“Paper Shorts” murder probe Cops search EBD property of US-sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed
40 Cubans escape unharmed after fire guts South Rd building
Wife stabs husband to death during argument Venezuelan duo busted with cocaine, ganja & toy gun
Police warn public about fake traffic fine text message scam
21-year-old dies after car slams into parked tractor
Vice President (VP)
Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has called on Indigenous leaders to help steer the next phase of development in Guyana’s hinterland communities by placing greater emphasis on job creation, income-generating activities and housing, while assuring that Government support through the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) will continue over the next six years. Jagdeo made the remarks on Monday during
an interactive session with Toshaos attending the 2026 National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference, where he outlined the Government’s vision for strengthening village economies and improving livelihoods across Indigenous communities. Addressing the gathering at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), the VP reflected on the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s (PPP/C) victory at the 2025 General and Regional Elections, noting that the party increased
its parliamentary majority from one seat to seven. He said the outcome demonstrated public confidence in the Government’s development agenda. “The development of our country is not an easy task and development doesn’t come overnight,” Jagdeo said. “We have had to walk a long road together from one of the poorest countries in the world, one of the most heavily indebted countries in the world, to today one of the shining examples of how a country should man-
age progressively its economy and its national affairs.” He said Guyana’s progress had been achieved despite political challenges and criticism from the opposition, stressing that meaningful development requires careful planning rather than rhetoric.
Oil wealth misconceptions Jagdeo also addressed what he described as misconceptions surrounding Guyana’s oil revenues, saying many people assume the country’s oil wealth is suffi-
per cent of the national budget. “I keep saying to them that until this year, all of the oil money that we collected can’t fund 40 per cent
cient to fund every national need. He explained that all of the oil revenues collected to date are still insufficient to finance even 40
of our budget. Every cent of oil money that we collected can’t fund 40 per cent of our budget,” he said. According
to the VP, this demonstrates the importance of prudent financial management and continued economic growth outside of the petroleum sector.
Hinterland benefiting Jagdeo said the Government has worked to ensure that Indigenous communities receive a fair share of national resources through investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare and direct financing. He pointed to the LCDS as one of the major programmes supporting village development, noting that approximately $14 billion has been allocated directly to Indigenous villages over the past three years.
JULY 21, 2026
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, July 21 –08:50h–10:20h and Wednesday, July 22 – 09:50h–11:20h.
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
Thundery to light 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 2.23 metres and 3.58 metres.
High Tide: 09:32h and 21:53h reaching maximum heights of 2.30 metres and 2.31 metres.
Low Tide: 15:24h reaching a minimum height of 0.94 metre.
…sunken vessel located; divers, including
troops, on site to continue search …as Govt sends home entire T&HD team that loaded vessel
ollowing Saturday night’s capsizing of MV Barima off the Essequibo Coast, authorities have since recovered 27 bodies, including those of four children, while some 83 persons are still missing and the number of survivors was revised to 69. These revelations were made by Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips, who is leading the Government emergency response mission, during a press briefing on Monday
vessel.
“We’ve put together an investigative body, and they would have worked overnight [on Sunday]. And coming out of the work that they did overnight in terms of reviewing the footage as the boat was loading with the passengers and cargo, we arrive at a figure of 179 [persons on board including the crew],” the PM noted.
In fact, he added that it is unlikely that there would be a major change to this 179
tional two persons are crew
evening. According to the PM, “At this stage of the operations, the number of rescued persons, including passengers and crew, is now 69, and a total of 27 bodies have been recovered as of now. The latest report suggests an additional 83 persons are still to be found.” This revised figure of 179 persons on board the vessel comes after authorities discovered on Sunday that nearly half of the persons rescued that day were not listed on the passenger manifest generated by the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD). Initially, it was reported that there were 116 passengers, along with 17 crew members and some 268 tonnes of cargo, on board the vessel when it departed Port Georgetown on Saturday afternoon, heading for Port Kaituma in the North-West District (NWD), Region One (Barima-Waini). But the manifest was found to be grossly inaccurate after only 35 of the reported 67 persons who were rescued from the sunken vessel on Sunday were listed on the document.
Revised figures
This discovery led to the launch of a comprehensive investigation, which included efforts to determine an accurate count of the persons on board the sunken
– a figure that also included a revised survivor list of 69, that is, two more than the previous day. Phillips explained that the addi-
members, who were assisting with the search operation after being rescued, and were inadvertently left off
the initial list of survivors. In addition to discrepancies with the passenger manifest, authorities had also discovered on Sunday that the captain of the vessel, along with at least two crew members – the first engineer and a sailor – who were rescued, tested positive for cannabis. They were arrested and up to press time on Monday, they remained in Police custody. PM Phillips said during the press briefing that the ongoing investigation would determine what, if any, charges are laid against these three men.
Team sent off
Both the PM and Public Works Minister Juan Edghill had previously assured that those found responsible for this incident would be held accountable.
Editor: Tusika Martin
News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761
Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707
Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Industrial Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown
Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com
The capsizing of the MV Barima stands among the darkest moments in Guyana’s maritime history. The scale of the human loss has shaken the nation, leaving families grieving, communities traumatised, and an entire country awaiting answers.
As search, rescue and recovery efforts continue, the national focus must remain where it belongs on accounting for every missing person, supporting survivors and ensuring that affected families receive the care and assistance they deserve.
National tragedies require calm leadership, coordinated action, and a commitment to transparency. Those principles have appropriately framed the Government’s response, particularly the decision to prioritise rescue operations while committing to a full, independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disaster.
In moments of profound national grief, there is often pressure for immediate conclusions. Rumours spread rapidly, speculation flourishes, and competing narratives emerge long before evidence has been gathered. Such an environment serves neither the victims nor their families. It risks obscuring facts, undermining confidence in the investigative process and creating unnecessary divisions at a time when unity is essential.
That is why the commitment to an independent inquiry is both necessary and welcome. A tragedy of this magnitude demands a process that is credible, transparent and capable of answering difficult questions. Every aspect of the vessel’s operation, safety procedures, regulatory oversight, emergency response and decisionmaking before and during the voyage must be subjected to careful scrutiny. Any shortcomings, whether institutional, operational or individual, must be identified and addressed.
The families who have lost loved ones deserve nothing less than the complete truth. Survivors deserve assurances that lessons will be learned. The wider public deserves confidence that recommendations arising from the investigation will strengthen maritime safety and reduce the likelihood of another such catastrophe.
Equally significant has been the emphasis placed on preserving the integrity of the rescue operation. Search efforts in maritime disasters are complex undertakings that require coordination among multiple agencies, specialised equipment and sustained logistical support. They are also highly time-sensitive, particularly during the critical hours immediately following an incident.
The mobilisation of military assets, emergency responders, civilian vessels, local fishermen, regional authorities, and volunteers demonstrates the importance of a unified national response when lives are at stake. Such cooperation reflects the understanding that disaster response cannot be confined to any single institution. It depends upon the combined efforts of public agencies, private citizens, and communities working towards a common humanitarian objective.
Recognition is also due to the many first responders who have operated under physically-demanding and emotionally-taxing conditions. Rescue personnel, medical teams, volunteers and ordinary citizens who answered the call have performed duties that extend well beyond professional obligation. Their contributions underscore the resilience that often emerges during periods of national crisis.
Maritime transport remains a lifeline for many hinterland communities, connecting residents to healthcare, education, commerce and essential Government services. Thousands of Guyanese depend upon these vessels because alternatives are limited or impractical. Public confidence in that transportation network is, therefore, indispensable.
The eventual findings of the investigation must not be filed away as another official report. They should become the foundation for comprehensive improvements to maritime safety, including stronger oversight, rigorous enforcement of existing regulations, regular vessel inspections, emergency preparedness, passenger accountability and operational protocols suited to the realities of Guyana’s waterways and coastal conditions. Where legislative or regulatory gaps exist, they should be addressed without delay.
The national conversation should also recognise the importance of allowing investigators to complete their work free from political interference or public pressure. Accountability carries the greatest legitimacy when conclusions are supported by evidence rather than conjecture.
The coming days will undoubtedly remain painful as the search continues, more difficult news may yet emerge. Every confirmed loss represents a family forever changed, a community diminished, and a nation reminded of the heavy human cost of tragedy.
A response grounded in compassion, transparency and accountability offers the strongest path forward. The immediate mission is to continue every possible effort to locate those still missing and provide support to survivors and bereaved families.
As Guyana continues search and rescue efforts following the capsizing of MV Barima, regional leaders and international partners have expressed solidarity, while several nations have pledged personnel and resources to assist in the ongoing operation. Barbados Prime Minister (PM) Mia Mottley said she spoke with President Dr Irfaan Ali as Guyana confronts what she described as the deepening tragedy. “The latest news is devastating. Twentyseven lives have been lost, including at least four children. Sixty-nine people have been rescued, while 83 remain unaccounted for as the search continues. Behind every number is a family grieving, waiting and praying,” Mottley said. She said she conveyed the condolences and support of the Government and people of Barbados to President Ali and the families affected by the tragedy. “Our hearts are with those mourning an unimaginable loss, with every family still awaiting word,
and with the survivors who must now carry the weight of what they have endured,” she stated. Mottley also commended the rescue teams, fisherfolk, medical personnel and others involved in the response, adding that Barbados stands ready to provide whatever assistance Guyana may require. “Guyana is family. In this hour of profound sorrow, Barbados stands with you,” she said. Meanwhile, the Delegation of the European Union (EU) in Guyana, through Ambassador Luca Pierantoni, also expressed sympathy to those affected by the disaster. “Following the tragic capsizing of the MV Barima, our thoughts are with all those affected, their families, and the emergency personnel engaged in the search and response efforts,” the Ambassador said in a statement.
He noted that communities across the region have long been connected through geography, history and cooperation, adding that the French Government’s swift response reflects that re-
gional solidarity. According to the EU, a 15-member team from the French Armed Forces in French Guiana has already arrived in Essequibo to support search, rescue and recovery operations. The contingent comprises 12 specialist divers, two medics and one mechanic. The Ambassador thanked the French Armed Forces in French Guiana and the French Embassy in Georgetown for working alongside the Guyanese authorities to facilitate the deployment. Trinidad and Tobago has also joined the international response, deploying Coast Guard personnel and equipment, along with a Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) C-26 surveillance aircraft, to assist in the search and rescue mission. PM Kamla PersadBissessar confirmed the de-
ployment in an interview with I.A.N News.
“Yes, the Coast Guard is sending search-and-rescue equipment and personnel,” she said, adding that “a search-and-rescue C-26 aircraft is also being sent
for aerial support” as efforts continue to locate survivors and those still missing. At a press conference on Monday evening, PM Mark Phillips told reporters that the French divers have joined the local team offshore and
were assessing conditions to determine whether to go under water overnight or await daylight.
