...Caricom support for Guyana must be reflected not only in declarations – Pres Ali tells Chair
…as Guyana formally protests Venezuela’s provocation during visits to Barbados, Grenada
May 11 deadline set to clear vendors from
Respect worklife balance, protect workers’ mental health – PM urges employers Region 5 drug crackdown 2 charged for narco trafficking as Weldaad bust adds to major WCB seizures
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, April 29 –15:00h–16:30h and Thursday, April 30 – 15:35h–17:05h
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
Thundery showers are expected during the day, gradually easing to clear skies at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.
Winds: East-North-Easterly to Easterly between 3.57 metres and 5.36 metres.
High Tide: 15:19h reaching a maximum height of 2.52 metres.
Low Tide: 08:53h and 21:07h reaching minimum heights of 0.65 metre and 0.69 metre.
…warns against use of regional platforms in Guyana’s Essequibo claim controversy …reaffirms support for Guyana
he
TCaribbean Community (Caricom) on Tuesday reaffirmed its firm support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while cautioning that regional platforms should not be used to advance claims over Guyana’s Essequibo region that are currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
In a statement issued, Caricom said it had taken note of recent official engagements within the Community during which material asserting Venezuela’s claim to the Essequibo was publicly displayed. The regional body also acknowledged a letter sent on Tuesday by President Dr Irfaan Ali outlining Guyana’s grave concern over the matter.
The statement follows recent visits by Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez to Barbados and Grenada, during which she wore a brooch depicting a map of Venezuela that included Guyana’s Essequibo region.
Caricom said while each Member State retains the sovereign right to conduct bilateral relations with external partners, those engagements must remain consistent with the Community’s shared obligations under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.
“At the centre of those commitments stands the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, the binding legal instrument that defines the Community, its objectives, and the conduct expected of its Member States,” the statement said.
The regional bloc added that Member States must remain mindful of their collective responsibilities to uphold international law, respect judicial processes, and maintain good neighbourly relations.
Caricom further stressed that Community platforms and engagements should not be used, directly or indirectly, to advance or appear to legitimise claims that are the subject of ongoing judicial proceedings before the ICJ.
“The Community’s longstanding and unequivocal support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana and for the peaceful resolution of the controversy through the court remains firm and unchanged,” Caricom stated.
Earlier on Tuesday, President Ali wrote to Caricom Chairman and Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr Terrance Drew, expressing concern that Venezuela’s territorial claim was being projected during official regional engagements.
In his letter, the Guyanese Head of State said Caricom’s support for Guyana should be reflected not only in declarations but also in the context and conduct of official meetings.
“The use of Caricom engagements to project or promote a territorial claim against a Member State risks being interpreted as acquiescence or tolerance,” President Ali stated.
He added that Venezuela’s use of symbols, maps, legislation and appointments concerning the Essequibo while the matter is before the ICJ undermines confidence in its stated commitment to peaceful settlement and international law.
The Private Sector Commission (PSC) also condemned the displays, warning that such actions could undermine regional stability and weaken principles of peaceful dispute resolution.
The latest developments come ahead of oral hearings at the ICJ scheduled for May 4. Guyana is seeking a final and binding confirmation of the 1899 Arbitral Award, which settled the land boundary between Guyana and Venezuela.
But in furtherance of its spurious claims to more than two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass – the entire Essequibo region and a portion of Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), where over 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe) have been found and production as well as other exploration activities are currently being undertaken offshore –Venezuela has been heightening its aggressive tactics towards Guyana over the years. Just over a year ago on March 1, 2025, there was an incursion into Guyana’s waters by Venezuelan naval vessels which threatened several oil vessels operating there, something which was
widely condemned by the international Community, including the United States. However, there was a belief that the January 3 capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in Caracas by US troops to face criminal indictments in New York would have seen an ease in aggression from the Spanish-speaking neighbour. But just last month, Guyana had to reaffirm the country’s sovereignty over its maritime jurisdiction, telling Caracas that it has no legal rights to the waters off of Guyana’s coast.
This was after Venezuela had raised objections to a decision made by the Guyana Government to advance a three-dimensional multi-client seismic exploration to gather data from a 25,000-square-kilometre offshore area within Guyana’s EEZ.
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 disclosure on Tuesday of 13 workplace fatalities and 64 nonfatal injuries recorded between January and April 2026 presents a sobering reminder that occupational safety in Guyana remains an urgent national concern. Despite measurable progress in recent years, the persistence of preventable deaths and injuries underscores that current efforts, while commendable, are insufficient to fully safeguard workers across all sectors of the economy.
The concerns articulated by Labour and Manpower Planning Minister Keoma Griffith at the Occupational Safety and Health Symposium at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre are necessary. The minister’s assessment of the figures as “deeply troubling” reflects an evidence-based recognition that workplace safety must move beyond procedural compliance toward a fully embedded culture of prevention, accountability, and zero tolerance for unsafe practices.
The data presented paints a dual reality, i.e., on one hand, the period between 2020 and 2025 demonstrates tangible improvements. Over 6186 occupational safety and health inspections were conducted across high- and low-risk sectors, reaching more than 27,000 workers nationwide. These interventions contributed to a 12.78 per cent reduction in fatalities and a near 50 per cent decline in non-fatal incidents. Such figures illustrate that sustained regulatory engagement, monitoring, and inspection can produce meaningful outcomes when consistently applied.
On the other hand, the resurgence in fatalities in early 2026 signals that gains remain fragile. The persistence of workplace deaths, including recent incidents such as the fatal collapse of a building under construction at Atlantic Gardens, East Coast Demerara, where a carpenter lost his life and others were injured, highlights the continued risks present in construction and other high-hazard industries. These events reinforce that compliance gaps, inadequate oversight at critical sites, and lapses in safety protocols continue to have devastating human consequences.
The Government’s stated commitment to strengthening enforcement capacity and modernising legal and policy frameworks is therefore a necessary course of action. Occupational safety and health standards cannot remain aspirational. They must be enforceable, measurable, and consistently applied across every sector. Expanding inspectorate capacity and ensuring responsive legislation are essential steps toward closing existing enforcement gaps. However, regulatory expansion alone is insufficient without corresponding changes at the level of workplace culture and management responsibility.
A critical aspect of the minister’s position lies in the recognition that occupational safety and health must evolve beyond the traditional focus on physical hazards. Increasingly, evidence supports the view that psychosocial risks, including stress, burnout, harassment, excessive workloads, job insecurity, and poor organisational culture, contribute significantly to workplace illness and reduced productivity. These factors, though less visible than physical hazards, are equally capable of undermining worker well-being and safety outcomes.
This broader framing of occupational health represents an important shift in policy thinking. Modern workplaces require holistic safety systems that address both physical and psychological risks. Failure to account for mental health stressors not only compromises individual well-being but also increases the likelihood of errors, accidents, and systemic breakdowns in safety compliance.
The distinction made between compliance and prevention is particularly significant. Compliance, while necessary, often operates as a reactive mechanism, responding to incidents after they occur or enforcing minimum standards. Prevention, by contrast, demands a proactive approach rooted in risk identification, hazard elimination, and the design of safe systems of work. The objective must be to ensure that injury, illness, and psychological distress are not accepted as occupational inevitabilities but are instead treated as avoidable outcomes.
The Government’s commitment through the signing of the third Decent Work Country Programme for 2025 to 2030, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization and national social partners, further reinforces this direction. The programme’s emphasis on strengthening occupational safety systems and preventative frameworks aligns with global best practices and signals continuity in policy focus.
Nevertheless, the recent increase in fatalities serves as a reminder that progress is neither linear nor guaranteed. Sustained vigilance, enforcement, and a shift in workplace attitudes are required to ensure that earlier gains are not reversed. The ultimate objective must be the establishment of a national occupational safety culture in which every worker, in every sector, is protected by systems designed to anticipate and prevent harm.
Dear Editor,
In his latest commentary, Christopher Ram concludes that the Government’s invitation for investment in the Guyana Ammonia and Urea Plant Inc (GAUP) and the gas bottling initiative is “illegal”.
This conclusion is not merely premature; it is analytically hollow and fundamentally misinterprets the stages of capital mobilisation.
A Fundamental Analytical Error. Ram’s primary failure lies in his mischaracterisation of the transaction’s current stage. The Government has issued an Expression of Interest (EOI). By definition, an EOI is a preliminary market-sounding exercise. It does not constitute a prospectus, it does not create enforceable investor rights, and it certainly does not amount to the “issuance” or “offering” of securities as defined by the Securities Industry Act (SIA).
Ram proceeds as though a completed securities offering already ex -
ists and, on that basis, pronounces illegality. One cannot establish a breach of the SIA in a vacuum where there is no defined financial instrument, no formal subscription terms, and no executed offering structure: To do so is a fundamental methodological error:
Misapplication of the Securities Industry Act. Ram invokes the “50-investor threshold” to argue that these entities are automatically public companies. This argument is technically incomplete. Statutory thresholds only become operative when there is an issued security and an established beneficial ownership structure.
At present, there is neither. Applying the SIA at this stage isn’t an application of law; it is a speculative extrapolation of a structure that does not yet exist.
A Misreading of the Procurement Framework: The critique regarding NICIL and the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) is equally
flawed.
1. NICIL is a stateowned entity subject to the Procurement Act. Any capital mobilisation it undertakes is governed by that very Act.
2. NPTAB’s involvement reflects the standard operation of the existing legal framework where transactions of this scale fall within its remit.
