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Colombian President NEWS asks Trump to suspend tariffs to help earthquake recovery AIETEUR
Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly
Monday Edition August 17, 2026 -Vol. 19 No. 32
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Two Australian firms now control 770 km² of Guyana’s gold lands PAGE
2
…in area where foreign players already establish 9M ounces of gold Discoloured water flowed from residential taps Sunday morning as Lindeners continue to cry out over the deteriorating quality of water supplied by Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI). (Source: Gordon Moseley)
‘CCJ President’s response fails to answer key questions in judicial crisis’- Ram Fast-growing Guyana still depends on private planes for medevac …Region One residents lament
$6.6B Bath Hospital must deliver more than ‘grand ceremonies’ - Opposition Leader says …as four infants die in three months
Mayor demands answers as Linden grid breaks under industrial weight …Govt. to address town hall Wednesday as protest rumours brew
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Monday August 17, 2026
Kaieteur News
Two Australian firms now hold 770 km² gold lands in Guyana …in area where foreign players already establish 9M ounces of gold
Oko North Project New Oko Discovery: 60m @ 5.9g/t Au 100m @ 2.2g/t Au
m
15m @ 6.3g/t Au 47m @ 1.1g/t Au
15k
Oko NW Discovery:
Greater Oko: +9Moz
G3 GOLDFIELDS Peters Mine
30
km
Map showing the four targets at Altair Minerals Greater Oko Gold Project
The blue lines show the Oko North and Oko South blocks, which cover an area of 180 km² about five times the size of Georgetown
Shear Zone Gold Workings Oko South Project
Greenstone Granite Significant Prospects
By Renay Sambach
T
wo Australianlisted mining companies have secured individual interests in gold-bearing lands covering about 770 square kilometres (km²) in Guyana's Oko gold district, an area where nine million ounces of gold have already been established by other foreign players. To put the land holdings size into perspective, the combined land package is about 19 times the size of Georgetown, which covers approximately 40 km². Altair Minerals and Liberty Metals add to the growing number of foreign companies exploring the mineral-rich district located
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Altair Minerals Limited, Faheem Ahmed in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni). Altair holds 70% interest
in the Greater Oko Gold Project which spans across 590 km² contiguous mining lands, while Liberty holds 90% interest in the Oko North and Oko South Gold Projects, a package of 40 granted medium-scale mining permits covering approximately 180 km². To g e t h e r, t h e t w o Australian companies now have interests spanning roughly 770 km² in the wider Oko district. Both companies secured their interest in the gold projects through agreements with Guyanese vendors. Liberty announced its entry into the Oko district on 12th August, 2026 stating that it entered into a binding four-year option agreement with a private Guyanese
Map showing geological setting of Oko North and Oko South Projects; the land package owned by Altair Minerals; the two consolidated projects now controlled by Canadian firm GMIN and the remaining properties that now falls under G3 Goldfields
Liberty Metals Director and Non-Executive Chair Nicholas Katris vendor. However, Liberty did not disclose the name of the private Guyanese vendor.
Meanwhile, Altair's entry into the resource rich area was secured a year ago, when it entered into a binding heads of agreement in August 2025, via a deal w i t h G u y a n e s e conglomerate, Adamantium Exploration Inc., a company owned by the Alphonso family. Besides Altair and Liberty, Canada-based G Mining Ventures Corp. (GMIN) also has a major land package in the Oko district. GMIN recently completed the acquisition of fellow Canadian firm G2 Goldfields Inc. to consolidate GMIN's
advanced Oko West gold project with G2's OkoGhanie gold projects with a Combined Measured & Indicated Mineral Resources of 7.0 million ounces and Inferred Mineral Resources of 2.3 million ounces. The deal is valued at C$3 billion (approximately US$2.2 billion). GMIN's acquisition of G2 has expanded the company's footprint in the Oko district to a contiguous land package of over 362 km². Altair Minerals Altair Minerals has hailed Guyana for being the “last truly pro-mining country” in the Guiana Shield and for boasting mining lands that are significantly underexplored. The project area consists of four advanced targets: South Oko (SOKO), North Peters (NP), Old Granny (OG) and Kmung (KM). The company this month commenced drilling at one of the four targets at the Greater Oko Gold Project. Diamond drilling is underway at the North Peters (NP) target, as part of Altair's recent launch of a fully funded 75,000 metre exploration programme for the project. Altair previously described Greater Oko as (Continued on page 16)
Kaieteur News
Monday August 17, 2026
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‘CCJ President's response fails to answer key questions in judicial crisis’ - Ram Chartered accountant and attorney Christopher Ram has questioned whether Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) President Justice Winston Anderson has gone far enough in addressing the serious allegations that have plunged the regional court into an unprecedented internal crisis. In a column published S a t u r d a y, R a m s a i d Anderson's lengthy public response to allegations made by five of the Court's six other sitting judges was an important development, but argued that the statement “cannot be the final word” on a controversy that has already damaged the integrity and perceived impartiality of the region's apex court. The controversy erupted after leaked internal correspondence revealed deep divisions among the CCJ judges, with five judges raising allegations including authoritarian leadership, interference in judicial deliberations and manipulation of judicial panels. Justice Peter Jamadar reportedly raised concerns about an alleged attempt to influence colleagues during deliberations in the extradition matter involving Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed. Anderson has rejected allegations that he attempted to influence judicial outcomes, describing such suggestions as unfounded. He has also stressed that the judges were unanimous in the final disposition of the Mohamed appeal. But Ram argues that unanimity in the final judgment does not, by itself, resolve questions about what occurred during the deliberative process. MOHAMEDS' CASE UNDER SPOTLIGHT The Mohamed extradition case has become one of the most sensitive aspects of the controversy because of its political implications in Guyana. On 29th July, the CCJ dismissed the appeal brought by Azruddin and Nazar Mohamed and allowed extradition proceedings to continue in Guyana. The court lifted the stay which had previously halted the proceedings. The ruling came after the CCJ had earlier intervened in March and granted an interim stay while the
Mohameds challenged aspects of the extradition process. It was against this backdrop that allegations concerning the internal handling of the case became particularly significant. Ram contends that Anderson's response does not directly address Justice Jamadar's specific allegation that the CCJ president attempted to influence colleagues who held views different from his during deliberations. “The unanimity in the eventual result,” Ram argues, “does not answer an allegation about the integrity of the process by which that result was reached.” The distinction, he suggests, is fundamental. A court's credibility depends not only on the correctness of its decisions but also on the integrity and independence of the process through which those decisions are reached. GUYANA'S JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS But Ram identified another issue as being of even greater concern to Guyana — Anderson's involvement in discussions surrounding the appointment of the country's Chancellor and Chief Justice. According to Ram, Anderson has acknowledged that in October 2025 he privately sought to encourage agreement between President Irfaan Ali and then Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton on the substantive appointments to the two highest judicial offices in Guyana. Anderson has reportedly conceded that another approach would have been preferable and that he could have confined himself to public commentary, as his predecessors had done. For Ram, that admission raises serious questions about the proper limits of the office of CCJ President. He questions whether the head of Guyana's final appellate court should have intervened privately in a constitutional process involving the president and opposition leader of a member state. Ram also argues that Anderson has not adequately addressed more specific allegations made by Norton concerning what was discussed during their interaction. Norton had alleged that
court in such an intervention at the apex of the judicial system,” Ram argues, “Guyanese are entitled to ask where he believes the boundary lies between legitimate executive action and interference with the Judiciary.”
CCJ president, Justice Winston Anderson Anderson sought his agreement to particular judicial appointments, referred to negotiations involving then Acting C h a n c e l l o r Yo n e t t e Cummings-Edwards and indicated that the President and others were awaiting the swearing-in of proposed appointees. Those claims have not been independently established, but Ram argues that their omission from Anderson's response is significant. The attorney is also demanding greater clarity from President Ali. Ram says Ali must explain his role in the discussions with Anderson. Among the questions he believes the President should answer are who initiated the discussions, what was discussed, what Ali understood Anderson's role to be and whether Attorney General Anil Nandlall was consulted. For Ram, this is not simply a matter concerning personalities. He argues that the episode raises a fundamental constitutional question about the separation between the Executive and Judiciary. “If the President was prepared to engage the head of Guyana's final appellate
REGIONAL JUDICIARIES The controversy has already generated a wider regional response. Heads of judiciary from several Caribbean jurisdictions, including Guyana, Barbados, The Bahamas, Belize, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, issued a joint statement expressing support for the CCJ and stressing the importance of public confidence in the court. However, they declined to comment on the substance of the allegations made by the judges, instead expressing grave concern over the leak of confidential correspondence. That approach has not satisfied Ram. He questions why the breach of confidentiality has received such prominent attention when the correspondence exposed allegations that, if substantiated, could have profound implications for the functioning of the region's highest court. The Guyana Trades Union Congress has gone further, calling for an independent investigation into the crisis, including the allegations surrounding panel assignments, judicial deliberations and safeguards against political or administrative influence. PUBLIC CONFIDENCE Ram also pointed to an uncomfortable historical connection. Anderson was the lone dissenting judge in the CCJ's 2018 six-to-one decision upholding Guyana's
constitutional term-limit provisions. Ram stresses that the dissent itself is not evidence of political bias. However, he argued that Anderson's subsequent acknowledged intervention in Guyana's political discussions over judicial appointments inevitably causes that earlier history to be viewed differently. The issue, he says, is one of public perception. The CCJ itself has maintained that its judges are guided by the Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct and has reaffirmed its commitment to independence, impartiality, integrity and public confidence. But Ram believes public confidence cannot be restored simply by declarations of institutional integrity.The controversy has also cast an unwanted spotlight on Guyana's acting chancellor and chief justice. Ram makes clear that nothing disclosed in the controversy establishes wrongdoing by either judicial officer. However, he argues that the episode demonstrates why the appointment process should have been insulated from any intervention that could create questions about political or judicial influence.
Chartered accountant, Christopher Ram For Ram, the central issue is therefore much larger than the Mohamed extradition case. It is about whether the Caribbean's final court can maintain the confidence of the public when five of its sitting judges have raised serious concerns about the administration of the institution. Anderson's response may have rejected the allegations and provided explanations for some of the controversy. But Ram says important questions remain unanswered. The CCJ President's statement, he concludes, is “welcome but incomplete” and cannot be the final word.
Kaieteur News
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Monday August 17, 2026
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL-TEL: 624-6456 Editor: NIGEL WILLIAMS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Moving Target There is a ray of light creeping over the horizon. The first energy delivery from the Wales Gas-to-Energy (GtE) is expected by year-end. It would be a small tranche of energy, followed by more megawatts during 2027. This has been the GtE, a moving target, with one delivery date after another not being met. Nothing being said by the government until questioned persistently, only for citizens then to be told that the start date for the flow of power has shifted. Will the year-end promise come true? Will next year’s schedule of more energy to be delivered become reality? According to Prime Minister Mark Phillips, 57 megawatts will be on stream by the end of this year. It is almost two years to the day past the first promised completion of the Wales GtE. From the prime minister’s own statement, only one sixth of the full 300 megawatts of power will be fed into the national system. A total of 228 megawatts is expected towards the end of 2027, three years after the original finish date. We note that 228 megawatts, though representative of a substantial amount of power, is still not the full indicated capacity of the Wales GtE. It seems that approximately 16 percent of that capacity will be generated by year end. We are already thinking of what will be the fate, what timeline it will be before for the rest of the energy is part of the national grid. Whatever has been said before by the man whose brainchild this project is has not held up. Vice President and chief oil and gas policymaker, Bharrat Jagdeo, having failed to deliver with the GtE, now fails to make an appearance to inform the nation about the state of its most expensive landbased project. GtE taskforce head, Winston Brassington, said earlier this year that the project would be competed and fully operational by the middle of next year (2027). Like so many prior commitments and prior dates announced, it is now obvious that mid-2027 is off the schedule. We should have some confidence that 2027 yearend is feasible, since it is a whole year (another year) that the GtE team has at its disposal. We are not so sure, and with justification. One delivery date after another has fallen off the charts, with energy starved Guyanese left hanging and hoping. From Prime Minister Phillips, citizens learned that the departure of the Turkish powerboats will be timed to coincide with the first phase delivery of 57 megawatts of energy from the GtE in the fourth quarter of this year. When Jagdeo, the project’s mastermind distanced from the GtE, and taskforce head Brassington had little of anything to say, Phillips ended up with the thankless job of defending and explaining the delays in the GtE to angry and impatient citizens. Electricity supply has ranged from spotty to chronically short, leading to all the related household and commercial ailments that occur as a result of that deficit. The Turkish powerboats gave some relief with 75 megawatts of power. Frequently many citizens wondered if those 75 megawatts are imaginary, considering the consistency of power outages. For his part, the prime minister has tried, but has not had much to offer. Dates that shift, delays that continue, and increasingly skeptical listeners. His most recent sharing is of a mere 57 megawatts coming onboard by this year end. We hope that the government does not pull the plug too early relative to the Turkish powerboats. There could be some disconnect and confusion (and energy shortages) for Guyanese to cope with. Also, there is the much hoped-for, long-awaited 50 percent reduction in electricity bills. Phillips said that it is going to happen, but it will have to wait. That movie was seen before. On each occasion that it is seen, the scenes have been edited, a brand-new presentation is made to citizens. To repeat the well-known, electricity rates have been a source of pain to families and businesses, especially the smaller ones in the latter group. Citizens have been looking forward, hanging on to that half-price electricity promise. It is another example of the moving target that has been the story of this problem-plagued Wales GtE.
