Kaieteur News

Exxon continues milking Guyana's profits to explore for more oil

Guyana is preparing to foot a heavy exploration bill this year for ExxonMobil, as the company embarks on drilling operations at theBarreleye-3wellsitewithinthe StabroekBlock.

The Maritime Administration Department (MARARD) in a notice this week said the operator will continue exploration drilling operationsatthesitefromJune13, 2026 and is likely to conclude by August31,2026.

The Barreleye-3 well site is situated approximately 105 2 nautical miles (194.9 kilomeres) offthecoastofGuyanaandcovers an area of 0.29 square nautical miles(onesquarekilometer).

Barreleye-3 comes after the completion of the Barreleye-2 appraisalwellwhichwasdrilledby the oil giant in 2025. The two appraisal wells follow the April 2022 discovery of Barreleye-1 which encountered approximately 230 feet (70 meters) of hydrocarbon-bearing sandstone andwasdrilledin3,840feet(1,170 meters)ofwater

To date, ExxonMobil has already made 46 discoveries in the Stabroek Block, since the first discoveryin2015.

Notably, oil-producing states around the world, including neighbouring Suriname have blocked oil companies from recovering costs spent to hunt for oil. Guyana on the other hand not onlyallowsExxontorecovercosts for wells successfully drilled, but even dry holes encountered in the process.

The sweetheart deal signed by ExxonMobil in 2016 allows the companytorecovercostsrelatedto its exploration activities, even if thoseeffortsdonotproduceoil.

This provision, along with several others have been criticised by both local and international experts in the past, who are adamantthatallcompaniestakeon financial risks as the cost of doing businesswheretheyoperate.

While the company racks up billions in exploration expense, shortening profits that should flow into Guyana's account, the country

iskeptinthedarkregardingtheoil giant'sannualhuntforoil.

The Stabroek oil deal requires the operator to not only submit its yearly exploration plans to the government of Guyana (GoG), but an annual budget to meet its work programme.

This information is concealed by the government while the nation'soilrevenueisshortenedto meetthisexpenditure.

During its most recent engagementwiththemediaonJune 9,2026ExxonMobilwasaskedfor an update on its exploration plans for the year but did not provide a comment The company's Vice President and Business Services Manager,JohnCollingexplainedto themediathathewasonlyprepared to address the company's 2025 financialperformance.

Exploration versusroyalty

ItwasreportedthatGuyanahas so far been slapped with a heavier billforexplorationthanitearnedin royalty

Before production activities

commenced, Exxon claimed US$1.6Bforexplorationactivityin the Stabroek Block during the period1999to2017.

Additionally, the company's Annual Reports and financial statements for the period 2020 to 2024 show that another US$666.1M was racked up again for exploration activity. It was reported that in 2020, some US$100Mwasspenttoexplorethe block.

Meanwhile, in 2021, the company said US$131.2M was

spent and another US$43.7M in 2022. Moreover, Exxon handed Guyana an additional US$277.5M andUS$113.7Min2023and2024, respectively In 2025, Exxon handed Guyana a bill for US$133M.

This means Guyana has r e c e i v e d a w h o p p i n g US$2,399,100,000 for exploration worksbytheoilmajor.

Meanwhile, at the end of December 2025, only US$1.1B in royalty was paid into the Natural ResourceFund(NRF).

‘Govt. inaction puts Exxon and partners’ profits ahead of Guyana’- Ram

…says

refusal to renegotiate, failure to manage deal responsible for country's low earnings

ExxonMobil and its partners in the Stabroek Block recorded a staggering US$12.5Binprofitslastyear

while Guyana barely

received US$2 5B, a reflection of not only government's failure to renegotiate the lopsided 2016 agreement, but the administration's inability to bettermanagethecontractas promised.

This is according to chartered accountant and attorney, Christopher Ram. The advocate in an invited comment shared his opinion on the explanation provided by Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat on the reason Guyana's shares paled in comparison totheoilcompanies.

Bharrat told Kaieteur News that the Stabroek Block partners use a

different accounting mechanism which includes depreciation, financing structures and taxes, whereas Guyana's earnings are calculated using only profit oil and royalty payments.

Forhispart,Ramargued that, “Minister's reliance on the "legacy agreement" argument is disingenuous anddeflective,servingmore to excuse the government's inaction than to address the substantive concerns surrounding the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement.”

The lawyer reminded that the 2016 PSA was largely a resurrection of the 1999 Janet Jagan agreement framework, modified and e x p a n d e d b y t h e A P N U + A F C administration.

Moreover, Ram pointed out that Bharrat is fully aware of the PPP's promise torenegotiatetheagreement and secure a better deal for the country as he was a prominent voice during the party's 2020 elections campaign.

that under this agreement, the taxes he pays for the oil companies should come from Guyana's share of profit oil. And that if the agreementisappliedthereis nomoneyleftintheNatural ResourceFund.”

S e c o n d l y, R a m

Consequently,Ramsaid, “He had the opportunity to act and did not Today, insteadofaccountability,we areofferedexcuses.”

Additionally, the lawyer said the minister's record on contract administration is equallytroubling.

“Aftersixyearsinoffice, his ministry has failed to bring a single cost recovery audit to completion. Rather than asserting the authority of the state, the government has allowed the oil companies to dominate the pace and terms of engagement, effectively running rings around the very ministry charged with regulating them,” Ram contended.

Assuch,hetoldKaieteur News that the promised era of stronger oversight and tougher management of the sector has simply not materialised.

Instead,thelawyernoted that Bharrat's statement suggests an acceptance of two of the most egregious featuresoftheagreement.

He explained, “The minister seems not to know

highlighted that Guyana bears 50% of the decommissioning costs when the production wells run dry He also emphasised thatmillionsarebeingtaken outofGuyana'soiltopayfor cleaning up the ocean floor years before the revenue is required; not only that, but the entire fund is held and controlledbythecompanies.

Tothisend,Ramargued, “The issue is not whether Guyanese understand the PSA. It is whether he does. And if he does, is doing nothing about it his chosen option?”

OnTuesdaytheMinistry of Natural Resources explained how the Stabroek Block partners recorded US2.5B in 2025, although the 2016 oil contract allocates a greater share of revenuestothecountry.

The fiscal terms mean that Guyana's profits should exceed that of the partners, yet the three companies recorded five times the revenue that flowed into the country's oil account in 2025.

Financial statements filed however revealed that

Exxonrecordedastaggering US$6B in profit before taxes, while its partners, Hess and CNOOC earned US$4B and US$2 5B respectively- some five times the US$2 5B that flowed into Guyana's accountthatyear

Bharrat acknowledged the public concerns stemming from the profits reported by the companies and the petroleum revenues receivedbythestate.

He explained, “Such comparisons must be understood within the legal and economic framework of the 2016 Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement.”

Bharrat stated that Guyana does not receive 50% of gross revenue, nor 50% of the companies' accounting profits. Instead, theministernotedthatunder

the PSA, the state first receives 2% royalty on petroleumproducedandsold after which the contractor is then allowed to recover approved exploration, development and operating costs,upto75%monthly As such, Bharrat explained that the remaining balance, known as 'profit oil', is divided equally between Guyana and the contractor group.

“Therefore, where the full cost-recovery ceiling is applied, Guyana's direct c a s h r e c e i p t i s approximately 14.5 percent of gross revenue: 12 5% from its share of profit oil and 2% from royalty,” the ministersaid.

Assuch,Bharratpointed to the reason Guyana's profits only amounted to US$2 5B versus the companies' US$12 5B

“Corporate profits are calculated under accounting rules and may reflect revenues, depreciation, financing structures, tax treatment and other corporate adjustments, whereasGuyana'spetroleum receipts represent the cash revenues due to the State underthePSAanddeposited into the Natural Resource Fund,” according to the ministerRead more here: https://kaieteurnewsonline.c om/2026/06/1

partners-bagging-fivetimes-more-profits-thanguyana/

KaieteurNews

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

Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456

Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams

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

EDITORIAL

Clean up costs

ExxonMobilandtheGuyanaGovernmentarepleasedto tell to the world how they are in a mutually rewarding partnership. Ifthisisapartnership,whyisitsoone-sided? Why is one partner, ExxonMobil, always in the driver’s seat, the controller of the relationship, with the PPPC Governmentplayingalong?

Welookatthispartnership,andinterpretitinoneoftwo ways. It is the slavish cooperation of one group before a vastly more powerful partner (hand in tiger’s mouth scenario),orwillingcollusionthathelpsselfishintereststo prosper Clean-up millions for years in the hands of Guyana’s oil partner, ExxonMobil, stand as a blatant outrage. Why is that money with ExxonMobil alone, and notheldbythiscountry?

After six years, US$965M has been deducted from Guyana’s oil revenues, and under the company’s sole control. GuyanahastohaveasayinthatUS$965M,either jointly or exclusively We at this paper are concerned that the PPPC Government is happy to say almost nothing, nibble around the edges, of close to US$1B that has been deducted by ExxonMobil for decommissioning costs. Sealing wells so that they are safe. Removing production vessels(rigs)andalltheirattachmentsandsupportinglines andlinkages.

Allofthesearecomponentsofoilproductionoccurring in Guyana’s offshore environment. Accordingly, it is compulsory that the Guyana Government has a say and stakeinthosehundredsofUSmillionsheldexclusivelyby ExxonMobil.Consideringnewproductionplatformsarein operational assembly line, cleanup costs will soon surpass US$1B. WhyisGuyanaonthesidelines,andsittingonits hands? We share what the oil companies are doing, and wherethegovernmentoncestood.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo once took this position: “if the project hasn’t started as yet, my assumption is that you can’t deduct from it for decommissioning if it hasn’t evenbeencommissionedasyet.” Butthisispreciselywhat theoilcompaniesownfinancialreportsconfirm. Theyare notonlytakingoutmillionsfromthiscountry’soilrevenues forcurrentoilprojects,butforonesthathavenotproduceda single barrel of oil yet. If Vice President Jagdeo is of the sameviewtoday,thenheshouldputanendtothatscheme thatshortensthiscountry’salreadymeageroilprofits. He hastodomore,shouldnotshrinkfromdoingwhatprotects thiscountry

ExxonMobil cannot continue to have sole control of cleanup millions. It is wrong in conception, and worse in practice. Foranationalgovernmenttositidlyby,andallow thattohappen,shedssignificantlightonwhoseinterestsit prioritises. When has ExxonMobil been fair and straight withthiscountry? WhenhasExxonMobilprovedthatitis and will continue to be a partner worthy of the trust of Guyanese? To leave approximately US$1B in its hands must qualify as the height of leadership recklessness, and reeksofeitherimpotencyoradifferenttypeofgovernmentoilcompanypartnership.

ThePPPCGovernmentisnotshortofsoundadvice,or tools. Thecommonwealthsecretariathaswarnedaboutthe dangers of oil companies walking away from decommissioning costs, and leaving countries stranded. The secretariat has published its “Oil and Gas Decommissioning Toolkit”. It is a valuable resource for host countries interested in protecting themselves PresidentIrfaanAlididnotreactwellwhenitwaspresented to him that the commonwealth secretariat was offering soundadviceforcountrieslikeGuyana. Therecordisthat when something poses any whiff of a threat to the ruling party’scozyrelationshipwiththeoilcompanies,itisflatout rejected.

Six years into oil production, almost US$1B deducted for cleanup, and ExxonMobil virtually owns that billion. Yet,thePPPCGovernmentisbusyplayingthesamegames that could harm this country later The government is dragging its feet. It is hunting around for the right cover

DEAREDITOR,

Misdirected loans

Khemraj Harryram: Provide the evidence that GAIBANK loans were approvedforPNCcronies

I refer to a comment made by Khemraj Harryram in which it was stated that: ‘Remember GAIBANK? It collapsed due to high non-performing l o a n s t o P N C c r o n i e s (https://kiskadeewatch.com/opinion/let ters/i-endorse-chris-rams-concernsover-proposed-development-bank/).

Editor, I would be grateful if Khemraj Harryram can support his claim by providing the following information for the GAIBANK loans, which he claimed were approved and disbursedtoPNCcronies:

1.NamesandaddressesofthePNC cronieswhoreceivedtheloans?

2. Provide copies of the PNC membership documentation of the personsyounamed?

3.Whateconomicactivitieswereto beundertakenwiththeseloans?

4. What were the approved and disbursedloanamountsanddates?

5 Where were these projects located?

It should be noted that the Auditor General of Guyana, who audited GAIBANK Books and presented an audited report every year, never made any statements identifying any loans that were made to PNC members. Similarly, no comments to this effect were made in parliament by the PPP, when GAIBANK audited financial reportsweresubmittedforpresentation inparliament.

Furthermore, loan approval had nothing to do with a client’s social, racial,religious,orpoliticalaffiliation, but only with whether a project and loan request submitted by a client was in support of a financially viable project

I therefore call on Khemraj Harryram to provide the evidence for the loans that were approved for PNC cronies,asthiswillensurethatyouwill be doing a much better job than the auditor general and the Parliament of Guyana.

Khemraj,pleasegetthejobdone,for as the old people say, ‘Mouth-Tar and Guitar…!’

Sincerely,

Dr.C.KenrickHunte ProfessorandFormerAmbassador

The folly of insatiable greed for power

DEAREDITOR,

Itisquitecomicalandsad toseehowpatheticthePNC and their cohorts have become. Lust for power and relevance have left them clingingatstraws.Insteadof doing the honourable thing and relinquishing the p o s i t i o n s o f t h e commissioners of GECOM that do not pertain to them, they have begun their squatting process again as they did after Comrade Granger’s administration lostthenoconfidencevote.

Unfortunately, the lust for power and greed on display by the party of ComradeBurnhamisshared by several members on both sides of the soon to be dishonourable house of parliament The party of Comrade Jagan is also not withoutfault.Ifitisn’t5%of the top of every major contract, it is an unannounced signing bonus oraone-sidedcontractthatis too lucrative for those involved to relook at and modify.

This height of ludicrousness can only be surpassed by the continual buildingonsandthatwashes away easily in a flood zone where prevention is a passing thought and not an urgentactiontobetaken.The founders of our nation who stood together before the folly of greed for power divided them would be ashamed to see the path that ournationison.Apaththatis now filled with waste, corruption, pollution, and moral decay This is not the

future we the people of our greatnationseek.

