Kaieteur News

GuySuCo CEO says sugar workers being paid, no salary cuts for senior staff

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Paul Cheong on Wednesday saidsugarworkersarebeing paid, pushing back against reports that there have been salarycutsforseniorstaff.

Subsequent to a post on Facebook by the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) on Saturday, Kaieteur News contacted Minister of Agriculture as well as the CEO to confirm the allegations.

In its post, WIN alleged that over 60 sugar workers attached to the Uitvlugt Estate have not received salaries for some three months now, and that senior staff across the four estates arefacingcutsintheirsalary

The party then listed the

key concerns of those workersreachingouttothem as, “approximately 60 workers at various levels attached to Uitvlugt Estate havenotreceivedsalariesfor the past three months

Monies have been cut for senior staff, including the 2025 (8%) and 2026 (9%) salary increases Senior management staff across all four estates; Uitvlugt, Albion, Blairmont and Rose Hall have had their salaries slashed by nearly $100,000.”

Thestatementwentonto say that the workers are holdingtothebeliefthatthey are being misled and taken advantage of in regards to t h e a g r e e d w a g e adjustments.

“The PPP lied to the

sugar workers yet again to trick them into voting for PPP The Head of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), Seepaul Narine, who also serves as a sitting Member of Parliament, has failed to provide proper representation to affected workers.Hisdualroleraises concerns about a conflict of interest and whether sugar workers will ever receive

representation under this government,”WINstated.

T

claiming that reportedly at least two sugar workers attached to the Uitvlugt Estate were victimised and then immediately removed fromtheunionafterstanding

Almost 100 govt. contracts now available on new procurement website

As of March 4, the government has 99 procurement opportunities available on its newlylaunchede-procurementwebsite.

Fromchecksmadebythispublicationon Wednesday, the website has procurement opportunitiesavailableforsome13agencies.

The agencies include the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministries of Finance, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Public Works, Public Utilities & Aviation, Human Services and Social Security, Education, Housing,Health,andLegalAffairs.Thereare also contracts for the Region Democratic CouncilofRegionsTwoandSix.

Some of the procurement opportunities available include proposals for the design, engineer, construct (and then operate), an ammonia/ureaplantwhichisbeingtendered throughtheOfficeofthePrimeMinister;the procurement of vessel tracking devices for the agriculture ministry; consulting services for independent administrator services for preparation of Guyana's 8th and 9th EITI reports(FY2024&2025)fortheMinistryof NaturalResourcesjusttonameafew

opportunities can be accessible via the link: https://eprocure.gov.gy/

It was reported that on February 24, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), under the auspicesoftheMinistryofFinance,officially launched a government procurement opportunitieswebsiteaimedatstrengthening transparency, accountability and open competition across Guyana's public procurementsystem.

NPTAB in a statement disclosed that the newplatformwillserveastheprimaryonline portal for the publication of all procurement opportunities for government agencies.This initiative represents a significant step in modernising Guyana's public procurement system and ensuring equitable access to opportunities for contractors, suppliers, and consultants, the ministry said in a press

up against these issues Leading WIN to question how it is expected that persons survive without finances in a country with a highcostofliving?

Highlighting that persons depend heavily on their salaries to feed and provide for themselves and theirfamilies,WINiscalling on the Minister of Agriculture to give his immediate attention to “the non-payment of wages and thereportedunilateralsalary reductions.”

On reaching out in order toconfirmtheallegationsthe CEO told this publication that “The staff are paid, yeah, the staff are being paid…Imean,they'rebeing paid, so no salary cuts,” he clarified.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha told the reporter that as far as he knowstheworkersarebeing paid and any further informationneededcouldbe obtained from the CEO of GuySuCo.

With further questioning he said, “No listen, I think

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Paul Cheong

there is an issue with the budget and the union and GuySuCo working on it…I saw the Union issued a statement...So you should get on to the CEO at GuySuCo or the Finance Director Mr Fazal and he will give you all the informationbutIdon'tthink that's true based on the Union's statement. So the Union and the Corporation

they are working out the arrangement on all payment issues.”

OnMondayMarch2the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) issues a statement saying that it has taken note of a social media post appearing on the Team Mohamed's page over the weekend regarding certain developments in the sugar industrywhichwasmadeon behalf of the opposition political party We Invest in Nationhood(WIN).

“According to the post, some60workersofUitvlugt Estatehavenotbeenpaidfor the past three (3) months. This is certainly news to us, as no worker, much less sixty, within the Union's bargaining units within the sugar industry has indicated that they were not paid for any period Had such concerns really existed, the Union would have long represented these workers. Wemustcautionthatweare unabletoofferanycomment forsugarworkersnotwithin (Continuedonpage10)

release.

In keeping with the core principles of accountability and open competition, all Invitations to Tender (ITTs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Expressions of Interest (EOIs),andotherprocurementnoticesissued bygovernmentagencieswillnowbepublicly advertisedandregularlyupdated.

In the recently approved budget government allocated $145.2 million to advance the rollout of the system. Senior MinisterwithresponsibilityforFinance,Dr Ashni Singh said during his budget speech that significant progress had already been made in modernising the country's procurementframework.

“In 2025, achievements included digitisingrecords,sensitisingandfacilitating bidders' registration and increasing the number of virtual tender openings thereby further enhancing transparency These initiatives were alongside efforts to strengthen stakeholder engagement, and a reviewoftheprocurementacttosupportthe transition toward digital bid submissions,” theministersaid.

Additionally, he noted that in collaboration with the public procurement commission,NPTABwillwidentrainingand capacity building initiatives for all procurement personnel through in-field training workshops and specialised training programmes.He revealed that special focus will be placed on training first-time bidders and micro and small-scale contractors, to broaden competition, foster inclusivity and expand the eligibility of potential suppliers. Back in October 2025, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had told a news conference that “the days of people having to buy a newspaper to check for tender ads will soon be over.”He said then that the new digital platform will replace the long-standing systemofpublishingtendernoticesprimarily in newspapers- a practice he said currently coststhestatecloseto$800Mannually.

KaieteurNews

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Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

Editor:NIGELWILLIAMS

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

EDITORIAL

Childprotectioncrisis

The disturbing image of two officers of the Childcare andProtectionAgency(CPA)draggingaschoolgirlthrough the Stabroek bus park should haunt this nation. It is not merelyapublicrelationsembarrassmentfortheMinistryof Human Services and Social Security; it is a damning indictmentofachildprotectionsystemthatappearstohave lostitsmoralcompass.

The video, now widely circulated, shows officers manhandling a child in her school uniform, at one point pullingherbyherhairasbystandersobjected.Thesearethe very individuals entrusted with safeguarding vulnerable children. Instead, the child was treated like a common criminal.

Minister Vindhya Persaud has since confirmed that the officers were suspended and that the Guyana Police Force has been called in. Suspension is necessary But it is not sufficient What we witnessed was not simply the misconduct of two rogue officers. It exposed a deeper culturalandstructuralmalaisewithintheCPA.Thisepisode unfoldedagainstthebackdropoftheCPA’smuch-publicised “StreetLightActivity”—jointpatrolswiththepoliceaimed at targeting truancy at city bus parks. Thirty students were reportedly rounded up during the first sweep. We are told officersinteractedwiththemtoreinforcetheimportanceof school attendance. But when enforcement morphs into humiliation and force, the exercise ceases to be protective andbecomespunitive.

Child protection cannot be reduced to dragnet-style patrols. Truancy is often a symptom of deeper social problems; poverty, abuse, neglect, hunger, mental health struggles.Draggingachildthroughapublicspacedoesnot address any of these root causes. It merely compounds the trauma.Equallytroublingaretherecenttragediesinvolving two teenage mothers: 14-year-oldAleena Preetam and 15year-oldTianaChapman.Aleenadiedfromheartfailureand anaemiajustweeksaftergivingbirth.Tianawasstabbed25 times and remains hospitalised. In both cases, glaring questions arise about whether the statutory mechanisms designedtoprotectminorswereactivated.

TheageofconsentinGuyanaissixteen.Anypregnancy involving a 14- or 15-year-old is, by definition, a red flag. Medical professionals are mandated to report such cases. TheCPAisrequiredtointervenetoensuresafeplacement,if necessary, to investigate the circumstances and to pursue perpetratorswherestatutoryrapeisinvolved.

Former CPA Director Ann Greene has publicly expressedanguishandconcernaboutwhatappearstohave beenafailureofintervention.Hercommentsshouldnotbe dismissed lightly She led the very agency now under scrutiny When a former head raises alarm about systemic weaknesses, it demands urgent, transparent review not defensiveness.ThepoliticalpartyWeInvestinNationhood (WIN)hasalsocalledforanindependentoperationalreview of the child protection system. That recommendation deservesseriousconsideration.Thepatternistootroubling to ignore: public manhandling of a schoolchild; apparent gapsinrespondingtounderagepregnancies;complaintsof overburdened,undertrainedstaff;reportsoflowmoraleand resignationsamongqualifiedofficers.Ifindeedtheagency is understaffed and populated by insufficiently trained personnel, that is a management failure. If discrimination andmistreatmentaredrivingexperiencedofficersaway,that is an administrative scandal. If social workers are paid so poorly and supported so weakly that attrition becomes the norm,thentheministrymustacceptresponsibility

Child protection is not an area where shortcuts can be tolerated. These are not files and statistics; these are children, often poor, often voiceless, often already traumatised.Whensystemsfailthem,theconsequencesare irreversible.What,then,mustbedone?

Firstly,animmediateindependentauditoftheCPAand Probation and Social Services should be commissioned,

In support of Irfaan’s Pragmatic approach to the Iran war

DEAREDITOR, Critics have chided the Guyana administration’s response to the USA and Israeli military intervention in Iran and the latter’s capricious attack on neighbors. President Irfaan responded with a pragmatic policyonWestAsiaashedid when Trump intervened in Venezuela.

Critics of Irfaan’s policy say he is not “adhering to principles” on the global system of relations and respecting sovereignty

Strong nations pursue selfinterests without much respect for principles or national sovereignty

Powerful nations enter into wars to reshape a neighborhood to suit its interests. Recall Soviet or Russian invasion of neighbors. This realpolitik has been this way for centuries except for brief periods after the UN was founded.Sincetheendofthe bipolar balance of power,

between the Soviet Union and USA, powerful nations do their own things to promote and defend their interests That has particularly been the nature of the international system over the last two decades. Russia, USA, and China, as powerful nuclear weapon and geographically large nations do their own things without much repercussions fromtherestoftheglobe;the exception was the sanctions imposed on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine and the former has remained defiant and unrelenting in its goal. When bombs or invasion t work, sanctions and tariffs do; nations quickly capitulate.

American and Israel bombed Iran and eliminated muchoftheleadershipofthe sovereignnation.Almostthe entire world, the most powerful nations have not condemned the USA. Why shouldlittleGuyana?

In certain situations,

principles cannot save or protectorfavorastateaswe foundoutinVenezuela,Iran, Trump’s treatment of CARICOM leaders, among cases. While a nation or person must embrace principles (of sovereignty, etc ), one must also be pragmatic. One lives in a very dangerous world now unlike previously If you don’t support Washington, you run the risk of being penalizedashashappenedto most of Latin America and the Caribbean nations

President Ali and Prime Minister Kamla of T&T, as have six other Latin Americanleaders,havebeen invited to the President’s home,Mar-A-Lago,because of their support for him on foreign policy in the region. And were they to disagree with the President on Iran, theymostcertainlywouldbe disinvited from the summit asyounoted.

The leader of the free world, President Trump,

ruler of the most powerful country,isdifferentfromhis predecessors. He does not govern under the principles of the UN Charter He acts unilaterally on foreign relations like no other President did He is a mercurial hard nationalist who has demonstrated a p r o c l i v i t y f o r a n expansionist (new frontier) ideology to acquire non-

American territories Guyana is not on the list he wants to acquire although most Guyanese won’t opposetheidea;theywantto be Americans with that cherished blue passport that provides a first world lifestyle and gives them unlimited access to the rest oftheworld.

