Guyana Times - Thursday, May 21, 2026

Foreign workers not a threat to Guyanese – Govt assures

DDL launches El Dorado 60th Independence Anniversary Special Reserve Rum

Guyana sends highcapacity pumps to Suriname amid worsening floods

Govt committed to Carter Center electoral reforms, but process must be phased – AG Guyana welcomes new model roll-on/ roll-off vessel to boost Reg 1 transport

Corentyne fatal accident case discontinued as mother seeks “peace” for son

Crew waved frantically for help as vessel vanished beneath rough Atlantic waters –rescued fisherman Deadly gas station bombing Mastermind withdraws guilty plea as DPP pursues terrorism charges against all suspects

Guyana welcomes new model roll-on/ roll-off vessel to boost Reg 1 transport

The Ministry of Public Works on Wednesday welcomed the newest addition to its fleet –the Kalliopi N , a 2024-model roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessel built in Greece to boost transport services to Region One (BarimaWaini). Subject Minister Bishop Juan Edghill, accompanied by Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) General Manager Yolanda Hughes, Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) Director General Captain Stephen Thomas, and other T&HD officials, toured the 50-metre vessel at the

Kingston Goods Wharf in Georgetown.

In a statement on the Ministry’s social media post, Edghill disclosed that the vessel will be assigned to ply the Region One route, noting, “This is another promise delivered by the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) Irfaan Ali-led Administration. The President himself will do the commissioning at the appropriate time, which will be shortly, and will include the commissioning of the boat and three wharves: the New Kingston Goods

Wharf with a new terminal building; the Mabaruma Wharf with the fantastic new terminal building; as well as the new Manawarin Wharf and new facilities,” the statement added.

Expressing his satisfaction with the continuous growth of the T&HD fleet, Edghill highlighted that the Region One route will now be serviced by four vessels, significantly improving transport and connectivity for the people of the North-West District. Just back in January, Guyana received a 2024-built vessel

also procured from Greece. The vessel was a key addition to the country’s national fleet, primarily providing services to Region One. It is equipped with three Hyundai engines and two generators and currently offers seating for around 284 passengers. It can transport up to 51 cars or the equivalent of 14 trucks and operates at about 10 to 12 knots, significantly reducing travel time on the GeorgetownRegion One route, particularly in calmer coastal waters.

BRIDGE OPENING

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, May 21 –07:20h–08:50h and Friday, May 22 – 08:15h–09:45h

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery showers are expected during the day and at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East-North-Easterly to Easterly between 2.68 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 07:42h and 20:28h reaching maximum heights of 2.48 metres and 2.28 metres.

Low Tide: 13:54h reaching a minimum height of 0.75 metre.

Foreign workers not a threat to Guyanese – Govt assures –

says migrant labour critical for Guyana’s rapid transformation

ith Guyana turning to foreign workers and the vast expertise in the diaspora to meet the growing demands for skills in the country as it undergoes unprecedented transformation, officials are reassuring Guyanese here that there is no threat to them. This assurance was given on Wednesday during a Stakeholder’s Forum on “Bridging Guyana’s Skills Gap: Diaspora and Migrant Labour,” where it was highlighted that the diaspora and migrant labourers are critical to continuing the development trajectory in the country, which has been experiencing labour shortages in key sectors.

“Migrant labourers do not present a threat; they pose no threat to Guyanese. It is a pathway for competi-

tiveness, and so even when every foreigner, whether from the diaspora or otherwise, comes to Guyana to work, they do not come to bring a threat to our labour force. They come to build on what we already have, so that we can put the people of Guyana first,” Labour and Manpower Planning Minister Keoma Griffith said during his keynote address at the opening of the one-day forum. Similar sentiments were also expressed by Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud, who stressed the importance of looking at the retention of foreign workers, including those from the diaspora, in a holistic way.

“This is to complement our local talent and skills, to complement those persons who are living here and who are bettering themselves and improving themselves to, as it were, satisfy or help bridge that skill gap. So, this type of conversation, while we’re putting the spotlight on migrant labour and the diaspora, is not to ignore or in any way reduce the tremendous importance of utilising the skills that reside here; but not only utilising how we can retain and develop those skills, so they too can, as it were, support what we all are seeking to do to bridge that skills gap,”

oping local skills a priority, especially through the number of technical skills-training programs and scholarship initiatives. He further

pointed out that as Guyana continues to undergo development, it is very pertinent to address the skills gaps. In fact, he noted that the Diaspora Unit within the Foreign Ministry has been targeting persons within the hemisphere, such as Suriname, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados, etc, where scores of Guyanese had previously migrated to. “We were placing a lot of emphasis there in addressing some of the skills gaps, but also tapping those persons, and working very closely. So, we hope also that this type of conversation will be very targeted in terms of who in the diaspora, where in the diaspora, the type of skills in the diaspora that companies need, and how they can be retained. We will take today’s outcome to inform us, to advise us as

we move forward in bridging the skills gap in our country, both for the public and the private sector, as Guyana continues its journey to transformation.” Nevertheless, Minister Griffith explained that the discussion at the stakeholders’ forum comes as Guyana seeks to position itself to sustainably manage one of the most transformative periods in its history, which has placed the labour market under strain. He pointed to research and studies that show the country will require a significantly larger workforce to sustain its projected growth-one study citing that approximately 160,000 additional workers would be required in the medium term for the country to fully realise its economic potential.

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Communication Shift

There has been much handwringing recently about the state of reading in our country. Things have gotten so bad, according to some, that we may be witnessing its actual demise. And we are not just referring to the reading of books.

Few today would conceive that in the middle of the last century we had more than half a dozen newspapers –including one evening edition.

One may hear (since we do not read) that we are not alone in this predicament: developed countries have conducted reams of research to demonstrate the declining place reading occupies in the lives of citizens. The usual suspects have been identified – TV, video games, iPods, smartphones, and all the other gadgets that compete and have evidently displaced books for our spare time. It would seem that we are following an inevitable trend.

But what is that trend, and is it necessarily bad for us? At its most fundamental level, reading was simply a revolution in communications that occurred several thousand years ago when mankind invented writing. Before that, we humans communicated via speech for tens of thousands of years.

Writing and reading were not immediately enthusiastically embraced. We note Plato’s record (in writing!) of Socrates’ complaint that writing would weaken memories and the power of reasoning and questioning. And in acknowledgement of such critiques, the elements of the oral tradition –memorisation, rhetoric, and recital – were preserved over the millennia.

The invention of the printing press some 500 years ago further revolutionised communication by making books much more easily available to everyone in society. This created its own storm of protests: would the great unwashed masses have the discipline to absorb the processes of thinking to make use of the knowledge contained in the books? We invented schools and libraries – not to mention popularisers called “magazines” and “newspapers” – to accomplish that task.

Reading became part and parcel of our tradition: books signified “civilisation”.

But the development in sophistication and efficiency of books to transmit information created its own inexorable impetus. Before long, we were plunged through the invention of the telegraph and the telephone in the 19th century into the present revolution in communications represented by radio, movies, TV, computers, the Internet, etc. And we return to the question of the fate of reading in an era of instantaneous electronic communications.

Our intent in outlining the changes in communication methodologies is to emphasise the inevitable nostalgia engendered when we move from one dominant form to another.

The point we want to make is that we cannot remain stuck in the past: when it comes to human affairs, change is inevitable. In grappling with the technique of communication, we cannot lose sight of the intent of communication. Contrary to the popular aphorism, we cannot afford for the medium to become the message.

Human advances and success have been based on our ability to communicate knowledge gained by one generation to succeeding generations in ever-increasingly faster ways. This is salutary in view of the exponential growth in our knowledge base.

Rather than decrying the reduced prevalence of reading and insisting like Socrates on retaining the oral tradition, we have to marry the old tradition of books and reading to the new vistas open to us.

It is perhaps ironic that the newer modes of communication may revive the foundations of the older oral tradition. If the reading of books decreases, to cope successfully with the explosion of information in the modern world, we may have to stress the importance of memorisation.

Our educational system will have to become au fait with the potential of the new technologies and combine them with the benefits of reading. The secret is not to insist on rote memorisation of arcane facts but on the ability to reason with and manipulate those facts that are now available literally at our fingertips.

Models showcased several pieces designed by Guyanese fashion

the fashion industry and her tremendous contribution to showcasing

an

and

the

and international stage. She was honoured at an event on Tuesday evening at the residence of the

Sigouin, which brought together diplomats, officials, and members of the

Karma has come full circle for the opposition

Dear Editor,

The Opposition, rightfully speaking, Azruddin Mohamed, is at the forefront of another brouhaha, championing the cause of some Indian immigrant workers whom he claims have been discriminated against by the company that hired them. The owner of the quarry is an entrepreneur from India who brought them here to work for him.

Mohamed describes their treatment as inhumane and tantamount to the slavery conditions Indians suffered here during the indenture period; this public nuisance is getting a lot of airtime before he wears that orange jumpsuit.

Presently, Mohamed revels in the thought that he has become the workers’ saviour, freeing them from the greedy expatriate owner of the quarry. Both he and APNU see this as payback for the PPP/C’s alleged role in bringing them here to vote for that party. As a consequence, the PNC is glad to see the Indians go.

The WIN party, on the other hand, have been a public nuisance ever since, looking into every nook and cranny where they can stir up trouble and, in the ensuing melee, cause the Government to be viewed through a negative lens. However, Azruddin Mohamed did not take into consideration the fact that, by calling the Government out on the Indians’ case, he would also be exposing himself as a greedy, exploitative quarry owner.

He placed himself snugly under the microscope be-

cause the pertinent facts reveal that he was also the owner of a quarry that hired local workers. Those workers, who were mainly AfroGuyanese, when they asked for a higher income, were met with the racial insults of their father.

Ironically, from that same gene pool of voters, Mohamed captured most of his votes; he captured a large percentage of the African votes that propelled him into the main opposition position. I shudder to think what might be going through the minds of the PNC/APNU supporters at this time.

Before I go, I shall posit the following to my waiting audience:

1. Why did APNU allow the Haitians to leave our shores and be chaperoned to Brazil? I think the party would have been better served if they had stayed to cast a ballot for APNU; they could have kept them here to practice their own form of “Apaan jhaat.” Just asking?

2. Is Azruddin really this concerned opposition leader, or is he the most opportunistic politician who changes his stance at the most advantageous times? I am convinced that he is an opportunist based on his actions. He is encouraged by APNU to act as a nuisance, and so far, he is doing a pretty good job.

3. To Coretta Macdonald, who encouraged the teachers to strike indefinitely, are your eyes now wide open to the fact that you and the teachers were being used by Azruddin Mohamed? Instead of bring-

ing the Government down, that strike lifted Mohamed up into stardom, to the point where the teachers voted for him, much to the destruction of their own party. Have you taken note of the salary scale of those immigrant workers against that of the locals? Is the union being fair to the teachers? Before you rise again to make a fool of yourself, think before you act; look at what you have

done to our teachers.

4. And to my friends in the PNC/APNU, if you keep playing that supporting role strategy, very soon your party will be a passing memory. I close by saying karma has come to haunt the opposition full circle; they just keep embarrassing themselves time and time again.

Yours respectfully, Neil Adams

Govt should strategically introduce public buses

Dear Editor,

I am writing to express my concern about the ridiculous increase in transportation costs faced by citizens due to the unreasonable fares and practices of some privately owned minibuses in Guyana.

Transportation is an essential service, and many working-class citizens, students, and elderly persons are struggling daily because of the high and unstable prices being charged.

In many cases, commuters are forced to pay excessive fares, especially during peak hours, public holidays, or bad weather conditions.

Some minibuses also refuse short drops, overload passengers, and operate recklessly in an attempt to maximise profits. This situation places unnecessary pressure on ordinary citizens who already face financial challenges due to the rising cost of living.

Although the Government has reduced

or removed certain taxes to help cushion gas and vehicle spare parts, some of these privately owned minibuses and some taxi drivers are still forcing passengers to pay more than the usual fare.

For this reason, I strongly believe that the Government of Guyana should implement a reliable public bus transportation system.

Government-operated buses would provide fair and regulated transportation costs, safer travel conditions, and better accountability. It would also create healthy competition in the transportation sector, which could help reduce unfair pricing practices by private operators.

Additionally, a proper public bus service could improve punctuality for workers and students while reducing road accidents caused by reckless minibus driving.

Huge glorification interfaith service planned by the Macedonia/Joppa voluntary committee

Dear Editor,

On Sunday, May 24, 2026, the Macedonia Joppa Voluntary Committee (MJVC), a non-Governmental, non-profit organisation from Eversham Village, East Corentyne, Berbice, will mark Guyana’s 60th Independence Anniversary

Jubilee with the largest Glorification Interfaith Church Service ever to take place at Eversham Community Centre Ground in Region Six.

Organised and sponsored by MJVC, the service is scheduled for Sunday, May 24, at 15:00h and will be a dedication to nurture

unity, love, understanding and collaboration across diverse religious denominations from the region.

Several religious leaders from various denominations will be in attendance, including Pastors Quacy Henry, Patsy Johnson, Pam Donohue, Imam Eban Taki, and

Pandit Devin Kamaldeo, among others. It will be a call for national prayer, worship and reflection.