My fellow Guyanese, comrades, our appointed leaders have betrayed their oath of office and instead havecreatedaculturewhere haste for wealth has become moreimportantthanthelives of our people. Our citizens die due to this culture of haste for wealth which is displayeddailyonourroads. Our citizens lose their hardearnedbelongingsduetothe greedthathascausedneglect for that which matters, and that has increased focus on that which can be used as a vehiclefortheftandwasteful exuberance for unneeded excess. How many more fires must occur and how many more must become homeless? The government knows the correct way to prevent fires and improve fire safety, but they have chosen to ignore national tragedy and focus on haste where it is not needed. Our schools remain at risk, and our children do not get the benefitofasafeenvironment despite the numerous calls for the government to make safetythetoppriority

We can no longer afford leaders who save in SwitzerlandwhileGuyanese areonthebreadline.Wecan nolongeraffordleaderswho party with dignitaries while teachers are on the picket line. The betrayal of our future must cease and the remaking of a culture where we the Guyanese people are treated as equals regardless of position and influence mustbegin.

words. So, as not to lift a finger that could interfere with ExxonMobil’s taking out and locking away that US billion. Aprotectivegovernment,agovernmentthatisapartnermore to Guyanese and less with ExxonMobil, would take a clear stand. There must be, at least, joint control of all cleanup moniesdeducted.

How can leaders that embrace those that take advantage of children, that carry out abuse, that steal fromthepoor,thatselldrugs, launder their ill-gotten gain, and leave the vulnerable behindbeinwhomweplace ourtrust?

Comrades, fellow Guyanese, we have been through colonialism, dictatorship, violent rule, division caused by racial hatredandpovertycausedby theft.Willweletitcontinue? Will we let them steal our daily bread and sell our family’sfuture?Weareafree people. No man nor woman i n t h e n a m e o f transformation, progress or financial upliftment should beallowedtodoasheorshe wants No person in a position of power or leadershipshouldbeallowed to let illicit drugs and gangs take over our schools, neighbourhoods, and businesses The folly of insatiable greed has led our countrytoanewlowin Continued on page 5

On these occasions the least we can do is acknowledge and recognise those whose idea it was

DEAREDITOR,

IdeemeditnecessarytomakenocommentontheEnmore Martyrs event which took place on June 16, 1948. But after listening to the address by President Ali and the powerful statement inVillageVoice on June 16, titled “GTUC’s Fight forRecognition:EnmoreMartyrsremembered78yearslater amiddebateoverlegacy”,IthoughtIshouldbreakmysilence with these brief personal recollections; I remember as a studentofthesecondaryattheeasternextremeofBrickdam, lookingthroughthewindowoftheGeographyroom,Irecall theprocession,includingthehearsesbearingthebodiesofthe fivevictimsoftheshootingatEnmorestoppingoutsideofthe Durban Park race course (now Square of the Revolution), I recognised Dr Cheddi Jagan and Jane Phillips-Gaye. They addressed the gathering, before moving south into the Le RepentirCemetery

Laterinthe1970’sitwasBurham’sideathattriggeredthe erectionoftheEnmoreMartyrsMonumentatitspresentsite. Manyofusbecamedubioustradesmenasweenthusiastically helpedtocompletethemonumentontime.Ontheseoccasions theleastwecandoisacknowledgeandrecognisethosewhose ideaitwas.Thisconsistentdenialofthegoodideasofothersis unhelpful and inconsistent with the trumpet call of One Guyana. The prophet Kahill Gibran reminds us with these words: Pity the nation whose statesman is a fox, whose philosopherisajuggler

Sincerely, ElderHamiltonGreen

Vote count didn’t

DEAREDITOR,

The recent decision by the Chairperson of the Committee of Selection and Speaker of the House, ManzoorNadir,torefusemy nomination by the WIN and APNU parties to the parliamentary sectoral committees demands a response.

Thisisnotaboutmyown political fortunes; it’s about ensuring that the people of Guyana understand precisely what was done in their name and why it matters.

Members of Parliament from both the WIN and APNU parties determined that my participation on those committees would serve the national interest and accordingly nominated meforseveralcommittees.I thank both parties for their confidenceandsupport.

H o w e v e r , t h i s nomination was rejected by Gail Teixeira and Speaker Manzoor Nadir based on a vote-count eligibility formula This selective invocationofamathematical formula ought to concern us asGuyanese.

To illustra

h

s inconsistency, in 2020, Gail Teixeira nominated Lennox Shuman to the office of Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly. Mr. Shuman represented a coalition whose Liberty and Justice Party component received2,657votes.

The PPP/C Government used its parliamentary majority to secure his election, with no thought giventovotecount.

Similarly, in 2023, Gail TeixeiranominatedDr Asha Kissoon to that same office.

Dr KissoonrepresentedThe NewMovement,apartythat received only 244 votes in the 2020 General Election.

Again, the PPP/C Government used its majority to secure her election, disregarding vote countentirely

In contrast, the Forward Guyana Movement received 4,585votesintheSeptember 2025 General Election, yet the same Government, and the same individual within that Government, now invokes a vote-count formula to prevent me from servingonacommittee.The

The folly of insatiable...

Frompage4 morality, and only by the will of we the people of our great nationshallweovercometheillsthatourcorruptleadershave causedtotakeroot.

Be strong comrades, be strong my fellow Guyanese, we haveitwithinustobethatgreatnationourancestorsdreamtof andfoughtfor Wehaveitwithinustosetourownpath.Apath thatdoesn’tfollowthefollyofthegreedy Apaththatliftsall of our people out of poverty is within our reach. No longer mustweallowthosewhoarefatfromthetheftofournation conusandfoolusintobeingsatisfiedwithlessthanourfair share.Alivablewageisnotaskingtoomuch.Paymentontime forourworkcompletedisnotaskingtoomuch.Wemustrid ourselves of those who wish to rule over us as slave masters and overseers did in the time of some of our ancestors. We mustembraceself-determinationandself-respect.Nowicked mannorwickedwomanisgreaterthanthewillofthepeople. Thefutureisourstoshape.Wemusttakeholdofitandensure thatthoseweselecttoleadremainfocusedonhonestdealings andtheservicetoournationandallofourpeople.

Sincerely,

JamilChanglee

matter then, why now?

hypocrisyisglaring.

I have spent the better part of the last few months demanding that Parliament meet and that these committees be constituted and convened because parliamentaryoversightisa constitutional necessity not a personal privilege Parliament must work That position has not changed because of this exclusion

For my part, I have no

intention of becoming consumed by arguments o v e r c o m m i t t e e appointments.

The people of Guyana sent me to Parliament to ask hard questions and insist on answers. That mandate does not depend on a committee assignment.

I am also deeply concerned by the attacks directed at Ms Odessa Primus and Mrs. Tabitha Sarabo Halley and reject

them outright.These attacks must stop. Regardless of party affiliation, the responsibility of the Opposition remains the same: to hold the Government accountable and defend the interests of thepeople.

I have spoken with Ms. PrimusandIhaveofferedto support her and the work of the Foreign Relations SectoralCommitteeandany other committee where my

assistance.

The work continues, and it will continue in spite of PPP’sattemptstocontrolthe opposition through obstruction, misdirection anddisinformationviasocial mediaanditsabuseofpublic informationchannels.

Regards, AmanzaWalton MP,Leader Forward G

Movement

Baytoram and Vishnu are afraid of discussing the national context and therefore fabricate and falsify history

DEAREDITOR,

The Indian Right

activists do not like an intellectual challenge, and therefore they resort to false information and imputing to mywritingsthingsthatIdid notsay

Vishnu should note that at no time did I mention Baytoram book, and thereforetosuggestthatIdid not read it is irrelevant. My reference was to Indian Rightactivistsandnottoany book.

Unfortunately, none of theIndianRightactivistsare addressing the two key issues I raised. (1). Why is the death of eight Indo Guyaneseamassacreandthe murder of the Abraham familyandtheSunChapman bombing in which eight and

thirty-eight people died respectively are not a massacre? (2) Why the disturbances in Linden are dealt with in isolation from the wider national disturbances in which many Afro Guyanese were murdered and had to flee Indo Guyanese dominated villages?

Vishnu Bishram clearly exaggerated thenumberof people displaced The inquiry stated that the total Indo-Guyanese population of Linden was three thousand. It said that the individuals who were working at the Demerara Bauxite Company on 25th May,1964,were365.Ofthis number 352 were evacuated on27thMay,1964,butsome of those returned

subsequently During the period between 27th May, 1964 and the 6th and 7th July,1964,132personswere evacuated Of the total evacuees during this period, 163 persons were granted leave of absence and 116 decided to terminate their employment with the company

Add to that, the report stated that 744 other Indo Guyanese were evacuated. 744 added to 352 gives you 1,086. Let us be generous and add 400 more evacuees. Thatmakesitlessthan1500. That means that less than half of the Indo Guyanese populationwasevacuated.

More interestingly, the two boats that evacuated the IndoGuyanesefromthearea had the capacity to transport at maximum 250 persons. Letusdoubleitandgavethe capacity to carry 500 people that would mean at maximum1000peoplewere evacuated, yet these revisionists are stating that 3000 Indo Guyanese were forced out of Linden. Many chose to leave while many stayed.

This exaggeration is to boost their flawed argument that it is a massacre and the numberofdeaddoesnot Continued on page 6

Vishnu’s claim of 3000 people being forced out of Linden is a fabrication and garbage. The figures speak for themselves. Add to this that the Report also noted that many Indo/Guyanese stayed and many later returned.

Traffic flows through Hormuz as U.S.-Iran deal takes effect, questions remain

(Reuters) - Oil tankers sailed through the Strait of Hormuz and the United States said it lifted its blockade on Iran on Thursday as an interim deal to end the war took effect, though key issues are still unresolved between the countries.

Oil prices dropped to their lowest level since the warbeganonFebruary28,as analystssaidexportsthrough the strait, which handles about one-fifth of global oil supply, could return to normal in the coming months.

But Israel continued its war against Hezbollah in Lebanon, raising questions aboutwhethertheagreement wouldhold.

In Washington, some of President Donald Trump’s

Republican allies in Congress questioned whetherhehadgivenuptoo much in order to end the conflict, which is unpopular withU.S.voters.

Iran’s Supreme Leader

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said Trump signed the deal “out of

desperation” and signaled that `upcoming talks over Iran’s nuclear programTrump’s stated reason for starting the war - would not beeasy

“If the American side wants to be too demanding, wewillnotacceptit,”hesaid inawrittenmessage. T h e d e a l g i v e s negotiators 60 days to reach agreement on the status of Iran’s nuclear program, and s e t u p a $ 3 0 0 B reconstruction fund for Iran and other financial incentives U S Vice

President JD Vance, who willleadtheU.S.delegation, said Washington will also seek to limit Tehran’s longrangemissiles.

When he launched the warnearlyfourmonthsago, Trump said he aimed to destroy Iran’s nuclear weapons program, end its ability to strike its neighbours, prevent it from supporting allied militants in the region and make it possible for Iranians to topple their hardline leaders

Though he initially

Cuba proposes sweeping reforms to socialist model amid U.S. pressure

d e m a n d e d I r a n ’ s “unconditional surrender,” Trump ultimately signed the agreement with none of thoseobjectivesmet.

US officials say the negotiationscouldstillyield astrongagreementonIran’s program. ‘ But critics say Iran is in a stronger position now, having withstood a superpower attack, exerted control of the Strait of Hormuzandgainedvaluable waivers to financial sanctions.

Iran signaled it will still exert control over the strait,

saying it will issue permits and direct traffic during the 60-day period, though no fees will be charged during thattime.

TRUMP, VANCE WARN ISRAEL

But in Lebanon, where more than a million people aredisplacedbythefighting, Israeli forces launched fresh airstrikesearlyonThursday, raising doubt about how far ‘Trump will go to force his wartime allies to halt an offensive he has now pledgedtoend.

Trump said he expects a

complete ceasefire on all fronts.“TheUnitedStatesis committed to PEACE, and we encourage everyone in the Middle East Region to maintain their commitment to allowing our negotiations to beautifully unfold,” he saidonsocialmedia.

The ‘deal calls for the “permanent termination” of the war in Lebanon and for its “territorial integrity and sovereignty”tobeensured.

Israel,whichwasnotpart of the negotiations, has said it has no intention of withdrawing from Lebanon and released a new map showing an expanded occupationzone.

Trump has become openly critical of Israel’s operations in ‘Lebanon, leadingtooneofthebiggest rifts between the two countriesindecades.

Vance warned Israel to respectthepeaceprocess.

“IfIwasinthecabinetof the Israeli government, I might not be attacking the onlypowerfulallythatIhave anywhere left in the entire world,” he said at the White House.

Baytoram and Vishnu are afraid of...

Frompage5 matter This approach is disingenuous and wicked.

Members of Cuba’s political bureau hold an extraordinary plenum of the Communist Party’s Central Committee. (Estudios Revolucion/Handout via REUTERS.)

(Reuters) - Cuba’s prime minister on Thursday presented lawmakers with sweeping measures backed by the Communist Party and former leader Raul Castrothatwouldprivatiseavastswathofits socialisteconomyinabidsurvivepunishing U.S.sanctions.

Themeasures,ifapprovedbylawmakers andimplemented,wouldrepresentthesingle largestchangetoCuba’ssocialistmodelsince formerleaderFidelCastro’s1959revolution andamajorshifttowardsamarketeconomy

Thereforms,presentedbyPrimeMinister Manuel Marrero, would open the door to private real estate development on the Caribbean Island, transform state-owned businesses‘intoprivatecommercialventures

with shares and equity stakes and allow private banks to enter Cuba’s once statedominated finance sector The measures would also vastly reduce red tape on the island’s privately held businesses and entrepreneurs. Marrero told lawmakers the reforms recognise the market as “an instrument for the efficient allocation of resources,” in a highly unusual concession fromaCommunistPartyofficialinCuba. Long-timeCommunistPartyleaderRaul Castro-indictedinMayin‘theUnitedStates on murder charges - backed the reforms in a written letter presented first to the politburo on Wednesday, and then to lawmakers on Thursday, calling them “beneficial” and urgingtheirspeedyimplementation.