President Trump is a transactional leader You support him, and he will watch your back. Guyana is rewarded for supporting the USA Trump temporarily removedtheMadurothreat

(Continuedonpage06)

The safety of young girls demands vigilance, transparency, and uncompromising adherence to the law

DEAREDITOR, Iwritewithdeepdistress and mounting concern regarding the recent reports ofateenagemotherwholost herlifeandanotherunderage teenwhoreportedlysuffered abuseatthehandsofher28year-old boyfriend. These tragic accounts demand more than sympathy; they

require institutional introspection and decisive correctiveaction.

It is equally troubling to recognise that had the death of the teen not been made public, Guyanese may very well have remained o b l i v i o u s t o t h e circumstances surrounding this situation. That reality al

with its findings made public. The review must assess staffinglevels,trainingstandards,caseloadratios,response protocols,andinter-agencycoordination.

Secondly, mandatory retraining in child rights, deescalation techniques, and trauma-informed care must be implementedforallfieldofficers.

There can be no repetition of the Stabroek disgrace. Thirdly, clear, published protocols should govern the handlingofunderagepregnancies.Everycasemusttrigger documented assessment, intervention, and follow-up. Silenceandinactioncannotbeoptions.

Fourthly, government must address compensation and working conditions. Chronic underpayment and burnout erodeprofessionalismandinvitemediocrity

Protecting children requires investing in the professionals tasked with that duty Finally, oversight mechanismsmustbestrengthened.

An independent complaints body, accessible to the public, would allow grievances to be investigated without fearorfavour

The image from Stabroek should serve as a wake-up call.Asocietyisjudgedbyhowittreatsitsmostvulnerable. At present, the verdict is not flattering. Suspension of two officersmayplacatepublicoutragetemporarily Butunless systemic reform follows, more tragedies and more humiliationsmaylieahead.

q u e s t i o n s a b o u t transparency, reporting mechanisms, and whether othersimilarcasesmayhave gone unnoticed or unaddressed.

The recurring pattern of underage girls becoming pregnant, carrying pregnancies to term, and delivering within our public health system cannot be viewed as isolated occurrences.These are clear indicators that safeguarding mechanismsareeitherweak, inconsistently applied, or entirelybypassed.

The law provides protective frameworks for minors. When an underage teen presents at a hospital pregnant or in labour, mandatory reporting protocols should be immediately activated Healthcare institutions are not passive service providers; they are critical gatekeepers in the child protection system The involvement of a minor in a sexual relationship with an adult is not a private matter — it is a statutory issue requiring referral to the appropriateauthorities.

One must therefore question whether the relevant notifications were made to the Childcare and Protection Agency Were established reporting proceduresfollowed?Ifnot, why not? If they were followed, what timely interventions occurred? Institutional accountability is not optional; it is foundational to public trust. When systems fail to intervene at obvious points ofvulnerability,childrenare left exposed to continued abuse, coercion, and, in the most tragic instances, the lossoflife.Thismattermust prompt a comprehensive review of mandatory reporting compliance, interagency coordination, and enforcement protocols Silence and procedural lapses cannot be allowed to persist where minors are concerned.

The safety of our young girls demands vigilance, transparency, and uncompromising adherence to the law We owe them proactive protection, not retrospectiveregret.

Yourssincerely, AnnetteFerguson

Compliance with road safety and traffic laws in Guyana is alarmingly low

DEAREDITOR

, I have closely observed the transportation sectors of Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana, and it iswithgrowingconcernthat I note that compliance with road safety and traffic laws

in Guyana remains alarminglylow.

Despitetheexistenceof clearregulationsintendedto safeguard motorists, pedestrians, and daily commuters, a significant number of drivers continue to disregard the law This persistent indiscipline has contributed to increasingly unsafe and unpredictable conditions on public roadways, placing lives at unnecessary risk and undermining public confidence in the transportationsystem.

It is only the second monthof2026,yethundreds of traffic offences have alreadybeenreported.

Far too often, unsafe practices are casually excused with the phrase, “This is Guyana, and this is howwedothingshere.”

This kind of attitude towards the law needs to change.Suchthinkingisnot only deeply troubling but d a n g e r o u s l y counterproductive, as it normalizes lawlessness and desensitizesthepublictothe

real and often fatal consequences of reckless behavior on the nation’s roads.

Drivers continue to operate with excessively dark tinted windscreens and windows, creating safety risks and enabling irresponsible behavior on the roads This practice reducesvisibilityfordrivers and law enforcement alike, increasing the likelihood of accidents and hindering effective policing It is hoped that the introduction oftintmetersforusebylaw

enforcement officers will strengthen enforcement efforts, promotecompliance with regulations, and deter offensive and unsafe practices associated with illegalwindowtinting.

While loud music prevents drivers from hearingsirensorresponding appropriately to emergency vehicles.

Thesebehaviorsreflecta troubling lack of responsibility and place livesatriskdaily

Recent major accidents involving the Demerara Harbour Bridge further highlight the severity of the problem and underscore the urgent need for stricter c o m p l i a n c e a n d enforcement.

Particularlyalarmingare incidents involving drivers who do not possess valid licenses, exposing serious weaknesses in enforcement and oversight that must be urgentlyaddressed.

This pattern of indisciplineisoccurringata time when the country is experiencing rapid infrastructuraldevelopment. While improved roads and transportation networks are welcome, infrastructure alone cannot ensure safety without responsible driving behavior, proper licensing, and consistent, visible enforcementofthelaw

Equally concerning are persistent reports that some law enforcement officers and even officials within the judicial system have been known to accept bribes whether to overlook traffic violations ortofacilitatetheimproper issuance of driver’s licenses Such practices erode public trust, weaken the rule of law, and encourage further noncompliance.

That said, these realities should not detract

from the ho

professionalism of the many hardworking men and women in public service who carry out their dutieswithintegrity.

I therefore call for immediate and decisive

enforcementagenciesmust

enforcement, eliminate corruption within their ranks,andensurepenalties are applied fairly and consistently

Policymakers must s

systems, expand road safety education, and strictly

protections, especially aroundschools.

Parents, teachers, community leaders, and civil society must also play an active role by reporting violations and demanding accountability Road safety is not optional; it is a national responsibility If we fail to act now, we accept preventableinjuriesandloss of life as the cost of indifference an outcome ournationcannotafford

Sincerely: Mr.BlaneRBunbury

When

state negligence becomes a death trap

DEAREDITOR, The vibrant hues of Phagwah have been forever stained by the murky, turbulentrealityofatragedy that was as predictable as it waspreventable.

As the community of Enterprise grapples with the hollow silence left by tenyear-oldJadonandhissister 9-year-old Tiana, the public is being fed the usual bureaucratic hushes and the slow-grinding gears of an impendingcover-up.

Wemustrefusetoletthis be buried under the convenientlabelofa“tragic accident.”Thiswasafailure of engineering, a failure of oversight, and a grotesque breach of the statutory duty ofcareowedtoeverycitizen ofthisRepublic.

The mechanics of this tragedy lie in the invisible violence of industrial water management.

Whatthepublicseesasa common drainage trench, Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI)hasrepurposedintoa high-velocitydischargezone for its backwashing operations By flushing thousands of gallons of waterathighpressureintoan unlined, earthen channel, GWI did more than just move water; they created a dynamic hydraulic hazard. This constant “rip current

, transforming a shallow village drain into a ten-footdeep abyss—a “death trap” hidden beneath a deceptive surface. To a child seeking waterforafestivalofjoy,the surface looked like a resource;inreality,itwasan industrialsuctionpointfrom whichtherewasnoescape. Where we

guardiansofoursafety?The Occupational Safety and Health(OSH)ActCap99:10 is not a suggestion; it is a

9 explicitly requires occupiers to ensure that the public is not exposed to risks to their safety S

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) permits governing such facilities are contingent upon rigorous safety protocols, including erosioncontrolandtheclear demarcation of discharge zones.Yet,attheBachelor’s Adventurefacility,therewas no fence, no “Danger” signage, and not even a single strip of yellow warning tape to signal that the dynamics of this waterway had been artificially and dangerously altered.

The culpability here is shared and deep. We must callouttheOSHDepartment and the EPA for their pronounced failure to inspect and certify this locationascompliant. Their silence is a confession of their own negligence.

Hadaprivatecontractor dug a ten-foot pit in a residential area and left it unguarded, the state would have moved with predatory alacritytoextract“justice.”

But when the offender is astateagency,theregulatory bodies suddenly lose their teeth, choosing instead to shieldoneanotherinacircle ofadministrativeprotection.

We refuse to accept the narrative of “wandering children” as a shield for recklessgovernance.

Theonusofsafeguarding an industrial hazard falls squarely on the Authorities HavingJurisdiction.

You cannot create a 10foot-deephydraulictrapina communal space and then blamethevictimsforfalling into it. If the safety of our children is secondary to the convenienceof“backwater

(Continuedonpage06)

Guyana records 121 new cervical cancers annually – Dr. Ramsammy

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Guyana, withapproximately121new casesand63deathsreported annually, Chairman of the PresidentialCommissionon the Prevention and Control of the Non- Communicable Diseases (NCD) Dr. Leslie Ramsammydisclosed.

Dr. Ramsammy in his m e s s a g e t o m a r k International Day HPV AwarenessDaysaidthatthe disease disproportionately affects women, ranking second for both incidence andmortalityamongwomen aged15–44. HenotedHPV

- Human papillomavirus- is a major factor, with an incidence rate of more than 20/100,000women.

The former Minister of Health, explained that highrisk HPV (16/18) is a major factor, with high prevalence rates particularly among indigenous populations. With an incidence rate of more than 20/100,000 women,Dr.Ramsammysaid Guyana’s cervical cancer rateisveryhigh. He noted that the World HealthOrganization(WHO) considersarateof4/100,000 to achieve elimination. He notedthatcommissionurges thatcitizensjointheMOHto

change this status; Guyana has a massive mountain to climb. “On March 13, the Commission, together with Guyana’s Permanent Mission in Geneva will join Permanent Missions from different countries around the world to push for global elimination by 2080,” the chairmanasserted.

According to Dr. Ramsammy, Guyana’s PermanentRepresentativein Geneva has been a lead proponent for a global push to eliminate cervical cancer by2080.

“The elimination of cervical cancer before or by 2080 will mark only the

When state negligence becomes...

Frompage05 disposal,” then our regulatory framework is notjustbroken—itiscomplicit.

ThedemiseofJadonandTianaisnotjust on the hands of those who failed to build a

fence; it is on the hands of every inspector wholookedatthatunfencedtrenchandchose towalkaway.

Yoursfaithfully, HemduttKumar

second time that the world wouldhaveachievedtheend ofadisease.Itwillalsomark thefirsttimewewouldhave endedacancer.”

He said while the WHO global strategy envisages global elimination of cervical cancer by 2120, a growing number of public health experts have joined Guyana’s Permanent Representative in Geneva, who is also Chair of the Commission, to urge acceleration to end cervical cancer by 2080, 40 years before the WHO’s global eliminationdeadline.

Hestressedthatwiththe robust strategy in Guyana, the country can play a leading role by trying to achievenationalelimination by 2050 “The latest available global data reveal approximately 600,000 new cases of cervical cancer and 338,800 deaths annually, constituting 6.5% and 7.7% oftotalnewcancercasesand deaths in women, respectively Low-Human Development Index (HDI) countries have the highest incidenceandmortalityrates of cervical cancer, with incidence rates three times

Chairman of the Presidential commission on the Prevention and Control of the NCDs, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

higher than that in countries with high-HDI, and mortality rates six-times higher,” Dr Ramsammy said According to Dr Ramsammy, national, regional and global investments in the fight against HPV and cervical cancerisa“bestbuyoption” thatisignored“atgreatperil for people, particularly for women in resource-poor settings.”