“They are already at the location and they are preparing to dive. It’s for them to decide if they’ll go down tonight or if they’ll go down in the morning at first light. That’s a special skill and we want to respect their decision. But we have the divers in location,” the PM noted. The international support comes as Guyana continues extensive search and recovery operations following the sinking of the MV Barima, one of the country’s worst maritime disasters. Rescue teams, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), local fisherfolk and international partners remain engaged in the operation as authorities work to locate those still missing.
00:00 Sign Off
06:00 Islam for Guyana
06:30 TVG Devotional Hour
08:00 HGTV
10:00 Stop Suffering
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2026
07:00 Evening News (RB)
11:00 Documentary: Nat Geo Animals
12:00 PAW Patrol: The Movie (2021)
13:30 PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie (2023)
15:00 Cartoons
16:00 Indian Soaps
17:00 The Young & The Restless
18:00 TVG Music Break
18:30 Teaching the Truth in Love
19:00 The Evening News
20:00 Stop Suffering
20:30 Movie - Remember the Goal (2016) 22:00 Movie - Savannah (2013)
An exponent tells how many times a number should be multiplied by itself. An exponent is usually written as a small number next to, and slightly above a number that is larger in size. The larger number is called the base of an exponent. Each exponent represents a “power”. You have already learnt about the powers of 10. 103 is 10 to the 3rd power. Any number can be a base. 24 is 2 to the 4th power. 35 is 3 to the 5th power.
Often when the exponent is 2, people say squared instead of to the 2nd power. 52 = 5 to the 2nd power = 5 squared. Remember that squared means “to the 2nd power” You can add and subtract numbers with exponents.
Kick off the sunny season with a cheerful summer bucket list journal! Filled with fun colours and decorated with summer-themed foam stickers, this craft becomes a personalised scrapbook of everything you want to do during the summer holidays. It’s a creative keepsake that turns happy dreams into a vibrant, activity-packed adventure!
What you'll need
Sketch Book
Glue
Cardboard of various colours
Mini wooden/paper upper case letters
Foam stickers
Scissors
Pencil
Ruler
How to make
Step 1: Cut out shapes from coloured paper.
Step 2: Glue coloured paper strips onto the white background, trim the edges, and stick it onto the sketchbook. Add the corner pieces to finish the background.
Step 3: Glue the mini wooden/paper letters onto the paper squares to spell “Summer Bucket List”, then stick them onto the journal.
Step 4: Decorate the cover with fun summer-themed foam stickers!
with summer memories like a scrapbook! (Adapted from bakerross.co.uk)
By MaryaM ala aMjadi
In the end, are there any beginnings that beg to differ that even the most winding bloodline spills from a single trembling point?
The point being all the names you answered to at home: outcast misfit deviant
All the red lines you crossed long before the black-and-white of any borders.
(Source: Poetry [July/August 2026])
The Guyana Government has flown over 30 persons from across Region One (Barima-Waini), who had relatives on board MV Barima when it sank on Saturday night, down to the Essequibo Coast, where bodies recovered are being sent for processing and identification. Based on revised figures, the ferry vessel, which departed Port Georgetown on Saturday afternoon en route of Port Kaituma in the NorthWest District, had some 179 persons on board including 18 crew members. So far, 69 persons have been rescued and 27 bodies were recovered while approximately 83 persons including children are listed as missing. On Monday morning, President Dr Irfaan Ali travelled to the Region One townships of Port Kaituma and Mabaruma, where he met with persons who were rescued as well as relatives of those still missing. He also visited survivors who are receiving medical care at the Mabaruma Hospital. During these engagements with the Head of State, the grieving family members and rel-
atives requested assistance from the Government to travel to Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) where a site has been set up at the Charity Waterfront to store the bodies recovered from offshore.
President Ali has committed to helping the bereaved relatives and arrangements were made to fly them down to the Essequibo Coast, where their accommodation and onthe-ground transportation were facility by the State. “We have since provided aircraft to move the 13 [family members] from Port Kaituma to Region Two…and then they will be housed in Essequibo, and they will be transported and they will be utilised in the effort to identify bodies recovered. Likewise…22 persons from Mabaruma are being moved… for the similar reasons,” Prime Minister (PM) Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips disclosed during a press briefing on Monday evening.
missing relatives without having to travel to region two.
Emergency family assistance centres
Following the ferry incident, the Government on Sunday established Emergency Family Assistance Centres at the Umana Yana in Kingstown, Georgetown; at the Port Kaituma Community Centre, and at the National Agricultural Research and
The PM, who is leading the Government’s emergency response to this horrific maritime tragedy, reported that while 27 bodies were recovered between Sunday and Monday, the search and rescue operation remains active and they believe there could still be more survivors out there. “We still have hope people out there are alive… I’m advised…that with a ship like that, there are pockets of air, right. And wherever people are located, you may very well have people alive there,” Phillips stated. He added, “Our focus…is on finding people, finding them alive. Unfortunately, we did find some people who have passed on…and in that case, efforts to recover their bodies and have them positively identified and working with their families and their communities to bring closure.” Of the 27 bodies recovered since Saturday night’s tragedy, four are children. At the time of the press briefing, the PM indicated that six male adults and four female adults had been identified while the remaining bodies were still being processed. While President Ali has assisted these families from Region One to travel to Essequibo, the Government is looking to ease the burden of grieving families and has put systems in place for them to identify
Extension Institute (NAREI) Extension Centre in Kumaka sub-district, Mabaruma.
At the centres, officials are there to assist family members seeking information about their unaccounted relatives and offer varying type of support necessary. But PM Phillips told reports that as part of the processing of the bodies recovered, photographs would be taken and posted up outside of these three help-centres as well as the Suddie Hospital on the Essequibo Coast for persons to possibility identify missing relatives who were on board the vessel. “Families will be allowed to go to those locations and see the photographs. So, what that means is that whenever a family comes, we don’t have to open a body bag or go into the fridge or wherever it is stored because they have the photographs there for easy identification. So far,
that has worked,” the PM noted. He added too that the hotline number that was set up has been a good source for receiving information about the missing persons. “I want to commend all the family members and all the people out there for working with us during this difficult time because all of us will want to bring closure and assist the families in having closure and bodies are recovered,” Phillips
noted. Meanwhile, after leaving Region One on Monday, President Ali travelled to the Essequibo Coast, where he engaged survivors there as well as the source of family members that are eagerly awaiting news of their loved ones who still unaccounted for. In fact, on Monday evening, the Guyanese Leader joined persons at the Charity Waterfront, as they await the difficult process of identifying their loved ones.
Retrieve additional bodies
Throughout the night, additionally bodies that were recovered in the rough Atlantic waters were brought onshore. Up to press time, Guyana Times was unable to confirm the exact number of bodies found, a part from the 27 reported earlier at the press briefing. Divers, both local as well as those from the French Guiana army, had been mobilised to the location where MV Barima sank some nine miles off the shore of Devonshire Castle, Essequibo Coast. This newspaper was told that the divers went down to the seabed where the sunken vessel is and were able to retrieve additional bodies. Meanwhile, of those 27 bodies found earlier on Monday, this publication was able to confirm the identified of several. These include: two-year-old Kelly Williams; Dwayne Forbes; Marcia Beharry; Oxwell John;
Shivana LaCruz Romascino;
Meanwhile, in Georgetown, Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo and a team of Cabinet Ministers engaged Amerindian leaders from communities affected by the MV Barima tragedy. These officials had travelled to Georgetown for the annual National Toshaos Conference (NTC), which was scheduled to start on Monday but the opening was postponed to today. During the engagement, VP Jagdeo heard from
community representatives and discussed the impact of the tragedy, while offering all possible resources to assisting them. Moreover, the Guyana Government through the Human Services and Social Security Ministry is also lending critical psychosocial support to the survivors and also family members of those missing persons, with professionals deployed to all three help centres as well as the Essequibo Coast to engage survivors and bereaved family members.
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has issued a public warning about a fraudulent scheme involving fake text messages that falsely claim to be official traffic fine notices issued by the Force. In a statement, the GPF said the scam messages inform recipients that they have outstanding traffic fines and threaten legal action, financial penalties, or court proceedings unless payment is made within a specified period. The messages also direct recipients to a fraudulent website where they are prompted to provide personal and financial information. The Police Force stressed that the messages are not authentic and did not originate from the GPF.
The public is being urged not to click on suspicious links contained in unsolicited text messages, provide personal, banking or payment information on unverified
websites, or make payments through any platform other than the GPF’s official online payment portal. According to the GPF, its only official website is www.guyanapoliceforce.gy, and persons wishing to verify or pay traffic fines should do so only through the official portal accessible via that website.
The Force is also encouraging anyone who receives one of the fraudulent messages to delete it immediately, report it to the GPF and warn family members and friends, particularly elderly and vulnerable persons, who may be targeted by the scam.
The GPF said it is actively investigating the matter and is working with the relevant authorities to identify those responsible. It also thanked the public for its cooperation as efforts continue to combat cyber-enabled fraud and protect citizens from online scams.
our Eyewitness is still stunned at the enormity of the tragedy he’s had to absorb since he got the news of the MV Barima capsizing in the Atlantic on the way from GT to Port Kaituma late Saturday night. Don’t expect any humour today, Dear Readers – light or otherwise. While, unfortunately, we haven’t heard of any additional survivors to the 69 we were told about – we gotta keep hope alive. The immediate priority is to save every life we possibly can – and support the families of those affected.
Beyond that, however, the MV Barima tragedy should become a turning point for maritime safety in Guyana –rather than another disaster that fades after a CoI report. We must insist that this be implemented. Authorities are investigating possible irregularities involving the passenger manifest, crew conduct, and enforcement of safety procedures and already, the captain and the first engineer have been arrested after testing positive for marijuana.
Even if it weren’t for rescued passengers insisting that the ferry was quite overloaded with people and cargo – the fact that only 35 of the 69 rescued were on the passenger list confirms this beyond a shadow of doubt. One passenger claimed there were at least 200 persons aboard – almost double the 116 originally claimed!! Your Eyewitness thinks we must treat false passenger manifests as a serious criminal offence!! An inaccurate manifest ain’t just a paperwork violation – it directly hampers rescue operations because authorities can’t know how many people are actually missing!! If officials or employees knowingly facilitated offthe-book boarding, they should face criminal prosecution!
The Government must conduct a serious review of our ferry fleet and make some tough decisions on seaworthiness of some ferries!! The Barima is 87 years old – and had to be approaching the end of its life. There was a report a few months ago that bids had been received for some serious rehabilitating of the Barima – and also the MV Ma Lisha that had been acquired only two years ago from India as part of the government’s acceleration of its fleet renewal programme!! Is the Ma Lisha in dry dock right now and this is why the Barima was doing all the heavy ferrying?? Based on the Barima’s age and the extensive list of repairs on the bid document, shouldn’t repairing the Barima have taken priority??
As the investigation into the Barima tragedy proceeds, we must ratchet up support for the victims’ families –including those not on the manifest but identified after a comprehensive programme soliciting information from relatives and friends who’ve missed them. There should be help obtaining official documentation and a single point of contact for information. Beyond compensation, Government should establish a family assistance centre providing counselling and financial guidance.
