NOVEMBER 2,
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Sunday, November 2 – 13:45h–15:15h and Monday, November 3 –14:20h–15:50h.
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily
Sunny skies with light showers from midday to afternoon are expected during the day. Clear skies turning to drizzle and later thundery showers are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius.
Winds: Easterly to East North Easterly between 1.34 metres and 4.47 metres.
High Tide: 14:08h reaching a maximum height of 2.58 metres.
Low Tide: 07:50h and 20:05h reaching minimum heights of 0.70 metres and 0.59 metres.
“We will pursue justice relentlessly,”
– says local systems of monitoring, screening of foreigners being strengthened – urges Guyanese not to discriminate against foreigners
Commander-in- Chief of the Armed Forces, President Dr Irfaan Ali, has strongly condemned the recent horrific bombing at a city gas station that claimed the life of a child while injuring several other persons, labelling it as a terrorist attack and promising the nation that the matter will be solved. The deadly terror attack occurred on Sunday last at a Mobil gas station on Regent and King Streets in Georgetown. The Guyanese Head of State was overseas on government business at the time of the bombing, for which nine persons, including the prime suspect, a Venezuelan national, are in police custody.
Speaking at a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) event in Georgetown on Saturday morning, the Commanderin-Chief stated that, “That cowardly act, which claimed the life of an innocent child, was a vile assault on the people and an attempt to create harm and fear… This attack bore all the hallmarks of terrorism. It was an attempt to sow fear and chaos, to destabilise, to create tension. And we will get to the bottom of it.”
“We are going deep, broad and hard to the bottom of this,” President Ali declared on Saturday as he spoke publicly for the first time on the incident. Ali went on to make it clear that Guyana will not be intimidated, nor bow, nor be broken by those attempts to drive fear here. He further commended the swift and coordinated re-
sponse of the local law enforcement authorities and the Joint Services. This professionalism and response, the President pointed out, reminds us that in the face of evil, Guyana stands united and unshaken.
“The investigation will continue. The motives behind this heinous act will come to light. We will pursue justice relentlessly. And we will take every law-
ful measure to protect our people and deter those who may contemplate similar actions.”
“To those who believe they can strike fear into the hearts of Guyanese, I say this: you will fail. You will fail because the spirit of our people cannot be terrorised. You will fail because we are one nation –resolute and indivisible. You will fail because our law enforcement agencies will ensure that peace will prevail.
The safety and security of our citizens are paramount. This is non-negotiable,” the Commander-in-Chief asserted. But even as investigations continue, President
Ali urges Guyanese citizens to exercise wisdom and not discriminate against foreign nationals here, who are genuinely seeking a better life.
“We must not allow our justifiable outrage to lead us down a path of prejudice or discrimination. Guyana has long been a land where immigrants come from, fleeing hardship and torment. They came seeking refuge, not to endanger them.” In the same breath, however, the Head of State assured that they will be strengthening local systems of monitoring, screening and enforcement for every foreign national who enters the country. “We must ensure that those who enter our country do so in accordance with our laws and with respect for our peace. But let us not succumb to the temptation to paint all immigrants with the same brush. Hatred is not the answer to hatred. Fear must not drive our national policy. Guyana will remain a compassionate nation, but one that is also vigilant, strong and aggressive in the protection of its citizens and sovereignty,” he stated.
Two days after the deadly bombing attack, police arrested the prime suspect, Daniel Alexander Ramirez Peodomo, on Tuesday.
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With the arrest of Nazar Mohamed and Azruddin Mohamed by the Guyana Police Force upon the request of the US for their extradition to that country, there has been some confusion about the matter and how it will proceed. Firstly, extradition is the process by which one state (the requested state) surrenders an individual found on its territory to another state (the requesting state) where he is wanted either to stand trial for an offence he is alleged to have committed or to serve a penal sentence already pronounced against him. Over the recent decades there have been several extraditions to the US, so the legal ground is not exactly virgin territory.
Firstly, extradition has to be conducted under a specific treaty that the two states would have signed and also by the local legislation that would have codified it into domestic law. In our case the treaty governing extradition between the US and Guyana was signed in 1931 between Great Britain – which then governed us as British Guiana – and the USA and was ratified the following year. The treaty describes the process and the offences for which extradition can be granted. Upon attaining independence in 1966, the treaty remained in force in Guyana, which was the successor state. Its application in British Guiana’s domestic law was governed by the Fugitive Offenders Act of 1881, which was comprehensively amended in 1988 and then subsequently, specific aspects in 2009 and 2024 to deal with contingencies arising. For instance, an extradition request by the US to T&T had failed last year because of the nature of the evidence, and probably seeking to close a similar loophole here in Guyana, the Fugitive Offenders (Amendment) Bill 10 of 2024 was enacted. It states simply, “A record of evidence of the case against the person, including evidence that would not otherwise be admissible under the laws of Guyana, shall be admissible as evidence.”
The process is initiated by the requesting state – here the US – making a formal request to the Government of Guyana, and in the case under consideration, even though the individuals were indicted in June 2024, this was only done on October 30, 2025. The accusation that this was time just before the start of the 13th Parliament, where Azruddin Mohamed will enter as leader of WIN, is totally out of the Government as alleged.
The request would have been accompanied by evidentiary material supporting the indictments issued by the US Court, and this would be examined by institutions such as the DPP and finally by the Minister of Home Affairs for approval or denial. The next step was his issuance of an “authority to proceed” to a Magistrate. To ensure the persons requested to be extradited appear before the Magistrate, the police would have been instructed to arrest them and bring them to the Magistrate Court. This was done on October 31.
The Magistrate would then proceed to hold a committal hearing to determine if the evidence presented by the US is sufficient under Guyanese law to warrant a trial. In this instance, the charges were read to the individuals, his defence lawyers made a number of objections, and the Magistrate set the substantive hearings to begin on November 10. In the meantime the defendants were asked to lodge their passports with the court, and a nominal bail of $150,000 each was set to ensure they would appear at subsequent hearings.
In subsequent hearings the accused will be permitted to present counter-evidence and can subsequently appeal any adverse decision to the High Court, Court of Appeal, and the Caribbean Court of Justice. For instance, the offence for which extradition is requested must be a crime in both the United States and Guyana – dual criminality.
If the final court commits the accused for extradition, the final decision to surrender them is made by the Minister of Home Affairs, and he issues an order for them to be handed over to US authorities.
As can be surmised, this process can be very lengthy.
By Renata KelleR
Sixty-three years ago, President John F Kennedy single-handedly brought the world back from the brink of nuclear war by staring down Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev over the Cuban missile crisis. At least, so goes a standard US-centric interpretation of events.
But despite the narrative of Presidential strength and American resolve saving the day, the truth is more complicated – and involved a wider cast of continental characters.
As an expert in Latin American and Cold War history with a new book on the topic, I argue that when it comes to the Cuban missile crisis, it took a proverbial regional village to avert catastrophe. Indeed, the United States did not solve or experience the drama alone. Much as in geopolitics today, the Cuban missile crisis took place in a complicated environment where the entire hemisphere both reckoned with and helped shape the realities of American power and regional dominance.
Regional assistance during the crisis
On the evening of October 22, 1962, Kennedy took to the airwaves and revealed to a live international audience that the Soviet Union had secretly placed nuclear-armed missiles in Cuba capable of reaching most of the mainland US and Latin America.
Throughout his speech, Kennedy consistently emphasised that the missiles threatened the security not just of the US but of the entire hemisphere. And be-
cause the missiles were a regional threat, they required a regional solution. Kennedy called upon the Organization of American States, a regional body created in 1948 to coordinate hemispheric affairs, including security, to invoke the 1947 Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance “in support of all necessary action” to remove the missiles.
US regional neighbours responded immediately to Kennedy’s call for action.
During the crisis, Mexico and Brazil were the two Latin American countries that most enthusiastically supported a peaceful resolution. The leaders of both countries were moderate leftists and had demonstrated sympathy with the Cuban Revolution before the missile crisis. Mexico and Brazil were two of the few remaining nations in the Americas that still had official ties with Cuba, and, as a result, their leaders could help facilitate shuttle diplomacy.
Mexico’s President, Adolfo López Mateos, sent a personal message to Cuban President Osvaldo Dorticós as soon as he learnt about the missiles. López Mateos made a special appeal “in the name of the friendly relations that unite and have united our countries.” He stated that he believed it was his duty to “cordially call upon your Government so that those bases are not used in any form whatsoever and the offensive weapons are withdrawn from Cuban territory.” By communicating directly with the Cubans, Mexico’s President treated them as full participants in the crisis
on their island, not as mere victims, puppets or observers.
Mexico’s navy sent 10 ships to patrol the Yucatan Channel between Mexico and Cuba. The US ambassador noted the lack of violent demonstrations in Mexico and attributed the peaceful public response to the “firm control maintained by national and local police and military forces.”
Like López Mateos, Brazilian President João Goulart tried to use his country’s special relationship with Cuba to convince the Cubans to make concessions during the crisis. Goulart secretly reached out to Cuban leaders through his ambassador in Havana, the Cuban ambassador in Rio de Janeiro and Cuba’s representative to the United Nations. Through these channels, he tried to convince the Cubans to open their territory to an investigative UN commission.
Goulart also sent a special envoy to Havana who pleaded for a peaceful resolution. This mission was actually a top-secret favour to the Americans, who had asked the Brazilians to use their special relationship with Cuba to serve as mediators and suggest to Cuban leader Fidel Castro that giving up the nuclear weapons could be the first step in improving Cuba’s relations with its neighbours. “From such actions many changes in the relations between Cuba and the OAS countries, including the US, could flow,” the message promised.
Crafty diplomacy
Most importantly,
Mexican and Brazilian leaders changed their position in international organisations in response to the Cuban missile crisis.
Prior to the crisis, these two countries had resisted all multilateral actions against Cuba and had abstained from Organization of American States votes that put sanctions on the island. But on October 23, 1962, they changed their position and joined the unanimous vote to establish a quarantine around Cuba. The quarantine laid out a large zone where ships approaching the island could be intercepted and searched for offensive military equipment.
The OAS action provided the legal foundations for the quarantine. Establishing the quarantine under the auspices of articles 6 and 8 of the Rio Treaty made it a multilateral “act of common defence”. Had the US acted alone, interdicting ships in international waters would have legally been considered a “blockade”, or act of war.
By voting in this manner, Latin American countries demonstrated their support not necessarily for the US or US imperialism, as some critics claimed, but for multilateralism. Latin American leaders were protecting their own countries, not just the US, when they demanded the removal of the Soviet missiles. The unanimous vote also helped the US demonstrate to the rest of the world that other countries in the Americas agreed that the presence of Soviet missiles in Cuba posed an unacceptable threat.
With a commitment to strengthening hassle-free and secure banking experiences, Demerara Bank Limited (DBL) has rolled out a number of new digital banking services that would see customers, among other things, opening any type of account entirely online. This move is part of efforts by the Guyana Government to enhance and digitise the local financial sector. In fact, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh on Thursday evening announced that from November 1, customers will be able to open accounts online at four commercial banks. These include DBL, the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), Republic Bank Guyana Limited, and Scotiabank. In a statement on Saturday, Demerara Bank – Guyana’s only indigenous commercial bank, in welcoming this initiative, reaffirmed its commitment to advancing digital access and customer convenience through an enhanced online banking platform that is convenient, comprehensive, and customer-focused.
While this new policy represents a welcome expansion of online banking across
the sector, Demerara Bank already had a comprehensive suite of online applications via its website (www. demerarabank.com), offering convenience for both individuals and businesses. Nevertheless, with the new accessible online platform, customers can now conveniently apply for any of the facilities including Savings Accounts, Term Deposit Accounts, Foreign Currency Accounts, and Registered Business Accounts as well as Company Accounts.
Retail and business credit facilities
In addition to opening accounts, customers can now seamlessly apply online for a comprehensive range of retail and business credit facilities such as: housing loans; automobile (vehicle) loans; SME (small and medium-sized enterprises) loans; overdrafts, and visa credit cards (available in all three classes – classic, gold and signature). Beyond Core Banking Services, customers can also take advantage of a suite of additional services online, including: Applications for Personal and Corporate e-banking; Night Deposit Facility, and
Safety Deposit Facility.
DBL said all these services are conveniently listed under the “Accounts”, “Services”, “Credit Facilities”, and “Visa Credit Cards” sections on its website.
“By integrating these digital tools, Demerara Bank ensures that customers can open accounts, apply for loans, or request banking services anywhere, anytime, without the need to visit a branch”, it noted. Moreover, DBL’s e-banking platform provides 24-hour access to
monitor accounts, make transfers, and pay utility bills, empowering customers to manage their finances securely and efficiently.
For businesses and professionals, the bank pointed out that the ability to open company or registered business accounts online streamlines the onboarding process, thus improving turnaround time and reducing paperwork.
Demerara Bank is urging persons to visit its website at www.demerarabank. com to learn more about
its savings, term deposit, chequeing, and foreign-currency accounts; apply online for housing, vehicle, SME, overdraft, and credit card facilities; and register for our e-banking platform and experience true digital convenience.
“At Demerara Bank, we fully support the [Guyana Government’s and the] Honourable Minister’s vision for a more digitally connected financial sector and are proud to be part of this national advancement. Our enhanced online services reflect this shared commitment delivering greater convenience, innovation, and trust to customers across Guyana today and into the future. Demerara Bank looks forward to continuing its journey of digital excellence, empowering individuals and businesses across Guyana to bank smarter, faster, and more securely,” Saturday’s missive detailed.
Over the years, the Guyana Government has been collaborating with local banks to modernise operations, expand access, and align Guyana’s finan-
cial system with its growing global stature. In an invited comment, Governor of the Bank of Guyana, Dr Gobind Guyana, expressed that the introduction of online services to open accounts is a significant development in the local banking sector.
“This is part of our effort to ensure there is financial inclusion…[and] to make it easier for people to get into the banking system. Once they are able to do that, then they’ll be able to uplift themselves and have access to financial services like loans, deposits or whatever else they would need… and make it more efficient for them to transact business and [allows for] the ease of transacting business,” Dr Ganga told the Guyana Times on Friday. Previously, President Dr Irfaan Ali had revealed that the Government will implement measures to encourage more citizens to open bank accounts, noting that “we have to be able in the shortest time frame to ensure every Guyanese has a bank account”.
Moreover, the Head of State had also announced, in the past, plans to amend the Financial Institutions Act to improve the overall banking sector in Guyana.
Dear Editor, Guyanese professionals and entrepreneurs need to start asking the hard questions about what type of success we truly value.