Henotedthatremarkable advancementsinscienceand technology, an armament of tools,providecountrieswith the real possibility for ending cervical cancer before 2050 in many countriesandbefore2080in allcountries.

“Guyana can be a leading light by ending

cervical cancer by 2050. Ending a cancer for the first time will be monumental. The progress we have made in the fight against cervical cancer in the past two decadesmustmotivateusto reach the finish line in eliminatingcervicalcancer.” However, as a first step towards reaching this goal, countries must achieve the “90-70-90” targets by 2030. The 90-70-90 targets are 90%ofgirlsvaccinatedwith the HPV vaccine before the age of 15; 70% of women screened using a highperformance test by the age of35yearsandagainbythe age of 45; and 90% of women with pre-cancer treated and 90% of women with invasive cancer managed.

In support of Irfaan’s Pragmatic...

Frompage04

to Guyana So, the arguments in your editorial (especially on sovereignty) do not seriously address Guyana’s predicament regardless of which party would have been in government and who is President.Guyanahasfound itself in a very precarious position – side with President Trump on the conflict in Venezuela and Iran and retain support on territorial integrity (control over oil and gas, minerals, etc.) or face a sovereignty threat, high tariffs, and maybe even decline in oil revenues.

There are those who arguethatGuyanacanuseits economic clout (oil and gas and other natural resources) to bargain with Washington on “exercising greater sovereignty” and defying Trump.

Those critics don’t understand the people who runthecurrentWhiteHouse. IranandVenezuelahavealot of natural resources and economic clout, and they could not bargain with Trump on “sovereignty matters” or make demands. Iran also has some military mightandhaddefiedTrump.

Yet it is being bombed and forced to capitulate to Washington dictates Support Trump or face the consequences.

The world is not being run the way it did pre-2025. And even during that era, sovereign nations became victims for not humbling themselves to supporting Washington and respecting the Monroe Doctrine Guyana was a victim multiple times; adhering to UN sovereignty principles led to the toppling of the government in 1953, racial violence in the 1960s, toppling of the government in 1964, restoration of democracyin1992,removal of governments from office in2015and2020,andmore. Have we forgotten what happened after the government (using principles of sovereignty) attacked Ambassador Brent Hardt on America’s IndependenceDay?

A small country cannot easily defy or disrespect USA without serious consequences. Global principlesarenotadheredto even by powerful nations as thoseinEurope(G7)which have capitulated and are kowtowing to President

Trump.Guyanahastoadjust toglobal,ifnotalsoregional, reality If you don’t support Washingtonongeo-strategic (military) requests, you will be isolated and worse penalized.

President Ali (and PM KamlainTrinidad)isrightto condemn Iran’s attacks on neighbors that widens the West Asia war and risks globaleconomicfalloutover energy Kamla supports USA against Iran. Guyana (or Trinidad) is not in a positiontoofferguidanceon the war or on global relations. Yes, the war must end, and there should be dialogue and diplomacy to end conflict and we should returntoarules-basedorder But that won’t happen anytimesoon.

Diplomacy works when there are equal powers, not between a weak and a powerfulnation.

Weareaweaknationthat hasabordercontroversyand faces existential threat without American protection.Wemustpursuea pragmatic foreign policy that does not run counter to USA security and that also servesournationalinterests.

Yoursfaithfully, VishnuBisram

100+ Guyanese demand return of Cuban medical brigade

A delegation of concerned Guyanese will tomorrow deliver a strongly worded letter to President Irfaan Ali and Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd demanding an immediate reversalofthegovernment's decision to terminate the services of the Cuban MedicalBrigadeinGuyana.

The letter, signed by morethan100organisations and individuals, calls on the administration to restore the presence of Cuban doctors and to resist what the signatories describe as mounting pressure from the United States to dismantle the long-standing scholarship programme that

allows Guyanese students, particularly in medicine to studyinCuba.

Theappealcomesonthe heelsofapressreleasefrom theUnitedStatesEmbassyin Guyana quoting US

Secretary of State Marco Rubio as expressing appreciation for Guyana's decision to end its participation in what Washington termed the Cuban regime's “medical mission forced labour scheme.”

The signatories have b r a n d e d t h a t characterisation as baseless and offensive, arguing that successive Guyanese administrations have openly

praised and relied upon C u b a n m e d i c a l professionals for decades. They point to remarks delivered on December 8, 2002, by then President Bharrat Jagdeo at a summit marking 30 years of diplomatic relations between Caribbean nations and Cuba. Addressing then Cuban President Fidel Castro and regional leaders, Jagdeo hailed Cuba as “a neighbour,atruefriendanda brother,”creditingtheisland with helping to “catapult forward” Caribbean health systems through a steady inflowofcompetentmedical professionals and generous scholarshipprogrammes.

...write Pres. Ali, Todd on matter

Those words, the letter writers argue, stand in stark contrast to the government's currentposture.

They contend that Guyana's health system especially in hinterland and underserved communities haslongdependedonCuban doctors, nurses and specialists.Toabruptlysever that relationship, they say, risks widening already troubling gaps in healthcare delivery

Equally concerning to thegroupisthefutureofthe C u b a s c h o l a r s h i p programme, which has enabled hundreds of Guyanese from modest backgrounds to pursue studiesinmedicineandother criticalfields.Manyofthose graduates now serve in public hospitals and clinics

acrossthecountry President Ali is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump in Miami on March 7. The delegation is urging him to defend Guyana's sovereign right to pursue independent foreign policy decisions groundedinnationalinterest ratherthanexternalpressure.

Theletteralsodenouncesthe tightening fuel embargo imposed by Washington on Cuba, describing it as immoral and destructive

According to international reports, fuel shortages have crippled electricity generation, transportation, andessentialservicesonthe island Hospitals are reportedly struggling to function, ambulances have been sidelined, and medical staff, face severe constraints

indeliveringcare. The signatories argue that such measures do not merely target a government but inflict suffering on ordinarycitizens.Theyinsist that Guyana, as a CARICOM member state with a history of solidarity with Cuba, must not align itself with policies that undermine a longstanding regionalpartner

For decades, Cuba's medical outreach has been a pillar of Caribbean public health.

From disaster response to routine community care, Cuban professionals have filled gaps where local shortages persisted Their presenceinGuyanahasbeen especially visible in remote and riverain areas where (Continuedonpage15)

The PPPC’s weakness

In G u y a n a , governments fall not always because they are defeated by grand ideas, but because they are eroded by small familiar weaknesses. In the case of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPPC) corruption has long been spoken of not as an aberration, but as an affliction. It is the party’s recurring vulnerability, its unhealedwound.

In 2011, the party was reduced to a minority in the National Assembly The electorate had grown weary

There was no great ideologicalrevolt;therewas

fatigue. Fatigue with stories o f p r o c u r e m e n t irregularities, favoured contractors, and the controversial financial models associated with certain projects. The voter, in small countries, does not require a manifesto to sense decay He requires only the evidenceofhisowneyes— the mansion rising too quickly, the contract awarded too smoothly, and the privatizations done scandalously By 2015, that fatigue crystallised into rejection. The APNU+AFC coalition

was formed and the opposition found in David

Granger a candidate who was presented as a man of probity integrity and decency He was the perfect candidate to contest against aPPPCgovernmentthathas beensmearedwiththebrush of corruption. And so the PPPwasdisplaced.

Yet Guyanese politics is not a morality play with permanent exiles. In 2020, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic returned to office Oil wealth had transformed the national imagination. The electorate, pragmaticasever,calculated anew But the old whispers did not disappear They returned, as they often do,

DEM BOYS SEH

Redlineisforareason

Dem boys seh when big nation start behaving like cowboy in old western movie,isthewholeworldthatdoesendup hidingunderthebed.

Imagine,justimagine,theUnitedStates and Israel decided that red lines is just suggestions. Not only bombs flying over a sovereign country sky, but the unthinkable — taking out the top man, the Supreme Leader,thespiritualhead,thefigurethatfor millions is second only to God. If that line cross,thenwhatlineleft?

Demboyssehonceyoumovefromwar to assassination of a head of state, you change the rules of the game. You move from battlefield to vendetta From diplomacy to revenge. You can’t preach aboutinternationallawinthemorningand practisetargetedkillingatnightandexpect theworldtoclapforyou.

Some people talking like it would be a “shortwar.”Short?Sincewhenhumiliation and martyrdom ever produce short anything?Whenyoustrikealeaderwhois wrapped in religion and nationalism, you don’t just remove a man — you create a symbol.Andsymbolsdon’tdieeasy

DothestrategistsinWashingtonandTel Aviv really believe that a nation like Iran would fold up quiet and say, “Well, that’s that”? Even if missiles can’t reach American soil, history shows that anger does travel. Influence does travel. Proxies does travel And patience patient revenge—doestravel.

Demboyssehwhenpowerfulcountries start normalising assassination as foreign policy,theyopeningadoorthatcan’teasily close. Today it is “them.” Tomorrow it couldbeanybody.Everyleaderbecomesa target. Every capital becomes a potential battleground. And the ordinary people — the shopkeeper, the farmer, the taxi driver —istheoneswhodoespaytheprice.

The world already trembling on edge. Add political martyrdom to that mix and youpouringkeroseneondrygrass.Ifcooler heads don’t prevail, we might all wake up onemorninginaworldfarmoredangerous thantheonewewenttosleepin.

Dem boys seh red line is red for a reason. Once it wash away, is only blood thatdoesreplaceit. Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

withgreaterforceintimesof greatermoney

It is in this present momentthattheWeInvestin Nationhood party — WIN — has sought to position itself as accuser-in-chief. Its leader has made serious allegations against officials within the government, invoking corruption not as rumour but as systemic practice.

People in the streets are talking quietly about the allegationsofenrichmentby government officials. But the electorate is divided and there will be just as many persons willing to defend as toaccuse.

The presidential candidate associated with WIN is subject to sanctions imposed by the United States government. WIN’s moralpostureiscomplicated by these sanctions. This is the difficulty When allegations can be pointed alsoattheaccuser,aproblem arises,

One of the options open to the opposition is to lobby the Americans to impose sanctions on corrupt government officials, under the much-invoked MagnitskyAct under which certain Guyanese have been sanctioned The Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act is imagined as an external cleansingforce—adeusex machina that will descend upon the corrupt public officials in other countries outsidetheUnitedStatesand freezetheirassets.

It would be unusual for therecentallegationsagainst governmentofficialstohave escaped notice by the local US Embassy Indeed, it is plausible that the United States already possesses extensive intelligence regarding political actors within the PPPC Great powers collect information as a matter of routine. But possession of intelligence is not equivalent to public sanction.Informationcanbe used as leverage to extract benefits for US companies. Also, it would not be surprising for imperial power to use such intelligence to blackmail governments.

American sanctions are not instruments of local political ambition. They are tools of American foreign policy To suppose that an opposition party in Guyana can successfully lobby Washington to impose sanctions on corrupt government officials is to misunderstandthehierarchy of interests. The United States acts not from sentiment but from calculation. Guyana, newly oil-rich and strategically situated,occupiesaspaceof growing importance Stability, predictability, and access to energy resources may weigh more heavily than the internal rivalries of Georgetown.

Thus, the opposition faces a dilemma. It may continue to speak of corruption. And perhaps it must, for corruption is no

trivial matter in a state now managing oil revenues. But to hinge its strategy on American sanctions is to gambleonforcesbeyondits control Lobbying Washington is not the same as persuading Guyanese voters. The latter is arduous but sovereign; the former is speculative.

Corruption may indeed remain the Achilles Heel of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic History suggests that unaddressed weaknesses eventually reassert themselves. Yet the remedy for such weakness lies primarily within the polity

The hope that salvation will arrive stamped with the seal of the United States Treasuryis,perhaps,another expression of our old dependency: the belief that justice must come from elsewhere. In the end, no Magnitsky designation can substitute for domestic political courage. And it is doubtfulthattheopposition, divided and encumbered by its own contradictions, can summon Washington to do whatithasnotyetpersuaded Guyanatodemandforitself.