There are football finals, and then there are football disappearances. To your Eyewitness who supported them, Argentina turned up for the pre-match photographs, dutifully stood through the national anthem, and then apparently caught the first flight back to Buenos Aires. For the next 90 minutes, Spain seemed to be playing an unusually well-organised training session!!
This was supposed to be the clash of the tournament – South American flair against Spanish precision, passion against possession, history against history!! Instead, Spain monopolised not just the ball but the occasion. Argentina’s famed midfield looked like tourists admiring Spanish architecture from a respectful distance, while their attack appeared to have lost the address of the penalty area!
One expected fireworks, but what arrived was a damp sparkler. Spain deserved every accolade. They pressed relentlessly, controlled the tempo, and played with the confidence of a side convinced the trophy already had their name engraved on it!!
Argentina, by contrast, including Messi, never found the intensity that had carried them through the knockout rounds!!
…traduced in Gaza
It’s going on three years since the war in Gaza started! So, it doesn’t take a crystal ball to see that the Israelis ain’t gonna stop their killing frenzy until the Palestinians are driven into the sea!!
A50-year-old
Brazilian woman was taken into custody after allegedly stabbing her husband to death during an argument at Rock Creek Backdam, Puruni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) on Saturday evening. Dead is 53-year-old Antonio Pereira Figueredo, a gold miner from Manaus, Brazil. Based on reports received, on Saturday at about 23:00h, the couple was involved in a heated argument at their mining camp, during which the man was stabbed once in the abdomen.
The police were summoned and upon arrival
at the scene, the now-deceased man was lying on the ground next to one of the camps. Upon inspection of his body, the police confirmed a stab wound to his abdomen. In addition, a kitchen knife suspected to have been the weapon used to commit the crime was recovered.
The suspect was arrested and escorted to the Bartica Police Station, where she was placed in custody. The body was escorted to the Bartica Regional Hospital and later transferred to Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, awaiting a post-mortem.
A28-year-old
Venezuelan national was arrested on Saturday evening after he was found with a quantity of cocaine in his possession in the vicinity of Tank Road, Herstelling, East Bank Demerara (EBD). Police stated that ranks were conducting a patrol exercise when they observed the suspect from the Herstelling Squatting
seeing the police, he disposed of the bag into a nearby yard and attempted to evade them.
He was eventually arrested after putting up some resistance. The bag was subsequently retrieved and upon checking, 14 transparent plastic parcels containing a whitish substance suspected to be cocaine were found. The narcotics along
Area riding a bicycle with a sling bag around his shoulder. However, upon
with the suspect, were taken to the Providence Police Station, where the
cocaine was weighed and amounted to 10.5 grams. Meanwhile, another police operation at Herstelling
Squatting Area, EBD on Saturday has led to the arrest of an 18-year-old Venezuelan national with a quantity of cannabis, a black ski mask, a knife, three cellular phones and a toy gun.
Police stated that they were conducting an operation in the area during which they searched several wooden shacks, including one occupied by the suspect, where several small Ziplock bags containing the ganja and the other items were found.
The suspect was arrested and taken to the Providence Police Station, where the cannabis was weighed and amounted to two grams. Both suspects remain in custody pending charges.
As investigations intensify into the murder of gold min-
er Ricardo “Paper Shorts” Fagundes, police executed a search warrant on a Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD) property belonging to Leader of the Opposition, United States (US) sanctioned and indicted, Azruddin Mohamed. Guyana Times understands that a team of about 20 ranks attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) swooped down on the premises just after 13:00h with a signed search warrant.
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) in statement to the media after the exercise stated, “as investigations into the murder of Ricardo Fagundes, also known as ‘Paper Shorts’ continue, further legal ad-
vice was sought based on information received.” As such, the police added that, acting on the legal advice, ranks on Monday executed a search warrant at a property at Friendship, EBD. The warrant, the statement added, was granted by a Magistrate after consideration of the information presented. “The search was completed a short while ago,” the release concluded. However, the police did not say if any evidence was collected during the exercise. The Friendship premises, this publication understands, is used as storage for Mohamed’s racing cars, several luxury vehicles and boats along with spare parts.
This search comes in light of the arrests and subsequent release of several individuals close to the US-sanctioned Opposition Leader, including former security guards Mark Richmond and Udoh Kanu, and his personal mechanic Satrohan Rajkumar.
In addition, Amarnauth Ramsook, a car dealer, was in custody and questioned about the murder of Fagundes. They were all released on $1 million bail each. The latest arrests and search mark another step in the high-profile probe into the killing of Fagundes, who was gunned down outside a popular nightspot on Main Street, Georgetown, on March 21, 2021. Back in 2022, former police sergeant Dion Bascom was arrested by the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) in relation to cocaine found in a house on Norton Street, Georgetown. Shortly after his arrest, he posted videos on Facebook on August 11, 12, 13 and 19, 2020 accusing US-indicted Mohamed and senior police officers of a massive cover-up in the investigation into the execution of Fagundes. During the live broadcast, Bascom named
Richmond as one of the suspects in the murder and stated that, using technology, detectives were able to place him at the crime scene when the murder occurred. Further, Bascom implicated Azruddin Mohamed, who is linked to Mohamed’s Enterprise, in the murder investigation by claiming phone records show that the suspect was in contact with him at the time of the killing. A week after the live broadcast, the Mohameds filed a $200 million lawsuit against Bascom. In 2025, Mohamed dropped the $200 million lawsuit against Bascom after he apologised for the live broadcast implicating Mohamed. Ricardo “Paper Shorts” Fagundes was killed execution-style in March 2021 outside a popular Main Street, Georgetown, nightspot. Reports indicate that the man was partying with a group of friends at the bar when his phone rang, and he exited the club to take the call; shortly thereafter, several gunshots were heard. Reports suggest that the now-deceased man’s friends rushed out to inquire but found Fagundes lying motionlessly in a pool of blood near his motor car. Following the allegations made by Bascom, the Guyanese Government engaged the Regional Security System (RSS) to assist in solving the murder of Fagundes. The RSS during its investigation, did not find any evidence of corrupt practices or an attempt to cover up the probe into the 2021 murder of Fagundes. It stated that the bribery allegations made by Sergeant Bascom against the GPF, namely that Detective Supt. Caesar and Inspector Stephens attempted to cover up the unlawful killing/homicide of Fagundes “were hearsay having no provenance. “
Some 40 Cuban nationals living in Guyana have been displaced after a fire on Monday morning ripped through a multiroom rental building on South Road, Georgetown. The fire started at about 09:15h at Lot 216 South Road, Georgetown ripping through a two-storey building. Reports are that the two-storey wooden and concrete building housed Special Auto, an auto sales and spares dealership, on the ground floor, while the upper floor served as a private residence. No serious injuries were reported and eyewitnesses claimed the blaze spread rapidly after electrical cables near the roof began smoking before catching fire. One resident claimed that a tenant carrying a child was among those trapped inside the building. However, with the combined assistance of other residents, the woman and child were safely rescued. Residents also said the section of the building that sustained the most extensive damage was the upper floor. According to the occupants, the building comprises approximately 11 to 12 rooms, with an average of four persons in each.
All occupants, including women and children, escaped unharmed. Meanwhile, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) said that upon arrival, firefighters found the upper floor fully engulfed in flames, with nearby buildings under immediate threat.
“Through swift, coordinated firefighting operations, the blaze was successfully contained to the upper floor, preventing it from spreading to surrounding properties,’ the GFS said. Investigations into the cause of the fire are currently ongoing.
President Dr Irfaan Ali on Monday assured the nation that every available resource is being deployed in the ongoing search, rescue and recovery operation following the capsizing of the MV Barima, while announcing that a full, thorough and independent investigation will be conducted into the tragedy. In a national address, the President described the incident as “a tragedy of immense proportions” that has left the country united in grief, anxiety and sorrow. “Our nation has been plunged into a tragedy of immense proportions. The capsizing of the MV Barima has pierced the heart of our nation, leaving us united in grief, anxiety and sorrow,” he said, noting that families across Guyana continue to await news of loved ones.
Earlier on Monday, President Ali said he visited survivors, relatives of some of those still missing in Port Kaituma and Mabaruma, as well as patients receiving
treatment at the Mabaruma Regional Hospital. He said the visit was an emotional experience during which he listened to survivors’ accounts, shared in the pain of affected families and assured them that the Government would provide the necessary support and assistance.
Immediate priority
The President said the Government’s immediate priority remains; saving lives, supporting survivors, comforting grieving families and
accounting for every person still unaccounted for. “Every minute matters. Every life matters,” he stated, adding that every possible resource has been mobilised in pursuit of that mission.
President Ali praised those involved in the rescue and recovery efforts, including members of the Government, the Joint Services, emergency responders, regional officials, volunteers, fishermen, community members, religious leaders, parliamentarians, private sector rep-
resentatives, civil society organisations and international partners.
He said the national response, led by Prime Minister (PM) Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and supported by Cabinet members, reflected the unity of the Guyanese people during a time of national tragedy. “It is a powerful reminder that when adversity strikes, the people of Guyana stand shoulder to shoulder, united by our shared humanity,” the President said. He assured
citizens that rescue and recovery operations would continue without interruption until every possible avenue has been exhausted.
Independent investigation
President Ali also announced that a full, transparent and independent investigation will be launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. “The families affected and indeed the people of Guyana deserve answers, deserve to know precisely
what transpired and whether any failures contributed to this heartbreaking event,” he said. He stressed that the investigation would be conducted with transparency, impartiality and accountability but urged the public to avoid speculation or attempts to politicise the tragedy while rescue efforts continue. “There will be a time for facts, for accountability and for measured judgment. Today, however, our collective responsibility is to save lives, to comfort the grieving, to support the traumatised and to stand with every family whose world has been
turned upside down,” he said.
Support victims, survivors
Calling for national unity, the President urged Guyanese to support the victims, survivors, their families and the rescue teams through prayer and compassion. He said the country faces difficult days ahead but encouraged citizens to remain united in love, faith, patience and solidarity with the communities most affected. President Ali also announced that details of the period of national mourning would be outlined in the coming
hours. “May God watch over Guyana and bring us through this horrific experience. God bless all of you, especially the families of all those who are aboard the MV Barima,” he said. The MV Barima departed the Georgetown stelling at about 15:00h on Saturday on its scheduled voyage to Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini), carrying 179 passengers, 18 crew members along with cargo.
According to officials, the ferry travelled along Guyana’s Atlantic coastline towards the North West District before encountering rough sea conditions off the Essequibo Coast near the mouth of the Pomeroon River late that night. Survivors later recalled that the vessel suddenly began listing to one side before capsizing, forcing passengers into the water. At approximately 23:01h, a dis-
tress signal was transmitted from the MV Barima and received by Aviation officials, prompting an immediate large-scale search and rescue operation involving the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard and Air Corps, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), civilian vessels and local fishermen. So far 27 persons have been confirmed dead, 69 rescued and 83 missing.