This Glorification Interfaith Church Service honours Guyana’s 60th Independence Diamond Jubilee Anniversary with messages of six decades of nation-building, cultural

Suicide Prevention

Dear Editor,

The Guyana Government has launched a $35 million programme in Black Bush Polder (BBP), Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), to provide farmers with double-lock cupboards for the safe storage of pesticides and other toxic agricultural chemicals as authorities move to address longstanding concerns about suicide and unsafe chemical access in the farming community.

Such an initiative was first proposed by The Caribbean Voice, based on the Sri Lankan model, which had reduced suicide by 50 per cent. Since then, we have been lobbying for it to be implemented nationwide. We are aware that prior to this BBP rollout, 300 strong boxes had been distributed to farmers. We hope the BBP rollout will expand nationwide since piecemeal efforts are exercises in futility.

While Sri Lanka was successful, as soon as funding ran out, the suicide rate began to climb again. 20,000 boxes were distributed, but the necessary awareness was not achieved. So, we hope that the education and awareness-building component accompanies the distribution of boxes in Guyana.

As well, periodic surprise inspections need to

be carried out to ensure the boxes are appropriately used and that the storage, handling, and disposal of drug containers take place in the desired manner. In short, a mandatory safety protocol is a necessity.

While Guyana has descended somewhat from the highest suicide rate globally, the current figures do not reflect suicide reality. The globally underreported rate is 25 per cent, but that rate is higher in Guyana based on empirical evidence. TCV is aware that many suicides occur, unknown to police, hospitals, or the media. We believe that Guyana’s unreported rate could be as high as 40 per cent.

The lack of confidence in the suicide hotline remains high, which is a significant problem, as oftentimes persons referred to TCV refuse to go to the hotline when we suggest it, and TCV ends up doing the counselling. Perhaps a forensic analysis of the hotline is necessary to address the deficits, and ongoing public awareness should be in place to promote it.

We are also pleased that there are plans to gradually phase out more hazardous chemicals in favour of products considered safer and more environmentally friendly. TCV has also been advocating for this for

more than a decade, especially focusing on paraquat, the most dangerous of these chemicals, which has been banned in over 70 nations.

There is still one final component of this process that is necessary to tackle suicide, which is training in measures to immediately mitigate the effects of poison before a victim accesses health care. This immediate action can reduce the severity of the poisoning and save the life of a victim.

Some years ago, we referred Dr Verrol Simmons, now a retired UWI lecturer and an acclaimed toxicologist. This suggestion

was never taken up by the authorities, but TCV does have a webinar that was conducted by Dr Simmons.

Now that the strongbox initiative is on the table, TCV believes that Dr Simmons should be contacted and brought in to provide training, perhaps through a train-the-trainer programme, so the training can then be passed on to others and ensure continuity. Additionally, a poison control hotline should be set up to supplement this training.

Best regards, Annan

Boodram

resilience and a bright future for all.

It would be a celebration of life, health, strength, prosperity, unity, hope and healing and will bring together members of the Christian, Hindu and Muslim faiths, recognising that our strength lies in our diversity and our shared spiritual values.

Attendees will experience moments of collective reflection, forgiveness, gratitude and prayer as leaders from religious denominations across the region and other spiritual groups gather in an atmosphere of deep reverence.

Residents of all ages and from all walks of life from the Macedonia Joppa villages of Nos 35, 36, Brighton, Kiltearn, Eversham, Epsom, Bengal and No. 43 and surrounding villages are expected to attend this Glorification Interfaith Service. All are invited to join the Macedonia Joppa Voluntary Committee Glorification Interfaith Church Service on Sunday, May 24, 2026, at 15:00h at Eversham Community Centre Ground.

Yours sincerely, Dr Asquith Rose, MJVC Chair

FROM PAGE 4

Many countries around the world successfully operate public transportation systems that benefit citizens economically and socially, and Guyana should do the same.

Transportation should not become a burden on citizens. A Government public bus system would be a positive step toward improving the quality of life for many Guyanese people.

Yours faithfully, Quincy Anderson

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2026

Page Foundation

CXC Questions

2) The number 3.14063 written correct to 3 decimal places is a) 3.140 c) 3.146

3) The number 3076 written in standard form is a) 3.076 10-3 c) 3.076 102 b) 3.076 10-2 d) 3.076 103

Question 4 refers to the following diagram

4) The fraction of the circle which has been shaded is a) c) b) d)

5) The EXACT value of 2 ÷ (0.01)2 is a) 0.0002 c) 5000 b) 0.0005 d) 20,000

6) In a school, the ratio of the number of pupils to the number of teachers is 20 : 1. If the number of pupils is 840, how many teachers are there?

a) 40 c) 800 b) 42 d) 840

7) P = {52, 77, 91, 124, 217} Three members of the set P have a common factor which is a) 4 c) 13 b) 7 d) 31

Question 8 refers to the diagram below.

8) In the figure above, ∆OPQ is mapped to ∆OP’Q’ .What type of transformation has taken place? a) Reflection c) Translation b) Shear d) Rotation

9) 301 can be written as a) 3 × 102 + 1 c) 3 × 102

10) If p=(3a-q), then 6a is equal to a) 2(p+3q) c) p+3q b) 2(p+q) d) p+q

11) Which of the following sets is equivalent to {a, b, c, d} ? a) {4} c) { p, q, r, s} b) {a, b, c} d) {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}

12) If Q = {a, b, c, d, e}, how many subsets can be obtained from the set Q? a) 2 + 5 c) 52 b) 2 × 5 d) 25

Question 13 refers to the following Venn diagram

In the Venn diagram above U = {students who play games} H = {students who play hockey} V = {students who play volleyball}

The number of students in each set is indicated. 13) How many students do NOT play volleyball? a) 2 c) 5 b) 3 d) 8

Question 14 refers to the following diagram

The two circles above represent set P and set Q. 14) If P = {factors of 6} and Q = {factors of 4}, then the shaded region represents a) { } c) {4,6,8,...} b) {1, 2} d) {12, 24,36,...}

By DAVID WAGONER

If they sprout deep In thickets, their branches grope Upward crookedly left or down And right among haggledfooted elders, Their leaves stretched out Through salal, through hazel For the last light-hold. If they find no sky Halfway their own, they stay Alive where they are, the green boughs Dipping to root again and again, almost Unbreakably supple

Under the treads and blades Of loggers and earth-movers. But even if nearly broken, bent Backward and left for dead, half-burnt With slash or buried Crushed in snap-filled ditches, They will break out by spring In shadows, searching once more For light they may never find. If moved into a garden then, they rise Slowly and slowly straighten To a grove of slender trees, The first to go blood-red and amber By the end of summer, lingering Long into every winter For one death after another.

(Source: Poetry [October/November 1987])

Write about a day in a world where emotions are sold in bottles.

WORD SEARCH

Govt committed to Carter Center electoral reforms, but process must be phased – AG –

says most recommendations to be implemented

Attorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, on Tuesday, during his weekly programme “Issues in the News”, highlighted that while the Government supports the recommendations contained in the Carter Center’s Final Report on Guyana’s September 1, 2025, General and Regional Elections, implementation must be done in phases.

He pointed to constitutional issues as one of the main constraints, noting that some reforms would require broader national consultation and legal restructuring. As such, he noted that the Constitutional Reform Commission has been tasked with leading

public engagement and reviewing proposed changes.

“We are committed to implementing most of these recommendations, but they have to be done in stages. Some require constitutional interventions in relation to the constitutional matters. We have said that we have left that to an abroad-based constitutional reform commission whose mandate it is to go out and engage in public consultations regarding what reforms should be recommended. The constitutional reform commission is up and running and is doing its business,” Nandlall noted.

According to Nandlall, the commission is operational and is preparing an outreach programme in -

tended to gather public input across the country.

“Tomorrow afternoon (Wednesday), there is a scheduled meeting to take place. One of the things that we are concluding discussions on in that commission is the planning of an outreach programme which will begin public consultations across the length and breadth of Guyana. So, the process is an ongoing one. By the time the next election cycle comes around, we will have accomplished most of the tasks we set for ourselves. It’s a process,” Nandlall noted.

Overall, the AG described the report as largely positive. He referenced the report’s comparison with 2020, saying it acknowledged that reforms were introduced to decentralise and improve transparency in the tabulation of results.

The attorney general said the intention was to prevent a repeat of what he described as a “fiasco” in the previous election cycle.

“I believe it’s a good report. It highlighted some very crucial issues,” Nandlall commented.

“They reported that election day voting in Guyana was generally well conducted, calm, and orderly, with more polling stations opening on time, adequate materials

Foreign workers not...

Migration policy

This, according to Griffith, is where the Manpower Planning aspect of his Ministry comes to the fore in shaping a labour environment that is fair, regulated, and responsive to the country’s rapidly changing development landscape. To this end, he reiterated the Guyana Government’s commitment to establishing a modern national labour migration policy to allow for the recruitment of foreign workers to meet the needs of the country’s rapid growth without compromising the rights and interests of Guyanese. “Our Government has already signaled its intention to develop a migration policy aligned with the priorities outlined in Budget 2026. Importantly, this policy framework will support the strategic recruitment of foreign workers where necessary, while safeguarding the rights and interests of Guyanese workers; it will

also strengthen diaspora engagement as part of a broader national workforce development strategy...”

“Even now, returning nationals are already making meaningful contributions across key sectors, such as health care, construction, information, and communication technology, and entrepreneurship, further demonstrating the transformative role the diaspora can play in Guyana’s development trajectory. We must therefore maximise these benefits by creating structured pathways for diaspora participation through investment incentives, skills recognition and targeted remigrant programmes,” Griffith stated. Wednesday’s Stakeholders ‘ Forum on “Bridging Guyana’s Skills Gap” was facilitated by the Foreign Ministry’s Diaspora Unit with support from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). Head of IOM Guyana, Eraina Yaw, in brief remarks, un-

derscored the need to address the skills gap in Guyana through a strategic, inclusive, and sustainable approach. “ The skills gap cannot be addressed through a single pathway. Stronger education, training, and workforce development must remain central, while diaspora engagement can support expertise and knowledge transfer, and well-managed labour migration can help meet immediate and short-term goals,” she posited. The IOM official expressed expectation that the forum’s outcome will not just help build a shared understanding of Guyana’s skill needs and identify practical principal responses but also generate concrete recommendations on leveraging diaspora expertise and migrant skills, strengthening national skills development, and shaping labour mobility pathways that respond to market realities and align with international best practices.

before 2030 elections

in place, and procedures properly followed throughout the opening, voting, closing, and counting. They have ticked all boxes. The entire voting process, from the opening of polls to the closing of polls, was properly done, orderly, calm, and sufficient materials were provided.”

Released on May 14, the report noted that the tabulation of results in Guyana’s 2025 elections took place against the backdrop of the deeply contested 2020 tabulation process, which had eroded pub -

lic trust and prompted legal and procedural reforms aimed at decentralisation and greater transparency.

“They’re reflecting back on the 2020 horrendous experience, and they have acknowledged new procedures and new legal reforms intended to decentralise that tabulation process and avoid what happened at that fiasco at the Splashmins building [in 2020]. The report notes that overall, the legislative changes made to the tabulation process following the 2020 elections were

positive and contributed to a more efficient and transparent tabulation process that better ensured results announced reflected the will of the people as expressed on Election Day,” Nandlall noted.

He added that “so this is what the amendments that we have done, the reforms that we have done. These are the fruits of the reforms, and yet we are hearing that we have not done any reforms... These are highly commendable statements coming from The Carter Center.”

Essequibo businessman slapped with traffic-related charges

Thirty-five-year-old Essequibo businessman Rajit Daljit was on Monday slapped with several traffic-related charges when he appeared at the Charity Magistrate’s Court. The businessman of New Road, Essequibo Coast, Region Two, was charged in connection with offences committed on Monday, April 20, 2026, along the Charity Public Road, Essequibo Coast.

He was charged with failing to give his name and address; failing to wear a seatbelt; failing to display an identification mark on the rear of the vehicle; using an uninsured motor vehicle; using an unlicensed motor vehicle; using an uncertified motor vehicle; failing to produce a driver’s licence; having a defective brake light; having a defective indicator; and failing to maintain the

Charged: Rajit Daljit

motor vehicle.

On Monday, he appeared before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir, where he pleaded guilty to failing to give his name and address and was fined $10,000 or two weeks’ imprisonment in default.

He also pleaded guilty to failing to wear a seatbelt and was fined $7500 or two weeks’ imprisonment in default; failure to have an identification mark on the rear of the vehicle, which carried a fine of $150,000 or three months’ imprisonment; and failure to produce a driver’s licence, which carried a fine of $10,000 or two weeks’ imprisonment.

For the offence of driving an uncertified vehicle, he pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of $20,000. He will return to court on June 29, 2026.

Corentyne fatal accident case discontinued as mother seeks “peace” for son

The fatal accident charge against 61-year-old Naitram

Anghad of Lot 23 Number 64 Village, Corentyne, Region Six, was officially discontinued on Wednesday after the family of deceased motorcyclist Jagdeo Bhimsingh opted not to continue legal proceedings.