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

H@RD TRUTHS

Kamla, Kamla, Kamla – Category 5 fury, force

Whatever is thought of Trinidad and Tobago's (TT) Prime Minister, Excellency KamlaPersad-Bissessar and her positions, she must be recognizedforhavingagoat

getting them before everyone. Whatever is said about her, she has her say in her own way, with an invisiblebutaudiblegauntlet thrown down. Deal with it. Think whatever, react however, but deal with it. TheVenezuelanthreattoTT and Guyana is the big IT, in thisinstance. Thesilenceof CARICOMisanotherIT,no smaller, that PM PersadBissessar vented her spleen at higher, more intense pitches recently.The silence

of regional leaders, the silence of CARICOM, attracted the scorching rage ofthePM. Idon'tagreewith her ButIdoffmytoupeeat anyone who speaks their mind so forthrightly Personally, I embrace a simple standard. Look any man in the eye and tell him he's a damn fool. When the circumstances demand. It canbeapresidentwhoisfull of sewage; or a patriot who sells his soul for a bowl of dogchow

InPMPersad-Bissessar's thinking, TT needs a big brotherwithabigstick. And a big pair of jaws. There's nonethatcancomparetothe

United States for that Bad Boy, Rude Boy, role. It requires the bigger northern bully to strike some sense into the head of the bullies southoftheRioGrandeand all the way to Caracas. The price of the protection that ExcellencyPersad-Bissessar buysissteep. Thesurrender of national sovereignty and leadership dignity is up there Apparently, TT prefers a dictator with a harsh NewYork accent than one with difficult Latin rhythms. The latter wants somelandandgold,liquidor otherwise; the former will takeallthatisonhand. Itis surprising-indeed, appalling-that after the

terribleagoniesandpoignant memories of slavery and indentureship, that someone ofthepoliticalpedigree(and biology) of PM PersadBissessar would want more. And denounce those who taketheoppositeapproach.

Why be so shortsighted, so unwise, as to neutralize one threat by embracing anotherthatisdisguisedasa friend in time of need and distress? Iurgereturningto the fields of Troy, and reexamining that horse that wasleftbehindsoinvitingly Thinktwice,takegreatcare, with those who come as rescuers, bringing gifts. I bow in recognition of PM Kamla's fierce drive to protectherown. Shedoesso tothedetrimentofthebigger whole. There's a parallel: themaharajahswhocuttheir own arrangements with Britishviceroys,sothattheir p r o s p e r i t y a n d untouchability remained secure Thus, a whole subcontinent suffered and slaved under an oppressive yoke I like America, prioritize America, but with this built-in emergency brake: the only friend that America has is itself. The onlyfriendshipandinterests

thatareprized andtrustedare those of itself. The PM buys an ally to buy time. But at no time is Venezuela packing its bags and pulling up stakes, then m o v i n g o u t

Condemnation and confrontation through a proxy have their uses. The shelf life of that triplet is temporary Caracas and some caudillo or the other are permanent I respectfully place those wreaths at PM PersadBissessar'sfeet.

I note that the TT PM is doing the shovel and wheelbarrow work re Venezuelan threats. Who is sheaproxyfor:TTinterests or a GT-TT partnership? And all under the special godfatherbenevolenceofthe US. Note how Guyana is lesshostile,newlyhelpfulto TT Petrotrin. Financing. Shared visions, shared people. I note, too, that Guyana's usually, abnormally, garrulous Pres. Ali has tried to be a man for all seasons, situations. Not one bad word against CARICOM. Not a dirty word against Venezuela

There'sSenoraKamlatorev thoseengines,dothosenasty jobs. Pres.Ali gets to wear the white hat. USA today USA forever Soon he will fancy himself as Alan Ladd in the role of Shane; or General Andy Jackson chasing out the riffraff Keep a close watch on the strengthening alliance between TT and GT The Dutch will come around soon.

Last, CARICOM will manage somehow; however haltingly, feebly But this thought, this picture emerges: PM PersadBissessar and Pres Ali around the same table with other CARICOM heads Icebreaker needed Peacemaker required Seamstress needed to patch thingsbackintoonepiece. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)

GuySuCo CEO says sugar workers...

Frompage3

theUnion'sbargainingunit,” GAWUsaid.

Thestatementwentonto say that in relation to the senior staff, apart from the section represented by the union, it cannot shed any light on the contentions advanced, however it must be highlighted that the seniors staffers who fall under the union's umbrella have received no reduction in their earnings or conditions.

The union said it is also unaware of any sugar workers were misled or taken advantage of regardingwageadjustments. As far back as 2024 the union,andtheGuyanaSugar CorporationInc.(GuySuCo) signed a three-(3)-year wage/salary pact, and the agreement provides for pay rises for 2024, 2025 and 2026.

Hence, the union is at a loss to see where workers were misled, and what is described as “the disingenuity emanating from the political grouping isnotsurprising.

Our union's president, Mr Seepaul Narine, is c h a rg e d w i t h n o t representing GAWU members in the sugar industry Aswehavepointed out, that is precisely what Mr Narine and the union havebeendoing.

We do not need any advicefromtheWINandits players on how we should pursueourwork.

The party highlights the disciplinaryactionstakenby the union against two (2) UitvlugtEstateworkers.We wish to clarify that the actions taken by the union are consistent with its

constitution and were carried out in accordance with due process Furthermore, we do not commentoninternalmatters inpublic.”

Furthermore, the union is urging the party “not to engage in desperate acts of deception and obfuscation.”

Reminding that the GAWU remains proud of effort to protect union members and advance their rights and conditions.

“We cannot fail to note that, as the WIN feigns concern for sugar workers, in its midst are several personalities who stood silently and, from all impressions, supported the closure of estates and the sendingontothebreadlineof thousands of sugar workers. Thecontradictionisevident, and the crocodile tears are visible,”theunionadded.

RiyadAhmadon$40k bailfordangerousdriving

Twenty-three-year-old businessman Riyad Ahmad, brother of Ameir Ahmad, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sheriff Security, was granted $40,000 bail on Wednesday when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court to answer to a dangerous driving charge.Ahmad, of Happy Acres, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was also charged with operating an uninsured motor vehicle.The charges stem from a February 11, 2026 accident at the intersection of David and Alexander Streets in Kitty, Georgetown According to reports, 63-year-old Waveney Fernandes was walking home from work when a vehicle allegedly driven by Ahmad reportedly jumped a stop sign. The vehicle first collided with another car before striking Fernandes, leaving her seriouslyinjured.

A screengrab of Riyad Ahmad shortly after the accident occurred

Ahmad was charged under Section 36(1) of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02, for dangerous driving, and under Section 3(1) of the Motor Vehicle Third Party RiskAct, Chapter 51:02, for operatinganuninsuredmotor vehicle According to a statement from the Guyana P o l i c e F o r c e , t h e businessman appeared before Magistrate Shivani Lalaram, who read the charges to him. “He pleaded not guilty to Dangerous Driving and guilty to Uninsured Motor Vehicle,” police said.In addition to being granted bail, Ahmad was fined $35,000 for operatinganuninsuredmotor vehicle, with an alternative sentence of three weeks'

imprisonment if the fine is not paid The dangerous driving matter has been adjournedtoApril8,2026.

People mourn on the day of the funeral of the victims following a reported strike on a school in Minab, Iran, March 3, 2026.

Iran war breaks UN Charter, strike on school shocking - UN probe says

(REUTERS) People mourn on the day of the funeral of the victims following a reported strike on a school in Minab, Iran,

Khorgooei/ISNA/WANA (West Asia News Agency)viaREUTERSPurchaseLicensing Rights,opensnewtab

GENEVA, March 4 (Reuters) - An independent United Nations probe investigating rights violations in Iran condemned​onWednesday,attacksbyIsrael andtheUnitedStatesonIranaswellTehran's retaliatory strikes across the region, saying theyviolatedtheUNCharter

TheUnitedNationsCharterbanstheuse of force against the territorial integrity or political independence ​of any state. "These attacks, which were followed by Iran's retaliatory strikes ​across the region, run counter to the UN Charter," the U.N. Independent International Fact-Finding MissiononIransaidinastatement.

Italsoexpresseddeep​shockoverastrike thathittheShajarehTayyebehgirlsschoolin Minab​insouthernIranonSaturday,thefirst day of the U.S. and Israeli attacks. Most of the victims appear to have been schoolgirls

aged seven to 12, it said. Earlier on ​WednesdayaseparateU.N.panelofexperts said more than 160 children were ​killed, citing reports. The U.N. fact-finding probe said the Iranian population was now caught between large-scale military campaign that may go on for weeks and a government in Tehran which has a long record of human rightsabuses.

Tens of thousands of people were detained and face torture and the death penalty, the U.N. ​probe said, following ​a brutal crackdown on protests that began on December 28, 2025, in response to the country'seconomiccrisis.

It said protesters currently detained in ​prisons could be put at risk from any U.S.Israelistrikes.​ABritishcouplejailedinIran described on Tuesday explosions shaking Evin prison where they are being held and damage to their wing as the conflict intensifies.Thestatementsaidthe​killingof dozens of Iranian officials - who ​have included Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei-intheU.S.-Israeliairstrikeswas not an acceptable means to ​deliver justice underinternationallaw

'She is not a floor cloth; I will fight for justice' –

The mother of the 15year-oldschoolgirlwhowas dragged through the StabroekMarketSquarebus park says she will not rest until charges are brought against the two Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) officers who treated herdaughterpoorly.

“My daughter is not a floor cloth, she is not a dog, she is a human, she have rights, she got pride. If they had took five minutes and listentoshe,thiswholething won't have happened,” Sheina Douglas, told Nightly News during an interviewwithTravisChase.

Aviral video circulating on social media, showed the two welfare officers dragging the girl who was clad in her school uniform. At one point, one of the officers held onto the girl's hair as they dragged her Personsatthebusparkwere heard registering their objections with the way the childwastreated.

Recounting the event, Douglas said she received a

Douglas mother of the 15-year-old girl

call around 09:00hrs and went to the police outpost opposite Demico House in Georgetown, where she found her daughtercrying.

“When I reach there, it was a crowd, my daughter was crying, people was telling her all sort of thing…cause she end up cursing up. So, I tell them now, they want I to listen to them about how she was behaving,soItellthemwait, I gon listen to my daughter first,”Douglassaid.

According to the Douglas, her daughter left

home around 08:00hrs to deliver a skirt to a young woman and then attend her s c h o o l ' s P h a g w a h celebration. However, while waiting on the park to hand over the skirt, she was approached by two welfare officers and about three ranks of the Guyana Police Force, who questioned why she was there during school hours.

The teen reportedly told them she was waiting to deliver the item before heading to school. Douglas said her daughter told her that during the conversation with the welfare and police officers, a bus came up and assheattemptedtoenterthe bus, someone grabbed her bag from behind The officers then told her she could not board the bus and hadtogototheoutpost.

“She words is that me ain'tgahgonooutpost,wuhI do? my daughter keep telling them me aint going nowhere…me daughter said she brace the bus, one hold she hand, another one hold

Mother of schoolgirl dragged through city bus park

Screengrab from the video of the teen being dragged

she hand and then she feel somebody wrap they hand around the natty and then they start dragging she,” Douglassaid.

Douglas noted that her daughter related to her that whileshewasbeingdragged some persons were ridiculing her saying she

don'tlikeschool.“Likeifshe issomebadperson,shedoes runawayanddothesesortof things…me daughter said (Continuedonpage16)

U.S. kills 87 Iranians

(Reuters) - A U S submarine sank an Iranian warship off the southern coast of Sri Lanka, killing dozens of sailors and dramatically widening Washington's pursuit of the Iraniannavy Sri Lanka's deputy foreign minister identified the warship as the frigate IRIS Dena, and said it was headingbacktoIranfroman easternIndianport.