“All you could hear were whistles” – hero fisherman recounts race to save survivors
Local fisherman Haresh Singh, one of the first civilians to respond to the sinking of the MV Barima and who also subsequently found the location
of the missing vessel, has shared a moving account of the overnight rescue operation, describing the desperate efforts to save passengers who were left stranded
in rough waters. Singh said he received an urgent call at around midnight on Saturday from Regional Chairman Devin Mohan and Minister within
the Public Works Ministry, Mandalall Ramraj, requesting his assistance after reports emerged that passengers from the vessel were floating at sea. “I received a call from the Chairman and Minister Ramraj. They said there were people floating after the steamer sank and asked me to help. I told them, ‘No problem.’ I left my bed immediately and within three to four minutes I was at the waterside,” Singh recalled. He quickly mobilised his brother and other fishermen and the group departed in their fishing boat to search for survivors. Singh said the conditions were extremely challenging, with rough seas and little visibility. After making contact with a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard vessel, the fishermen were directed towards the Hackney area. Singh said he advised the Coast Guard to launch distress flares while the smaller fishing boats sped ahead to begin the search. “When we reached there, the Coast Guard had already started picking up some survivors,” he said. Recalling the rescue, Singh described the scenes as heartbreaking. “The situation was very traumatising. The hardest part was seeing the children. We gave them biscuits and water, but hearing parents talk about losing their loved ones broke my heart,” he said. One father’s story, Singh noted, deeply affected him. “He told me he held onto his children, but his wife was gone. That brought tears to my eyes,” he recounted. While searching the area, Singh said he noticed fuel, personal be-
longings and other debris floating on the water, leading him to believe the vessel had sunk nearby. He relayed the information to the Coast Guard to assist with the search. The fishermen rescued 11 survivors, including two young children, two girls, one woman and sever-
‘God, let me live.’” The rescue effort was eventually cut short after two children and one adult aboard Singh’s boat lost consciousness and had to be rushed ashore for medical treatment. Despite the emotional ordeal, Singh said he remains committed to helping locate the vessel
al men.
“All you could hear were whistles. They were desperate to survive,” Singh said.
Own experience
Drawing on his own experience of surviving a boating accident years ago, Singh said he understood what the survivors were enduring. “I once floated in the water for seven hours after my own boat sank. I know that trauma. The only thing going through your mind is,
and those still missing.
“My job now is to find this boat and bring it ashore so families can get answers. Whether their loved ones are alive or dead, we have to find them,” he said.
He also praised the coordinated response by the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), the GDF Coast Guard, police and fellow fishermen, saying everyone worked together with one goal to save as many lives as possible.
A21-year-old West
Coast Berbice (WCB) man has died after the car which he was driving crashed into a parked tractor and trailer shortly after midnight on Monday. Dead is Ayinde Rogers of #22 Bel Air, WCB. According to police, Rogers was alone in the vehicle when, at about 12:05 Monday morning, he was proceeding along the Trafalgar Public Road, WCB, Region Five (MahaicaBerbice). Investigators believe he may have fallen asleep at the wheel, causing the car to veer off the roadway and collide with a parked tractor and trailer. The impact left the vehicle
extensively damaged, with sections of the roof and body crushed and torn apart. The injured man was pulled from the wreckage by persons at the scene shortly before police arrived.
“Daddy, my brother dead” Rogers’ father, Dave Rogers, said he was awakened by relatives and initially struggled to believe that his son had died. “He said, ‘Daddy, my brother dead, my brother dead.’ I said, I couldn’t believe it. I said, no way. I got a friend, a very good friend of mine. The man called me and said, ‘You got to go, you got to go and see what happened to
your son.’ And I left and I go. I see my son lying on the ground, dead,” the grieving father said. Only hours before the crash, Rogers had returned from playing cricket on the Corentyne. Rogers was the captain of Achievers Cricket Club U-23 team and had represented Berbice at the U-19 level last year.
His mother, Charmayne White, said he had contacted her to ask what she had prepared to eat. She said that she packed the food for him before he left to spend time with friends. “The last time I saw him was after seven last evening, and I spoke with him because he went yesterday [Sunday] to
play a cricket match on the Corentyne. When he came over back, he sent me a message and he said, ‘Mommy, what did you cook?’ And I said I cooked macaroni. And he said, ‘Can you dish out some food for me, put it inside of the box? I come in and I pick it up and go and hang out with some friends and come back.’ And that was it.” After receiving the telephone call, White travelled to the scene, where she saw her son lying motionless. She said it was too difficult for her to examine his injuries. The grieving mother remembered Rogers as a kind and loving person. “He
was kind. He was loving. There is no other way I can describe it,” she said. Police investigations into the fatal accident are continuing.
As search teams continued their operation on Monday for those still missing after Sunday’s vessel tragedy in the North West District, the waters where the vessel disappeared remained the focus of an intensive rescue effort.
Across Guyana, the tragedy has already left dozens of families facing an agonising wait, among them the relatives of Rachel Wells and her three young children. But apart from beyond that family’s ordeal are the stories of crew members who left home expecting to return after another routine voyage. Among those still reported missing are 56-yearold Sailor Raymond Sumra of Islington New Amsterdam, 22-year-old Sailor Antoine Harcourt of LBI, Sailor Rawle Frank, and the vessel’s chief engineer, Paul Seepersaud of New Amsterdam.
For Rebecca Sumra, the days since the vessel sank have been filled with anxious waiting. She said she last spoke with her son about a week before the voyage. As she had done throughout his years at sea, she reminded him to trust in God whenever he travelled. “Anytime he’d go and come, I’d always tell him to pray to God and call upon Him for safety,” she recalled. She said relatives informed her of the tragedy, after which every attempt to reach Raymond proved unsuccessful. Despite the uncertainty, she refuses to believe the worst. “I want to see him alive,” she said, adding “I’m hoping somebody would rescue him.”
The uncertainty has also been difficult for Raymond’s sister, who said she was awakened early Sunday morning by relatives trying to determine whether it was her brother who had been aboard the vessel. Still, she said the family has not abandoned hope. “I’m hoping for the best. I’m hoping that we could see him alive.”
Alison Harcourt has found herself repeatedly returning to the last conversation she shared with her 22-year-old son,
Antoine of LBI. He had visited home only days before and, on Saturday afternoon, sent her a message saying he was leaving. She did not see it immediately. More than an hour later, she replied with a simple message, wishing him a safe journey. The next morning, she awoke to reports that a vessel had sunk. “The first thing I saw was the boat sunk,” she recalled. “I dropped the phone because I knew he had told me he was leaving.”
“I know there is a God”
Throughout Sunday she called relatives and searched for information. She described Antoine as a loving son with whom she shared an exceptionally close relationship. “He was always coming to make me laugh,” she said. Although fear has crept into every hour since learning of the tragedy, she said her faith has never wavered.
“I know there is a God and He is a miracle-working God. I’m trusting that he’s alive. I’m not giving up my faith.” For Esther Frank, the waiting has been accompanied by another troubling thought. She recalled that after returning from an earlier voyage, her son, Rawle, mentioned that the vessel had developed problems. She said he had indicated that repairs were expected. “I pray that he is found safe… He has a child too. It isn’t easy.”
“Son, safe journey”
For Alison Harcourt, every passing hour has been measured by the hope that the next telephone call will finally bring the news she has been praying for. Unlike many mothers, her final conversation with her son was not faceto-face. It came through a brief message on her phone. Antoine had visited her only days earlier before returning to the coast where he worked. Then, on Saturday afternoon, shortly before the vessel departed, another message arrived. “Hi Mom, I’m leaving in a few.” Busy at the time, Alison did not
see it immediately. Nearly an hour and a half passed before she opened her phone and read her son’s words. Without hesitation, she sent a reply. “Son, safe journey.” She never checked to see whether he had read it. Around dawn, Alison reached for her phone as she usually does. Almost immediately, she was confronted by news she never imagined she would read.
“When I opened the phone, the first thing I saw was that the boat had sunk,” she recalled, adding “I dropped the phone right away because I knew he had told me he was leaving.” Within minutes, relatives began calling. They wanted to know whether Antoine had been aboard the vessel. “I started calling around and asking and I said, ‘Yes, he was on the boat because he told me he was leaving’. We waited all day for information, and up to now we still don’t have any.” Alison said her son had worked at sea for more than two years, first aboard another vessel before joining the Barima only a few months ago. To those who knew him best, however, Antoine was defined by his personality. “My son was a loving child. Always jovial. We shared a very, very close relationship. He would always come and do something just to make you laugh.” Though visibly shaken by the uncertainty surrounding her son’s disappearance, Alison said she refuses to surrender the faith that has carried her through every difficult moment in life.
“At first I was feeling numb,” she admitted. “But then I know there is a God, and He is a miracle-working God. I know that I serve a true and living God, and I still believe there is hope that he is alive.”
“I’m trusting God for that. I’m not giving up my faith. I’m keeping the faith that he’s okay.” Though separated by miles and by lives that had never crossed before this tragedy, they are now united by the same anxious wait. They continue to believe that Rachel Wells and
her three young children, Raymond Sumra, Antoine Harcourt, Rawle Frank, Chief Engineer Paul Seepersaud and every other person still unaccounted for will somehow be found and returned safely to the families who have refused to stop believing.
In fact, the entire management team responsible for the loading, dispatch, and overall management of the MV Barima prior to its departure from Georgetown has been sent off from duty. On Sunday evening, Minister Edghill had convened a latenight meeting with the senior management staff of the THD, which manages ferry operations in Guyana. During that engagement, the team that was on duty for Saturday’s loading of the ferry was formally notified of the suspension and the administrative steps moving forward. According to the Public Works Ministry, this decision was taken to ensure the absolute integrity of the upcoming investigation into the horrific ferry incident that has left dozens of persons, including children missing, and feared dead.
“By removing the team from the workplace, the Government intends to prevent any potential tampering with or interference in evidence and materials, thereby ensuring a completely fair and unprejudiced outcome,” the Ministry stated on Monday. Additionally, video footage from the Kingston Goods Wharf, where MV Barima was loaded and departed from, has already been extracted by the Guyana Police Force for a comprehensive review as part of the ongoing investigation.
Bodies recovered
Meanwhile, of the 27 bodies recovered since Saturday night’s tragedy, four are those of children. At the time of the press briefing, PM Phillips said the bodies of six male adults and four female adults had been identified, and the remaining bodies were still being processed.
“The bodies are being photographed. They’re stored and we’re going through the whole identification process. By our next briefing, we’ll be able to let you know a number as to how many have been identified and the families informed. There are bodies that were identified and already families are informed, but I will give you that figure the next briefing,” the PM told this newspaper on Monday evening. The bodies recovered are being taken to Charity, where a designated area has been set up for family members to go identify them.