When the people’s voice is silenced, what options remain? DEAR EDITOR, I have been in the political hustings s h o r t l y a f t e r t h e Wa d d i n g t o n constitution was implemented in 1953, I have served at several levels as a trade unionist and political activist, and witnessed the trauma and trials of the cold war and the march to Independence, and never left Guyana for a number of complex reasons. Never before have I witnessed an administration as stubborn, and relying on propaganda techniques reminiscent of those employed by Joseph Stalin, Senator Joseph MacCarthy and Adolf Hitler’s Joseph Goebbels. In Guyana we have had the infamous “black clothes” repressive episodes, remember the assassination of Minister Satyadeow Sawh and others. We have lived through the trauma of the arson of the home of Permanent Secretary Aurthur Abraham which took his life and also the lives of seven of his children. We have had the Son Chapman explosion which took the lives of forty-seven people, travelling
from Georgetown to Wismar. There were the maginot lines in parts of Guyana, then peace was restored in the mid-1960s. Fast-track to Guyana today, on paper we are per capita, the richest in the world, but yet there is poverty and the rising cost of living and an exchange rate that has not changed in spite of the advent of massive oil and gas production and huge extraction of gold, believe it or not. Last month we had the unfortunate sinking of the MV Barima, numerous lives were lost, after “shadow-boxing” by our administration, without even the facade of some modicum of consultation, a five-man commission of inquiry was named, ostensibly to ascertain the factors that led to the Barima tragedy. Yet, to our amazement three persons were charged with seventy-two counts of the capital offense murder. So, before the commission of inquiry could begin its deliberations, an important aspect of any inquiry was
predetermined, that is who caused the deaths of seventy-two odd persons, believe it, or not. Then, ignoring editorials and writings in the independent media, it appears as though it is business as usual. In every democracy there would have been bigger and more robust public demonstrations and protest on the streets, but of course we heard one idiot purporting to speak on behalf of a political party, stating that street protests are not an option. Believe it or not. I ask what other options are available if those in control and pulling the strings of the puppets seem oblivious to the pleas and pleadings of suffering citizens. The old Latin phrase “vox populi vox dei, the voice of the people is the voice of God, is relevant. People let’s hear your voices, from the Pakaraimas to the Corentyne coast, the words written by Cleveland Hamilton music composed by Frank Daniels. Sincerely, Elder Hamilton Green
Mohamed, the U.S. and PPP: Who holds the cards now? DEAR EDITOR, I have written previous letters on the Mohameds/US/PPP controversy regarding the U.S. request for the extradition of Azruddin and his father, Nazar Mohamed, to the USA to face an 11-count indictment related to gold trading and financial crimes. Now that Azruddin Mohamed is the leader of the opposition and his WIN party is the major opposition party in parliament, there is no denying that his extradition has become a political matter for Guyana and the U.S. governments. In my previous assessment of this matter, I contend, and continue to do so, that the Mohameds/PPP conflict is a consequence of U.S. foreign policy and its desire to reconfigure the political architecture in Guyana going forward in the context of oil and the inevitable rise of younger-generation politicians. Now that the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has ruled against the Mohameds and the extradition case is back in the local courts, it is necessary to revisit this matter with an objective political lens. The faith of the Mohameds from the start rested in the hands of the Americans, and that will determine whether they would be extradited. If they are, their chances in the U.S. court will largely depend on what importance the U.S. administration is putting on a conviction. The last utterances of the U.S. Ambassador on the matter a few months ago left the country with the impression that the U.S. views the charges against the Mohameds as serious and have spent U.S. taxpayers’ dollars on the matter. While the Ambassador’s statements at the time reflected the Trump administration’s position, one is not sure if there has been
a rethinking in Washington on this issue. I have taken the position that M o h a m e d ’s m e e t i n g w i t h t h e Americans before he decided to enter the 2025 elections was the green light for him to do so. I had contended that the Americans were faced with a dilemma as they attempted to reconfigure Guyana’s political reality. Mohamed became a useful tool after they failed to get Indian defectors from the PPP to do what the African defectors did to the APNU and, by extension, the African community. The goal of the Americans was the rise of a third force led by younger generation politicians and a hung parliament after the elections, furthering the U.S./ Western push to reconfigure the politics in the country. My take is that the U.S. wanted to deny both the APNU and the PPP/C from controlling both the presidency and the parliament. From an American point of view, Azruddin was allowed to enter the election as a last-ditch attempt by the U.S. to pull away Indian votes from the PPP to achieve its plan to reconfigure Guyana politics. If my analysis is correct, objectively Mohamed and WIN were extensions of U.S. policy in Guyana. As things stand, Mohamed has kept his side of the bargain by entering into the elections. The question is whether the U.S. is satisfied and will keep its end of the agreement now that Mohamed has emerged as a beneficiary of his election sojourn and has failed to attract Indian votes away from the PPP, causing the U.S. “Grand” plan to fall on its face. The much-desired hung parliament did not materialise. Instead, the result was an entrenched PPP/C with three additional seats, serious damage to the APNU, and a divided and weakened
opposition, with Mohamed emerging as opposition leader. These were among the unintended consequences of the U.S. policy. They succeeded in breaking the back of the APNU and, by extension, seriously weakening the political position of the African community, while strengthening the PPP/C and, by extension, the political position of the Indian community. The rise of Mohamed as opposition leader objectively adds another dimension to the already significant concentration of economic and political power within the Indian community. I don’t think this was the intended goal of U.S. policy. Nevertheless, both the United States and those African collaborators bear a moral and political responsibility to confront and help correct this dangerous racial and political imbalance in the country. The above view in no way premised o n t h e i d e a t h a t t h e Tr u m p administration wanted to remove the PPP from office but instead wanted to weaken the PPP/C. A hung parliament would mean that the U.S. and its Western allies would have more control of both the old and new forces in the parliament and, in that environment, tighten their control over the politics in the country - in the context that none of those forces are anti-U.S. or possess any ideological threat to U.S. interests. While the Americans were satisfied and supportive of the PPP/C in government, I judge that they would have preferred to be dealing with a weakened PPP/C, which would allow it to exert more leverage going forward. It should be obvious to both PPP/C and WIN that now that the U.S. is in control of Venezuelan oil, Guyana’s importance Continued on page 5
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Monday August 17, 2026
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Local democracy must involve as many citizens as possible in managing and developing their communities DEAR EDITOR, Allow me a space in your daily to address a pertinent issue that continues to plague our country under the Ali/Jagdeo administration. U n d e r t h i s administration, democracy appears to be threatened on a daily basis. The Constitution is being undermined and, in my view, trampled upon with impunity. Article 71 of the Constitution states that “local government is a vital aspect of democracy” and that “local democratic organs form an integral part of the political organisation of the State.” Today, however, we are witnessing this fundamental aspect of our democratic
system being ignored. Editor, on 26th January, 2026, the Minister within the Office of the President, with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, presented the Appropriation Bill, amounting to $1.558 trillion, to the National Assembly. The Bill was subsequently passed in March 2026, with provisions made for all local organs. Unfortunately, we are now in the eighth month of the year, and local democratic organs have yet to receive the funding necessary to effectively carry out their c o n s t i t u t i o n a l responsibilities. At the same time, Regional Democratic Councils have received their
allocations. Editor, what makes these two levels of local governance different? Is this disparity the result of political domination, or is it an attempt to undermine locally elected leaders and create distrust among citizens who entrust them with making decisions on their behalf? I would remind the administration that sovereignty belongs to the people. The people have spoken, and elected officials have a responsibility to respect the will of the electorate. The citizens of Region 10 also spoke at the 2025 Regional Elections. Yet, the administration continues to
suppress the will of the people by disregarding the elected representatives through whom local democracy is meant to function. These actions raise serious concerns about the state of democracy in Guyana. We must stand against growing threats to democratic governance. On a daily basis, we see what appears to be an increasing overreach of the Executive into areas where independent and locally elected institutions – local democratic organs - should be allowed to function freely, and with the autonomy provided under the constitution. Editor, I have just
The PPP failed the Amerindians again DEAR EDITOR, A trillion-dollar budget focused on the transformation of the lives of Guyanese has once again missed the mark. Region one lacks the medical infrastructure and capabilities to save a newborn, while new hospitals are built elsewhere. Medical facilities available to Amerindians lack continual electricity while an overpriced and late gas to energy project languishes due to poor management and alleged corruption. An embattled subject minister who has been linked to the worst tragedy in the country’s history and has yet to tender his resignation speaks now of blackouts continuing while millions of
US dollars are wasted on power ships that will eventually sail away with the funds that could have been spent to ensure that every hospital has the power supply necessary to avoid power interruptions to critical medical services. The government has also spent taxpayer funds on new roads, new water vessels, and new forms of air transportation, but once again their response to a request for emergency assistance has resulted in too little too late, leaving the vulnerable at a hospital without the facilities to care for a new arrival to our homeland. Unfortunately, this has resulted in yet another innocent life lost. The PPP’s
failure in their service to the Amerindians and the Guyanese people is inexcusable. Lots of money and multiple recordbreaking budgets, but the funds cannot find their way to where they are most needed. The incompetence and corruption are overwhelming. Only when good intentions begin to guide the actions of the Ali administration will this nonsense and senseless loss of life end. The PPP/C has turned into a political joke and a humongous disappointment of disastrous proportions. Show us that you truly care and stop the tragic loss of life. Sincerely, Jamil Changlee
Mohamed, the U.S. and PPP: Who holds... From page 4 in the U.S. plans in that country has ceased to be important. The logic that caused the U.S. to oust the Granger ( APNU+AFC) administration is no longer an important issue for the Americans. They solved their problem without the use of Guyanese territory. In relation to Guyana, the U.S. has all the cards in its hands. This must be troubling to both the PPP/C and WIN leadership. In their quiet moments, they must be asking whether the Americans are playing both parties. The PPP/C in government is in a stronger position in this equation relative to WIN as the major opposition. There is talk in political circles that the U.S. has decided to
allow the fate of Mohamed to be resolved at the domestic level, and the bargaining between the Mohameds and the PPP/C has begun in earnest. This is a plausible proposition. From a geopolitical and regional perspective, the way that the Mohameds’ extradition matter unfolds has potentially significant implications. The U.S. Ambassador’s statements expressing the seriousness with which the U.S. administration views the matter, combined with the Mohameds apparent defiance, have placed the U.S. in a difficult position. Having expended considerable political and diplomatic capital, Washington risks appearing powerless if the matter ends without a meaningful
resolution. Such an outcome would also set an uncomfortable precedent for U.S. hegemony and credibility in the region. Having engaged the issue so forcefully and publicly, The U.S. can’t easily walk away from the present engagement empty-handed. I will conclude by saying that going forward there is likely to be a deal on the matter between the three parties (the Mohameds, the U.S. and the PPP/C) with each saving some face. If this happens, the obvious question is whether the Mohameds and the PPP/C can be reconciled and what will be the future of WIN. Can the PPP/C and WIN coexist? Yours sincerely, Tacuma Ogunseye
returned from a U.S. Department of State programme focused on state and local government, and the contrast between the principles and practices I observed in the United States, and what is currently taking place in Guyana was striking. Strong democracies depend on respect for institutions, elected representatives, decentralisation, accountability and meaningful citizen participation. When executive authority overshadows these principles, good governance is placed at risk. We, the people, must therefore remain vigilant and stand against any tendencies that weaken democratic institutions and concentrate excessive power in the Executive. Editor, local democracy must involve as many citizens as possible in managing and developing their communities. Yet, over the past week, we have seen the President and his Cabinet embark on a countrywide outreach programme under the banner of a “Model Village Initiative.” I have no objection to initiatives aimed at improving communities. However, bypassing elected representatives of the people in the process is deeply troubling. How can there be meaningful consultation if the elected representatives of the people are excluded or sidelined? We have experienced similar approaches in the past, and the people should not be expected simply to accept a predetermined plan presented
as consultation. I recently observed the consultation held in New Amsterdam, and I was concerned by what appeared to be a heavy presence of PPP supporters, some of whom, according to my observation, were neither homeowners nor residents of the town. More importantly, it appeared that a preconceived plan had been developed before citizens were given a meaningful opportunity to provide input. This raises a fundamental question: How can something be called a consultation if the outcome appears to have been determined before the people are genuinely heard? Local government exists to bring decision-making closer to the people. Elected local representatives are not obstacles to development; they are an essential part of the democratic process. If the Government truly believes in consultation and participatory democracy, it must respect the institutions and representatives established by the Constitution and allow citizens to have a genuine voice in decisions affecting their communities. Guyana belongs to all of us, regardless of political affiliation. Our democracy cannot function properly when political considerations determine which elected institutions are respected, which receive resources, and which are bypassed. The people must remain engaged, informed and prepared to defend democratic principles through lawful and peaceful Continued on page 6
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Kaieteur News
Monday August 17, 2026
“Justice is our right, not a favour” - REGION ONE LEADER DEMANDS BASIC RIGHTS FOR INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES Highlighting the contrast between Guyana’s rapid economic expansion and the harsh daily realities of interior travel, Region One, leader Chris Debideen has issued a passionate call for the government to overhaul the country’s river transport system and replace aging vessels with a modern, reliable, and faster passenger fleet. Speaking at the Ina Maimu Yetatokon (“Listen to Our Voices”) conference hosted by the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) on 14th August, Debideen said safe transport for riverain communities is a fundamental right, not a luxury. “We cannot be one of the fastest growing economies and we have our people punishing on a ferry,” Debideen said, addressing the audience. “When the tragedy happens, our people deserve more than condolences. They deserve answers, they deserve transparency, they deserve accountability, and the family deserves closure.”