There is nothing to be gained by congratulating or celebrating a man sanctioned or accused of smuggling billions in gold out of the country. That isn’t the definition of a successful businessman – that is an economic vandal trying to pass off
a hustle.
As the nation bleeds due to underhand deals, the business environment for us all suffers. Investors become leery and wary, local industries cannot grow, and every honest businessman must struggle twice as hard to show that Guyana is still an environment where integrity in business can exist. The so-called “moguls” that are benefitting from smuggling and other illegal acti-
vities are not opening doors for us; they are keeping us out.
Success is not building on the law; it is building within the law. As the next generation, we cannot continue to romanticise scandal or anything short of excellence. In applauding the movement of tonnes of the country’s gold in suspicious and criminal ways, what we are really doing is saying that credibility and ethics do not matter
– they do. In business, reputation is everything. Lose that, and you’ve lost everything.
Guyana is not a place to smuggle to; it is a place to build and create and succeed within the law. Guyana is a place to innovate and be sustainable. Guyana is a place to build businesses and enterprises that can last and grow and prosper. Guyana is not for smugglers, even if they seem successful.
Another Latin American country, Venezuela, not only joined the unanimous vote to establish the quarantine but also participated in it. Venezuela contributed aeroplanes, two destroyers and the country’s only submarine to the InterAmerican Quarantine Force, a combined group of Latin American armed forces that constituted the southernmost part of the quarantine line. The Cuban missile crisis marked the first time in modern Venezuelan history that the country’s forces had participated in international military actions.
“My Government will comply with each and ev-
ery one of its international compromises,” declared Venezuela’s President Rómulo Betancourt, “not only out of loyalty to written agreements in treaties that impose inevitable obligations, but also out of a sense of national survival.”
Inevitable obligations and national survival
The Venezuelan President’s declaration about his country’s response to the crisis reminds Washington what it may be forsaking and risking with today’s current policy toward Latin America.
During the Cuban mis-
sile crisis, Kennedy and Latin American leaders took their international obligations seriously and used international law to their advantage instead of defying it. In comparison, recent months have seen the Trump administration flout international norms by carrying out unilateral strikes on ships in Caribbean and Pacific waters.
Kennedy resisted the temptation to use pre-emptive airstrikes during the Cuban missile crisis because it would have violated international norms and undermined the US reputation at home and abroad. In avoiding extrajudicial violence
PAGE 4
and finding a peaceful, multilateral solution, Kennedy and his Latin American partners strengthened the rule of law and defended their national and international security.
During the crisis, the US’s neighbours in Latin America helped Kennedy take a step back from the brink and find a peaceful solution. That the world avoided nuclear war in 1962 was a triumph of multilateralism, rather than US unilateralism. (The Conversation)
Renata Keller is an Associate Professor of history at the University of Nevada, Reno
Success is not a sleight of hand. Corruption is not clever. It is cowardice passed off as achievement.
We have to stop it. Let’s draw the line – and start
is the standard, not the exception.
Yours sincerely, Philip Inshanally
MWhat are stem cells?
any cells in the body have very specific functions. For example, red blood cells deliver oxygen throughout the body, and skin cells protect the body from the environment. However, our bodies contain another unique type of cell called stem cells, which are different from other cells in that they do not have one specialised function. Instead, stem cells are unique because they can keep reproducing forever and can develop into many other types of cells, like nerve cells, fat cells, muscle cells, or blood cells. You can think of stem cells like seeds that can grow, or differentiate, into several different kinds of trees.
It is important to note that once a stem cell differentiates into a specialised cell, like a muscle cell or a fat cell, it cannot change back into a stem cell or change to a different type of specialised cell.
Have you ever seen a gecko without its tail? Or maybe a crab that is missing a claw? Do not worry! These animals have a kind of superpower; they can regrow their lost body parts. But how exactly do they accomplish this?
Take geckos as an example. Inside a gecko’s tail, there are some stem cells called mesenchymal stem cells, sleeping soundly. But the minute they detect damage, they wake up and get to work. First, mesenchymal stem cells divide because the original population is not enough to regrow an entire new tail. Once they finish reproducing, they begin to differentiate. Before you know it, the gecko has a brand-new tail!
Stem cells and stem cell-derived products have also been investigated for treating certain age-related diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
Parkinson’s disease, for example, causes damage to the brain that results in symptoms including difficulty with movement or problems with certain thinking abilities. Parkinson’s happens when a patient’s cells no longer produce enough dopamine, a compound that is necessary for controlling movement and coordinating motor functions. The most commonly used medicine for Parkinson’s disease is levodopa, the raw material used by
the body for making dopamine. But this medicine cannot totally compensate for the lack of dopamine in patients’ bodies. Over time, the body’s sensitivity to the medicine decreases, and levodopa no longer works as well to treat Parkinson’s symptoms.
Instead, scientists are currently investigating whether it is safe and effective to turn stem cells into dopamine-producing brain cells, which could then be transplanted into patients. These cells can replace the malfunctioned cells and can be a potential cure for Parkinson’s disease.
Stem Cells: Stem cells are a special type of cell that have two important properties. They are able to make more cells like themselves. That is, they self-renew.
Differentiate: Make or become different in the process of growth or development.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult multipotent cells that can differentiate into a variety of cell types, including osteoblasts (bone cells) and adipocytes (fat cells).
Cytokines: Cytokines are small proteins that are crucial in controlling the growth and activity of other immune system cells and blood cells.
Fibroblasts: Fibroblasts are a type of cell that contribute to the formation of connective tissue, a cellular material that supports and connects other tissues or organs in the body.
Collagen: Collagen is a protein that is the primary building block of your body’s skin, muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments, and other connective tissues.
Parkinson’s Disease: Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder of the nervous system that worsens over time.
Alzheimer’s Disease: Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks.
(Adapted from kids.frontiersin.org)
Aremarkable milestone has been reached as the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) celebrates 60 years of service, with personnel from every sector of the force participating in the anniversary events at the National Cultural Centre on Saturday.
During the celebrations, President Dr Irfaan Ali highlighted a new era of transformation for the GDF, emphasising modernisation, leadership development, and global recognition for the nation’s military. “Today, as we commemorate 60 years of the Guyana Defence Force, we also look ahead to a new era of transformation; the
GDF is evolving, it is being reshaped, retooled and reenergised to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world. We are building a more agile, capable and technologically proficient force, one that can respond swiftly and effectively to modern trends, both traditional and unconventional.”
President Ali also praised the force’s commitment to professional development and preparedness. He also stated that Guyana’s soldiers are being equipped with new skills, modern resources and enhanced training to carry out their duties with even greater precision and professionalism. He stressed the importance of strategic invest-
ments, noting that soldiers must make investments that will allow the country to be prepared, adding that Guyana must not be caught off guard.
On leadership within the GDF, the President remarked, “Today, I am proud to say that the leadership of the GDF, our senior officers, they are respected across the world. They are known by their names. And they are honoured by their names. And their names are honoured.” He concluded with a forward-looking message, emphasising the need for agility and mission readiness. “We are building a force that is agile, mission-ready, and capable of responding to both conventional and unconventional challenges.”
Reflections on early years of the GDF
Chief of Defence Staff Omar Khan, also speaking on the occasion, reflected on the rich history of the GDF and the collective efforts of past and present members.
“To all of us, to those who served before us, to those who served and are not with us, happy 60th anniversary,” he said. “Today we gathered not only to mark an anniversary but also to give thanks in this first event to signal the
commencement of our 60th celebration.” He recalled the founding principles of the force, saying, “when the Guyana Defence Force, our force, was established on the 1st of November 1965, our founders laid a foundation built on three enduring principles: duty, discipline, and devotion. They envisioned a professional force that would stand as the shield of our nation, ready to defend its sovereignty, uphold its values, and serve its people.” Khan emphasised that the milestone belongs to every officer and soldier, past and present, including the pioneers, veterans, fallen members, and the current generation. “It belongs to the veterans whose service and sacrifice strengthened our foundation, it belongs to our fallen, those who stood strong in their last hours and became the guardians of our rich history and memory. It also belongs to the current generation, to those who continue to uphold our proud traditions while embracing the future with vision and courage,” he said. He also acknowledged
the sacrifices of families, calling them “the silent sentinel of sacrifice”, and reminded that the next chapter will demand innovation, quick decision-making, and astute leadership.
“While our partnerships continue to strengthen our readiness, from the acquisition of assets to the deepening of regional and international cooperation, our greatest investments remain in our people, our officers and soldiers, the soldiers who wake before dawn, ready again to renew
allegiance and see our flag raised. And the pilot who cuts through the clouds in the early morning skies on board a mission.”
Khan concluded by underscoring the GDF’s professionalism and commitment.
“We have been called upon in times of peace and in times of challenge, and each time we have answered with resolve, professionalism, and pride. This milestone belongs to every officer and every soldier, past and present.”
It is said that there’s no honour among thieves. But jeez… not even among thieves who are father and son?? What has the world come to?? Your Eyewitness is talking about the arrest and charge of Sanction Man and his father on the US request when a reporter asked the former about the US gold smuggling charge for which they’d been sanctioned. “Wasn’t me!!” shrieked Sanction Man – in his best imitation of Shaggy!! – “I’m just a gold miner!! It’s my dad who’s the gold trader!!” That’s like throwing his old man under a FLEET of buses!!
And to think it was just the other day the father waxed lyrically about what a genius his son, Sanction Man, was: “He could memorise all the plate numbers of cars passing by!!” That facility must’ve served him well in his gold mining operations in the “bush”!! But then, not everyone who cries, “Miner! Miner!” actually mines, do they?? Didn’t that gold trader who sang like a canary – Sanction Man’s favourite bird, in his own words! – talk about Venezuelan Generals selling Venezuelan gold on our side of the border?? And then it would be useful for Sanction Man to remember the plate numbers of all those upscale cars he brought in without paying taxes!!
But back to the arrests. Sanction Man was quite peeved about the number of armed cops who showed up to arrest him!! But hey!! Wasn’t it he who insisted he was just a choir boy – or its Muslim equivalent! – and was being persecuted by the big, bad PPP? And who boasted about the Scrapes from Albuoystown who idolise him?? Wasn’t it reasonable for the police to guard against a mob of Scrapes creating mayhem to free Sanction Man??
Hadn’t the Police seen Sanction Man’s Scrapes in action after he sicced them onto stored in Gtown after Adrianna’s autopsy?? And didn’t the said Scrapes show up at the Magistrate Courts when he was booked?? And didn’t they scream their heads off to “Free Mohammed” – when he was already free on bail?? And didn’t all the businesses in the area – including all the lawyers!! – send home their employees early, fearing the aforementioned policeanticipated mayhem?? Mo Money!! Mo Money!!
Anyhow, your Eyewitness is taken aback – far back!! –by the conspiracy theories being spun by Sanction Man’s handlers!! One is that the timing of the arrest was to prevent him from entering Parliament – where he’ll be crowned “Leader of the Opposition”!! Now one would’ve hoped his battery of (PNC) lawyers had informed him his offences were bailable and he’d be out in a jiffy – as he and Pops soon were!!
But then the victimhood card plays well with Scrapes, no?? And lawyers’ money gaffa mek!!
…said Norton
With just one more day to the start of the Thirteenth Parliament, it looks like Norton’s fighting desperately to gain some kind of credibility – after the trouncing he received at the hands of the Scrapes who deserted their old home in the PNC to vote for Sanction Man!! Imagine he came out swinging at the Police Force for “overkill” in arresting Sanction Man!! So what’s his angle?? And in politics there’s ALWAYS an angle!!
Is he trying to score points with Sanction Man or the Scrapes?? Shouldn’t he be figuring out some way he can hang on to the PNC that should be strengthened to make some waves?? Is defending his nemesis – by making him out as a martyr – the best way to do this?? Or is he trying to make sure Chicken Man – whom he placed at the head of the PNC 12 – has a basket to fetch water??
Whatever his thinking is, it just further reinforces his irrelevance to the evolving politics in Guyana today!! Gwan da side!!...
…said Dexter
Dexter Todd was appointed as the PNC’s “shadow” Minister of Legal Affairs for the 13th Parliament. But since the larger Opposition WIN will also appoint their Shadow Ministers, will Dexter be a shadow of a shadow?? Go figure!!
The body of a man identified as Imran Khan, a 34-year-old resident of Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was on Friday found in a parked vehicle on the East Coast of Demerara. The discovery was made at around 16:15h, when Khan was seen lying inside a black Nissan Bluebird motor car, registration number PWW 946, at First Street, Mon Repos South, ECD. According to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), ranks led by a Gazetted Officer visited the
scene and observed the vehicle parked on the southern parapet of the roadway. The body was seated in the front passenger seat with the head leaning to the driver’s side; no visible marks of violence were observed.
The scene was processed by detectives, and several personal items were retrieved from the vehicle. The car has since been lodged for further examination. CCTV footage from the area is being reviewed, and several persons have been interviewed as part of the ongoing investigation. The body was examined by a doctor who confirmed the death, and it was later escorted to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home pending a post-mortem examination. Investigations are continuing.
The deceased Harris with what appears to be an injured individual nearby
Police on Saturday said that they are investigating a fatal accident that occurred at about 14:15h on Belfield Public Road, East Coast Demerara.
The accident involved a motor lorry #GRR 6089 owned by a private construction company, driven by a 33-year-old, of Alberttown, Georgetown and motorcycle #CG 5938 driven by Laron Harris, a 17-year-old male of Dochfour, East Coast Demerara with pillion rider Josiah Abrams, male, age and address unknown at this time.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the motor lorry was proceeding west along the southern driving lane while the motorcycle was proceeding east along the northern driving lane at an alleged fast rate of speed. It is reported that the motorcyclist swerved to avoid two animals (goats),
on the roadway and collided head-on with the lorry which was proceeding in the opposite direction.
As a result, both riders sustained multiple injuries. They were picked up and taken to the Enmore Regional Hospital where Laron Harris was pronounced dead on arrival and Josiah Abrams was later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where he is admitted in a critical condition.
The driver of the motor lorry was subjected to a breathalyser test which returned a negative reading.
Both vehicles are lodged at the Cove and John Police Station as investigations continue.