Anghad had been charged with causing the death of 21-year-old Jagdeo Bhimsingh by dangerous driving following a collision along the Number 64 Public Road earlier this year.

The matter was discontinued following recommen-

dations from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) after Bhimsingh’s mother, 52-year-old Nadira Nathoo, indicated that she no longer wished to pursue the case.

Speaking with reporters following the court proceedings, Nathoo said no financial settlement was reached and explained that her decision was influenced by her desire to allow her son to “rest in peace”.

“My son is priceless. My son carries no value. No money, no wealth can give me back my son’s life. So, I just settled the story for nothing and let my son go and rest,” Nathoo said.

She also suggested that another individual, whom she accused of encouraging her son to ship the motorcycle to Guyana, bore responsibility for the circumstances that led to the tragedy.

If it wasn’t for that motorcycle to ship and come to Guyana, my son wouldn’t die like this. I am the loser,” she stated.

Meanwhile, Anghad expressed relief at the outcome of the matter and thanked the family for not pursuing compensation. “Today I am

very happy that this case finished. I am very thankful that the mother and father of the kid didn’t take any money from me,” Anghad said.

During his initial appearance before Magistrate Tuanna Hardy at the Number 51 Magistrate’s Court, Anghad was remanded to custody. However, at a subsequent hearing on February 25, 2026, he was granted $600,000 bail.

It was reported that the fatal collision occurred at about 13:00h on February 17, 2026, along the Number 64 Public Road, Corentyne. Police re-

Deceased: Jagdeo Bhimsingh

ported that Bhimsingh, an overseas-based Guyanese of Number 63 Village, was riding a motorcycle with trade plates along the roadway when a motor car, PKK 5792, driven by Anghad, allegedly turned east into his path.

As a result of the collision, Bhimsingh was reportedly flung from the motorcycle onto the grass parapet, where he sustained severe injuries. Public-spirited citizens transported him to the Number 75 Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police also reported that a breathalyser test conducted on Anghad produced readings of seven and eight micrograms, respectively.

Cattle farmer charged after missing cows found in pen at Corentyne home

Fifty-five-year-old Mukesh Binda, called “Patch-head”, from Number 43 Village, Corentyne, Region Six, was on Wednesday granted $300,000 bail after being charged with stealing several heads of cattle.

Binda appeared before Magistrate Tuanna Hardy at the Number 51 Magistrate’s Court, where the charge was read to him, which stated that on May 16, 2026, at Johanna Backdam, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, he stole three head of cattle belonging to Parmanand Toolsie.

Binda was not required to plead to the indictment and was granted $300,000 bail. He will make his next court appearance on June 17

at the Mibikuri Magistrate’s Court.

It was reported that Toolsie, a cattle and rice farmer of Lot 12 Johanna South, Black Bush Polder, discovered eight of his cattle missing while penning his animals on the afternoon of May 16 at Johanna Backdam.

Police said the missing animals included one grey bull, one dark brown bull, and one grey heifer branded “89NC”, reportedly valued at $1 million.

Investigators said that, acting on information received, Toolsie went to Binda’s home at Number 43

Village, where he discovered five of his missing cattle inside a pen located at the back of the property.

According to the Police report, Toolsie confronted Binda and accused him of stealing the animals. Police said Binda allegedly responded that the cattle had followed his own flock into the pen the previous evening and that he was unable to chase them away.

Investigators further stated that Binda then opened the pen, and the cattle ran away. Meanwhile, the remaining three missing heads of cattle were not located.

Dealing with… …immigrant exploitation

Your Eyewitness invokes the old Guyanese saying “All skin-teeth na laff!!” in referring to his satirical take earlier in the week on the horrific story of the 38 imported Indian workers!! They’d been taken to a quarry –in the interior, of course! - by an employer from their own country who treated them worse than dirt!! Your Eyewitness snickered that we’d now joined the ranks of Dubai – where exploitation of their imported workforce is beyond rife!!

The sad reality is that for a host of reasons, development ain’t uniform across the world. And just as some countries need foreign direct investments – capital – they also need live bodies to provide labour – mental and physical – for the actual nuts and bolts that provide the scaffolding for the said “development”!

It’s always been like that – even when the Egyptians were building those pyramids!! Remember Jews like Moses and other furriners doing the heavy lifting – pun intended?! We had our own experience with the Dutch and Brits dragging us as enslaved and indentured labourers – providing the ultimate CHEAP manpower!! But since those practices were abolished, one would assume employers would now do right by their workers – no matter where they came from. But we’ve seen the world don’t work like that, does it?? It’s probably the way we’re hard-wired!!

The problem was that while even developed countries have no barriers for money pouring into their countries, they take great exception to poor people immigrating across their borders to try and make a living!! The irony, of course, was THEIR “good living” was built on the exploitation of countries from where the immigrants originated!! And the further irony is that when the immigrants do cross their borders – legally or illegally – they’re ALWAYS exploited and therefore continue to help them keep living high on the hog!! And the furthest irony is that in most cases the immigrants know what they’re getting into – but go along willingly because the conditions in their countries are even more dire!! They’re caught between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea!!

Some countries need workers because while they got money for development projects their population is comparatively small and can’t supply the necessary manpower or brainpower. They accept foreign workers – and them being squeezed by local employers. A recent Human Rights Watch report, for example, stated that “in Saudi Arabia there are 13.4 million migrant workers – 42 per cent of the population – who’re subjected to dangerous working conditions, including extreme heat, lack of breaks, and underpayment or non-payment. Workers have reported serious health issues from prolonged heat exposure, jobrelated injuries, and unexplained deaths, with families left without proper investigations or compensation.”

Expect more exploitation of migrants in ole Mudland!!

…flooding

Now that the REAL May-June rains are here – we know flooding’s gonna be endemic and might possibly cause epidemics like Lepto and Chikungunya – apart from Georgetown and its environs looking like cheap and tawdry imitations of Venice!! So, your Eyewitness was completely gobsmacked to read we’d shipped two heavy-duty, highvolume pumps – working at 31,000 gallons per minute each!! – Over to Suriname, because they got floods there also!!

It seems when Pressie recently spoke to their President virtually – supposedly about bilateral issues including the Corentyne River Bridge, fisheries, trade, energy, and agriculture – she gave him some sob story of their travails with floods, due to the same weather pattern we’re experiencing!! Now, your Eyewitness doesn’t mind being a good neighbour and all – but two things stuck in his craw. Ain’t charity supposed to be at home?? And in that vein, aren’t we Mudlanders also being flooded??

Then since when has Suriname ever flexed with us?? Still no fishing licenses – and now fees for Corentyne River use!!

…bed sheet rigging

Ever since Guyanese learnt Mingo used a soiled bed sheet to project his personally tabulated SOPs, they wanted to know where he sourced the bed sheet and more pertinently, how’d it become stained!!

After the Court’s visit, were these pressing questions answered??

Quarry company denies ill-treatment of Indian workers – Labour Minister

– as multi-Ministerial probe continues

The investigation into the alleged poor working conditions and unfair treatment meted out to a group of Indian nationals at a quarry in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) continues, with Labour Minister Keoma Griffith telling reporters that the company has denied the allegations levelled against it.

“They have denied the allegations,” Griffith indicated to the media on the side-lines of an event in Georgetown on Wednesday when asked for an update on the investigation.

“The allegations relate to unsafe health and safety working environments, and of course, allegations relating to personal property and artefacts belonging to the workers – they have denied those allegations. It is now on us to investigate before we make a determination.”

Over the weekend, reports surfaced of the suspected trafficking of 38 Indian nationals to work at the quarry operation at Batavia, Region Seven.

The Indian nationals were reportedly employed by Ekaa Hrim Earth Resources for the past three years, where their passports were allegedly withheld by the company’s management. The workers also complained about poor working conditions at the quarry. According to the Minister, statements have been obtained from all of the victims, and officials at the Indian High Commission in Georgetown were engaged.

While passports had been handed over to the workers following the Government’s intervention, the company was given 24 hours from Monday to respond to the allegations. However, Griffith opted not to divulge many

details about the response.

“It now calls on us to investigate both sides. Of course, the workers have said something which we are going to take seriously... but the company has said a different version... Our responsibility is to listen to both sides and to investigate. It is my duty to ensure that everything is examined before we come to the media or to the public to give information. We will not be irresponsible and give misinformation to the public. We would not be irresponsible and give misinformation,” he informed reporters.

Human trafficking

Further questioned about whether the situation constitutes human trafficking, Minister Griffith explained that he has to be guided by his technical team, which is still investigating the matter. “I’m not going to make an allegation of human trafficking without information. I cannot do it. That would be irresponsible of me, not only as the Minister but also as somebody who serves the public.

“I cannot do that,” he told reporters on Wednesday morning. Trafficking in Persons (TIP) in Guyana is governed by the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act. It states that “any person who, for the purpose of trafficking in persons and acting or purporting to act as another person’s employer, manager, supervisor, contractor, employment agent, or solicitor of clients such as a pimp, knowingly procures, destroys, conceals, removes, confiscates, or possesses any travel document or other Government identification document, whether actual or purported, belonging to another person com-

mits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of one million dollars together with imprisonment for five years.” The Minister added that the investigation is ongoing and is being carried out in collaboration with the Ministries of Home Affairs and Human Services and Social Security. In fact, the inter-Ministerial investigating team has already gone on the ground and visited the quarry operations as part of the investigation.

Ongoing process

Moreover, Griffith informed reporters that he would be engaging the company again on Wednesday afternoon. Efforts by this newspaper to contact the Minister to follow up on the outcome of that meeting were futile. However, he had told reporters on Wednesday morning that “This is an ongoing process. I want everybody to understand it’s an ongoing process.”

Minister Griffith, while speaking on Wednesday at a stakeholders’ forum on “Bridging Guyana’s Skills Gap: Diaspora and Migrant Labour”, made it clear that while Guyana has become a destination for migrant workers, particularly from China, India, Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela and other regional neighbours, they must be treated humanely in accordance with the country’s laws and regulations.

“Their recruitment must be safe; their recruitment must be orderly. Your recruitment must be ethical. Your recruitment must be regulated and grounded in human rights,” he underscored. In January 2023, the Amerindian Affairs Ministry facilitated the US$20 million quarrying project undertaken by Ekaa Hrim Earth Resource Management. According to a Department of Public Information (DPI) report, under this agreement, 1089 acres of land were leased to the company; 13 acres will be used for mining, while the remainder will be a buffer zone. It was also reported that 40 per cent of the labour workforce at the site would have been sourced from Batavia.

Political exploitation

Meanwhile, joining the Labour Minister in condemning the mistreatment

was Attorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, SC, who highlighted the importance of reporting situations like this.

“Government can’t expect to know every single transaction or activity that is taking place across the length and breadth of this country unless it is reported to one of the official

channels... If a report is not made, the state apparatus is not activated. The state apparatus doesn’t operate on autopilot; reports have to be made and then processes are activated,” Nandlall stated.

The AG nevertheless called out certain politicians whom he says have been using this situation as a political football for cheap gains.

“He exploited this opportunity for political gains and it was nakedly so. While he did a good job by bringing the people out and offering them a meal, everything was done live... It demonstrates the lack of genuineness, demonstrates the lack of sensitivity and the lack of humanity,” Nandlall posited.

GPL, MoE partner to strengthen technical training & employment opportunities

The Guyana Power & Light Inc (GPL) and the Education Ministry have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen technical education and create greater employment opportunities for students pursuing technical careers.

The partnership will support GPL’s accelerated technician training programme by creating a sustainable pool of skilled trainee technicians from institutions including the Government Technical Institute, New Amsterdam Technical Institute, Essequibo Technical Institute, and Upper Corentyne Industrial Training Centre.

Under the agreement, GPL and the technical institutes will work collabo-

ratively to align training with industry needs, ensuring students gain the technical skills and competencies required for careers in the power sector. Speaking at the signing, Education Minister Sonia Parag described the initiative as a positive step that will benefit students across Guyana by creating greater opportunities for technical training and career development.

Head of the Executive Management Committee at GPL, Kesh Nandlall, noted that the initiative comes at a critical time as GPL continues to embark on several major infrastructure projects that will require additional skilled personnel to support the company's expanding infrastructure and operations. For GPL, the MoU supports efforts to

maintain a highly skilled workforce capable of meeting the growing demands of Guyana’s electricity sector.

For students, the partnership provides access to competency-based technical training, industry guidance, practical exposure, and potential employment opportunities upon successful completion of their training. Present at the signing on behalf of GPL were Head of the Executive Management Committee Kesh Nandlall, Divisional Director Bal Persaud and Human Resources Development Manager Anthony Johnson.

Representing the Ministry of Education were Minister Sonia Parag; Permanent Secretary (PS), Shannielle Hoosein-Outar; Deputy Education Officer

that it remains committed to investing in workforce development and building partnerships that create

meaningful opportunities for young Guyanese while supporting national development.

Crew waved frantically for help as vessel vanished beneath rough Atlantic waters – rescued fisherman

Four fishermen who survived after their boat sank off the Atlantic Coast recounted that they spent hours drifting in rough waters while desperately trying to attract the attention of passing vessels. The men were eventually rescued following a coordinated effort involving another fishing crew, volunteers, and members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard after their 45-foot drift seine boat went down during what was supposed to be a routine fishing expedition. Among the survivors is 56-year-old fisherman Kusiram Jagmohan, who said the incident remains the most frightening experience of his more than three decades of working at sea.

