump’s declarationthistime.

The U.S. Navy-led Joint MaritimeInformationCenter saidtheblockadewouldtake effectat2000GMTonTuesday and apply to all vessel trafficregardlessofflag,coveringtheentireIraniancoastline including ports and oil terminals.

Itsaidthemeasurewould not impede neutral transit passage through the strait to or from non-Iranian destinations, and that humanitarian shipments would be permitted subject to inspection.

Beforetheconflictbegan inFebruary,aroundafifthof theworld’soilandgastraffic passed through Hormuz daily,deliveringmorethan15 millionbarrelsoffueltoglobalmarketsworthatleast$1.2 billion.IftheU.S.weretoimposea20%fee,itcouldgenerate around $250 million a day.Iran has sought to estab-

lish a permanent fee and permitsystemofitsownforvessels using the waterway BOTHSIDESCARRYOUT MORESTRIKES

Thousands of people have been killed in the war, mainlyinIranandLebanon.

The U.S. Central Command said its forces struck a submarine and ship maintenancefacilityinIranonSunday using one-way attack drones. Iran’s official news agencyIRNAcitedalocalofficial on Monday as saying theU.S.hadattackedmilitary sites in Qeshm, Bandar Abbas and Abadan in southern and southwestern Iran. It confirmed e deaths of two people in the Abadan attack.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had targetedU.S.militaryfacilitiesin Bahrain and Kuwait, destroyed radar systems in Oman and hit fuel tanks and ammunition depots at Prince HassanAir Base in Jordan in response to U.S. strikes.

Bahrain said its air defence systems had interceptedseveralIranianmissile and drone attacks early on Monday.The latest exchanges mark an escalation over the past week, throwing (Continune don page 17)

Pregnant heifers safely reach Ebini

From page 11

necessary attention,” he said, while noting thatthereportedanimaldeathsresultedfrom cramping during transportation.

However, before the cattle were safely transferred to the facility, delays at the Tacama/Ebini Landing in Region 10 promptedcriticismfromOppositionMembers of Parliament and the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, who questioned the planning and execution of the operation.APNUMembersofParliamentDr Terrence Campbell, Saiku Andrews and SherodDuncanvisitedthelandingonMonday morning where they shared live footage and images of the cattle, which they saidwerestrandedintrucksawaitingtransportation across the river

Speaking during a live broadcast, Dr Campbellsaidthatwhentheyarrivedthere was no barge capable of transporting the trucks to the Ebini facility and disclosed thatitwasonlyaftertheyreachedthelanding that the trucks began moving.

Hefurtherstatedthatafterabargeeventually arrived, excavators were then being used to facilitate the landing of the vessel.

According to Campbell, the apparent lack of preparation called into question whether the cattle were genuinely destined for the Ebini facility, arguing that if they were, the necessary arrangements should already have been in place.

TheAPNU MP said persons within the Ministry of Agriculture told him they received notice of the cattle’s arrival at the lastminute,preventingproperpreparations frombeingmade.

Campbell also said reports at the landing suggested that some of the animals had died.

“Now, we’ve heard that some of them havealreadydied.Iwanttoremindviewers that these cows are pregnant heifers. This kind of trip is exhaustive and stressful for animals that are not pregnant, much less pregnant heifers,” he said.

NotingthateachheifercosttheGovernment G$245,000,Campbellquestionedwhethertaxpayers’ money and public assets were being properlymanaged.

Describing the situation as “mismanagement”, he said, “That is why we are here today It is a scandal, yet another national scandal. We can call this Farmgate Two. We just had FarmgateOneontheLindenHighway,andthis isFarmgateTwo.”

He added that the agriculture sector should be subjected to greater public scrutiny

Later on Monday afternoon, Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, accompanied by WIN Member Mark Goring, also visited the landing where trucks were still awaiting transportation across the river

Following their assessment, they similarly contended that there had been inadequate preparationforthecattle’sarrivalatEbini.

Mohamed further claimed the animals required urgent medical attention and said no veterinarian was visible at the landing despite the ministry’s earlier assurance that veterinary personnel were accompanying the shipment.

Describing the condition of the cattle as “animal cruelty”, the WIN party called on animal rights organisations and activists to intervene.

The Ministry ofAgriculture has stated that the 300 cattle represent the first shipment of a planned 1,000 pregnant heifers under the NationalHerdExpansionProgramme,aninitiative intendedtostrengthenGuyana’sbeefanddairy industries.