The body of the deceased was taken to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home where it is awaiting a post-mortem examination.
ecently, there has been a confluence of events impacting our national security that all had a nexus with the Venezuelan regime of Nicolas Maduro. First, there is the heightened activity by the US Naval Force assembled in the Caribbean Sea to interdict narco-smuggling boats from Venezuela, with one of its warships, the Destroyer USS Gravely, docking in Port of Spain and a contingent of Marines conducting joint exercises with the T&T armed forces. This precipitated a furious response from the Maduro regime via VP Delcy Rodriguez, who announced, “It is a matter of honour, dignity, morality, expression, sovereignty, and Venezuelan independence to declare this woman, who crawls like a worm, persona non grata to this Republic, which is the cradle of liberators, which is the cradle of free men and women!!” She accused PM Kamla Persad-Bissesar of making T&T a “vassal” of the US and threatened a gas deal with the island. Earlier, Guyana was also placed in Venezuela’s crosshairs for supporting the US naval actions to interdict drug smuggling.
Then, there was the Caricom statement implicitly criticising the US naval presence and its violent actions against narcosmuggling boats. It “reaffirmed unequivocal support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries in the region and the safety and livelihoods of the people of the region and claimed the actions threatened the principle of maintaining the Caribbean region as a Zone of Peace. It stressed the importance of dialogue and engagement towards the peaceful resolution of disputes and conflict.”
T&T declined to support the statement and said it wholeheartedly supported the US actions because of the effect of drug smuggling and related gang activity in T&T. Persad-Bissesar opined that the latter reality belied the claim of the Caribbean being a “Zone of Peace” and that Caricom has become an unreliable partner, so T&T would have to broaden its alliances. She later clarified, however, that there would be no imminent “Trexit” from Caricom. Guyana went along with the Caricom statement even though we have been the victim of sustained hostilities by Venezuela in its hybrid war to seize our Essequibo. We should have also abstained while enumerating Venezuela’s serial list of hostile actions, including building a bridge and reinforcing its military presence in our half of Ankoko Island, which it seized in 1966. We should be more forthright with our Caricom partners, such as St Vincent’s Ralph Gonsalves and other ALBA members who have persistently supported Maduro because of their PetroCaribe interest.
Then there are the actions of the Venezuelan Sindicato gang named “Organisation R” that has persistently attacked our GDF soldiers patrolling the Cuyuni River, our border with Venezuela. Last May, there were three attacks. Organisation R is one of several gangs that operate in the “mining arc” that adjoins the Venezuelan side of the Cuyuni and prey on the gold miners there. They work hand-in-glove with Venezuelan military officials who control the cyanide pits that extract the gold from the ore and form an integral link in smuggling some of that gold into Guyana to be further smuggled to foreign markets.
According to a recent report by the very reputable InSight Crime that focuses on Latin America and the Caribbean, “Over the years, the OR also expanded into Essequibo, where it controls illegal gold mines, according to a Bolívar state resident familiar with the gang’s operations who spoke on condition of anonymity.” More insidiously, the report claimed, “These criminal groups (the Sindicato gangs) offer a form of deniable force, a tactic the Venezuelan state has utilised in the past.”
And this activity of Venezuelan transnational gangs invokes the fourth event – the terrorist bombing by members of Organization R of a gas station in the heart of Georgetown’s commercial district. The identity of the bomber has been ascertained, and while the motive has not, the activity was clearly meant to create maximum chaos and mayhem. This was shown by the initial attempt to place the bomb in a garbage bin next to a gasoline pump, which would have been connected to the underground gas tank with thousands of gallons of gasoline.
We have now been attacked by a transnational terrorist NonState Actor (NSA) that is harboured by the Venezuelan State controlled by Maduro. Whether he directed the bombing or not, we should better appreciate the “unwilling or unable” doctrine invoked by the US to invade Afghanistan and now Venezuela because of the latter’s hands-off posture on its criminals killing foreign citizens. We await Caricom’s statement.
Investigations revealed that the alleged terrorist, who is linked to one of Venezuela’s most notorious criminal networks – the R Organisation (Organización R) – illegally entered Guyana via a boat on Sunday morning –just hours before he planted the bomb at the Mobil Gas Station at Regent and King Streets, Georgetown. Peodomo has since been arrested and has confessed to the crime, but police officials say they are still investigating the motive behind the attack.
A total of nine individuals are currently in police custody in connection with the crime, and investigations so far revealed that Peodomo was assisted by both Venezuelans and Guyanese in the country. The explosive device,
the suspected terrorist told investigators, was brought into the country from Venezuela. Moreover, detectives were successful in retrieving the images of the
explosive device used in the crime from Peodomo’s mobile phone, and those are currently being reviewed.
The government had announced that it will pur-
sue the death penalty in the courts of Guyana after arresting and charging Peodomo with terrorism and conspiracy to commit terrorism.
– says Guyana will fiercely defend its territorial integrity
resident Dr Irfaan Ali
Pon Saturday said that a nation that is at peace within sends a powerful message to the world outside, especially to those who are threatening its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“A nation at peace with itself is the best antidote to threats against its sovereignty. And this, my friends, is the peace we must preserve; the peace we must defend; the peace we must protect at all costs,” the Head of State, who is also the Commanderin-Chief of the Armed Forces in Guyana, declared.
He noted that this sense of national strength and unity must be displayed in the country’s Parliament, which is set to be reconvened on Monday.
According to the Guyanese leader, “A nation united in purpose and spirit becomes an immovable pillar against those who may seek to exploit international divisions or regional instability for their own dark designs… To the Speaker of the National Assembly… that unity and strength of a nation must be reflected in what comes out of our Parliament.”
President Ali’s remarks
come on the heels of heightened tension in the Latin America and Caribbean region as the United States conducts military operations off the Venezuelan shore to combat transnational crime and the illicit drug trade.
Washington has deployed fighter jets, warships and over 10,000 troops to the Caribbean as part of this operation that saw strikes on over a dozen boats and a semi-submersible vessel, killing more than 60 people.
The President had previously said that Guyana will work with the regional and international partners, including the US, to protect its citizens and territory as well as to ensure that the re-
gion remains a zone of peace and support efforts to combat transnational crime and illicit narco trade in the region.
President Ali made these remarks on Saturday at the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) 60th Anniversary Service at the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown.
The Commander-inChief pointed out that the GDF, since its establishment in 1965, has guarded Guyana’s peace and shielded its people.
“Though we are a small nation by size, we are large in spirit. And our Defence Force has proven that having such an institution was
not only wise. It was necessary. From its inception, the Guyana Defence Force was entrusted with a sacred mission: to safeguard our territorial integrity and sovereignty, to protect our independence, and to defend our citizens against armed aggression. This mission spans both land and sea. This mission remains as vital today as it was sixty years ago,” he posited.
<<< Fierce territorial defence >>>
According to the Head of State, the men and women in the army have worked tirelessly to keep Guyana and its people safe, standing watch at the country’s borders, guarding the airspace,
and patrolling the rivers and vast coastline.
He reiterated that while the GDF is not a force of aggression, its commitment to peace and stability must not be taken as weakness.
“Ours is not a military that seeks to provoke or threaten. Rather, it is a force of peace, protection, and patriotism… It is not an instrument of intimidation… Yet, let none mistake our commitment to peace as a sign of weakness. We are peaceful, yes, but we are prepared. And we will fiercely defend our territorial integrity and sovereignty against all threats, from wherever they may come. We will guard our borders. We will protect our people. We will preserve our peace. And we will do so with resolve,” he contended.
President Ali went on to note that threats to peace, today, can be unpredictable and senseless at times, citing last Sunday’s bombing attack at the Mobil Gas Station in Georgetown that left a six-year-old girl dead and several others injured. He strongly condemned the horrific terrorist act, for which a Venezuelan national has been arrested and confessed to committing.
Though justified, the
Guyanese leader pleaded with citizens not to let this be the source for spreading hatred and discrimination, especially towards immigrants in the country.
“Guyana will remain a compassionate nation but one that is also vigilant, strong, and aggressive in the protection of its citizens and sovereignty. The Guyana Defence Force will continue to play a vital role in maintaining this balance,” the Commander-in-Chief noted.
He said the army will support the other law enforcement agencies in upholding law and order, ensuring that Guyana remains a society of peace, stability, and justice.
Over the last few years, the Nicolás Maduro-led regime in Venezuela has been intensifying threats and aggression towards Guyana over its spurious claims to two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass – the entire Essequibo region and a portion of its Exclusion Economic Zone (EEZ), where over 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe) have been found and production as well as other exploration activities are currently being undertaken offshore Guyana.
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Rice farmers across Region Two (Pomeroon–Supenaam) are expressing renewed confidence as the Government continues to make major investments in the rice industry, boosting Essequibo’s position as one of Guyana’s leading agricultural hubs.
During an outreach held at the Anna Regina Secondary School on Saturday, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha reaffirmed the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s commitment to the rice sector, assuring farmers that their interests will always remain a national priority.
He disclosed that over $838 million has already been channelled into Region Two to boost yields, reduce
production costs, and sustain competitive prices. Minister Mustapha pointed out that assistance has been extended through the provision of fertiliser, chemicals, and transportation support to cushion the impact of rising global prices. The sector, he said, continues to show steady growth, with yields increasing from 5.5 to 6.5 tonnes per hectare. In 2024, Guyana recorded a historic 725,282 tonnes of rice, and production is projected to climb to 810,000 tonnes by 2025.
Responding to one of the farmers’ long-standing challenges, the Minister announced that the Government will invest $2 billion in the construction of a new drying and storage facility in Region Two.
Reaffirming the Government’s commitment to building tourism as a transformational pillar of Guyana’s economy, Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Susan Rodrigues said that tourism is fast emerging as a key contributor to national growth and community development. She was at the time delivering the feature address at the launch of Tourism Awareness Month
2025, held at the picturesque Baganara Island Resort in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
This year’s Tourism Awareness Month’s theme, “Tourism: A Transformational Pillar of Guyana’s Economy”, she noted, reflects the rapid transformation taking place in the industry.
“Over the past few years, we have witnessed genuine transformation in tourism, and we expect this trajectory to contin-
ue,” the Minister stated. She added that the sector continues to expand with inclusivity, sustainability, and purpose.
Minister Rodrigues said she was deeply honoured to lead the tourism portfolio, describing the moment as one of immense gratitude.
“It is such an immense pleasure to be here for my first launch of Tourism Awareness Month, and I could not envision a better location than Baganara Island Resort... this setting
captures so much of what makes Guyana special: our natural beauty, hospitality, and our commitment to preserving both as we grow.” she said.
Major strides in the tourism sector
Highlighting the major strides made in connectivity and infrastructure, she pointed to Guyana’s strengthened air links with the world. She noted that over the past year, the Ministry has strengthened Guyana’s international connectivity through several new and expanded airline routes.
Collectively, these developments are expected to boost visibility, expand access, and create new opportunities for Guyana’s tourism sector.
The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) on Saturday extended its support to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) for its crackdown on illegal mining and smuggling in Guyana.
In its Saturday press release, the GGDMA noted that recently, the Commission carried out enforcement exercises in the Sand Hills and Toroparu areas, during which several illegal miners and raiders were detained and several illegal shops and operations were dismantled. The GGDMA also com-
mended the Guyana Police for their support in this exercise.
The GGDMA stated that it has been urging the GGMC to increase its enforcement efforts to stamp out illegal gold mining, and to this end the GGDMA welcomed the recent effort as part of a renewed and larger campaign.
The Association also called on the GGMC to ex-
pand this exercise to other areas and begin the regularisation of landings in the mining areas.
According to the GGDMA, it must be noted that illegal gold mining and the operation of illegal shops fuel other associated illegal activities, such as human trafficking, gold smuggling and the sale of illegal drugs.
These activities have in the past been tied directly
to the gangs in Venezuela, including the notorious Sindicato gang. At a time when Guyana is under threat from its aggressive neighbour, the country must take all steps to stop activities linked to the financing activities in Venezuela, it stressed.
The GGDMA, it added, has always called for an end to illegal mining.
The Association also took the opportunity to remind miners that all gold must be sold to the Guyana Gold Board or authorised dealers, and detailed records must be kept for verification.
“A nation at peace is the best...
Guyana has since filed judicial proceedings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), seeking a final and binding settlement of the 1899 Arbitral Award that determined the boundary between the two South American neighbours. That matter is still pending in the World Court, and a decision could be delivered as soon as next year.
However, tensions between the two neighbours escalated back in March of this year after a Venezuelan naval ship entered Guyana’s waters and threatened several offshore oil vessels.
But the GDF’s Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, stated during Saturday’s anniversary service that the Guyanese army
was established with the vision that it would stand as the shield of the nation, ready to defend its sovereignty, uphold its values and serve its people – something that it is still committed to.
“Today, six decades later, that vision lives on in every officer and rank who proudly wears and would have worn this uniform. From our early beginnings to our modern achievements, the Guyana Defence Force has remained steadfast in defending our borders, safeguarding our people and contributing to national development,” Brigadier Khan noted.
According to the Army Chief, there have been increased efforts over the last few years to bolster the GDF by expanding its presence
across the air, land, sea and cyber domains. It has also upgraded its operational capability and infrastructure to defend the nation whose global profile is rising.
He declared that this is “…A Guyana that is no longer rich in promise, but one that is now commandeering its own potential to realise what that potential is.”
To this end, the Chief of Defence Staff noted that the GDF is ready and prepared to ensure the development of Guyana and its people.
“We are here to serve our people, and serve we must. And so, let this 60th anniversary ignite in us a renewed sense of purpose. Let it remind us that every act of service, every mission completed and every standard
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) is urging all citizens and residents to remain vigilant and to promptly report any suspicious persons, activities or movements observed within their communities or public spaces.
Members of the public are reminded that maintaining safety and security is a shared responsibility, and early reporting of suspicious behaviour can help prevent unlawful acts and ensure the wellbeing of all, the GPF advised.
upheld contributes to something greater – the safety, the stability and the sovereignty of Guyana,” Brigadier Khan stated.
The Police also stated that anyone who notices suspicious individuals loitering, acting unusually, or behaving in a manner that raises concern is asked to immediately contact the Force Control (24-Hour Operations Centre) on any of
the following numbers: 2271149, 227-1611, 225-8196, 225-6940, 226-1389, 2271148, 227-2128, 227-1141, or the Emergency Hotline 911 for immediate assistance. All information provided will be treated with the strictest confidence.
“The Guyana Police Force thanks the public for their continued cooperation and partnership in maintaining peace and security across the nation,” the Police brief concluded.
The project, now under evaluation, will have the capacity to store up to three million bags of paddy, significantly reducing delays at local mills and improving efficiency across the value chain. Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Madanlall Ramraj, also highlighted the collaboration between his Ministry and Agriculture to improve transportation logistics. He noted that more
than 200,000 bags of paddy have been transported across the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara Harbour Bridge and via additional ferry services from Good Hope and the MV Hercules, ensuring timely movement of produce. Farmers across the region welcomed the continued support, noting that Government intervention has eased many of their operational burdens.