The attack happened hundredsofmilesacrossthe IndianOceanfromtheGulf, whereU.S.​andIsraeliforces are striking Iran and Tehran is retaliating with missile anddroneattacks.

…as sub sinks warship off Sri Lanka, expanding war zone

" A n A m e r i c a n submarine sank an Iranian warship that thought it was ​safeininternationalwaters," U.S. Defense SecretaryPete Hegseth said at the Pentagon. "Instead, it was sunk by a torpedo. Quiet death."

Hospital authorities in the Sri Lankan port city of Galle said 87 bodies were brought in by military rescuers who responded to an early morning distress call Another 32 were rescued and were being treated at hospital and about

60 people were likely unaccounted for from an estimated 180 people on board, Sri Lankan ​authoritiessaid.

'PEOPLEWERE FLOATINGINTHE WATER'

A Pentagon video purporting to have captured

Public Works Min. seeking W contractors to rehabilitate MV

Lisha, Barima & Hercules Her

TheMinistryofPublicWorksthroughthe Transport and Harbours Department is currentlyseekingcontractorstocarryoutthe docking and rehabilitation services of three of its vessels, namely M.V Lisha, M.V Barima,andM.V Hercules.

According to an invitation for bids, the docking and rehabilitation of M.V Lisha is estimated to cost $199.3 million, M.V Barima is estimated at $124.5 million, and M.V Herculesisestimatedat$124.2million.

The tender notice states that bids will be opened at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) officeonMarch31,2026.Itwasreportedin themediathatthesevesselsundergogeneral maintenance so as to ensure safe use on the country'swaterways.

Thesumof$11.2billionwasbudgetedby thegovernmentfortherivertransportsector in 2026. Out of that amount, $570,000,000 was approved in the National Assembly for the reconditioning of ferry vessels. It was recently disclosed by Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill at the National AssemblythattheMVHercules,isatugboat

the government has bought. The boat was brought into operation to ensure there are services being provided to residents of Region Two, Region Three, Wakenaam and LeguanIslands.

AccordingtoEdghill,whenHerculeswas takenonboarditwasoperatedbyTHDstaff, but there were some challenges. In this regard, the minister explained that to ensure there was “no real crisis,” the government engaged the operators who were more familiar with the boat, that is Marine Inc. to operatetheboat.

This publication understands the government sometime between 2023 and 2024 had bought the MV Hercules from Marine Inc. Edghill responding to the opposition in the National Assembly last month disclosed that they are paying the operator$400,000perdaytooperatetheboat.

As it relates to MVMa Lisha, the Indian built vessel first started its operation in August2023.ItcurrentlyoperatestheRegion Four to Region One route. Similarly, the cargo and passenger ferry, MV Barima also operatesbetweenRegionsOneandFour

the attack showed the warship being hit by a huge explosion which blew apart the rear of the vessel, lifting itfromthewater,andcaused it to begin sinking from the stern.

The exact date when the video was filmed and the typeofwarshipcouldnot​be verified. However, the deck shapeandmastofthevessel in the video matched file imagery of the same type of warshipastheIRIS​Dena.

The Iranian vessel had takenpartinanavalexercise organisedbyIndiaintheBay of Bengal from February 18 to25,accordingtothedrill's website.

SriLankahadlauncheda search-and-rescue operation to locate survivors after

receivingadistresscall.

Sri Lankan navy spokesman Commander Buddhika Sampath said boats that reached the locationobservedonlyanoil slick, adding that although the incident took place outside Sri Lankan waters, Colombo was still committed to providing support.

“We found people floating in the water and rescuedthem,"Sampathtold reporters "Later on, we found upon inquiring that they belonged to the Iranian ship "Rescuers brought bodies, covered in white sheets, in batches in ​a truck to the Karapitiya hospital ​in Galle where they were movedtothemorgue.

The commander of the warship and some senior officers were among the survivors and they told the Sri Lankan navy that they were hit by a submarine attack, two Sri Lankan sourcestoldReuters.

SHIPTOOKPART INNAVAL​DRILL ORGANISEDBYINDIA

The website of the 'Milan' biennial multilateral naval exercise organised by Indialistedthe'IRINSDena' as having taken part ​in the drill, which was held in the Bay of Bengal off India's easterncoast.

IRIS - or Islamic RepublicofIranShip-isthe morecommonlyused prefix for Iranian naval vessels, while IRINS - or Islamic Republic of Iran Naval Ship -issometimesused.

“Indian Navy welcomes IRIS Dena, of the Iranian Navy, on her arrival at #Visakhapatnam reflecting long-standing cultural links between the two ​nations,” the Eastern Naval Command of the IndianNavysaidinaposton X​onFebruary17alongwith pictures of the warship and someofitsofficers.

An Indian Navy spokesperson did not respond to a request for commentaftertheDenawas sunk.

Govt. looking to expand Guyana's air connectivity

…Min.Indartomeet22airlinesat RoutesAmericasConferenceinBrazil

Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar, is set to meet withrepresentativesfrom22 airlines at the Routes Americas 2026 conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with the aim of boosting Guyana'sairconnectivity Minister Indar is joined by the Chief Executive Officer(CEO)oftheCheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Ramesh Ghir and Board Director Sanjeev Datadin for the three-day conferencewhichconcludes on March 5.In addition to meetingwiththeairlines,the team is expected to meet with more than 30 tourism boards and airport operators from across the region. It was stated that these highleveldiscussionsarefocused

and cargo traffic, and strengthening strategic partnershipsthatwillfurther

enhance Guyana's air connectivity and regional competitiveness. This premier aviation forum provides a critical platformtopositionGuyana as a key regional gateway, aligning with the country's rapid economic expansion andthegrowingdemandfor increased international access Minister Indar emphasized, “Our presence at Routes Americas signals Guyana's readiness to expand its global footprint. As our country experiences

unprecedented growth, s t r e n g t h e n i n g a i r connectivity remains a national priority to support tourism, investment, and trade.”

Similarly, Datadin added, “These high-level engagements are critical to advancing CJIA's strategic objectives Each meeting provides an opportunity to sh

wcase Guyana's development trajectory and the airport's readiness to accommodate new and expandedroutes.”

‘Stop taking bribes’

– Hicken warns police

…outlines GPF achievements in crime reduction, infrastructural

Commissioner of Police

Clifton Hicken on

Wednesday warned members of the Guyana

Police Force against accepting bribes Hicken, who was at the time addressing ranks at the openingofthe2026Guyana Police Force Sergeants' Conference, made it clear that corruption within the Forcewillnotbetolerated.

“Ifyoubecomecorruptis becauseyouhaveagiverand you're the receiver As of today, stop receiving and persons must be charged whentheycometobribethe police. I'm making myself very clear or else other things will happen,” Hicken said.

The Top Cop reminded that Sergeants are the frontline leaders of the Police Force. “You translate supervision into daily action…You set the tone at stations, on patrol, in traffic

enforcement, during investigations, and in community engagement

upgrades

The public does not see our policies or strategic plan, they see your conduct, your discipline,andthestandards youenforce,”hesaid.

Further, the police commissionerpointedtothe 27percentdeclineinserious crimes and credited the reduction to targeted operations, improved intelligence coordination, and the work of 476

Community Policing Groups across the country

However, he stressed that equipment alone does not produceresults.

“Equipment and infrastructure do not reduce crimeontheirown…results are driven by leadership; yourleadership,”hesaid.

That aside, Hicken disclosed that 75 per cent of the Force's 2022-2026 Strategic Plan has been implemented. He said that with the deployment of 30 speed cameras nationwide

12 joint surgeries done at GPHC last weekend

The Orthopaedic Department of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has successfully completed another weekend of surgeries as part of its ongoing quarterly initiative toreducethecurrentbacklog of patients awaiting joint replacementprocedures.

Over the weekend, Saturday, February 28, and Sunday, March 1, the team

completed 12 joint replacement surgeries, including eight knee replacements and four hip replacements.

According to the hospital, only emergency surgeries are done on the weekends at GPHC, and joint replacement surgeries are limited to two per week, as operating theatre time is shared among multiple

surgical specialties However,toaddressthelong listofpatientsawaitingjoint replacement surgeries, the department team dedicates one week each quarter to performadditionalsurgeries. All procedures were performedbyalocalteamof doctors,nurses,anesthetists, and physiotherapists at GPHC.

GPHC Orthopaedic Department conducting joint replacement surgeries

The hospital noted that the average cost of one joint replacement surgery is approximately $2,500,000. As such, it stated that initiatives such as this are

critical in expanding access tocareforpatientswhomay not otherwise be able to affordtheseprocedures.

GPHC said that the recent weekend activities

also served as a valuable teaching and learning opportunity for residents, as thesurgerieswereconducted as a cottage initiative, allowingthemtogainhandson exposure and practical experience in knee and hip replacementprocedures.

“This aspect of the initiative supports the continued development of future specialists while strengthening the hospital's training environment,” it wasstated.

According to the department,therewasalsoa strong staff turnout throughout the weekend, which contributed to the overall success of the exercise.

The surgeries were described as smooth and seamless, reflecting the coordination, preparedness, and dedication of the orthopaedic team and supportingstaff.

GPHC said it remains committed to enhancing the delivery of orthopaedic services through initiatives such as these, ensuring that patientsbenefitfromquality care while also building local capacity within the healthsystem.

under the Safe Roads IntelligentSystem,therehas beena29percentreduction inroadaccidents.

Hesaidtoothattherehas been an increase in persons receiving e-tickets with a climb from 837 tickets in 2024to24,793in2025.

On the infrastructural

front, the Top Cop said that 23 police stations have been completed, 10 new boat houses, five command centres, 55 CCTV sites, and the addition of 6,685 bodyworn cameras and 942 digitalworkstations.

R e f e r e n c i n g improvements in human resource development, Hicken said that there were 3,510 promotions in 2025 under a merit-based system while774newrecruitswere enlisted, and ranks benefitted from academic opportunities through scholarships, sponsorships and professional training programmes Additionally, Commissioner Hicken revealedthattheGPF's2022031 strategic plan will focusheavilyoninnovation, technologyandadaptability

Weapons and ammunition seized during the operation AK-47, pistol and ammo. seized

Ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Tuesday discovered and seizedanumberoffirearms and ammunition during an operation at Ulverston Village, Corentyne, Berbice. The ranks, acting on informationlinkedtorecent robberies in Rose Hall Town,Corentyne,arresteda 21-year-old construction workerfromAlnessVillage, Corentyne.

During the operation, policesearchedalocationin UlverstonVillageandfound acutlasssackhangingfrom atamarindtreeonanempty plot.Inthesackwerea9mm pistol with four matching rounds,anAK-47riflewith seventeen matching 7 62 rounds,andapairofgloves.

Theconstructionworker was taken to the Rose Hall Town Police Station, where t h e f i r e a r m s a n d ammunitionwerelodged.

OP:ED:Womengrowtheworld

By Dr. Gillian Smith, FAO Representative, Guyana

Women are at the heart of a g r i f o o d systems growing crops, processing food, and working in forestry and fisheries to sustain households, communities, and economies, and often t a k i n g p r i m a r y responsibility for feeding families.

This is why the United Nationshasdeclared2026as the InternationalYear of the Woman Farmer (IYWF 2026), a recognition of the significant contributions women make across agrifood systems from productiontoprocessingand trade, all the way to how foodisconsumed.

According to the Food a n d A g r i c u l t u r e Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, women globally account for 48% of agricultural employment in low- income countries, contributing as farmers, traders, processors, and resource managers In forestry, over one billion women rely on forest resources for income, food, medicine,andfuel.

In fisheries and aquaculture, women make up 24% of workers in primary production, and in

Let's grow with them

small scale fisheries, they constitute 40% of the value-chain workforce, especially in processing and post-harvest activities, wheretheyrepresent62%of workers.