Debideen’s remarks follow the recent tragedy involving the MV Barima. Recounting his own harrowing experiences aboard state-operated vessels, Debideen detailed severe overcrowding on the MV Barima, where passengers were forced to sleep on walkways exposed to washing deck water, and near the top arch of the vessel due to a lack of seating. He further described a life-threatening incident aboard the MV Kimbia while out at sea. “I was on the boat at the same time... the boat caught fire in the ocean,” Debideen recalled. “The engine cut out. All I could remember was fire in the boat and smoke, and crew members with their fire extinguishers... Every passenger ran to the bow. You were inside a big ocean with waves hitting the boat.” The vessel eventually completed its voyage operating on a single engine, an experience Debideen offered as evidence that the regional transport fleet relies on unsafe,
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temporary fixes. DELAYS, CARGO, AND BASIC RIGHTS Beyond emergency safety concerns, Debideen pointed to the routine indignities suffered by travellers, including low-income families and single mothers with young children. Passengers frequently endure agonising, unscheduled delays while cargo is loaded and unloaded at the docks. “The boat is scheduled to leave like about 10 o’clock... you’re waiting with your children, frustrated, 12 o’clock passes, 3 o’clock passes, till 11 o’clock at night,” Debideen stated. “Our people should not have to spend hours waiting while cargo is loaded, unloaded, loaded and unloaded before they can travel.” In a broader appeal, the Region One leader urged indigenous communities across Guyana to stand firm and demand equitable treatment, free speech, and structural accountability from central authorities without fear of intimidation or victimisation. “Justice is not a favour given to indigenous people. Justice is our right, healthcare is our right, safe transportation is our right, and dignity is our right,” Debideen declared. Advocates at the APA conference echoed
Chris Debideen, Chairman of the Aruau Community Development Council in the Mabaruma Sub Region, Region One.
Debideen’s sentiments, urging public works and transport authorities to immediately move beyond patchwork repairs and invest in modern passenger-first vessels tailored specifically to transport residents and their luggage safely, comfortably, and efficiently.
Local democracy must involve as...
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva launches his re-election campaign at Primeiro de Maio Stadium in Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, August 16, 2026. The stadium, formerly known as Vila Euclides, was the site of the mass metalworkers’ assemblies led by Lula during the landmark 1979 and 1980 strikes. REUTERS/Adriano Machado (Reuters) - Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva launched his final reelection campaign on Sunday from a storied stadium where he stood on a table to address some 60,000 striking metalworkers in 1979 without a sound system. The homecoming in the “May 1” stadium in Sao Bernardo do Campo, a once-thriving factory city on Sao Paulo’s industrial outskirts, is a tribute to the labour movement that eventually propelled Lula from factory worker to Brazil’s first working-class president. “I thank the men and women of this country who, at one point, believed that someone like them could do more for them than someone different from them,” Lula told a crowd of around 20,000 supporters, many wearing the red associated with his Workers
Party (PT), on Sunday. Five decades later, however, Lula is grappling with how to rally a new generation of digital app-based gig workers with little connection to the unions and factory floors that once formed the backbone of PT. “There has been a substantial change in the world of work,” Lula said after his government suffered losses in major city elections in 2024. “We need to adapt our message to the world of work that is not limited to formal, registered employment.” Ahead of October’s vote, the PT is trying to do that by backing a shorter work week and proposing new protections for app-based workers, including regulations covering pay, working conditions, social security benefits Continued on page 18
From page 5 means. Active citizenship is not an act of rebellion; it is a fundamental responsibility in a democracy. Meanwhile, I see another elaborate plan being presented for sports and green spaces in New Amsterdam. While I welcome investment in sports and recreational facilities, I must question whether these announcements will become reality or remain another set of unfulfilled promises. In 2021, the President pledged to complete the Burnham Park Synthetic Track in New Amsterdam, particularly for the benefit of the town’s young people. Yet, five years later, approximately half of the synthetic surface has still not been laid. The stands remain based on an outdated design, all while the facility is intended to serve the youths of New Amsterdam and the wider community. Compare this with the facilities at Palmyra. Palmyra came much later, yet it already has a properly painted perimeter fence, an asphalted parking area, a big screen, and a modern stand with improved amenities. This raises a legitimate question: Are taxpayers in New Amsterdam different from those at Palmyra? Are we living in two different countries, or is one sporting facility considered more deserving than another? How can citizens trust a government to deliver on new promises when previous commitments remain unfinished? The Government must also recognise that there are more immediate and critical issues affecting the lives of ordinary Guyanese every day. While sports and green spaces are important, the Government must not lose sight of the daily struggles facing families across the country.
What is being done about poverty, hunger and the inability of ordinary citizens to meet their basic expenses? Many people are struggling to pay their bills, put food on the table and find the money needed simply to travel to work, and conduct their daily business. Some are reduced to begging for a dollar just to eat or commute. These are not abstract problems. They are the daily realities of many Guyanese and deserve serious attention from the Central Government. At the local level, immediate assistance is also needed for the Rose Hall Town Council. The Council requires support to address the outstanding stipends of its councillors, who have reportedly gone without their modest payments for the past three months, as well as the salaries of its staff. Local government cannot function effectively when councils are deprived of the resources necessary to pay their councillors and employees. If the Government is serious about strengthening local democracy and improving communities, then it must provide the financial support that local democratic organs require to perform their duties. Development cannot simply be about announcing new projects. It must also be about completing what has already been promised, treating communities fairly and addressing the basic needs of the people. The people of New Amsterdam—and indeed all Guyanese—deserve more than p r o m i s e s . T h e y d e s e r v e d e l i v e r y, accountability and equal treatment. How can we build trust when promises made to the people remain unfulfilled? Yours faithfully, Kirk Fraser Freedom 250 Alumni 2026 U.S State and Local Government
T N U L B . . . T B N U T L N T B . U . L . L T B . N . U . N U T L N B . U . T . L N T U N B . N U . . L U L LUNT B . T . . T T N N B U B . U . L . L T B . B . . N . . . T T LU N N T U U L N L B U . B . . L . . . T B T . . N . N Hinterland airfares T U L N LU B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . N T B . . U N . L T U B L N . . B . U . . T L . N T B . . U N . L N T B U N . . L . U T B L . . N B . . . T U . L N T B U . . L . UN T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N B U U .BLUNT. . . L . T B . . N . T U . L N . T B U . UN .BLUNT.. UNT...BL T...BL . L N . T B U . . L LUN ...BLUNT. LUNT...B NT...BL T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U BBL T...BLUN BLUNT... ...BLU . T . N . N T T U L U N L B U T...BLU U B . L . N . B T . . . N T U N N N L U U U B L . L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Monday August 17, 2026
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Government cannot boast about billions in infrastructure investment while hinterland residents still face punishing airfares to travel within their own country.
The airlines may be correct that aviation is expensive. Aircraft financing, fuel, insurance, maintenance and dangerous hinterland airstrips all carry heavy costs. But that explanation cannot end the conversation.
For many Indigenous communities, the issue is not whether airlines are profiteering. It is whether ordinary people can afford to move between Georgetown and the hinterland. When air travel becomes unaffordable, people seek alternatives. The tragedy of the MV Barima has brutally exposed the consequences of that reality. If residents are forced onto slow, overcrowded and ultimately dangerous alternatives because they cannot afford to fly, then government's much-touted investments in connectivity are failing their most basic test. Government should stop trading accusations with airlines and produce a transparent transportation plan that makes hinterland travel genuinely affordable.
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Mayor demands answers as Linden grid breaks under industrial weight …Govt. invited to address town hall as protest rumours brew By Khadidja Ba Rolling blackouts, public frustration, and a complete breakdown in municipal e n e rg y p l a n n i n g h a v e pushed the town of Linden to the brink of protests, forcing the Mayor and Town Council to call an emergency town hall meeting as questions swirl over who is truly benefitting from the region's heavily subsidised electricity. The community issue erupted after severe load shedding was triggered by generation trips at Bosai Minerals Group Guyana (BOSAI), which occurred when local power consumption shattered the 14-megawatt (MW) ceiling set under the current Power Purchase Agreement between the Government of Guyana, Bosai, and the Linden Electricity Company Inc. (LECI). Speaking to Kaieteur News on Sunday, Linden Mayor, Dominique Blair exposed a widening gap between the town's energy
capacity and its burgeoning demands, revealing that while original agreements provided only 8 MW, the current 14 MW supply has proven entirely inadequate for the growing municipality. “And they have proposed a schedule because they're claiming that it is the sawmillers… and when we started off, we had an MOU with both side that both side to give us eight megawatts. Currently both sides give us 14 megawatts. And the 14 megawatts is not enough for the community presently,” Mayor Blair said. The mayor raised concerns over conflicting accounts regarding what, or who, is causing the current grid collapse, pointing directly to heavy industrial sawmills and an alarming lack of regulatory oversight. Blair also questioned the government's promises regarding a local solar farm expected to come online by December, stating that the public remains completely in the dark regarding trial
APNU MP, Sharma Solomon periods and distribution plans. “They said to us, there's so many issues, they also said to us that by December the solar farm will be added to the grid. But nobody knows if the solar farm will be sufficient if there are trials, if there'll be a trial run period... So, if this is going to be operational or it's going to start generating power, it has to get a trial period. So, nobody knows if that is how many power will actually, if the power generates could actually, which community
Mayor of Linden, Dominique Blair
is going to start connecting for us before it's supplied the entire community,” the mayor said. Warning that residents are reaching a breaking point, Blair explained that municipal leaders felt compelled to step in and demand a full accounting from state authorities and power producers. “Hopefully, because the community presently is agitated. There's rumours of protests and all these things. So, we want to at least facilitate that conversation.