According to Jagmohan, the crew had left the Rosignol Fishing Port the previous Friday and traveled several miles offshore when the vessel suddenly began taking in water while they were attempting repairs onboard.

“The whole boat start tek water,” Jagmohan recalled. “I tell the captain the boat gon wrong now… the whole boat full of water.” He recalled that Captain Rashford Vax immediately instructed the crew to put on life jackets and prepare themselves as the vessel was overwhelmed by the rough Atlantic waters.

“So the captain say put on the life jacket and stand by with the jar,” Jagmohan said. “So I start tie up all the water jars and put the bags over the side.”

The veteran fisherman explained that the men desperately tried to secure anything that could help keep them afloat as waves continued to crash against the vessel.

“The water rough,” he said. “Every time I put the bags out, the bags slip out and empty out. So I just jump and hold on to the jar.” Moments later, the boat disappeared beneath the water, leaving the four men stranded at sea, clinging to floating containers and the icebox from the boat while drifting further offshore. Jagmohan said the men spent hours drifting before eventually spotting another vessel in the distance.

“Once I get the bags tie up, I wave them good for half an hour,” he recounted. “We drifting and drifting. Then we finally see one boat and wave them.”

The fishermen were eventually rescued after another fishing crew abandoned its own expedition and began assisting in bringing the men back toward shore before the GDF Coast Guard later took over the operation.

Reports are that the men were located about 13 nautical miles offshore from the Berbice River.

All four fishermen were eventually brought safely back to shore, where anxious relatives had gathered, awaiting news of their fate. Photographs taken after the rescue showed the exhausted fishermen still clutching the life jackets, which likely played a major role in helping them survive the ordeal. For Jagmohan, the incident was unlike anything he had ever experienced before, despite spending decades working at sea.

“About 30-something years now… first time something like this happen to me,” he said. Meanwhile, the owner of the vessel, Alex Ramoutar, said the incident resulted in the total loss of the boat, engine, and fishing gear. The losses are estimated at approximately $12 million.

Despite the devastating setback, relatives and fellow fishermen expressed gratitude that all four men survived and were able to return home safely.

Deadly gas station bombing Mastermind withdraws guilty plea as DPP pursues terrorism charges against all suspects

– paper committal proceedings to commence on June 8

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has opted to proceed with terrorism charges against all remaining accused in the deadly Regent Street gas station bombing case, despite repeated claims by the alleged mastermind that he acted alone and that the others were innocent of any involvement. The disclosure was made on Wednesday when the matter

came up before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Prosecutors informed the court that the DPP will continue with proceedings against Venezuelan national Daniel Alexander Ramirez Poedemo, along with his co-accused, Alexander Bettencourt, Jhonny Boodram, and Krystal La

Cruz, in connection with the October 26, 2025, bombing at the Mobil gas station on Regent Street.

The explosion claimed the life of six-year-old Soraya Borneman and left several of her relatives injured. It also triggered widespread public outrage and an extensive investigation by law enforcement authori-

Ill West Ruimveldt man collapses, dies along Hunter Street

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) was summoned to Hunter Street, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, on Wednesday after reports surfaced that a man had collapsed and died while walking along the roadway. The deceased man was later identified as Ceon Paul, 33, of Lot 5 West Ruimveldt Front Road. According to relatives who were present at the scene, Paul had been diagnosed with tuberculosis last year and was undergoing treatment. Family members said he had lost a significant amount of weight during his illness. Speaking with this publication, a relative further explained that they received a call from the young man’s brother at around 10:00h informing them that Paul had collapsed on Hunter Street and “was not breathing. “ “When we arrived at the scene, he was motionless,” the relative said. When Guyana Times arrived at the scene, Paul was seen lying face down at

a corner along Hunter Street among several trees. Family members stated that he was last seen sitting on a bridge near Hunter Street before he began walking away from the area. However, shortly after, he suddenly collapsed and became motionless. His niece explained that Paul had been receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) and was on medication. However, on Sunday, he was taken back to the hospital after his condition worsened. According to the niece, his mother took him to the clinic so he could continue treatment and receive medication. She said doctors conducted several tests and informed the family that nothing appeared to be wrong with him and that he was improving.

They were reportedly advised to return on June 4 for a follow-up appointment. The niece added that on Wednesday morning, the family had sent food, drinks, and medication for Paul. She further claimed that the family experienced difficulties getting the man admitted at GPHC and felt that there was little urgency despite his worsening condition and dramatic weight loss.

The family believes this may have been influenced by his appearance, noting that he often spent time on the road and his clothing was not always tidy. Investigations into the incident are still ongoing, and a Post-Mortem Examination (PME) is expected to be conducted on the body soon to determine the cause of death.

ties. During several previous court appearances, Ramirez Poedemo repeatedly declared that he was solely responsible for the deadly attack and pleaded with the court to release the other accused, insisting they had no knowledge of or participation in the incident. Earlier this year, the Venezuelan national had also indicated his intention to plead guilty to the charge. However, on Wednesday, Ramirez Poedemo informed the court that he no longer wishes to admit guilt after learning that the DPP had decided to proceed with terrorism charges against the three other defendants jointly charged with him.

His change of position came shortly after the prosecution formally advised the court that the charges against all four accused would remain in place. Following the latest development, Acting Chief Magistrate McGusty announced that paper committal proceedings are scheduled to commence on June 8 at 13:30h at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. During those proceedings, the court will review witness statements, investigative reports and other documentary evidence to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to commit the accused to stand trial before the High Court. The case has

already produced varying outcomes for several persons initially charged in connection with the bombing. Back in April, at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court, Magistrate Alisha George upheld a no-case submission filed on behalf of Guyanese nationals Wayne Correia and Ramesh Pramdeo, ruling that the prosecution had failed to establish sufficient evidence linking them to the attack. However, another Venezuelan national, Jennifer Rodrigues, was committed to stand trial in the High Court after the court found that there was enough evidence for the matter to proceed against her.

Father, son die after speeding car plunges into Berbice canal

ACorentyne family has been left devastated after a man and his four-year-old son lost their lives on Wednesday when the car in which they were travelling plunged into a canal along the Lesbeholden Public Road at Hogstye, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

Dead are 32-year-old Joseph Mangar and fouryear-old Jonathan Mangar, both formerly of Limlair Village, Corentyne. According to information received, the incident

occurred at about 13:50h and involved motor car PYY 2317, which was being driven by the now deceased man. Initial investigations revealed that the vehicle was proceeding along the Lesbeholden Public Road, allegedly at a fast rate of speed, when the driver lost control and ended up in a canal.

The vehicle reportedly became submerged, and both the driver and child were pulled from the wreckage by public-spirited citizens and rushed to the Port

Mourant Public Hospital, where they were pronounced dead on arrival.

Speaking with Guyana Times, the dead man’s father, Alston Mangar, said he was working on the farm when he received the heart-breaking news.

“Well, I was in the farm… and one of them come and ask me if everything alright. So, I say, ‘Why you asking me that?’ And the boy start to cry. He tell me that my son just gone in the trench there – and my grandson,” the distraught

father recalled.

By the time he arrived at the scene, the vehicle had already been pulled from the canal. “He was my best son… very quiet, cool,” Mangar said as he struggled to hold back tears.

The grieving father said Joseph had visited him earlier in the day to deliver medication for his mother before leaving again. “This morning me son bring over tablet for he mother,” he explained.

According to the father, Joseph worked as a truck driver, but work had slowed recently because of persistent rainy weather.

Meanwhile, his brother, Joshua Mangar, said he heard reports suggesting that another vehicle may have been involved in the moments leading up to the crash.

The brother claimed that a truck may have overtaken Joseph’s vehicle and caused him to lose control before plunging into the canal.

“People say when he drive, a truck come and the truck give he a shake,” the brother stated.

However, up to late Wednesday, Police had not indicated that another vehicle was involved in the accident.

Joshua Mangar said the

tragedy has shattered the close-knit family. “Today me get a call from me worksite telling me brother dead and me nephew dead… the love for one another very hard,” he said.

As relatives gathered at the family home on Wednesday afternoon, Alston Mangar reflected on the close relationship shared among his sons and grandchildren. “Any holiday, all of them just come over. We really can’t say how we going to live with this,” he said quietly.

Over 6500 trade approvals issued since launch of digital single window system

Since the implementation of the digital single window system in January 2025, almost 7500 applications have been submitted, with more than 6500 approvals processed to date, according to Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Susan Rodrigues. The Minister made these remarks at the Electronic Single Window Exit Workshop held at the World Trade Centre (WTC) in Georgetown, where stakeholders reflected on the progress and impact of the Electronic Single Window for Trade initiative spearheaded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

“The Licences,

Certificates, Permits, and Other Module, which is now operational across all agencies, has demonstrated the practical value of the Single Window,” Minister Rodrigues stated, while adding that “Traders are now able to submit applications from the comfort of their offices rather than navigating multiple agencies and manual processes.” She emphasised that the initiative extends beyond digital transformation, noting that “this project was about reducing delays, lowering transaction costs and creating an enabling environment for our small and medium businesses”. She underscored that the

Electronic Single Window remains essential for promoting trade, investment, and economic diversification in Guyana as the country continues to modernise its trade facilitation systems and strengthen competitiveness. According to the World Bank Doing Business Report (2020), border compliance in Guyana requires approximately 72 hours for exports and 84 hours for imports. These delays historically increased transaction costs

for businesses and reduced overall trade efficiency. With the implementation of the Electronic Single Window system, licences and approvals can now be processed in less than 24 hours between agencies, representing a significant improvement in administrative efficiency and inter-agency coordination.

The Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Roger Rogers; the Country Representative

of the IDB, Lorena Solórzano Salazar; and the Chief of Operations of the IDB, IvanAlonzo Gaviria, along with other officials and representatives, were also present at the workshop.

The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce will continue to collaborate with agencies and stakeholders to advance the full implementation of the Electronic Single Window and further enhance efficiency, transparency and service delivery

within Guyana’s trade ecosystem.

The Electronic Single Window for Trade is a critical initiative aimed at improving the ease of doing business in Guyana by laying the foundation for a modern, paperless trade environment. Through enhanced collaboration among agencies, the project has streamlined procedures and improved transparency for traders and customs brokers.

UG engineering students tour Gas-to-Energy Project at Wales

Some 70 students from the University of Guyana's (UG) Faculty of Engineering and Technology, along with several lecturers, visited the Gas-to-Energy (GtE) Project site at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD), where they were briefed on the project's development, current progress and its strategic importance to Guyana's energy and industrial transformation. The students from the architecture, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering programmes were accompanied by the Head of the GtE Task Force, Winston Brassington.

Speaking during the visit, Presidential Advisor on Tertiary Education Reform Dr Kofi Dalrymple emphasised the importance of

exposing students to major national development projects and cutting-edge engineering works taking place in Guyana. "This is a transformational project that promises to revolutio-

nise the industrial sectors of Guyana. What students saw here was inspiring and brings world-class engineering right here to Guyana, giving them opportunities never before

available in the country," he added.

The visit forms part of a broader effort to connect students with real-world engineering and development projects, strengthen industry engagement, and prepare graduates to

this project will make a huge impact on the country and the wider region. Many of the world's top engineering firms and manufacturers are here."

The students were exposed to various aspects of the project, including

pansion potential of the facility.

Project representatives took time to address the students' enquiries in detail while also discussing opportunities for graduates to become involved in major national devel-

contribute meaningfully to Guyana's expanding industrial and infrastructure sectors. Project Manager of Linsayca, Luis Pirela, highlighted the broader national and regional significance of the initiative and the opportunities it creates for students and future professionals. "Guyana is one of the hottest places in the world right now when it comes to development, and

large-scale civil infrastructure development, energy systems, construction operations, industrial engineering applications, and the integration of modern technologies within a rapidly developing economy. Throughout the tour, students engaged the project team with numerous technical questions about the engineering systems, construction processes, operations, and future ex-

opment projects such as the GtE initiative. Senior Petroleum Coordinator at the Natural Resources Ministry, Bobby Gossai Jr; Assistant Dean and Architecture Lecturer Shion Norton; Lecturer Anirude Khelawan; and a specialist electrical engineer and Head of the Petroleum & Geological Engineering Department, Miss Klass, were present during the tour.

DDL launches El Dorado 60th Independence Anniversary Special Reserve Rum

– PM lauds rum industry as important part of Guyana’s heritage

PMark Phillips called Guyana’s rum industry an important part of the country’s heritage, economy and cultural identity. During the launch of the El Dorado Grand Special Reserve – an exclusive limited-edition rum produced by Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) in commemoration of Guyana’s 60th Independence Anniversary – at the Rum Heritage Museum, the PM lauded the effort that goes into rum production in Guyana. He said that rum is deeply connected to Guyana’s history, agriculture, craftsmanship and economic development, noting that the industry is closely linked to the sugar industry.