But most outrageously, it is argued that Dr Jagandescribesitasamassacreandsoit is.Garbage!Dr JaganwasapartisanPremier at the time and does not qualify as an objectivecommentator

Then, unfortunately, Bishram fabricated a view that says Burnham described it as a massacre. He does not quote and cite what Burnham said. My research revealed that Burnhamdidnotdescribeitasamassacre.

Whilethereweredisturbances-therewas nomassacre.Andiftherewas,thetotalityof thekillingsinthecountryshouldbediscussed andnotisolateandportrayAfricanGuyanese and Lindeners as barbarians to achieve your racist aims, while refusing to address the atrocitiesagainstAfro-Guyanese.

ItisinterestingthatVishnudoesnotknow whoblewuptheSunChapman.Ifthisisthe case, he needs to tell us why African Guyanese were murdered. Was there a fore warning to others not to travel on that day? And who stood to benefit amidst ethnic violenceatthetimefromthemurderofAfroGuyanese?Theseare critical questions to be answered.

Are Vishnu and Baytoram aware that manyAfrican Guyanese were murdered and forced out of villages on the West Coast of Demerara? Is he aware that Africans in Leonora had to flee the village? Why no commentsonthoseatrocities?

Mycontentionisthatthereisnoinnocent

race and we must investigate the totality of thedisturbances.

Why are you not responding to the fact thatIndo-GuyaneselivedinpeaceinLinden while there were disturbances in 1961, 1962 and 1963 on the coast. You cannot consider thisfactbecauseitwillforceyoutolookatall that would have occurred and not select Linden andAfro-Guyanese to malign.To do thatwillforceyoutodiscussthecontext,and your theory will disintegrate.To do that will compel you to confront the uncomfortable fact that there is no innocent race in the disturbancesbetween1961and1964.

It is useful to note that many Afro Guyanesewereforcedoutofvillages,butthe IndianRightactiviststreatthisrealityasifit is nonexistent. Any serious academic work must analyse the whole and not just an arbitraryselectedpart.

InotethatBaytoramwrotethatIagreedto attend the book launch and write as if that is agreement or disagreement with the book. It isnot.Itismyapproachofreadingeverything I can put my hands on and out of respect for your “academic” endeavor while noting that on this issue you are not prepared for the intellectual crucible that your fabrications, falsificationsandexaggerationsarefacing. Stopbeatingaroundthebush.Answerthe questionsasked.

Regards, AubreyC.Norton Leader of the PNCR and Chairman of theAPNU andaProudLindener

BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT

Matching salaries

For years, Guyanese have watched foreigners earn massive salaries while local workers, despite doing similar jobs, took home far lessMinister Vickram Bharrat's declaration that Guyanese with comparable qualifications, training and experience deserve equal remuneration is long overdue.

Five years into oil production, this should never have been a debate. Guyanese workers have gained valuable offshore experience, earned certifications and proven their competence.

There is no justification for maintaining a two-tier salary system that favours expatriates. However, Guyanese have heard many promises before. Strong speeches alone will not put more money into workers' pockets. The Government must now move beyond rhetoric and establish clear policies, timelines and enforcement mechanisms to ensure companies comply.

This is one of the few occasions the administration appears willing to firmly defend the interests of its people. Guyanese can only hope it is serious this time

Walton nominates Nigel London for GECOM, warns against conflicts of interest

Leader of Forward Guyana Movement (FGM),

Amanza Walton has proposed a "managed transition" of opposition representationattheGuyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

The proposal comes alongside her nomination of prominent figure Nigel London to serve as a new GECOMcommissioner The recommendations were submitted directly to OppositionLeaderAzruddin Mohamed in a formal response to his ongoing

consultation process regardingtheappointmentof opposition-nominated commissioners.

Walton stated that her framework is designed to preservecriticalinstitutional memory within the

commission while simultaneously facilitating renewal and pushing forward a broader electoral reform agenda. To balance continuity with renewal, the FGM leader is advocating foraphasedapproachrather than a complete overhaul of thecurrentlineup.

Her plan proposes retaining one of the existing opposition-

minated commissioners for a transitional period of two

years to stabilise the commission during the handover Additionally, she recommended engaging the remaining outgoing

c o m m i s s i o n e r s a s remunerated advisers to the office of the leader of the opposition, ensuring their administrative experience remains accessible to support newly appointed members.

In response to the opposition leader's invitation for nominations, Waltonformallyputforward Nigel London for consideration. Championing London's potential to bridge the gap between the regulatory body and the public, she emphasised that meaningful electoral reform requires genuine public engagement rather than closed-door bureaucracy "Atatimewhenmeaningful electoralreformrequiresnot onlyinstitutionalchangebut genuine public engagement, Mr.London'sabilitytobreak downcomplexconceptsand bring the Guyanese people into the conversation is precisely the quality the Commission needs,"Walton wroteinhersubmission.

The FGM leader further emphasised that public trust cannot be manufactured in

isolation, noting that a hands-on approach is necessarytorestorenational faith in the system. "Public understanding of and confidence in the electoral processcannotbebuiltfrom the inside alone, and I believe Mr London has the capacity to bridge that gap. He is also not someone who willsimplygoalong.Hewill ask difficult questions, engage critically with the workofthecommission,and hold the institution to account from within," she stated.

While acknowledging theprofessionalcompetence of the individuals currently under consideration by the opposition leader, Roysdale Forde SC, Siand Dhurjon, and Damien Da Silva, Walton raised caution flags regarding potential perceptions of bias She pointed out that all three attorneys are members of Mohamed's legal team in ongoing, active legal

nomination process must avoid circumstances that give rise to avoidable perceptions of a conflict of interest, noting that public trust in electoral institutions depends heavily on the

Major U.S. firms eyes partnership with Berbice alumina refinery

A visiting United States high-level business delegation this week met with Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, and the discussions focused on the potential for alumina refinery operations in the Tarakulli, Berbice, alongside broader exploration into glass, steel, and critical infrastructure development The meeting, held in the minister's boardroom, facilitated vitaldiscussionsregardingtheintegrationof U.S. expertise and technology within the nation's rapidly expanding public works sectorThe visiting delegation featured representativesfromboththeU.S.Embassy and leading industrial firms, including Atlantic Alumina LLC (ATALCO) and AdvancedManufacturingGrowthPartners. Minister Edghill welcomed the interest from the U.S. firms, emphasising Guyana's commitment to modernising the national

transparencyandintegrityof theselectionprocessitself.

Stressing that Guyana's deeply rooted electoral challenges cannot be fixed simply by shuffling personnel,Walton called for abroader,systemicoverhaul of GECOM's structure, g o v e r n a n c e , a n d accountability mechanisms. Shestatedthatthecoreissue facing the nation requires looking at the institutional framework itself "The questionbeforeusisnotonly who should sit at the table, butwhetherweareprepared to improve the table itself," sheargued.

Rejecting the current politicalgridlockasharmful

tothepublicinterest,Walton urgedallpartiestomovepast total non-cooperation and focus on practical solutions.

"The current impasse does a disservice to the people of Guyana, who are entitled to institutions that function effectively and inspire public confidence," she noted. She maintained that whilereasonablepeoplemay d i s a g r e e o n t h e constitutional questions surrounding the continued tenure of the current commissioners,itisfarmore useful to ad

road network and enhancing logistical capabilities The minister provided the delegationwithcomprehensiveinsightsinto current and future infrastructure projects, highlighting how these developments align withthecountry'snationalgrowthtrajectory

The visiting delegation included Senior Commercial Officer at the U.S. Embassy Bruce Ellsworth, Commercial Specialists Amanda Edmondson and Tocoma Alexis, President of Atlantic Alumina's Jamaica operations John Habisreitinger, and CofounderofAdvancedManufacturingGrowth PartnersShirishPareek.

The ministry noted that preliminary engagements underscore the ministry's ongoing efforts to foster international collaboration and attract foreign investment that supports sustainable, high-quality infrastructureforallGuyanese.

constructive proposals for renewal, continuity, and reform than to refuse engagement altogether To that end, Walton confirmed shewillpersonallyattendthe

scheduled by the leader of the opposition for Tuesday, rd23 June,2026.

GECOMofficials,opposition doubtLGEpossibleinNovember

With exactly 19 weeks remaining before the November deadline, the possibility of Local Government Elections (LGE) being heldthisyearisfacingincreasingdoubt.Inan exclusive interview with Kaieteur News, Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chief Election Officer (CEO) Vishnu Persaud clarified the strict procedural boundariesblockingimmediateprogress.

"Unless a plan for local government is approved by the commission, such a plan cannot and will not be activated," Persaud stated.

Opposition-nominated GECOM

Commissioner Vincent Alexander echoed these concerns, telling Kaieteur News that pulling off the elections under the current timeline "does not look very feasible." Alexandersuggestedthattheapparentinertia might be a deliberate political choice. "I get theimpressionthatsomepeoplearenotkeen on local government.They like the situation asitis,"henoted.

According to Alexander, if the deadline cannot be met, the government will have to seek parliamentary recourse. "They would have to go to the parliament and move a motion for postponement that is not unprecedented," he explained, pointing to historicalprecedents.

"Forsomepartofthatperiod,whenlocal government reforms [were underway], the parliament used to postpone it. That was around 2008, 2009. So, for some time, for eight years, you were doing reform and the

Opposition GECOM

Commissioner Vincent Alexander

parliamentwaspostponingtheelections."

Oppositionallegestactic,ministersilent Weighing in on the delays, Aubrey Norton,formeroppositionleaderchairmanof the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU),spokedirectlyonthematterduring aJune9thbroadcastonKAMStv

"Iseewhatishappeningaspartofawider PPP [People's Progressive Party] tactic possibly to postpone the Local Government Election," Norton claimed. However, he rejected any notion that commission vacancies or structural issues were the root causeofthegridlock.

"I don't see anything that prevents the elections commission from meeting because basedonlawitislegallyconstituted."

Minister of Local Government, Priya Manickchand,wasunavailableforcomment when contacted regarding the opposition's allegations and the status of election preparations.

Echoesof2021

Thecurrentimpassestronglymirrorsthe events of 2021, when LGE suffered an official postponement. Under a Gazetted OrdersignedbytheformerMinisterofLocal Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall. Those elections were legallydeferredinaccordancewiththeLocal AuthoritiesElectionsAct.

The 2021 deferral came after GECOM officiallyadvisedthegovernmentthatitwas technicallyunabletohostthepollswithinthe legallystipulatedwindow

Punctuality is now a problem in Georgetown Schools

Every school day in the city, in almost every ward, youcanseescoresofschool children – dressed in their uniforms–amblingtoschool after9:00am.Thecasualness of these children suggests that punctuality is no longer importanttothemortotheir parents.

But it does also raise the question as to what the schools in the city are doing about late attendance Surely if stern action was being taken against these children, there would have beengreaterurgencyinthem trying to get to school on time.

In my time at school, whenthebellrang,thegates were immediately locked. The assigned prefects made theirwaytotheschoolgates with register in hand. After prayershadbeenconcluded, the gates would be opened, and the names of all late comers would be recorded

and they would each be sentenced to detention for latecoming.

No one attempted to try to evade the gatekeepers. There were too many teachers who would be on the lookout for those children who wanted to avoidsanctions.Anyattempt to bypass the gatekeepers wouldbemetwithmorethan simply detention. As such, childrenmadeittheirdutyto trytogettoschoolontime.

Inthosedays,schoolwas convened at 8:00am. The overwhelming majority of thechildrenmadeittoschool ontime.Sincethen,because of the transportation crisis whicheruptedinthecountry, the authorities decided that most schools would commence at 9:00. Some schools in the countryside however start classes earlier andendthedayearlier

One of the casualties of this move has been a

Dem Boys Seh...

reduction in the lunch hour

This has had the effect in most children being unable togohomeforlunch.

This has added to the burdens of parents who live nearby to schools having to provide them with a lunch before they depart for school. Not many children today enjoy a home-cooked hot lunch such as was the case when the lunch break was one and a half hours long.

But the later opening of school, at 09:00hrs. Should have seen fewer children being late. Instead, what we are witnessing in the streets of Georgetown is that more andmorechildrenarelatefor school. And one has to ask, what about their parents? How come these parents are notensuringthatchildrenare leaving for school to be punctual(atschool)?

This is not a problem which requires the

Tik Tok mek dem

boys turn beggars

DemBoysdoeswatchTikTok.Nufftime demdoesnoticehowstrangersdoesgoupto personsonthestreetsandespeciallyindem foreignsupermarketsandaskpersonstobuy something for them, pay for a minor purchaseorsimplyaskforsomethingtoeat.

Andwhensomekindpersonshelpout,it is then explained how it is only a social experiment. The stranger then rewards the kind persons by either paying for their groceries or giving them a large sum of money

Themessageofthesocialexperimentis thatyourkindnesswillcomebacktoyouin multipletimes:themoreyouhelp,themore youwillreceive.

Since dem boys see dem social experiments on Tik Tok, dem boys decide

fuh help anybody in Guyana wah ask fuh some help. And Guyana gat nuff beggars. Beggingisoneofdenationalpastimes.Deh gat people wah gat plenty but are impulsivelyaddictedtobegging.

So, anybody come up to beg, dem boys does help. But dem boys does wait fuh see whetherdepersonwahbeggingganpayfor demboysgroceriesorleffafatwadofcash withdemboys.Demboysstillwaiting.

Demboyssharingoutkindness.Butdem boys nah receiving any in return. Is like Guyana nah gat dem kind of social experimentsyuhdoesseepunTikTok.

Now dem boys bruk and dem boys gat fuh join de long line of beggars wah asking peoplefuharaise.

TalkHalf!LeffHalf!

intervention of the Ministry of Education. This is not a policy issue It is a management issue and it is up to the respective headteachers to ensure greater punctuality by ensuring that those who reach to school after 09:00 hrs.aresanctioned,firstwith a warning, then with a letter to call in their parents to enquirewhytheconsistency in late school attendance. If teacherskeepaproperrecord of those persons in their classes, they would realize quickly just who are not punctual and who are. This would allow for appropriate interventions to be made. In Jamaica, there is growing concern about the lack of punctuality and absenteeism inschools.Oneineveryfour children is said to be affected.