Accordingtotheministry,thelivestockwere supplied by Coopera of Brazil following a procurement process conducted through the National Procurement and TenderAdministration Board. Four bids—one local and three international—were received before the contract was awarded at a price of G$245,000 per pregnant heifer

This arrangement leads with the latest developmentandGLDA’sresponsewhilepreserving all of the Opposition’s concerns and comments in a balanced, chronological way

Ghanaian firm given final deadline to pay US$17 million signing bonus for oil block

Ghanaian company

Cybele Energy has been givenafinaldeadlinetopay the US$17 million signing bonus or risk losing the S7 blockoffshoreGuyana.

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharratrecentlyannounced that the company has until the end of July to settle the payment. “I say safely, the ending of July will be the absolute cut-off date,” the minister said during an appearance on Starting Point.

It has been more than seven months since the government signed a Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with the company for the offshore concession.Within 30-days of the PSAbeing signed on December 9, 2025, Cybele was required to make the payment into the Natural ResourcesFund(NRF).

The minister’s latest comments come just weeks after he disclosed that Cybele had accumulated almost US$4 million in default interest after failing tomakethepaymentwithin

the timeframe stipulated in theagreement.

While the required bonus for shallow-water blocks is US$10 million, Cybele offered US$7 millionabovetheminimum when it submitted its bid during Guyana’s inaugural bidround.

Last month, Minister Bharrat disclosed that Cybelewasatriskoflosing the approximately 2,000square-kilometre block because of the nonpayment.

At that time, the minister had revealed that during talks with the ministry, the company committedtopayingpartof the signing bonus into the NRF by the end of the first week in June and the

y thereafter However, that wasnotdone.

The S7 is located 50 k i l o m e

o m ExxonMobil Guyana Limited’s Liza One and Two fields in the Stabroek Block,whichisestimatedat 11.6 billion barrels. The block’s oil fairway runs

U.S.reinstates...

Frompage16

intoquestiontheinterimU.S.-Iranianagreementsignedlast monthtoreopenthestraitandhalthostilities.

Trump has said he considers the ceasefire over, while leavingthedooropentofurthertalks.

“Wehadadeal.Itwasadonedeal,andthentheybrokeit. Theyalwaysbreakit,”hesaidinaphoneinterviewwithFox NewsonMonday “Andsowe’rejustgoingtohitthemvery hard.”Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, struckasimilarlyforcefultoneonXonSunday:“Theeraof one-sided deals is OVER. We told you: keep your word or paytheprice.”

ThewarlaunchedbytheUnitedStatesandIsraelagainst Iran on February 28 has destabilised the Gulf and spread acrosstheregion,withIranattackingU.S.basesinmultiple countries.

Yemen’s Houthi movement fired missiles at Saudi Arabia after accusing the kingdom of bombing an airport under its control on Monday, breaking a four-year truce betweenRiyadhandtheIran-alignedgroup.

OILPRICESJUMP

Driven by fears of further disruption in the strait, oil pricesjumpedmorethan9%onMonday,withBrentfutures postingtheirbiggestsingle-daydollargainsinceApril2,and highest settlement since June 12. U.S. crude futures made theirlargestdailygainsinceApril29tosettleattheirhighest sinceJune15.

Higher energy prices, particularly gasoline costs, are politically sensitive for Trump before congressional electionsinNovember

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said in a statement on Mondaythattheonlywaytorestoreregularshippingtraffic wastoendU.S.militaryinterventionsinthewaterway

The U.S., which revoked a licence waiving sanction on Iranian crude sales last week after earlier attacks on shipping, said its forces were positioned to safeguard freedomofnavigation.

U.S. officials said around 20 vessels had been escorted through the strait in the previous 24 hours, although shiptracking data showed little traffic moving. Marine Traffic said on Monday that vessel activity through the strait declined by about 52% over July 10 to 12 compared to the previousweek.

Suriname Cybele had plannedtodrillitsfirstwell within 12 months. The African woman-led firm h

estimatedthatS7holds400 millionbarrelsofoil.

Thefiscalregimeforthe S7 operations will be

governed by the new PSA whichrequiresthepayment ofa10percentroyaltyanda 10 per cent corporate tax. The cost recovery ceiling willbecappedat65percent inagivenyear,whileprofits will be shared 50/50 between the company and thestate.