MV Barima located
Nevertheless, Phillips contended that the search and rescue operations is still ongoing with continued support from stakeholders, including the private sector and local fisherfolk. In fact, it was Haresh Singh, a fisherman from the Essequibo Coast – who, along with others, had been critical to this search and rescue exercise since the distress call was received from the vessel – who discovered the location of the sunken ferry on Monday. Singh, who had rescued a number of survivors on Sunday, returned to the location on Monday and observed items suspected to be from the capsized vessel floating on the water’s surface. He subsequently alerted the authorities and the Guyana Defence Force’s Coast Guard, accompanied by a vessel supplied by ExxonMobil Guyana and the Vreed-en-Hoop Shorebase Inc (VEHSI), Sealand Survey’s Gilligan Island, confirmed the presence of the ferry.
According to the PM, the vessel was found resting on the seabed about nine miles off the shore of Devonshire
Castle, Essequibo Coast – in the vicinity of the location where the <<<MV Barima>>> had initially sent out a distress signal on Saturday just before midnight. Phillips noted that experts from the Maritime Administration (MARAD) have indicated that with a ship like the <<<MV Barima>>>, there could be pockets of air and possibly persons trapped alive. “You may very well have people alive there… There’s always an opportunity, always a chance of saving a few lives. And that’s why we insist that this remains a search and rescue operation,” the PM emphasised.
Regional assistance
Since the discovery of the vessel, assets, including divers, have been mobilised at the location. In fact, Guyana has received critical support from regional neighbours including from French Guiana, which has sent a 15-member military team to assist with ongoing search, rescue and recovery operations. The French troops, led by Lieutenant Commander Alexis Touboul, arrived on the Essequibo Coast on Monday and includes 12 specialist divers, two medics, and one mechanic. PM Phillips told reporters that the French divers have joined the local team offshore and were assessing conditions to determine whether to go under water overnight or await daylight today. The divers eventually decided to dive overnight and have been bringing up bodies. In addition, the Trinidad and Tobago Government has also deployed additional search and dive capabilities to Guyana to assist with these efforts.
A$16.4 million model agriculture facility at Fort Wellington, Region Five (DemeraraMahaica) was inspected on Wednesday by the Private Sector Commission’s (PSC) Agriculture Subcommittee and the Region Three Chamber of Commerce and Industry (R3CCI) during a site visit. The visit according to the PSC was aimed at assessing its operations and potential to support agricultural development. The stateof-the-art facility was established under the Agriculture Ministry’s Sustainable Agriculture Development Project (SADP) with funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The farm, the PSC said on Monday, serves as a regional hub for climate-smart agriculture, featuring advanced hydroponic systems, protective shade houses, and organic vermicomposting units designed to promote sustainable and innovative farming practices.
The delegation comprised PSC Agriculture Subcommittee, other PSC representatives and R3CCI representatives and were guided Coordinator of the Model Farm, Krishna
Sewlall. During the tour, the delegation observed the cultivation of several high-value crops, including broccoli, bell peppers, seasoning peppers, lettuce, purple cabbage, and
celery, using innovative intercropping methods and shade house technology. The facility operates as a comprehensive agricultural demonstration centre, showcasing advanced
hydroponic systems, protected cultivation techniques and sustainable farming practices that can be replicated by local farmers. Sewlall explained that celery, which
currently sells for approximately $3,000 per pound, represents a potentially lucrative opportunity for local farmers. Other high-value crops cultivated at the facil-
ity include chives, parsley, and shallots. However, he noted that securing a consistent supply of quality celery seeds remains a significant challenge for producers. The delegation also learned about the benefits of ultraviolet (UV)-resistant plastic sheeting, which is used to protect cash crops and delicate vegetables from intense sunlight and adverse weather conditions, helping to improve crop quality and yields.
“Green to Life” farm
Following the visit to the Model Farm, the delegation toured the “Green to Life” Farm in Bath Settlement, operated by prominent local farmer Mr Dhaniram Ramchand. A pioneer in introducing local bell pepper cultivation to the region, Mr Ramchand shared his expertise in celery production and showcased his nursery of young celery seedlings. The visit, the PSC said, provided insights into the opportunities and challenges facing Guyana’s agricultural sector while underscoring the importance of innovation, technology and collaboration in strengthening local food production and advancing the country’s agribusiness sector.
Those funds, he said, have financed more than 3,000 community projects across over 250 villages. Jagdeo commended village leaders for managing those projects efficiently. “We have been able to directly allocate funds to the villages through the LCDS for the villages to spend this money in a way that the people of the villages see fit, and that has yielded enormous benefits,” he said. He contrasted the progress made by village councils with projects previously managed by international agencies, arguing that local leadership had delivered results more efficiently. “If we had given external agencies this responsibility, it would take 100 years to do what the people and leadership of these villages have done in three short years,” he told the gathering.
Focus on jobs
While acknowledging improvements in roads, schools, health facilities and public services, Jagdeo said the Government believes the next phase of development must focus on creating employment opportunities within hinterland communities. He noted that six years ago unemployment was one of the country’s biggest concerns. Today, however, labour shortages exist across many coastal regions because of economic expansion. The situation in the hinterland, he said, remains different. “In the hinter-
land, we still have unemployment in many of the villages,” Jagdeo said. “One of the things we’ll be discussing is how we can work with you to generate more employment opportunities in the villages.”
He encouraged Toshaos to identify sustainable economic activities that match the strengths of their individual communities. Recognising that each village has different resources and environmental conditions, Jagdeo said development plans cannot follow a one-size-fits-all approach. Communities located in forested areas, savannahs or along rivers, he noted, will require different economic models.
Sustainable opportunities
Jagdeo said discussions throughout the conference would centre on identifying projects capable of generating long-term income rather than short-lived ventures. Among the possibilities he suggested were expanding coconut cultivation in Region Two, honey production using beehives in forested communities, livestock rearing and other agricultural enterprises with established markets. Using coconut production as an example, Jagdeo said villages could establish large-scale plantations capable of generating tens of millions of dollars annually while creating dozens of jobs. He stressed that any project selected must be supported
by reliable markets to ensure long-term sustainability. “We need to go for the things that have the market in the long run,” he said.
Innovation hubs
To support economic diversification, Jagdeo announced that the Government intends to establish innovation and technical support hubs in every administrative region. These centres, he explained, will provide technical guidance and help communities develop sustainable enterprises. He said traditional extension services alone would not be enough to drive the level of diversification Government is seeking.
Zero-interest loans
Jagdeo also highlighted plans for the establishment of a Development Bank, which he said will play a major role in supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs. The bank will provide zero-interest loans without requiring collateral, addressing one of the major challenges faced by residents of Amerindian villages where communal lands cannot be used as security for commercial loans. He said discussions would examine ways of making small loans more easily accessible through partnerships between village councils and the Development Bank. The Government, he added, also wants feedback from village leaders on how best to administer commu-
nity credit programmes after previous revolving loan initiatives experienced repayment challenges. “You can’t develop a business environment without credit,” Jagdeo said.
Building village capacity
The VP also proposed expanding opportunities for village councils to undertake public infrastructure projects. Rather than relying heavily on outside contractors, Jagdeo said Government wants Indigenous communities to build the technical capacity to construct roads and other public works themselves. He acknowledged that this would require investment in heavy equipment, training and maintenance.
Equipment valued at tens of millions of dollars, he noted, must be properly managed by trained operators to ensure it remains functional over the long term.
“We have to make sure that we don’t break up that equipment,” Jagdeo said, adding that building technical skills within villages would create additional employment while strengthening local capacity.
Housing support
Housing was another major area identified for discussion during the conference.
Jagdeo said the Government wants to work with Indigenous leaders to develop more effective ways
of providing housing assistance. Rather than issuing small cash grants that are sometimes diverted to other purposes, he said Government is considering alternative approaches that would ensure assistance directly improves people’s homes. He urged Toshaos to provide recommendations on how housing programmes can better meet the needs of residents in their respective communities.
Preparing village proposals
Jagdeo encouraged every village to use the conference to develop proposals identifying at least three economic initiatives capable of generating jobs and increasing household incomes.
Those proposals, he said, will be examined by the Government to determine their costs, sustainability and the type of support required for implementation. He said while Government will continue investing in schools, healthcare, roads and other traditional infrastructure, the focus must now expand to creating lasting economic opportunities within villages. “We have to make a transformation,” Jagdeo said. “We have to focus on income-generating activities, employment creation, economic infrastructure, housing and access to credit so that people can build better lives without having to leave their communities.” FROM PAGE 2
President Daniel Ortega has told supporters that Nicaragua will no longer hold elections.
In power since 2007 following elections questioned by the international community, the 80-year-old Marxist framed the move as a way to block the Opposition, which he asserted is controlled by the United States.
“There won’t be any more elections here for them to try to seize the Government and seize power,” he said during a speech on Sunday at an event commemorating the 1979 Sandinista revolution.
“The days when parties backed by the Yankees and the Somocistas would return to power are over –never again,” he added, according to the Reuters news agency.
He has been accused of crushing dissent in a bid to remain in power. The last election in 2021 was disputed after his Government cracked down on dissent and detained opponents.
Last year, the presidential term was extended to six years and Ortega’s wife, Rosario Murillo, was named as co-president.
The United Nations’ Human Rights Council has said the couple have built a repressive regime, accusing Government officials of having key roles in “arbitrary detentions, torture, extrajudicial executions [and the] persecution of civil society and the media”.
Ortega was widely criticised when more than 300 persons were killed in a crackdown on anti-Government protests in 2018.
Since then, the Government has stripped
hundreds of Nicaraguans of their citizenship and forced others to flee the country in fear of being imprisoned.
Ortega previously served as President from 1985 to 1990, when he implemented leftist reforms in the wake of the overthrow of the United States-backed dictator Anastasio Somoza in 1979.
He has since detained many of the Sandinista National Liberation Front revolutionaries who were formerly his comrades.
(Reuters)
Outgoing Colombian President Gustavo Petro was set to deliver a public farewell address on Monday after calling for nationwide protests, as tensions continue over last month’s disputed presidential election and the country’s upcoming transfer of power.
In a post on X on July 6, Petro invited supporters to gather on July 20, Colombia’s Independence Day, for what he has described as a “general mobilisation to shout for independence and the continuation of social reforms” before listening to his farewell speech.
The date also marks the
opening of the new Congress, less than three weeks before President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella is due to take office on August 7.
One of the first issues facing lawmakers is expected to be de la Espriella’s request to move his inauguration from Congress in Bogota to a military base in southern Colombia.
The President-elect said he wants to take the oath of office there to “pay a solemn tribute to the heroes of the homeland and to the military personnel who protect democracy, freedom, and institutional stability”.
Petro has rejected the proposal and ordered on July 12 that “no military es-
tablishment” be used for the ceremony.
“Military and Police bases remain under my command until the new President takes the oath of office,” he wrote on X, adding the rules around the transfer of power “establish that the President takes office before Congress in full session”.
In the same post, Petro wrote that “Colombia’s national sovereignty has been violated by foreigners who usurped the people’s right to choose freely”, echoing his repeated claims that last month’s presidential election was marred by fraud and foreign interference.
(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
Atotal of 1317
Jamaicans were returned to the country as deportees in 2025, a more-than-140 per-cent increase when compared to the 547 who were returned in 2024.