Because there's a flyer being circulated, that's why we called the town hall because the community is agitated and they're asking what their elected official is currently doing within the community,” Blair said. To confront the situation, the mayor confirmed that the council is organising a town hall meeting and inviting key stakeholders, including representatives from the prime minister's office. “What we are proposing on Wednesday is to have a community town hall
meeting with all the relevant stakeholders. What is we're looking at a medium or short, medium or long term approach to this current issue with electricity, because nobody has not seen it. We have some critical questions,” Blair stated, adding, “That is the stakeholder approach we want because the prime minister is responsible when it comes to the electricity. So, in that Wednesday meeting, we want to ensure that we're going to get a government representative.” The outrage expressed by local officials mirrors a blistering critique issued by APNU Member of Parliament Sharma Solomon, who declared that Linden's electricity struggles are part of a broader, national energy failure under the present administration. Solomon said the crisis is the direct result of years of poor forward planning, delays in the flagship Gasto-Energy project, and a massive surge in heavy (Continued on page 16)
Fast-growing Guyana still depends on private planes for medevac …residents lament By Khadidja Ba The death of a three-day-old infant at the Mabaruma Regional Hospital while awaiting an urgent air evacuation has exposed critical gaps in the national medical transfer system, raising questions about why a country branded as one of the world's fastest-growing economies does not own a single dedicated aircraft for emergency medical evacuations. Despite operating in one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, the Ministry of Health relies entirely on a messaging group to secure emergency air evacuations, a practice now under the microscope following the death of the infant in Region One. Kaieteur News understands that when a medical emergency arises in a hinterland region, attending doctors trigger a medevac request. The request is then posted directly into an official Ministry of Health WhatsApp group, which includes private commercial aircraft operators who service those routes. Questions now mount as to why no plane was
made available for the newborn, despite nurses executing their duty by notifying health authorities, who in turn alerted service providers via the designated group. Local sources confirmed that commercial aircraft fly in and out of the Region One area daily. Furthermore, Kaieteur News observed multiple planes present in Mabaruma during the week before to facilitate government outreach exercises. Despite aircraft operating nearby and the urgent request being logged, no commercial provider diverted to assist, nor was an emergency flight chartered. The system failure highlights the state's total dependence on private operators, as the Government of Guyana does not own a single dedicated air ambulance to service critical hinterland emergencies. The tragedy has also raised serious concerns over why the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) did not deploy military air assets when commercial options failed to materialise. On 1st January, 2026, the GDF successfully completed its first medical evacuation operation
Photo of planes in Mabaruma for the government outreach a week before Correia's baby needed a plane to be brought to Georgetown of the year from Bartica to Georgetown. At the time, the Force stated that its actions "underscored the Force's readiness to support national emergency response efforts." A three-day fight for life The infant, born on 10th August, 2026, to Stacy Correia, a healthcare worker attached to the Matthews Ridge (Pakera) Hospital, died on Thursday afternoon at the Mabaruma Regional Hospital while awaiting air transport to the capital. Correia, who was classified as a high-risk pregnancy, was initially referred from Matthews Ridge to the Port Kaituma Hospital on Sunday before being transferred to Mabaruma, where she gave birth early Monday morning. Though initially stable, the
newborn developed severe respiratory distress later that day. Nursing staff found the baby cyanotic (blue) with a Random Blood Sugar (RBS) reading of 23, a critical level requiring immediate specialised intervention. Staff immediately placed the baby on a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. By Tuesday, medical staff determined the child required transfer to Georgetown for specialised care. Transfers were initially delayed due to a lack of available Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) beds across receiving hospitals. Space was finally secured at the West Demerara Regional Hospital on Wednesday. Compounding the crisis,
Mabaruma Regional Hospital suffered repeated power outages that disrupted oxygen delivery equipment. "The doctors at the NICU were consulting other doctors, saying that they were having constant power outages, and every time [the baby] came off the machine, they had to bag him," a close relative explained. The infant succumbed on Thursday afternoon while still awaiting the medevac. His family maintains he would have survived had an emergency airlift been dispatched when his symptoms first appeared. Kaieteur News also understands that the family does not expect "anything to come out of this.”
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THE ELECTRICITY CRISIS One of the persistent afflictions of post-colonial societies is the absence of planning commensurate with ambition. Governments announce grand projects, inaugurate grand buildings, make grand speeches and produce grand visions, but somewhere between the vision and the delivery there is often a failure to ask the most elementary question: “What will be required to make all of this work?” Guyana has become a particularly instructive case. The difficulty now confronting the electricity sector is not simply that electricity demand has risen. Demand was supposed to rise. It was forecast to rise. It was built into the country’s development strategy. The Government’s own planning documents announced, in unmistakable language, that economic transformation would produce a dramatic increase in electricity consumption. The Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 was not shy about the matter. Its clean-energy chapter stated that “the power demand in Guyana’s public electricity grids is forecast to triple over the next five years.” The DemeraraBerbice Interconnected System, which accounted for the overwhelming majority of the cost of electricity generation, had a peak demand of 126 MW in 2020. The LCDS estimated that this would rise to 415 MW
by 2025. It further calculated that 300 MW of new firm capacity would be required to accommodate the increase in demand, replace ageing generators and improve reliability. The final LCDS formulation was equally explicit about the larger trajectory. The first phase, from 2022 to 2027, anticipated a threefold increase in energy demand. The second phase, from 2027 to 2032, anticipated another substantial increase, while demand after 2032 was expected to be met increasingly through solar and wind. By 2030, the strategy projected that energy use could increase fivefold, while greenhousegas emissions remained approximately flat. The Guyana Energy Agency subsequently reinforced the warning. Its own presentation of the electricity outlook put the projected peak load of the DBIS at 407 MW in 2025, compared with 135.7 MW in 2021. It repeated the estimate that 300 MW of new firm capacity would be necessary to accommodate demand growth, retire ageing generators and improve reliability. In other words, Guyana did not stumble unexpectedly into an electricity-demand crisis. And yet here we are in 2026, being told that electricity demand is surging and that citizens must conserve.
The Guyana Energy Agency and Guyana Power and Light launched a Demand Side Management programme in March. The programme was described as a means of managing demand rather than relying exclusively upon expanding generation capacity. In July, Prime Minister Mark Phillips, receiving the country’s Demand Side Management Action Plan, acknowledged that rapid economic growth and investment were driving increased electricity demand and urged what he called “smart consumption” to help meet that growth. The plan itself is intended to improve efficiency, manage peak demand and make better use of existing and future infrastructure. Conservation is sensible. Nobody should object to households, businesses and government offices wasting electricity. Energy efficiency is an important part of any modern electricity system. But conservation cannot become the substitute for planning. If the country knew that electricity demand would triple, why was sufficient generating capacity not brought on stream in time? What contingency arrangements were made for the gap between projected demand and available firm capacity? If 300 MW of additional firm capacity was identified as necessary, where was the
DEM BOYS SEH
Buy de book, drive pun de road Dem boys hear de police investigating how people getting drivers’ licences in Guyana. Well, dem boys seh, welcome to de roadshow—because if dem boys had to give out prizes for creative ways to pass a driving test without actually passing a driving test, Guyana woulda had a gold medal long time. In Guyana, when somebody driving like he just discover that a steering wheel could turn, dem boys does look at he and seh, “De man buy he book!” And everybody know exactly what that mean. It mean de man didn’t learn to drive. He didn’t master parallel parking. He didn’t understand that a red light does mean stop and not “accelerate before the light change.” He didn’t learn that pedestrians have a strange habit of wanting to cross the road while vehicles moving. He simply buy he book. And according to what dem boys been hearing for years, some people paying as much as $150,000 to get a licence. Dem boys don’t know if that figure include VAT. But now that the police investigating the issuance of drivers’ licences, dem boys want to make one small suggestion. Don’t only investigate who gave out the
book. Investigate who bought the book. Because if somebody paid money to obtain a license without meeting the requirements, that person wasn’t just a victim of corruption. That person was a willing customer. And that customer subsequently got behind the wheel of a motorcar. That is where the story stop being about corruption and start becoming about public safety. Because a bribe paid for a building permit might produce a crooked building. A bribe paid for a business licence might produce a crooked business. But a bribe paid for a driver’s licence could produce a crooked driver coming straight at you at 80 kilometres per hour. And dem boys don’t want to meet that man on Sheriff Street. Maybe it is time to take driver certification out of the hands of the police and establish an independent system of private, professionally regulated certifying officers or testing centres, operating under strict government standards and subject to audits. The police should police. The people who certify whether somebody can drive should certify whether somebody can drive. Talk half. Leff half.
corresponding programme to ensure that capacity would actually exist when required? The power ships are not permanent capacity. On top of this, we are told that data centers – huge guzzlers of electricity – are being planned, with one to be established in Region 3. So while we are not battling with managing demand, we are planning to make that predicament worse with the establishment of data centers that use an inordinate amount of power. There is an almost comic quality to the present predicament. Guyana has
discovered that prosperity consumes electricity. But the more serious possibility is that we have mistaken the announcement of development for the planning of development. We have become adept at proclaiming what Guyana will become and less adept at constructing the systems required to sustain it. The Government therefore owes the public a straightforward explanation. Not another appeal for conservation. Not another recital of the wonders of economic growth. The country already knows that
demand is increasing. The question is why the surge that was predicted years ago was not adequately catered for. The forecasts were there. The numbers were there. The warnings were there. What appears to have been missing was the electricity. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.
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D TR
HAR
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BY G
LALL
Monday August 17, 2026
H@RD TRUTHS
BY GHK LALL
A judge for all seasons I have heard about a hanging judge. From readings, I know about travelling judges. There's familiarity with governing judges better known as Administrative Law Judges. Thanks to the leader of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Mr. Aubrey Norton, I now have my first exposure to an intruding judge. As I thank CCJ President Winston Anderson for his interests in Guyana's business, and his helping hand, how did he find the time to get anything done at the CCJ? Something of quality. Sure, what he did was something of value. I can hear Guyanese-born Mark Holder crooning away. What I can't understand is how a Jamaican-born judge allowed himself to get
embroiled in Guyana's never less than brutish affairs. In attempting to be a judge for all seasons, he should have remembered Sir Thomas Moore, the original man for all seasons. Look what happened to him. It is said that no good deed goes unpunished. Now, Justice Anderson is hearing just that, as he is forced to relive his illadvised foray into Guyana's politics. There is the lash of disbelief. Surely, Justice Anderson is wise enough, had to know, that was a lose-lose proposition. For him. Without going into the details of Mr. Norton's revelations (more expressive on this occasion), it seems that Justice Anderson took it upon himself, or was engaged by the PPP Govt, to
function as a one-man Judicial Service Commission. Not in Jamaica where he was born. Not in Trinidad where he operates. But in Guyana, where he has little business. Or does he? Considering the disclosures emerging from his five CCJ colleagues, with a thrust in the direction of the Azruddin Mohamed extradition case, and now this elaboration from Mr. Norton, question naturally arise re the scales of justice in the CCJ? Guyanese have heard a word before relative to a court matter in the local environment, which left them shaken and queasy. It was uttered by a noble American who was bold enough (and confident enough) to speak with
assurance of a guarantee. These things are too sophisticated, too complex, for a man with a head as small as mine. But there was Justice Amderson acting in the capacity of unpaid adviser, roving solicitor, and his version of shuttle diplomacy. Back and forth, back and forth. Between Pres Ali and the APNU head, Mr. Norton. A wee bit unbecoming for a CCJ President, so I think. Phone call after phone call, as though he had shares in AT&T, Verizon, and TMobile. If nothing else, Justice Anderson must be recognised: a bundle of energy, a real dynamo. It looks bad. It smells bad. Personally speaking, Justice Anderson appears to be too tight with the PPP Govt. I cannot say what was in Pres Ali's head, nor what was in Justice Anderson's head at the time of the Yonette Cummings-Edwards shocker. I can only share
what is in my head. This whole affair did not coat Pres Ali nor President Anderson in a blaze of glory. Frankly, it leaves a terrible taste. Pres Ali shouldn't have involved the judge. For his part, Justice Anderson had to decline politely any invitation. This raises another question. Was he invited or did he volunteer? See what I mean when I spoke of complications and being over my head? The one participant in this political-judicial trio that conducted himself with aplomb and astuteness has to be Mr. Aubrey Norton of the APNU. Do not bring that here! Get that dead cat out of here! Clearly, the PPP Govt was that desperate, it would do anything to overcome the senior judicial appointments chokepoint. The problem is Justice Anderson allowed himself to be ensnared,
proba bly with the best of intentions, only to have egg on his face and shirtfront. Likely not fresh eggs. Is it only Guyana where matters reach this state? I'm beginning to doubt my sanity. Then again, I remember how dirty Guyana is, despite the oil gloss. Perhaps, that also had a sponsorship role in this soap opera. Summation: Justice Anderson should have erred on the side of caution. Thanks, but no thanks. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
GWI says water quality restored after sediment issues trigger network flushing in Linden The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) said Sunday that water quality in Mackenzie and surrounding areas has returned to normal following reports of discoloration from local residents. The utility company in a statement, said an investigation was launched after receiving complaints from customers regarding the appearance of their tap water. Technical teams determined that the temporary discoloration was caused by sediment entering the local distribution system.GWI said it implemented swift corrective measures to resolve the issue. Operations teams conducted extensive flushing across the affected distribution
network to clear the lines and significantly increased water-quality monitoring at both the treatment facility and key points within the community."Water quality has since returned to normal, with current monitoring showing clear water being supplied from the treatment facility," GWI stated in an official update.While conditions have normalised, the utility provider noted that monitoring will continue at a higher frequency across the network to guarantee that water standards remain consistent. GWI expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to residents, thanking the community for its patience while crews resolved the issue.