2026 New Zealand tour of West

Indies

ODI Series at Providence…Match 2

Lennox 5-fer stuns Windies as Black Caps level series

ByCliftonRoss

New Zealand easily pulledtheseriesbackintheir favour while keeping themselvesinthehuntthanks toafantastic5-ferspellfrom left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox which essentially handed the visitors a muchneeded 5-wicket win at the Guyana National Stadium, Providencelastnight.

Shrugging off a tough loss in the opener, the Kiwis took a different approach for game 2, assessing the conditions at Providence expertly as their spinners triggered a swift Windies batting collapse, keeping the

Caribbean side to a measly 138allout.

Opting to bowl first paid off for the Black Caps, who disrupted the ominouslooking58-runopeningstand between top-scorer John Campbell (33) and Ackeem Auguste(17).

But the introduction of KiwispinnerLennoxproved tobetheturningpoint,asthe left-arm slower bowler controlled the innings with hiscareer-definingspellof519from8overs.

All-rounders and fellow spinners Michael Bracewell (2-51) and Captain Mitchell Santner(2-0)allplayedarole

Tuesday July 14, 2026

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19

Anappealingnewfacecould appearonthescenetoday,Aries

This might lead to a new friendship,althoughthisperson could be charming enough to bringoutyourinsecurities

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Amale friend could put you in touch with people from foreigncountriesorpeoplewho havetraveledalot Theymight have valuable information that youcoulduselater

GEMINI(May21–June20)

You're probably feeling especially sexy, Gemini, and you might want to take a lover out for a romantic dinner, if possible You wouldespeciallyenjoygoing all out, experimenting with a newoutfit,scent,orhairstyle.

CANCER(June21–July22)

Romance and marriage are verymuchonyourmindtoday, Cancer Aspecialconversation with a possible love partner couldhaveyouhankeringfor happilyeverafter

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

You're feeling especially healthy, energetic, and attractive today, Leo, and some friends may suddenly seeyouinanewlight.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

Your natural warmth and lovingnatureshouldbemore apparent than usual today, Virgo.You'relikelytoattract new people, both men and women, into your aura

in ensuring the Windies' 10 wickets would fall for 75runs by the end of their innings;afterbeingalmost60 withoutlossatonestage.

New Zealand would lose afewkeywicketsontheway intheformofopenersHenry Nicholls(17)andWillYoung (28) alongside top-scorer fromgame1,DarylMitchell (28).

Veteran middle-order batsman, Tom Latham showed his experience by maintainingacoolheadwith a classy 37 not out (2x4), as he and Bracewell who hit 3 fours in his 24*, saw their team to 141-5 in the 33rd

over thus completing the team's 400th ODI win with 104ballsremaining.

West Indies bowlers nevergaveupdespitehaving their work cut out for them due to the low score, with spinner Khary Pierre (2-33), homeboy Gudakesh Motie (1-32) and fast-bowler Alzarri Joseph (1-23) doing theirbesttokeepthegameas competitiveaspossible.

Meanwhile, the third and finalgameatProvidencewill bowl off Thursday with the Windies seeking as much momentum as possible beforethetwosidesskipover to Barbados for the remainderoftheseries.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Friction with family members, particularly wo

irritating, especially since you're torn between their quirksandtheloveyouhave forthem.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)

Todayshouldbringpleasant

women, possibly some new friends Alotofpeoplewillwant talk to you, although perhaps morethanyoucan handle.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

New opportunities may give youachancetoincreaseyour financial standing and e x p a n d y o u r s e l f professionally Innovations that you've produced in the past have attracted the attentionofthosein authority

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Today you might need to execute some paperwork regardingmoney,CapricornBills might need to be paid, deposits made,orcheckscollected

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Astrong sense of inspiration that seems to come from the higher planes could boost your naturalartisticabilities,Aquarius

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Althoughyoumightfeelabit inclined toward solitude today,Pisces,don'tindulgeit. This is a great day to get out with friends and meet new people.

Scores: New Zealand 141 for 5 (Latham 37*) beat West Indies 138 (Campbell 43, Lennox 5-19) by five wickets.