The information is contained in the 2025 edition of the Economic and Social Survey Jamaica (ESSJ), a publication of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ).
The majority of the deportees, also referred to as
involuntary returned migrants (IRMs), came from the United States.
The survey also found that the total number of voluntary returned migrants (VRMs) stood at 852 in 2025, an increase of 52.1 per cent when compared with the 560 who returned home in 2024.
VRMs are individuals who choose to return to their home country or place of origin due to personal decisions, economic opportuni-
ties, or family reasons.
Conversely, IRMs are those who are forcibly returned or repatriated to their country of origin due to legal reasons such as immigration violations or criminal activities.
In the meantime, the number of Commonwealth Citizens who migrated to Jamaica in 2025 decreased by 3.8 per cent to 3491 from 3630 in 2024. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)
Children in Haiti have reported being jailed for years without appearing before a Judge, the United Nations Secretary General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Vanessa Frazier told a Security Council meeting on Monday.
Frazier said some children reported they had been jailed eight years without seeing a judge, and many were housed in overcrowded prison cells intended for minors, but that were mostly holding adult detainees.
“This is not acceptable,” Frazier said. “The situation of children in Haiti is amongst the most alarming anywhere in the world.”
Frazier called on children associated with armed gangs in Haiti to be treated as victims first, as well as a review to release detained children and practical measures to reintegrate them.
Last year, the UN confirmed 2088 grave viola -
tions against children, including killing, maiming, abductions, recruitment by gangs, and sexual violence.
Deaths and injuries of children resulted mainly from armed gangs as well as the Haitian Police, crossfire between the two and drone strikes, according to the UN.
US Representative to the UN, Mike Waltz said the US would work to crack down gang members’ monetisation of social me -
dia platforms like TikTok, Facebook and Instagram, which he said were used to recruit children into the groups.
Waltz urged countries to help Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Ivory Coast with airlifts to speed up deployments to the UN-backed security force in Haiti, made up notably of soldiers from Chad and Sri Lanka after Kenya withdrew. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Residents call for more Police action after 5 murders in
Twelve hours after a triple murder in Laventille sent shockwaves across the country, gunfire erupted in Siparia on Saturday night, leaving two men dead and residents fearful.
The bodies of Kwame Parris, 29, alias “Six”, of Coconut Alley, Siparia and Teshawn Baptiste, 25, also known as “Blackboy,” of Lowkie Trace, Penal, were discovered in Sennon Village after residents reported hearing loud explosions around 21:00h. The pair were liming by a house when the gunshots rang out. Both men ran, but Parris did not get far. He was found lying face down near the bathroom area of the house, bleeding from gunshot wounds. Baptiste was chased as he ran through the community, but eventually collapsed near a drain
along Railway Road.
Police recovered more than 25 spent 9mm and 5.56mm casings, along with several rounds of ammunition, from the scene.
The latest killings have brought renewed concern over escalating violence in Siparia, which falls within Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s constituency.
In the past seven weeks,
at least eight persons have been murdered in the constituency, including six in the Siparia district. The double murder over the weekend has pushed the murder toll to 10.
When Guardian Media visited Sennon Village, residents lamented that their once-quiet community had become a frightening place to live. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)
The UWI Seismic Research Centre (UWI Seismic) has confirmed that two earthquakes shook Trinidad and Tobago before 7 o’clock Monday morning, with one quake being felt in Trinidad as far south as San Fernando, and as far east as Arima and Scarborough in Tobago.
In its social media pages, UWI Seismic reports that the first quake of magnitude 5.1, occurred at 05:45h (lo-
cal time), at latitude 11.35 degrees north and longitude 60.60 degrees west.
Its depth is said to be at 59 kilometres.
It was felt in Scarborough, Tobago, which was 24 kilometres (km) north-east of the epicentre; Arima, Trinidad, some 109km north-east of the epicentre, and Port of Spain, Trinidad, 126km north-east of the epicentre.
The second quake of magnitude 5.0, occurred at
06:55h (local time), at latitude 10.97 degrees north and longitude 62.05 degrees west. Its depth is said to be at 80km.
It was felt mainly in Trinidad in Port of Spain, some 69km north-west of the epicentre; in Arima, 93km north-west of the epicentre; and San Fernando, 103km north-west of the epicentre. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)
ajor stock indexes fell on Monday with investors cautious about developments in the US-Iran war and ahead of earnings from some high-profile US companies this week. Oil prices gained.
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis said they would impose a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia. The announcement was made despite signs that Tehran and Washington want to resume diplomacy to halt a worsening cycle of attacks.
Brent crude futures rose around 1.3 per cent to settle at US$89.22 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 0.9 per cent to settle at US$83.23 after touching its highest level since June 12 at US$85.39.
Higher oil prices tend to be a negative for stocks, because they increase costs for consumers and businesses.
More US companies are set to report earnings results this week, including several major firms such as Intel and Alphabet.
”Earnings are starting to flow ... and that’s a cushion for the market,” said Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at Spartan Capital Securities in New York.
In addition, he said chipmaker shares recovered some of their recent sharp losses. An index of semiconductors 0.6 per cent on Monday after ending Friday down more than 20 per cent from its late June closing record high, a move that confirms it has been in a bear market.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 307.16 points, or 0.59 per cent, to 51,839.26, the S&P 500 fell 14.41 points, or 0.19 per cent, to 7443.28 and the Nasdaq Composite fell 12.17 points, or 0.05 per cent, to 25,508.07.
The earnings season will reinforce or challenge this year’s gains, which have been driven by a surge in AI capital spending lifting semiconductor stocks and other companies that are seen as the beneficiaries of the buildout.
The season will provide some insight into the AI-related trade, including for chipmakers, and also provide more colour on secondary effects of the war.
MSCI’s gauge of stocks across the globe fell 3.23 points, or 0.29 per cent, to 1105.50. The pan-European STOXX 600 index fell 0.3 per cent.
US Treasury yields rose as traders weighed escalating oil prices, driven by the widening war with Iran, and the impact on prices.
The US economic calendar for the week is light, and Federal Reserve officials are in a ”blackout period” of public comments ahead of the central bank’s meeting next week. The yield on benchmark US 10-year notes rose 5.68 basis points to 4.598 per cent.
The European Central Bank will hold a policy meeting later this week, with markets pricing in only a 13.1 per cent chance of a hike, according to LSEG data.
Sterling weakened 0.12 per cent to US$1.3437 after climbing to US$1.3481 as Andy Burnham took over from Keir Starmer to become Britain’s seventh Prime Minister in a decade. He pledged to reshape the country’s politics and deliver a new economic model.
The dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of currencies, climbed 0.18 per cent to 100.92, with the euro down 0.19 per cent at US$1.1417.
Spot gold fell 0.24 per cent to US$4007.00 an ounce.
(Reuters)
Burnham pledges to “bring back hope” as he makes Healey chancellor
Andy Burnham pledged to ”bring back hope” to Britain, as he began his tenure as United Kingdom Prime Minister by appointing Labour stalwart John Healey as Chancellor.
In his first speech to the nation in Downing Street, Burnham said he wanted to bring forward the ”biggest changes in the last 40 years” to British politics.
He outlined his intention to unveil a 10-year ”new plan for Britain” later this year, explaining this would lay out a path to where he believes ”we all want Britain to be”.
Burnham promised to make announcements this week to ”give people some breathing space now, some help with the cost of living” and explain how he would pay for them.
Burnham also started making cabinet appointments after removing loyalists of former PM Sir Keir
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis said on Monday they would impose a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, opening a potential new front against the United States in its war with Iran and raising the threat to global energy supplies and trade beyond the Gulf.
The escalation comes after one of the deadliest periods in the war for US troops. The Pentagon on Monday identified two US soldiers who were killed when Iran attacked an American base in Jordan on Friday, while they also said they had found unidentified remains that could be those of a third soldier reported as missing in action. Separately, a fourth service member was killed in northern Iraq during the ”controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian one-way attack drone”.
After the Houthis announced their blockade, the
Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said in a statement that it would respond to them with force, and also that it began implementing protection measures for its ships moving through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key export route for Saudi oil after the effective clo-
sure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Houthis made their announcement despite signs that Tehran and Washington want to resume diplomacy to halt a worsening cycle of attacks that has all but wrecked a fragile interim agreement signed last month. Iran’s
Foreign Ministry said mediators had presented ”proposals” to Tehran, signalling that diplomatic contacts remain active, but gave no details. Oil prices rose briefly after the Houthi statement, but later fell back as traders held out hope of a diplomatic breakthrough. The insurance cost of shipping goods through the Red Sea rose on the increased risks for merchant shipping. Iran had been pressing the Houthis to close the Bab el-Mandeb gateway to the Red Sea if the US continued to attack Iranian power infrastructure.
A full closure of the strait would reduce global oil supply by seven per cent as it would leave most of Saudi oil exports unable to leave the region. The disruption would add to the huge cut to oil flows from the war in the Gulf, which has already reduced shipments by 10 per cent of global supply. (Excerpt from Reuters)
AChinese navy destroyer conducted live-fire drills in waters southwest of Japan’s remote Okinotori Island early on Sunday while operating alongside Russian naval vessels, Japan’s Joint Staff said.
Japan’s Maritime SelfDefence Force spotted four vessels — a Chinese Renhaiclass guided-missile dest-
royer, a Luyang III-class guided-missile destroyer, a Fuchi-class replenishment ship and a Russian Steregushchiy-class frigate — sailing northeast about 330 kilometres (205 miles) southwest of Okinotori around 2am on July 19 (1700 GMT on July 18), the Joint Staff said in a statement on Tuesday.
The Japanese milita-
ry later confirmed that the Chinese Luyang III-class destroyer conducted a live-fire exercise about 180km southwest of the island, the statement said.
A spokesperson at the Joint Staff said it was the first time Japan had disclosed China’s live-fire drills in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), while adding that the activity was not against in-
ternational rules. The vessels were the same ships that had transited southward through waters between Okinawa’s main island and Miyako Island on July 16, according to the statement.
Japan’s Defence Ministry said its destroyer monitored the ships and gathered intelligence on their activities. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Trump slaps 50% tariffs on Canada, Carney vows to “intensify” trade talks
UStarmer. Out went Rachel Reeves as Chancellor, David Lammy as Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary, and Steve Reed as Communities Secretary. Healey, who quit Sir Keir’s Government due to a row over defence spending, was in as Chancellor.
With Burnham saying he wants to honour the UK’s commitments on defence spending, Healey will face the challenge of finding the extra money he believed the last government failed to deliver to keep the UK safe.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch welcomed Burnham to his new role but said he has not ”set out a clear plan for Government”.
She said ”Britain needs a leader who can take difficult decisions, not a people pleaser” and criticised him for ”promising to undo Margaret Thatcher’s policies”. (Excerpt from BBC News)
S President Donald Trump has imposed a 50 per cent tariff on a wide range of goods imported from Canada, in retaliation for what he called ”unequal treatment” of US cars, dairy, and alcohol.
The duties take effect within 30 days and mark a major escalation in trade tensions between the North American neighbours.