“Rum is an important export earner for our country. You cannot have rum without molasses. You cannot have molasses without sugar. So, when we talk about

the future of sugar, we must also talk about the future of rum and the thousands of jobs, the foreign exchange, and the cultural identity that depend on it.” PM Phillips said the recent performance of Guyana’s rum exports shows both the sector’s earning potential and its vulnerability to global market conditions, noting that exports of rum and other spirits fluctuated over the years, rising from US$37 million in 2016 to a peak of US$61.7 million in 2022 before declining to US$24.2 million in 2025.

He explained that the trend reflects weaker global demand, reduced consumer spending in key export markets, and lower demand for both bulk and branded alcoholic products, reinforcing the need to protect the industry and strengthen Guyana’s position in the premium rum market.

“In this regard, one has

to commend the vision and foresight of DDL. Years ago, DDL recognised the need to transition increasingly towards branded liquor. They

saw that the future was not in selling rum by the tanker but by the bottle – and not just any bottle, but a premium bottle.” This fore-

sight, the PM expressed, has allowed Guyana to enter the premium segment of the global rum market while helping to promote one of the country’s most recognisable manufactured products.

“When you choose El Dorado, you are not just choosing a fine rum. You are keeping a heritage industry alive. You are protecting jobs. You are securing the industry until such time as things improve on the global stage.”

Reflecting on the significance of the launch, PM Phillips congratulated DDL on commemorating Guyana’s Diamond Jubilee through a product that celebrates national history, local skill and world-class production. He described the rum as a tribute to Guyana’s journey as an independent nation.

“El Dorado Grand Special Reserve is not just a limited-edition rum… It sig-

nifies 60 years of resilience, flavour, and pride.” He noted that DDL had undertaken a similar initiative for Guyana’s 50th independence anniversary, adding that the company continues to align its brand with the country’s historic milestones.

“This month we are toasting to Guyana’s Diamond Jubilee. 60 years ago, Guyana raised its own flag for the first time. Tonight, we raise a glass, not in vanity, but in honour. Honour to those who came before. Honour to your workers, the master blenders, the coopers, the bottlers, the marketers, and every Guyanese who believed that what we produce is world-class.” He also added that Guyana’s rum industry continues to carry the country’s name to the world, while preserving the heritage, skill and identity that have made Guyanese rum internationally recognised.

Guyana sends high-capacity pumps to Suriname amid worsening floods

Guyana has provided emergency assistance to Suriname by loaning two high-capacity water pumps to support ongoing efforts to address widespread flooding caused by persistent heavy rainfall. The support follows recent high-level discussions between President Irfaan Ali and Suriname’s President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, during which the worsening flood situation in several parts of Suriname was addressed. The request for additional pumping capacity was made as authorities there continue to grap-

ple with rising water levels and overwhelmed drainage systems. Suriname has been experiencing more intense rainfall than Guyana, resulting in more severe flooding in several communities. In response, the decision was made to deploy additional equipment to strengthen drainage operations. The pumps, each with a capacity of 31,000 gallons per minute, were transported across the Corentyne River on Monday.

According to Suriname’s Ministry of Public Works and Spatial Planning, the equipment will be deployed

at the Sabaku Project and along Indira Gandhi Road. Installation of one pump at the Sabaku Project is already underway.

Authorities have cautioned that installation work may lead to temporary traffic disruptions in affected areas and have urged motorists and residents to plan alternative routes where necessary.

The assistance forms part of ongoing cooperation between the two countries as both continue to deal with the impacts of heavy rainfall and flooding across multiple regions.

Elections Fraud Case: SoPs & SoRs tendered into evidence

The trial into the 2020 elections fraud case picked up steam on Wednesday as Registrar of the Supreme Court, Sueann Lovell, took the stand, and the Statement of Polls (SoPs) from the March 2, 2020 elections were officially entered into evidence at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Making her first appearance in the trial, Lovell was the only witness for the day as the case continued before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty. During Lovell’s testimony, the prosecution was able to tender the SoPs for Regions One to Four, with the continuation of the tendering expected to occur when Lovell returns to the stand on Friday.

On Thursday, the tri-

Financial crime case

Attorney

clarifies request for release of passport was for co-accused, not fmr ACP

Former Assistant Commissioner of Police

Following media reports surrounding an application for the release of a passport purportedly made for former Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Calvin Brutus, attorney Glenn Hanoman clarified that the application was made on behalf of co-defendant Asif Zafarali and not Brutus.

Hanoman, who represents Zafarali, made the application on Monday during proceedings before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

The attorney requested the temporary release of Zafarali’s passport for identification and travel purposes, telling the court that his client earns his livelihood through the sale of truck parts and at times requires additional forms of identification to conduct business transactions.

Hanoman further informed the court that Zafarali intends to travel. However, when questioned by the Magistrate about a

proposed travel date and travel arrangements, the attorney explained that no arrangements had yet been finalised since they first wanted the court’s approval for the release of the travel document.

“I was representing Asif Zafarali, and I was trying to get the Magistrate to return his passport,” he said. He recalled the court’s position, stating: “The Magistrate made a comment that suggested that she would prefer for me to go to the High Court.”

Following the hearing, Hanoman reiterated that there had been public misunderstanding regarding the application, clarifying, “I don’t represent Brutus.”

In responding to the request, Magistrate McGusty remarked, “I think we played this song already. I do not wish to be a part of this band,” before indicating that the matter would be more appropriately addressed before the High Court.

The matter was subsequently adjourned to May 25.

Speaking with Guyana Times after the hearing, Hanoman clarified that the application was made solely on behalf of Zafarali, whom he represents, and not Calvin Brutus.

The Magistrate’s comments appeared to reference previous controversies surrounding overseas travel applications connected to persons before the court in the sprawling financial crimes investigations involving Brutus and others.

Particular attention had previously been placed on Brutus’ wife, Adonika

Aulder, who had been granted permission by the court to travel to the United States while pregnant for medical treatment.

However, concerns later arose after Aulder remained overseas beyond the expected period and continued appearing virtually before the court. Prosecutors had raised concerns over her delayed return to Guyana, prompting repeated updates before the court regarding her medical condition and travel status.

At previous hearings, her attorneys maintained that complications relating to her pregnancy, medical treatment, and travel documentation contributed to the delay in her return. The matter sparked intense public discussion and repeated exchanges in court regarding compliance with court conditions and overseas travel permissions.

Brutus is currently before the courts on more than 200 criminal charges, including misconduct in public office, money laundering, obtaining money by false pretence, and other financial crimes linked to the alleged misappropriation of more than $800 million.

Zafarali is jointly charged with Brutus in one of the matters currently before the court.

The charges stem from investigations being conducted by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) into alleged financial irregularities involving funds and transactions connected to the Guyana Police Force.

The matters remain ongoing before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

al will continue from 09:00h, with Inspector Nigel Stephens expected to take the stand to testify about certified copies of the electoral documents. Lovell is expected to return to court on Friday.

There was a total of 2339 polling stations for the 2020 General and Regional Elections (GRE), resulting in 2339 SoPs and 2339 Statements of Recount (SoRs).

It was back in January 2021 that the High Court ordered the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to transfer all original SoPs and SoRs from the 2020 elections to the custody of the High Court for safekeeping and as official evidence.

The documents were delivered to the High Court by former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, in the presence of GECOM Chairperson Claudette Singh. Lowenfield is one of the defendants currently charged in the case.

Lovell testified to the strict chain of custody that the documents were under. “We went through a verification process of what exactly was being handed over to me by checking all of the documents. As they were handed over, records were created which detailed what the documents were that I was receiving, and once I had verified all of those particulars, I signed as receiving while Mr Lowenfield affixed his signature as the person handing over,” Lovell testified.

The documents were ordered to be handed over, given that the Representation of the People Act (ROPA) allows the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) to destroy all election documents after a 12-month period has elapsed.

Since then, the original electoral documents have been physically secured in the High Court vault under the sole control of the Supreme Court Registrar. Lovell testified that the documents remained solely under her control. Since receipt, the documents have been kept secure in two fireproof cabinets located in her office, Lovell testified.

“After receiving documents, I secured them in two fire-safe cabinets that had

been procured for that purpose and that were in my office. Those cabinets are secured by combination locks as well as keys. After I secured the documents in those cabinets, I locked them with the keys and the combination, and I am the only person who has the combination to those locks and who possesses the keys since that time,” Lovell noted.

In May 2021, copies of the original SoPs and SoRs were made and handed over to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) as evidence in the election fraud case. During the handing over of the copies to the police, an audit process was conducted to ensure that the copies handed over were an exact match to the original documents held by the registrar.

Lowenfield is one of nine persons charged with conspiracy to commit electoral fraud in relation to the tabulation of votes for Region Four in the 2020 GRE. Those charged include former Deputy CEO Roxanne Myers; former Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo; former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Minister Volda Lawrence; former APNU+AFC Chief Scrutineer Carol SmithJoseph; and former Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) employees Enrique Livan, Sheffern February, Michelle Miller, and Denise Bobb-Cummings.

CDC warns of increased flood risk as heavy downpour persists until Saturday

The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has warned that persistent rainfall and unstable weather conditions are expected to significantly increase the risk of flooding across Guyana over the coming days.

In a weather advisory issued on Tuesday evening, the CDC said information from the Hydrometeorological Service indicates that recent weather activity, combined with forecast conditions between May 19 and May 23, is likely to further

saturate soils across the country.

The Commission warned that any additional rainfall could trigger or worsen flooding in low-lying and flood-prone communities.

The latest advisory comes after several days of intense rainfall and severe weather alerts issued by the Hydrometeorological Service as multiple regions experienced continuous showers, overcast skies, thunderstorms, and rising water levels.

Over the past week, res-

idents in several communities have taken to social media to post images and videos showing flooded streets, yards, and overtopped drains following prolonged rainfall.

The Hydrometeorological Service had earlier warned that saturated soils, clogged drainage systems, and continued rainfall could lead to water accumulation and localised flooding, especially in vulnerable coastal and low-lying areas.

A recent weather brief from the Hydromet Office

noted that strong low-level convergence, moisture plumes, and unstable atmospheric conditions were contributing to widespread rainfall across the country.

Hydromet also warned that tropical wave activity and continued atmospheric instability could bring moderate to heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, gusty winds, and lightning strikes.

Rainfall accumulations in some regions were forecast to range between 20 millimetres and 60 millime-

tres within 24-hour periods.

The agency further advised that spring tide conditions remain in effect, increasing the possibility of overtopping in riverine and flood-prone communities.

Marine conditions were also expected to remain rough, with waves reaching heights of between two and 2.5 metres in open waters.

The CDC on Tuesday similarly encouraged residents in flood-prone communities to remain alert, safeguard important documents and household items, clear drains where possible, and take the necessary precautions as adverse weather conditions continue.

The Commission said it remains in contact with regional authorities and response agencies and will continue monitoring the situation.

In recent days, the Hydrometeorological Service has repeatedly urged citizens to monitor official advisories and exercise caution during periods of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.

CARICOM SG urges coordinated foreign policy action amid global shifts

Secretary-General (SG) of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Dr Carla Barnett, on Wednesday urged Foreign Affairs Minsters gathered in Paramaribo, Suriname, to deepen coordination and present a united international voice as CARICOM navigates evolving geopolitical and economic challenges.

The Ministers are attended the 29th Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), where she reminded them that the decisions of COFCOR and other organs of the Community have direct implications for the economic and social wellbeing of citizens of the Community, as she called

for outcomes that would strengthen Community resilience. Delivering remarks at the opening session of the meeting, SG Barnett said the community is operating

in a period of “hemispheric and global shifts” with implications for its economies, trade relations and foreign policy priorities.

In this context, she indi-

cated that the community continues to engage international partners through the consolidation of traditional relationships and widening of diplomatic outreach,

highlighting engagements that will take place during the meeting with partners, including Japan, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on areas of shared interest. Looking ahead, the SG noted the need for active CARICOMwide preparation and participation in a series of upcoming global engagements in 2026 that could influence outcomes on priority issues such as reparatory justice, the situation in Haiti, climate change, access to climate finance, and international peace and security.

These include the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda, the United Nations General Assembly

(UNGA), the Organization of American States (OAS) General Assembly, and the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31).

“One of our Caribbean community’s greatest strengths is our ability to project a united voice,” she added, noting that such unity allows small states to influence global decision-making. While acknowledging the complexity of reconciling national with regional priorities, she said that coordination among CARICOM member states remains essential.

“None of our small nations can effectively confront these challenges in isolation. Working together is therefore not an option; it is an imperative,” SG Barnett told the meeting.

US pursuing second criminal investigation into Maduro, sources say

The US is pursuing a second criminal investigation into ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, raising the possibility that he could face additional charges, according to a Justice Department official and another source familiar with the matter.

The second investigation, run out of the US Attorney’s Office in Miami, has been ongoing for months, according to the two sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a pending investigation.

The Florida probe was active at the time that

President Donald Trump ordered the US military raid that captured Maduro, 63, in January, according to the DOJ official. It has examined potential money laundering allegations, according to the other source.

A lawyer for Maduro and a Justice Department spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

It is not clear if that probe will lead to additional charges.

Maduro has already been charged in federal court in Manhattan with narcoterrorism conspiracy and

other offences tied to alleged drug trafficking. He has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial in a Brooklyn jail.