IYWF2026aimstoraise awareness and catalyse action to close gender gaps and improve women's livelihoods worldwide It

calls for renewed commitment to expanding economic opportunities, strengthening leadership, and ensuring equitable access to resources and decision-making. If women are provided with the tools and opportunities that they need to maximise their contribution to food systems, then countries and communities can maximize their productive efforts to achieve food security By promoting equality and empowerment, the Year supports the transition toward more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifoodsystemsglobally

Across Guyana, women

make indispensable contributions to rural development, climate resilience,andfoodsecurity Women actively participate infarmingacrossthecoastal belt,hinterland,andriverine communities. They engage in crop production, agro-processing, market

trading, and small a g r i b u s i n e s s ventures—fromcassavaand ground provisions to value-added foods Their work supports household nutrition, strengthens local economies, and contributes tonationalfoodsecurity

Guyanese Indigenous women are involved in gathering non-timber forest

products, producing handicrafts, supporting community forestry initiatives, and applying traditional ecological knowledge to sustainable forest management. Their contributions align with Guyana's low-carbon development strategy and help safeguard forest ecosystems for future generations.

Women are also central to the fisheries value chain, especiallyinfishprocessing, drying, packaging, selling, andmanagingfamily-owned businessincome.Theirroles help maintain livelihoods in all communities and strengthenthecountry'sblue economy in the face of climatepressures.

A good pathway to national transformation is ensuring that everyone can access the services and goods that they need, including agricultural land, finance, technology, and d e c i s i o n - m a k i n g opportunities Women's knowledge, creativity and hard work power the backboneofrurallife.Rural young women often face compounded barriers due to low income and limited access to resources. Land rights and access to resources can help them buildafoundationtoachieve early, long-term economic independence. As we get ready to celebrate International Women's Day, it is an ideal opportunity to highlight women farmers and advocate for equal opportunities.

Equal access to agricultural extension, credit, transportation, and digitaltoolscanhelpwomen

(Continuedonpage16)

100+ Guyanese demand return...

Frompage8 staffingchallengesareacute.

President last week firmly defended his government's decision and instead directly hiring Cuban medical personnel, insisting the arrangement complies with national labour laws and mirrors how other medical professionalsarecompensated.Hemadethe commentwhilespeakingtoreportersonthe sidelinesofthe50thRegularMeetingofthe Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government in Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis.

AmidmountingpressurefromtheUnited StatesovertheallegedexploitationofCuban medical workers, Guyana terminated its longstanding bilateral partnership with Cuba. Despite ending the agreement, the government instead has been paying the Cubanmedicalprofessionalsdirectlyinline withlabourlaws.

When asked whether other CARICOM states facing U.S. pressure should adopt Guyana's model, PresidentAli stressed that the approach aligns with both local and

internationallabourlaws.Hehighlightedthe region's health sector challenges and the need for medical workers, noting that if Cuban doctors and nurses are hired according to labour regulations and paid legally, they meet international standards.

“Weensurethatthey'repaidwithinthelaws ofourcountryandunderthesameconditions asanyotherworkerispaid,thatistoreceive theirmoneydirectly,”PresidentAlisaid.

KaieteurNewshadreportedthattheU.S. government had warned Caribbean nations participatinginCubanmedicalprogrammes that such arrangements may amount to human trafficking and could result in visa restrictionsandpossibletraderepercussions. However, Guyana's Minister of Health Dr FrankAnthonyearlierthismonthdeniedthat the decision was influenced by U S pressure, stating that there was no specific reasonforendingtheagreement.Instead,he explained that Cuban medical professionals are now entering Guyana on their own and applying for jobs outside of any formal government-to-governmentprogramme.

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Minister Persaud pushes education as a shield against early motherhood

“Motherhood is wonderful, but wait.” Those were the firm words of Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Vidya Persaud, as she urged young girls to delay pregnancy and focus on building opportunities for themselves while they are young.

The minister made the remarks on Wednesday at the Guyana Women & Girls Summit (GWAGS) 2026, held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre in observance of the upcoming International Women’s Day. Her comments come in the

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wake of two recent incidents involving teenage mothers that have shocked the nation and reignited concerns about teenage pregnancy. Fourteen-year-old Aleena Preetam, who had recently given birth, was found dead at her Good Hope, Essequibo home on February 23. Kaieteur News had reported that the teen was discovered unresponsive in her bedroom after her baby was heard crying for an extended period. Relatives reportedly found her motionless on her bed. Authorities later determined that her cause of death was heart failure and anaemia.

In a separate incident on February 24, a 15-year-old mother, Tiana Chapman of Pepper Street, Edinburgh Village, East Bank Berbice, was allegedly stabbed 25 times by the father of her child. The teen is currently battling for her life in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the New Amsterdam Hospital. Reports indicate that her lungs were punctured, and doctors have described her condition as “critical but stable.”

Addressing the summit, Minister Persaud cautioned that while no woman should face abuse, young girls must make careful choices about relationships and motherhood. “Delay those relationships until you are standing firmly on your two feet, as leaders, as entrepreneurs,”

she said. “I’m saying it bluntly because sometimes these things need to be said. We are dealing with a whole barrage of challenges when it comes to teenage pregnancy,” the minister added. Reflecting on the recent death of the teenage mother, the minister expressed deep sorrow. “There are lots of teenage mothers out there, and again, it was difficult. I hadn’t slept that night when I heard that child had passed. She should not have even been a mother,” Persaud said. She urged parents and guardians to become more actively involved in their children’s lives and to consistently engage young girls in conversations about their fu-

ture. “You have to speak monthly to the young women. The girls, wait. Let me say it again—wait. Because when you make choices, your future is different. Motherhood is beautiful, but wait. With teen pregnancy come medical challenges, emotional difficulties, social obstacles and everything that follows,” she stressed, while acknowledging that support services are available but often underutilised.

The minister highlighted that her ministry provides several empowerment programmes, including public assistance, technical and vocational training, and other initiatives aimed at supporting vulnerable women. How-

ever, she noted that many young women do not take advantage of these opportunities. “The conversation always starts with ‘I am a single mother,’ and I remind them that we have programmes that empower women like you. I want you to utilise the programmes that push empowerment that are free to you, technical, vocational programmes,” she said.

Persaud further emphasised the importance of education and family support in shaping better outcomes for young women. She pointed to free universal primary education, opportunities at the University of Guyana, and the GOAL scholarship programme as avenues young women should pursue. “You are at the perfect stage to choose well for yourself,” she said, adding that building a supportive ecosystem must begin at home and continue through the education system.

She also outlined legal avenues available to women, including the ministry’s pro bono legal initiative for survivors of violence and expanded access to free legal advice at ministry offices. Legal Aid, she noted, has expanded its services across the regions. Despite these resources, Persaud acknowledged that many women still do not pursue legal action or seek available support.

‘She is not a floor cloth; I will fight for justice’...

From page 12 mommy I just left them and let them drag me,” she added.

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The mother made it clear that she is not satisfied with the decision to suspend the officers. “I need it to go to court, I need the two young ladies to get charge for abusing, physically and mentally to my daughter,” she said.

The woman said the or-

deal has left her daughter traumatised and fearful of public ridicule, given the circulation of the video online. “She said she feel shame, she said she skin up all pon the ground and when she look she see a man went videoing she…” the angry mother related. “People gon point her out, they gon make laugh off of she, this video not gon

come down, my daughter have to live with this all of her life…I don’t feel comfortable with it, because my child is not a bad person, she never run away, I never had them kinda trouble with me daughter and I really need justice for my daughter,” Douglas said. In a statement on Facebook, Minister of Human Services and Social Security

Vindhya Persaud described the footage as “appalling” and confirmed that the two CPA officers were suspended with immediate effect. She said the Guyana Police Force has been engaged to take further action and that the officers will be held accountable for conduct that runs counter to the agency’s values and procedures.

OP:ED: Women grow the world...

From page 15 participate more fully in agrifood value chains. By designing services that are genderresponsive—including flexible scheduling, localised training, and women friendly technologies, we can close persistent servicedelivery gaps.

Investing in education, technical training and leadership development expands their economic choices and enhances productivity across farming, forestry and fishing sectors. Training tailored to everyone—especially in climate-smart agriculture, agroprocessing, financial literacy and entrepreneur-

ship—creates pathways to better employment and income growth.

Ensuring that women have a voice in cooperatives, community organizations, producer groups and natural resource management bodies lead to more inclusive and effective governance. When women influence decisions about land, markets, climate adaptation and local development, communities become more resilient and equitable.

Women’s unpaid care responsibilities limit their ability to participate in training, paid work and community leadership. Expanding childcare support, social pro-

tection systems and flexible work arrangements help women manage both productive and caregiving roles, reducing gendered burdens and inequalities. Empowering women farmers directly improves household wellbeing. When women have equal access to resources, hunger decreases, dietary diversity improves and families become more resilient to economic and climate shocks. As women’s productivity increases, communities experience broader economic growth and stronger agrifood systems. When everyone has equal access to resources, everyone benefits: families, com-

munities and entire national economies. Supporting equal access to resources is not only a matter of fairness but also a solution to advance equality for everyone. Let us continue to champion women— honouring their contributions, expanding their opportunities and ensuring their voices shape the future of agriculture, forestry and fisheries. When women rise, nations rise with them.

Celebrating the hands that feed, nurture, and sustain our world—this Women’s Day and throughout the International Year of the Woman Farmer.

Measuresbeingimplemented tostrengthenpatientsafety atGPHC–Min.Anthony

DPI - Immediate measures are being implemented at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to strengthen patientsafetyandpreventself-harm.

Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony made the disclosure on the sidelines of an event held at the Eccles Health Centre, East BankDemerara,onWednesday

The decision comes in the wake of two recent incidents at the health facility, in whichpatientsdiedafterreportedlyjumping fromthewindow

Minister Anthony explained that the Ministry of Health has already begun addressing structural vulnerabilities, with a focusonsecuringwindowsacrossthefacility whilemaintainingfiresafetyrequirements.

“I have given specific instructions to the hospital to put temporary barriers on all windows,”theministerstated.

Henotedthatwhilealong-termsolution is underway to replace windows with more secure designs, temporary barriers will be installedimmediatelytoreducerisk.

According to him, the hospital had already initiated a process to modify windows after the first incident, but that effort has not yet been completed. In the interim, additional safeguards are being introduced.

The minister also pointed out that ongoingrepairstothepsychiatricwardhave requiredsomepatientstobehousedinother areasofthehospital,promptingtheneedfor

Minister of Health

Dr. Frank Anthony (DPI)

heightenedprecautions.

Despite patients being placed under suicide watch, he acknowledged that both incidents occurred within brief moments whensupervisionwasinterrupted.

Heemphasisedthatthenewmeasuresare intendedtoclosethosegapsandpreventany recurrence, while expressing regret over the lossofbothpatients.

Guyanese-bornRonleyFloydBynoewas extraditedfromGuyanatotheUnitedStates ofAmerica(USA)onWednesday4thMarch, 2026tofaceaseriesoffraudcharges.Thisis according to the Director of Public Prosecutions(DPP),ShalimarAli-Hack,SC.

In a statement on Wednesday, the DPP said Bynoe was takenfrom the Georgetown Camp Street Prison where he was held on remand pending the extradition. He was escorted under security to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) where he was handedovertotwoUSMarshallsandplaced on an outgoing American Airlines flight boundfortheUS.

Bynoeallegedlycommittedtheoffences of Misuse of a Social Security Number, Aggravated Identity Theft and Bank Fraud; in September 2023, a criminal indictment NO. 1:23 CR00534 was filed in the District Court of the Northern District of Ohio USA forhimtostandtrialbyagrandjury

Based on the charges, an arrest warrant was issued, but could not be served on the accused because he had fled the US. Investigations conducted by the US Authorities, revealed that Bynoe had travelledtoGuyana.

In November 2025, the US government madearequestforBynoe’sextraditiontothe GuyanaGovernmentthroughtheMinistryof Home Affairs which sought and obtained legaladvicefromtheDPP’sOfficeonhowto proceedwiththeextraditionrequestfromUS government.