Prime Minister Mark
Carney responded by saying Canada stood ready to ”intensify” trade talks with US in the coming weeks.
Goods targeted range from everyday consumer items like wine and hockey sticks to industrial goods such as commercial cement. However, several key exports will be spared, such as energy, potash, critical minerals and fish.
The new duties apply to
all covered goods regardless of whether the product was included under the existing free trade agreement between Canada, the US and Mexico, known as the USMCA.
”This is the latest in a series of unilateral US trade actions that began with the US imposing a series of tariffs in direct violation of the Canada-United StatesMexico Agreement,” Carney said in a statement on X. He also referred to ”threats to Canadian sovereignty”, a possible reference to Trump’s calls to make America’s northern neighbour the 51st US state. Monday’s import taxes build on trade barriers already in place between the two nations.
(Excerpt from BBC News)
India’s youth-led
Cockroach Janta Party movement said on Monday a federal minister had promised the Government would weigh its demands as thousands of protesters marched on Parliament despite Police efforts to scatter them with tear gas and cane charges.
The months-old movement and the protest are seen as the biggest public challenge to Prime Minister
Narendra Modi in his third term, drawing millions of supporters on social media before broadening its appeal to Opposition parties.
A Police decision to forcibly move hunger-striking activist Sonam Wangchuk to hospital on Saturday galvanised a movement demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over examination paper leaks.
Members say the lea-
king of the papers for a national entrance test to medical school in May – which forced some two million students to resit, and led to some taking their own lives – was a sign of deep-seated corruption in education.
Thousands of young supporters gathered through the night at the protest site of Jantar Mantar in New Delhi for the march on the opening day of parliament’s monsoon session.
”Quit, quit,” the protesters chanted. ”Dharmendra Pradhan quit”, ”Narendra Modi quit”, they said in Hindi. Scores of Police and paramilitary personnel turned out across the capital, stopping protesters as they chanted and waved the national flag. Protests also took place in Bangalore and in Mumbai, where police detained demonstrators and took them away in vans, witnesses said.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Having an open mind will lead to a fresh start. Pay attention to what others say and do, but take the path that offers peace of mind. Doing for yourself will help eliminate interference and criticism.
Stop putting pressure on yourself. A pick-me-up will help you get back on track. Don’t lose sight of your goals or let anyone challenge you. Put your energy into bringing about positive changes.
Refuse to let anger set in when focusing on yourself and your health. Sign up for activities that allow you to blow off steam, and recruit people who make healthy decisions or who can help you put the past behind you.
Disillusionment regarding your status quo or skills will lead to overestimating or underestimating situations that require more thought and a mental adjustment to ensure you aren’t compromised.
Embrace life wholeheartedly. Look beyond the norm, and you’ll find something or someone of interest. A change is overdue, and finding ways to assist others will help you appreciate all that you have.
Take the time to hear what others have to say. What you learn about yourself will help you use your attributes more effectively. A heated discussion will change how you feel about someone.
You can learn the easy way or the hard way. Don’t limit your chances by neglecting what’s expected of you. The more you do, the more you’ll get back. Step back from personal relationships that confuse you.
Problems you encounter will result from overreacting due to emotional pressures and concerns. Take a deep breath and use your rationale to decide how to proceed.
Back up your plans with a little cash and plenty of energy to see matters through to the end. The effort you put in will help you gain points with those in a position to help you get ahead.
You are in a better position than you realize. Don’t let an outsider lead you to believe you are at a disadvantage. Keep in mind that overdoing and outperforming are not the same thing.
Put pressure on yourself to bring about change. Complaining without acting won’t help you resolve emotional issues. Revisit your dreams, put a plan in place and don’t be afraid of failure.
Socializing, attending networking events and stepping into the spotlight will put you front and center and invite new friendships and the help necessary to make a difference.
Guyana Under-19s ended their preliminary round campaign in the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Rising Stars Men’s Under-19 50-Over Championship on a disappointing note after suffering a crushing 219-run defeat to the Windward Islands on Monday.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, the Windward Islands piled up an imposing 315 for nine from their allotted 50 overs, thanks to a dominant batting display led by Captain Theo Edward and opener Derwin Lewis.
The pair laid the perfect platform with a commanding opening partnership of 157, putting the Guyanese bowlers under pressure from the onset.
Edward led by example with a blistering 87 from just 58 deliveries, striking 11 fours and four sixes before departing. Lewis provided excellent support with 73 from 71 balls, an
innings decorated with five fours and six sixes.
Late in the innings, Cody Fontinelle added further punishment with a quickfire 33 off just 20 balls, smashing one four
and four sixes to propel the Windwards beyond the 300-run mark.
Despite the heavy scoring, Adrian Hetmyer was the standout performer with the ball for Guyana,
claiming four wickets for 47 runs, while Gilbert Griffith supported well with three for 36.
Faced with a daunting target of 316, Guyana’s batting line-up collapsed spectacularly, producing one of their poorest performances of the tournament.
Wickets tumbled regularly as no specialist batsman managed to offer meaningful resistance. In a telling statistic, number 11 batsman Darwin Joseph emerged as Guyana’s top scorer with a brisk 33 from just 19 balls, highlighting the extent of the batting failure.
Guyana were eventually dismissed for just 96 in 17 overs, handing the Windward Islands a comprehensive 219-run victo-
West Side Secondary defeated Bush Lot Secondary
by nine wickets to win the Zone Seven title in the 2026 Beharry Under-19 Schools
T20 Cricket Tournament at the Cotton Tree Ground in Berbice on Sunday.
Colombia
Guyana will be represented by a 17-member youth team at the XXXVI Pan American Youth Chess Festival, scheduled for July 26 to August 2 in Medellín, Colombia.
The Guyanese team comprise national junior champion Kyle Couchman; Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Aditi Joshi, Alexander Zhang, Alek Ubaldo-Singh, Aiden Tinnie, Amaya Sharma, Vir Narine, Abel Fernandez Ciria, Mark
Defreitas, Jeremiah Jacobs, Jordon Jacobs, Emma John, Rebha Lachhman, Divya Persaud, Pranav Suman, Sanjay Suman, and Arian Tinnie.
Couchman is the highest-rated Guyanese player entered with an international rating of 1962. WCM Joshi is rated 1745, while Zhang has a rating of 1634 and Ubaldo-Singh is rated 1582.
Aiden Tinnie will enter with a rating of 1510,
followed by Sharma at 1479, Narine at 1452 and Fernandez Ciria at 1412.
Defreitas, Jeremiah Jacobs, Jordon Jacobs, John, Lachhman, Persaud, Pranav Suman, Sanjay Suman and Arian Tinnie are not yet rated at the international level.
The competition will be played from July 27 to August 1 at the Guillermo Gaviria Correa Combat Coliseum in Medellín. It will feature nine rounds under the Swiss system and international ratings will be on offer.
Players will have 90 minutes for their games, with an additional 30 seconds added after each move.
The festival covers the Open and Girls’ Under-8 to Under-18 divisions.
The event is being organised by the Confederation of Chess for America and the Colombian Chess Federation. Jenny Panesso Rivera is the tournament director, while International Arbiter Norbey Rodriguez Alvarez will serve as the chief arbiter.
The final, originally scheduled for 20 overs, was reduced to 15 overs owing to the weather. Bush Lot struggled to 77 for nine, with Matthew Sugrim leading the batting with 27.
Romel Sukhnandan took two wickets for three runs, Kishan Ramroop claimed two for four and Ricardo Laurie collected two for 13 for West Side.
West Side replied with 82 for one inside 11 overs. Ricardo Danesar struck an unbeaten 54, while Davendra Samaroo finished on 17 not out as they guided their team to the title with almost the entire batting order unused.
The final completed a triple-header at the venue after West Side and Bush Lot recorded commanding victories in their respective
semi-finals earlier in the day.
West Side advanced with a 69-run victory over Woodley Park Secondary. Batting first, West Side posted 115 for seven from 15 overs, led by Danesar’s 35 from 20 balls. Nathan Karamchand contribut ed 13.
Rafeek Ali took three wickets for 12 runs and Zaheed Khodabux claimed two for 29 for Woodley Park. However, Woodley Park were dis missed for 46 in 10.4 overs during the chase.
Mohit Nemdhari, who made 13, was the only bat ter to reach double figures. Laurie took three for seven and Sukhnandan returned three for 11 for West Side.
ry.
Elran Glasgow was the chief destroyer with four wickets for 30 runs, while Tyler Venner provided excellent support, taking three for 11 as the Guyanese innings folded well short of the target. The defeat brought a disappointing end to Guyana’s preliminary round campaign, with the team failing to build on the promise shown in their lone victory earlier in the tournament. The comprehensive nature of the loss exposed significant shortcomings with the bat, as the Guyanese were unable to cope with the disciplined Windward Islands bowling attack after already conceding a formidable total.
Bush Lot secured their place in the final with a 61over
Rosignol Secondary. Bush Lot made 91 for seven from 15 overs after batting first, with Trevon Gladstone top-scoring with 15.
Tyrel Paul took two wickets for 19 runs and Varinda claimed two for 15 for Rosignol. Their batters were then restricted to 30 for six in the ninth over, with none reaching double figures.
Afzal Amir led Bush Lot’s bowling effort with five wickets for 11 runs to secure the victory and a place in the final.
of West Indies celebrates his half-century during the fourth One-Day International
disappointment surrounding the defeat, noting how much was riding on the contest, but stressed the importance of learning
question our bowlers at all. They gave heart and soul for the team,” Jangoo said.
The left-hander singled out Gudakesh Motie, whose outstanding five-wicket haul kept West Indies in contention until the final stages of the chase.
“I think I’m pretty
est Indies batsman Amir Jangoo admitted the team’s one-wicket defeat to New Zealand was a “tough pill to swallow”, but believes the regional side has the quality to respond as ODI, said while he was satisfied with his personal contribution, it was overshadowed by the disappointing result that saw New Zealand take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the fivematch series.
“We have one more game of cricket to play. We got some amazing support from the Bajan supporters today, so I think we have to come out and play with pride and get a win,” he shared.
He acknowledged the
“We know how much was at stake here for this game. It’s all about understanding where we went wrong and knowing the quality that we have in our team. Going forward, we know what we have to work on and for the qualifiers, we’ll be ready.”
Jangoo reserved special praise for the West Indies bowling attack, which almost pulled off an unlikely victory to defend a modest total of 188.
“I think we can never
“It was good to see Gudakesh get those five wickets. With the quality this team has, I don’t think we deserve to be going to the qualifiers, but that’s the position we’re in.”
Jangoo also highlighted the promise shown by the pace attack, including Jayden Seales, Matthew Forde, and emerging fast bowler Vitel Lawes.
“We know the quality
that we have in our dressing room Jayden, Matthew and all the bowlers, even young Vitel Lawes, who has made a breakthrough in this series. Those are great signs to see.” He concluded by insisting the focus must now be on producing more consistent performances.
“As we go forward now, we have to play the right cricket and get those wins on the board for West Indies.”