“When the Minister says
the Government is standing with us, we can see the work happening,” one farmer from Dartmouth remarked. Also attending the meeting were representatives from the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), among other regional officials.
Region Two (Pomeroon–Supenaam) has received a major boost to its energy reliability and sustainability with the commissioning of the $2.2B (US$10.4M) 5 Megawatt peak (MWp) Onderneeming Solar Farm – Guyana’s largest hybrid solar-plus-storage power plant to date.
The newly established facility, which incorporates a cutting-edge 7.5 megawatt-hour (MWh) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), stands as a major milestone in the Government’s push toward
clean, dependable, and affordable electricity for thousands of residents across the Essequibo Coast.
Spread across 13 acres, the solar farm combines 5 MW of photovoltaic capacity with battery storage technology capable of retaining surplus energy during daylight hours and supplying it after sunset. This hybrid system ensures greater grid stability and consistent power flow, even during periods of low sunlight.
Currently, the Essequibo Coast’s isolated grid operates with around 16 MW of
installed diesel generation capacity, of which 13 MW is available due to maintenance cycles. The region’s peak demand averages 8.5 MW. The new solar farm contributes 4 MW of clean energy, while another 2.3 MW facility nearing completion at Charity will further bolster supply.
Once both facilities are operational, Essequibo’s generating capacity will increase to approximately 22.3 MW, almost three times its current peak demand. The excess capacity will allow for smoother generator maintenance schedules, reduce diesel consumption, lower operational costs, and minimise carbon emissions.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips described the development as a tangible demonstration of the Government’s ongoing effort to strengthen energy security while advancing Guyana’s climate agenda.
“This project represents another step forward in our national efforts to deliver clean and affordable energy to the people of Guyana,” the Prime Minister stated.
He lauded the project’s successful completion, highlighting the transformation of previously undeveloped land into a state-of-the-art
solar generation facility.
Prime Minister Phillips reaffirmed that the addition of renewable energy sources will not lead to any hike in electricity tariffs. Instead, he said, savings from reduced fossil fuel use will directly benefit consumers. He also emphasised that the Government’s broader energy programme includes the construction of solar farms across other regions, the distribution of 37,000 solar panels to hinterland households, and the implementation of a 125 MW hydropower project by 2031.
“With energy and food security at the forefront, Guyana is moving closer to climate security,” the Prime Minister asserted, crediting President Dr Irfaan Ali’s leadership in advancing Guyana’s global reputation in sustainable development.
Additionally, Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Executive Manager Kesh Nandlall described the initiative as a “transformational project” under the GUYSOL Programme, which seeks to generate 33 MW of solar power countrywide.
“Essequibo’s daily demand stands at about 8 megawatts during the day and 8.5 at night. With this project, our capacity now reaches 22 megawatts, significantly improving reliability and room for growth,” Nandlall noted. Meanwhile, InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) Country Representative Lorena Solorzano applauded the project as a model of innovation and collaboration under the Guyana–Norway climate partnership.
She added that this progress is complemented by ongoing investments in people and communities, which she described as “the heart of Guyana’s tourism product.”
Through the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), she explained that over $9.5 billion in carbon credit revenues has been distributed to more than 240 Indigenous villages, with 26 per cent of revenues earmarked for community-led projects.
“These funds are already supporting eco-lodges, trails, craft production, and training that strengthen community-based tourism while preserving traditional knowledge,” Rodríguez explained.
She emphasised that the
transformation of tourism goes beyond numbers and arrivals; it is about the impact on lives.
Minister Rodrigues also emphasised that tourism, as a transformational pillar, represents growth that is inclusive, responsible, and uniquely Guyanese. She noted that the sector’s evolution can be seen in initiatives ranging from community-owned lodges in the Rupununi to the restoration of destinations such as Baganara Island Resort, each reflecting the progress and partnerships driving the industry forward.
Present and future initiatives and projects
She also announced that two new tourism products
will be launched this month, one in Region Nine and another in Region Four, adding to the 68 products introduced since 2020, and revealed plans for a year-long Tourism Awareness Campaign aimed at behavioural change and improving hospitality standards across Guyana.
She added that the upcoming Tourism Awareness Campaign will confront key social issues such as littering, road behaviour, and public interaction with visitors. She explained that the initiative will be sustained across various media platforms to promote positive habits, national pride, and a stronger culture of hospitality.
“We will have those tough conversations... We will tackle our challenges with littering, with the way we interact on our roads, and with visitors. Unless we face these challenges, growth will always be constrained. This campaign will be aggressive, consistent and positive – using social media, billboards, radio, and television to change habits and inspire pride.” she said
The Minister also announced that, for the first time, the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce will have a seat on the Rodeo Committee, which she said symbolises deeper collaboration with the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), the Rupununi Regional Tourism Association (RRTA), and other stakeholders.
“Each business, each guide, each community leader, and every worker plays a part in shaping Guyana’s
tourism story. Together, we are creating an industry that welcomes visitors and uplifts our people. That is the transformation we celebrate today, one that is unique, driven by partnership, purpose, and pride.” she said.
The relevance of this year’s theme
Additionally, the Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Kamrul Baksh, said the theme for this year’s celebration is a reflection of Guyana’s tourism reality, an industry that touches every community and supports livelihoods across the country.
“Tourism is the most cross-cutting sector. It sustains families, empowers communities, and drives sustainable development... it is a force for good and a catalyst for transformation,” Baksh stated.
He noted that Guyana is among the few countries that dedicate an entire month to tourism promotion, describing it as “a clear indication of the Government’s recognition of tourism’s importance.”
Baksh commended Minister Rodrigues for her leadership and the new energy she has brought to the sector.
“Under her stewardship, we are already seeing greater engagement between the public and Private Sectors,” he said.
He also pointed to the expansion of Guyana’s tourism product into new niches, including wellness, agritourism, culture, and adventure, while maintaining the country’s reputation as an ecotourism destination.
“The next five years will see an even stronger, more diversified tourism product... Our goal is to ensure that tourism remains at the heart of Guyana’s sustainable development story.” Baksh said
Baksh further acknowledged the collaboration of industry partners, including airlines, boat operators, chefs, tour guides, and artisans, whose efforts continue to enhance Destination Guyana.
Meanwhile, the President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Mitra Ramkumar, said the theme represents more than a slogan; it is a commitment to building an inclusive and people-centred industry. He explained that tourism acts as an engine of inclusion, with benefits flowing to every level of society.
“When a visitor comes to Guyana, their spending benefits everyone from the boat captain in the Rupununi to the craft maker in Santa Aratak,” he said.
Ramkumar emphasised the importance of public-private collaboration, noting that Guyana’s tourism sector has reached new levels of partnership between Government agencies and the Private Sector. He described tourism as an export industry that not only brings foreign exchange but also promotes the “triple bottom line” of people, planet, and profit.
He encouraged all Guyanese to see themselves as ambassadors for their country, adding that every act of hospitality contributes to the nation’s image and growth.
The launch was attended by key stakeholders within the tourism and hospitality sector, including representatives from the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), members of the diplomatic corps, regional tourism officers, Private Sector partners, and Toshaos, among other representatives.
Innovation took centre stage at this year’s Berbice Expo and Trade Fair, where a new generation of creative entrepreneurs showcased the power of local talent and resourcefulness. The annual event, held at the Welfare Ground in East Canje, Berbice, continues to be a fertile ground for visionary thinkers like Abigail John of Propa Local Wines and Propa Local Teas and Alyssa Crandon of Exotic Bites. Both women represent a growing movement of Guyanese entrepreneurs who are not only transforming traditional products into modern, market-ready brands but also redefining what “Made in
“I had a T-shirt printing business, but when COVID hit in 2019, people stopped ordering. My uncle, who makes “GT Wines”, told me, ‘Market this thing; it’s going to sell.’ So I tried it. I started selling wine, and I fell in love with the business.”
That experience became her launchpad. She soon developed her own brand using Guyanese fruits to create distinctive blends that quickly gained popularity. When she first participated in the Berbice Expo, the public’s reaction opened her eyes to a new market opportunity.
“The response was great,” John recalled.
“But many people said
Guyana” truly means. Their creativity and business acumen align perfectly with this year’s Expo theme: “Harnessing New Wealth – Modernising Traditional Sectors for Sustainable Economic Development.”
From t-shirts to teas:
Abigail John’s “Propa Local” revolution For Abigail John, entrepreneurship is a story of adaptation, creativity and a deep love for her country’s natural resources. The founder of Propa Local Wines and Propa Local Teas began her business journey quite unexpectedly. “In 2018, I graduated from a Course in Marketing and Business Management.
they don’t drink alcohol and asked if I had something else. That’s how Propa Local Teas was born – to give everyone a chance to experience the benefits of our local herbs in a healthy way,” she explained.
Her new line of herbal teas has become a sensation.
“We brought Total Propa Local Teas this year, and the response has been phenomenal. People are becoming more health-conscious, and they love that our products are all-natural, local, and authentic.” Among her most talked-about products is “Goodwood”, a tea blend made from a mix of traditional herbs known to support men’s health.
“Goodwood helps regulate blood sugar, cholesterol, and circulation,” John explained with a laugh. “It’s not that something’s wrong with you fellas; it is to help you stay right.” For women, her best-selling blend is “Pretty Kitty”, made from local herbs designed to cleanse the womb and regulate menstrual cycles. “We also have teas that help you sleep, teas that purge, and teas that energise you. All of our blends are made from real Guyanese herbs, no shortcuts, no gimmicks,” she said proudly. “This isn’t a fly-by-night setup at home; it is a genuine Guyanese herbal brand that can compete anywhere. It is the perfect gift, a proper local tea straight out of the box.”
As she served samples to a steady stream of Expo visitors, John’s passion for her craft was undeniable. “Every time someone tries a cup and smiles, I know we’re on the right track,” she said. “We are taking traditional knowledge, things our grandparents used, and turning them into something sustainable and marketable for today’s world.”
Flavours of innovation: Alyssa Crandon’s “Exotic Bites”
Across the exhibition site, Alyssa Crandon, founder of Exotic Bites, was also drawing attention with her range of creative agro-processed products. Her booth was filled with colour: jars of peach powder, chamomile spread, purple tea bags, and an assortment of homemade ice creams that attracted a constant crowd. “I like to experiment with local ingredients that people often overlook. We do things like peach powder, which can be used in smoothies or pastries, and our chamomile spread, it is soothing, floral, and completely unique. It is not something you find every day,” Crandon explained.
Her innovative approach is grounded in practicality. “We want to make products that are healthy, affordable, and shelf-stable. Everything we do uses in-
gredients grown right here in Guyana. It’s about creating value from what we already have.”
Crandon said she took the initiative to contact the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce to participate in this year’s Expo. “I reached out to them because I really wanted to showcase what we’re doing. They were supportive and encouraged me to take part. For small businesses like mine, events like this mean everything. You get exposure, you meet customers, and you learn from others.”
Her products are currently available in Georgetown and along the East Coast corridor, but she hopes to expand further.
“I want to see Exotic Bites in supermarkets across Guyana and, eventually, on regional shelves,” she said confidently.
“When people pick up my product, I want them to think, ‘This looks professional, this tastes amazing, and this was made right here.”
Like John, Crandon believes innovation and presentation are key to growing local industries. “It’s not
platform for showcasing the creativity, skill, and resilience of our people. We have always believed that small businesses are the backbone of our economy. They drive innovation, create jobs, and build communities,” she said. Minister Rodrigues also noted that the Government’s investment in training, access to financing, and market linkages is yielding results.
produced wines, teas, sauces, and condiments, and admired the ingenuity behind every product. “What we are witnessing here is not just commerce, it is creativity. It is the spirit of Guyanese innovation at work,” Rodrigues said.
Innovation rooted in tradition As evening descended on the Welfare Ground, the hum of conversation and the
just about making something, it is about making it stand out. If we can elevate the look and quality of local products, we can compete with anyone.”
The success of innovators like John and Crandon highlights the growing importance of entrepreneurship in Guyana’s regional development. Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues, has been a strong advocate for supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through targeted Government initiatives.
During her address at the opening of the Expo, Minister Rodrigues reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship.
“The Berbice Expo continues to be an important
“Through the Small Business Bureau (SBB) and other programmes, we are ensuring that entrepreneurs across Guyana, especially women and youth have the tools they need to grow. When we talk about modernisation, it’s not only about large-scale industries. It’s also about empowering our small producers, our craft makers, and our agro-processors to innovate and expand.” The Minister further pointed out that the tourism sector’s growth complements local enterprise.
“Last month alone, 24,655 visitors arrived in Guyana, and over 6,300 travelled to Berbice. That means more eyes, more interest, and more opportunity for local businesses. The more we grow tourism, the more we grow our local economy,” the Minister mentioned. Her remarks echoed through the exhibition halls as visitors sampled locally
aroma of local food filled the air. Both John and Crandon continued greeting customers, their stories resonating with visitors who saw in them the very essence of the Expo’s theme.
“I’m proud to be part of something that represents growth,” John said as she poured a steaming cup of Pretty Kitty tea for a visitor. “We’re not just selling products, we’re creating a culture of health, pride, and self-reliance.” Crandon smiled as she handed out samples of her chamomile spread. “Every Expo is a new beginning,” she said. “Every person who stops at my booth is a chance to inspire someone else to dream, to start small, and to build something real.” Meanwhile, after the first night it can be concluded that the 2025 Berbice Expo was not just a fair; it was a living testament to the spirit of Berbice – creative, determined, and proudly local.
South American neighbours Guyana and Brazil are looking to deepen bilateral relations in the areas of agriculture, healthcare, and infrastructure development.
President Dr Irfaan Ali held cooperation talks on these and other areas with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Mauro Vieira, at State House in Georgetown on Saturday.
According to a briefing statement posted to
President Ali’s official social media account, “Discussions focused on expanding bilateral relations between the two countries, particularly in key areas such as agriculture, healthcare, and infrastructure development.”
During the engagement, Minister Vieira was also presented with a painting titled "The Trail to Roraima" that was done by local artist Merlene Ellis.
Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation,
Hugh Todd, and Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud joined President Ali during the meeting with the Brazilian delegation.
On Friday, the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Georgetown had announced that Minister Vieira would be leading a delegation of senior officials from his ministry on an official bilateral visit to Guyana from October 31 to November 1, 2025.