To suggest that NPTAB’s involvement is an “expansion of its function” is to ignore the statutory reality that governs public procurement for state-owned companies.
Premature Application of Law to an Undefined Structure: Perhaps the most telling flaw in Mr Ram’s analysis is the attempt to apply final statutory conclusions to a structure that is not yet constituted. At this stage, the legal form of the entities is not finalised, and the transaction architecture is not complete.
Legal obligations arise from executed transactions, not from preliminary discovery phases. Pronouncing illegality
now is methodologically unsound and lacks evidentiary basis.
A Recurring Pattern of Distorted Interpretation. This approach reflects a broader, recurring pattern in Ram’s commentaries: a reliance on partial readings of statutes and the drawing of conclusions long before the evidentiary threshold is met. This is not analytical rigour; it is conjecture presented as a definitive conclusion.
Conclusion: The Government’s invitation is a preliminary capital mobilisation exercise, not a completed securities offering. The legal test of compliance – whether under the SIA or the Companies Act – can only be applied once the investment structure is designed and investor rights are formalised.
Ram’s attempt to declare the initiative “illegal” fails that test. In the absence of a demonstrable breach of law, his claim is not only premature – it is fundamentally untenable.
Yours respectfully, Joel Bhagwandin
The Government will soon roll out a nationwide community outreach programme to identify ideal areas for its co-investment initiative in care centres, Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud has announced.
The Government is prepared to offer targeted tax incentives and other forms of support to individuals interested in establishing child care and elderly care centres nationwide.
Speaking on the Starting Point programme, Dr Persaud explained that the initiative will be implemented through a range of flexible models.
“What the co-invest model looks at, and where Government is looking to co-invest, is Government spending part of the money and the person, the woman or women, having something to offer that will together
create enough to start. So, it could be the Government helping to complete a space, furnish a space, or furnish the space only. So, there are different models. It could also be not only an individual but also the consortium, the group of women. It could be a faith-based organisation. It could be an NGO. It could be civil society. So, there are many different models we are looking at with the preponderance of women, especially,” she explained.
She emphasised that the individuals involved in the venture must be trained in care, something which is being offered for free by the Government.
Meanwhile, apart from having the physical space to facilitate the establishment of a care centre, the Minister explained that environmental factors are also important.
In this regard, she said
the Government plans to conduct a series of community engagements across the country on this initiative.
“I’ll be going on all of them to let women know directly, okay, we’re coming to your community. This is what we’re looking at. Does your community have what is required, and is that their need? Do you have people who are going out there to work? Do you have the kind of influx of children in that community? Are you close to an existing centre? So, all of those things are very important in the process going forward,” Dr Persaud noted.
Moreover, the Human Services Minister assured all interested persons that the Ministry will provide the necessary support throughout the entire process.
“We will be providing technical support from beginning to end. And we will continue to monitor because one of the things we want to
do is when we make a capital investment, when we make any kind of investment, we want people to actualise their dream… We will walk you through all the steps, and we’ll make sure this is a reality. We will monitor you and track you to make sure you’re delivering the kind of service. It has to be in alignment with our standards as regards the Child Protection Agency,” she noted.
“And it is something I think is so needed that when it starts, I think then people realise what kind of impact it would have. Because let’s face it, a lot of women out there have delayed going into work, into careers, even into study because childcare was not where it should have been,” the Minister added.
A key priority of the initiative is to ensure that rates remain affordable.
“One of the things we’ll be asking all of these persons who work with us is to
cap their rates so that it’s affordable. If we’re going to invest with you while you’re going to earn, and we want you to earn, be affordable,” Dr Persaud expressed.
Additionally, the Government previously stated that another key intention of this initiative is to create hundreds of community-based entrepreneurs.
The Georgetown Mayor and City Council (GM&CC) have set a May 11 deadline for the removal and relocation of vendors operating at a key city monument site, with immediate action to be taken against unauthorised sellers as they move to enforce previously announced plans.
The decision was taken at a statutory meeting on Monday, where Mayor Alfred Mentore said the council would move to remove vendors who were not part of the original engagement process while working to relocate a limited number of approved vendors to a designated area.
Concerns were raised during the meeting over the growing number of vendors at the location, congestion, and the impact on the site’s significance as a national and cultural landmark, prompting calls for urgent enforcement.
The municipality said all unauthorised vendors would be removed without delay, while preparations are ongoing to accommodate approved vendors, including the development of a designated space and supporting infrastructure.
The move follows earlier decisions by the Georgetown Mayor and city council in March of this year to clear
for their livelihood.
Mayor Mentore indicated that while enforcement would proceed, the council
would also continue engagements with affected vendors to identify alternative arrangements where possible.
APRIL 29, 2026
During the meeting, councillors expressed differing views on how the mat-
vendors from around the Square of the Revolution, also known as the 1763 Monument or Cuffy Square, amid concerns about congestion and the impact on the site’s historical and cultural significance. Reports at the time indicated that vendors were to be served notices to vacate, with relocation options to be explored.
ter should be handled, with some calling for the immediate removal of all vendors from the site to protect the monument, while others urged a more measured approach, noting that many vendors depend on the area
1. What is the place value of the 7 in 35,740?
(A) tens
(B) hundreds (C) thousands (D) tens of thousands
2. The expanded notation, (4 x 1,000) + (9 x 100) + (5 x 1), can be written as (A) 4,905 (B) 4,915 (C) 4,950 (D) 4,951
3. Which of the following groups of numbers is arranged in ascending order?
(A) 4,337 4,373 4,673 4,367 (B) 4,373 4,337 4,367 4,673
4. Which of the following numbers is both a factor and a multiple of 12?
(A) 6 (B) 12 (C) 24 (D) 36
Question 5 refers to the number sequence below.
2, 4, 8, __, 32, 64
5. What is the missing number in the sequence?
(A) 10 (B) 12 (C) 14 (D) 16
6. Which of the following numbers will correctly complete the number sentence below?
3.6 x ___ = 360
(A) 0 (B) 10 (C) 100 (D) 1 000
Question 7 refers to the pattern below.
7. Which of the following shapes will correctly complete the pattern?
8. A rope, 750 meters long, is cut into 10 equal pieces. What is the length, in metres, of each piece? (A) 5 (B) 7 (C) 50 (D) 75
Question 9 refers to the set below. Set X = {A, E, I, O, U}
9. Which of the following best describes Set X?
(A) {Letters of the alphabet} (B) {Consonants of the alphabet} (C) {Vowels of the English alphabet} (D) {First five letters of the English alphabet}
Question 10 refers to the set below. Set P = {10, 20, 30}
10. Which of the following sets is equal to Set P?
(A) { } (B) {1, 2, 3} (C) {0, 1, 2, 3} (D) {30, 20, 10}
which is similar to tooth enamel. When placed in different
drinks, sugary liquids can stain the shell, while acidic liquids (like vinegar or orange juice) can weaken or dissolve it – just like acids can damage your teeth. Water and milk show little change because they don’t harm the shell. If toothpaste were used, it may protect part of the egg from stains or damage. Brushing can remove some stains, but it cannot fix any erosion, showing why protecting teeth is important.
(Adapted from forsyth.org)
By MAXINE KUMIN
From a documentary on marsupials I learn that a pillowcase makes a fine substitute pouch for an orphaned kangaroo.
I am drawn to such dramas of animal rescue. They are warm in the throat. I suffer, the critic proclaims, from an overabundance of maternal genes.
Bring me your fallen fledgling, your bummer lamb, lead the abused, the starvelings, into my barn. Advise the hunted deer to leap into my corn.
And had there been a wild child— filthy and fierce as a ferret, he is called in one nineteenth-century account— a wild child to love, it is safe to assume, given my fireside inked with paw prints, there would have been room.
Think of the language we two, same and not-same, might have constructed from sign, scratch, grimace, grunt, vowel:
Laughter our first noun, and our long verb, howl.
(Source: Poetry [October/November 1987])
not only in declarations –
President Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday penned a stern letter to Chairman of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and Prime Minister (PM) of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr Terrance Drew, expressing Guyana’s deep concern over the provocative act by Venezuela’s acting President, Delcy Rodríguez, who wore a brooch depicting the Essequibo region as part of Venezuela, during her recent visits to Barbados and Grenada. Rodriquez, during an official visit to Barbados, wore a brooch with a map of Venezuela which includes Guyana’s Essequibo region. Rodriquez wore a similar brooch during her earlier state visit to Grenada.
In his letter, the Guyanese leader noted that “Caricom’s principled support for Guyana must be reflected not only in declarations, but also in the context and conduct of official engagements.” President Ali outlined that Guyana fully respects the sovereign right of Caricom Member States to conduct bilateral relations with all partners, including Venezuela. However, he noted that it is deeply regrettable that such engagements have been accompanied by the prominent display of symbols asserting Venezuela’s claim to Guyana’s territory.
“The use of Caricom engagements to project or promote a territorial claim against a Member State risk being interpreted as
Some 13 lives were lost due to workplace incidents between January and April 2026, with another 60 persons sustaining injuries – a phenomenon that is quite troubling, according to Labour and Manpower Planning Minister Keoma Griffith.
“While we’ve made significant strides, the statistics for the period of January to April 2026 are deeply troubling. For this period, there have been 13 workplace fatalities and 64
acquiescence or tolerance. No action, whether deliberate or inadvertent, should create the impression that the Community’s platforms may be used to advance claims now before the International Court of Justice (ICJ),” the letter noted.