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$6.6B Bath Hospital must deliver more than 'grand ceremonies' - Opposition Leader says …as four infants die in three months By Shermon Hawker Nearly a year after the $6.6 billion Bath Regional Hospital was commissioned as a modern healthcare facility for Region Five, Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed is demanding answers over the deaths of four infants at the institution, noting that state-of-the-art infrastructure must be matched by the resources, expertise and systems needed to save lives. Mohamed's criticism follows reports of the infant deaths, including the recent case involving a woman identified as Karishma. In a video shared by Mohamed, Karishma said she was admitted to the hospital on 19th July and was informed that she would have to undergo a Caesarean section. “Around 5:30, I start passing sign. My baby was moving healthy and everything. My husband get a car and take me to Bath
Regional Hospital...they had me on the bed, I was bleeding,” she recounted. She said she later experienced severe pain and was examined through an ultrasound. Karishma also alleged that she had a previous disagreement with a midwife at the hospital and claimed the same midwife was on duty when she was admitted. According to her, the midwife made a remark about a previous complaint she had made before walking away from her bedside. “I just hold her hand, I said 'ma'am, please, ah begging yuh, please save me a n d m y b a b y, ' ” s h e recounted. Karishma said she was later given medication in preparation for the C-section and lost consciousness. Upon waking the following day, she said she asked about her baby but received no satisfactory response from nurses or doctors. She said a cleaner
Bath Regional Hospital, commissioned just over a year ago
eventually informed the family privately that the baby had died. According to Karishma, her family subsequently had to plead to see the child in the morgue. She described the condition of the baby as deeply distressing. “The baby whole face here (gesturing to nose and below) bruise out and was bleeding. The baby neck was going around, my baby had a big black-and-blue mark on her shoulder, and the baby
Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed sits with Karishma, who recently lost her daughter at the Bath Regional Hospital head was squeezed in and black,” she said. Karishma said her brother-in-law's persistence eventually prompted the doctor who had treated her to provide an explanation. “He say that the baby died inside of me because the placenta separate from the baby,” she recounted. Karishma, however, maintained that she had felt
the baby moving and had repeatedly told medical staff that she believed the child was still active. Mohamed, who met with Karishma and the child's father, questioned whether the investment in the hospital had translated into improved healthcare delivery. “The government rushed to open and showcase this
hospital to the people of Region Five as a symbol of modern, improved healthcare. We called it what it was an election time vote-buying tactic,” he said. He said grand openings and modern infrastructure alone cannot guarantee quality healthcare, stressing the need for specialists, equipment and adequate support systems capable of saving lives. Mohamed said he was aware of four babies who died under complex maternal circumstances at the facility. In addition to Karishma's case, he identified Emily Singh, 24, and Rictecia Semple, 24, as among those whose cases he was highlighting, along with another woman whose identity was not disclosed. The reported deaths occurred between June and August 2026. Mohamed asserted that there may have been additional cases and said he would continue publicising (Continued on page 15)
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Govt. says providing comprehensive support to families of MV Barima victims
O
ne month after Guyana's worst m a r i t i m e disaster, the government said it is coordinating several measures aimed at providing comprehensive support to families who lost loved ones in the tragic capsizing of the MV Barima on 18th July 18. Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, during a podcast on Sunday, said psychosocial support is being provided through her ministry, which she said is an urgent necessity in the wake of the incident. “It has been a devastating tragedy for those who were directly impacted, and by extension, our entire country. With a tragedy of this magnitude, the emotions are very difficult and challenging for anyone, much less families who have lost loved ones, and those who are still awaiting word of those who are not accounted for.” She confirmed that teams from her ministry, as well as the Ministry of Health,
remain stationed across various affected regions. Some 75 officers were deployed the very next day following the mishap. They include social workers, counsellors and psychologists from the health ministry's mental health unit and her ministry. Toll-free hotlines were also established after the government recognised that persons would require support beyond face-to-face sessions. “In addition to that, we ensured that hubs started to be set up. We have the command centres as the immediate central points, where counselling and engagements would have happened in Regions One, Two and Four,” the minister explained. Hubs are now situated in eight regions, and Persaud said the measures are intended to provide longterm support. She also announced the launch of an online platform, “Embrace”, which will serve as the ministry's national counselling platform.
$6.6B Bath Hospital must... From page 14 such matters as information becomes available. Hospital Pushes Back Meanwhile, the Bath Regional Hospital said it rejected attempts to turn grief into unsupported allegations. In a statement posted on its Facebook page, the hospital said the opposition leader is free to ask questions but cautioned against generating “false narratives” from the grief of affected families. It urged that “facts go before politics, and evidence before accusation.” "The suggestion that an infant death automatically proves negligence or inadequate care is medically irresponsible. Each case must be assessed on its individual clinical circumstances and evidence. Following these deaths, families were engaged, medical findings were explained and, where appropriate, post-mortem examinations were conducted. In some cases, families declined post-mortem examinations despite being advised of their importance in determining the cause of death," the medical facility stated.
The facility encouraged anyone interested in establishing the facts to seek clinical reviews, examination of medical records and appropriate investigations. The hospital emphasised that its healthcare workers are not immune to scrutiny, but should also be afforded fairness. According to the statement, patients should not be led to fear and distrust the institution they depend on for medical care. Additionally, it stated that persons with concerns are fully accommodated. “Families with concerns should have those concerns heard and properly investigated,” the hospital stated. It said patients and relatives have been invited to engage management so that relevant medical information can be reviewed and appropriate explanations provided. The Bath Regional Hospital was constructed at a cost of approximately $6.6 billion and was officially commissioned by President Irfaan Ali in July 2025. The hospital disclosed that 314 babies have been delivered at the facility since it opened.
The sunken MV Barima vessel “They need more than just someone who will speak to them for a couple hours, and those are things we are putting in place, because the need is beyond what we can imagine. Even in the evening, once this platform is set up, if people need to talk to someone, they should have that opportunity to talk to someone. I've reached out to the Red Cross to ask for their support, I've spoken to the UN to ask for their support. That support is building, and it has to be consistent, it has to be long-term.” Meanwhile, a large section of the population has been calling for the removal of Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and Public
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud Utilities and Aviation Minister Deodat Indar, who hold shared responsibility for the maritime sector. Opposition MPs,
presenting a united front, have bashed the government's handling of the incident. Beyond repeated calls for the resignation of
Ministers Edghill and Indar, opposition parties have also criticised the delayed decision to bring the sunken vessel to the surface, with Opposition MP Ganesh Mahipaul demanding that the government make public the bids submitted for the salvaging of the MV Barima. On that fateful evening, 73 Guyanese, including passengers and crew members, perished after the 87-year-old vessel went down while making its way to Port Kaituma, Region One. On 4th August , the government formally ended search and rescue operations. To date, an estimated 30 individuals remain unaccounted for.
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Monday August 17, 2026
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From page 2 having the potential to become its “company maker” and one of the largest gold exploration projects in both Guyana and the wider Guiana Shield. Altair’s deal with Adamantium Exploration Inc., caters for the company to expand its land holding in Guyana up to 3,500 km² of mining lands, positioning the company as the “most dominant explorer” in Guyana. Notably, Altair had labelled its project as the “Last El Dorado” and outlined that its contiguous landholding cannot be replicated in Guyana, due to mining permits in Guyana held by locals mostly ranging from 0.5 to 5 km2, thereby creating barriers and creating an exhaustive and impractical process to negotiate with countless individual citizens. On its website, Altair paints Guyana as the “last truly pro-mining” and politically stable country within the Guiana Shield. It also highlighted that Guyana mining areas host geology similar that of West African countries. Altair explained that Guyana’s mining lands consists of the same Birimian Greenstone Belt that has
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underpinned world-class gold discoveries across West Africa, including in Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Burkina Faso. Altair noted however, that unlike extensive exploration in the African nations, Guyana remains significantly underexplored. LIBERTY METALS Liberty’s land package is spread across two consolidated blocks located about 60 kilometres apart within the Oko gold district. According to Liberty, its newly acquired mining lands remain largely unexplored using modern exploration techniques. The company said there has been limited historical systematic exploration across the permits, although small-scale alluvial gold mining has been conducted by the vendor and local operators. Liberty considers the presence of alluvial gold mining to be an indication of a potentially fertile gold system, but no hard-rock resource or reserve has yet been established on the Oko North and Oko South properties. Moreover, under the agreement with the private Guyanese vendor, Liberty will have four years to exercise its option to acquire the 90% interest. The total consideration is at approximately US$8 million, excluding a separate milestone payment. It was explained that the milestone payment would become payable on
completion of a bankable feasibility study for the project. Liberty Metals Director and Non-Executive Chair Nicholas Katris described the acquisition as a district-scale opportunity in what he considers one of the world’s most exciting gold camps. Katris also outlined the structure of Guyana’s mining tenure system, noting that permits are granted in relatively small blocks, thereby making the consolidation of 40 permits significant. “What makes this opportunity so rare is the ground itself. Guyanese permits are granted in small blocks held by private citizens, so assembling 40 permits across roughly 180 square kilometres in two consolidated blocks, positioned to the north and south of the Oko deposits, is something that simply cannot be readily replicated,” he said. Under the agreement, the Guyanese vendor will retain the right to conduct surface alluvial mining operations within the project area for six years from the signing of the agreement. Notably, Liberty said that those operations must be conducted at the vendor’s own risk, cost and regulatory responsibility and are restricted to alluvial surface material. It was also made clear that the vendor will not be permitted to conduct hardrock mining or processing under those retained rights. The operations also
cannot interfere with Liberty’s exploration activities and must maintain a 50-metre separation from Liberty’s drilling operations and areas covered by a resource estimate. GMIN Now that GMIN has finalised the US$2.2 billion acquisition G2, the company recently announced that it will soon launch a programme to advance and integrate G2’s Oko-Ghanie project. The integration programme is aimed at advancing the Oko-Ghanie deposits through infill drilling to support an integrated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) and an updated Feasibility Study (FS) for an expanded Oko Gold Project. Complementary technical programmes, including metallurgical, geotechnical, and other engineering studies is expected to begin in the second half of the year to support the integrated project development. GMIN has outlined that the completion of the G2 acquisition creates a tier-one gold asset with potential to deliver substantially increased average annual gold production over the life of mine (LOM) once the expansion is completed. The acquisition of G2’s gold project enables planned production to increase annual production from 350,000 to reach approximately 500,000 ounces of gold per year over a minimum mine life of 15 years. By itself, the Oko West project is expected to produce about 350,000 ounces of gold annually over a 12.3-year mine life. GMIN’s exploration to date has outlined 5.4 million ounces of indicated gold resources and 0.4 million ounces of inferred material. In relation to proven and probable reserves, the Oko West is estimated to hold 4.64 million ounces of gold. Meanwhile, according to G2, its Oko-Ghanie gold project average annual output is expected to reach 281,000 ounces annually during the mine’s peak yearswith a total production of approximately 3.2 million ounces of gold over the life of mine. In relation to the OkoGhanie project, GMIN previously clarified that the project’s mineral resource from its perspective does not represent a “current” mineral resource estimate of the OkoGhanie Project. Rather, it was stated that it was provided by GMIN as a “historical estimate.” Notably, GMIN’s deal with G2 also allowed G2 to complete the spin-out of a new company, G3 Goldfields Inc. – which will hold G2’s remaining properties not included in the acquisition.