Guyana and Brazil established diplomatic relations on August 26, 1968. Since then, the two countries have been actively engaged in a broad range of bilateral cooperation, especially in the areas of trade, health, agriculture, education, infrastructure, air and road transport, technical cooperation, military and police cooperation and the environment.
Additionally, Guyana and Brazil continue to pursue regional cooperation through the mechanisms of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organisation, the Brasilia Consensus, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, and the Caribbean/ Brazil Summit.
The visit, according to the missive from Takuba Lodge, reflects the solid, reliable partnership between Guyana and Brazil and serves as an important step in advancing the programme of cooperation between the two countries for their mutual benefit.
This is the first visit of a senior Brazilian Government official since
President Ali was re-elected to office for a second term at the September 1 General and Regional Elections.
Back in June, the Guyanese Head of State had attended the Brazil–Caribbean Summit 2025 held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Itamaraty Palace in Brasília. On the sidelines of that summit, President Ali and his Brazilian counterpart, President Luis Inacio “Lula” Da Silva, had discussions on a number of infrastructure
projects, including a highway connecting Boa Vista to Georgetown.
During that bilateral meeting, the two Heads of State discussed “…the implementation of infrastructure projects that will allow the flow of Brazilian goods throughout the Caribbean, including the paving of the highway connecting Boa Vista to Georgetown.”
Boa Vista is located in the Brazilian State of Roraima, which lies on the border with Guyana.
According to a brief statement from President Lula’s office, the two leaders also discussed international mobilisation initiatives related to biodiversity conservation and forest protection in preparation for COP30, which is being hosted by Brazil later this month.
President Ali is expected to attend the key United Nations Climate Change conference slated for November 10 to 21 in Belém, Brazil.
“Guyana is on track to achieving 19 per cent renewable energy integration,” she said, adding that more than 12,000 residents, including schools and health institutions, will benefit from the initiative.
Solorzano also commended the project’s focus on inclusion, particularly the training of nine women in solar PV installation who gained hands-on experience at the charity site.
“This project not only delivers power but empowers people, especially women, through new technical skills,” she emphasised.
Minister within the
Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, credited the initiative to the visionary leadership of President Dr Irfaan Ali and Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, noting that the project reflects the success of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) in driving renewable energy investments.
“What we see here is the product of teamwork and perseverance,” Minister Indar remarked.
Regional Chairman Devin Mohan also expressed pride in Region Two’s growing contribution to Guyana’s green energy future, empha-
sising that many of the materials used in the project were sourced locally.
“Region Two continues to transform across every sector, and this solar farm is a shining example of that progress,” he said. The Onderneeming Solar Farm was executed through a joint venture between SUMEC Complete Equipment and Engineering Company Limited and XJ Group Corporation. Financing was provided under the US$83.3 million Guyana–Norway partnership, administered by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
Guyana’s honey industry continues to soar, with national production expected to surpass 30,000 gallons in 2025. This grand target was announced by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha on Friday during the second annual Honey Fest, host-
a sub-theme “Transforming Livelihoods through AgriFood Systems”, brought together beekeepers, agro-processors, honey producers, and other stakeholders to highlight growth, innovation, and value-addition within the apiculture industry.
form the very foundation of our national food security.”
“We see beekeeping not just as a traditional craft but
ed by the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) at its Mon Repos headquarters.
The event, themed “Buzz Forward – Sweet Innovations for a Safe and Sustainable Future”, with
According to the agriculture Minister, “Beekeeping is more than just collecting honey. It is a vital part of our ecosystem. Honeybees are silent heroes, contributing exponentially to the pollination of the crops that
as a modern, high-potential agribusiness,” the Minister stated. “Honey production increased from 2128 gallons in 2023 to 27,601 gallons at the end of 2024. In 2025, we are projected to produce over 30,000 gallons.”
Minister Mustapha described the rapid production climb as a direct result of Government investment in modern agriculture systems, training and expanded hive capacity.
He said the Government remains focused on enabling
ties for products such as beeswax, royal jelly, propolis, and speciality honey flavours derived from Guyana’s rich natural flora.
beekeepers rose from 160 in 2024 to 213 in 2025, representing a 33 per cent increase.
The Honey Fest featured local honey products, live demonstrations, exhibitions, and discussions on sustainability and innova-
self-sufficiency while positioning Guyana as a regional honey exporter by 2030.
Mustapha noted that the GLDA is actively working to expand hive numbers to over 5000 while rolling out technical support programmes to raise productivity and improve honey quality.
“The GLDA has been leading the charge in providing training on modern techniques, disease control, and improved hive management,” he explained. “We are building capacity to ensure increased yields and efficiency while promoting value addition.”
The Minister also pointed to emerging opportuni-
As Guyana prepares for export markets, Mustapha underscored the importance of strengthening regulatory systems.
“If we are serious about exporting Guyanese honey, we must guarantee its quality,” he said. “The Guyana Food Safety Authority has strengthened our food safety framework to ensure that our honey meets national and international standards.”
Efforts are also being intensified to ensure proper labelling, packaging and handling protocols, and to help local beekeepers formalise operations.
Minister Mustapha highlighted steady growth in the number of persons entering the apiculture field.
The number of registered
tion within the industry. Stakeholders praised the Government’s continued push toward agricultural diversification and food security.
The initiative is part of Guyana’s broader agenda to strengthen non-traditional agriculture sectors, create employment opportunities, and ensure long-term food sustainability.
As the industry continues to expand, the Government says it remains committed to supporting beekeepers, building capacity, and establishing Guyana as a key honey producer in the Caribbean.
Four families on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two, each received a new start on Friday as Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Madanlall Ramraj, handed over Men on Mission (MoM) homes to three single mothers and one widow – each a testament to courage, love, and perseverance. The initiative aligns with the Government’s vi-
sion of empowering families and strengthening communities.
The Minister was joined by the Regional Chairman, Devin Mohan; Vice Chairman, Humace Oodit; the Ministry of Education Deputy Permanent Secretary of Administration, Dr Josh Kanhai; representatives from the Men on Mission (MOM) initiative; and oth-
er regional officials as they celebrated another milestone in this life-changing programme.
The recipients were Yonette Sargeant, Charmalla Narayan, a single mother of three, Donna Bridgemohan, a widow whose home had been leaning dangerously, and Surojanie Bisheswar.
A visibly emotional Sargeant, a single mother
of six and guardian to her late sister’s three children, whose children range from ages four to 21, expressed deep gratitude as she received the keys to her new home, a safe space that now stands as a symbol of hope and stability for her family.
Minister Ramraj told the recipients that the strength they have displayed is extraordinary, saying, “You have remained resilient in the face of adversity, and as a Government, it gives us immense pride that you have accepted our help in your time of need. I am happy that the Government was able to play a role in helping you not just secure homes for your children and yourselves but to change the trajectory of your lives completely.”
Minister Ramraj highlighted that this initiative embodies His Excellency, President Dr Irfaan Ali’s people-centred vision, stating, “The President has the people at heart. Every cabinet meeting, every discus-
sion with the President is about one thing: serving the people. His compassion and dedication guide everything we do.”
To date, the Men on Mission initiative has built 167 homes and provided building materials to families, touching the lives of nearly 1000 households.
The programme’s influence has also encouraged private sector groups to join the effort. With those groups having completed six homes, construction is to begin on an additional two.
Surojanie Bisheswar, one of the recipients today, asked to give a few words of gratitude. With emotion in her voice, Bisheswar thanked the Government for the home.
“As a single parent, life has not always been easy. There have been many challenges, many sleepless nights, and moments where hope seems far away. But this afternoon, I am standing in a place I can probably call home, a
place of safety and comfort for me and my family,” she stated.
Through the MOM ongoing initiative, single mothers, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and families affected by natural disasters are being given a new start and a stronger foundation.
Minister Ramraj noted that in just three years since its inception, the Men on Mission initiative, born from the vision of His Excellency, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, has already improved the lives of countless families nationwide. He said he is proud of the achievements to date and excited to see the continued growth and transformation in communities across Guyana.
“We’ve seen lives transformed; people who once thought there was no hope are now living the President’s vision of compassion, service, and transformation,” Minister Ramraj affirmed.
Minister of Education Sonia Parag has reaffirmed Guyana’s unwavering commitment to education, sustainable development, and global cooperation, emphasising that the Government’s substantial investment in human capital remains the driving force behind the nation’s rapid growth. She made the remarks on Friday while addressing the 43rd Session of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) General Conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Minister Parag emphasised that while Guyana’s economy is experiencing a significant boom, the nation measures “true prosperity... not only by economic output but by the opportunities we create for every citizen,” and stressed the urgency of reversing global educational setbacks and closing the inequality gap. “The global slowdown in educational progress must be reversed, and it must start now,” Minister Parag asserted.
She went further to highlight several groundbreaking initiatives that Guyana has implemented to bridge this gap over the last five years – the foremost being the massive expansion of opportunities for a sound tertiary education, specifically by way of the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), which has seen
close to 40,000 scholarships being awarded to Guyanese, including in some of the most remote and rural areas of the country. Moreover, Minister Parag said that more than GY$36 billion has been invested in school construction and rehabilitation, expanding capacity for approximately 20,000 additional students. This has seen many Hinterland communities getting secondary schools for the very first time. In the context of a rapidly transforming world, the Education Minister outlined her
Government’s strategy to align the local workforce with high-value sectors, particularly through the expansion of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. Furthermore, the expanded “Because We Care” Student Grant and uniform allowances provide GY$55,000 per child annually, representing an over GY$11 billion direct investment to remove economic barriers. These assis-
tances, in the coming year, will increase to $100,000, coupled with the introduction of an additional $100,000 transportation allowance.
“Through these efforts... we are ensuring that no child is left behind because of economic insecurity,” Minister Parag underscored.
AI in Guyana’s education future
Recognising the impact of emerging technologies, Minister Parag spoke of Guyana’s perspective on Artificial Intelligence (AI).
“Guyana views AI, appropriately governed, as an opportunity to enhance education, improve public services, and strengthen climate research. Guided by ethics and equity, we are fostering digital literacy to ensure technology serves humanity, empowering our youth to lead with creativity and conscience.” Minister Parag also highlighted Guyana’s unique position as a high-forest, low-deforestation country, guided by its landmark Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). She detailed new commitments to global stewardship, including a partnership with the Yale Centre for Biodiversity and Global Change and the launch of a Global Biodiversity Alliance in July 2025.
On the cultural front, the Minister also spoke about Guyana’s cultural diversity, and
how Guyanese embody the country’s National Motto of “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”. The conference was informed that Guyana is prioritising the ratification of the 2003 Convention for the "Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage", as a critical step to formally protect the languages and traditional knowledge of its Indigenous Peoples. In reaffirming Guyana’s commitment to increased global collaboration, Minister Parag announced the nation’s candidature to the UNESCO Executive Board in the upcoming elections on November 7th, offering a powerful call to action. “The challenges of our time, climate change, digital transformation and the erosion of cultural heritage demands that we reimagine the future together. Let us transform today’s uncertainty into tomorrow’s opportunity, guided by our shared belief in peace, knowledge, and human dignity,” Minister Parag charged. The UNESCO General Conference, which basically sets the organisation’s policies, approves its budget and programmes, adopt conventions and recommendations, elects members of the Executive Board, and appoints the DirectorGeneral, began on October 30 and is slated to wrap up on November 13, 2025.
– says non-tariff barriers, port
consumers must be addressed
President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Kathy Smith, addressed the Trinidad Energy Chamber’s Post-AGM Networking Session, where she encouraged closer regional cooperation within the Private Sector.
Smith delivered the keynote address at the event, held at the Hilton Hotel in Port of Spain, Trinidad, and also participated in a panel discussion alongside Dr Thackwray “Dax” Driver, President and CEO of the Energy Chamber of T&T; Mala Baliraj, Chairperson of the Energy Chamber of T&T; Gary Frost, Managing Director of Rig Bound; Sasha Addo, Managing Director of L&S Surveying Services; and Richard Thompson, Director of New Business Development at IRP Fire & Safety Ltd.
During her remarks, the GCCI President strongly ad-
vocated for the removal of non-tariff barriers affecting Guyanese exporters seeking to access the Trinidadian market. She further highlighted the urgent need to resolve port congestion in Trinidad, which has resulted in shipment delays to Guyana.
Addressing the Trinidadian private sector, Smith stated, “We are neighbours, we are partners, and increasingly, we are part of the same energy story – one that is transforming the face of our economies, our businesses, and our people.”
She highlighted Guyana’s transformative development over the last several years as a result of the emergence of its oil and gas sector and the opportunities this has created for businesses.
Smith also noted the GCCI’s role in supporting Guyanese companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, to en-
ter the sector’s supply chain.
“When Caribbean businesses connect and collaborate, we all rise together. Trinidad and Tobago has long been the energy capital of the Caribbean. You have the expertise, the infrastructure, and the experience that the region can learn from,” she said.
“In Guyana, we’ve already seen the benefits of Trinidadian investment – your companies bring speed, technical knowledge, and a wealth of experience that strengthens our ecosystem. But partnership must be a two-way street. As we grow our own capacity, Guyanese firms are also looking outward – for opportunities to supply, to service, and to partner right here in Trinidad and Tobago.”
Smith underscored that the region is at a pivotal moment – one where strategic action can build resilient, diversified economies; strengthen manufacturing,
agriculture, technology, and human capital; and ensure shared prosperity for all Caribbean citizens.
“The Caribbean’s strength has always been its people – resourceful, re-
silient, and ready to rise.
The oil beneath our seas is valuable, yes – but the real resource lies in the partnerships we build, the trust we forge, and the opportunities we create for each other,” she emphasised.
The GCCI and the Trinidad Energy Chamber committed to establishing a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at advancing private-sector collaboration between both countries.
The Human Services and Social Security Ministry on Friday granted childcare services licences to nine foster homes across Guyana.
The move was part of a proactive initiative to strengthen accountability and ensure higher standards of care for children.
The licences were officially presented by Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud and Permanent Secretary Dr Erica Forte during a ceremony held at the Ministry’s Head Office on East and Lamaha Streets, Georgetown.
Delivering remarks, Minister Persaud noted that a total of 17 children’s homes across the country are registered with the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA). Of that number, nine have achieved full compliance and are now licensed in accordance with the Childcare and Protection Agency Act and the Minimum Standards for Residential Care Facilities.
The Minister, while commending the hard work of the home administrators
and the CPA team, emphasised that by mid-June 2026, every children’s home across Guyana must be fully compliant and licensed. She said this represents a necessary step in ensuring that all facilities providing care for vulnerable children operate at the highest standards of safety, welfare, and accountability.