President Ali added that this is not a matter of symbolism alone, but, “a calculated and provocative assertion of a claim that Guyana has consistently and lawfully rejected, and which is before the International Court of Justice for final adjudication.”
He contended that Venezuela cannot, while the case is before the World Court, seek to normalise by symbols, maps, legislation, appointments or official display what it has failed to establish in law. “Such conduct does not strengthen Venezuela’s case; it undermines confidence in its stated commitment to peaceful settlement, international law, and good neighbourly relations,” he posited. Moreover, the Guyanese Head of State outlined in the letter that Guyana’s consistent position is that the boundary between the two nations was settled by the 1899 Arbitral Award, which determined the boundary as a full, perfect and final settlement.
“Venezuela’s revival of the claim decades later, and its more recent mea-
non-fatal incidents. This increase is unacceptable and underscores the urgent need for stricter compliance and health and safety protocols. We must therefore confront this conundrum head-on, and it demands from us a decisive paradigm shift, one that moves us beyond reactive compliance to a culture of proactive prevention, accountability, and zero tolerance for unsafe practices,” the Minister stated. He was at the time addressing the Occupational
sures purporting to annex the Essequibo and appoint officials for that territory, form part of a pattern of conduct inconsistent with international law and the process to which the matter has been submitted,” the letter added. President Ali reminded that these actions persist notwithstanding the Order of the Court of 1 December 2023, which required Venezuela not to take any action that would modify the situation that currently prevails in the territory in dispute, whereby Guyana administers and exercises control over that area and required both parties to refrain from any action that might aggravate or extend the dispute or make it more difficult to resolve.
Against this backdrop, President Ali stated in the letter: “I am writing to you, the current Chairman of Caricom, conveying Guyana’s concern and urging continued vigilance in safeguarding the Community’s principled position.”
Unequivocal support
President Ali also reminded, via the correspondence, that all Caricom Heads of Government have repeatedly pledged their unequivocal support for
Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and for the resolution of the controversy through the judicial process before the Court. In fact, he reminded that that position was reaffirmed most recently at the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government. In this regard, President Ali noted that Guyana remains fully committed to the peaceful resolution of this matter in accordance with international law, expressing that “we continue to repose our confidence in the Court and to respect its processes and eventual judgment.” At the same time, he said Guyana expects all States, including Venezuela, to act consistently with the principles of the United Nations (UN) Charter, refrain from provocation and respect the ongoing judicial process.
These actions from Caracas come as the border controversy case is set for oral hearings on May 4, after which, the World Court would deliberate on its decision. Guyana is seeking a final and binding affirmation of the 1899 Arbitral Award, which demarcates the boundary between the two nations.
Safety and Health Symposium at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, on Tuesday.
On this note, he noted that the Government will continue to strengthen enforcement and compliance in health and safety.
“We will expand the capacity to reach our inspectorate, and we will take the necessary steps to ensure that our legal and policy framework remains responsive, modern, and fully
equipped to address evolving workplace risks and fatalities. Occupational safety and health standards must not be optional. They must be rigorously enforced across every sector in our economy.”
However, the Minister noted that between 2020 and 2025, the Ministry conducted 6186 occupational health and safety inspections across high-risk and low-risk sectors.
Yesterday, your Eyewitness ended his column by cryptically pointing out under the heading “Has… Delcy been encouraged?” that “Venezuela’s Pres Delcy Rodriguez continues her diplomatic wooing of Caricom in the run-up to the ICJ’s hearings on their border controversy with us. She was in Barbados meeting PM Mia Mottley – a critic of the US’s Venezuelan action!!”
On the “encouragement” caption, he was questioning whether our response to Devious Delcy’s provocatively flaunting a brooch declaring Essequibo was Venezuela’s – in front of Grenada’s PM Dickon Mitchell – left the door open for other Caricom leaders turning a blind eye to further acts of aggression!! As your Eyewitness wrote last week, Devious Delcy “knew exactly what she was doing, because she – and the rest of the world – knew that the ICJ’s process on the border controversy was coming up on May 4!!”
That was only two weeks ago, and when Pres Ali was asked about the provocation while in Trinidad, he said, “We don’t take lightly any threats to the sovereignty of Guyana.” Now, the actual threat to our sovereignty, of course, was from Devious Delcy!! But that was to be expected since she was the hardliner on the border controversy who was delegated by Mad Maduro to personally reject the ICJ’s involvement – in front of that body!! But your Eyewitness was more concerned with the aptly named Dickon not objecting to the provocative brooch which was pissing on a repeatedly stated Caricom position on the issue!!
Pressie diplomatically suggested the posture that Dickon should’ve adopted by later thanking T&T’s PM, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, for “her very strong words and her decisive position on Guyana and on our sovereignty [and] our territorial integrity. We value that deeply. We value our friendship with Trinidad and Tobago. We see Trinidad as a brotherly and sisterly country and part of that community; we value that greatly.” Well, from what we saw in Barbados, while we always gotta try diplomacy – when it doesn’t work, like with Barbados PM Mottley also overlooking the provocation in her simpering appearance with Devious Delcy – then we gotta try more condign approaches!!
The Private Sector Commission (PSC) issued a very appropriate response by dubbing the provocation ‘symbolic aggression…neither incidental nor benign…but…deliberate and provocative!!’ We urge CARICOM and global partners to stand against provocation from Venezuela and defend the rule of law!!” The statement added, “Silence or inaction risks emboldening further escalation.” As your Eyewitness had pointed out after the Grenadian betrayal, “CARICOM members are trying every which way to piggyback on our fortuitous economic success; at a minimum, the organisation should’ve reiterated its “not a blade of grass” stance!!
Mottley can’t ride with the (Guyanese) hare and hunt with the (Venezuelan ALBA) hound!! Enough with the hugging!!
…and Charles III
The Yanks proudly point out that back in 1776, they threw out George III, King of Britain – also called “Mad George” – whose 60-year reign showed that the present escapades of the Royal Family are nothing new!! He became extremely rude to folks around him, suffered from hallucinations, started talking nonstop gibberish for hours at a time, and began making inappropriate advances towards women – even attempting several sexual assaults!! Move over, Andrew!!
Anyhow, even though the Yanks threw out the monarchy, there ain’t no people more besotted with the British royalty!! They positively go ga-ga over even a British accent – as we can see from any Hugh Grant movie! Well, right now, the present monarch, Charles III, is visiting – and all America is agog as to how Trump – who can be as imperious as they come!! – gonna deal with him and his consort Camilla!!
While in Britain the role of the monarchy is largely symbolic, let’s see how that symbolism plays out into policies!!
…from PNC scrutineer
During the never-ending PNC rigging trial, after PNC’s Chief Scrutineer Carol Joseph threatened the PPP’s witness, she exploded, “I am not going to take it. Trust me on that one… they don’t know who is me. I don’t play”!!
As Guyana joins the global community in observing World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2026, Prime Minister (PM) Mark Phillips has urged employers to prioritise workers’ wellbeing by respecting work-life balance and fostering healthy psychosocial work environments.
He made the call on Tuesday during the opening ceremony of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Symposium 2026 organised by the Labour and Manpower Planning Ministry.
World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2026, designated by the International Labour Organization (ILO), is being held under the theme “Let's ensure a healthy psychosocial working environment."
PM Phillips acknowledged that while Guyana has made significant strides in strengthening occupational health and safety standards, particularly
since the emergence of the oil and gas industry, there is still considerable work to be done in addressing the psychosocial aspects of workers’ wellbeing.
He emphasised that factors such as stress, burnout, poor communication, and limited autonomy in the workplace can create harmful conditions that undermine both employee health
and overall productivity.
The PM stressed that it is important for employers to respect boundaries between work and life, noting that “workers who are afforded the space to rest, engage with their families and maintain a sense of personal stability are healthier, more focused and far less prone to error.”
“Work-life balance becomes a critical safeguard, directly reinforcing the psychosocial wellbeing of employees. It strengthens morale, decreases burnout and creates environments where individuals can perform at their best without compromising their mental and emotional health,” he added.
For example, he referred to employees within the oil and gas sector and other extractive industries who face long rotations away from home and high-pressure environments where the cost of error is catastrophic.
The PM highlighted that "they carry the psychological weight of working in environments of physical risks, day after day, often far from loved ones…these are real pressures that affect judgement and concentration. And most critically, they can accumulate silently until they exceed a limit we are often unaware of.”
In this regard, Phillips called on employers to ensure their workers' roles are clearly defined and the processes governing their work are fair and transparent and to create an environment
where they can freely raise issues affecting their mental wellbeing.
“I’m calling on every employer…in every sector and industry to make a genuine commitment to psychosocial safety as a pillar of our quality, health safety, and environment framework. We must audit our workplace for physical and psychological hazards. We must train our managers to lead with empathy and create cultures where a worker can say, “I am not okay today” without fear of consequences,” he encouraged.
PM Phillips reminded us that Guyana’s transformation is powered by people, often at great personal sacrifice, and “as much as we owe them wages, we also owe them safe environments, physically and psychologically.”
He emphasised that thriving workers build strong organisations and strong organisations build strong nations.
The ILO has recognised that psychosocial factors, including workload, working time, role clarity, autonomy and workplace relationships, strongly influence how work is experienced.
The ILO’s 2026 campaign highlights the need for a preventive, system-wide approach. Its new global report examines psychosocial risks at three levels: the job itself, the way work is organised and managed, and the broader policies and practices that govern workplaces.