On February 16, 2026, pursuant to section 12(1) of the Fugitive OffendersAct,

AuthoritytoProceedwiththe extradition.

Notably, Bynoe was arrested by local police and taken before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the GeorgetownMagistrates’CourtonFebruary 19, 2026, where he was informed of the extradition request made by the US Authorities. According to the DPP, Bynoe consentedtobeextraditedtotheUSwithout Court proceedings to face multiple fraud chargesheallegedlycommittedthere.

‘WewillstandbyCuba,’Barbados’ Sincklersaysamidsanctionspressure

(Barbados Today) Barbados will not abandon its long-standing ties with Cuba despite international sanctions, Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister

Senator Chris Sinckler said on Tuesday, stressing that the island will work with all sides to ensure the Cuban people benefit from any futuredevelopments.

Insisting that Barbados andtheCaribbeanhavehada long-standing beneficial relationship with Cuba, he said: “We’re not going to turnourbacksonourfriends. We’re not going to pretend that we don’t have those relationships, but we’re going to work with all sides to ensure that whatever happens,thepeopleofCuba comeoutthebetterforthisin theend.”

Theforeignministerwas speaking from the well of Parliament as the Estimates continued in the House of Assembly, responding to a question from MP Dwight Sutherland on whether the islandwouldfacechallenges in maintaining its sovereign base and forming trade relationships with countries under sanctions, including Cuba. Since 1962, an embargo preventing US businesses andcitizensfromconducting trade or commerce with Cuban interests has been in place. Cuba is now facing a growing humanitarian crisis due to an intensified fuel blockade by the United Statesfromthebeginningof thisyear

Pointing to Barbados’ position within the United

Nations, calling for the lifting of the sanctions, Sinckler highlighted CARICOM discussions last weekduringitssummitwith the US Secretary of State MarcoRubio.

Sinckler said: “There’s a potential that changes are going to happen, and those changes, we don’t know whatthey’regoingtobe.We don’t know what they are, andwecan’tpresumetosay whattheyare.

“What we can do, however,istoensurethatwe continue to monitor the situation, maintain our position in relation to sanctions and other issues which have been affecting the Cuban state, express our solidarity with them, ensure that we work to ensure that no disaffected humanitarian

crisis exists in the country for whatever reason, to contribute as nations in the CARICOM region to ensuring that we support ordinary citizens in Cuba to be able to survive and prepare ourselves to work for a solution that would be tothebenefitofthepeopleof Cuba.That’swherewehave tobeinthisspace.”

“This is not a game of chance.Itisnotagame.It’sa veryseriousthing.”

He stressed that the developments were being monitored closely to ensure thattherelevantdepartments could make decisions based on real-time intelligence about what was happening with that country, “because there’s a saying which we use: today for me and tomorrowforyou.”

Venezuela’s economy grows more than 7% in Q4, central bank says

(Reuters) - Venezuela’s economy grew 7.07% in the fourth quarter a year earlier, the central bank said on Wednesday,reportinga19th consecutive quarter of growth even as analysts estimatefarlowerexpansion andtriple-digitinflation.

The quarterly economic growth, the central bank said, was driven by oil activities, which rose 13.41% year-on-year, while non-oil activity grew 5.3% supported by construction andmining.

Local analyst firms, however, estimate much more modest economic growth and consumer price risesabove400%lastyearas

country has suffered a long economicdecline.

The central bank said

product (GDP) growth was

circumstances marked by sanctions and financial

intensifying during the last quarterof2025 ”

In 2025, Venezuela’s GDPgrew8.66%onayearly basis,itadded.

The monetary authority has not reported inflation data since 2024, when the gov

d

he annualized rate reached 48%.

Africansupplychainsunder strainfromMiddleEast conflict,Ramaphosasays

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers the State of the Nation (SONA) address in Cape Town, South Africa, February 12, 2026. Rodger Bosch/Pool via REUTERS.

(Reuters) - South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa said on that the escalating conflict in the Middle East was already puttingstrainontheAfrican continent’s supply chains and causing higher energy prices.

Ramaphosa made the comments at an African energy conference in Cape Town, which is taking place at a time of extreme

volatility on global energy markets.

Oil and gas prices have surged following Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran and retaliation by Tehran that forced shutdowns of oil and facilities across the region anddisruptedshippinginthe crucialStraitofHormuz.

“Africa is already experiencing the impact of theescalatingconflictinthe Middle East, with strains on

supply chains and higher energy prices,” Ramaphosa told the Africa Energy Indabaconference.

“As we have seen with R

U

during the COVID-19

Ramaphosaadded

BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT

Child protection

The tragedies of 14-year-old Aleena Preetam and 15-year-old Tiana Chapman are not isolated misfortunes; they are damning indictments of Guyana's failing child protection system.

When children give birth in public hospitals without immediate, enforceable intervention, the state has already failed them. The law is clear: minors under sixteen are victims, and mandatory reporting must trigger protection, investigation, and prosecution. Yet gaps in oversight, follow-up, and accountability persist.

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security cannot offer platitudes while vulnerable girls fall through bureaucratic cracks.

An independent, transparent operational review of the Childcare and Protection Agency is imperative. Clear response protocols, measurable timelines, and public reporting must follow.

Social workers must be adequately resourced. Anything less signals indifference. Protecting children is not optional governance it is a moral and legal obligation demanding urgent, uncompromising action.

ArcheryGuyanaannounceslandmark collaborationwithWomenAcrossBorders

Empowering Women in Sport, Leadership, and Community Development, Archery Guyana is proud to a

c collaboration with Women Across Borders, marking a bold and transformative partnership dedicated to a

empowerment, inclusion, andleadershipthroughsport

a

engagement.

Understanding (MoU) was signed by Sonia Noel, representing WomenAcross Borders, and Vidushi P

n, President of Archery Guyana. Also present was M

member of the executive of Women Across Borders Thislandmarkcollaboration bridges the dynamism of sportwiththeglobalmission ofWomenAcrossBordersto u

empower women across

purposeful initiatives and strategicpartnerships. T

envisions a multi-faceted platformaimedatincreasing participation of women and girls in archery and sport, while championing gender equality, representation, and access within athletic pathways Together, the organizations will work alongside the Women in Sport Committee of the Federation to develop leadership and mentorship programmes designed to equip female athletes with life skills, leadership competencies, confidencebuildingstrategies,andtools forsocialempowerment.

Thursday March 05, 2026

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

Toomuchmentalorphysical exercise could have you feelingabitburnedouttoday, Aries You could be considerably slower on the uptake than usual, and those aroundyoucouldbesurprised thatyou,

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Althoughyourpartnermaybe feeling very sensual at this time, Taurus, you might not feel much like getting passionate You've had a stressful few days and can barelymove.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Yourhomecouldbeagloomy place today, Gemini. A member of the household is likely to be away, and this person's presence is apt to be verysorelymissed.

CANCER(June21–July22)

An older relative or neighbor may need your assistance today,Cancer Thisisapttobe a very inconvenient time for someone to ask for help, because you have plenty of chores of your own Nonetheless.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Your creative talents could seem totally blocked today, Leo. You may have a project you really want to work on. You have the mental focus, but the creative element just mightnotbethere.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

This definitely isn’t a good day to stay home and do household chores, Virgo. If you do, some sad and rather irrational thoughts may plague you throughout the day

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Some disappointing news could put you into a rather gloomy state at some point today,Libra.Someonecloseto you might suddenly have to leave town for several weeks and you'll be lonely without them.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)

The fundraising activities of a group with which you're affiliated are going very well, Scorpio, but today you're likely to find that things seem to be stalled. Checks may not comeinthemail.

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

Career matters could move so slowly today that you just might be tempted to give up, Sagittarius. Don't even think that way! It's just one of those dayswhennothingseemstogo right.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Ifyou'vegotsomethingyou're tryingtostudy,Capricorn,this isn’t the day to do it. Your concentration is likely to be off, and what you're reading will probably look like Greek to you Unless it’s really necessary

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Dark, depressing dreams could plague your sleep tonight, Aquarius, probably alternatingwithsillyonesthat make you laugh out loud.You could wake in the morning totally confused by these images.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Have you been invited to a party that's supposed to take place today? If you think you haven't, Pisces, you'd better checkyourcalendaragain.

The 2026 Archery Guyana Women in Sport Committee, commissioned on January 14th, comprises Chair of the Committee: Juanita Persaud, Secretary: Jo-Lee Zammet, Shequana Holder, and Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon.

“Today marks a new chapter in empowering women through sport and c o m m u n i t y T h i s collaboration with Women across Borders strengthens our commitment to inclusion, representation, and opportunity for all women and girls in archery and beyond,” said Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, President of Archery Guyana.

S o n i a N o e l , a n international fashion designer, entrepreneur, and advocate for women’s empowerment, has spent nearly three decades building platforms that elevate confidence, leadership, and cultural identity through fashion and community engagement. As she approaches her 30-year milestone in the fashion industry, three decades of empowering lives through fashion, mentorship, and global representation this collaborationformspartofa broaderlegacyofimpactand purpose-drivenwork.

Women Across Borders is a platform dedicated to connectingandempowering women across regions through leadership development, strategic alliances,andinitiativesthat foster economic growth, personal development, and social advancement The organizationiscommittedto creating opportunities that transcend geography and createlastingchange.

“We are honoured to stand alongside Archery Guyana in advancing opportunitiesforwomenand girls through sport Empowermentisnotlimited to one industry it is about creating access, building confidence, and nurturing

leadership wherever women showup.AsIcelebratethree decadesofempoweringlives through fashion, this partnership represents the continued expansion of that mission into sport, into community, and across borders,”saidSoniaNoel.

Allen blitz fires New Zealand into T20 World Cup final with crushing win over S Africa

KOLKATA, India, (Reuters) - Finn Allen plunderedthefastestcentury in Twenty20 World Cup historytoleadNewZealand into the final with a ninewicket demolition of South Africa at the Eden Gardens Wednesday

S o u t h A f r i c a , previously unbeaten in t h e t o u r n a m e n t ,

r e c o v e r e d f r o m a precarious 77-5 to post a competitive 169-8 after Marco Jansen led their recovery with a belligerent 55notout.

Allen smashed an unbeaten 100 off 33 balls, however, and shared a 117-run opening stand with Tim Seifert (58) as New Zealand romped to their target in only 12.5

overs.

Allen, who hit eight sixes, finished the match withhis10thfourtobring upthefastesthundredina T20 international between ‘two fullmembernations.

“I’d say it’s pretty up there,” player of the matchAllensaid “ O b v i o u s l y, w e wanted to try and put them on the back foot early I think it’s easy for me when Timmy’s going likethat.

“I can kind of just watchandthenhititwhen it’s in my area and then just try and give him the strike.”

SouthAfrica went into the match on the back of seven wins in a row

including a seven-wicket thumpingofNewZealand inagroupmatch

The presence of two left-handed batters in South Africa’s top three prompted New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner to bring on off-spinner Cole McConchie as early as the second over and the moveimmediatelypaidoff.

Quinton de Kock (10) was snared at mid-on and Ryan Rickelton ‘the ball to backward point off the nextdelivery.

New Zealand were denied a third powerplay strike when Rachin Ravindra spilled Aiden

M a r k r a m ( 1 8 ) a t midwicket with the South Africacaptainonthree Ravindra made amends

in his first over, however, as Markram was adjudged out even though fielder Daryl Mitchell himself was uncertainhehadcompleteda cleancatchinthedeep.

More drama followed in Ravindra’s next over when Glenn Phillips dropped David ‘Miller, but five balls later Mitchell held on at long-offtoremovehim.

Jimmy Neesham dismissed the dangerous Dewald Brevis (34) to reduce SouthAfrica to 77-5 in the 11th over but the Proteas fought back as Jansen combined with TristanStubbs(29)inarapid 73-runstand.

AllenandSeifert‘looked in a hurry to finish the job from the start, amassing 84 runs in the six powerplay overs to take control of the match.