“The children placed in your care are entrusted to you by the State. They have faced neglect, abuse, or other challenges that require protection. So, our duty is not just to provide them with shelter but to ensure their full protection, development, and emotional well-being,” Minister Persaud underscored.
She further highlighted that the CPA has been actively working with all homes to ensure compliance, offering guidance and support in meeting registration and licensing requirements. She also announced that staff training in childcare and early childhood development is being provided at no cost through the Ministry’s Women’s Innovation and
Investment Network (WIIN) programme.
“Every home must ensure that all staff members are fully trained by June next year. Beyond that, there will be continuous education sessions so staff can stay updated and maintain compliance,” the Minister noted.
In addition to training and regulatory oversight, the Minister reaffirmed the
Government’s financial support for these institutions.
All 17 children’s homes currently receive a Government subvention, which has been increased from $200,000 to $400,000 annually to help improve living conditions and strengthen operational capacity.
“We are paying close attention to how these funds are utilised. Areas such as fire safety and general safe-
ty will be prioritised in every home, especially those that are not yet licensed,” she said.
The Ministry will also focus on ensuring proper record-keeping, health monitoring, and educational development for every child in care. Each child will have proper identification, regular medical check-ups, and access to extracurricular opportunities in sports, music,
and other areas that foster holistic growth.
Furthermore, Minister Persaud announced that the CPA will be increasing its monitoring and evaluation efforts, supported by a Children’s Visiting Committee composed of professionals from the medical, legal, and social work sectors. Reports from these visits will be reviewed and followed up to ensure continued improvement.
On issues of child safety and abuse, the Minister was firm that the CPA reserves the right to close any home found to be in violation of child protection standards.
“This is not about punishment; it’s about responsibility. The state has a duty to ensure every child under its care is protected physically, mentally, and emotionally,” Minister Persaud affirmed.
Minister Persaud congratulated the nine newly licensed homes, urging others to follow suit, and emphasised that licensing marks the start of ongoing efforts to maintain the highest standards of care for children.
Aiming to safeguard the Caribbean Region’s accelerating digital transformation, Caricom launched the updated Caricom Cyber Security and Cybercrime Action Plan (CCSCAP) 2025 on October 31, 2025, in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
According to a Caricom media release on Saturday, the launch, which was spearheaded by the Caricom Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) in collaboration with the European Union–Latin America and Caribbean (EU-LAC) Digital Alliance policy dialogue on cybersecurity, implemented by Expertise France, and ELPAcCTO 2.0, implemented by the Fundación para la Internacionalización de las Administraciones Públicas (FIAP), signals a shift from traditional cybersecurity measures to a comprehensive strategy focused on cyber resilience.
The CCSCAP serves as the definitive roadmap for Caricom Member States to build robust national and regional cyber security frameworks, harmonise cybercrime legislation and foster a culture of digital safety across the Caribbean. The strategy is critical for securing the ongoing digital transformation agenda, protecting vital infrastructure and ensuring public trust in digital economies
and services.
Speaking at the launch, Natasha George, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence and Investigation, Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), emphasised that the rapid expansion of technology must be matched by an equally robust framework for protection, because while it has opened gateways for commerce and education, it has also enabled new exploitation.
“Cybercrime is often portrayed as a technological battle – firewalls versus malware. But at its core, cybercrime is profoundly human,” she noted. George highlighted the immediate urgency of the situation, citing that a recent meeting between the TTPS and the banking community revealed an alarming rise in online fraud, a crime that accounted for over TT$3
million in losses in the last fiscal year alone.
“Criminals no longer need physical proximity to prey on others – they simply need to understand human psychology, including curiosity, greed, fear, love, and loneliness. Cyber security is not only about protecting systems – it is about protecting minds,” she advised.
Need for unified response
Meanwhile, Her Excellency, Cécile Tassin, Ambassador of the European Union to Trinidad and Tobago, celebrated the official launch of the CCSCAP, calling it a pivotal moment for collective digital security and resilience across the Caribbean Region.
“The launch of the CCSCAP is a milestone that embodies collaboration, in-
novation and collective security in the digital age,” she said.
Ambassador Tassin confirmed the EU’s intention to deepen its support in the Caribbean through various frameworks, including the EU-LAC Digital Alliance and the Global Gateway Investment Agenda.
She also noted that ongoing technical assistance is being provided through the Latin America and Caribbean Cyber Competence Centre (LAC4), a hub for training and knowledge exchange that aligns closely with the CCSCAP’s capacity-building goals.
“The challenges before us are real. The digital landscape is evolving faster than ever, and malicious actors are equally adaptive. But by standing together, pooling our knowledge, resources and determination,
we can build the resilience required to secure our interconnected future,” she stated.
Lt Col Michael Jones, Executive Director, Caricom IMPACS, underscored the urgent need for a unified response to escalating transnational cyber threats, noting that the Caribbean’s digital transformation has simultaneously increased its exposure to complex risks.
“We stand today at a vital crossroad. The rapid expansion of our digital footprint demands more than simple cybersecurity; we must strive for cyber resilience – the organisational ability to anticipate, withstand, recover from and adapt to disruptive cyber incidents while maintaining operational continuity,” he advised.
Col. Jones also issued a strong appeal to regional
leaders, emphasising that investing in cyber resilience is not an expenditure but a long-term investment in national stability and future prosperity.
“The perceived low likelihood of a major cyber incident permits complacency, which is a dangerous misconception. The cost of prevention is always dwarfed by the devastating cost of recovery. We call on our Heads of Government for sustained political will and resource allocation, and on our private sector innovators and educators for their essential collaboration,” he emphasised.
The updated CCSCAP addresses critical gaps identified since the original 2016 framework, including fragmented training, inconsistent legislation and insufficient collaboration between Government agencies and educational institutions. To counter the dynamic threat landscape, which includes sophisticated ransomware attacks and identity fraud targeting state apparatus, the CCSCAP 2025 strengthens the original five pillars and introduces a crucial new sixth pillar – Incident Response – which seeks to ensure that effective, coordinated response mechanisms are in place to protect critical infrastructure, maintain public confidence, and safeguard the continuity of essential services during a crisis.
The Guyana Center for Civic Engagement (GYCCE) on Saturday hosted the graduation ceremony for the YOUthEngage592 Leadership Training Program in Lethem, at the Takutu Hotel Benab. According to the report, a total of 30 students and three mentors from St
Ignatius Secondary School proudly completed the twomonth civic leadership training.
The programme equipped participants with vital skills through modules in civic engagement, ethical leadership, conflict resolution, patriotism, elections and voting education, project planning, and volun-
teerism. Training sessions were facilitated by Deodat Persaud, Narima Ali, and Lauriston Choy.
In his opening remarks, Curriculum Coordinator Feroze Khan encouraged participants to remain focused in their pursuit of excellence and to use the lessons learnt as tools for personal and community
Ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) conducted an intelligence-led operation Saturday along Lombard Street, Georgetown. During the operation, a motor centre was intercepted, and a search was conducted on the 33-year-old truck driver of One Mile, Linden, and the vehicle. During this search a camouflage bag containing two bulky parcels of suspected marijuana was found in the back of the centre.
The suspect was cautioned, arrested and escorted to the Ruimveldt Police Station, where the suspected narcotics were weighed in his presence and amounted to 9.45 pounds.
The suspect remains in custody as investigations continue.
transformation.
Delivering the feature address, Regional Chairperson Vania Albert applauded the initiative and urged students to seize opportunities provided by the Government, particularly in education, describing it as a key instrument for leadership development.
GYCCE Director, Mr
Melville, a Community Solutions Program (CSP) 2024 alum and representative of the South Rupununi Conservation Society, inspired students to volunteer actively and contribute to building a better Guyana.
Green Generation Group, led by Timothy Mohabir, received the Most Impacting Project Award for install-
supporting materials to encourage continued learning and participation in civic life.
GYCCE, in its statement, extended appreciation to mentors Sunita Mohabir, Leoni Sears, and Louis Stanislaus for their exceptional mentorship throughout the programme, along with gratitude to the
Deodat Persaud, in his remarks, underscored the importance of youth engagement in nation-building and called for young people to demonstrate the highest form of patriotism, especially in the face of external threats. He reiterated GYCCE’s commitment to collaborating with like-minded organisations to promote civic engagement and ethical leadership as hallmarks of responsible citizenship.
Guest speaker Alyssa
ing solar lights in the school compound to promote green energy and provide safer spaces for sports.
Vanderson Henry earned the Most Promising Leader Award for leading an impactful anti-littering campaign promoting environmental awareness. Another project included the setting up of a library space within the school.
Students also received Civic Engagement Kits, which included soft copies of Guyana's Constitution and
Ministry of Education. The YouthEngage592 Leadership Training Program continues to empower high school students across Guyana.
Funded by the US State Department through the US Embassy in Georgetown, successful cohorts have already been completed in Regions Two, Five, Six, Seven and 10, fostering a network of civic-minded youth leaders committed to shaping Guyana’s future with integrity, purpose, and service.
ECD man allegedly drowns while cutting "puri leaf"
The lifeless body of 29-year-old Jagadhwar Mohan, a labourer from Lusignan Pasture, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was pulled from a trench at Annandale Access Road/Sideline Dam on Saturday. According to the Police, Mohan was in the compa-
ny of two other men, collecting ‘puri leaf’ from a trench in the area when he reportedly slipped into a deep section and became submerged. He was later pulled from the water in an unconscious state and subsequently pronounced dead by Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) who responded to the report. The body was examined by investigators and showed no signs of violence. It has since been escorted to Memorial Gardens Funeral Home pending a post-mortem examination. Investigations are continuing.
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Saturday stated that it is investigating an alleged incident of child abuse reportedly committed on Friday, October 31, 2025, at Haslington Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara (ECD).
A 25-year-old mother reported that her 11-year-old son was physically assaulted by his father during a misunderstanding. Following the report, both the mother and child were interviewed, and statements were obtained. The child was also examined by a medical
practitioner, and a medical certificate was submitted, the GPF release noted. The suspect, a 26-yearold real estate agent of Haslington, ECD, was arrested and is presently in police custody assisting with the investigation. Investigations are ongoing.
ABerkshire-based charity is sending humanitarian workers and aid to Jamaica to help communities devastated by Hurricane Melissa.
Khalsa Aid, headquartered in Slough, is offering its support. The charity’s founder, Ravi Singh, said the situation on the ground is “desperate”, with authorities ramping up efforts to clear roads and reach people in isolated and cut-off areas.
Mr Singh said teams from Khalsa Aid will be arriving on Sunday, travelling from the United Kingdom (UK), United States (US) and Canada to help.
Speaking to Radio Berkshire, he said, “We’re in touch with local organisations and churches; we had a meeting online.
“The first thing they asked for was food, shelter, and water, which are essential. Also, a lot of the communities have been cut off and are without power; they’re asking how much help we can give.”
Residents say they have been living in a state of chaos the last three days since Melissa slammed into them as one of the most powerful category five storms ever recorded in the region.
Those who spoke to the BBC said they have seen no aid trucks in the area so far and described having to eat what food they can find in debris by the roads in the coastal town, nearly 150 km west of the capital, Kingston.
Others made their way inside battered supermarkets, taking what they could
for themselves.
“We have to use whatever we see here, on the street and also in the supermarket,” Demar Walker explained, sitting in a shaded area down the street from the store to escape the heat and 80 per cent humidity.
He said he and others had to climb into the market due to its roof caving in and took what they could. They tossed water and items to others also in need. “We had to throw food to other people.”
Meanwhile, a chartered flight from the UK Government was set to depart Jamaica yesterday, evacuating British nationals from the country in the wake of Hurricane Melissa.
The flight, set to leave from Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport, comes after the UK flew aid in earlier in the day as part of a £7.5m regional emergency package.
To assist with reparations, Rainforest Caribbean has established a soup kitchen for residents of communities in St James that
have been badly affected by Hurricane Melissa.
The soup kitchen opened on Saturday, November 1, at Catherine Hall, near the Rainforest headquarters, and represents the company’s continued commitment to the well-being of the Jamaican people.
“We’re starting small, as we are still waiting for our full team to come out. A lot of them were badly affected by the hurricane,” Rainforest Caribbean Director Ben Jardim told Observer Online.
“We’ll be reaching out to people in specific communities that were very badly affected, for example, Catherine Hall, nearby to our headquarters, and we’ll be handing out soup on Saturday, and we’ll be trying to do that throughout the week ahead,” Jardim said.
“We’re currently getting our staff organised, trying to do as much clean-up as possible, and we remain committed to feeding the nation,” he added. (Excerpts from BBC News, Jamaica Observer)
call for governor’s resignation after deadly Rio Police raid
Hundreds of protesters have marched through one of the favelas targeted in the deadliest Police raid in Rio de Janeiro’s history, calling for Rio state Governor Claudio Castro to resign.
The vocal group of demonstrators gathered on Friday in Vila Cruzeiro, part of the Penha complex of favelas that came under assault, to voice their fury at this week’s Police operation that killed at least 121 people, including four Police officers.
Much of the fury was directed towards Rio state’s right-wing Governor Castro, with protesters calling him an “assassin”.
“Out with Castro, stop the massacres!” protesters chanted, demanding the governor’s resignation or that he be sent to prison.
“Assassinating young people in favelas isn’t public policy. It’s a massacre,” said local councilwoman Monica Benicio.
Castro deemed the operation a “success” against “narco-terrorists”, claiming those killed were criminals who resisted Police. The state Government claimed that of the 99 suspects identified so far, 42 had outstanding arrest warrants, while at least 78 had extensive criminal records.
One sign at Friday’s protest read, “120 lives lost is not a success,” while an-
other declared, “Castro has blood on his hands.”
Brazil’s Supreme Court and lawmakers have also ordered Castro to provide detailed information on how the operation was carried out. Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has scheduled a hearing with Castro and the heads of the military and civil Police on November 3. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
United States (US)
President Donald Trump has said he is not considering strikes within Venezuela, appearing to contradict his own comments earlier this month, amid a major US military build-up in the region.
The US has now deployed fighter jets, warships and thousands of troops to the Caribbean, with the world’s largest warship, the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford, on its way towards the Venezuelan coast.
When asked by reporters on board Air Force One on Friday if media reports that he was considering strikes
within Venezuela were true, Trump answered, “No.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered the same message as he responded to an article in the Miami Herald that said Washington’s forces were poised to hit Venezuela.
“Your ‘sources’ claiming to have ‘knowledge of the situation’ tricked you into writing a fake story,” Rubio said in a post on X. Trump’s brief response on Friday appeared to contrast with remarks he has made about Venezuela on at least two occasions earlier this month.