Drug enforcement operations along the West Coast Berbice corridor in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) have led to multiple arrests this year, with several interceptions recorded at policing points, including Weldaad and Fort Wellington.
The latest case saw two Berbice men remanded to prison on Monday after being charged in connection with a cannabis bust at Weldaad.
Antonio Peters, 21, a construction worker of Sheet Anchor Village, East Canje, and Delvin Semple, 28, a taxi driver of Timmers Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, appeared before Magistrate Michelle Matthias at the Blairmont Magistrate’s Court, where they faced a joint charge.
It is alleged that on April 23, while in Weldaad Village, the two men had 2600 grams (approximate-
ly 45.4 pounds) of cannabis in their possession for the purpose of trafficking. Both Peters and Semple pleaded not guilty.
In opposing bail, Police Prosecutor Sergeant Garfield Edwards told the court that at the time the narcotics were discovered, the defendants were the sole occupants of the vehicle. He further argued that both men posed a flight risk, highlighting that Semple had provided an inaccurate address, making it difficult for law enforcement officers to locate him if granted bail.
The prosecutor also informed the court that investigators have in their possession a video interview in which both accused allegedly admitted to having the narcotics. Given the seriousness of the offence, he urged the court to refuse bail.
Attorney-at-law Horatio Edmondson, who represented Peters, argued that the
prosecution initially opposed bail without properly establishing the nature of the substance. Following clarification by the magistrate that the substance is alleged to be cannabis pending confirmation, Edmondson further pointed out that there was no indication whether the substance had been sent for analysis and noted that no mention of a video interview was made in the initial disclosure.
After hearing submissions, Magistrate Matthias denied bail, citing the gravity of the offence. Peters and Semple were remanded to prison, and the matter was transferred to the Weldaad Magistrate’s Court.
According to Police, the men were arrested during a stop-and-search operation conducted at about 15:40h on April 23 along the Weldaad Public Road, West Coast Berbice. Officers intercepted a white Toyota Fielder waggon with the two occupants and, upon searching the vehicle, discovered four large parcels wrapped in transparent plastic containing leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis. The parcels were concealed in two multi-coloured shopping bags in the trunk.
The suspected narcotics, along with the vehicle and the two men, were taken to the Weldaad Police Station, where the substance was weighed in their presence and amounted to 45.4 pounds before being lodged.
Recently, there have also been drug interceptions by
He added that during that period, more than 27,000 workers benefited from OSH inspections nationwide, thus strengthening prevention and workplace resilience. These efforts, he noted, led to measurable improvements, including a 12.78 per cent decline in work-related fatalities and a near 50 per cent reduction in non-fatal incidents.
“Our commitment has been further reinforced through the signing of Guyana’s third Decent Work Country Programme for 2025 to 2030, in partnership with the International Labour Organization and our national social partners, which places emphasis on strengthening occupational safety and health systems and preventative frameworks.”
Nevertheless, the Minister noted that for far too long, occupational safety and health have been viewed primarily through the lens of physical hazards.
“Today, we recognise that psychosocial risks, stress, burnout, harassment, job insecurity, excessive workloads, and poor organisation-
al culture are just as real and just as dangerous. The evidence is clear.
Poor working environments contribute significantly to mental health challenges,” Griffith further added.
Compliance & prevention
Meanwhile, Griffith added that compliance alone does not protect workers, but rather, prevention does.
“Prevention essentially means identifying risks before they occur, designing systems that eliminate hazards, and creating environments where workers can thrive and not just survive. Injury, illness, or stress are not part of the job. They are preventable.”
He added that strong occupational safety and health outcomes require strong leadership, and as such, OSH must not sit in the margins of organisational operations but rather, it must be embedded in all workplace boardrooms. Employers, posited must recognise that good safety and health is not a cost – it is an investment which will ultimately produce healthy workers
who are more productive, engaged, and innovative.
Earlier in the month, 46-year-old Radish Domingo, a carpenter from Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was killed while several others were injured after a building under construction at Atlantic Gardens, ECD, collapsed.
ranks of the Fort Wellington Police Station this year. In January, Police reported two separate cannabis seizures in the Fort Wellington district: two men were arrested after ranks on patrol found 3.70 kilograms of suspected cannabis at Naarstigheid, West Coast Berbice, while later that month, two women were taken into custody after Police intercepted 345.8 pounds of suspected cannabis at Number 10 Public Road. Those two matters together accounted for four arrests and more than 350 pounds of suspected cannabis.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
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Venezuela’s interim President, Delcy Rodriguez, is on a tour of Caricom. She visited Grenada a few weeks ago and now she has visited Barbados this week. On the surface, there is nothing wrong with the visits. But Ruminations believes that Delcy Rodriguez is using these Caricom visits to continue Maduro’s aggressive assault on Guyana. In the process, unwittingly, we believe, Caricom sister nations are aiding and abetting Delcy’s illegal war that she is waging against Guyana. Delcy’s wearing a brooch with a map which includes two-thirds of Guyana’s territory as part of Venezuela.
Let us call a spade a spade. Either Caricom Member States are with Guyana or they are against Guyana. When it comes to our country and our territory, there should be no hesitation in standing up for Guyana. Caricom have repeatedly asserted that they support Guyana against the illegal threats by Venezuela in their claims to our territory. But action speaks louder than words. At least two Member States have allowed the Venezuelan interim President to make state visits, which she has used to further her and Venezuela’s assault on Guyana.
My question to the prime ministers of Grenada and Barbados is when Delcy stood before you with an official Venezuelan lapel brooch showing two-thirds of Guyana as part of Venezuela, did you accept her as President of the country she was standing up in front of you insisting that she represents? That country does not exist. Delcy was standing there in front of two powerful Caricom leaders boldly, loudly, aggressively and illegally boasting of annexing two-thirds of Guyana, a lead Caricom country.
These latest attacks on Guyana’s territorial integrity come at a time when the International Court of Justice is about to hear oral submissions by Guyana and Venezuela on May 4, 2026, in the Hague. Delcy’s visits anticipate these hearings. Guyana, with the support of Caricom and most of the world, has asked the ICJ to intervene and put the controversy to rest. Guyana has chosen the mature, legal, peaceful way to manage a useless controversy. As far as Guyana is concerned, the border between Guyana and Venezuela is a settled matter, settled since 1899. We do not recognise any claim to our territory since the borders were settled and all parties accepted the settlement in 1899.
Venezuela has consistently refused to declare its willingness to accept the ruling of the ICJ. For Delcy to continue Maduro’s overt war against Guyana and use our allies and Caricom Member States to aid and abet her is an insult to all of us and to the ICJ. By Caricom Member States entertaining her and pledging friendship and strengthening their alliance, it is also an insult to the ICJ. To be clear, Ruminations believes that all of us should try to integrate Venezuela into a regional solidarity and for Venezuela to become a nation that is working with others to better the lives of our people. But it is Venezuela that is the main threat to the peace our region is known for. The “Zone of Peace” that characterises the region was threatened by Maduro and Venezuela when they militarily threatened Guyana. Now Delcy, with a more sophisticated belligerence, is continuing the threat against the “Zone of Peace”, and Barbados and Grenada have so far, unwittingly, we believe, provided support for Delcy’s illegal threats and attacks on Guyana.
Guyana has had to deal with Venezuela’s illegal threats and attacks throughout our independence. We are on the precipice of our 60th Independence Anniversary, and Caricom members will provide the usual good wishes and congratulations to Guyana. But as we celebrate our 60th anniversary, Venezuela’s threats have become more and more belligerent. Will Barbados and Grenada and the other Caricom members stand with Guyana and recognise unconditionally Guyana’s borders? This will mean telling Delcy that she insulted Caricom by prominently displaying her lapel brooch that included Guyana’s territory as part of Venezuela.
Caricom members are showing poor judgement in how they are allowing Delcy to control the narrative and using them to push her attacks on Guyana. This is at a time when Caricom is more divided than it has ever been. The dispute with the reappointment of the Secretary General has placed a wedge in Caricom’s unity. Trinidad and Tobago is not budging. Now Jamaica is insisting on a do-over for the reappointment. At the international level, Caricom now rarely takes a Caricom position. There is a long list of international negotiations for which we do not speak as one. Caricom’s strength cannot be measured by us speaking as one every single time. But the number of issues for which we have different positions is alarming.
How we deal with the US is a case in point. How we deal with Cuba is another. In the case of Venezuela, that country is militarily threatening another Caricom country. In fact, it has by its own illegal laws annexed two-thirds of Guyana. This should not be one of the issues that divide us. We should speak with one voice in rejecting Venezuela’s military attack, its illegal annexation of Guyana’s territory and its public imagery of annexing Guyana’s territory being endorsed by Caricom’s leaders.
The SG dispute is perhaps the height of attention for the division in Caricom. But the truth is that the SG dispute is merely a symptom of deep divisions within Caricom. The fact that more than 50 years after Caricom’s establishment, free trade among Caricom nations is still a dream is a stark reminder that we have never really been as united as we tout. President Irfaan Ali has had to visit Trinidad recently and urged that we remove the non-tariff barriers that limit trade between our countries. The truth, the whole truth, is that non-tariff barriers have been used to limit Guyana’s export of goods to other Caricom states.
The time has come for a recommitment to Caricom among Member States.
Four men from the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), appeared before Magistrate Tariq Mohamed at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, where they were fined or had matters adjourned following multiple traffic and alcohol-related charges.