West Indies will have one final opportunity to end the series on a positive note when the fifth ODI bowls off at 14:30h today at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown.
Alex Mendes moved to the top of the Keep Fit Series standings after placing
third in Race
Mendes collected five points to increase his to -
12, one ahead of
FIDE Master (FM)
Anthony Drayton and Candidate Master (CM) Taffin Khan are off to represent Guyana in the chess competition of the XXV Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games Santo Domingo 2026 in the Dominican Republic.
The two Guyanese chess players will compete in the round-robin format of Rapid and Blitz games from July 25 to July 28, 2026, at the Chess Pavilion of the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Centre in Santo Domingo.
FM Drayton and CM Khan, after having qualified last January via a hybrid tournament for the final rounds of
countries includes Barbados, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba,
the CAC Chess Competition, will face their Central American and Caribbean counterparts in stiff competition over the board in the Absolute Category.
The line-up of competing
El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela.
Drayton and Khan, two of
Guyana’s most seasoned players, have long been at the forefront of the national chess scene. Drayton, the reigning National Blitz Champion, aims to make an impact on the international stage during this tournament. Meanwhile, Khan, a household name in Guyanese chess whose extensive experience speaks for itself, looks to sharpen his Rapid and Blitz skills at the boards.
Following the event, both players will gear up to represent Guyana at the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, this September.
The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) extended its warmest wishes to both players for a successful and rewarding tournament.
“Their participation marks another positive milestone for the growing Federation as they join fellow Guyanese athletes from various sporting disciplines competing at the CAC Games Santo Domingo 2026. The GCF wishes to thank the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) for sponsoring the players and making their participation possible under the Association’s auspices,” the Federation noted.
Newton. Persaud’s victory moved him into third position with 10 points.
Persaud completed the 36-lap Open race in one hour and 16 minutes to secure the maximum 10 points. Segun Hubbard finished second and earned seven points, while Mendes followed in third.
Andre Greene placed fourth to collect three points, Geron Williams earned two points for fifth, and Newton secured one point after finishing sixth. A total of 37 cyclists registered for the event.
Tandeia Noel was the only female cyclist in action. She completed 20 laps
and received 10 points.
The series began on July 11, when Newton won the opening 30-lap race in one hour, nine minutes and 22 seconds. Mendes finished second, while Christopher Griffith placed third.
Paul Choo-wee-nam, Jaikarran Sukhai., and Julio Meville occupied the remaining points-paying positions in Race One.
The Keep Fit Series is an initiative of the Kaieteur Attack Racing Cycle Club aimed at providing cyclists with track time and regular competition in the absence of sponsored races.
Events are expected to be held on free weekends throughout the year. The points accumulated from each race will be added together, with the leading performers receiving awards at the end of the series.
Men’s standings after two races:
1.
12
11
10
7
3
5
2
3
2
1 point
The Jamaica Kingsmen on Monday announced their seven-man overseas contingent ahead of the 2026 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL), bringing together a blend of established Pakistan international talent and rising stars from the subcontinent’s domestic and franchise circuits.
Led by Pakistan’s Saim Ayub who is no stranger to the CPL, the Kingsmen’s international roster also includes Maaz Sadaqat, Usman Khan, Hassan Khan, Hunain Shah, Shayan Jahangir, and Tayyab Arif.
The Kingsmen’s overseas plans for the 2026 campaign have been carefully structured around player availability. Hassan Khan and Shah are fully available for the entire tournament and will be with the squad from day one, giving the side a settled all-rounder and a strike bowling option throughout the campaign.
Jahangir and Arif will also link up with the team at the start of the season, filling out the overseas roster
Gduring the opening phase.
From August 19, the Kingsmen’s overseas group will transition into its second phase, with Ayub, Sadaqat, and Usman Khan joining the squad. At that point, they will move into the places held by Jahangir and Arif, giving the franchise fresh firepower for the back end of the tournament.
Sadaqat is a left-handed batting all-rounder who has emerged as one of Pakistan’s most exciting young whiteball talents. An explosive top-order batter who also offers useful left-arm orthodox spin, he has represented Pakistan at the One-Day
International (ODI) level and impressed on the domestic and franchise circuit, including a standout run at the 2025 Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament.
Ayub is a Pakistan international recognised as one of the most destructive left-handed batters in whiteball cricket today. An opener known for his aggressive stroke play and improvisational skills, he has become a key figure for Pakistan across formats and adds valuable off-break bowling to the Kingsmen’s attack.
Usman Khan brings a formidable record as a right-handed wicketkeep-
er-batter, having established himself as one of the most feared strikers of the ball in franchise cricket worldwide. A Pakistan international, his ability to change games in a matter of overs makes him a dangerous middle-order addition.
Hassan Khan is a versatile right-handed all-rounder whose slow left-arm orthodox bowling and lower-middle order hitting have made him a valuable presence across franchise leagues internationally. His experience across multiple T20 competitions adds depth and balance to the squad.
Shah is a right-arm me-
dium-fast bowler who has built a reputation for composure under pressure in franchise cricket. Part of a wellknown cricketing family, he offers control and firepower with the new ball and at the death.
Jahangir is a right-handed wicketkeeper-batter who represents the United States national team. A dependable gloveman with a strong record across franchise competitions, he brings international experience and reliability behind the stumps during the opening phase of the campaign.
Arif is a right-handed batter with a strong domes-
tic pedigree in Pakistan, having progressed through the national Under-19 pathway. He joins the Kingsmen looking to make his mark on the franchise stage during the tournament’s early phase. With this overseas group complementing a core of West Indian talent, the Jamaica Kingsmen head into the 2026 Republic Bank CPL with a squad built for both immediate impact and sustained depth across the tournament. The franchise will continue to work closely with its overseas contingent as the season progresses, with further squad updates to follow.
AC has announced its partnership with the Global Super League (GSL) as the Official Automotive Partner for the tournament’s third season, further strengthening the brand’s growing presence across the Caribbean and its commitment to supporting world-class sporting events.
The GSL has quickly established itself as one of the Region’s premier cricket tournaments, bringing together champion franchises from around the world to compete in Guyana.
Sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Cricket West Indies (CWI), the tournament showcases elite talent while delivering exciting entertainment to cricket fans across the Caribbean and beyond.
The top stables are close on
As the 2026 Guyana Cup horse-racing meet approaches, last year’s “Stable of the Year”, J’s Racing Stable are at the top of the owners’ points table. August 23 is the date set for the iconic running of the 18th Guyana Cup, and all the top stables will be vying for the crown. After five race events this year, J’s Racing Stable recorded seven wins, 10 second places and eight third spots from 45 starts.
Jumbo Jet Racing Stables and Master Z have been equally impressive with only 26 starts and 10
wins. The decorated stable also recorded six second spots this year.
Big G Racing Stables has four wins in 12 starts while Elcock Stables have
three wins in five starts. In Jagdeo Racing Stables’ 10 starts they have one win, one second place, and two third spots.
Slingerz Racing Stables has one second place and four third spots in seven starts this year.
The sweetest victory for every horse owner will only be the Guyana Cup crown, and with it just a month away, the stables will be intensifying preparations.
A total of 14 races will be held at this year’s Guyana Cup and more than $66 million in cash and prizes will be paid out.
The feature race, which will be the Banks Guyana Cup, will fetch a total purse of $22 million.
As the Official Automotive Partner, GAC will enjoy exclusive automotive category rights throughout the competition, with prominent brand visibility across the tournament’s broadcast, digital, and in-stadium platforms.
Fans can also expect to see GAC vehicles showcased at the venue, highlighting the brand’s innovative design, advanced technology, and growing model line-up.
The partnership will be spearheaded by HSM Motors, the official GAC dealer in Guyana, with support from Motorworld, GAC’s regional distributor for the Caribbean.
Together, they will leverage the GSL platform to further strengthen GAC’s connection with communities through sport, culture, and shared experiences. As one of the Caribbean’s fastest-growing automotive brands, GAC continues to expand its regional presence while championing initiatives that bring people together.
Welcoming the partnership, Sir Clive Lloyd, GSL Chairman, shared, “We are delighted to welcome GAC as the Official Automotive Partner of the Global Super League. GAC has demonstrated tremendous growth throughout the Caribbean and shares our commitment to excellence, innovation, and community engagement. We look forward to working together to elevate the fan experience and continue building the Global Super League into a world-class sporting event.”
Motorworld Chairman
Tariq Amjad added, “The Global Super League has rapidly become one of the most exciting sporting events in the Region, attracting worldclass talent and passionate cricket fans from around the globe. We are proud to partner with the tournament and introduce GAC to Guyana, the 22nd market in the Caribbean, through such a prestigious platform.
“GAC brings world-class engineering and manufacturing expertise, strengthened by more than two decades of producing vehicles through its joint ventures with Toyota and Honda in China. Renowned for its quality, reliability, and innovation, we are excited for the people of Guyana to discover the brand that has been making waves across the Caribbean.”
On the other hand, HSM Motors Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mikhail Hosein expressed, “This partnership marks an exciting opportunity to introduce GAC
to Guyanese consumers and showcase not only our award-winning vehicles, but also the confidence and peace of mind that come with purchasing through Guyana’s official GAC dealer, HSM Motors. Customers will benefit from the country’s best bumper-to-bumper warranty of 8 years or 160,000 km, genuine GAC parts, factory-trained technicians, and exceptional aftersales support. As we officially launch GAC in Guyana, our commitment extends far beyond selling vehicles. We are dedicated to delivering an ownership experience that reflects the quality, innovation, and reliability engineered into every GAC.”
The 2026 Global Super League will once again bring together champion teams from multiple cricketing nations in Guyana, providing a global stage for elite competition and unforgettable moments for fans. (GSLT20)
The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) on Monday articulated its support for the Guyanese populace amid the MV Barima tragedy, which occurred over the weekend.
The CPL shared in a statement, “The thoughts of everyone at the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) are with those who have been impacted by the MV Barima tragedy.
“Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, and to all who remain missing, as search and rescue efforts continue. We stand with Guyana and the wid-
er Caribbean community during this diffi- cult time. The CPL family sends strength and solidarity to all affected.”
The MV Barima was en route to Region One from
Aof
Georgetown when it capsized off the
Essequibo Coast on Saturday night. More than 100 passengers were estimated to have been on board the vessel, with some 69 persons rescued.
have
the “Land
The multi-sport event that will feature 10 disciplines and six para-sports will get underway on Thursday, July 23 before concluding on Sunday, August 2.
On Monday, a contingent of locally-based athletes and officials began their journey to Glasgow as they prepare to compete among some 3000 athletes expected at the Games.
Among the travelling contingent were swimming’s Aleka Persaud, 3x3 basketball’s Travis Belgrave alongside the entire boxing team which comprise Akeelah Vancooten, Keevin Allicock, Shakquain James, and Emmanuel Pompey.
Meanwhile, Boxing Coach Lennox Daniels, Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) Vice President Rawle Toney and physiotherapist Vanessa Wickham were also among the travelling Guyanese contingent.