The New York indictment, originally filed in 2020, was cited as legal justification for the US special forces raid in Caracas that deposed Maduro as Venezuela’s leader.

Saab’s arrest and deportation suggested a new level of collaboration between US and Venezuelan law enforcement under acting President Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro’s former Vice President.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Bolivian President to reshuffle cabinet amid anti-Government protests

Bolivia’s right-wing President Rodrigo Paz has said that he will reorganise his cabinet as he faces calls for his resignation amid weeks of widespread protests.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Paz said he would reshuffle his Ministers in a bid to ease tension with anti-Government protesters.

“We need to reorganise a cabinet that must be able to listen,” Paz told reporters.

Since taking office in November, Paz and his Government have faced backlash to economic restructuring measures, including controversial cuts to fuel subsidies. The country is currently in one of its worst economic crises in decades.

Protesters have taken to the streets in Bolivia to express frustration with Paz’s free-market reforms. His inauguration ushered in a period of right-wing leadership after nearly two decades of governance by the

Movement for Socialism (MAS).

Thousands of farmers, labourers, miners and teachers have denounced the reforms, though. Riot police clashed with protesters again in the capital city of La Paz earlier this week.

While Paz acknowledged frustrations in his remarks on Wednesday, his Government has depicted the protests as dangerous and anti-democratic.

Former leftist President Evo Morales, who contin-

ues to exert influence over the country’s politics, has expressed support for the demonstrations.

The Paz Government, meanwhile, has accused Morales of fomenting unrest.

Currently, Morales faces charges of statutory rape and is currently the subject of an arrest warrant. His allies, however, say that the charges are part of an effort to remove him from political life. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Jamaica Met Service warns of developing El Niño phenomenon

The Meteorological Service of Jamaica (Met Service) says it is actively monitoring emerging climate patterns indicating the expected development of an El Niño phenomenon, which could influence rainfall and temperature conditions across the island in the coming months.

The Met Service, in a press release on Wednesday, said while Jamaica experienced above-average rainfall across much of the traditional dry season between January and April 2026, recent observations have shown a shift toward warmer and drier conditions in several areas of the country.

It said that, should current projections materialise, Jamaica could experience reduced rainfall activity during the summer period and in the lead-up to the primary rainfall season peaking in October. Such conditions may present challenges for water resources, agriculture and broader environmental systems, including increased heat stress affecting crops and livestock.

Principal Director of the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, Evan Thompson, said the agency is closely tracking the evolving conditions and will continue to provide timely guidance to stakeholders and the public.

“We have observed a re-

Cuba’s Raúl Castro charged with murder over 1996 downing of 2 planes

The US has charged former Cuban leader Raúl Castro with conspiracy to kill US nationals and other crimes over the downing of two planes between Cuba and Florida in 1996.

The case unveiled on Wednesday – a revival of charges originally from 2003 – accuses Castro and five others in the shooting down of an aircraft belonging to Cuban American group Brothers to the Rescue.

Cuban fighter jets shot down two small planes –which belonged to a group of Cuban exiles in Miami – in the waterway between the Caribbean island nation and the US state of Florida, with all four on board killed instantly, including three Americans.

The attack was met with strong international condemnation, including

against Raúl Castro, who was Cuba’s armed forces Minister at the time.

It led to the US tightening sanctions against his brother Fidel Castro’s regime and dashed any immediate possibility of dialogue between Cuba and US President Bill Clinton’s Administration.

Castro, now 94, was the head of the country’s armed forces and faced interna-

tional condemnation over the crash.

As the US seeks to exert increasing pressure on Cuba’s communist rule, President Miguel DíazCanel called the charges “a political manoeuvre, devoid of any legal foundation”.

“The United States, and President Trump, does not and will not forget its citizens,” Blanche said. (Excerpt from BBC News)

US grant to boost T&T healthcare system

Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) is set to benefit from a TT$42 million (US$6 million) grant from the United States Government aimed at strengthening the country’s healthcare system over the next two years.

The announcement was made on Tuesday by North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA) chairman Dr Tim Gopeesingh during a visit by a delegation from the United States Embassy to the Mt Hope Women’s Hospital.

Speaking at the event, Gopeesingh said the NCRHA deeply values the longstanding healthcare partnership between Trinidad and Tobago and the United States.

He commended the United States Department of Health and Human Services and the US embassy for their continued leadership, support and investment in healthcare de-

duction in rainfall activity alongside increasing temperatures across sections of the island, and our team continues to closely monitor the developing El Niño conditions. While there remains some uncertainty regarding the strength and progression of the event, we are maintaining heightened vigilance and will continue to provide timely updates as more information becomes available,” Thompson said.

As a result of this development, the Met Service said the National Drought Management Committee has also been activated and is slated to meet within the next 10 days. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

velopment in Trinidad and Tobago.

According to Gopeesingh, the US$6 million commitment represents a major investment in disease prevention, public health surveillance, healthcare preparedness, and the protection of the health and safety of citizens in both countries.

He said the NCRHA was encouraged by the ongoing collaboration between the US Embassy and Trinidad

and Tobago’s Ministry of Health in advancing digital healthcare systems, healthcare training and public health technology. Among the initiatives highlighted were the T&T e-learning health portal and the strengthening of the Health Information Platform, both of which, he said, would significantly benefit healthcare institutions such as the NCRHA.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

B’dos Govt making room for more aircraft

With airlift to Barbados expanding, the Government is moving to accommodate more aircraft at the Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA).

The Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill, announced yesterday that construction would begin next month on an additional three parking aprons at the airport.

He was piloting a debate on the Civil Aviation Bill, 2026, which was later passed, in the House of Assembly.

The Minister reported further success in acquiring more airlift to Barbados but confirmed that American Airlines had cancelled its New York to Barbados service for the upcoming winter season.

“The expansion of airlift into Barbados has also given us cause to look to see how best we can expand and improve parking positions for aircraft at the Grantley Adams International Airport,” Gooding-Edghill said.

“I’m pleased to announce that work should commence next month on the expansion

of the parking apron at the Grantley Adams International Airport. We currently have 23 parking positions there.”

Gooding-Edghill also announced British Airways “will commence their third daily service into Barbados; I believe it begins October 25 . . . out of Gatwick”.

He said Barbados’ tourism continued to hold its own “notwithstanding the highly competitive and the highly tense global geopolitical situation”, which was having an impact on oil prices. (Excerpt from Nation News)

Around the World

OIL NEWS

Oil prices slide after Trump says US-Iran negotiations in “final stages”

Oil prices fell about six per cent on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump said that negotiations with Iran were in the final stages, although investors remained wary about the outcome of peace talks as disruption to Middle Eastern supply continued.

Brent crude futures settled US$6.26, or 5.63 per cent, lower at US$105.02 a barrel, and US West Texas Intermediate futures were down US$5.89, or 5.66 per cent, at US$98.26.

Trump said negotiations with Iran were in the final stages but warned of further attacks unless Iran agreed to a deal.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Iran was ready to develop protocols for safe shipping traffic in cooperation with other coastal states without providing further details.

Despite signs of progress, some market participants ⁠and analysts remained wary about the outcome of negotiations and global supply tightness that will likely persist even if the US and Iran reach a deal.

“You’ve got to take all these pronouncements with a grain of salt these days, but the market was also quick to reward it and price in the hope of a resolution,” said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital. (Except from Reuters)

Xi basks in spotlight as he hosts Putin days after Trump

Vladimir Putin’s welcome outside the Great Hall of the People was a near mirror image of the reception for Donald Trump last week.

For China, these visits are proof that, because of its massive economy and new-found diplomatic clout, all roads now lead to Beijing.

“The new era of world affairs is less centred around the West,” says Samir Puri from King’s College London.

“There is a lot of latent power that China has on the world stage; it’s not necessarily using it in its most direct form to settle conflicts. Instead, China’s style is to try to utilise its stature in a more gradual sense.”

The optics were strikingly similar – Xi was con-

fident in the spotlight as he played host. But the politics driving the two visits were very different.

Putin, who has been to China more than 20 times, appears to have a close personal relationship with Xi. But the war in Ukraine and Western sanctions have left him leaning heavily on Beijing, which is now Russia’s top trading partner and its biggest customer for oil and gas.

It has been an unequal partnership for some time now, and that was reinforced today. Talks ended with 20-plus agreements on trade and tech, but no approval yet for the stalled Russian gas pipeline that Putin has been pushing for years. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Russia intercepts British spy plane seen over Black Sea

Two Russian jets have “repeatedly and dangerously” intercepted a British Royal Air Force surveillance aircraft in April over the Black Sea, according to the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence (MOD).

The Rivet Joint aircraft was unarmed and carrying out routine surveillance in international airspace over the Black Sea, securing NATO’s eastern flank, the Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. There was no immediate reaction from Russia.

“This incident is another example of dangerous and unacceptable behaviour by

Russian Pilots, towards an unarmed aircraft operating in international airspace,” Defence Minister John Healey said in the statement. “These actions create a serious risk of accidents and potential escalation,” he added.

It was repeatedly intercepted by a Russian Su-35

aircraft, which flew close enough to trigger emergency systems on the British plane, it said. A Russian Su-27 conducted six passes, flying six metres from the Rivet Joint’s nose.

Defence and Foreign Ministry officials this week formally complained to the Russian embassy about the

air incident, Wednesday’s statement added. It said the incident was the most dangerous Russian action against a UK surveillance plane since 2022, when a nearby Russian plane released a missile over the Black Sea in what Moscow later called a “technical malfunction”.

The intercepts came days after Healey announced that the Royal Navy had tracked and “seen off” three Russian submarines on an alleged monthlong “covert operation” in Atlantic waters “north of the UK” near vital undersea cables and pipelines.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

US doctor contracted Ebola in DRC; flown to Germany for treatment

An American doctor who contracted Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been flown to Germany for treatment, along with his wife and four children, as the World Health Organization warned of the “scale and speed” of the outbreak.

Dr Peter Stafford, a surgeon and leader of the Christian missionary group Serge, has said he unknowingly operated on a patient with Ebola before the outbreak was detected. His wife, Rebekah Stafford, also a doctor, and their children are being monitored for symptoms of the disease.

The infected surgeon was barely able to stand on

his own when he departed for Germany, according to two leaders of the Christian missionary group where he

worked.

Stafford worked at Nyankunde Hospital in the DRC’s Ituri province, where the Africa Centres

for Disease Control first confirmed the Ebola outbreak. He had operated on a 33-year-old patient with severe abdominal pain.

Doctors at first believed the patient had a gallbladder infection, but, according to Myhre, Stafford “did an abdominal procedure and found that the gallbladder was normal and closed him up, but this patient subsequently died the next day”. The patient was buried before he could be tested for Ebola, but Stafford developed symptoms and tested positive on Sunday, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

Trump says he is willing to wait for “right answer” on Iran peace deal

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said the United States was ready to proceed with further attacks on Tehran if Iran did not agree to a peace deal but suggested Washington could wait a few days to “get the right answers”.

Speaking to reporters, Trump said the situation was “right on the borderline” and could escalate quickly.

Six weeks after he paused Operation Epic Fury for a ceasefire, talks to end the war have shown little progress, while soaring gasoline pric-

es have weighed on the President’s approval ratings.

“Believe me, if we don’t get the right answers, it goes very quickly. We’re all ready to go,” he said at Joint Base Andrews. Asked how long he would wait, Trump said, “It could be a few days, but it could go very quickly.”

Iran warned against renewed attacks. “If aggression against Iran is repeated, the promised regional war will extend beyond the region this time,” the Revolutionary Guards said in a statement. Tehran also launched

a new “Persian Gulf Strait Authority” to control traffic in the critical Strait of Hormuz waterway.

Trump reiterated his determination not to allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon. “We’re in the final stages of Iran. We’ll see what happens. Either have a deal or we’re going to do some things that are a little bit nasty, but hopefully that won’t happen.” Trump told reporters earlier in the day. Ideally I’d like to see few people killed, as opposed to a lot. We can do it either way.”

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Netanyahu rebukes Israeli Security Minister for treatment of Gaza flotilla activists

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a rare rebuke to his National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, after videos emerged online showing BenGvir’s treatment of pro-Palestinian flotilla activists.

The clip, posted by Ben-Gvir, shows him mocking activists as they’re corralled in the custody of Israeli security personnel.

One handcuffed activist seen in a video shouting “Free Palestine” as Ben-Gvir walks past is immediately pushed to the ground by security personnel.

The video shows activists with their hands tied behind their backs, kneeling with their heads touching the floor, in what appears to be a makeshift detention area at Israel’s Ashdod port and on the deck of a ship.

Netanyahu defended intercepting the flotilla but spoke out about Ben-Gvir’s actions in the video on Wednesday.

“Israel has every right to prevent provocative flotillas of Hamas terrorist supporters from entering our territorial waters and reaching Gaza,” he said in a statement. “However,

the way that Minister Ben Gvir dealt with the flotilla activists is not in line with Israel’s values and norms.”

After the video emerged, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar rebuked Ben-Gvir on X, saying, “You deliberately caused damage to the state in this disgraceful performance, and not for the first time. ... No, you are not the face of Israel.”