In the first case, Monte Williams, a 39-year-old miner of Charity, Essequibo Coast, was charged with permitting breach of insurance and permitting an unlicensed driver. The offences stemmed from an incident on April 26 at the Mainstay Lake Access Road, Essequibo Coast, where he allegedly allowed his 14-yearold son to operate his motor vehicle.
Williams was charged under Section 3(1) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic (Third Party Risk) Act, Chapter 51:02, and Section 23(1) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02. He pleaded guilty to both charges and
was fined $25,000 for permitting breach of insurance, in default two weeks’ imprisonment, and $25,000 for permitting an unlicensed driver, also in default two weeks’ imprisonment.
In a separate matter, Ronson Peters, a 20-yearold construction worker of Sparta, Essequibo Coast, was charged with unlicensed driving, an unregistered motor vehicle, and driving with a breath alcohol level exceeding the prescribed limit. The offences occurred on April 19 on Sparta Public Road.
He pleaded guilty to unli-
censed driving and was fined $40,000 or, in default, two weeks’ imprisonment. He also pleaded guilty to driving an unregistered motor vehicle and was fined $25,000, in default of two weeks’ imprisonment. Peters pleaded not guilty to the charge of driving with breath alcohol above the prescribed limit and was granted $100,000 bail. The matter was adjourned to September 8 for trial.
Meanwhile, Trevor Smith, a 70-year-old pensioner of Henrietta, Essequibo Coast, was charged with refusing to provide a breath specimen for
a breath alcohol test. The offence occurred on April 21 at Cotton Field Public Road. He pleaded guilty and was fined $30,000, in default of two months’ imprisonment.
In the fourth case, Yumesh Prabhoonath, a 37-year-old labourer of Onderneeming Sandpit, Essequibo Coast, was charged with refusing to provide a breath specimen for a breath alcohol test. The offence occurred on April 5, 2026, at Reliance Public Road. He pleaded guilty and was fined $30,000, in default of two weeks’ imprisonment.
As trial continued in the elections fraud case before acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty on Tuesday a heated exchange between defence attorney Nigel Hughes and prosecution witness Bibi Aneishaw Mohamed concluded the morning session, while testimony from Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony concluded during the afternoon session.
Mohamed, who was an agent for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) during the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections (GRE), had returned to court for continued cross-examination, which Hughes has been conducting since last Friday.
Disruption arose shortly after the court resumed from a break in the morning session. During questioning, Mohamed complained
of Hughes’ mischaracterising her evidence and putting words in her mouth, leading to rising tension in the courtroom. Hughes accused Mohamed of being racial. Mohamed refused to remain silent on the attack of her character.
“No, you can’t call me racial. No you cannot call me racial in this court,” Mohamed exclaimed. At this point Magistrate McGusty attempted to reign in the situation.
“We don’t need to descend into that, Miss Mohamed. There is no need for yourself and counsel to be back and forth because as you can see it’s not working out,” Magistrate McGusty said.
However, neither Mohamed or Hughes were to be placated.
“It is my duty as a witness to actually point that out. Because he’s constant-
ly doing this where he is referring to the exhibit and then changing his question and trying to bind me to something,” Mohamed said.
Despite efforts from the Magistrate to mediate, Hughes also would not let the issue go.
“I am entitled to ask the questions and refer to the document. I am entitled to do that. If she thinks I tried to confuse her, that is her problem. That is why they have two counsels as prosecutors. If they think I’m being unfair they could object. Alternatively, they have an opportunity at re-examination. But I’m not going to tolerate some witness telling me what I’m trying to do,” Hughes retorted.
The prosecutor accused Hughes of overstepping his grounds.
“Your Worship, there are clearly heated tempers on the issue. I think coun-
sel may have said something that he ought not have said. This racial implication is uncalled for and Miss Mohamed is upset. It should not have happened, Your Worship. In any kind of case,” the prosecutor noted.
Hughes then indicated to the court that he had limited time remaining to complete his cross-examination and requested permission to leave. With tempers still flaring it was concluded that it was best to adjourn the morning session and have Mohamed return today to conclude her cross
examination.
Verification process
Tuesday afternoon session saw testimony from Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, as he spoke on what he observed during the May 2020 recount process of the votes for the elections. Anthony detailed the thorough verification process that was used to verify the tabulation during the recount process.
Nine persons currently charged with conspiracy to commit electoral fraud in relation to the tabulation of votes for Region Four in the
2020 GRE.
They include former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowefield, former Deputy CEO Roxanne Myers, former Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Minister Volda Lawrence, former APNU+AFC Chief Scrutineer, Carol SMithJoseph, and former Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) employees Enrique Livan, Sheffern February, Michelle Miller, and Denise BobbCummings.
A29-year-old woman of Lima, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) appeared in court on Tuesday charged under the Cyber Crime Act for allegedly using a computer system to humiliate another person. Patrina Butters, called “Mildred,” was charged with using a computer system to humiliate a person, contrary to Section 19(5) (a) of the Cyber Crime Act No. 16 of 2018. The charge relates to allegations involving Melissa Griffith and is said
to have occurred on February 22, 2026, in Queenstown, Essequibo Coast.
Butters appeared before Magistrate Tariq Mohamed at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, where the charge was read to her. She pleaded not guilty and was released on $100,000 bail on the condition that she have no contact with, nor approach, the virtual complainant pending the outcome of the case. The matter has been adjourned to May 13.
AGlasgow Village, East Bank Berbice (EBB), Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) family has been left homeless after a fire, believed to have been deliberately set, destroyed their two-storey home on Tuesday morning, displacing a single mother and her seven children and leaving them to once again rebuild after years of struggle. The blaze, which occurred around 10:00h, engulfed the wooden and concrete structure before firefighters could bring it under control. Two fire tenders responded from New Amsterdam, but by the time they arrived, the building was already ablaze. For 45-year-old Trisha Williams, a constable attached to the New Amsterdam Mayor and Town Council, the ordeal be-
gan while she was at work.
“I wasn’t at home. I leave to go to work and as I reach the work and I put on my bag, I get a phone call and it’s a teacher from my daughter’s school…she said I guess I see some burning going on over there and I guess it’s your house. So, I cut off the call and I get the next call right after that a friend called me and then she told me to come quick that my house is on fire,” she recalled. “When I came, I couldn’t even reach to the house. I had to stay in front by the shop because the fire was already big,” she said. The fire destroyed virtually everything inside the home, including appliances, furniture and important personal documents.
“Everything gone… fur-
The cocaine and ganja that were found by the Police
An 18-year-old male is in Police custody following the discovery of cannabis and cocaine during an operation at the Charity Old Market, Essequibo Coast, on Tuesday. Police said the operation was carried out at about 11:00h on Tuesday, after ranks acted on information received.
During the exercise, officers observed the unemployed resident of Charity Village in the vicinity.
According to investigators, the suspect allegedly attempted to evade Police after noticing their presence, during which he reportedly threw a black bag into nearby bushes. Ranks
pursued and apprehended him shortly after. The bag was subsequently retrieved and searched in the suspect’s presence. Police reported that it contained a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis, along with an offwhite substance believed to be cocaine.
The man was arrested and escorted to the Charity Police Station, where the narcotics were weighed. Police said the cannabis amounted to 64.6 grams, while the cocaine weighed 30 grams. Both substances were lodged as evidence.
He remains in custody pending charges.
niture, fridge, freezer… even important things like passport and birth certificate, we ain’t get nothing out,” the distraught mother explained.
Williams, who has been living at the location for more than 25 years, said she
had spent years working to build and gradually improve the home. After losing her house in a previous fire between 2005 and 2006, she was assisted by the charitable organisation Food For the Poor to rebuild a modest structure. Over time, through her own efforts, she expanded and upgraded the house to accommodate her growing family. That progress, she said, has now been wiped out.
“It is not an easy task. From ever since I know myself, I try my best to make the children comfortable and send them to school,” she added.
The mother also faces the added challenge of caring for a child who is wheelchair-bound and requires constant attention.
“My last son is not well, he uses a wheelchair… so I always have to be focused on him,” she said. At the time of the fire, one of her sons
was at home. According to Williams, the young man has a history of mental instability.
She confirmed that the son has since been taken into custody and is currently at a mental health facility. Now displaced, Williams and her children are temporarily staying elsewhere, but she says the situation is far from sustainable.
“Living by somebody else, I really can’t cope… I just trying to get myself together
again,” she explained. The single mother, who works as a constable with the local council and has spent nearly a decade on the job, is now appealing for public assistance as she attempts to rebuild yet again.
“Whatever assistance I can get, I would be grateful… just to help me get back on my feet,” she said. Persons wishing to offer assistance can contact Williams on telephone (592) 645-5725.
As part of a comprehensive national strategy to address child abuse, the Government is moving to establish a dedicated unit to conduct forensic interviews (FI) with victims. This is according to Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud, the who noted that FIs of the victims are currently being done by Non-Governmental Organisations, ChildLink and Blossoms Inc, with support from the Child Protection Agency (CPA).
“We are moving to have our own FI unit pretty soon as a State, to be able to have better access and faster resolution of these things,” the Minister said during the Starting Point programme.
The forensic interview is a crucial step in the investigative process following a report of child abuse. Minister
Persaud emphasised that it is a sensitive undertaking.