One Chief Education

Officer years ago emphasised that regular school attendance and punctuality were critical to

the development and

education of students. He was quoted as saying that, “Excellence in attendance and punctuality should be rewarded because of the positive impact this has on the individual student, the school, community and society.”

Afew years ago, a letter writer to this newspaper observed that most, secondary schools in Georgetown generally start at 9am and dismiss at 3pm; students therefore spend 6 hoursatschoolwhilenearby on the East Coast of Demerara, you will find secondaryschoolsstartingat 8:15,8:30or8:45ambutall dismissing at 2:45 pm. He/ She questioned the inconsistency.

So, could standardising school hours assist? It is worth a try There is no reason why schools should becommencingat09:00hrs.

Manyparentsnowdriveand they have to reach to work

for 8:00 am and so they can afford–andmanydo–drop offtheirchildrentoschoola full one hour before classes commence If schools in certain areas commence before 09:00hrs., there is no reason why this cannot happen throughout the country

Itiscertainlyworthatry to see whether it will improve punctuality But even if the authorities are timid to revert to earlier commencement times, the S c h o o l s ’ We l f a r e Department should have by now been taking note of the large numbers of children who are late for school each day and for no apparent just reason.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s affiliates.)

H@RD TRUTHS

UGGI Survey: Pt. IV

This is the last

commentary on the

UniversityofGuyanaGreen

I n s t i t u t e ( U G G I ) Independence 60 Survey titled: Guyana at 60: Trust, Oil, and the Society being Built. Today's focus goes beyond the two bottom

performing areas of “national government” and “foreign oil companies ”

Five other areas were coveredintheUGGISurvey

This is how they fared re trust:

Those numbers stagger

Not one of the five areas reachedthemidpointof5.00 out of 10. Scores over four and less than five indicated thattrustisshakyandpaltry When the crucial halfway point/score of five can't be surpassed, then trust starts low, inspires negligible confidence. It hits hard.

The five areas are now reviewed.

F i r s t , “ O w n ethnic/community group” scored 4.98 out of 10. The best doesn't say much

When Guyanese trust is so iffyfortheirowntribe,their own neighborhood/village, who will they trust? Those are the first families. Next door Next of kin. Next in thefabricofdailyexistence. Next contacted in emergencies. Hence, what 4 98 of 10 reveals?

Guyanese live in silos Suspicious Embattled Paranoid. The unreliable is imagined, that they are on their own. Adrift. Citizens hear speeches and they detect there're taken for suckers. Bytheirown.

Second,thejudiciaryand courts scored 4.62 out of 10 ontrust. Thisareaembodies the last chambers, tribunals, of judgment, and 4 62 results. Whentrustinjustice is so low, a ramshackle society is being built. With pervasive perception of troubled courts, distrust

rage What prospects? National governments can be booted Foreign oil companies leave when oil's gone. Thejudiciaryoutlasts them. Decades hence, it's the same jurists around; more seniority, more power Maybe the magistracy improves, or Guyanese trust more.

We all should remember that once, jurists, the last championsoftheoppressed, were held in the highest esteem.

A fountain of divine wisdom, rich in those who possessed impeccable, infallible judgment. Peer into its realms now -4.62 from10. Fromsuchdepths, whatsocietybuilt?

Third, the Guyana RevenueAuthority'sscoreof 4 5 7 w a s d i s m a l , unexpected. TheGRAisthe nation's premier tax adjudication, collection, agency

Ascore of 4.57 hangs it aloft. Distrusted. Why, too much political interference, manipulation? What else, corruption? Or handcuffed by foreign oil companies, empowered by national government? IntheU.S.the IRSisfeared,hated. Butnot heavily distrusted The

GRA has much to worry about Building a better society becomes an uphill challenge insuchconditions.

Fourth, the press and news me recorded 4.38 in the UGGI survey Which entities are responsible for the failure? Govt. media, inclusive of friendly private entities? Independent media? Social media?

e n v i r o n m e n t w i t h democracy squeezed, and independent reporting attacked?

For the fourth estate, however composed, to rate solowontrust,confirmsthat Guyanese believe they are beingfedaloadofslopdaily Independent media is represented by two to three houses, while official media hasmultipleoutlets. When one respected independent entity is strangled to death (SN), whatchancetrustinnational governmentandformediato risefromthemuck? Foreign observers reported about “incumbent advantage” re: state media. Did this feed lackoftrust? AreGuyanese seeing big brother's head as too big (calculating) and his h a n d t o o h e a v y (overbearing), to their disadvantage? Howtobuild a better society in an

Last, trust for other ethnic/community groups registered4.38. Frankly,ina society so bitterly polarised, 4.38encourages. Notgood, butnotunhealthy With4.38 t r u s t f o r o t h e r ethnic/community groups, there's hope. Maybe this society could grow, there's ground to build trust

Considerable effort is required from all Guyanese. Honest leadership compulsory Principled citizens in demand. Thethreetogether wouldbepriceless,helpthis country exceed its potential. Here I stand with trust ThereIplantmystake.

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

High Court clears way for Mahdia fire lawsuit to proceed to trial

…dismisses state's appeal

ByKhadidjaBa

Acting Chief Justice NavindraSinghonThursday

dismissed the state's application to strike out a multi-million dollar constitutional lawsuit brought by the parents of 11 children who died in the tragic Mahdia dormitory fire. Therulingclearsthepath for the high court to determine whether the legal challenge against the controversial 2023 financial agreements between the governmentandthegrieving families has legal validity Thecaseisbeingsenttotrial. The dates are yet to be announced. Justice Singh said “Having reviewed the applications and the FDA

truthfully, because I have found more than 80% of themhavetobeconvertedto claims, because they involved substantial issues manytimesoffacts.”

The guardians, hailing from the Indigenous communitiesofMicobieand Chenapou, are seeking ordinarydamagesexceeding $200 million for each

filings, the girls were confined in a heavily grilled dormitory and padlocked from the inside, which severely hindered their ability to escape the inferno on May 22, 2023. Wade argued these structural conditions constituted s

ns of fundamental human rights, including the right to

and the strike out applications and the

response thereto, I determined that the big issues were whether the persons who are now who entered into those agreements had capacity to settle estate claims, because these actions are now brought by estates…Having said all of that, I refuse the applications in both parties tostrikeout.

I'mgoingtoconvertboth matters now to claims, and it'sunfortunatethattherules insist that these matters be commenced by the FDA

deceased child, alongside aggravated and exemplary damages totaling more than $400 million per child. The lawsuit aims to provide compensation for deep emotional distress and to deter future acts of state negligence.

Allegedconstitutional breaches

Filed by the claimant's attorney Darren Wade, the lawsuit contends that the state failed in its legal and moral duty of care to ensure thesafetyofthegirlshoused underitssupervision.

According to court

freedom of movement and therighttolife.

T

highlightsthatthestateacted negligentlybyignoringprior firesafetywarningsfromthe Guyana Fire Service, failing to install critical safety features such as adequate

functional escape routes The lawsuit argues the t

y preventable.

Controversysurrounding the$5Msettlements

Atthecenterofthelegal battle is a July 3, 2023,

meeting between the families and Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC. The guardians allege they were pressured into signing an agreement to accept $5 million per child without receiving independent legal advice. The lawsuit asserts that this payout is grossly inadequate and that the circumstances surrounding the signatures violated Articles 138, 139, 141, 148, and149DoftheConstitution of Guyana, characterising the forced confinement and subsequent treatment as an affronttohumandignity

'Commercialpressure' vs.indigenousrights

During oral submissions on May 6th, King's Counsel

Dharshan Ramdhani, representing the state, arguedthatthecaselackeda solidconstitutionalbasisand should be thrown out without proceeding to a full trial. Ramdhani maintained that the parents bargained u n d e r " l e g i t i m a t e commercial pressure," noting that contract law recognisesagreementsmade under stressful conditions. Citing the historical legal precedentLloydsBankLtdv

Bundy (1975), Ramdhani argued that a lack of legal c

contract.

He further emphasised that because the funds were disbursedinSeptember2023 and the families did not file legalproceedingsuntilApril 2025, they had effectively ratified the contract by acceptingthebenefits.

Inasharprebuttal,Wade rejected the state's characterisation of the tragedy, asserting that the government cannot treat agreements with Indigenous p e o p l e s a s m e r e "commercialtransactionsfor children."Wade emphasised the unique vulnerabilities and limited legal resources

a

or communities, arguing that the constitution provides "high tolerance" and special protections for Indigenous traditional rights that ove

ride standard commercialprinciples.

‘Our agencies are proactive’: National Security Advisor Gerry Gouveia counters alarm over 33 intercepted weapons

ByKhadidjaBa

National Security

Advisor, Captain Gerry

Gouveia has strongly defendedthecapabilitiesand alertness of the state apparatus, asserting that the recent recovery of weapons highlights operational success rather than systemic

vulnerability

“The weapons were intercepted and seized by members of Guyana's law enforcement and security agencies who work every day to protect our country and its citizens,” Gouveia stated “Their actions prevented these illegal firearms from reaching their

intended destination and potentially being used to threatenpublicsafety.”

Gouveia rejected any assertions that the security architecture is failing, emphasising that the seizure proves active deterrence

“The successful seizure of these weapons demonstrates thatoursecurityagenciesare

vigilant, proactive, and capable of detecting, investigating,anddisrupting criminal activity,” Gouveia added. “The fact that these firearms were found and removed from circulation is evidenceoflawenforcement action, not law enforcement inaction A threat was identified,intercepted,andis now the subject of an active investigation.”

According to Gouveia, investigators are currently pursuing all available leads tomapouttheoriginsofthe weapons, their intended recipients, and the broader criminal networks behind their distribution He emphasisedthattheincident is receiving the "highest level of attention," reiterating the government's fullconfidenceinitssecurity personnel and promising to st

s wherever vulnerabilities are found.

MinisterofHomeAffairs

Oneidge Walrond also outlined plans on Monday during the 31st Caribbean Port State Control Conference at the AC Marriott Hotel in Ogle. The government intends to implement a new Container Control Programme (CCP) specifically designed to interceptillegalcargobefore itintegratesintothecountry Minister Walrond emphasised that maritime security must be treated as a unified, inter-agency effort, stating “Port state control must be seen not only as a maritime administration

function, but as part of a wider national security ecosystem.”

Kaieteur previously reportedthatinanexclusive interview with Kaieteur News, former Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Slowe offered a different assessment Slowe argued that the recovery of 33 assault rifles, where 32 had their serial numbers meticulously obliterated to conceal their origins, points directly to a highly organised, sophisticated criminal enterprise that threatens the stability of the state.

“Well, definitely the fact that 33 assault rifles can be discovered in such a relativelyshortspaceoftime iscauseforseriousconcern," Slowe stated. "So, because youdon'tknowifthisisjust the tip of the iceberg, you don't know the extent of the problem, so it is definitely a

need for concern. We also don't know the motive; we don't know the reason why these weapons are in the country.Isitthatthey'rejust intransit,passingthroughto go someplace else, or is it that they are intended to remaininGuyana?”

Slowe maintained that this volume of weaponry transcends routine crime “This is no longer a strictly police or law enforcement issue. This has to be dealt with as a national security matter,”heasserted.“Thisis, in my view, this type and quantity of firearms cannot be intended for any smalltime criminal activities We're talking about arming at least, based on what was discovered, 33 people. So, there ought to be some, maybe,somewell-organised gang...It'sgottobesomebig network.”

Slowe leveled heavy

(Continuedonpage19)

Butcher dies, teen injured in Corentyne motorcycle smash-up

Awell-knownbutcherof RoseHallTown,Corentyne, Berbicelosthislifeinafatal accident at Black Bush Polder

Theaccidentoccurredon Wednesday evening on the MibicuriPublicRoad,Black Bush Polder, claiming the life of 27-year-old Jermaine Junior Smartt and leaving 14-year-old Swanti Culpepper,hospitalised.

Based on preliminary investigations, Smartt was riding his motorcycle # CP 1482,headingwestalongthe road, while Culpepper, of Mibicuri South, Black Bush Polder, was proceeding east on his motorcycle, which, according to police reports, was without a functioning headlampatthetime.

The two motorcycles subsequently collided, causing both riders to fall onto the roadway Both received serious injuries abouttheirbodies,andwere unconsciousbythetimethey were picked up by publicspirited citizens. They were promptlytakentothenearby Mibicuri Public Hospital

While there, Smartt succumbed to his injuries as he was receiving treatment. His body is currently at the Ramoo's Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination.

SpeakingonThursdayat her home in Rose Hall, Bridget Ann Moore, the motherof thedeceased,told thispublicationthatjustafter 18:00hrsonWednesday,she hadthreephonecallsinrapid succession,pertainingtoher son, the sixth of nine children.

"The person call me and askmeforhe.Isaidhegone Black Bush. She said if I knowhemeetupinaccident, I said no, then she credit done. My daughter call me now and said 'mommy, way side yuh deh?' I seh I deh home. She seh 'yuh know Jermaine reach up in accident and dead?' and she start cry and she cut off," Mooresaid.

The third call would be from a friend of hers, from the Mibicuri area where the accident happened The friend confirmed too that

Smartt was involved in an accident, and advised that she take a car and travel to the Mibicuri Hospital urgently

They arrived at the hospital just about 19:00, andadoctorcalledtheminto a room to break the news to them.

"The doctor asked me if I'm strong to see my son, I said yes. He said 'alright, I gon' carry y'all and show y'all'. He carry us in a room now,Iseemysonwrapupon thetrolley,andIstartholler," thegrievingmotherrelated.

A c c o r d i n g t o information gathered, Moore said the teen was

riding a "naked skin bike" without any lights on or functioning breaks They said that the young biker dashed onto the path of Smartt and caused the collision.

Moore told Kaieteur News that she last saw her son on Wednesday midday, after he had wrapped up his butcherybusinessfortheday and was preparing to leave. Hersonhadoperatedameat stallatthefrontofherhome. Their final interaction, she said, was via a call shortly beforetheincident.

"When I call him about six something, he asked me 'wuhhappen?'andItoldhim

them children (nieces) behaving bad. He said he is in Black Bush, said he's coming,andthatwasit."