The US President said
last week he would not “necessarily ask for a declaration of war” to proceed, saying, “I think we’re just going to kill people that are bringing drugs into our country. OK? We’re going to kill them.”
“Now they [drugs] are coming in by land … you know, the land is going to be next,” he added.
The US military has launched a string of strikes on vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific since early September, killing at least 62 persons and destroying 14 boats and a semi-submersible. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
Trump’s military pressure on Maduro evokes Latin America’s coup-ridden past
The ghosts of sometimes deadly Latin American coups of the past are being evoked by Donald Trump’s relentless military build-up targeting Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s autocratic socialist leader, whom Washington has branded a narco-terrorist.
Salvador Allende, the democratically elected Marxist President of Chile toppled in a military coup in 1973, and Rafael Trujillo, the longstanding dictator of the Dominican Republic who was assassinated in 1961 in an ambush organised by political opponents, are just two regional leaders whose fates serve as a warning to Maduro.
Allende is believed to
have killed himself, although some doubt that explanation, as troops stormed the Presidential palace in the Chilean capital, Santiago, in a coup – fomented by then President Richard Nixon’s Administration – that ushered in the brutally repressive military regime of Gen. Augusto Pinochet.
The CIA is believed to have supplied the weapons used to kill Trujillo.
Guatemala’s elected President, Jacobo Arbenz, escaped into exile after being overthrown in a 1954 coup also instigated by the CIA. But the event triggered a 30-year civil war that killed an estimated 150,000 people and resulted in 50,000 disappearances.
The agency is also thought to have made at least eight unsuccessful attempts to assassinate Fidel Castro, the leader of Cuba’s communist regime, which is still in power and is closely allied to Maduro.
The plot to depose Castro also included the failed Bay of Pigs invasion carried out by Cuban exiles and organised by the CIA in the early months of John F Kennedy’s presidency in 1961, but which was defeated by Cuba’s armed forces.
Now, as the US stages its biggest naval build-up in the region since the Cuban missile crisis in 1962, some believe Maduro’s life is equally at risk. (Excerpt from The Guardian)
The office of Cuba’s attorney general announced on Friday it had completed a nearly twoyear criminal investigation of Alejandro Gil, who served as Minister of economy and planning from 2019 until his removal in February 2024, and a number of other unnamed defendants.
Gil and others are to be
held responsible for “espionage, acts detrimental to economic activity or contracting, embezzlement, [and] bribery”, the office said, without saying which country or actors may have benefitted from their activities.
Other charges include forgery of public documents, tax evasion, influence ped-
dling, money laundering, violation of rules on classified documents, and theft or damage of documents or other objects in official custody. No trial date has been announced yet, but the enumerated charges are punishable from 10 years in prison to the death penalty under Cuba’s penal code.
Near one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – the Great Pyramid of Khufu at Giza – Egypt has officially opened what it intends as a cultural highlight of the modern age.The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), described as the world's largest archaeological museum, is packed with some 100,000 artefacts covering some seven millennia of the country's history from pre-dynastic times to the Greek and Roman eras. Prominent Egyptologists argue that its establishment strengthens their demand for key Egyptian antiquities held in other countries to be returned – including the famed Rosetta Stone displayed at the British Museum.A main draw of the GEM will be the entire contents of the intact tomb of the boy king Tutankhamun, displayed together for the first time since it was found by British Egyptologist Howard Carter. They include Tutankhamun's spec-
tacular gold mask, throne and chariots.Costing some $1.2bn (£910m; €1.1bn), the vast museum complex is expected to attract up to 8m visitors a year, giving a huge boost to Egyptian tourism, which has been hit by regional crises."We hope the Grand Egyptian Museum will usher in a new golden age of Egyptology and cultural tourism," says Ahmed Seddik, a guide and aspiring Egyptologist by the pyramids on the Giza Plateau.
Egyptian Egyptologists voice their excitement about the new museum becoming a centre for academic research, driving new discoveries.Already, Egyptian conservators based there have painstakingly restored items belonging to Tutankhamun, including his impressive armour made of textiles and leather. According to Egyptian law, such restorations can only be done by Egyptians.
(Excerpt from BBC News)
Two more suspects, a man and a woman arrested this week over the jewel heist at the Louvre, have been charged and remanded in custody, prosecutors have said. The charges on Saturday brought the number of people now charged over the spectacular robbery to four.
The latest to be charged, a 38-year-old woman and a 37-year-old man, were arrested on Wednesday along with three other individuals, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said. The other three have been released without charge.The wom-
an was in tears as she appeared at a Paris court, saying she feared for her children and for herself, according to AFP.She has been charged with complicity in organised theft and criminal conspiracy with a view to preparing a crime. The Magistrate justified the detention of the woman, who lives in the French capital’s northern suburb of La Courneuve, on the grounds of a “risk of collusion” and “disturbance of public order”.The man was charged with organised theft and criminal conspiracy with a view to preparing a crime,
the Paris prosecutor said. The individual was known to the judicial authorities for previous theft offences, she said.He has been placed in pre-trial detention pending a hearing to take place in the coming days, the prosecutor added.The first two men arrested earlier were charged with theft and criminal conspiracy after “partially admitting to the charges”, Beccuau said earlier this week.They are suspected of being the two who broke into the gallery while two accomplices waited outside. (Excerpt from The Guardian)
Russia's Foreign Ministry denounced on Saturday "excessive military force" by the United States (US) in the Caribbean Sea deployed as part of a drive against drug trafficking and reaffirmed its support for Venezuela's leaders.
"We firmly denounce the use of excessive military force in carrying out actions in anti-drug operations," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said in a commentary on her Ministry's website."Such actions are in violation of both US domestic legislation ... and the norms of international law."A US campaign in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific against what
Washington says is the illegal drug trade has targeted at least 14 boats and killed 61 persons.The US has built up a large military presence in the Caribbean in recent months, with fighter jets, warships and thousands of troops.Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and has occupied large swaths of territory, drawing broad international condemnation.In her comments, Zakharova said Russia "confirms our firm support for the Venezuelan leadership in defending its national sovereignty."Russian President Vladimir Putin and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro signed a strategic partnership agree-
Ukraine's top military commander has admitted his soldiers are facing "difficult conditions" defending Pokrovsk – a key eastern frontline town – against massed Russian forces.
Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi said Ukrainian troops were facing a "multi-thousand enemy" force but denied Russian claims that they were surrounded or blocked.He confirmed that elite special forces had been deployed to protect key supply lines which, army sources said, were all under Russian fire.The defence Ministry in Moscow reported that Ukrainian troops were surrendering and 11 of their special forces had been killed after landing by helicopter, something denied by Kyiv.In Saturday's posts on Telegram, Gen. Syrskyi said he was "back on the front" to personally hear the latest reports from military commanders on the ground in the eastern Donetsk region.
In a short video, Syrskyi is seen studying battlefield maps with other commanders, including the head of Ukraine's military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov.It is unclear when and where the footage was recorded.
Ukrainian media earlier reported that Budanov was in the region to personally oversee the operation by the special forces.The deployment of special forces suggests officials in Kyiv are determined to try to hold on to the town, which Russia has been trying to
seize for more than a year. Ukraine's seventh Rapid Response Corps said on Saturday Ukrainian troops "have improved [their] tactical position" in Pokrovsk –but the situation remained "difficult and dynamic". Late on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed that the defence of Pokrovsk was a "priority".There have been growing reports of Russian advances around the strategic town to the west of the Russian-seized regional capital of Donetsk. (Excerpt from BBC News)
outh Korean
SPresident Lee Jaemyung sought Chinese President Xi Jinping's help in efforts to resume talks with nuclear-armed neighbour North Korea on Saturday, while Xi told Lee he was willing to widen cooperation and jointly tackle the challenges they face.
Lee hosted Xi at a state summit and dinner after an Asia-Pacific leaders' forum in the South Korean city of Gyeongju, marking Xi's first visit to the United States (US) ally in 11 years.
Beijing attaches great importance to relations with Seoul and sees South Korea as an inseparable cooperative partner, Xi said ahead of the summit, according to Lee's office.
tensions with the North.
"I am very positive about the situation in which conditions for engagement with North Korea are being formed," Lee said, referring to recent high-level exchanges between China and North Korea.
ment in Moscow in May. Maduro has repeatedly alleged that the US is hoping to drive him from power. (Reuters)
Lee, who was elected President in a snap election in June, has promised to strengthen ties with the US while not antagonising China and seeking to reduce
"I also hope that South Korea and China will take advantage of these favourable conditions to strengthen strategic communication to resume dialogue with North Korea."
Lee has called for a phased approach to denuclearising North Korea, starting with engagement and a freeze on further development of nuclear weapons. In a statement on Saturday, Pyongyang, a military and economic ally of China, dismissed the denuclearisation agenda as an unrealisable "pipe dream".
On Friday, United States (US) President Donald Trump said he was putting Nigeria, Africa's top oil producer and most populous country, on a "Countries of Particular Concern" list of nations the US finds have engaged in religious freedom violations, which also includes China, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia and Pakistan.
On Saturday, Trump said that he has asked the Defence Department to prepare for possible military action in Nigeria if the Nigerian Government "continues to allow the killing of Christians."
The US Government will also immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
The Republican US President had designated the country a concern during his first term in the White House, but his Democratic successor Joe Biden removed it from the US State Department list in 2021.
"Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible
for this mass slaughter," he wrote in a social media post on Friday without offering any specifics.
A nation of more than 200 ethnic groups practising Christianity, Islam and traditional religions, Nigeria has a long history of peaceful coexistence, with mosques and churches dotting its cities. (Excerpt from Reuters)
You can waste your time lazing around, overreacting, and creating drama, or you can make every moment count. Take the initiative with a positive attitude and a grateful heart. Concentrate on growth, gains, and getting your life on track to achieve what’s purposeful to you. The timing is right; on your mark, get set, go.
Take advantage of an opportunity to get closer to those in your circle. The effort you put in and the emphasis you place will help you recognize who is worthy to sit at your table and who you can distance yourself from. Act swiftly, your time is precious, and you deserve the highest returns.
Balancing equality and structuring your life to fulfill your needs and please others will help you come to conclusions regarding how you want to spend your time and who you want to help. Speak up, take a leadership position, and make your voice heard. Set standards, boundaries, and goals, do your part, and reap the rewards.
The extra hours you put in helping others will make a difference. Don’t grimace over time spent when embracing what matters and doing your best will fill your heart with gratitude and offer rewards that surpass your expectations. Refuse to let negativity set in or indulgent behavior interfere with progress. Take better care of yourself.
Turn anger into passion and pursue goals that make you feel good about yourself and your accomplishments. Strive to look and be your best and to make your surroundings comfy and your mindset content. Change what you don’t like and clean up unfinished business. It’s a new day and time for a new you.
Calm down before you address domestic issues or problems you have with those you encounter. How you approach situations will make a difference. Thought, compassion, and positive suggestions will carry you a long way and turn you into the go-to person in your circle. Simplify, minimize, and say no to excessive behavior.
Reach out to those who have something to offer in return. Expand your mind and perspective regarding what you want and how you want to achieve your goals, and they will take on a positive spin. Put more time and effort into your surroundings to ensure your downtime creates an atmosphere that helps you rejuvenate.
Check out what’s available in your community and participate. Broaden your awareness and sign up for something that will enrich your life, knowledge, or skills. Focus on improvement and walk away from situations that are costly or indulgent. Protect yourself from injury or illness by prioritizing safety. Be bold, ask, and you shall receive.
Take an innovative approach to household matters and dealing with others, and it will spark enthusiasm and initiate the acceptance and help you require to excel. Be the one to make a positive shift, and you will flip a switch and turn your expectations into a reality. Trust and believe in you and follow your heart.
Your energy is rising, and opportunity is within reach. Approach others with a well-thought-out plan, and you’ll gain access to a host of ideas that add continuity and strength to reaching your goal. Make a commitment to yourself and those you encounter, and follow through; the results will make a difference and bring you pride.
Keep moving. Refuse to let others tempt you or push you in a direction that makes you forego what’s meaningful to you. Use your intelligence, and move forward alone if necessary. Concentrate on your needs, feeling and looking your best, and making adjustments that put your mind at ease. Romance is on the rise.
Let discipline and unique ideas guide you forward. Use your imagination and process how you can turn your plans into something great, and you’ll meet requirements and surpass your expectations. Stop dreaming, start doing, and let go of the past or anything standing in your way. Take progressive action, and don’t look back. Live, learn, excel.
The 2025 Queensway Senior Inter-County Super50 Tournament Final delivered one of the most dramatic finishes in recent memory, as Demerara and Essequibo were crowned joint champions after their thrilling contest ended in a tie at Hampton Court, Essequibo Coast, on Saturday.
The game, reduced to 45 overs per side due to conditions, had everything –early wickets, momentum shifts, and a heart-stopping finish.
Defending champions Demerara got off to a shaky start, losing three wickets within the first eight overs for just 33 runs, including the prized scalp of captain and talisman Tevin Imlach, who was run out for three after a mix-up.
A steady 42-run partnership between Matthew Nandu and Mavindra Dindyal helped restore order, but Essequibo’s Ricardo Adams broke the stand, dismissing Dindyal for 18 to leave Demerara at 75 for 4.
Shamar Apple contributed 17 from 23 balls before Essequibo’s spinners regained control, removing
Apple and Nandu in quick succession. Demerara’s lower order offered little resistance, and they were eventually bowled out for 150 in 41.2 overs.
All six Essequibo bowlers were among the wickets, with Golcharran Chulai, Thaddeus Lovell, and Ronsford Beaton each taking two wickets in a disciplined all-round effort.
Chasing 151 for what would have been their first-ever Senior InterCounty title, Essequibo’s innings began in disaster. Within the first 10 overs, they collapsed to 36 for 5, undone by a fiery spell from Ronaldo Ali Mohamed.
Quentin Sampson (12) and Myheim Khan (15) tried to steady the innings, but
With just eight runs needed for victory, Lovell launched Matthew Nandu straight down the ground for a massive six. But when only two runs were required, he perished to an ambitious drive, caught by Richie Looknauth at extra cover.
Golcharran Chulai joined Adams, who was left to steer the chase home. Adams took a single, Chulai survived a tense over from Dindyal, and Essequibo needed just one run to win.
In a heart-stopping finale, Adams punched Nandu off the back foot toward backward square, but a lightning pick-up and throw from Ronaldo Ali Mohamed to Tevin Imlach, who broke the stumps, saw Chulai run
Demerara kept striking regularly, leaving Essequibo reeling at 89 for 8 in 23.2 overs.