Ben-Gvir responded on X that Saar should “understand that Israel has stopped being a pushover. Anyone who comes to our territory to support terrorism ... will get slapped.” (Excerpt from CBS News)

Slow down, refuse to let mixed emotions lead to poor choices. Keep your life simple, doable, and affordable. Use your imagination and devise a plan that feels comfortable and convenient. A unique approach to how you earn your living will generate financial growth. Participating in something you feel passionate about will lead to a positive lifestyle change.

Emotional energy will spin out of control if you don’t micromanage your reactions. Stubbornness, coupled with overreacting, will lead to regret. Take a moment to consider where your energy will serve you best and designate your time to selfhelp and personal growth. Physical activities will help get you in shape while blowing off steam and excess energy.

Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. Educational pursuits, travel, and self-improvement are all doable. Study the trends and reach out and learn first-hand from those experiencing something like you. What you share will have a domino effect, bringing strength and courage to help you overcome and rise above. Financial gain looks promising.

Pay attention to detail, leave nothing to chance, and question medical issues and affairs of the heart. Clashes and misunderstandings are likely to surface, leaving you at odds regarding your next move. Be secretive to avoid interference and protect your money, possessions, and reputation from anyone who tries to manipulate you or make you look bad. Love yourself.

Anger will lead to trouble. Regardless of how others react, stay calm, observe, and read the room. Let things play out while you size up how to take advantage of a situation that leaves opportunities up for grabs. Poise and prepare yourself to respond intellectually with facts and figures to back your claims and promote what you offer.

Keep your thoughts to yourself. Let your actions pave the way forward. Put more energy into how you handle professional changes. Stepping up and fine-tuning your performance with detail will help keep you in the game. Expect someone to use flash and charisma to outmaneuver you. Your best recourse is a failproof plan and execution, not empty promises.

Think, adjust, and learn from every experience you encounter. Take better care of your health and well-being, and reputation. Team up with someone who shares your beliefs and is working toward a similar ending. Be resourceful, call on your connections, and don’t be afraid to start something new. Develop a partnership that brings out the best in you.

Put your energy to work for you. Choose to take physical action regarding work, play, and challenging yourself. Mixing money and emotion will backfire. Look at the big picture and set boundaries and a budget to ensure you can handle any unexpected change that pops up. Proceed with caution when dealing with joint ventures or shared expenses.

Keep your mind alert. Use your intelligence to reach your goal. A financial gain or chance to advance is apparent. Set up interviews, negotiate contracts, and invest more time and money in yourself. A physical challenge will require a stubborn, disciplined approach if you intend to come out on top. Be honest with yourself regarding your capabilities.

Handle relationships, negotiations, and joint ventures with caution. Someone will try to hide something from you that might taint how you feel about moving forward. Take a step back, sift through the information, and devise a deal that protects you from loss. A premature commitment will require you to backtrack. Take time out to address your personal needs.

Enjoy making your surroundings work better for you. Share your space with people who offer mental stimulation and suggestions that lead to investment opportunities and better cash flow, which will ease stress. Honesty with yourself and others will help you sort through differences that can cause friction. Clear the air and respond with facts, not hearsay.

Surround yourself with the people and possessions that bring you joy. Socializing will give you the boost you need to participate in something you find invigorating and that has health benefits. Looking and feeling your best will pump you up and help you attract love and happiness. Don’t believe everything you hear. Gossip will lead to trouble or loss.

Indian Premier League

KKR keep IPL campaign alive with low-scoring win

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) kept their unlikely playoff hopes alive, securing their sixth win in seven matches after starting the season with six consecutive losses. Their tall seamers Cameron Green and Saurabh Dubey took out two Mumbai Indians (MI) batters each in the powerplay before their spin twins turned the screw on a pitch with both seam movement and turn.

Chasing 148, KKR lost three wickets early, but a couple of 40s from Manish Pandey and Rovman Powell were enough to break the back of the chase. KKR still needed to win their last match against Delhi

Capitals and hope two other results go their way, but the win kept their dream alive for at least one more night.

Green, Dubey, Rock, MI KKR has been the second-stingiest side of the tournament, but they haven’t been especially quick with their wicket-taking. Not even once had they taken more than two wickets in the powerplay coming into this match. Then they won the toss on a pitch that had stayed under covers because of rain and chose to unleash their tall quicks, but not before the almost customary first over from left-arm spinner Anukul Roy. Immediately, both drew

some seam movement and some extra bounce. Stifled

Yadav made perhaps his best start of this IPL, but then Dubey went round the wicket to cramp him up with some seam movement back in and had him playing on for 15 off six balls.

Spinners take charge

On either side of a onehour rain break, Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya combined for the worst strike rate for Nos 5 and 6 in an IPL innings when both played at least 20 balls. It wasn’t for want of trying.

Sunil Narine and a hobbling Varun Chakravarthy were just too good on a surface with turn available to them. Varun nearly got Tilak caught and bowled but was put off by the wicketkeeper Angkrish Raghuvanshi charging towards him. The catch went down, and Raghuvanshi ended up with a concussion.

However, it didn’t hurt KKR too much, as Kartik Tyagi had Tilak caught on the pull despite only a 59-metre boundary to clear. Narine was not to be denied

after the first two overs went for just 10, both Ryan Rickelton and Rohit Sharma tried big hits. Rohit launched one into the stands, but Rickelton skied one for Pandey to take his second excellent catch of the season at backward point, this time controlling the swirling ball. Green then went past the outside edge of Naman Dhir’s two balls in a row before kissing the edge with an outswinger to send him back for a three-ball duck.

Green was in action in the next over, running back and to his right for 33 metres to take over his shoulder a skier from Rohit. The ball was full enough, but there was some seam and some extra bounce to take the big edge. Suryakumar

for long as he zipped through Hardik to get him out for the first time in T20 cricket, bowling middle stump.

Will Jacks ran himself out trying to steal a second having hit straight to Rinku Singh at deep cover, but Corbin Bosch’s 32 off 18 took MI to 147.

MI stay alive

Finn Allen made a threatening start, crashing Deepak Chahar through square cover for two fours, but then he ended the over playing Chahar on. Then we had a rare partnership. Jasprit Bumrah, only three wickets to his name this IPL, had never taken the wicket of either Ajinkya Rahane or Pandey despite bowling more than 40 balls to each.

Forget the wicket; the duo caressed him for three fours in his first over. The inconsistent Bosch, though, somehow kept MI in the hunt with the wickets of Rahane and Green. The delivery to Rahane was a beautiful length ball that seamed away and bounced extra, but it came after an ordinary start of nine off the first three balls. Then he had Green hitting a ball drifting down leg straight down the throat of long-leg.

Pandey, Powell finish off the chase

At 54 for 3 in 7.1 overs, missing Raghuvanshi, KKR were in a bit of jeopardy, but the asking rate wasn’t alarming, and there was an appreciable amount of dew hampering the bowlers. On top of that, Bosch bowled the first ball to Powell down leg, which he deposited deep into the stands. Pandey’s touch play and Powell’s power were constantly kept running away from MI only to be helped along the way by

aaa

Mumbai Indians (20 ovs maximum)

Ryan Rickelton † c Pandey

b Green 6

Rohit Sharma c Green

b Dubey 15

Naman Dhir c Raghuvanshi

b Green 0

Suryakumar Yadav b Dubey 15

Tilak Varma c Roy

b Kartik Tyagi 20

Hardik Pandya (c) b Narine 26

Will Jacks run out

(Singh/Varun) 14

Corbin Bosch not out 32

Deepak Chahar c Roy

b Kartik Tyagi 10

Extras (b 4, lb 2, w 3) 9

Total 20 Ov (RR: 7.35) 147/8

Did not bat: Jasprit Bumrah, Raghu Sharma

Fall of wickets: 1-17 (Ryan Rickelton, 2.3 ov), 2-17 (Naman Dhir, 2.6 ov), 3-23 (Rohit Sharma, 3.5 ov), 4-41 (Suryakumar Yadav, 5.3 ov), 5-84 (Tilak Varma, 13.4 ov), 6-95 (Hardik Pandya, 15.2 ov), 7-105 (Will Jacks, 16.4 ov), 8-147 (Deepak Chahar, 19.6 ov)

Bowling O-M-R-W

Anukul Roy 1-0-6-0

Saurabh Dubey 4-0-34-2

Cameron Green 3-0-23-2

Kartik Tyagi 4-0-37-2

Sunil Narine 4-0-13-1

Varun Chakravarthy 4-0-28-0

fielding errors.

Hardik drew a top edge from Powell, but this was Chahar’s turn to be put off at fine leg by deep square leg running towards him should there be a rebound to be taken. In the end, neither went for the catch. In the next over, Bosch wrong-footed himself at slip as Powell went for a hard cut off Raghu Sharma.

Bumrah had his own back with a beauty to burst through the gap between Pandey’s bat and pad, getting 1.8-degree seam movement with a 15-over-old ball, but KKR now needed only 30 runs off 30. And even though Bosch took a stunner at backward point to send Powell back, Rinku and Roy saw the nervy chase through with seven balls to spare. (ESPNcricinfo)

Kolkata Knight Riders (T: 148 runs from 20 ovs)

Ajinkya Rahane (c) c †Rickelton b Bosch 21 Finn Allen b Chahar 8 Manish Pandey b Bumrah 45 Cameron Green c Ghazanfar b Bosch 4 Rovman Powell c Bosch b Ghazanfar

Over $1M up for grabs in NSC Independence 3-Stage Road Race

The Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) has unveiled a lucrative prize structure for its upcoming Independence Three-Stage Road Race, with over GY$1 million in prize money to be distributed when the annual event rides off on May 23 and 24 as part of Guyana’s 60th Independence celebrations.

According to information released by the federation in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the National Sports Commission, the elite category champion will receive GY$275,000, while second to fifth place finishers will earn GY$200,000, GY$145,000, GY$100,000 and GY$70,000, respectively.

The Masters 35-plus category winner will pocket GY$85,000, with second- and third-place finish-

…Opening stage pedals off May 23 in Linden

ers earning GY$70,000 and GY$55,000. In the Masters 50-plus and Category Four divisions, first-place prizes are set at GY$75,000, while second and third place will receive GY$65,000 and GY$50,000, respectively.

The junior division

winner is slated to earn GY$70,000 and the runner-up GY$60,000, while the female category champion will take home GY$60,000 and second place GY$40,000. The juvenile category winner will receive GY$40,000.

YBG hosts coaching workshop to strengthen grassroots development

Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) has continued its push to strengthen grassroots basketball development after successfully hosting an Introduction to Basketball Coaching Workshop on Tuesday, May 19, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH).

The workshop was organised in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, with sponsorship support from G-Boats Inc. It brought together teachers, coaches and basketball stakeholders from several regions across Guyana as part of efforts to improve coaching standards and build capacity at the school level.

According to YBG, the initiative forms part of its wider commitment to strengthening developmental structures within schools and communities while equipping educators with practical tools to positively influence young athletes through sport.

The programme featured presentations and practical sessions from Coach Daniel LaFont of Louisiana, Coach Willon Cameron of President’s College, and Manoj Yadav of the Georgetown International

Academy. Participants were introduced to fundamental coaching principles, basketball philosophy, athlete preparation, team warmups and strategies for building successful school basketball programmes.

The sessions also placed strong emphasis on discipline, fundamentals and development-focused coaching at the youth and school levels.

Special remarks were delivered by Dacia Cummings, a representative of the Unit of Allied Arts within the Ministry of Education, who highlighted the role of sport and structured youth development within the education system. She also encouraged teachers and coaches to use basketball as a platform for positive student engagement and holistic development.

YBG expressed gratitude to the participating teachers, coaches, facilitators, volunteers and partners who contributed to the success of the workshop while also extending special appreciation to G-Boats Inc. for its sponsorship and continued support of youth basketball development in Guyana.

The organisation noted that the workshop aligns with its philosophy of “Development Before Winning” and its mission of using basketball as a tool for leadership, discipline, education and opportunity.

YBG further stated that it intends to continue expanding similar training and capacity-building programmes across Guyana as part of its long-term vision for the sustainable growth of school basketball nationwide.

Stage winners across all categories will also collect GY$10,000 bonuses, while elite riders will battle for additional sprint prizes of GY$5000 at five sprint points during each stage.

This year’s event will take riders through Regions Three, Four and 10 and will feature notable route adjustments from the traditional Independence race layout.

Stage One, scheduled for May 23, will cover 45 miles along the Mabura Road beginning at 07:00h. Riders will then return later that day for Stage Two, a 60-

race from Kara Kara to Long Creek and back, which is set to start at 14:30h.

The final stage on May 24 will span 55 miles from Schoonord to Parika and back over the Demerara Harbour Bridge before concluding in front of the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall from 07:00h.

The altered routes are expected to provide a fresh challenge for competitors, particularly with the inclusion of the Mabura Road course and the bridge corridor finish.

Last year’s overall title was won by Colombian

who represented Trinidadian-based

Raiders during the

edition of the race.

produced a dominant performance to complete a clean sweep of the competition, winning all three stages contested across Berbice and Demerara to secure the overall crown.

The Independence Three-Stage Road Race remains one of the marquee events on the local cycling calendar and forms part of activities commemorating Guyana’s Diamond Jubilee independence anniversary.