Frompage21

Tom Latham showed his experience as he helped New Zealand square the series. (Cricinfo)

thebreak.Guyanaweremorecompetitiveinthethirdquarter, limiting Puerto Rico to 16 points while scoring 14 themselves, displaying improved defensive intensity and betterexecutiononbothendsofthefloor

However,PuertoRico'ssuperiordeptheventuallytoldin the final period, as they outscored Guyana 26-10 to seal a commanding43-pointvictory

Despite the lopsided result, Guyana still found bright spotsthroughtheperformancesofitsveteranleaders.

Captain Joy Adams recorded a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds, continuing to lead by example onbothendsofthecourt.

Ruth Adams added 13 points, while Anaya Mc David also produced a double-double with10pointsand11rebounds in an encouraging all-round effort.Thetrioaccountedfor38 of Guyana's 50 points, underscoring their importance against a disciplined Puerto Rican defence that consistently forced difficult shots and capitalised on Guyana's mistakes.

Puerto Rico showcased exactly why they are regarded among the favourites in the competition, moving the ball with precision, dominating in transition and taking full advantage of Guyana's turnovers While Guyana displayed flashes of promise, particularly through the leadership of Joy and Ruth Adams and their improved third-quarter performance, inconsistent shooting and the inability to generate secondchance opportunities against Puerto Rico's taller and more experienced lineup ultimately provedcostly

Guyana will now turn their full attention to today's clash with the United States Virgin Islands, who rebounded from a 91-75 opening defeat to Puerto Rico by defeating El Salvador 84-47.

A victory would provide Guyana with a much-needed boost and a rewarding conclusion to an otherwise challenging campaign in Nicaragua.

Guyana outclassed by Puerto Rico at FIBA Women's

CentroBasket Qualifier

…face must-win clash with US Virgin Islands today

By Rawle Toney

Guyana's difficult start to the FIBA Women'sAmeriCup2027Centrobasket Qualifiers continued yesterday, as they werecomprehensivelybeaten93-50by regional powerhouse Puerto Rico in Group B action at the Polideportivo Alexis Argüello in Managua, Nicaragua.

ThedefeatmarkedGuyana'ssecond loss in as many matches after a heartbreaking opening-night setback, whentheyfell85-84toElSalvadorina dramaticone-pointthriller.

Now sitting 0-2 in the standings, Guyana face a must-win encounter againsttheUnitedStatesVirginIslands today in its final Group B fixture, hopingtosalvageapositivefinishtothe tournament.Against one of the region's perennial basketball powerhouses, Guyanafoundthegoingmuchtougher

Puerto Rico's experience, depth and relentless defensive pressure proved overwhelming, while the Guyanese women endured a frustrating night offensively

Guyana struggled mightily with its shooting, converting just 18 of 80 attemptsfromthefieldforadismal22.5 percent.

Their outside shooting was equally challenging, as they connected on only eight of 28 attempts from beyond the three-point line, making it difficult to keep pace with the free-flowing Puerto Rican offence.Puerto Rico wasted little timeassertingitsauthority,racingtoa2613 first-quarter advantage before extending the margin to 51-24 by halftimethroughefficientballmovement andclinicalfinishing.ToGuyana'scredit, the team showed greater resilience after (Continuedonpage20)

Frompage25

Guyana suffered their second successive defeat in as many matches despite playing a solid game, after a masterful ton from Jamaica opener Odane Binns guidedhisteamtoamonstrous10wicket win yesterday at the BethesdaSportsClubGround.

BothskipperParmeshwarRam (78) and wicket-keeper Shamar Apple (50) applied themselves as Guyanapostedwhatseemedlikea defendable 225 all out, as Jamaican Jahdae More (5-36) bowledbeautifullyforJamaica.

Jamaicawouldhavegoneona runs-spree,racingto229-0after37 overs, after a sublime knock of 104*off109balls(9x45x6)from

openerOdaneBinns. Binns carried the innings from the first ball and found great help in the formofTysonGordonJr.,whostroked 10 fours in his 85 not out, as the two openerspostedarecorddouble-century standforthe1stwickettohelpsealan easywinforJamaica. Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago defeated Windward Islands by 3

wickets at the Coolidge Cricket Ground. At the same time, Barbados hammered the Leeward Islands by a massive 258-run margin over at the Liberta Sport Club, as part of yesterday'striple-headersecondround.