A friend of the family added, "I feel really sorry about what happened to him," having spoke to him only Wednesday morning beforereceivingwordofthe tragedylateronintheday

Meanwhile,Culpepper,a student of Mibicuri Secondary School, regained consciousness a while after, and was examined by a doctor on duty, after which hewastransferredtotheNo. 75 Village Public Hospital, where he received treatment intheemergencyunit.

His condition is listed as serious.

Police stated that a motorcyclewaslodgedatthe Mibicuri Police Station for examination, but checks made for other motorcycles

continuing.

Government Service Center launched in Region Six

Aspartofnational efforts to bring c r i t i c a l government services to citizens,thegovernmenthas launched another service center,thelatestfacilitynow opened at Port Mourant, CorentyneinRegionSix.

Thecenterwasofficially c o m m i s s i o n e d o n Wednesday, but had already began providing services to citizens since 20th May, 2026.

With the center now in operation,citizensofRegion

Six can now access importantservicesallinone locationinsteadoftravelling to Georgetown, saving time andscalingbackdelays.

The center serves as a multipurpose hub to facilitate tax-related matters pertaining to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), matters associated with the General Registrar's Office (GRO), and immigration matters particularly such as passportprocessing.

Provision of such

facilities across the country ties in with promises made by President Irfaan Ali, according to Minister of Public Service, Government E f f i c i e n c y a n d Implementation, Zulfikar Ally

This takes the total number of such integrated services facilities to four, and the minister outlined plans for others in the near future. Centers are now in Region Three at Leonara, RegionTwoatCottonField, Essequibo, and Region Five at Fort Wellington, all administeredbytheMinistry

of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation.

"I don't have to tell you. You know what it was like, going to different buildings, different departments, different regions, to access government services Passports, birth certificates, getting your GRA transactions. Now you can come and do that in one building," Minister Ally emphasised.

The newly government service center at Port Mourant, Corentyne

E v e n a s t h e administration pushes for a digitaleconomy,theminister urgedresidentsoftheregion to acquire their electronic identification card (e-ID), which retains proof of address, Tax Identification Number (TIN) certificate,

established that relationship with Barbados, and we have other countries that we're working with. Even if you don'thaveyourpassportyet, butyouhaveyoure-IDcard, youcanbeabletotravel,"the ministerassured.

At the event, Deputy Chief Immigration Officer ( D C I O ) , S e n i o r Superintendent Stephen Telford said some 451 passport applications were received,ofwhich,367were sofarissued.

Telford also announced the establishment of a mobileservice.

birth certificate, bank files

and other important documents, and creates an informationlinkwithseveral agencies to cut back on the hassleofhavingtowalkwith documents to process services and conduct transactions.

Thecardcanalsobeused fortravelling.

"Youareseeingnowyou can travel out of Guyana, comebackintoGuyanawith your e-ID card, depending on which countries you're going to, and we've just

"The mobile service is for persons who are bedridden, and differently abled,andunabletocometo thepassportoffice.

We can come to you, process the passport whereveryouare,andreturn that passport to you within threeworkingdays."

Asgovernmentadvances its digital agenda, also now on stream is the passport application system, which allowspersonstosignupfor their passports from any electronicdevice.

Also offering remarks was Minister of Finance Ashni Singh, who posited that the regional outlook is

positive.

"Infivetotenyears'time, RegionSixinparticularwill be a completely different region from the Region Six that we knew five or ten yearsago."

He said a modern and transformed Guyana is not only characterised by physicalinfrastructure.

"The transformation is alsoaboutthemodernisation of the citizens' experience. Citizensservicecenterssuch as this are a deliberate initiative intended to modernise the experience that you have in interacting with agencies of the state," MinisterSinghsaid.

Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha also attended the commissioning ceremony, where he emphasised that the center was "designed to reduce bureaucracy, to reduce d

agencies, to enhance t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d accountability, and most of all,itisdesignedtoplacethe citizens at the centre of governance."

The new facility houses sections for the GRA, immigration, GRO, and the digitalidentitycardregistry

'IsWe'gets25yearsformurderofShonetteDover

Shaquawn Alleyne, also known as 'IsWe', was on Thursday sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for the 2021 murder of his 21-yearold girlfriend, Shonnette Dover, who was shot in the headandburiedinashallow grave in the backyard of his Canvas City, Wismar, Linden,Region10home.

The time Alleyne spent in custody since January 2024 will be deducted from his25yearssentence.

Alleyne was sentenced by Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Demerara High Court after pleading guilty to the capital offence earlier this month under a plea agreement between the defenceandthestate.

Before the sentence was handed down, Alleyne addressed the court, calling his actions a mistake and asking Dover's family and thenationtoforgivehim.

“With a heavy heart, I stand here before you and I apologise to the court. I apologise to the victim's family for my actions,” he said.

Alleyne told the court that he still vividly remembers the times he spentwithDoverandthathe would like to take accountability for his actions.

“I never meant to cause anyharm.Ineverintendedto do such, it was an accident, and I was afraid. Based on thefearfactorsIreacted,and I've made a few mistakes, andI'mstandingherebefore the court, and I am taking responsibility for my actions I'm asking the family of Shonette to please forgive me. I'm also asking thenationtoforgiveme,”he stated.

Alleynepleadedwiththe judge, asking for a second chance. “I understand that I've made a mistake I understand that there are consequencestomyactions, and I'm pleading with the court,andI'mapologisingto the family of the deceased, and I'm also apologising to the court once again…I'm sincerely sorry for my actions, or the grieving that I've caused based on my actions,”headded.

Moreover, Alleyne also urgedotherstonotfollowhis path.“Thisisnowmyreality I've been incarcerated, and lifeisnotperfect.Here,Iam in a cell, in a cell that's in another cell, and now this is my reality Let this be a deterrent for other persons who want to have the idea

and the thoughts of involving themselves in

(Newssource photo)

Shaquawn Alleyne, also known as “IsWe”

these types of activities,” he said.

Handing down the sentence, Justice Kissoon underscored the alarming prevalence of domestic violence and intimate partner killings. He outlined that Dover was killed in her home and in the presence of heryoungersister

He also pointed to the fact that Alleyne used a firearm he had no lawful authoritytopossess.

The judge identified several aggravating factors, includingAlleyne'sfailureto render assistance or seek medical attention after the shooting, his decision to bury Dover in a shallow grave, and his involvement of her younger sister in concealingthecrime.

Justice Kissoon also cited Alleyne's efforts to conceal the crime by misleading the community and the nation by manipulating the narrative

surrounding Dover's disappearance, until “his house of cards collapsed.”

Another factor the judge pointed to is that Alleyne fled the jurisdiction and did notreturnvoluntarily

The court adopted a startingpointof35yearsfor Alleyne'ssentence.Thenext step the judge took was to considertheaggravatingand mitigatingfactors.However, the judge found that there werenomitigatingfactors.

Justice Kissoon further adjustedthestartingpointof the sentence to 37 years and six months, when considering that while Alleyne does not have any priorconviction,hehasprior infractions and brushes with thelaw

Further, Justice Kissoon noted that Alleyne's early

guiltypleaearnedhimaonethird reduction in the sentence, bringing the sentence down to 25 years. Alleyne must serve the full 25-year term before becomingeligibleforparole. The judge also ordered that Alleyne attend classes and programmesthatarecatered for persons who are convictedofintimatepartner killings The official commencement date of the sentenceisJanuary30,2024, whenAlleynewastakeninto custody

Dover's decomposing body was discovered on April30,2021,28daysafter shewasreportedmissing.

Following Dover's disappearance, Alleyne appeared in a video that circulated widely on social media in which he appeared distraught and expressed c o n c e r n o v e r h e r whereabouts He had reported her missing on April 4, 2021, claiming he believed she had left for work and that he had no knowledge of where she

Murdered,

was. After spending nearly three years on the run, Alleyne was arrested by Suriname authorities in January 2024, before being handed over to Guyanese authorities. Meanwhile, Dover's 15year-old relative confessed to assisting Alleyne in burying her body and later ledinvestigatorstotheburial site The relative was subsequently charged with accessory after the fact of murder and remanded to the JuvenileDetentionCentre.

Paradise man jailed 35 years for killing GPHC dispatcher

Sixty-six-year-old Alan Sim formerly of Paradise, East Coast Demerara was on Thursday sentenced to 35 years' imprisonment for the 2015 murder of his former partner, Melissa Skeete.

Sim was sentenced by Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Demerara High Court. Skeete, a 32-year-old dispatcher attached to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) was stabbed rd severaltimesaboutherbodyon23 November, 2015. Sim had showed upatthewoman'sworkplaceinhis motorcar and picked her up. He later stabbed her several times. Skeete died while receiving treatmentattheGPHC.

In 2020, a mixed 12-member jury that found him guilty of the offenceandhewassentencedto60 years' imprisonment by Justice Navindra Singh. However, that conviction was vacated by the Court of Appeal and a retrial was ordered. At the beginning of the retrial, Sim entered a plea of not guiltytomurderingSkeetebutwas later found guilty by a jury of his peers.

Inhisaddressatthesentencing hearing,Simexpressednoremorse

but pleaded with the court to have mercyonhim–pointingtoaseries ofmedicalillnesses.“I'minasickly position sir and I'm begging for your mercy on me, have mercy on me here today,” Sim said. He told the court that he has a swollen prostate;hehadsurgeryforbothof his eyes, and an issue with his left foot. Sim added that due to his medical illnesses, other inmates havetoassisthimtogotothetoilet and sometimes he has to dry wipe himselfinbed.

In his sentencing remarks, Justice Kissoon noted that Skeete was “viciously and violently” murdered by her former intimate partner

He labelled Sim's actions as callous and calculated, noting that theactwascarriedoutinthelightof day, stabbing Skeete several times whilstshewasseatedinhiscar The judge noted that based on the evidence presented to the court, Sim in his premeditated, murderous rage, brought an end to the life of a young mother who endured a cycle of violence and abuseathishands.

The first aggravating factor Justice Kissoon highlighted is the prevalence of intimate partner

violence in society. “This abhorrentcrimeisyetanothercase of intimate partner and domestic violence,whichcontinuestoreach prevalentanduncheckedacrossour communities, our society, and every county of our country,” the judgenoted.

Thesecondfactorhepointedto was the degree of planning and premeditationbySim.Afewnights before Skeete was killed, Sim visited the woman's home and

threatenedtoendherlife,orendthe lifeofthoseclosesttoher Justice Kissoon noted the threat had triggeredapolicereport,ultimately tonoavail,asafewdayslaterSim thenexecutedhisplanafterpicking Skeeteupfromherworkplace. rd

Around 15:00 hours on 23 November, 2015, Sim went to Skeete's workplace and at her request, one of her colleagues accompanied her to Sim's car and observed her enter the front left passengerseatofthevehicle.

The court was told that a few minutes after Sim departed with Skeete from GPHC's New Market Street entrance, the woman was observed running down Carmichael Street, covered in blood, before collapsing in the vicinity of the Ptolemy Reid RehabilitationCenter

According to the evidence in court, Sim inflicted eight incised wounds before stabbing Skeete to thechestandperforatingherlungs causing it to collapse. The judge pointed to the use of a deadly weapon as another aggravating factor He further outlined the depth of the fatal injuries and that Skeete had defensive injuries on herhands.

Alan Sim sentenced to 35 years for 2015 murder of his girlfriend

JusticeKissoonnotedthatthere arenomitigatingfactors. Simwas sentenced to 35 years imprisonment. The judge ordered that the time he spent on remand th since 30 October, 2015 be consideredtheofficialstartdateof the35yearssentence. It was further ordered that Sim serve a minimum term of 30 years beforehebeconsideredeligiblefor parole Justice Kissoon also ordered counselling and that Sim attend classes for persons who are convicted of intimate partner killing.

Rodrigues vows effective UN reforms, inclusion of member states in bid for top global post

Guyana’s Ambassador and Permanent

Representative to the United Nations (UN) Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett has promised to work to bring about effective reforms while working “hand-inhand” with member states to collectively achieve the goals of international peace and security to protectandpromotehumanrights.

Rodrigues-Birkett faced an interactivedialogueonThursdayas candidate for the position of Secretary General of the United Nations.

Shehadbeennominatedforthe position by President Irfaan Ali, it wasannouncedlastweek.

Inanaddresstoanassemblyof representativesfromvariousglobal factions,Rodrigues-Birkett,former foreign Minister of Guyana who has served as the country’s permanent rep said “If appointed Secretary General, I will work hand-in-handwiththe193member states of this organisation and its staff,aswellasinpartnershipwith regional and sub-regional organisations, civil society, and otherstakeholders–toachievethis sharedobjective.”

Shepromisedtoholdanopendoor policy and be accessible to dialogue with permanent representativesinNewYork.

The ambassador stressed however that delivering on the promise of the UN to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, maintain international peace and security,

‘Our

protect and promote human rights, promote sustainable development, and foster global cooperation is a collectiveeffort.

Payingtributetothosewhoheld the leadership post, Rodrigues –Birkett noted “It is no small achievement that the United Nationscontinuestobestrongafter 80 years, and part of the credit undoubtedlybelongstothem.”

She noted that the appointment of the next Secretary General comes at a critical moment for the UnitedNations.

“The global landscape has changed, and the tools required to guide the organisation must likewise evolve. The vision I have outlined is principled, pragmatic, and responsive to the needs of the organisation.”

According to the Guyana nominee, in the past five years at theUnitedNations,shehaslistened carefully to the perspectives of member states, including her own, and engaged with the wider internationalcommunityonabroad range of issues concerning the UnitedNations.

Across these conversations, Ambassador Rodrigues –Birkett noted that there is a growing sense of frustration that the UN is not deliveringasitshould.

“I was especially exposed to these sentiments during Guyana’s recent tenure on the security council. At the same time, and in everyconversation,Ialsoheardand felt the strong commitment of member states to make the United

agencies are...

Frompage12 criticism at the state narrative, which suggested the weapons were intercepted via intelligenceled operations but also noted they entered through official maritime wharvesinGeorgetown.

“Itwouldappearasthoughthe security forces are somewhat reactiveinthattheywilltellusthat thesethingsaresomeintelligenceled operation,” Slowe remarked. “But if you have a proper intelligence system, then maybe they should be prevented because they too are suggesting that these things came through the wharves. Well, if they came through the wharves, why were they not detected at that point and prevented from entering into the country?”