Kaieteur News
Monday August 17, 2026
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Ask-the-Consul Installment 26-08
How to Travel Responsibly on a B1/B2 Visitor Visa A B1/B2 visitor visa opens the door to the United States for vacations, family visits, and business trips, but using it well means understanding what “temporary” really means. Each time you travel, your visit should reflect its true purpose and reinforce the ties that bring you back home to Guyana. Below are answers to some of the most common questions we get about traveling responsibly on a visitor visa, from how long you are allowed to stay to what to do if an emergency changes your plans. Q: My visa is valid for 10 years. Does that mean I can stay in the U.S. as long as I want? No. Your visa lets you request entry at a U.S. port of entry/airport; it’s the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer there who decides how long you may actually stay in the United States. Most visitors are authorized up to six months, but that’s a maximum. Your length of stay should simply match your reason for traveling. Q: My passport wasn’t stamped when I entered the U.S. How do I know how long I’m authorized to stay? Don’t worry, this is normal. CBP now issues most I-94 arrival/departure records electronically for travelers arriving
by air or sea, so you may not receive a physical stamp in your passport showing your admission date and authorized stay. You can easily look up your official record online at www.cbp.gov/I94, where you can view and download your electronic I-94. This record will show your admission date and the exact date by which you must depart. We recommend checking this as soon as you arrive, so you know exactly how long you’re authorized to stay. Q: Is it a problem if I stay close to six months every single trip? It certainly can be! Each time you apply for a visa or seek entry, you’re expected to show strong ties to Guyana — things like a job, family, property, or community ties that will bring you home. If you consistently take long, maximumlength trips, it may look like your life is shifting away from Guyana rather than staying rooted here, and this can affect your eligibility for a new visa. Q: How long should a typical vacation or business trip be? There’s no fixed number, but it should be reasonable for your purpose of travel. A 2 to 3-week family visit, a month-long vacation, or a business trip lasting a few days to a few weeks is easy to
explain. However, if you find yourself spending 3 – 6 months on a “vacation”, ask yourself whether that truly reflects a “visit” or something more. Long stays may suggest that you are not using the visa for the intended purpose, calling into question your continued or future eligibility for a visa. Q: Can I combine business and tourism in one trip? Yes. Many visitors combine a work trip with some sightseeing or family time. Just make sure the overall length of the trip still fits both purposes reasonably. Q: Can I take several visitor trips back-to-back throughout the year? Frequent, lengthy trips with little time spent back in Guyana between them can raise the same concerns as one long stay. If your visits start to look like you are living in the U.S. rather than visiting, it may affect future visa decisions. Q: I have a genuine emergency and can’t leave before my authorized stay ends. What do I do? We understand emergencies happen. If you need more time due to a medical issue, family crisis, or similar situation: · Apply directly to USCIS (not
Mayor demands answers as Linden... From page 8 industrial consumers who are exploiting Linden’s subsidised rates. According to Solomon, electricity consumption in Linden climbed from approximately six MW in 2005 to 12 MW in 2024, and has now reached between 14 MW and 14.5 MW. Over the last decade, the number of sawmills operating in and around the town skyrocketed from five to over 35, consuming industrial levels of power while benefiting from a $12 per kWh community concession rate—a fraction of the $63 to $65 per kWh commercial rate charged across the rest of Guyana. “A community benefit cannot become an industrial subsidy,” Solomon asserted. “If a small number of large industrial consumers can expand their operations, increase their electricity consumption and benefit from the community’s 21st of August agreement, while the wider community experiences outages and capacity constraints, then we have to ask whether the original purpose of that agreement signed in blood, sweat, and tears is being undermined.” Solomon called on the administration to immediately provide temporary or mobile power generation units to Linden,
urgently review the Power Purchase Agreement to allow Bosai to expand generation, properly reclassify and audit heavy industrial consumers, and present a clear long-term energy strategy. As anger mounts across Mackenzie and Wismar, both the Linden Electricity Company Inc. and the Linden Utility Services Coop Society Ltd. have begun executing strict load-shedding schedules. Residential neighbourhoods face daily four- to five-hour blackouts, major businesses are being disconnected during peak evening hours, and sawmills have been ordered off the grid outside of off-peak hours in a desperate effort to keep the town’s remaining infrastructure from collapsing entirely. Last evening, the Linden Electricity Company Inc. (LECI) issued a public statement to address ongoing power disruptions in the community, citing a critical generation shortfall driven by environmental conditions and economic growth. In the official statement issued on 16th August, 2026, LECI confirmed that maximum available generation capacity stands at 14.5 Megawatts (MW), while peak demand has recently surpassed 15 MW. The power company attributed
the rapid increase in demand primarily to the ongoing El Niño weather phenomenon, which has brought higher temperatures to the region and driven up the use of cooling equipment, particularly air conditioning units. Prior to this weather-driven spike, LECI noted consistent demand growth linked to economic development, housing expansion, and new business enterprises across Linden. To manage the shortfall and protect grid integrity, LECI has implemented scheduled rolling blackouts during peak periods. The company stated that government officials requested and secured an agreement with local sawmillers to limit operations to lower-demand hours between 10:00 PM and 11:00 AM daily. Additionally, LECI is engaging its generation supplier to acquire immediate supplemental capacity while long-term projects proceed. Central to these long-term upgrades is a 15 MW solar PV farm supported by the Government of Guyana, with its initial phase slated for commissioning by late 2026. LECI appealed to residents and businesses to conserve energy by setting air conditioning units to higher temperatures, turning off unused appliances, and limiting high-energy equipment during peak daylight hours.
the Embassy) for an extension of stay using Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. · Extensions are typically granted in increments of up to six months. · File before your authorized stay expires. Overstaying, even briefly, can seriously affect your ability to receive a U.S. visa in the future. Q: What happens if I overstay my authorized period of stay? Overstaying is very serious. Here’s what you need to know: · Your visa is automatically voided the moment you stay past your authorized date. To travel to the U.S. again, you’ll need to apply for a new visa. · You could be barred from returning. If you overstay more than 180 days, you will face a 3year bar. If you overstay a year or more, that bar jumps to 10 years! The takeaway: Even a short overstay can affect your ability to travel in the future. But remember, you don’t have to overstay to raise concerns. Consistently spending months at a time as a “visitor” can also make it difficult to qualify for a visa later on.
Embassy of the United States of America 100 Duke & Young Streets, Kingston, Georgetown, Guyana *** “Ask the Consul” is a monthly column from the U.S. Embassy answering questions about U.S. immigration law and other Consular topics. Detailed information about visas can be v i e w e d a t h t t p s : / / g y. u s e m b a s s y. g o v / , https://ais.usvisa-info.com/, and https://travel.state.gov/. Information about American Citizen Services can be found at https://gy.usembassy.gov/services/. A p p l i c a n t s a re s t ro n g l y encouraged to prepare their own documents and avoid third-party advice. Consular processes change frequently, and non-U.S. government advisors often provide inadequate or inaccurate information. Please contact our Visa Information Service Center using the contact information at https://ais.usvisa-info.com/engy/niv/information/contact_us if you have general visa questions.
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Monday August 17, 2026
Colombian President asks Trump to suspend tariffs to help earthquake recovery (AP) — Colombia’s President Abelardo de la Espriella has asked his ally U.S. President Donald Trump to suspend tariffs to help the South American nation recover from a powerful earthquake that killed at least 289 people. De la Espriella took office earlier this month just days before the 7.4 magnitude quake struck. He w a s b a c k e d b y Tr u m p i n Colombia’s closely contested presidential election, which was decided in a runoff on21st June, and has sought to emphasise his connections with the U.S. leader. On Saturday night, de la Espriella wrote on X that he spoke with Trump and thanked him for aid sent by the U.S. in response to the earthquake. He added that he “asked him to consider the temporary suspension of the high tariffs that affect Colombian products, in order to provide relief to our businesspeople. There has been no immediate
r e s p o n s e f r o m t h e Tr u m p administration to de la Espriella’s request. The U.S. has offered a total of $26.5 million in earthquake aid, including food, shelters and health supplies, according to the U.S. State Department. The earthquake that struck Monday morning devastated parts of western Colombia, hitting cities including Pereira, Cali and Quibdo. Cities along the country’s Pacific coast were hit particularly hard. The president declared the quake a natural disaster. The government has said that 143 people are missing, while other civilian-run databases put the number in the thousands. The natural disaster, whose epicenter was in one of the poorest regions of the country, Choco, has so far left 3,937 people injured, according to the government. In addition, it destroyed 14,705 homes and damaged another 81,536. In Cali, Colombia’s third
A crane lifts a concrete slab to clear the way for rescuers searching through the rubble, three days after the earthquake hit Perreira, Columbia, Thursday, August 13, 2026. (AP photo).
biggest city, workers searched for the more than 70 people reported missing in that city. Hope remained alive even after the key 48-to-72hour window to find survivors
beneath the rubble has long passed. “Miracles do happen” even though more than 120 hours have passed since the earthquake struck, said Cali Mayor Alejandro Eder
from the unified command post. “We are working where we know there are still victims; we are working in the hope of rescuing people alive.”
Brazil’s Lula launches re-election bid, aims to win back...
From page 6 and platform algorithms. Resistance from companies has mostly sunk efforts so far, and millions of mostly young, ‘male app workers seem skeptical of government intervention — a constituency Lula’s main rightwing rival, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, stands ready to court. THE GIG ECONOMY At the heart of Lula’s dilemma is a surge in jobs outside Brazil’s system of formal employment, which provides workers with a raft of labour rights and social-security benefits. The share of workers who held formal jobs fell to 38.2% in December from 46.7% at the end of 2010, even as unemployment ended 2025 at a record-low 5.1%. “What kind of future do you want if you do not invest in jobs?” Lula asked his supporters on Sunday. “We have created 10.1 million formal jobs over the past three and a half years. That is what it means to think about the future.” Darlan Almeida, 27, had a formal job but now makes more delivering for apps on his
motorcycle in Sao Bernardo do Campo, where his Lula-supporting father worked in a factory. Almeida, however, identifies as apolitical and says the government’s efforts misunderstand what workers like him need. “They don’t know what we need or how we work. They should spend a day with us on the streets,” Almeida said. Almeida is one of the 2.1 million Brazilians working through digital platforms, a workforce that grew 170% between 2015 and 2025, according to a central bank estimate using survey data from Brazil’s statistics agency. Uber driver Eduardo Marini, 51, complains of his working conditions but says the job’s flexibility outweighs the benefits of formal employment and he fears government regulation could limit his autonomy. Opportunities on digital platforms and fears of government meddling have pushed workers to right-wing politicians who favour lighter regulation, said Oswaldo , a public ‘opinion researcher at the
University of Campinas. “The prevailing perception is that the state only gets in the way and collects taxes,” Amaral said. Marini said he is on the right, as do 40% of platform workers, according to a 2023 survey paid for by Uber and Brazilian partner iFood. Another 40% of workers said they were centrist, while just 20% identified with the left. IDENTITY CRISIS Lula sought to regulate appbased work in 2024, but the efforts faltered as major tech companies pushed back and worker distrust mounted. His government is trying again this year, but a new bill has stalled in Congress. The challenges reflect a party rooted in labour organising struggling to keep pace with workers increasingly detached from unions and traditional employment structures. Brazil’s unionisation rate has nearly halved over the past decade, falling to 8.9% in 2024 from 15.7% in 2014, according to the latest official data. Marco Teixeira, a political ‘science professor at the Getulio
Vargas Foundation, said the Workers Party lacks a clear message for app-based workers without an identifiable boss. The party’s president, Edinho Silva, has welcomed some soulsearching. He said unions and leftwing groups need to better understand informal workers and their working conditions. “They aren’t talking to them, they aren’t organising them, and they aren’t present in their daily lives,” Silva said. HELP WANTED After seven years driving for Uber, Rogerio do Santo, 43, is searching for a formal job again. He says low fares have eroded earnings, while the lack of organised representation leaves drivers with little leverage to press ‘for better terms. “We don’t have anyone from our sector to represent us and seek improvements or benefits on our behalf,” he said. His complaints hint at the PT’s path back to workers like him. Many informal workers reject the labels of employee or union member but still want more
protections. A survey commissioned by the PT in 2025 found that 65% of informal workers aspire to be entrepreneurs and just 27.5% prefer a formal job. Yet 56% said protections like sick pay, injury benefits and a minimum wage remain “very important.” Respondents were mixed ‘about collective organising: Nearly 40% said having their own union would be beneficial, but the same share said they would not join one. Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, launching his presidential campaign on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana beach on Sunday before a crowd clad largely in Brazil’s yellow and green national colors, said he would create a program called “My First Company” if elected, without providing further details. He added he would promote partnerships between universities and the private sector to boost technology and innovation, so that “young people will not only have a diploma hanging on the wall, but also a job.”
Death toll rises to 84 from capsized ferry in Zimbabwe (AL-JAZEERA) Zimbabwean police have recovered more bodies after a ferry capsized on Lake Kariba, bringing the death toll to at least 84. Zimbabwe’s national police service confirmed in a post on X on Sunday that four bodies had been found and that search efforts were still under way. The accident is believed to be the deadliest of its kind in Zimbabwe. The overloaded passenger ferry capsized on Tuesday and was carrying as many as 153 people. Authorities said the ferry’s capacity was 90 people but have not confirmed how many people were on board. The boat overturned during heavy winds near the Zambian border. It was travelling
from the town of Kariba in the north of the country to rural and fishing communities in the country’s northwest. Travel by water is common in northern Zimbabwe because of a lack of infrastructure, including limited public transport and poorly maintained roads. Footage posted by local media online on Saturday shows hundreds of people waiting outside the local hospital to identify loved ones who had died. At least 18 children lost their lives in the accident. Responding to the incident on Tuesday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa described the event as “tragic” and said it exposed serious deficiencies that needed to be addressed immediately.
A pallbearer stands next to a line of coffins during a memorial service for victims of a passenger ferry that capsized on Lake Kariba [Bright Charakupa/Reuters]
Monday August 17, 2026
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Kaieteur News
Monday Thursday August November 17, 2026 24, 2022
Kirk Mckenzie made an entertaining 69 from 25 balls. (Smartframe)
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Mckenzie fires Kingsmen to victory over Knight Riders Jamaica Kingsmen recorded their first win of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2026, beating the Trinbago Knight Riders by five wickets in their fourth match of the tournament. Kirk McKenzie set the tone with a destructive 69 from just 25 balls, powering the Kingsmen’s chase after the Knight Riders posted 182 for 6, with their star-studded top order all making valuable contributions.
Monday August 17, 2026 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You're not just thinking about yourself today. In fact, you seem to be focusing your energy much further. It's a good time for you to step up and show the world what you can do for it.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Your romantic side is out in force right now, so you should do whatever you can to spend quality time with your mate or to attract someone new if you're currently single. It's easy for you!
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Nothing is as boring as it seems today, especially for you! Just make sure that you're paying close attention to all the little details and soaking up the beauty around you. Life keeps getting better.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Sometimes you need to spend time on your own even if others are clamoring for your attention. You can put them off in ways that entice them to keep coming back, so when you're ready they're there.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You don't mind multiple points of view, but sometimes it gets a bit ridiculous! Try to stick with one idea for the day, though almost everyone around you tries to get you to see the other side.
SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) You are feeling the love today, and your friends are there for you in a big way. It's a really good time to let them know just what you're feeling and see if they can shake out of their own dark moods.
CANCER (June 21–July 22) Your wildly differing ideas are all starting to converge in some big crazy way, but good luck explaining it to someone else! You may find that you're better off holding it all in for another day or two.
CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You're focused on a job search—or work project—to the exclusion of almost everything else right now, and that's okay. Remember to surface for air by this time tomorrow, though!
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Try to reach out to someone who has been remote or otherwise hard to get at lately. Your attempt should be met with at least an acknowledgment, even if the nitty-gritty has to wait for another day.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Your brainy energy is back for an extended stay, not that it's ever far gone! You should be able to tackle intellectual challenges that baffle your friends, so get out there and make things happen.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Little obstacles keep popping up today, but nothing so terrible that you can't take care of it right away. See if your friends can watch out for you while you take care of business hands-free.
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Debt is on your mind today, though you may not realize it. It might not have a thing to do with money either, as our minds are finely tuned to social economics, so you may feel the urge to repay an old favor.
With Kieron Pollard and Usman Tariq back in action, the Knight Riders appeared well placed. Pollard smashed 44 from 22 balls, w h i l e Ta r i q r e t u r n e d impressive figures of 3 for 2 1 . B u t M c K e n z i e ’s explosive innings ultimately proved to be the difference. Sent in to bat in Kingston, the Trinidad and Tobago-based franchise made a cautious start. Colin Munro and Alex Hales struggled to find their rhythm, while Hassan Khan kept things tight with the ball and Andre Russell removed Munro inside the Power Play to leave the Kingsmen firmly in control. Captain Nicholas Pooran, also in his first game of the season, produced a well-made 44, including four sixes while adding 67 runs with Pollard for the third wicket. His timely dismissal just before the
Eight Elite League Clubs secure... From page 23 which clubs can better develop players and coaches, attract and manage resources, build stronger relationships with sponsors and communities, and ultimately compete at a higher level. The successful licensing of eight Elite League clubs therefore represents more than an administrative achievement . I t i s a n important indication of the direction in which Guyana football is moving. The GFF extends its congratulations to all eight licensed clubs and recognizes the commitment of their executives, administrators, technical personnel and volunteers, as well as the work of the GFF Secretariat and the continued support and guidance provided by Concacaf. The Federation remains committed to building a football ecosystem in which good governance, professional administration, sporting excellence and sustainable club development become the standard at every level of the game. Guyana football is moving forward and the professionalization of its clubs is an important part of that journey.
death overs proved crucial, however, as it kept the Knight Riders from pushing towards a total of 220 or more. Late wickets slowed the Knight Riders’ momentum, although Jyd Goolie and Sunil Narine added some much-needed impetus with boundary-filled cameos to lift their side to a competitive 182 for 6. The Kingsmen, in contrast, came out firing. McKenzie did the bulk of the damage during a blistering Power Play that yielded 82 without loss, putting the home side firmly ahead of the required rate. Reeza Hendricks continued his steady run of form to provide valuable support, before Rovman Powell and Andre Russell used their local knowledge of Sabina Park to put the finishing touches on the chase. The pair combined for an
important 48-run partnership after Usman Tariq briefly threatened to swing the momentum back towards the Knight Riders. Their stand steadied the innings and kept the Kingsmen firmly on course. Any hopes of a late comeback were effectively ended when seamers Terrence Hinds and Nathan Edward conceded 17 and 28 runs respectively in the 16th and 17th overs. The Kingsmen reached their target with eight deliveries to spare, completing the highest successful run chase at Sabina Park in CPL history. The inspired Kingsmen return to Sabina Park on Tuesday night for their final home match against the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, while the Knight Riders travel to St Lucia for their next fixture against the Kings on Saturday.
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The winning RHT Namilco Thunderbolt Flour team
Monday August 17, 2026
2026 Beharry Secondary School’s U19 T20 Tournament…
Strong wins from Annandale & BEI sets tone ahead of 2nd Qualifier round
BCB/Cardiologist Services Under 21 Tournament
Pottaya and Deonandan spearhead RHT Namilco into semis The Rose Hall Town Namilco Thunderbolt Flour Under21 team on Saturday defeated Bush Lot United of West Coast Berbice to advance to the semifinals of the Berbice Cricket Board / Cardiologist Services Inc Under21 50 overs tournament. The Namilco Thunderbolt Flour team was spearheaded by outstanding bowling from skipper Matthew Pottaya and national junior players Tameshwar Deonandan and Ramzam Koobeer with the bat. Bush Lot won the toss and elected to bat first in steamy condition at the Area ‘H’ ground. They slipped to 14 for 2 in the third over as both Afraz Ali and Akash Ramdeowar ran themselves out in total mix up with opener L. Henery. T. Henery was then caught behind off pacer Rafeal McKenzie for 1 as the visitor soon fell to 24 for 3 in the 5th over. Opener L. Henery and the promising Atta Ali then batted well to
add 78 for the 4th wicket before Ali was caught by Nicholas Cameron off the bowling of offspinner Matthew Pottaya for a well played 26 (2 fours). Henery was then trapped L.B.W by Cameron for 48 with three boundaries to sparkle a collapse as the visitors were bowled out for 126 from 40 overs. Pottaya ended with 3 for 23 from nine overs while Asif Marimuthoo took 2 for 23 from 8 overs. Rafeal McKenzie, Jayden Ganpat, Nicholas Cameron all took a wicket apiece. Needing to score 127 to advance to the semifinals, the home team was given an opening partnership of 56 in eight overs by Ramzam Koobeer (30) and Matthew Perreira (21) before Koobeer was bowled by S. Seecharran. From 56 for one, Rose Hall Town Namilco Thunderbolt Flour fell to 89 for 5 as Perreira (21), Leon Reddy (03), Junior Babb (01) and Pottaya (00) fell cheaply. Former national Under 13 player
Tameshwar Deonandan and the hard hitting Nicholas Cameron then batted well to lead their team to victory at 130 for 5 in the 19th over. Deonandan ended on 35 not out with seven delightful boundaries while Cameron struck a four and a towering six in his unbeaten 18. Bowling for Bush Lot United, C. Odel took 3 for 21 from seven very impressive overs of medium pace while Seecharran and Justin Doobay both claimed a wicket each for 23 and 13 runs respectively. The Cardiologist Services Under21 tournament is one of several junior tournaments to be organised by the Berbice Cricket Board as part of their cricket development programme. Other junior tournaments for 2026 include U12, U-13, U-14, Under 16, Under 19, Under 21 and Under 23. The Under 21 tournament is sponsored by the Cardiologist Service Inc, based at the Mercy Hospital and is headed by Dr. Mahendra Carpen.
CPL & WCPL announce time changes for two GAW fixtures on Sept. 6 The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and the Limacol WCPL wish to advise of start time changes to two fixtures involving the Guyana Amazon Warriors on Sunday, September 6. In the WCPL, the GAW versus Jamaica Empress-match at the Kensington Oval had it start time revised to 10:00am from 2:00pm. For the CPL, the GAW versus St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots-match has a new starting time of 3:00pm. Meanwhile, the Men’s CPL match between Barbados Tridents and Saint Lucia Kings, also at Kensington Oval on September 6, is unaffected by these changes and will still start at 7:00 pm as scheduled.
GAW have won their opening match of the 2026 season (Smartframe)
Man-of-the-Match Annandale Secondary Ruel Dindyal 4 -15 Commanding wins from Annandale Secondary and Berbice Educational Institute (BEI) at QC Ground helped pave the way for the finals after maintaining their form, as teams will fine-tune a bit ahead of the upcoming Qualifier 2 round. Annandale defeats Covent Garden by 46 runs A string of knocks from Joshua Bollers (29), Akeem Persaud (27) and Sanjay Dindyal (24*) kept Annandale in a strong position as they ended on 127-6 off 20 overs. The trio accounted for the majority of the team’s runs after a brief collapse but consolidated nicely to take their team past the 100-run mark. Bowling for Convent Gardens was spearheaded by Vinesh Kalpoo (2-8) and Shane Khan (2-18), who took charge with the ball. Man-of-the-match Ruel Dindyal grabbed 4-15 to keep Annandale in the match, with help from Kevin Singh (3-19) and Akeem Persaud (2-19). Covent Garden could only muster 81-10 from 17 overs with Kalpoo coming back to score 24 and Jamele Schultz chipping in with 27 to end as the leading-scorers. BEI beat Abram Zuil by 6 wickets BEI continued their form regardless of numbers as they managed to defend a low score after posting 88-10 batting first under some sunny conditions. Leading run-scorer Ravid Fredricks, who hit scores of 91* and 92* in recent games, set the tone with a run-a-ball 30, backed by Otis Roberts (17). National all-rounder Brandon Grimmond had exceptional returns of 5-10 while Ray Ramnauth grabbed 2-26 to complete a good bowling effort. BEI then strolled to 89-4 inside 17 overs after one of the tournament’s leading scorers in Luke Amsterdam hit 33 off 29 alongside the talented Grimmond who batted sensibly for his gritty 25 from 41 balls. Despite the consistency of the Abram Zuil bowling attack which saw top performers in Rhonel Nurse (2-10), Eshwar Tilak (1-17) and Fredricks (1-25), trying to keep their side in the game; it proved a little too much for opposition the lads. Meanwhile the next Eliminator round will see Annandale Secondary tackling Abram Zuil who will be out for revenge after their tough defeat.