“If children are not in the emotional state, or they refuse to give a forensic interview, or something happens, we have to cater for all of that, but it should be done in the shortest possible time. Sometimes you want the child to do the FI…but the child is not saying a thing, the child just sits there. And you have to realise the trauma inflicted on the child has a mental impact. The child may have been threatened, intimidated…That’s what you’re dealing with, it’s children of all ages,” the Minister explained, noting that sometimes, follow-up interviews may be necessary. “The idea is not to cause further trauma on the child, and not to have that child say the same statement to ten different people, that’s why it’s done in a protective environment,
that’s why Government heavily subsidises Blossom and ChildLink, they are the providers of the FIs,” she explained.
Once the FI is conducted, the case file is handed over to the police for submission to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). At that stage, the Minister explained the DPP could request further information, at
which point, a further forensic interview can be conducted with the child victim.
Case reports
Dr Persaud stressed the need for a system that functions effectively, ensuring children feel safe and confident in reporting abuse.
“I want a child to know, if this [abuse] happens to you one time, it shouldn’t happen
to you at all. You should be able to have the confidence that the system will respond. And so, we have been doing capacity building with our own officers, where we have been training them,” the Minister noted, explaining that a crucial part of the process is the case report writing. “What you write is how a case can go left or right. So, we are working to do more of that, because I see some gaps there. Once in a while, I will pull the case reports, and I say, ‘what is this? Who wrote this?’ I’m not a legal person, but you see gaps,” the Minister highlighted.
“You have to be thorough. You have to be meticulous. You have to be detailed in everything you do. Once that case report is written, it’s written by the police, it’s written by the Child Protection Officer, then it goes. And then, of course, the interview is recorded by either Blossom, or ChildLink. So, you have three versions of this thing. When it goes to the DPP, you can’t undo what you’ve written there,” she added.
In most cases, the abused child is removed from the home and either placed into State care, foster homes or with other family members. She emphasised that that child protection is everyone’s business and all must play a role in ensuring the perpetrator is kept at bay from the victim.
“Remember, children got to go to school. The agency is not in school with the children. So, I’m saying this because child protection is everybody’s business,” she noted. Meanwhile, Dr Persaud spoke about the importance of creating safer environments for children, reminding that most cases of child abuse occur in their homes. “Most of the instances of child abuse happened in the home. Somebody they knew…Relative, father, stepfather. The highest incidence is negligence,” she explained.
While that child is awaiting the outcome of the case, systems are put in place for them to undergo trauma-focused counselling, which is conducted by ChildLink and Blossom.
However, Dr Persaud
said the Government is working on building its own capacity to provide such services.
Tracking Another key component is the authorities’ ability to track the progress of the case.
In this regard, the Minister announced that the Government will develop and implement a digital tracking system. “We’ve started that process and we will be improving on it this year and next year so that every case that comes to our attention is tracked,” she noted. Dr Persaud said currently she often finds herself personally following up on certain cases.
“I want to know, who took the report. When was it taken? What happened next? When was the medical report done? When was the FI completed? When did the report go to the DPP? At the DPP, how long did it take before anything happened? Because there is, like gender-based violence, there’s a process. If there is a report of child abuse, let’s say child sexual abuse, you need to have a medical done in a timely way. I’ve been visiting all the regions and leading from the front on this, and saying to the hospitals and doctors, you cannot put it off, even with an adult. When there is any kind of sexual abuse, there is a timeframe where you need to gather evidence, or your case will not hold any water,” she explained.
Last year, the Ministry started the Rapid Response Programme to deal with child abuse cases but the Minister noted that a limitation is the lack of Child Protection Officers. “At one time, some regions had none. That’s what I came and I met. And we have been trying to populate the child protection agency in all regions. And, even if you put one Child Protection Officer in a region, that’s not sufficient. Let me be frank with you. That is a serious limitation,” Dr Persaud noted.
Nevertheless, the programme is underway in Regions Three; Four; Five, Six and 10.
“So, this is a programme we are building out to fill a gap that existed when I came in, in that after work, into the next morning, there was no one going to deal with these. So, we started the programme, and we now have persons who can respond all through the night. And so, they can address these cases as they come in. Because when it comes to children, police cannot remove a child alone. A Child Protection Officer must always be there with the police,” the Minister explained.
Oil prices closed up nearly three per cent on Tuesday as persistent worries about supply constraints from the closed Strait of Hormuz outweighed concerns about the United Arab Emirates’ decision to leave the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the wider OPEC+ group.
Brent futures for June ended up US$3.03, or 2.8 per cent, at US$111.26 a barrel, marking its seventh consecutive day of gains. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures for June settled up US$3.56, or 3.7 per cent, at US$99.93 a barrel after briefly trading above US$100 earlier in the session for the first time since April 13.
Prices trimmed some of the advances after the UAE, the fourth-largest producer in OPEC+, said on Tuesday it would exit the group on May 1, dealing a blow to the oil-exporting groups and their de facto leader, Saudi Arabia.
“In normal times, this would have been very bearish news for the oil market and sparked a sizeable sell-off,” said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital. He estimated the UAE could quickly add between one million and 1.5 million barrels per day of output. “But with the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed, there’s nowhere for that supply to go ... so we’re likely to see oil prices continue their slow march higher,” he added. (Excerpt from Reuters)
“Entangled
The Government House Museum officially opened the “Entangled Islands: Ireland & the Caribbean” exhibition on Monday, April 27, 2026, marking a significant cultural collaboration between Ireland and Antigua and Barbuda (A&B).
The opening ceremony brought together Government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, cultural practitioners, and invited guests for an evening that highlighted the shared histories and connections between the two regions. Governor General Sir Rodney Williams led proceedings, alongside remarks from national and international representatives.
The programme featured a blend of musical and spoken word performan-
Despite the possibility of increased demand for flights into the region, Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Chairman Ian Goodhill-Edghill is warning that the current spike in jet fuel prices could seriously impact tourism. Jet fuel prices across the globe have surged due to the US/Israel-Iran conflict, doubling airlines’ fuel bills and forcing them to increase ticket prices, cut routes and capacity, and introduce fuel surcharges in some ins -
tances.
Regional airlines have not been spared; Sint Maarten-based Winair is reportedly weighing the introduction of a fuel surcharge after its fuel bill almost doubled from US$550,000 in February to nearly US$900,000 in March. Local carrier Caribbean Airlines introduced a US$15 to US$25 surcharge per sector on April 10.
Describing the situation as “challenging”, GoodhillEdghill told Guardian Media that, despite it being
early days, the organisation continues to monitor developments. He said, “We don’t have enough information at this point, because you would appreciate that there are customers who would have booked, so they’re in the forward-booking sphere. We have to monitor the forward bookings as a region, and certainly Barbados is doing that, to see what knock-on impact, if any, it’s likely to have.”
In the meantime, Goodhill-Edghill, who is
also Barbados’ Tourism and International Transport Minister, revealed that his ministry is refining its growth strategy to not only maintain market share but also increase it by boosting Barbados’ long-stay passenger numbers.
Last season, Barbados received over 800,000 cruise ship visitors, and the Grantley Adams International Airport handled 2.4 million passengers, the highest volume in the airport’s history. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)
Asuperyacht linked to one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s key allies has sailed through the Strait of Hormuz, despite the ongoing blockade of the critical shipping channel.
The 465ft-long multi-deck luxury boat, named Nord, is linked to sanctioned Russian billionaire Alexei Mordashov. It travelled from Dubai to Muscat, Oman, over the weekend – one of the few private vessels to transit through the strait in recent months.
Iran held high-level talks with Russia this week as its standoff with the US over the
strait’s reopening continues. Mordashov, who has close ties to Putin, is not list-
ed as the formal owner of the Russian-flagged boat. However, Nord’s records in-
dicate it was registered to a firm owned by his wife in 2022.
Nord, estimated to be worth more than US$500 million, left Dubai on Friday night and arrived at Al Mouj – a marina in Oman’s capital – on Sunday morning, according to data on the MarineTraffic platform. The route shown on the tracker has been used by vessels crossing with agreement from Iran.
It is not clear whether Nord gained permission from Iran to sail through the route. (Excerpt from BBC News)
The current and former Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) failed to appear before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday as lawmakers continued their examination of troubling findings raised in a recent Auditor General’s report into the hospital’s operations.
ces, including renditions of both national anthems and cultural pieces that reflected the exhibition’s theme of historical and cultural interconnection. An overview of the exhibition was delivered by curator Dr Catherine Healy, offering insight into the research and narratives that underpin the showcase.
The event concluded with an official ribbon cutting and a reception, where guests were invited to view the exhibition.
“Entangled Islands: Ireland & the Caribbean” is now open to the public at the Government House Museum and forms part of ongoing efforts to deepen cultural understanding and engagement through shared heritage. (Antigua Newsroom)
Former board chairman Wayne Chai Chong also did not attend the meeting, with the committee stating that he had indicated he was overseas
and would instead be available to appear on May 12.
The PAC has been reviewing issues raised in the Auditor General’s report involving the UHWI after several questions remained unanswered during previous meetings.
PAC Chairman Julian Robinson said current CEO Fitzgerald Mitchell had informed the committee through the hospital board chairman that he would not attend on the advice of his lawyer. However, Robinson said no written explanation or legal
advice was ever submitted to the committee despite requests from Parliament.
He also noted that former CEO Kevin Allen, who had earlier indicated that he would attend the sitting, was absent from Tuesday’s proceedings without a clear reason or explanation.
Robinson told members he viewed Mitchell’s failure to appear, coupled with the absence of any formal explanation, as a serious matter given the nature of the audit concerns now under parliamentary review.