Slowe concluded bluntly that the “failureis at the border;at the wharves,” questioning how many past shipments may have slipped through unnoticed. He noted that smugglers appear confident in exploiting Guyana’s poorly monitored borders and stated that a professional investigation must aggressively probe for internal corruptionandpotentialcollusion withinstateagencies.

“Ifyoulookatthepicture,you

Nationstrulyfitforpurpose.

Even though we have heard thesewordsmanytimesbefore,this ambition goes beyond rhetoric,” shesaidaddingthatcomingfroma small, developing state, she has seen firsthand the value of the United Nations in the lives of peopleallovertheworld,”shesaid.

The Guyanese candidate asserted that the UN’s global impact cannot be understated and gounnoticed.

“The UN has set global standards on a broad spectrum of issues From decolonisation to dispute resolution; from the safety of our skies to regulating our oceans; from poverty reduction to disease prevention, improved

access to education, cultural preservation, and humanitarian responses.”

“No country is untouched by the work of the United Nations Many of our countries exist today as independent nations because of the decolonisation work of the United Nations There are countries represented in this room that can attest to the United Nations’ role in accompanying them on the path to peace and are now enjoying greater stability precisely because of the service and sacrifice of our UN peacekeepers,”shecontinued Rodrigues –Birkett said while theUN’sfullachievementsmaynot be widely recognised, its impact is clear across every region of the world. “Indeed, it is difficult to imagine what this world would have looked like without the presenceoftheUNanditsconflict prevention and resolution work undertaken through diplomacy, peacekeeping, and international cooperation.”

Even as she underscored accomplishments of the UN, the candidate said she is compelled to berealisticaboutitschallenges.

To this end she noted “The proliferationofconflictsandcrises, the slow pace in achieving the SDGs, and the ongoing liquidity crisis facing the organisation, are just three examples of what confrontsustoday.

“Infact,theUNreformagenda isanacknowledgementthattheUN

of today needs to do things differently and better Improving efficiencies in the secretariat, how the organisation treats with mandates and the structural alignment of the organisation will together have a positive impact system wide. And thus, I have presentedavisionthatbuildsupon theachievementswhileresponding directlytothechallengesweface,” Rodrigues–Birkettsaid.

Sheexplainedthathervisionis one that centers around reasserting the UN’s core principles and purposes; reforming its systems and practices; and together with memberstates,rallyingtowardsthe goal of a more agile and effective organisation.

“One that also delivers equally across all three pillars – peace and security, development, and human rights...”

The secretary general hopeful has pledged to be proactive in engagingmemberstates,tousethe tools available to advance the purposes and principles enshrined in the UN Charter, and to ensure thattheUnitedNationsisnotonthe peripheryofissuesthathaveglobal impact. “If appointed secretary general, I will work hand-in-hand with the 193 member states of this organisationanditsstaff,aswellas in partnership with regional and sub-regional organisations, civil society,andotherstakeholders–to achieve this shared objective,” the Guyanese ambassador told the assembly.

realise that it is very, very worrying,” Slowe warned, noting that the national security architecture has failed to keep pace with the rapid economic transformation and shifting demographics of the country, specifically highlighting challenges tied to the influx of foreign nationals, such as Venezuelans, one of whom has been charged in connection with thisdiscovery

To dismantle the network, Slowe urged the government to look past political finger-pointing and call in international agencies like the FBI, Interpol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, FirearmsandExplosives(ATF)to utilize advanced forensics to restore the obliterated serial numbers and trace the manufacturing origins in the UnitedStates.

Despite his warnings about operationalreadinessandtraining, Slowe concluded on a reassuring note regarding state firepower: “The law enforcement agencies are well-armed... I don’t believe thatthecriminalnetworksthatyou have can outgun the law enforcement agencies that we have.”

High Court awards West Demerara man $1.6M over wrongful arrest

The High Court has awarded West Bank Demerara man $1.6M worth in compensatory damages forunlawfularrestanddetention.

According to court documents seen by this publication, Justice Simone Morris awarded Mikhail Miggins of La Parfaite Harmonie, WestBankDemerarathesumafter she determined that his arrest by members of the Guyana Police Force was unlawful and a contravention of his fundamental right not to be deprived of his personalliberty

The judge found too that Miggin’s detention at the Parfaite Harmonie Police Station from the 4thto18thNovember,2024wasin contravention of his fundamental right not to be deprived of his personal liberty as guaranteed by Article139oftheConstitution.

Miggin’scasestatesthatonthe 14th November 2024, the police visited his home to effect an arrest of his brother He said while making inquiries about the dischargeofafirearmbythepolice during the arrest, Corporal Greene slapped his phone out of his hand and placed him along with his

brother in the police vehicle and took them to the Wales Police Station.

While at that police station, he continued to inquire regarding the shooting of his brother and Corporal Green instructed other rankstolockhimupfordisorderly behaviour and obstructing the police. He stated that the police then took away his cellular phone, ordered him back into the police vehicleandtookhimtotheParfaite PoliceStation.

Miggins advanced in his claim before the court that he was detained at that police station until the 18th November, 2024 when he wasplacedbeforethecourt.Hesaid during his period in custody, no allegation of the commission of an offencewasputtohim.

He testified that, upon appearing before Magistrate Weever, a summary charge of fraudulent conversion was read to him. He noted that the magistrate observedthatthechargewasbadin law and could not be substantiated and that this resulted in the withdrawal of the matter by the prosecutor

According to the document, Miggins was wanted for the criminal offense of fraudulent conversion The arrest was triggered by a commercial complaint alleging that the claimant (Miggins) had accepted moneyforcustomfurnituresetthat wasneverdeliveredtothebuyer

However, Justice Morris found that the underlying dispute was strictly a private, civil matter regarding a breach of contract, ratherthanacriminalact.

In her assessment of the financial compensation, the judge rejected Miggins’ auxiliary demands for damages relating to assault, battery, malicious prosecution, and the unlawful deprivation of property, citing insufficient evidence to support thosespecificclaims.

She noted however that the evidence, Miggins was kept in police custody for four days without justification, there was no evidence suggesting he posed a flight risk, nor was there any plausible reason to deny him standard station bail during the initialhoursofhisdetention.

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Over2800ricefarmersinRegions5,6to benefit from $3B assistance programme

Over 2800 rice farmers in Regions Five and Six are slatedtobenefitfromthe$3B assistance programme recently announced by PresidentIrfaanAli.

Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha, on Wednesdaymetwithricecultivation committees from the two regions, to discuss findings stemming from a series of field visits, alongside verificationexerciseswhichwere conducted to identify which farmers were eligible for the initiative, the Agri. ministry said in a statement.

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During his address to the committee members, Mustaphastressedtheimportanceofmaintainingaccuracy and transparency throughout the process used to verify farmers.

He reminded that the administration is committed to ensuring assistance reaches theintendedbeneficiariesand that the integrity of the exercise is upheld.

The initiative is part of a targetedinterventionbygovernmenttosupportricefarmers countrywide. Farmers who cultivate 50 acres and belowwillreceive$15,000per acre,whilefarmerscultivating morethan50acreswillreceive $10,000peracre.

On May 1, President Ali announced a $3B in support forricefarmers.

Addressingthefarmersat the meeting held at the ACCC, he said the government has been making huge investmentsinthericeindustrysinceitsreturntoofficein

Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha address the committee members at the meeting.

2020,workingtoensuredrainageandirrigationisimproved and investing in research and development to improve yields.

He said there are plans overthenextfiveyearstoaddress the farm-to-market roads, and critical dams, which will allow farmers to continue their work under the different weather conditions and patterns.

“These investmentswehave been making continuously and will make continue to make,becausewewanttoensure that we are able to get

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Govt developing emergency response plan for Wales Gas-to-Energy project – PM

The government is developing a dedicated emergency response contingency plan for the Wales Gas-to-Energy project as part of efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness aroundthelandmarkenergy initiative, Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips announced on Tuesday during the opening of the 14th Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM14) at the Pe-

gasus Suites and Corporate Centre.

“Guyana continues to strengthen its disaster risk management framework to support the country’s rapidly expanding economy, and growing energy sector…. a gas-to-energy emergency response contingency plan is in development,” the prime minister stated.

ThePMexplainedthatresilienceandnationaldevelopment are interconnected increasingly, particularly as

Guyanaisinvestingheavily into critical infrastructure that will expand its energy footprint.

“As we build new infrastructureandexpandourenergy capacity, the task of protecting those assets and the communities around them grows every year,” he said.

He also noted that the project-specific contingency plan is part of a broader package of safety measuresthatarebeingsystematically implemented through the Civil Defence Commission(CDC)inanaim to improve the country’s readiness for both natural and technological hazards.

“These comprehensive measuresincludetheimplementation of the Oil Pollution Prevention, Preparedness, Response and ResponsibilityAct,thelegislative advancement of a modernised Disaster Risk Management Bill, and the expansion of multi-hazard early warning systems utilising geographic informationsystems(GIS),satellitetelemetry,andadvanced information and communications technology (ICT),” the statement further said.

Cricket West Indies Welcomes BRONX COLORS as Official Cosmetics Partner of West Indies Women for

ST.JOHN’S,Antigua Cricket West Indies (CWI) today announced a new partnership with BRONX C O L O R S , t h e internationally recognised urban-inspired cosmetics brand, which will serve as the Official Cosmetics Partner of the West Indies Senior Women’s Team for the duration of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026inEnglandandWales.

The partnership brings

together one of the Caribbean’s most iconic sporting teams and a beauty brand renowned for its commitment to inclusivity, self-expression and confidence Through the agreement, BRONX COLORS branding will appear on the non-leading sleeve of the team’s playing shirts throughout the World Cup.

The “Maroon Warriors” are currently competing in theGroupstageoftheglobal tournament,withaspirations ofadvancingtotheknockout stages and challenging for global honours, particularly after taking down defending champions New Zealand in theiropeningfixture.

CWI Event Manager, DarioBarthley,whoinitiated the partnership, welcomed BRONX COLORS to the

West Indies cricket family and highlighted the significance of the partnershipforthecontinued growthofwomen’scricket.

“Cricket West Indies is delighted to welcome BRONX COLORS as an officialpartnerofourSenior Women’s Team during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup This partnership represents the growing commercial appeal of women’s cricket and the tremendous value our players continue to create both on and off the field.

Friday June 19, 2026

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

A project that you're rather excited about could require some intense solitary work today, Aries You might sometimes feel as if the walls areclosinginonyou,butyou needtoconcentrateinorderto getthebestpossibleresults.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Have you been spending a lot of time pushing your body physically, Taurus? If so, you may be feeling the effects today Muscle aches and exhaustion could be taking theirtollonyou.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

A troubled night with little sleep could have you feeling outofsortsandnotlikedoing muchsocializingtoday.Ifyou can, workonprojectsathome alone where you can stop and takeanapifyouwant.

CANCER(June21–July22)

Perhaps you were able to see friends or neighbors a day or so ago, Cancer, but today you don't feel like socializing Nervestrainandotherstresses might leave you more in the moodtobealone.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

You probably aren't going to feelverysocialtoday,Leo.In fact, you're likely to want to work on projects and tasks aloneifyoucan.Thismightbe goodforyou.

VIRGO(Aug 23–Sept 22)

The need to concentrate may necessitate that you isolate yourselfinordertofullyfocus onthetaskathand,Virgo.This is fortunate, because you'll probably accomplish a lot more than you would otherwise.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Researchonasubjectrelatedto a project could have you heading to a place where you can read without being constantly distracted Your concentration is high, you're likelytoaccomplishalot.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)

Todayyoumightspendalotof time running errands, Scorpio. You could run into friends or neighbors, but you probably won't feel like stopping to talk withthem.

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

Other responsibilities could forceyoutopostponeworkon personal projects that mean a lot to you. This could be frustrating, Sagittarius, and you're likely to want to sequester yourself with whateveryouneedtodo.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Stress from overwork could have you feeling weaker than usual.Youmightbetemptedto stayathome,getsomerest,and recoupyourenergies.Dothisif youcan,Capricorn.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

You might feel a little gloomy today, and perhaps have no idea why It might be a good idea to retrace your steps for thepastdayorso.Lookwithin tofindoutifanythingyoumay haveseencouldhaveawakened unconsciousmemories

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

One of your closest friends could be in a rotten mood today, Pisces This person might be short with everyone and not inclined to communicate why This could be due more to personal problemsandlittle.

the T20 World Cup

BRONX COLORS is a brand that celebrates confidence, individuality, and inclusivity, qualities strongly displayed by our women. We look forward to collaboratingthroughoutthe tournament and building a relationship that showcases both the personalities of our playersandthevaluesshared bythetwoorganisations.”

Expres

heir excitement about the partnership was BRONX COLORS’ Head of Sales, D e v e l o p m e n t & Communications, Tanita Caroline Le Roux: “We are incredibly proud to partner with the West Indies Senior Women’s Team during such animportantglobalmoment

BRONX COLORS is built on the belief that makeup is not about perfection. It is about confidence, identity andself-expression.Today’s beauty consumer is looking formorethancoverage;they want quality, performance, value and products that help them express who they are. As co

our cosmetics continues to rebound and bold makeup returns in a more intentional, wearable and social-first way, this partnership allows us to celebrate women who embody confidence, individuality and fearless expression both on and off the field. The West Indies Women represent energy, pride,resilienceandcultural power—valuesthatsitatthe h e a r t o f B R O N X COLORS.”

The partnership further demonstrates Cricket West Indies’ commitment to growing the commercial profile of women’s cricket while creating valuable opportunities for brands to connect with the passion, pride and global reach of WestIndiescricket.

Rama Krishna boys book their place in the finals in latest Windball Cricket results

Rama Krishna boys booked their place in the finals of the NSC MCYS ASTP, Sports Officer A Munroe organisedReturnofPrimarySchoolboys Windball Cricket played inside the National Gymnasium. Rama Krishna boysadvancedaftertheydefeatedSaint Agnes.SaintAgnesafterbeensendinto bat made 77 -5 off their 5 overs with Israel Alphonso not out on 40 (6s x 4) and Caiden Loncke 16. Rama Krishna turn in the middle saw them reaching theirtarget78-0,withKevinKlass40(6s x6)andMikhailNelson27.