Guyana will look to snap their losingstreakcometomorrowwhenthey playBarbadosatCoolidgeinRound3. (CliftonRoss)

USA. Leading Guyana's charge at the Commonwealth Games, scheduled for July 23 toAugust 2, is sprinter Nolex Holder,whohasbeenselectedtocontestthemen's100mand 200m,whilealsofeaturinginthe4x100mrelayteam. He will be joined by fellow sprinters Shamar Horatio, Akeem Stewart and Jackson Clarke, giving Guyana a formidable sprint contingent for both the individual events and the relay.Middle-distance runner Ravon Williams and Simeon Adams will contest the 400m and combine with AaliyahMooreandKelisaSmithinthemixed4x400mrelay, while Stephon Roach will represent Guyana in the triple jump.Smithhasalsobeenselectedforthewomen's100mand 200m.The Commonwealth Games team will be guided by coachesMarkScott,LindenPhillipsandThelsonWilliams. For the CAC Games, which will run from July 24 to August 8 in Santo Domingo, Guyana will be represented by two athletes. Jouvanna Cornette has earned selection in the women's 100m, while Anisha Gibbons will compete in the javelin throw.Junior Cornette has been named as the team's coachandofficial.Thelargestcontingentwillcompeteatthe World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Oregon from August 5 to 9.The squad features several of Guyana's brightest young prospects, including the country's 400m record-holder, Malachi Austin (400m and 4x400m relay), Skylar Charles (200m, 4x100m relay and 4x400m relay), OnesiDunn(100mand4x100mrelay),andTishawnEaston, who will contest both the 200m and 400m in addition to the 4x400mrelay

Also earning selection are Dequan Farrell (100m, 200m and4x100mrelay),DejuanGrant(4x400mrelay),Athaleyha Hinckson(100m),AngelJeffery(100m),EzekielMillington (4x100m relay), Olivia Solomon (800m), Tianna Springer (400m)andGordonThompson(100mand4x100mrelay).

The junior team will be accompanied by team manager JamesCole,coachesQuinseClarkeandKeisaBurnette,along withphysiotherapistArethaLegall.

Inannouncingtheteams,theAAGextendedbestwishesto theathletesandtheircoaches,acknowledgingthededication showninpreparingforthebusyinternationalseason.

The association also expressed gratitude to the GovernmentofGuyana,MinisterofCulture,YouthandSport Charles Ramson Jr., Minister within the Ministry Steven Jacobs, Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, and the Guyana Olympic Association for their continued financial support, noting that their contributions have been instrumental in providing local athleteswith opportunities to compete at the highestinternationallevel.

CoventGarden/Essequiboseal

empathicwinsinrespectiveZonefinals

Zone 3 Champions Convent Garden Secondary.

Two clinical wins for Essequibo Islands and Yarrakabra Secondary Schools, headlined Sunday's two respective Zone finalsasteamsralliedtowardsthefinalstages ofthecompetition.

EssequiboIslandsbeatWestDemerara by9wickets

InalopsidedaffairoftheZone2Region3 finals at Uitvlugt, Essequibo Islands destroyedWestDemeraraby9wicketsinthe low-scoring morning match, after the latter wasstrangledfor27-10after13.2overs.

Itwasabattingcollapseasnoplayergot todoublefiguresasJeremiahGarnett's4runs ended up being the top score, as Aarav Sukhram ended with amazing figures of 5-1 withsupportfromnationalyouthall-rounder BhomeshLall(4-5).

Theaforementionedpairthenreturnedto

Man of the Match Convent Garden Secondary Navindranauth Ram 25 runs from 29 balls Wickets 2-18.

Man of the Match Essequibo Islands Secondary Aarav Sukhram 1 run 5 wickets 6 runs from 11 balls.

mopuptherunsasSukhram(6*)andLall(4) alongsidetop-scorerJimaulWhyte(9*),saw theirsideto28-1injustthethirdover CoventGardenbeatYarrakabraby24 runs

The second of two finals, the afternoon matchsawtheeventualwinnersBattingfirst intheZone3finals.

CoventGardenpostedaformidable11110 in 14.5 overs after Navindranauth Ram (25),Terick Jadgeo (24) and Nazeem Lehan (10*)ledthebattingcharge.

BowlingforYarrakabrawasspearheaded by the trio of Arjune Lokenauth (3-14), Nicholl Morris (3-24) and Ajay Gordall (220) who did well but managed to somehow see their team fall for just 87 runs in almost the same amount of overs 14.3; thanks to equallyclinicalbowling.