This meeting comes after the Integrity Commission (IC) has launched a probe into “specific cases” at the UHWI that were reported to PAC by Auditor General Pamela Munroe Ellis in her damning audit report into procurement breaches at Jamaica’s only teaching hospital. Specifically, the audit found that the UHWI routinely allowed private companies to use its tax-exempt status to import goods into the country, resulting in over US$20 million in losses. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)
Britain’s King Charles told the US Congress on Tuesday that despite an age of uncertainty and conflict in Europe and the Middle East, the United Kingdom and the United States will always be staunch allies united in defending democracy, at a time of deep divisions between the two long-time allies over the war with Iran.
”Whatever our differences, whatever disagreements we may have, we stand united in our commitment to uphold democracy, to protect all our people from harm, and to salute the courage of those who daily risk their lives in the service of our countries,” Charles told US lawmakers during a rare speech to a joint meeting of the Senate and House of Representatives
after a prolonged standing ovation at his entrance with Queen Camilla. In a speech that Buckingham Palace said beforehand would not be political, Charles also made references to President Donald Trump’s criticism of NATO, highlighted the importance of continued US help for Ukraine in its war with Russia, the dangers of isolationism, and even
a call for the safeguarding of nature, an important issue to the king for most of his life. Trump has been highly critical of NATO and European allies, most recently over their reluctance to provide military help in the US-Israeli war against Iran. Trump has also been ambivalent about prolonged US financial and military aid to Ukraine. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Rely on yourself and who you know to advance your plans. Set a budget and determine what’s advantageous and what’s a waste of time and money. A partnership will offer the support you require to enhance your life and agenda. Keep your plans simple and affordable, and you’ll come out on top. Self-improvement projects are favored.
Take a moment to recap and adjust to what’s happening around you. Distance yourself from the chaos, and you’ll gain insight into how you can use whatever scenario you encounter to your advantage. Direct your attention to any matter that has time restraints or institutional or government agency affiliations. Charm your way forward. Calculate, protect, and update strategically.
Stop talking and start doing. You’ll gain ground if you focus on your achievements. Simplify, define, and put together a plan that is packed with goodness instead of fluff and unnecessary costly extras. Size down, get serious, and the sky’s the limit. Make your input undeniably the best, and make a difference. Romance is about to escalate.
Slow down, relax, live in the moment, and observe what’s unfolding around you. Step away from the drama, be an observer, not an instigator. Your perspective will change if you view all sides of a situation. Don’t buy into someone else’s plans when you owe it to yourself to follow your heart and to do your own thing.
You have what it takes to mesmerize, initiate, and lead the way forward. Refuse to get bogged down by trying to fit too much into your day. Concentrate on the goal and the path to victory. Use your charm, knowledge, and connections to your advantage, and something good will transpire. Relationships, personal growth, and selfimprovement are favored.
Participate in functions that address a cause or concern you have, and you’ll gain insight into what you can do to make a difference. Rethink how you use your money. Offering your time or skills is encouraged. A cash donation will never outshine the satisfaction of seeing firsthand results. A healthy lifestyle or professional change looks promising.
You have what it takes to sell yourself to those interested in what you can do. Put a plan together, make cold calls, and most of all, follow your heart and dictate what you want to see unfold. Don’t neglect your heart and your emotional well-being. Love and friendships will be what ground you and stimulate your mind.
Dedicate your time to elaborating your thoughts and turning your ideas into something tangible. Travel, study, marketing, and promoting what you want to pursue will meet with approval. Be sure to go through the proper channels to ensure you have everything in place so you can sit back and watch your pursuits blossom into something beautiful.
Delight in socializing, networking, and chitchat with people who can offer constructive ideas and solutions. You have plenty to gain if you are open to suggestions and ready to make your next move. Personal relationships will gain momentum, giving you the go-ahead to follow through with a positive lifestyle change. Romance is in the stars.
Be careful while traveling or when dealing with sensitive issues. Choose your words wisely and verify facts before passing information along. You’ll get the best traction working from home toward a goal that relies on self-sufficiency. Avoid temptation and indulgent behavior that can lead to criticism or regret. Refuse to let ego or emotions interfere with common sense.
Rise up, position yourself, and make things happen. Focus on a lifestyle change, adjusting your surroundings to meet your demands. A new look, positive attitude, and taking control of what you can and can’t do will be enlightening and give way to a multitude of ideas. Dedication and hard work will result in liberation and personal happiness.
Social events that don’t exceed your budget will take your mind off annoyances and stressful situations. A change of scenery, getting out into nature, or spending time doing something that brings you pleasure will also help you gain clarity regarding what’s best for you. Refuse to let what others do or say interfere with your needs and plans.
The 2026 Men’s League season of the Demerara Volleyball Association (DVA) burst into life on open-ing day, April 27, at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue, drawing an enthusiastic crowd in Georgetown eager to witness the start of what promises to be a thrilling campaign.
The atmosphere was charged with fire and passion as the league opened with a high-energy show-down between Premier Eagles Volleyball Club (VC) and Guyana Defence Force (GDF) VC. From the opeing whistle, the Eagles established their dominance, executing with precision and intensity to secure a commanding straightsets victory. They took the first set convincingly 25–9, maintained control in the second with a 25–18 win, and sealed the match in the third set 25–19 to complete a 3–0 triumph.
Leading the charge for the Eagles was Ian Baggot, who delivered an outstanding performance and was deservedly named Player of the Game after registering 10 clinical attacks that consis-
tently broke through GDF defences.
His offensive efficiency set the tone for the contest, while teammate Trevon McRae fortified the net with four crucial blocks that stifled GDF’s attempts to build momentum. Despite the loss, GDF produced moments of resistance and individual brilliance, with Clarence Lucius tallying four ace serves to keep his side competitive and Omari Joseph contributing five well-execut-
ed attacks.
With the first day of competition wrapped up, the league has officially ignited, signalling the start of what is expected to be an exciting and fiercely contested season. Fans now turn their attention to the next encounter, where Castrol Strikers will go head-to-head with Classic Ball Blasters in another elec-trifying matchup that promises more drama, intensity, and unforgettable volleyball action.
Shubham Dubey underlined the importance of an impact player; Donovan Ferreira proved why Raja-sthan Royals (RR) were keen to have him traded in; and Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continued their stellar run as RR handed Punjab Kings (PBKS) their first defeat of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. In another run-fest in New Chandigarh, where 222 played 228, Ferreira and Dubey added 77 runs off 32 balls for the fifth wicket to turn what looked like a tricky chase at one point into a cakewalk and secured victory with four balls to spare.
Yuzvendra Chahal picked up three for 36, while Marcus Stoinis bludgeoned an unbeaten 62 off 22 balls, but their returns weren’t enough as RR moved to third place on the points table.
Archer’s pace, Arya’s fearlessness Priyansh Arya was coming into the game with a pow-
erplay strike rate of 260.27. Within his first five balls, he showed why he is one of the most fearless batters going around. He started with a spliced pull-off from Nandre Burger before flat-batting him through midwicket and then following up with two of the most audacious strokes. Burger bowled a back-of-alength ball outside off stump, and Arya stood tall and played a nonchalant on-the-up aerial back-foot punch over covers for a clean six. The next ball was carved over backward point before some luck got him another four. RR had raced to 29 for 0 after two. At the other end was Jofra Archer. He started the third over with a hard-length outswinger, which Ar-ya edged to the vacant slip area. Archer nearly yelled at his captain for not having a slip but soon got his reward as Arya sliced a 150kph thunderbolt for midon. Prabhsimran Singh took on Burger but wasn’t his fluent self. Despite that, PBKS raced to 65 in the powerplay.
RR’s middle-overs control Cooper Connolly was off quickly, scoring 30 off 14 balls, but he misread a Yash Raj Punja googly and shanked him straight up. Prabhsimran, meanwhile, reached his fifty off 35 balls, but the RR bowlers controlled the middle overs, majorly through their two spinners, Punja and Ravindra Jadeja. Through overs seven to 16, PBKS scored 95 runs while losing Connolly and Prabhsimran.
“The Hulk” arrives Coming into this game, Stoinis had faced 26 balls this IPL. But he showed off once he got his chance. He smashed Archer for two sixes in the 19th over but reserved his best for the last. Fast bowler Bri-jesh Sharma had gone for just 18 runs off his first three overs; his slower balls were gripping and hard to hit. But Stoinis smashed the bowler for 24 to power PBKS past 220 as they scored 62 in the last four overs.
CONTINUED TO PAGE 23
In a milestone moment for a rising young talent, Tejpal Singh Nijjar has made his first-team debut in Spain’s Tercera Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) at just 17 years old, marking a significant step in his football journey.
According to a statement on the milestone, Nijjar’s debut is the result of years of hard work, discipline, and steady progression.
After spending three seasons developing in the Rayo Vallecano academy, Nijjar has built a reputation as a focused and high-potential player ready to compete at higher levels.
This season, he earned the opportunity to train regularly with Racing Madrid’s first team while continuing his development at the Juvenil level. His performances and consistency led to a deserved call-up and, ultimately, his senior debut. He later featured against Atlético Madrid C – an experience he described as “out of this world” – facing one of world football’s most respected institutions.
At just 17, the goalkeeper is believed to be among the youngest players to debut in the category this season and one of the first players of Guyanese origin to compete at this level in Spain, adding historic significance to an already remarkable achievement.
His journey is shaped by a rich multicultural back-
ground, with Guyanese heritage through his mother and Punjabi roots through his father. Internationally, he has represented Guyana at U15, U17 and U20 levels, bringing valuable experience and pride into his club career.