The other semi will be played tomorrow, Saturday, June 20, 2026 commencing at 5:30pm, Comenius vs Stella Maris, with the 3rd place and finalssetforlaterintheevening.

Meanwhile, the curtain will also comedownintheSmaltainpartnership with the NSC MCYS ASTP Girls competition the same evening, parents are invited to bring out the family and come have a night to remember at WindballCricket.

SaintThomasMorecomeupagainst WestRuimveldtFinals,whileinthe3rd Place,RamaKrishnatackleSaintPius.

present.

Switzerland crush Bosnia

4-1

at Group B World Cup match in LA

INGLEWOOD, California, (Reuters) - Switzerland found the keys to break down a resolute Bosnia and Herzegovina defence with four late goals in a 4-1 win thanks to a brace from Johan Manzambiandfurtherstrikesfrom fellowsubstituteRubenVargasand captain Granit Xhaka with a penalty

Bosnia,whohadrepelledallof Switzerland’sattacksuntilthe74th minuteintheGroupBclash,finally cracked and allowed 20-year-old Manzambitonetthefirstofhistwo goals just three minutes after he enteredthepitch.

Moments later a red card for Bosnia’sTarikMuharemovicmade the team’s situation desperate and the Swiss took full advantage with threemoregoalsinthelastminutes of the match, including Xhaka’s spotkickatthedeath.

The Swiss, who have four points and need one more from theirfinalgroupgametoguarantee a place in the Round of 32 as winnersorrunners-up,faceCanada in‘VancouveronWednesdaywhen Bosnia, who have one point, meet QatarinSeattle.

SWITZERLAND DOMINATE POSSESSION

The first half saw the Swiss dominate possession, with the Bosnians in a tight defensive shell around their 18-yard box Switzerland’s attacks were

constantly frustrated, though, with fewchancesatgoal,whileBosnia’s counter-attacksfizzled.

In the minutes before halftime, Bosnia striker Edin Dzeko ended up in dangerous positions in front of the Swiss goal but his side were notabletoconvertanychances.

After the first-half stalemate, moreofthesamefollowed,withthe Bosnia’s defence blunting attacks and Swiss possession providing fewopportunities.

Bosnia played aggressively, picking up two yellow cards, including one for Dzeko just after thehourmark,withthe40-year-old soonsubstituted.

The Swiss faced a perilous situation when just before the hydration break a Bosnia attack provided two clear opportunities, butthewas‘seenoff.

SWITZERLAND SUBSTITUTE

MANZAMBI BREAKS DEADLOCK

Thedeadlockwasbrokenwhen Manzambiscoredwitharight-foot shotthatkeeperNikolaVasiljgota glove to but merely deflected into the net after a half-hearted defensiveclearance.

Switzerland played with renewedvigourwhileBosniawere rattled, their resolute defence becomingragged.

Muharemovic was then shown aredcardafter80minuteswhenhe charged down forward Breel

Embolo just outside the box as he closedinontheBosniagoal.

Afewminuteslateraswarming Swiss attack put Bosnia in a desperate situation, with Vargas firingthe‘ballintothebottomright cornertomakeit2-0.

Their situation became almost impossible after 90 minutes when Manzambi scored again, with Vargasassisting.

EarlyinstoppagetimeBosnia’s Ermin Mahmic, who had just been brought on, scored a consolation goal with a volley from just inside thebox.

Moments later Xhaka converted his penalty after Djibril ‘Sow was fouled by Amar Memic to send the Swiss fans home beaming.

Switzerland were considered the favourites to top Group B, which also includes co-hosts Canada, but a 1-1 draw with unfancied Qatar in their opening match dented their campaign. The flurryofgoalsonThursdayshould allayanyconcerns.

The stadium’s 70,000 ‘seats were a sea of Bosnia blue with scattered islands of Swiss red, revealing a crowd heavily favouringBosnia,withachorusof boosgreetingtheappearanceofthe Switzerland players onto the pitch and boos and whistles whenever a Swiss player moved into an attackingposition.

Banks DIH Ltd announces sponsorship of GSL

- Iconic XM Rum Brand to activate at Providence, July 23 – August 1

Ba n k s D I H

Limited, one of G u y a n a ’ s foremost manufacturers and a cornerstone of the nation’s commercial landscape for over 70 years, yesterday announceditsroleasamajor sponsor of the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League(GSL)2026.

The tournament runs from July 23 to August 1 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, and features five of the world’s elite T20 franchise teams competing for a US$1 millionprizepool.

Sonya Forrester, Communications Executive, Banks DIH Limited informed, “As part of the sponsorship,BanksDIHwill activate its premium XM Rum brand at the tournament. We believe this tobeafittingassociationfor a p r o d u c t t h a t i s authentically Guyanese, internationally recognised, and built on a legacy of quality and craft. XM Rum, produced locally and celebrated across the Caribbean and beyond, reflects the same pride of place that the GSLbrings to

Oral Jones, Brand Manager, Player Jonathon Van Lange Amazon Warrior, Avenash Ramzan, PR and Communications Lead GSL, Sonya Forrester Communications Executive Banks DIH Limited, Lee Baptiste Sales and Marketing Executive, with other members of the XM Rum Team at Thirst Park.

Guyana on the global sportingstage.”

“Cricket and Banks DIH have something in common, we are both woven into the fabric of Guyanese life. For over 70 years, Banks DIH has been part of the celebrations, the gatherings, and the proud moments that define who we are as a people. The Global Super Leagueisanaturalhomefor our XM Rum brand, and we

are proud to stand alongside an event that carries Guyana’s name and spirit ontotheworldstage.”

Meanwhile, Sir Clive Lloyd, Chairman of the ExxonMobilGuyanaGlobal SuperLeaguestated,“Asthe Global Super League continuestogrowinstature, it is immensely encouraging to see corporate Guyana remain steadfast in its supportofthetournament.A

keyobjectiveoftheleagueis to showcase the vibrancy, culture, and potential of our beautiful country as it continues to strengthen its presenceontheglobalstage. Wearedelightedtowelcome XM Rum, one of Guyana’s most respected and iconic brands,totheGSLfamily.”

“Their partnership r e f l e c t s a s h a r e d commitment to excellence and national pride, and we

are confident they will play an important role in helping us showcase the very best that Guyana has to offer to audiences around the world.”

Defending champions, the Guyana Amazon Warriors, will look to retain the trophy before a home crowdatProvidence.

Thissponsorshipreflects Banks DIH’s longstanding commitment to investing in the communities, culture, and experiences that matter mosttoGuyanesepeople.

The company views the GSL not only as a worldclasssportingeventbutasan affirmation of Guyana’s growing stature as a destination for international sport,tourism,andbusiness.

Ti c k e t s f o r t h e ExxonMobilGuyanaGlobal Super League 2026 are a v a i l a b l e n o w a t www.gslt20.com. Fans are encouraged to purchase early to secure their place at what promises to be another landmark edition of the tournament.

Now in its third edition, the GSL has firmly established itself on the global T20 calendar The 2026 tournament features five elite franchises: the Guyana Amazon Warriors (Caribbean Premier League), Lahore Qalandars (Pakistan Super League), Desert Vipers (International League T20), Perth Scorchers XI (Big Bash League), and the San Francisco Unicorns (Major League Cricket) the first MajorLeagueCricketsideto competeontheglobalstage.

Future Warriors Tapeball shifts to Anna Regina National Stadium on June 20-21

Following highly competitive and s u c c e s s f u l regionallegs,theexcitement of the ExxonMobil Future

Warriors Tapeball Tournament officially shifts to the Essequibo Zone this weekend, June 20-21, at the Anna Regina National Stadium. The tournament has already crowned two

regional champions Demerara was won by West Ruimveldt, while Berbice was claimed by St. Therese Primary

With their respective

victories, the New

Amsterdam-based St Therese Primary joins Demerara champions West Ruimveldt in the highly

anticipated national postseasonlineup.

16 primary schools from the Essequibo region will battle it out in a knockout format starting Saturday morning.

Theparticipatingschools include: Riverstown Primary, Taymouth Manor Primary, Hampton Court Primary, Lima Sands

Primary, Good Hope Primary,SpartaPrimary,8th of May Primary, CV Nunes Primary, Huis T’ Dieren Primary, Mainstay Lake Primary, Onderneeming Primary, Fisher Primary, Charity Primary, Friendship Primary, Capoey Primary, SuddiePrimary

Reflecting on the tournament’s journey so far, Tournament Director John Ramsingh shared his enthusiasm ahead of the upcomingweekend.

“Ithasbeengreatforthe tournament so far We have w i t n e s s e d s o m e exceptionally good cricket from these young players, and now we are in the final leg of the regional qualifiers

Weexpecttheenergyand talentinEssequibotomatch,

Part of the action Albion Sports Complex last weekend.

if not exceed, what we have seen across Demerara and Berbice,”Ramsinghstated. Beyond the silverware, thetournamenthighlightsan institutional focus on moderncricketmetrics. The top four schools from each zone receive comprehensive equipment bags, agility kits, and electronicscoringtablets.

Theintegrationoftablets is designed to introduce young players to the digital mechanics of online match scoring, bridging the gap between recreational play anddataanalysis.

To ensure lasting development, all 16 participating schools also leave with baseline fitness equipment.

The regional champions crowned this weekend will progresstotheChampionof Championstournamentlater this year, scheduled for AugustorSeptember

The stakes remain incredibly high, as the ultimate winner of that national phase will earn a novelty fixture against the GuyanaAmazonWarriors.

Admission to the Anna Regina National Stadium is entirely free, and members ofthepublicareencouraged to come out and support the future stars of Guyanese cricket.

Amazon Warriors newbie Van

Lange amped up ahead of 2026 GSL/CPL seasons

- Eager to soak up game from teammates like Hetmyer/Rutherford, others

DynamicGuyana andWestIndies

U - 1 9 a l lrounder Jonathan Van Lange,saidhe’sreadytodo what it takes to ensure his new team, the Guyana Amazon Warriors’ retain their ExxonMobil Guyana GlobalSuperLeaguetitleas preparationsrampupahead ofthisseason.

TheGSL2026bowlsoff fromJuly23toAugust1in Guyana, with the Warriors looking to defend their crown at home against a bevyoftopstarswhowillbe

representing their respective franchises from aroundtheglobe.

Van Lange was named

r e p l a c e m e n t f o r wicketkeeper/batter Amir Jangoo, a move which was enforced by the reigning champions after the elegant Trinidadian was selected to the West Indies Testsquad

Van Lange, a West Indies Under-19 standout, scored a century on his senior Four-Day debut for Guyana Harpy Eagles

against West Indies Academy in May this year andfollowedupwithaneven fifty in the final of the West

I n d i e s F o u r - D a y Championship against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force.

A hard-hitting middle-

Need for Speed Series Championship Round One…

All roads lead to Thomaslands

has certainly been a dream year for him, as his goals remain being the best version of himself while maintaining his high standards of class as one of Guyana’s purest all-round athletes.

The all-rounder said he’s working diligently on his fitness, an area he admitted he had brushes withinthepastbuthasbeen putting in the extra work to ensure he remains in peak physical condition and form.

Guyana/West Indies U-19 all-rounder Jonathan Van Lange, said he’s ready to do what it takes to ensure his new team, the Guyana Amazon Warriors retain their ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League crown.

order batter and lively medium-pacer, the 19-yearold has also been named in the Guyana Amazon Warriors squad for the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League, billed for August7toSeptember20.

Speakingbrieflywiththe media onThursday atThirst Park during the launch of Banks DIH XM Rum’s partnership alongside the GSL, Van Lange said 2026

Despite being a star in his own right, the Harpy Eaglesnewbiesaidhewants to learn as much as he can from the players, especially histeammateslikeShimron H

, Rom

io Shepherd and others; while l

cricket fan base which has been known to throw their full support behind their younglocalstars.

Meanwhile, the Amazon Warriors will be looking to staveoffthelikesof;Lahore Qalandars of Pakistanreturning for their second stint in the Global Super League- and newcomers Desert Vipers of the UAE, Perth Scorchers XI of Australia and the San FranciscoUnicornsofUSA, when action bowls off this season.(CliftonRoss)

G E O R G E T O W N , Guyana, - The two-day racing extravaganza that kicks off an action-packed month of motorsport starts today at the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) Thomaslands venuewiththefirstroundof the Need for Speed Karting Championship.

The Jumbo Jet events race meet gets going today with the official qualifying segmentfrom5:00p.m.with the GX200 class, followed by the SuperMoto Junior (85cc), Briggs Female, SuperMoto Senior (250cc), Briggs Rookie (Over 35), IAME X30, Briggs Junior, BriggsSeniorHeavy,Briggs Veteran, Briggs Cadet and BriggsSeniorLightclasses.

Tomorrow, Saturday, action across the 11 classes will begin from 8:00 a.m. with the opening of pits and scrutineering. Drivers will then attend a mandatory briefing at 8:45 a.m. before final preparations get underway The National Anthem is scheduled for 9:00 a.m., followed by final grid staging and driver preparation.

Racing action starts at 9:15 a.m. with the opening heat for the Honda GX200

class. The day’s programme will continue at 15-minute intervals, featuring the SuperMoto Junior (85cc), Briggs Female, SuperMoto Senior (250cc), Briggs Rookie (Over 35), IAME X30, Briggs Junior, Briggs Senior Heavy, Briggs Veteran, Briggs Cadet and BriggsSeniorLightclasses.

F o l l o w i n g t h e completion of Heat One, competitors and officials will break for lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. before returning to the track for Heat Two, which gets underwayimmediatelyafter HeatTwoisexpectedtoplay a crucial role in determining starting positions and momentum heading into the championshipfinals.Drivers willhavelittleroomforerror as every point could prove decisive in the race for top honours.

A short 20-minute break is scheduled from 3:30 p.m. to 3:50 p m before the championship finals commence.

The finals will once again feature all 11 categories, with each race expected to deliver intense wheel-to-wheel competition asdriverspushforvictory

O r g a n i s e r s a r e anticipating another strong turnout of racers and spectators as the Need for Speed Series continues to grow in popularity among Guyana’s motorsport community

With experienced racers, rising young talents and several closely contested championships on the line, fans can expect a full day of high-speed action and entertainment at the G5S Speedway

Promoters have noted that race lengths, class schedules and event format may be adjusted if required due to weather, safety concerns or operational considerations.