Man-of-the-matchfromSaturday'sgame, VineshKaploo,wasthestaragainbagging324 while Ram (2-18) and Jadgeo (2-27), backed up their good batting with some top ballwork.

Andrew Lewis Gym dominates GBA Developmental Tournament

TheAndrewLewisGym reaffirmed its standing as one of Guyana's premier boxing clubs after claiming the Best Gym title at the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Developmental Tournament,heldonJuly11 attheAndrewLewisGym.

Theone-daycompetition broughttogethersomeofthe country's emerging talent, with seven scheduled bouts featuring boxers from the AndrewLewisGym(ALG), Harpy Eagle Gym, and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

The tournament also served as another important platform for young fighters to gain valuable ring experience as they continue theirdevelopmentwithinthe localboxingprogramme.

Several of the night's contests were decided by walkovers,buttheboutsthat

didtakeplaceshowcasedthe p r o m i s e a n d competitivenessofGuyana's nextgenerationofboxers.

The opening three contests all ended in walkovers.

Omar Morris of Harpy Eagle was awarded victory over teammate Tyvonne Grant, while Andrew Lewis Gym'sJoshChesterreceived a walkover win against Donovon Troy of Harpy Eagle. Junior Madray of the Andrew Lewis Gym also secured a walkover victory over Harpy Eagle's Denzil Thomas Action intensified in the fourth bout as Ken Harvey produced one of the tournament's most impressiveperformances. Representi

e AndrewLewisGym,Harvey stopped clubmate Izzla Vanderstoop via Referee Stops Contest (RSC) in the

Outstanding performers at the Guyana Boxing Association Developmental Tournament display their medals.

, demonstrating his superior skillandpower

Lowe, Fung-a-Fat strike Doubles' gold for Guyana at 2026 CASA Juniors

Freshoffanimpressivesingles campaign, Guyana returned to the courts on Monday for the doubles competition at the 2026 Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Junior Championships in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, with Kaylee Lowe and Emily Fung-a-Fat capturing the Girls' Doubles gold medal.

Buoyed by a successful first three days of competition and an impressive singles medal haul, the defending championsfieldedthreestrongpairings as they continued their pursuit of a second consecutive overall CASA Juniortitle.

Girls' Under-17 singles champion Kaylee Lowe teamed up with Emily Fung-a-FatintheGirls'Doubles,while Boys' Under-17 silver medallist Egan Bulkan paired with ShilohAsregado in the Boys' Doubles. Ethan Bulkan and MaliaMaikooalsorepresentedGuyana intheMixedDoublescompetition.

Lowe and Fung-a-Fat made an emphatic start, brushing aside Dominican pair Estelle Rodriguez and KayraBurgosCocco11-2,11-2toopen theircampaignincommandingfashion.

TheGuyaneseduomaintainedtheir momentum later in the day, defeating TrinidadandTobago'sJosieThongand Aaniyah Ramdeen 11-3, 11-3 to book theirplaceinthechampionshipmatch.

In the final, Lowe and Fung-a-Fat overcame Jamaica's Mehar Trehan and Elle Wilson in a thrilling 32-minute encounter After dropping the opening game 6-11, the Guyanese pair rallied

brilliantly to claim the next two games 11-9,11-9andsecuretheGirls'Doubles crown Meanwhile, Bulkan and Asregado also enjoyed a strong start in the Boys' Doubles, defeating Jamaica's EthanMillerandMaxHenzell11-2,117toadvance.

The duo later booked their place in thefinalwithvictoryoverTrinidadand Tobago's Ross D'Juran and Matteo Felician,settingupatitleclashwithSt. Vincent and the Grenadines' Jaden GeorgeandAidenDeFreitas.Theresult of the final was unavailable at press

Lekiam Amores added another victory for the host gym, earning a points decision over Simeon Haymer in a disciplined performance that later earned him the tournament's Under-19BestBoxeraward.

One of the evening's closest contests came in Bout Six, where Ezekiel Bancroft edged Isiah Nurse by split decision following an entertaining and evenly matchedcontest.

time and will be published in a subsequentedition.

In the Mixed Doubles competition, Ethan Bulkan and Malia Maikoo opened with a convincing 11-2, 11-7 victory over Trinidad and Tobago's NixonCallenderandGiaGhuraninjust 13minutes.