With victory slipping away, Anthony Adams and Thaddeus Lovell produced an inspiring fightback, adding 60 runs for the ninth wicket to revive Essequibo’s hopes. Lovell played a superb counter-attacking innings, blasting 42 off 49 balls with four fours and two sixes.
out! Essequibo were bowled out for 150 in 39.2 overs, leaving the scores tied.
With time expired and tournament regulations ruling out a Super Over, Demerara and Essequibo were declared joint champions. It was Demerara’s third Senior Inter-County Super50 title in a row, while Essequibo claimed their first-ever championship, a historic achievement for the hosts and a perfect re-
flection of the tournament’s competitive spirit.
The tournament’s standout performer with the bat was Matthew Nandu, who finished as the leading run-scorer with an impressive 224 runs. With the
ball, Richie Looknauth and Ronaldo Ali Mohamed both led the charts, each claiming nine wickets across the competition.
The Man of the Match in the final was awarded to Ronaldo Ali Mohamed for
his brilliant spell of 4 for 45, which nearly defended Demerara’s modest total.
In the end, the $1.2 million in prize money was shared equally between the two teams after they were declared joint champions.
Affiance Sports Club, Reliance Hustlers Sports Club, and Richmond United Sports Club all secured victories last Sunday as action continued in the North Essequibo Cricket Committee (NECC)/ Jairam Bisessar T20 competition.
At Affiance, the home team demolished Reliance Sports Club by a massive 165 runs. Batting first, Affiance piled up 191-7 from their 20 overs before bowl ing out Reliance for a mere 26 in the 11th over.
Former Guyana youth player Parmesh Parsotam starred with a fine allround dis play, scoring 47 and grab bing 3-11 from three overs. Fellow seam er Beesham Narine also im pressed with 3-6 from 2.2 overs. Earlier, Amit Persaud topscored with 51, while Haimant Singh added 30.
Over at the Reliance ground, Reliance Hustlers overcame Renegades by five wickets.
Renegades were dismissed
for 92 in the final over, thanks largely to a fiery spell from Ryan Shivamber, who bagged 5-27 from his four overs. Left-arm spinner Bhesham Seepersaud, another former Guyana youth player, chipped in with 3-2 from just 1.1 overs.
In reply, Reliance Hustlers chased down the from their 20 overs before bowling out Bacchus Eagles for 152 in 19.3 overs to claim victory by 23 runs. Sugrim Ahiram topscored for the winners with a well-crafted 69, supported by skipper Punraj Singh (39) and Glendon Smith (21). Smith then starred with the ball, claiming 4-17 from four overs to seal the win, despite a valiant 81 from Roy Scoutin of Bacchus Eagles.
The round-robin competition continues to- day.
Reigning National Junior Cycling Champion Alexander Leung has joined young cyclists from several Caribbean countries for a Track and Road Cycling Camp hosted by the International Cycling Union (UCI)/World Cycling Centre (WCC) Continental Development Satellite.
The camp will run from October 27 to November 8, 2025, and forms part of the development programme leading up to the 2027 Pan American Games. It is open to riders in the Under-19 and Under-23 categories.
The 17-year-old Guyanese cyclist, who is a member of the Continental Cycling Club and recently represented Guyana at the Caribbean Junior Championships in Barbados, has expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to strengthen his skills both on
the track and on the road.
He is joined by young cyclists from Puerto Rico, Belize, and Grenada. In an invited comment, the young man stated that he is making full use of the camp and is learning new techniques that will be beneficial to him.
He added that, apart
from the theory, there is the practical aspect, which he is enjoying. He further stated that, at the same time, he is networking and forming relationships with his peers.
"It is an excellent camp not only for me but for my colleagues... It is life-changing, and we intend to take full advantage of this train-
Football fans were treated to an exciting double-header on Friday evening when the Berbice Football Association (BFA) Senior Men’s League, sponsored by the Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, continued at the All Saints Ground on Princess Elizabeth Road in New Amsterdam.
In the opening encounter, Trafalgar Titans stormed to a commanding 5–0 victory over Kildonan Young
Warriors, producing one of their most dominant performances of the season. The Titans controlled possession from the start, displaying sharp passing and attacking flair as they overwhelmed the Kildonan defence.
The victory lifts Trafalgar back into strong contention near the top of the standings.
The second game saw Cougars Football Club (FC) delivering an equally impressive performance as they cruised past Fyrish Black
Sharks 6–1.
Leading the charge for Cougars was Kymani Spellen, who netted a brilliant hat-trick to thrill the crowd. Keron George added a brace, while William Sommersell contributed one goal to complete the rout. Fyrish managed a consolation strike but struggled to contain Cougars’ relentless attack throughout the contest.
ing. More so, we intend to use what we have learnt to pass on to our teammates when we get back to our respective countries..."
Nevertheless, while extending gratitude to the individuals and organisations that made his participation possible, including the Guyana Cycling Federation, Continental Cycling Club, and Macedo Transportation Services, there is a bigger need for sponsorship for talented local riders.
“I am hoping that sponsors could come aboard to make it possible for the different championships in
2026.”
The UCI/WCC Continental Development Satellite in Couva is a regional centre for cycling development, launched in December 2022.
Cycling Federations and their members on a given continent.
It focuses on track, road, and mountain biking and serves as a hub for training, education, and athletic development for the Western Hemisphere and Caribbean regions, operating from the National Cycling Centre.
The centre also hosts programmes like the first UCI Para-cycling coaching course for the region.
According to the UCI, regional and continental development satellites are a development extension of the World Cycling Centre, offering a central access point for education and athletic cycling development services, as well as programmes for National
Regional and continental development satellites operate with the same mission as that of the UCI/WCC (Aigle, Switzerland), which is to be a key driver of development and sporting excellence in service to national cycling federations and their members.
As a result, the presence of regional and continental development satellites creates enhanced opportunities for emerging nations to become more autonomous in driving their own projects and missions, all the while increasing development progression with the cohort of athletes that can lead to qualification and performance at either the Olympic or Paralympic Games.
High-level delegations from French Guiana and Suriname are expected to arrive in Guyana this week to meet with the Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, and officials from the National Sports Commission (NSC) to finalise plans for the 2025 InterGuiana Games (IGG), scheduled for December 5 to 7, 2025, in Georgetown.
the region's longest-running youth sports exchanges, designed to foster unity, cooperation, and mutual understanding among the young athletes of the Guianas.
Over the decades, the Games have produced several athletes who went on to represent their countries at the international level.
impact of the IGG.
According to Ninvalle, "This event continues to be a vital platform for youth development in sports. Our discussions will also focus on how we can improve the Games to better serve our student-athletes."
Meanwhile, the league continues on Sunday evening at the Number Five Ground, where two crucial fixtures are on the card. In the opening match, Ithaca FC will look to bounce back when they face Kildonan Young Warriors, who are still seeking their first win of the tournament.
The feature encounter will see the high-flying Cougars FC taking on the unbeaten Paradise FC in what promises to be a thrilling encounter. (Andrew Carmichael)
Wednesday's visit marks the final preparatory meeting ahead of this year's highly anticipated Games, which will see the three neighbouring territories (Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana) reignite a longstanding sporting rivalry built on friendship and cultural exchange.
During their stay, the visiting delegations will sign the Protocol Agreement that will confirm the disciplines to be contested at this year's IGG, while also conducting venue inspections of the facilities expected to host the various events.
The IGG, which first began in 1967, stands as one of
The Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, stated that Guyana is well-positioned to host all proposed disciplines and assured that preparations are progressing steadily.
"We are ready to welcome our counterparts from French Guiana and Suriname," Ninvalle stated, while adding, "Guyana is prepared to host the InterGuiana Games at the highest standard, and we look forward to an exciting and productive engagement with our visiting colleagues."
Ninvalle further emphasised the importance of dialogue, not only in finalising this year's hosting arrangements but also in enhancing the overall structure and
With Guyana set to host, the 2025 Inter-Guiana Games promises to celebrate not only competition but also camaraderie, regional cooperation, and the enduring spirit of youth sports.
The Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC)
International circuit meet, dubbed “Clash of Champions” is expected to sweep the South Dakota Circuit, Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD), today, with an action-packed day of motor racing. According to organisers, all is in place for the grand showdown.
President of the racing body, Mahendra Boodhoo, stated on Thursday that boxes have been ticked, including ensuring patrons'
smooth passage on the East Bank Demerara (EBD) carriageway.
"We are able to tick most of our boxes in terms of preparation. We have the foreign competitors here; we have the equipment here, so all is ready to go," Boodhoo asserted.
However, for the first time, the GMR&SC has introduced the GT3-spec class, featuring some of the biggest players in the game, including Mark Vieira's Porsche 911 GT3 Cup and AJM's GT3.
Unfortunately, Trinidad's Franklyn Boodram's Renault Sport RS 01 has not arrived in Guyana in time, and as such, he was forced to withdraw from the competition.
Then there is the Superbike category, with a thrilling lineup of riders competing across the Super Stock A, Super Stock B, and Street Bike classes.
All eyes will be on Guyana champion riders Matthew Vieira and Kevin Persaud as they battle for the top spot, but not with-
out competition from British Superbikes rider Daniel Linfoot and Gregg Black. Linfoot presently holds the track record of 1:15, while Vieira is running at 1:16 and Persaud at 1:17.
In addition, Nicholas Boodram, defending his title in Super Stock B, is currently leading the championship but faces intense competition from Alain Hopkinson, who is determined to take the top spot on race day.
Dowayne Caesar, Shem Chattersingh, and Leroy Cort are joining the group,
and each aims for a strong finish and a chance to shake up the leaderboard.
In the Street Bike class, championship leader Adrian Mohab will feel the heat from contenders like Jermaine Chattersingh, Fitzpatrick Augustus, Elwin Chase, and Ray Cappell. These riders are prepared to make Mohab's path to victory a challenging one.
Further, the action in the Vitz Cup A and B Class will be intense. In Class A, Rameez Mohamed is in command with 126 points, followed by Seejatan with 76 points and Aaqib Ali with 73 points, who are neck and neck in the battle for second.
Nyron Maraj, with 65 points, could still shake things up if the front-runners falter. Drivers such as Ray Rahaman and Steven Nobrega remain unpredictable factors who could influence the outcome when the lights go out.
Meanwhile, in Class B,
there is a four-way war for the crown. Bishram Rajaram is the leader, followed by Ravin Ramotaur, Luis Kumar, and Reeyaz Hamid. The gap is razor-thin, and a single mistake could decide the title.
Nevertheless, the most anticipated races on Sunday will be those of the Group Three and Four drivers, featuring some of the best of the best, including Andrew King, Mark Vieira, Danny Persaud, Anand Ramchand, Kevin Jeffrey, Mohan Rangasammy, and others. With the South Dakota Circuit set to roar to life, every lap will determine who earns their place in the history books as the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club celebrates 70 years of motorsport. The action at the South Dakota Circuit on Sunday will start at 10:00h. General admission will cost $4000 for adults and $2000 for children.
The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) on Friday each received brandnew 26-seater buses from President Dr Irfaan Ali to significantly ease their logistical burdens, marking a key phase in the Government’s comprehensive sports development drive.
Earlier this year, following consultations with President Ali, the GCB and other major national sporting bodies were promised critical resources – including new transportation –and that promise is now being fulfilled.
President Ali emphasised that these contributions form part of a much broader vision to transform sport into an economic driver, declaring, “I am not looking at cricket here in Guyana alone; we are going to invest massive sums of money in cricket. We will build a world-class facility, academy, infrastructure, and high-performance centres.”
He further underscored that the initiative extends beyond cricket: “Historically, when people spoke about sports in Guyana, they talked about cricket and football. In the last five years, we have developed every single form of sport.”
Building from hinterland up
The operational rollout of the national sports framework – anchored on three pillars: Accessibility,
Development, and Exposure – has begun in earnest.
Former West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan, who leads the GCB’s hinterland cricket development programme, recently travelled to Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo) with Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport Steven Jacobs as part of the first in a series of outreach visits.
The initiative aims to unearth and nurture cricket talent from remote hinterland regions, creating clear pathways for rural and indigenous athletes to rise to elite competition.
The GCB plans to field full hinterland men’s and women’s teams in upcoming tournaments, with the women’s side potentially debuting later this year in the senior inter-county competition.
To support these efforts, President Ali has committed to renovating hostels at LBI and Essequibo, ensuring comfortable accommodation
for players travelling from interior regions.
GCB President Bissoondyal Singh expressed gratitude for the Government’s continued support, noting that the bus donation and infrastructural assistance “will relieve a significant burden as the
Meanwhile, the GRFU also received its long-promised 26-seater bus, thus fulfilling commitments made during earlier consultations with President Ali. The vehicle will immediately assist the national rugby teams as
Board works to bring cricket back to the communities.”
In addition, Minister Jacobs said this was “the best time to be a cricketer”, while Minister Charles Ramson Jr added, “The world needs West Indies cricket, and that is why Guyana is taking a lead in its resurgence through strategic development.”
they prepare for the Rugby Americas North (RAN) Sevens Championship, set for November 21–23 at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Arima, Trinidad.
Guyana, a seven-time RAN Men’s Sevens champion, will seek to regain its dominance as both male and female squads vie for qualification in the HSBC
2026 Central American and Caribbean Games in the Dominican Republic.
President Ali also announced an ambitious project to build a new home for Guyana Rugby at Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD), equipped with training facilities and administrative offices. “We are looking to build a home for rugby – an official facility where you can have all the training amenities you need. That will come on stream in the new year,” he stated.
In a further show of cross-sport collaboration, President Ali revealed a partnership with Fitness 53, owned by Ramnaresh Sarwan, which will allow national rugby players free access to state-of-the-art strength and conditioning facilities.
President of the GRFU, Ryan Dey, expressed his gratitude, noting the President’s pleasing “open door policy” and the equal support from the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry in
“In two decades, they never had lights until now, and… the field is also improved to a more user-friendly surface,” Dey stated, underscoring the substantial nature of the recent improvements.
Rugby is the latest discipline to benefit from President Ali’s commitment, following similar donations to the Guyana National Rifle Association and the Guyana Cricket Board.
The Guyana Badminton Association and the Guyana Squash Association are scheduled to benefit before the end of the year, and the Guyana Chess Federation will receive assistance early in the new year. In addition, the Guyana Rifle Association, Guyana Badminton Association, and Guyana Squash Association are expected to benefit from the Guyanese Head of State's benevolence. Further, the Guyana Chess Federation is expected to receive its support package early next year.