Kaieteur News
Monday August 17, 2026
PAGE 23
Eight Elite League Clubs secure Concacaf Club Licences for 2026/2027 Season Eight clubs participating in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League have achieved a significant milestone in the professionalization and development of club football in Guyana, securing Concacaf Club Licences for the 2026/2027 season. Six clubs fulfilled the Concacaf Domestic Club Administration Standards and were awarded the Concacaf Domestic Club Licence, demonstrating compliance with the required administrative and operational criteria for domestic competition. The six clubs are Santos Football C l u b , We s t e r n Ti g e r s Football Club, Den Amstel Football Club, Ann’s Grove United Football Club, Fruta Conquerors Football Club, and Guyana Police Force Football Club. Meanwhile, Slingerz Football Club and Guyana Defence Force Football Club successfully met the higher Concacaf Regional Club
Slingerz FC and GDF FC successfully met the higher Concacaf Regional Club Licensing Standard and were awarded both the Concacaf Regional Club Licence and Concacaf Domestic Club Licence. Licensing Standard and were awarded both the Concacaf Regional Club Licence and the Concacaf Domestic Club Licence. The achievement represents an important step forward for Guyana’s club football landscape and reflects the growing commitment of the GFF and its Elite League clubs to establishing stronger systems of governance,
administration, sporting development and financial sustainability. The Concacaf Club Licensing Programme is a comprehensive framework designed to strengthen the professionalism, governance, sustainability and overall quality of football clubs across the region. It establishes clear minimum standards in key areas including sporting
development, infrastructure, club administration and personnel, financial management, legal compliance and social responsibility. While licensing is a requirement for clubs seeking to participate in Concacaf competitions, its broader purpose is to drive continuous improvement in club operations and development. Through the
Joaan Deo claims overall honours at DemLife Golf Tournament Dr. Joaan Deo emerged as the overall winner of the DemLife Golf Tournament, following an exciting day of competitive golf at the Lusignan Golf Club on Saturday. The tournament attracted 28 players, with golfers taking to the lush, well-manicured fairways of the Lusignan Golf Club for a day filled with skill, competition and camaraderie. Deo produced the standout performance of the tournament, carding 84 gross and 70 net to secure overall honours. Her impressive performance also saw her capture the 13–18 Flight and Longest Drive prizes, making it a particularly successful outing for the accomplished golfer. The competition remained exciting throughout the day, as players battled across the different flights and individual categories. The lush surroundings and challenging layout of the Lusignan course provided the perfect setting for golfers to test their accuracy, distance and consistency. Mohanlal Dinanauth was among the other standout performers, capturing both the Nearest to Pin and Best Gross awards. In the Senior Flight, Hilbert Shields claimed first place with 91 gross and 72 net, while Bala Vinjimor secured the top spot in the 19–28 Flight, finishing with 102 gross and 74 net. Patrick Prashad took first place in the 0–12 Flight, recording 84 gross and 72 net. The tournament provided an entertaining display of golfing talent, with players competing not only for flight honours but also for special prizes that added to the excitement of the event. From the opening tee shots to the final scores, the DemLife Golf Tournament showcased the competitive spirit that continues to drive the growth of golf in Guyana. The event also brought together golfers of varying experience and handicaps, creating an atmosphere of sportsmanship and fellowship on and off the course. At the end of the day, it was Deo who stood above the field, with her 70 net earning her the coveted overall championship. The DemLife Golf Tournament was a successful celebration of golf, competition and community, with the
Dr. Joaan Deo won the overall title
picturesque Lusignan Golf Club once again providing a fitting backdrop for an exciting day on the greens. Tournament Results Overall Winner: Dr. Joaan Deo – 84 Gross / 70 Net Longest Drive: Dr. Joaan Deo Nearest to Pin: Mohanlal Dinanauth Best Gross: Mohanlal Dindnauth -80 Senior Flight: Hilbert Shields – 91 Gross / 72 Net 19–28 Flight: Bala Vinjimor – 102 Gross / 74 Net 13–18 Flight: Dr. Joaan Deo – 84 Gross / 70 Net 0–12 Flight: Patrick Prashad – 84 Gross / 72 Net
programme, Concacaf and its Member Associations are helping clubs build stronger structures, improve standards and create a more professional, sustainable and competitive football environment across the region. Over the past two years, the GFF, with the close support, technical guidance and expertise of Concacaf, has worked extensively alongside the Elite League clubs to strengthen their administrative and operational structures and guide them through the demanding club licensing process. The process has required clubs to examine and improve critical areas of their operations, including governance and decisionmaking structures, financial administration, legal compliance, sporting programmes, infrastructure, personnel and safeguarding. The eight successful clubs have demonstrated their willingness to embrace these standards and take meaningful steps towards a more professional approach to club management. GFF President Wayne Forde said the achievement fulfils an important objective established at the beginning of the 2025 Elite League season and should be viewed as the foundation for a much broader transformation of club football in Guyana. “I must commend the clubs for their dedication and commitment throughout what was a very challenging process. I must also commend our administration staff for going above and beyond to support the clubs. I share this proud moment with the clubs, but I want to remind them that this is not the end; rather, it is the
beginning of cultivating a professional culture within their operations.” President Forde said the achievement must also be viewed within the wider context of the traditional reliance on volunteerism across Guyana’s football ecosystem. “At the club level, football in Guyana has been heavily dependent on volunteerism. Good people, with the best of intentions, heart and passion, continue to sacrifice for the good of the game. We are grateful for that contribution. However, this has also allowed an amateur environment to prevail, and that environment is no longer aligned with the direction of the regional game.” He added that the GFF is now developing an ambitious programme to support clubs and Regional Associations as they begin the transition towards more professional management and administration. “The GFF is therefore working on an ambitious plan to resource clubs and Regional Associations and to help them take their first meaningful steps towards professionalizing the management and administration of the game. The progress we are celebrating today with the Elite League clubs must ultimately become the standard across Guyana.” TAKING CLUB LICENSING ACROSS GUYANA Building on the experience gained through the Elite League licensing process, the GFF will now move to introduce a Domestic Club Licensing Programme across all nine Regional Associations. The programme will be accompanied by meaningful incentives designed to encourage Regional Association clubs and their Executive Committees to strengthen governance, improve administrative systems, enhance financial management and cultivate a culture of professionalism and accountability. The GFF believes that stronger clubs are fundamental to the longterm development of football in Guyana. Professional administration creates the platform from Continued on page21
Kaieteur News
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Monday August 17, 2026
Caribbean Football Union U14 Challenge Series…
Mount Sinai CC boosts confidence Guyana opens with dominant with convincing U13 victories
8-1 triumph over Montserrat
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic –The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Under-14 Boys made a commanding start to the 2026 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) U14 Challenge Series, securing a resounding 8 – 1 victory over Montserrat in their opening match in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, on Sunday. Guyana established its dominance early, taking a 2–1 lead at half-time, with Cavon Peters and Dane Vancooten finding the back of the net to give the young Golden Jaguars the advantage heading into the second half. The Guyanese side shifted into another gear after the break, producing a relentless attacking display that saw them score six additional goals to complete an impressive 8 –1 triumph. Peters and Vancooten each completed their individual scoring, while Lujon Dos Santos added another goal to the tally. Aaron Vasconcellos struck twice, while Wayshawn Forde delivered a standout
performance with a hat-trick to cap a dominant team display. The well-deserved victory provides Guyana with an important opening result as the team continues its campaign in the CFU U14 Challenge Series, following months of preparation under the GFF’s FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS). The GFF U14 Boys will return to action on Monday, August 17, when they face Anguilla in their second match of the competition. Guyana will be looking to build on its strong opening performance and maintain its momentum as the Challenge Series continues. The GFF congratulates the U14 Boys on their outstanding opening performance and striking victory over Montserrat. The Federation extends its best wishes to the players, technical staff and entire team as they prepare for their next challenge against Anguilla and continue their campaign in the CFU U14 Challenge Series.
Team Guyana in the huddle prior to the commencement of their match.
Lomar Williams
Melroy Grant Mount Sinai Cricket Club’s Under-13 team is showing progress after scoring two victories against more established opponents. In their game against Rose Hall Community Centre (RHCC), they won by 9 wickets against the home team. Batting first, RHCC were bundled out for 90. The Mount Sinai bowling was too much to handle as Justin Southwell had figures of 3-18, while Melroy Grant Jr picked up 3-22. In reply, Mt Sinai raced to 96-1 in 16 overs with Justin Southwell completing a good innings of an unbeaten 43 while Alden Hope was also left unbeaten on 26. Mt Sinai Cricket Club was again in winner’s row as they made light work of Tucber Park Cricket Club in another
encounter which was also played at the Rose Hall Community Centre (RHCC) Ground in East Canje. Batting first, Mt Sinai reached 191-9 from their allotted 40 overs. Jovel Dejonge led the way with a well-played 63 while Darwin Williamson supported well with 33. Tucber Park CC’s reply saw them bowled over for 79 to give Mt Sinai victory by 112 runs. Left-arm spinner Lomar Williams was the main destroyer with 5-15 while Southwell had another good match with 214. There was one wicket each for Elijah Bhandan, Melroy Grant and Shawn Hubbard. (Samuel Whyte)
IMC Over-60 World Cup…
West Indies clinch 1-wkt win against USA Pegasus Chess League set for Monday opening The Pegasus Hotel, in collaboration with Drayton’s Chess Club is set to launch Season One of the Pegasus Chess League on Monday, August 17, at the Oasis Building in Kingston, Georgetown. The inaugural league is designed to introduce a different format to competitive chess in Guyana, moving away from the traditional weekend tournament structure. Players will instead contest one classical game each week over a seven-round league cycle, encouraging sustained competitive participation. Season One will feature a standard time control of 60 minutes, with a five-second increment added after every move. Games are scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. According to a club official, the initiative was developed to encourage consistent competitive play while providing an avenue for senior and adult players, including those who may have stepped away from regular tournament competition, to return to organised chess.
Junior players are also eligible to compete, creating opportunities for younger competitors to test their skills against more experienced opponents and gain valuable exposure to classical competition. The opening ceremony is scheduled for Monday, with registered players and invited guests expected to attend. The first round of matches will follow immediately after the ceremony. Following Monday’s opening, league action will continue on August 24 and 31, September 7, before concluding with rounds on October 5, 12 and 19. The Pegasus Chess League is intended to become a recurring competition rather than a one-off event, with additional league cycles planned as Drayton’s Chess Club continues to develop the structure. Further details about the future of the league are expected to be announced during Monday’s opening ceremony. The competition is sanctioned by the Guyana Chess Federation.
West Indies pulled off a dramatic, 1wicket win against USA in the continuation of the 2026 International Masters Cricket (IMC) Over-60, 45-over World Cup tournament on Friday at King City venue in Ontario, Canada. Chasing a challenging 169 for victory from the allotment of 45-overs, West Indies reached the target with 5 balls remaining. Middle-order batsman Narine Bidhesi led the successful chase with a responsible 56 laced with 5 fours from 83 balls. Steve Linton and Rajendra Dilraj sealed the deal with 18 and 13 not out, respectively. David Martil grabbed 3-18 from his maximum 9 overs while Ahmed Merchant also accounted for three victims but conceded 31 runs off 9 overs as well. Earlier, USA won the toss opted to bat first. Parak Amanta hit a half-century (53) to be the Americans top-scorer. USA ended at 168-9 (45-overs). Mahmood Shahid added 29 as skipper and left-arm orthodox spinner Zamin Amin took 3-27 (8) and Deonarine Deyal supported with 2-21 from six tidy overs on a typically responsive King City surface. Meanwhile, the victory puts West Indies at number 3 on the points table with 4 points equally with New Zealand, who played two matches.
Narine Bidhesi
England leading the points chart with 6 points having chalked up three wins from as many matches. West Indies have so far featured in three games as well beating India and USA but lost to England. They were scheduled to be back in action on Saturday against New Zealand when the 14-team tournament continued with its round-robin format. The teams have been divided into two groups, A&B, with reigning champions Australia topping Group A after winning three matches from 3 outings, too. The tournament concludes August 23.
Kaieteur News
Monday August 17, 2026
PAGE 25
Eccles, Rams, Airport and Mahdia storm into Lotto/Let’sBet T10 semi-finals Defending zone champions Eccles All-Stars, Village Rams, Airport SVC, and Mahdia (Movements Family) surged into the final four of the East Bank/West Demerara Zone in the Lotto/Let’sBet One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast following a day of blistering knockout action across the region. At Goed Fortuin, Village Rams delivered a sublime performance, powering into the semi-finals with a comprehensive 73-run victory over Team Eastsyde. Imtyaz Ghani set the ground ablaze with a swashbuckling 85 off just 23 balls, supported by Andrew Lyght Jr.’s unbeaten 42 off 27 and Urshardeva Balgobin’s 20, as Rams posted 159 for 3. In reply, Team Eastsyde folded to 87 for 8 in their 10 overs, with national footballer Curtez Kellman showcasing his versatility by taking 3 for 7 alongside Dhanesh Persaud’s 2 for 13. The defeat ended a dramatic campaign for Eastsyde, whose opener Otis George had earlier smashed an unbeaten 106 off 38 balls—laced with 13 sixes and two fours—alongside Ronald Hercules’
Part of the action at the Meten-Meer-Zorg Community Centre Ground on Saturday. 25-ball 76 in an opening stand of 193 for 0 against Vintage All-Stars. Eccles All-Stars were equally ruthless at Farm Ground, hammering Soesdyke XI by 120 runs. Troy Gonsalves launched eight sixes in a rapid 25-ball 64 to propel Eccles to 162 for 9 despite Orandy King’s 4 for 30. Soesdyke’s chase crumbled instantly as Tyler Small’s clinical spell of 4 for 5 and Deion Thomas’ 2 for 13 bundled them out for just 42 in 9.5 overs, with number 11 Adrian Peters (13) the sole batter in double figures. At Uitvlugt Ground, Mahdia
made light work of Hyde Park, chasing down 98 in 7.2 overs with eight wickets to spare. Andrew Gibson anchored the pursuit with an unbeaten 46 off 21 balls alongside Yeudistir Persaud (17*), after Suresh Dhani’s economical 1 for 3 kept Hyde Park to 97 for 4. Over at MMZ, Airport SVC held off Young Steppaz by 27 runs. Player of the match Shakiel Wong headlined the effort, slamming 46 off 20 balls to lift Airport to 138 for 3 before returning to claim 3 for 19, alongside Sunil Sarjoo’s 3 for 21, to restrict Young Steppaz to 111 for 9. The action shifts directly into the
semi-finals today at Meten-MeerZorg, where Eccles meet Village Rams at 10:00h, followed by Airport taking on Mahdia at 12:00h, preceding the zonal final at 15:00h. The zone champions will confirm their marquee date against the Berbice Zone champions, Grillmaster Sip N Play All-Stars, at the national semi-finals. The regional runners-up will pocket G$200,000 courtesy of M.S. Roshandin Group of Companies, while the two losing semi-finalists take home G$50,000 each compliments of Camille’s Academy. Teams falling in Saturday
afternoon’s quarter-final round received G$25,000 each, courtesy of Scoop Ride Inc. High stakes await the eventual zonal champion, who will walk away with G$500,000 and secure a marquee fixture against Berbice Zone champions Grillmaster Sip N Play All-Stars at the national semi-finals. With free public admission across all venues, the zone winners remain in contention for the grand G$2 million prize at the National Finals on October 11 at the Anna Regina National Stadium, before the T10 caravan moves to the Essequibo Zone from August 22–23.
Caribbean Football Union U14 Challenge Series…
Guyana opens with dominant 8-1 triumph over Montserrat Guyana’s goal scorers.
Brandon Grimmond snared 5 wickets and chipped in with some runs to cop the MVP award
2026 Beharry Secondary School’s U19 T20 Tournament…
Strong wins from Annandale & BEI sets tone ahead of 2nd Qualifier round s t r o Sp
Top performers of the recently concluded LGC Tournament.
Joaan Deo claims overall honours at DemLife Golf Tournament Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.