However,theirrunwashaltedinthe following round as they were defeated by Cayman Islands pair Charlie Makin and Milanna Lamontagne, who recovered from losing the opening gametowin9-11,11-4,11-3.

Adrian Adams of the Andrew Lewis Gym on points July's composed performance throughout the contest earned him the Elite Best Boxer title, capping an impressiveouting.

At the conclusion of the tournament, the Andrew Lewis Gym was crowned Best Gym after producing s e v e r a l w i n n i n g performancesandindividual award recipients Harpy Eagle Gym finished as runner-up.

The Developmental Tournament forms part of the Guyana Boxing Association's ongoing efforts to identify and nurture young talent while providing competitive opportunities for novice and intermediateboxers.

Such events remain a vital component of the association's long-term strategy to strengthen the domesticboxingprogramme and prepare athletes for future national and internationalassignments.

Bancroft's display was recognised with the Under17 Best Boxer award.The final bout of the tournament saw Guyana Defence Force boxer Wayne July defeat

Wi t h p r o m i s i n g performances across the various age groups, the tournament once again highlighted the depth of emerging talent within Guyana's boxing fraternity and provided encouraging signs for the sport's continuedgrowth.

StLucianboxers...

Frompage24

Lucian boxers will train alongside the country's own CAC Games team comprising Terron Wintz, Desmond Amsterdam and Colin Lewis, under the guidance of experiencedcoachesFranciscoRoldanandJeffRoberts.

Meanwhile, GBA President, Steve Ninvalle said the partnership between Guyana, St Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago has continued to flourish during his tenure at the helm of amateur boxing locally, with the three nations maintaining a close working relationship aimed at strengtheningboxingacrosstheCaribbean.

Ninvalle noted that Guyana's boxers preparing for both theCentralAmericanandCaribbean(CAC)Gamesandthe Commonwealth Games recently concluded a productive trainingcampinTrinidadandTobago.

HeaddedthattheGBAwasequallypleasedtoreturnthe support by hosting St Lucia's national team as it finalises preparationsfortheCACGames.

"We have what I consider family ties between our associations," Ninvalle said. "Whenever one of us is preparing for a regional, continental or international competition, we lean on each other. Whether it's sharing coachingexpertise,organisingtrainingcampsorproviding quality sparring opportunities, we are always willing to supportoneanotherbecauseourcommongoalistoelevate boxingintheCaribbean."

He added that the continued collaboration benefits not only the boxers, but also the coaches and administrators, creating stronger programmes and better-prepared teams capable of competing successfully on the regional and internationalstage.

Guyana finish fourth as AmeriCup Caribbean Pre-Qualifiers conclude

By Rawle Toney

Guyana'sspiritedlatesurgewas notenoughtosecureaplaceinthe next stage of the FIBAAmeriCup 2029 Caribbean Pre-Qualifiers, as the hosts finished fourth overall when the five-day, 10-team tournament concluded on Sunday evening at the Cliff Anderson SportsHall.

Despite posting an impressive 3-1 record, Guyana fell short of qualificationafteracostlyopeningnight defeat left them with little margin for error in one of the tournament's most competitive groups.

Whenthefinalbuzzersounded on the tournament, Barbados (4-0) and Antigua and Barbuda (3-1) emerged as the two teams advancing to the Second Round of theAmeriCupPre-Qualifiers.

Haitifinishedthird(3-1),Turks and Caicos Islands (3-1) finished fifth, followed by St Vincent and theGrenadines(2-2),Dominica(13), the Cayman Islands (1-3), Bermuda(0-4)andGrenada(0-4).

Antigua and Barbuda, and BarbadoswillnowjoinCostaRica, which booked its place in the Second Round after capturing the Central American Pre-Qualifiers titleinMarch.

Thenextstagewillalsofeature Cuba, Jamaica, Nicaragua and Venezuela, all of whom were eliminatedintheFirstRoundofthe FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers. One South American representative is still to bedetermined.

supporters,Guyanawasdrawninto a difficult Group A alongside the Turks and Caicos Islands,Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica and Bermuda, making every game crucialThe Alan Walls-coached side suffered a significant setback on opening night, going down 6855totheTurksandCaicosIslands.

The defeat proved decisive, forcing Guyana to rely on other resultswhileattemptingtokeepits qualificationhopesalive.

To their credit, the hosts respondedinimpressivefashion.