Allen plundered 22 runs fromaCorbinBoschoverin a scintillating display of power-hitting and it was not ‘until the 10th over that KagisoRabadabeatSeifert’s swipe across the line and sentthebailsflying.

New Zealand were cruising by then, however, and Ravindra joined Allen to complete the chase in dominant style

Defending champions India take on twice champions England in the second semi-final in Mumbaitoday,Thursday Scores: New Zealand 173 for 1 (Allen 100*, Seifert 58, Ravindra 13*, Rabada 1-28) beat South Africa 169 for 8 (Jansen 5 5 * , B r e v i s 3 4 , McConchie 2-9, Ravindra 2-29)byninewickets

Tucber Park Cricket Club thank Government for installing floodlights at the Berbice High School Ground

The Tucber Park Cricket Club (TPCC) has shown appreciation to the Government of Guyana for the installation of lights and otherfacilitiesattheBerbice HighSchool(BHS)Ground.

TheTPCC, which is one of the top cricket clubs in Berbice and Guyana, was founded by former longservingcricketadministrator for the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Carl Mooreintheearly2000s.

The Club uses the BHS groundatQueenstown,New

AlbionCommunityCentreCCscorestwo convincingvictoriesintheBCB/Guyana BreweriesU19cricketcompetition

Twoconvincingvictoriesintheirfirsttwo games by the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club has given the team a positive start in the 2026 U19 Inter club 50Overs Berbice Cricket Board, Guyana Breweries cricketcompetition.

In their first-round game, Albion Community Centre Cricket Club (ACCCC) crushed Port Mourant Cricket Club (PMCC) byninewickets.

InthematchwhichwasplayedatthePort MourantGround,thehometeamwonthetoss andelectedtotakefirststrike. PortMourant were routed for a paltry 68 in 16.1 of their allotted50overs.

Doing the damage for theACCCC, Legspinner Feeaz Baksh bagged 4 for 4, while medium pacer Nicholas Lepps snared 4 for 26.

In reply,Albion raced to 70 for 1 in 10.4 overswithChameshSewnauthandNathaniel Ramsammy unbeaten on 26 and 25 respectively

In another game,ACCCC whipped Rose Hall Town (RHT) ‘A’ by 7 wickets in the matchplayedattheAlbionGround.

Batting first, Rose Hall Town were bundled out for 126 in 43 overs with Tameshwar Deonandan scoring 32 and JonathanHicks20.

Bowling for ACCCC, off spinner Rovin Lallbeharry picked up three wickets while there were two each for Nathaniel Ramsammy and medium pacer Nicholas Lepps.InreplyACCCCscored129for3in23 overs.Ramsammyledthewaywith42,while Saaid Jumrathy made 30 and Sahid Gajnabi wasunbeatenon24.

Amsterdam as its training ground and home. The installationofthefloodlights is in addition to the construction of Washroom Facilities, Sight Screen and Relayingofthepitch,which werealldonerecently

Since its formation, the club has been making tremendous strides in the cricketingarena

It has produced over eighty-five players for Berbice, Guyana and the West Indies at various levelsincludingthelikesof current West Indies stars Shamar Joseph, Romario

Shepherd, Guyana pacer

Nial Smith and former West Indies and Guyana female cricketer Tremaine Smarttamongothers According to the club, theyseetheinvestmentsby the Government through the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports and The R

development of sports

cricket in the

Guyana at large (Samuel Whyte)

Modec’s inaugural Football Championship decides finalists today

Fromaninitialfield of 14 tertiary institutions, only four remain in the hunt for ultimate bragging rights and theattractivefirst-placecash prize on offer, as the inaugural Modec Football Championship reaches its decisive semifinal stage today at the No.5 Ground in Berbice.

This afternoon’s double-header will see Mahaicony Technical Institute clash with New Amsterdam Technical Institute, while Essequibo Technical Institute square offagainstUpperCorentyne Industrial Training Centre foraplaceinSunday’sgrand finale.

After three weeks of relentless action, the final

y contenders Now, with the stakes at its highest, only twowilladvance.

Essequibo Technical Institute have built their campaign on composure under pressure, anchored by a disciplined midfield

Institute, meanwhile, have carved out a reputation for resilience, repeatedly overturning deficits to snatchvictoryfromthejaws ofdefeat.

U

Industrial Training Centre bring a more measured and structured approach, suffocating opponents late in matches with superior organisationandfitness.

The New Amsterdam Technical Institute have relied on belief and flair, producing a pair of eyecatching performances en routetothesemifinals

With a few days to regroup and fine-tune their preparations, the teams now standonthebrinkofhistory F

n g supporters, but once the whistleblows,onlythoseon thepitchwilldeterminewho

marches on and who bows out.

The tournament has delivereditsshareofdrama; from emphatic double-digit triumphs to stunning comebacks overturning mammoth deficits, setting the stage for what promises to be an electrifying climax onSunday,March8.

Proceedings begin at 12:00 noon when Essequibo Technical Institute, boasting three wins from three outings, take on an equally unbeaten Upper Corentyne side, who enter with two winsandadraw Bothoutfits have displayed similar tactical discipline, but execution on the day will separate contender from casualty.

At2:00p.m.,undefeated

Mahaicony Technical Institute face a stern test against title hopefuls New Amsterdam Technical Institute. NATI, whose lone blemish came against Port Mourant in the earlier rounds, must raise their game against a Mahaicony side that has impressed with consistent, high-quality football.

T o d a y , t w o championship tickets are on the line.At the end of these two thrilling clashes, the finalists of the Petra/Modec inauguralchampionshipwill beknown.

The tournament is made possible through title sponsor Modec Guyana, with su

East Bank Inter Village Football Tournament...

Wilson,NDCChairmanmeetteams

Declaring it as a good meeting, Sports Extra’s Franklin Wilson, organiser of the upcoming East Bank Inter-Village Football Competition met with representativesoftheinvited teams, during a simple ceremony that was held on

T u e s d a y , a t t h e

Eccles/Ramsburg BB ground.

Wilson, himself was a former top administrator of the sport, met the gathering, which included Chairman (ag)oftheEccles/Ramsburg NDC, Ramesh Persaud, to discuss the staging of the tournament and to ventilate all pertinent information related to teams’ eligibility andexpectations.

According to the Organiser, among the teams represented at the occasion included Agricola, Grove, Herstelling, Farm, Circuitville, Samantha Point/Kaneville,Mochaand Timehri.

Tournament Organiser Franklin

and NDC

Several teams were excused for their absence including Kuru Kururu, SoesdykeandSwan,whoall provided acceptable reasons

fortheirnoshow.

The NDC Chairman in his remarks applauded the Organiser for the initiative, adding that it was indeed

timely and pointed to the benefits that will be derived during the staging of the tournament.

“I can already see the

benefits of such a tournament which will afford young players the opportunity to play and showcase their skills and at thesametimeprofitfromthe correct guidance in an organised setting,” Persaud pointedout.

Wilson in his response assured the Chairman that Sports Extra will render

a s s i s t a n c e i n t h e development of the young players.

He even disclosed that theEccles/Ramsburgfacility is high on the radar for the official Opening Ceremony which is slated for midMarch.

He further highlighted that the meeting was also called to commence registration of the invited teams, the rules that will govern the tournament and the disclosure of the prize moniesthatwillbegivenout to the winners and outstanding individual performances.

IBO/GBBC March 28 Fight Night at Pegasus Suites...

Wilsonalsotookthetime to underscore the need for teams to allow all registered players equitable playing time, while reminding that therewillbeazero-tolerance stance for any show of indiscipline.

The whole aim of the competition is to kick start theresuscitationofthesport on the East Bank of Demerara and Highway corridors, which according tohimhasbeeninadormant stateforsometime.

A total of $3million in prize monies will be up for grabs with the first prize set at $1million, while 2nd, 3rd and4thprizesare$500,000, $250,000 and $150,000 respectively along with individualaccoladesforBest Goalkeeper, Most Valuable Player and Highest Goalscorer

Sixteen teams have been invited to battle for top honours.

“Irespecthim,butIhavetodisciplinehim”-saysveteran boxerMarquesaheadofupcomingMarch28FightNight - “Dexter will be lying flat on his face” Allicock promises

BYCLIFTONROSS

Pre-fight banter got underway yesterdayatthePegasusSuitesand Corporate Centre, where local headliners Keevin Allicock and Dexter Marques signalled their respective intentions ahead of the super-stacked March 28 International Boxing Organization (IBO)/Guyana Boxing Board of Control(GBBC)FightCardhosted inGuyana.

The card will be headlined by the USAbased Elton Dharry, who will be seeking to bring home the title while adding to his current professionalcareerrecordof30-61;with17ofhiswinscominginthe form of Ko’s. From a challenge perspective, the 22-year-old African Salmin Kassim, will have moretoproveashelookstomove up the ranks and also improve his still young record of 10-0-2. The two will trade blows for the Super B a n t a m w e i g h t Wo r l d Championship in the main bout, following the GBBC getting the GreenLightfromtheIBO.

But following Wednesday’s press conference held at the Pegasus Suites, home of the upcoming fight, GBBC boss Peter

Abdool, touted another encounter as one which could steal the evening,giventhematchup.

Wily veteran “De Kid” Marques and young sensation Allicock ensured yesterday’s conference was filled with enough backandforthbanter,thatonFight Night fans should expect a hardhitting war between the two Guyanese for the Featherweight championship Allicock, an Olympian who represented Guyana at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the featherweight

divisionand4-timeCaribbeangold medalist winning in 2017, 2018, 2019and2025,saidthismatchwill behisdefiningmoment.

“ThisiswhereKeevinAllicock takes over I’m letting everyone knowthisisseriousbusiness,come March,Dexterwillbelyingflaton hisface,”saidtheOlympian.

Continuinghispre-matchjawing, Allicock warned his more seasoned opponentthatfightnightwillbeanall outassault “Icanpunishhimfirstand knockhimoutafterorknockhimout early; the ball is in his court, when

lightning strikes, it only happens once”, said the Caribbean Gold Medalist Responding to an overlyconfidentopponent,Marqueswith19 wins and 5 losses took a more old school approach, by cautioning the younger Allicock ahead of their encounter “I want to thank Keevin formakingthestepfromboytoman It’sadifferenttimebetweenAmateur andProfessionalbuthecalledmeout and I respect him but I have to disciplinehim”,explainedtheformer CABOFE Flyweight Champion.

Marques,whowentProbackin2007, said the fight will be a true test of skills, especially between the contrastingtimelines;butbelievesthe inexperience of Allicock could be something which plays against him when faced with a more veteran fighter

Ninvalle confirmed that 2 overseas opponents will be on the card,notingthatboxinghasseenan exciting time lately, while hinting thatwithinthetwomonthsthefirst gym is set to open in Berbice; another aspect of the Sport’s continuedgrowth.

Ticketsfortheevent,according to Abdool, will go on sale from Monday at the hotel’s lobby area. The fight which will be hosted at thehotel,willhaveaninternational feel with the set-up being mainly ring-side oriented with VIP and VVIP areas also set to encompass what will be one of the biggest fightsoftheyear

Abdool promised a strong amateurandprofessionalfightcard while hinting at the event being broadcastedhereinGuyanaandas far as to the people in Tanzania, who will be able to support their homeboyKassim.

Meanwhile, Tuesday’s conference also broke down some logistics, a few words from National Sports Commission (NSC) Director of Sports Steve Ninvalle, GBBC executives, Pegasus General Manager Carlos Montenegrotonameafew Ninvalle, who is also the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) president, spoke on the importance of this event. He explained how pro and amateur boxing is basically a mirrored reflection because they are both one in the same and as a result,ifemphasisisnotplacedon the two; the only entities to suffer willbetheboxers.

“Irespecthim,butIhavetodiscipline

him”-saysveteran boxerMarquesaheadofupcomingMarch28FightNight

-“Dexterwillbelyingflatonhisface”Allicockpromises

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Modec’s inaugural Football Championship decides finalists today