Chess960 tournament to highlight Independence celebrations at Pegasus Suites

The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) will play its part in the celebration of Guyana’s 60th Independence anniversary with the staging of the Independence Day Chess960 Tournament on May 26 at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre.

The one-day tournament, which forms part of the country’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, is expected to attract some of Guyana’s leading chess players as well as emerging talents for the fast-paced competition. Games are scheduled to begin from 09:00h using a rapid format with a time control of 15 minutes plus a five-second increment per move.

According to details released by the federation, competitors will battle for more than GY$140,000 in prize money and trophies. The tournament champion will pocket GY$50,000 along with a trophy, while the runner-up is set to receive GY$30,000 and a trophy. Third- to fifth-place finishers will earn GY$20,000, GY$15,000 and GY$10,000, respectively, in addition to trophies. Special prizes will also be awarded for the Best Female and Best Junior competitors, with both categories carrying prizes of GY$10,000 and trophies.

Registration for the tournament will be done exclusively online, with fees set at

GY$1500 for GCF members and GY$3000 for non-members. Payments are to be made via MMG. The tournament will be contested in the Chess960 format, also known as Fischer Random Chess, where the starting positions of pieces on the back rank are randomised. The variation is designed to place greater emphasis on creativity and out-of-the-box thinking rather than memorised opening theory. The event is being supported by Trophy Stall, which has sponsored the prizes, while the venue is being provided compliments of Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre.

Surge in participation forces venue shift for GBA developmental meet

As continuous competitive opportunities reignite the passion amongst young pugilists, the Guyana Boxing Association’s (GBA) Developmental tournaments have been witnessing steady growth in participation. So much so, the GBA has now been forced to shift to a large venue to accommodate the growing competition.

As such, the next instalment of the GBA’s Developmental tournament, slated for Saturday, May 30, will now be hosted at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, at 17:00h.

According to a missive from the GBA, the decision reflects the continued growth and increasing in-

terest in amateur boxing, with more gyms and young athletes actively seeking opportunities to compete under the association’s developmental programme.

The GBA has expressed satisfaction with the momentum generated by recent editions of the tournament, noting that the response from gyms has exceeded expectations and underscored the strength of the sport’s grassroots structure in Guyana.

GBA President Steve Ninvalle highlighted the significance of the expanding participation, stating that it is a clear indicator of the progress being made at the developmental level.

“What we are witnessing is the steady and encouraging growth of amateur boxing in Guyana. The

level of interest from our young boxers, as well as the commitment from gyms across the country, shows that the future of the sport looks good,” Ninvalle said. “This programme continues to serve its purpose in identifying and nurturing talent for national and international success.”

The most recent Developmental Tournament, staged at the Andrew “Six Head” Lewis Gym, once again delivered an evening of competitive bouts featuring promising boxers from Pace and Power Boxing Gym, Harpy Eagle Boxing Gym, Andrew Lewis Boxing Gym (ALBG), and the New Amsterdam Boxing Academy (NABA).

Across multiple weight divisions, the event showcased both technical devel-

opment and rising competitiveness among the young athletes.

Early action saw Terrie Matherson and Tyrese De Younge of Pace and Power secure points victories in the 30–33 kg category, while Ukesh Persaud of NABA impressed with a disciplined win over Harpy Eagle’s Denzil Thomas.

One of the standout performances came from ALBG’s Junior Madray, who forced a stoppage against Marcus Vanderstoop in the 36–39kg division after dominating from the opening bell. The lone female bout also drew attention, with Makayla Rose of Pace and Power edging Mya Simon of Harpy Eagle via split decision in a closely contested encounter.

The heavier divisions produced further excitement, including stoppage wins for Dyreck Springer and Emmanuel Springer of Pace and Power, while ALBG’s Ezekiel Bancroft and Simeon Hamer secured hard-fought victories on points in their respective categories.

At the conclusion of the tournament, several boxers were recognised for their

Archery Guyana concludes “largest” National Indoor Championships

Arrows and bows were put to work over the last weekend as Archery Guyana hosted their 2026 National Indoor Championships at the Cliff Anderson’s Sports Hall (CASH), Homestretch Avenue.

Some 56 participants made their way to the shooting line over the two-day event, leading the Archery Guyana President to hail what is now being considered the largest indoor championships to date.

“Fantastic, amazing weekend for archery. So, archery has grown a lot over the past few years, and in fact, today we’ve broken more barriers with preparing for the Caribbean Development Championships that we’ll be hosting here in Guyana in October, Persaud-McKinnon told this publication on Sunday.

She continued, “This has been the largest partic-

ipation to date. I would like to commend all the clubs for coming forward. As we just saw, President Godfrey Munroe mentioned how important this is and how it goes towards ranking and international selection.”

Aside from the competi-

tive aspects of the championships, Persaud-McKinnon explained how the organisation seized the opportunity to prepare, logistically, for the CDC in October.

“So, we tested a few readiness positions. I’d like to say our results team is fantas-

tic. We’ve been working with a software called Ianseo, so anyone could get live scores and all the pictures. We also had an official photographer for the event. We also had a timing system implemented for this event, which will be used in October. So, a lot

of international standards are involved,” the archery Guyana President revealed.

Though the National Indoor Championships had an unprecedented turnout, the Association’s President is still keen on attracting more archers to the sport.

To this end, she stated, “The idea is that we’re going to have a club right near you in your community. Even if you’re interested in it, safety is paramount. We have our doors open, and we look forward to having you try the sport.”

As Archery Guyana presses forward, PersaudMcKinnon also divulged plans to provide vision testing for archers, especially national athletes.

Note: The Guyana Times Sport would like to correct two sets of results published in a story earlier this week regarding the National Indoor Championships. Pro Archers’ Purshotam Sharma

Badminton Independence tournament a success – Ramdhani

Familiar faces and some unexpected heroes emerged victorious over the weekend as the Guyana Badminton Association staged their 60th Independence Jubilee tournament.

The event came alive at the National Gymnasium from Thursday to Sunday last, with cash and prizes on the line for eager competitors.

As the dust settled at the Mandela Avenue venue, not only was the tournament deemed a success, but Tournament Director Priyanna Ramdhani also appreciated the opportunity to test new upgrades to the Guyana Badminton Association’s (GBA) hosting capabilities.

Ramdhani told this publication, “We extended the tournament days from three to four so the players could rest. We had Under-23 men’s and women’s singles, open men’s and women’s doubles, mixed doubles, and men’s and women’s singles, and the competition so far has been great.

We have a lot of familiar faces in the final, and everyone is working hard. It has been a successful tournament.”

“We’ve upgraded to tournament software where all our matches could be shown online and everything could be sent out. We also had livestreaming for the finals, which I’d like to thank the Nex Gen Sports for doing,” she divulged.

Discussing some surprising results across categories, Ramdhani hailed the growth of the upand-coming players.

The tournament director explained, “The women’s doubles semi-finals with Mishka and LeShaunte came out on top over Ashley and her partner Abosaide, and we also had Asiyah Eastman and Menishki Jaikissoon beat the number two seed, Anna and Amande, very experienced players. The girls are coming up good, and

it’s good to see the next talents.”

Highlighting their ability to provide cash prizes for this competition, the National Champion expressed the GBA’s elation at being a part of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports’ line-up of competitions.

Ramdhani expressed, “It’s a happy opportunity to be able to host the sports festival for the Independence Day. I mean, this is a big thing for Guyana, our 60th Independence, and Badminton is so glad to be a part of the festival as well.”

“Too bad I couldn’t play,” Ramdhani joked, “but I’d like to thank the Government of Guyana and the NSC for sponsoring this, and we also have cash prizes for the winners, and that’s a good step for us.”

Akili Haynes, Mishka Beharry, Ashley Khalil and Frank Waddell were amongst the weekend’s top performers.

Men’s Compound division.

T&T Red Force end 20-year drought to claim 4-Day Championship title

Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) Red Force produced a commanding allround performance to dethrone defending champions Guyana Harpy Eagles (GHE) and capture the 2026 West Indies Four-Day Championship title with a 141-run victory on Wednesday at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

The result ended Guyana’s bid for a fourth straight regional title and handed T&T their first first-class championship in two decades, dating back to 2006.

Needing 281 runs to secure victory on the final day, the GHE never seriously threatened the target as the Red Force fast bowlers ripped through the batting order to dismiss the Guyanese side for 139 inside 39 overs.

Pace duo Terrance Hinds and Jayden Seales led the charge with disciplined and aggressive spells. Hinds returned figures of three for 30, while Seales collected three for 39 to cap an outstanding match. Joshua James claimed two for 12, and Anderson Phillip picked up two for 63 as T&T maintained pressure throughout the innings.

Kevlon Anderson battled for 41 in an otherwise disappointing chase, while Kemol Savory contributed 24. However, regular wickets prevented Guyana from building any meaningful partnerships as their title hopes quickly faded.

Earlier, Red Force added just two runs to their overnight score before being bowled out for 267 in their second innings. Resuming on 265 for eight with a healthy lead already in hand, Trinidad and Tobago lost Evin Lewis for a superb 122 before Anderson Phillip became the final wicket to fall.

Lewis played the defining innings of the match, facing 252 balls and striking

16 fours and two sixes in a patient and authoritative knock that anchored the Red Force innings. Amir Jangoo was supported with 48, while experienced batsman Jason Mohammed added 37.

Guyana’s bowlers fought hard to keep the contest alive, with Veerasammy Permaul producing an impressive spell of four for 14 and Keemo Paul taking three for 47.

The eventual champions had earlier

recovered strongly in their first innings after slipping into difficulty. Lower-order resistance proved crucial as Seales struck an unbeaten 70 to lift T&T to 260 all out.

Khary Pierre made 40, Hinds scored 29, and Phillip chipped in with 26 to frustrate the Guyanese attack after the top order struggled.

For the Harpy Eagles, Keemo Paul and Nial Smith each grabbed three wickets, while Gudakesh Motie supported with two scalps.

Guyana responded with 247 in their first innings after several batsmen made starts without converting them into major scores. Jonathan Van Lange continued his impressive rise with a top score of 50, while Paul fell one short of a half-century with 49. Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Motie all made 33.

Seales once again proved decisive with the ball, claiming four for 56, while Hinds supported with three for 46 to give T&T a slim first-innings lead of 13 runs.

That advantage eventually grew into complete control as Red Force dominated the latter stages of the contest to secure a memorable regional title triumph.

For their efforts, the Red Force will pocket a US$200,000 prize, while the Harpy Eagles will have to settle for the US$100,000 second-place purse.

Khalil wins 60th Independence Badminton title after 19-year hiatus

Ashley Khalil made a remarkable return to competitive badminton after 19 years, capturing the women’s singles title at the 60th Independence Badminton Open on Sunday at the National Gymnasium.

Khalil battled against the talented Mishka Beharry in a fiercely competitive final. Both Khalil and Beharry traded shots and defensive plays as momentum shifted back and forth between their racquets. Khalil took the first set 21-14 and seemed poised for a straight-set victory. However, the resilient Beharry regrouped and levelled the match by winning the second set 21-16. In the deciding set, Khalil outlasted Beharry to win the set 21-14 and claim the women’s singles title.

The achievement was made even more impressive by the fact that moments before stepping onto the Badminton court for the final, Khalil had been competing

at the National Racquet Centre against Nicolette Fernandes in the final of the 60th Independence Squash Tournament, where she finished as runner-up.

Over the course of the four-day tournament weekend, Khalil balanced multiple matches across both Badminton and Squash while travelling repeatedly between venues and competing at the highest level in both sports. Saturday alone consisted of seven matches between the two tournaments.

Khalil’s victory marked a full-circle moment in a sporting journey that began with extraordinary promise. At just 14 years old, she became the only athlete in Guyana’s history to win the Under-15, Under-17, and Under-19 National Junior titles in both Squash and Badminton in the same year, an achievement that earned her the Junior Sportswoman of the Year award.

Speaking after the victory on Sunday,

Khalil described the moment as “bittersweet”.

“I am obviously proud of the achievement and grateful to still be able to compete at this level after so many years away from the sport. Returning to badminton after almost two decades reminded me of the love I always had for the game and the path I once hoped to pursue as a young athlete.

While there were opportunities that did not materialise along the way, this experience has given me a renewed sense of purpose beyond competition itself. Through the formation of the Demerara Badminton Club and my continued involvement in sport, I hope to help create an environment where athletes feel supported, respected, and given fair opportunities to develop and succeed. I want young athletes to believe that their passion and potential should never be limited by circumstance or unfair treatment.”

Khalil also reflected on the physical demands of the weekend, particularly having to compete in the badminton final shortly after her squash final.

“It was not easy. It reminded me of when I was younger competing in both sports. I relied heavily on my fitness and tried not to put any extra pressure on myself heading into the final. I just wanted to go out there, compete freely, and enjoy being back on the badminton court again,” Khalil said.

Khalil will now shift her focus to the upcoming Senior Squash Nationals, scheduled to commence in approximately two weeks, leaving this tournament with far more than a title. After 19 years away from badminton, she returned not only to win but also to remind herself and others that talent does not disappear, resilience does not fade, and a true love for sport can survive silence, setbacks, and the passage of time.