Guyana edged Antigua and Barbuda 75-73 in a thrilling

overpowering Dominica 68-53 to

reignitetheircampaign.

They then completed a threegame winning streak with a hardfought 59-56 victory over Bermuda, closing the preliminary round with a commendable 3-1 record.However, qualification was nolongerinGuyana'shands.

The hosts needed Antigua and Barbuda to defeat the previously unbeatenTurksandCaicosIslands by more than eight points in the final Group A fixture to create a three-way tie and preserve their mathematicalhopesofadvancing.

Antiguadeliveredexactlywhat Guyana required, producing a dominant defensive display to defeattheTurksandCaicosIslands 58-31. While the result secured

Umar Rashid goes above the rim for a block.

Antigua's place in the Second Round, the points differential ultimatelyworkedagainstGuyana, ending the hosts' qualification hopes.

Elsewhere, Barbados completed a flawless campaign to underline its credentials as one of theCaribbean'sstrongestteams.

TheBajansopenedwithan8954victoryovertheCaymanIslands before defeating Haiti 91-68, Grenada99-77andSt.Vincentand the Grenadines 96-84 to finish unbeatenat4-0.

Although theAmeriCup dream has been put on hold, Guyana's

Dominic Vincente goes 'up and under' to score against Dominica at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

international calendar remains busy

Attention now shifts to Scotland,wherethemen'snational 3x3 team will make history with Guyana's debut in the Commonwealth Games men's 3x3 competition against some of the world'selitenations.

The focus will then turn to the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games, where both the men'sandwomen's3x3teamswill be looking to build on their recent international experience and continue the country's progress on theregionalstage.

StLucianboxerssetupCamp inGuyanaaheadofCACGames

Three of St Lucia's top amateur boxers will finetune their preparations for the upcoming Central American and Caribbean (CAC)GamesinGuyana,as the two Caribbean nations strengthentheirsportingties ahead of the regional multisporteventintheDominican Republic.

The CAC Games are scheduled to run from July 24 to August 8, with St Lucian Boxing Association President David "Shakes" Christopher confirming that national boxers John Didier, Kegan Mortley and Danaii Cooman will arrive in Guyana on Thursday for an intensivetrainingcamp.

The trio will be accompanied by coach ConradFredericks,whowill work closely with coaches

…Ninvalle hails collaboration

from the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) during the camp, providing the athletes with high-level sparring and technical preparation before they depart for the Dominican Republic.

Christopher described the training camp as a significant milestone in the growing relationship between the two boxing associations and credited Guyana's leadership for helpingtobringtheinitiative tolife.

A c c o r d i n g t o Christopher, the idea was born during President Irfaan Ali's recent visit to St Lucia fortheCARICOMHeadsof GovernmentMeeting,where

the Guyanese Head of State met with members of the Guyanesediasporalivingon theisland.

Christopher, who is Guyanese by birth, said he used the opportunity to discuss the importance of regional collaboration through sport, particularly boxing, and proposed a partnership between the St Lucian Boxing Association and the Guyana Boxing Association.

That proposal quickly gained momentum, with GBA President Steve Ninvalle playing a pivotal role in ensuring the camp becameareality

"I want to thank President Ali, and my good

The members of the St Lucian boxing team set to be here for the training stint.

friend, Mr Steve Ninvalle, for making this camp happen. We are grateful for the support," Christopher said.

He added that initiatives such as these demonstrate thevalueofCaribbeanunity and the benefits of neighbouring countries workingtogethertoraisethe standard of sport across the region.

"It is important for Caribbeancountriestowork together By sharing resources, knowledge and opportunities, we can all become stronger and better prepared for international competition," Christopher noted.

While in Guyana, the St (Continuedonpage23)

AAG unveils squads for Commonwealth Games, CAC Games and World U20 Championships

ByRawleToney

The Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) has officially unveiled the country's teams for three major international championships over the coming weeks, selecting a blend of experienced campaigners and promising young talent to represent the Golden Arrowheadontheregionalandglobalstage.

The announcement, approved by theAAG Council, confirms Guyana's squads for the Commonwealth GamesinGlasgow,Scotland,theCentralAmericanand Caribbean(CAC)GamesinSantoDomingo,Dominican Republic, and the World Athletics Under-20 ChampionshipsatHaywardField,UniversityofOregon, (Continuedonpage21)