However, the focus remainsfirmlyondelivering another exciting chapter in the Need for Speed Series. With championship honours at stake and bragging rights on the line, all roads lead to the G5S Speedway this Saturday for what promises tobeanaction-packeddayof kartingcompetition.

The championship showdown will conclude with the award ceremony at 6:50 p.m., where the top threefinishersineveryclass will be recognised for their performances.

Bartica set for exciting inaugural Super Cup

Futsal Championship

Bartica is gearing up for an electrifying showcaseoffutsaltalentwiththeinaugural edition of the Bartica Super Cup Futsal Championship, which is scheduled to take placeonJuly16and17,withthegrandfinale penciled in for July 19 at the Bartica CommunityCentreHard-court.

The highly anticipated tournament will bring together some of Bartica’s most competitive and recognizable teams, including Mighty Ruler, Jones Avenue, Misdemeanor, Genosyde, Almanac Kings, Rivers View, Goal Raiders, Hill Top Boys, and Top Form among others. Fans can expect three days of intense competition, exciting rivalries, and high-quality futsal action.

With an attractive prize structure on offer,teamswillbattlefortophonoursanda share of the lucrative prize purse. The championship-winning team will receive $500,000, while the second, third, and fourth-place finishers will earn $300,000, $200,000,and$150,000,respectively

Thetournamentisbeingcoordinatedby siblingsBrianandOswinJoseph,alongside Troy Lambert and Ryan Hackett, who expressed their excitement about launching whattheyhopewillbecomeoneofBartica’s premiersportingevents.

“We are extremely excited to bring the

Bartica Super Cup Futsal Championship to the community for the very first time. The response from teams, sponsors, and supporters has been overwhelming, and we are confident that the tournament will deliverathrillingexperienceforplayersand fans alike while promoting sportsmanship, unity, and community engagement,” the coordinatorsstated.

The championship has attracted strong corporate and community backing from a number of sponsors, including Banks DIH Ltd, Rossignol Butchery, Trophy Stall, the Guyana Small Miners Association, TL DrainageDisposal,NASA’sTikiBar,Orin’s Kitchen, Z2 Supermarket and Bar, Ody’s Fuel, D’ Grill Kings, and Sheffield Inc amongothers.

The organizers have extended their gratitude to all sponsors and stakeholders whose support has made the event possible and are encouraging football enthusiasts from Bartica and surrounding communities to come out and support the teams throughoutthechampionship.

The Bartica Super Cup Futsal Championshippromisestodelivertop-class entertainment, fierce competition, and an unforgettable sporting atmosphere as teams vieforsupremacyandthecovetedinaugural title.

BCB launches Sohan Construction and Haniff

Contracting Companies U-23 tournament

Cricketers in the ancientcountyof Berbice can look forward to a packed cricket season once the weather improves as the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) is using the cricket break to secure sponsorship for

n u m e r o u s c r i c k e t tournamentsfromtheunder12leveltofirstdivision.The

board on Wednesday launched an under-23

t o u r n a m e n t w i t h

s p o n s o r s h i p f r o m contractors Chandra Sohan and Kaamodian Haniff at its Charlotte Street, New Amsterdamoffice.

The Sohan Construction and K. Haniff Construction

Companies under-23 tournament would be for players born on or after the firstofSeptember2003.

Chairman of the BCB

Cricket Competition Committee,LeslieSolomon, stated that the tournament would start as soon as the weather improves and clubs cangettheirvenuesinorder

The tournament is expected to attract at least twenty teams and several of the county’s best players are expectedtobepartofit.

Teams like Cotton Tree, Achievers,BushLot,Tucber Park, Rose Hall Canje, Mt Sinai, Guymine, Albion, Rose Hall Town Namilco

Thunderbolt, Port Mourant, No 73 Young Warriors and Skeldonareamongtheteams expected to feature in the tournament.

T h e u n d e r - 2 3 tournament is the latest in a seriesofcrickettournaments that the active board would behostingin2026.TheBCB

has already started its under16 and under19 tournamentsfortheyearand hasalsosecuredsponsorship for under12, under13, under17, under21, under23, intermediate, females and seconddivisiontournaments for the rest of the year The board has also acquired

sponsorship for a two days first division tournament along with the Ivan Madray 20/20 and a fifty overs sponsored by KSM Investments.

Players like Jonathan Ramp

Bharrat, Isai Thorne, Afraz Budhoo, Tommai Ceasar, Rampersaud Ramnauth, Rampertab Ramnauth, Adrian Hetmyer, Ronaldo Ramdeholl, Gibran Yacoob and Justin Doobay are some of the talented players expected to feature in the tournament.

Solomon disclosed that the tournament would be playedfiftyoverspersideon a knock out basis using the white ball and teams would be attired in coloured clothing. Interested teams have until the 10th of July to registertheirinteresttoplay

Sohan, who is also a prominent Attorney at Law inBerbice,statedthatheand co-sponsor Haniff were

delighted to join the BCB in itscontinuingefforttoliftthe standard of Berbice cricket. Berbice cricket, he stated, hasbeenastrongfoundation in the history of the West Indies game and he expressed confidence that the tournament would assist many promising players to boost their careers. Sohan, also expressed an interest in assisting the BCB in other developmental programmes foryouthcricketers.

Chairman of the BCB JuniorSelectionCommittee, Balram Samaroo stated that the tournament is an important bridge between the under19 and senior level for many players. He urged all the players to go out and perform to catch the eyes of theselectioncommittee.

BCB Administrator, Angela Haniff, expressed gratitude to Sohan and Kaamodian Haniff for their sponsorship and committed the board to organising a h i g h l y s u c c e s s f u l tournament.

Chessattractsover50youngpeopleinLeguan

Itwasaproudmilestoneforthe Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) on Saturday, June 13th, 2026, as students and teachers on Leguan Island participated in an introductory, one-day chess training exercise at the Leguan Secondary School. Located in the Essequibo River and originally settled by the Dutch, the 12 square mile agricultural community, is home to roughly 3,000 residents and is celebrated for its rich vegetationandruralcharm.

Nearly 60 participants, including students from Grade 3 and up, along with eight teachers fromacrosstheisland,tookpartin the intensive six-hour introductory workshop.

Attendees, which included thirty-five females, learned the fundamentals of the game, including piece movement, capturing of pieces, and executing basic checkmates. The children showed immense eagerness, patience,andresiliencethroughout the session. By the end of the day, they had successfully grasped the core concepts, laying a solid foundation to become strong players with continued practice. Theteachers,mostlyyoungadults, weregratefulfortheopportunityto learn the ancient game of chess. They successfully completed the training and were confidently playingbytheendofthesession.

Each participant was provided with an introductory chess manual to reinforce the lessons Furthermore, the five participating schools: Maryville Primary, Success Primary, Richmond Hill Primary, Eastern Leguan Primary, and Leguan Secondary - were tasked with launching internal chess clubs as an extra-curricular activity. Each school was gifted five chess sets to kickstart their programs,withtheGCFpromising

additional equipment as the clubs growanddevelop.

Ms Juliet Augustus, Headmistress of Maryville Primary,expressedhergratitudeto the federation for bringing the training program to the island. She highlightedhowmeaningfulitisto introduce chess to local schools, recognizingtheimmensevaluethe game brings to both students and teachers.

Raghunauth expressed great satisfaction with the high turnout, emphasizingthatintroducingchess to the school curriculum is crucial for youth development on the island. He assured educators that the federation remains fully committed to providing ongoing technical assistance and resources tosustainthenewlyformedclubs. The program was part of the GCF’s continuing expansion of chess in Region 3 and was led by

FIDE School Instructors Mrs Marcia Lee, Anand Raghunauth, Kim

Shing-Chong, Nellisha Johnson, and Ethan Lee. Other chess players and members of the federation: John Lee, Gilbert Williams, Ethen Pompey, Ronan Lee, Arysh Raghunauth, Angelina Yhap, and Chelsea Harrison assisted with the training program, lendingtheirexpertisetotheyoung students.

Future regional tournaments and expanded outreach campaigns are already in the works to ensure the continuous growth of chess acrossRegion3.

The GCF would like to thank theHeadteachersoftheschoolsfor their support in organising their studentsfortheprogram,especially Ms Augustus from Maryville Primary Thanks to the Leguan SecondarySchoolforprovidingthe venue This successful venture would not have been possible without the support of the Unit of Allied Arts and the Ministry of Education’sregionalbody

TheGCFalsoextendsaspecial thankyoutoMrs.IedaHarrisonof the federation’s events committee, whosehardworkandsupportonthe tripwereinvaluable.

Interested persons can join the federation by registering on guyanachess.gy. and follow the GCFonFacebookandInstagram.

Small nets double to send Camptown FC into final against Timehri United Elite League Qualifier

Though only one t e a m i s g u a r a n t e e d qualification, the stake remains high as two of the most exciting sides in the competition prepare to lock hornsonSundayinthe20262027EliteLeagueQualifier

With a coveted place in Guyana’s premier football championship on the line,

Timehri United and Camptown FC are now just 90 minutes away from securing their spot among thenation’selite.

Wednesday evening’s action narrowed the field to the final two contenders.

TimehriUnitedstormedpast Beaver’s FC with a commanding 4-0 victory, all four goals arriving after the interval, while Camptown FC conquered Potaro Strikers 3-0 behind a brace from the in-form Ozeal Small.

It was a delightful moment in local football, both outfits having a semblance of youth in the squad,battlingforaplaceon the country’s biggest footballstage.Smallandhis mencontinuetothriveasone ofthedrivingforcesbehinda

rejuvenatedCamptownside, while youth star Nyron Barrowhasdemonstratedhis ability to deliver in crucial moments, carrying his impressiveformfromschool (age group) football into the seniorranks.

The double-header certainly lived up to expectations, producing seven goals across two matches as both victorious sides underlined their championship credentials

Each team ticked all the necessaryboxestoreachthis stageandnowstandonestep away from qualification glory

CamptownFCwillenter the final brimming with confidence after another polished display Several players have stepped up throughout the tournament, with Small and Jamal Sedockprovinginstrumental against Potaro Strikers Small broke the deadlock

doubledtheadvantageinthe 61st m

from the penalty spot late in the first half, giving Camptown a crucial 1-0 advantage heading into the break Potaro enjoyed periods of attacking pressure, but Camptown’s backlinestoodfirm,snuffing out danger whenever called upon.

Chasing a one-goal deficit is never easy, and although Potaro increased the tempo after halftime, Camptow

ng emphatically past the goalkeeper to put his side firmly in control. Sedock then capped a disciplined defensive performance by finding the scoresheet in stoppage time, sealing a comprehensive 3-0 triumph and sending Camptown into the decider clash this Sunday TimehriUnitedfollowed with another compelling performance, dismantling Beaver’s FC 4-0 in a dominant second-half display Beavers had been among the tournament’s strongest teams, but a lapse shortly after the restart proved costly Leroy Evans broke the deadlock just two minutes into the second half with a clinical finish to put Timehriahead. The floodgates soon opened Barrow added a second (goal) eight minutes later, leaving Beaver’s chasing shadows Shawn Steele then produced one of themomentsoftheevening, collecting the ball centrally after a deflected effort,

taking a touch to steady himself before unleashing a magnificent strike that burst through the goalkeeper’s gloves and into the back of thenet.

With Beaver’s defence struggling to contain the relentless pressure, Michael Correia delivered the final blow deep into stoppagetime, putting the finishing touchesonacommanding40 victory and booking Timehri’s place in the winner-take-allfinale.

Will it be Timehri United’s rising stars, or can Camptown FC complete its resurgence?

Either way, Sunday’s showdown promises to be a fascinating tactical battle, with both teams possessing the quality to threaten from the opening whistle. The midfield contest, in particular, could prove decisive as possession, pressure and transition play are likely to dictate the outcome.

Football supporters can witnesstheactionliveatthe National Training Centre, where kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. One match. Onechampion.

Sri Lanka fast-bowler Lahiru Kumara bowled with class for his first innings 4-fer

The West Indies SelectXIgaineda slight edge after KirkMcKenziestruckaDay 1 half-century to kickstart the 4-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka which bowled off yesterday at the Coolidge Cricket Ground Antigua.

Led by Guyana Harpy EaglescaptainTevinImlach, thehostshadamixeddayas they somewhat struggled significantly against a disciplined Sri Lankan bowlingattack.

The West Indies Select XIfoundthemselvesindeep trouble at tea, slipping to 153-8 after 50 overs before thetailpushedthefinaltotal to205inthe62ndover

At stumps, Sri Lanka were 38-1, trailing by 167 runs with Nishan Maduksha lookingsettledon25*off29

2026

Sri Lanka Tour of West Indies, 4-Day warm-up match Day 1…

McKenzie fifty brightens gloomy opening day for WI Select XI

- Sri Lanka trail by 167-run with 9 wickets remaining

contributions came from the bowlers who did a great job in keeping the vessel afloat as the Windies were heavily

Half-centurion, West Indies opener Kirk McKenzie kept his cool during a tough opening day. (Cricinfo pic)

deliveries (5x4) with the veteran Dinesh Chandimal (5*) at his side, come today whenthehuntresumes.

Guyana Harpy Eagles speedster Nial Smith (1-19), got the much-needed breakthrough prior to close ofplayondayone,removing LahiruUdara(7).

Earlier, Windies opener Kirk McKenzie signalled his intentions early with a solid 58 off 107 balls (5x4 2x6) as he led the batting charge, despite losing his partner Ackeem Auguste (12) before the pair could actuallydigin Middle-order batsman Kevin Wickham chipped in with 20 while Guyanese allround

K

o Paul continuedtobathimselfinto form across all formats with aniceresurgentknockof36 (2x42x6).

indebted to the trio of Nial Smith (19*), Ojay Shields (16)andAlzarriJoseph(12).

Pacer Lahiru Kumara who dismissed Auguste,

Jonathan Drakes (0) and Guyanese gloveman Kemol Savory (7), wrapped up his first innings outing with 439.

Help came from Ashith Fernando (2-26) who bowled well with the additionalsupportfromfour otherbowlerswhoreturneda wicketeach.

Action continues today (CliftonRoss)