“Making my debut at this level is something I’ve dreamed about for years. Playing against Atlético Madrid C was honestly out of this world – it showed me the level I want to keep reaching. I’m grateful for the opportunity, proud of how far I’ve come, and hungry to keep building every day,” Nijjar said about his
recent achievement. Nijjar’s debut is being regarded as more than a milestone – it is a statement of intent. At just 17, the keeper is already taking important steps in senior football, showing the composure, ambition, and mentality needed to keep progressing.
According to a missive, the club, his family, and supporters around the world celebrate this moment with pride and look ahead with confidence as Tejpal continues to grow and carve out his path in European football.
The President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Steve Ninvalle, has extended congratulations to International Boxing Association (IBA) President Umar Kremlev following his recent recognition by Russian President Vladimir Putin with the prestigious Order of Friendship.
Kremlev was bestowed with the honour in recognition of his significant contributions to international sport and his continued commitment to the global amateur boxing community.
During the ceremony, President Putin commended the IBA’s resilience and its ongoing efforts to support athletes worldwide, even amid mounting political pressures
affecting the sport.
In a statement, Ninvalle said the accolade was both “justified and richly deserved”, noting that the GBA has consistently supported Kremlev’s leadership, including his rise to the presidency of the IBA and subsequent re-election.
“We have stood firmly behind Mr Kremlev’s vision for boxing,” Ninvalle stated. “His leadership has ensured that the sport remains athlete-focused, providing opportunities for development and international exposure, particularly for smaller boxing nations like Guyana.”
Ninvalle highlighted that, despite the evolving and sometimes uncertain landscape of amateur boxing, the GBA remains unwavering in its support of the IBA.
He pointed to the organisation’s role in facilitating competitive platforms for Guyanese fighters, enabling them to test their skills against some of the world’s best.
“The IBA has played a critical role in the advancement of boxing in Guyana. Our boxers have benefited tremendously from the opportunities provided, and we are committed to maintaining that relationship for the continued growth of the sport locally,” Ninvalle said.
The GBA President expressed optimism that Kremlev’s recognition would further strengthen international collaboration within boxing and inspire continued investment in boxers across all regions.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) continued its community outreach efforts this week with the distribution of a quantity of footballs to youths in Farmers Field, Plum Park, South Sophia, in a move aimed at strengthening grassroots sport and youth engagement.
The initiative was led by Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, following direct intervention from community leader Andre Jackman, who advocated on behalf of young players in the area.
Jackman expressed gratitude for the timely support, noting that the equipment will play a critical role in sustaining youth involvement in football, particularly with
the recent upgrades to the community ground.
“This distribution came at a meaningful time, where it will be used to help engage our youths and help them to utilise the ball field which was recently upgraded by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports,” Jackman said.
He explained that football remains the sport of choice among many young people in South Sophia, but access to proper equipment has often been a challenge.
“With the playfield recently upgraded, it has now become a space where many of them are meaningfully occupied, and this support will only enhance that,” Jackman said.
In an invited comment, Ninvalle reiterated
the NSC’s commitment to supporting communities across Guyana, emphasising that initiatives like these are part of a broader national effort to promote sport at the grassroots level.
“The NSC has always assisted communities throughout Guyana, and Sophia is no different,” Ninvalle stated. “With many community grounds being upgraded by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, it is important that these facilities are fully utilised, especially by our young people.”
He added that providing basic sporting equipment is essential to ensuring that investments in infrastructure translate into real opportunities for youth development.
The Guyana Horse Racing Committee will host an 11-race card – the Arrival and Labour Day Cup – at the Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club, Bush Lot, on Sunday, May 3.
Due to the cancellation of the Easter Cup after heavy rainfall, the Arrival and Labour Day meet will be the second nomination day for the August 23 Guyana Cup.
More than GY$10 million will be up for the taking, and some of the top horses are confirmed for the races. The likes of Olympic Kremlin, Stat, MAPA do Brasil, Front Line Warrior, among others.
The feature race will run at 1 1/8 miles, and it will be open to all horses three years old and over. A total purse of GY$4 million will be up for grabs, and the top horse will earn a nomination for the Guyana Cup and bag GY$2
million.
The Arrival Day sprint will be open to all three-yearold and older horses and will be running at five furlongs.
The three-year-old imported opener will run at six furlongs.
Other races on the card include the F Class and Lower, a three-year-old Guyana-bred open million-dollar mile; G Class and Lower West Indianbred non-winners since August 2024; three-year-old and over West Indian-bred winners; I Class and Lower; L Class winners; and K & L Maidens open to Guyana-bred first-time starters. There will also be a Grooms Derby, open to all ages.
Entries for the Arrival and Labour Day races open on April 28 and will close on April 30. This race will run under the Guyana rules of racing. This race meet will be of great importance, as most
Former Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) President Ryan Dey believes local rugby is positioned for growth but says focused improvements in administration, grassroots systems and long-term planning will be critical to sustaining progress.
They pointed to positive signs within the current administration, noting that “the current administration demonstrates strong potential to build a more effective and unified organisation”, supported by “a team of young, vibrant, and motivated individuals eager to contribute”. He also identified the union’s growing digital footprint as a step forward, explaining that “the union’s social media presence has grown considerably, serving as a valuable tool for engagement and communication.” At the same time, he acknowledged that “the number of financial contributors within the union has seen a significant decline compared to previous years”, highlighting an area requiring attention.
Central to his recommendations is the strengthening of clubs and grass-
roots structures. They emphasised that development must begin at the foundation, stating, “I have consistently worked to strengthen the clubs, recognising them as the foundation of the sport.” He added that increased focus on youth systems would allow for more efficient national preparation, noting, “Valuable training time is often spent revisiting the basics, which limits the team’s ability to progress at a higher level.”
He also pointed to the role of competition in raising standards, indicating
that “increasing the number of local tournaments will be a key step”, as “a more competitive domestic environment will better prepare players, ultimately leading to stronger performances at higher levels of the game.”
On the administrative side, Dey stressed the importance of clear direction, explaining that “long-term planning and a clear strategic vision are essential for sustainable growth in rugby, as they provide direction, consistency, and measurable goals across all levels of the sport.” He advocated for “a clear multi-
year development plan” supported by regular monitoring and accountability, alongside “consistent communication and alignment between clubs, coaches, and administrators”.
Among the systems he believes can strengthen trust and performance is a transparent selection process. They noted that “it is essential that personal bias and human emotion are minimised when choosing the best team to represent us”, adding that “by maintaining an objective, merit-based system, the union can build trust among players and stakeholders while ensuring that the strongest possible teams take the field.”
At the grassroots level, he highlighted structured school programmes as a practical model but pointed to human resources as a constraint. “The primary challenge remains the availability of manpower to consistently execute these programmes,” he said, while calling for wider support from the rugby community. They urged former players to contribute, stating, “There is a strong need for former players to give back to the sport by supporting
these grassroots and school initiatives,” emphasising that such efforts should be “in the spirit of growing the game, without expectation of personal gain.”
He also addressed the need for broader financial backing, noting that “it is important for corporate Guyana to come on board and play a more active role in supporting the development of rugby.” While commending state support, he added that private sector partnerships are crucial, particularly to support international competition beyond regional tournaments.
Reflecting on challenges during his tenure, Dey acknowledged that unity remains important in a small sporting environment, explaining that “one of the most significant challenges has been internal conflict within a relatively small group”, which can slow progress.
Despite these challenges, Dey maintained that the sport is moving in a positive direction, suggesting that with structured systems, stronger collaboration and sustained investment at all levels, rugby in Guyana can continue to develop both on and off the field.
An unbeaten,ninth first-class century off Chanderpaul and anoth er Gudakesh Motie special with the ball fortified the Harpy Eagles (GHE) in the second innings of their ongoing clash with the Windward Islands Volcanoes.
As such, the Harpy Eagles left the Volcanoes a 319-run target for the final day, eyeing a third consec utive win in the bilateral series as part of the ongo ing West Indies Four-Day Championships.
Resuming Day Three on 44-2, both batters were able to improve on their overnight scores. However, while Tage went on to strike the tonne, Captain Tevin Imlach could only get up to 32 off 79 deliveries before walking back to the dugout.
Kemol Savory (12), Keemo Paul (11) and Richie Looknauth (1) all came and went quickly, leaving the Harpy Eagles in a spot of bother at 129-6.
lowed with 29 off 45 while Shamar Joseph pitched in
almost identical returns, claiming three wickets each for 52 (23 overs) and 58 (23.1 overs) runs, respectively.
Gudakesh Motie, following up on his excellent spell with the ball the day prior, proved to be an unlikely, solid partner for Tage as they both went on to hit milestones with the bat.
Motie struck a commanding 53 off 66 balls, inclusive of eight fours and one six. Veerasammy Permaul fol-
Late on Tuesday afternoon, Windward Islands Volcanoes stumbled in their pursuit of a first win in the three-match bilateral series, losing Ackeem Auguste for seven runs to Shamar Joseph’s pace.
At close of play, both Stephan Pascal and Kavem Hodge were unbeaten on
four runs each, with the Volcanoes at 17-1 in 10 overs.
The Volcanoes need a further 302 runs for victory, while the Harpy Eagles will be in pursuit of the remaining nine wickets to complete a perfect preliminary stage in the four-day tournament.
Over at the Antigua Recreational Ground in St John’s, the Leeward Islands Hurricanes still trail the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force by 17 runs in their second innings. Keacy Carty stood up to the Trinidadian bowlers on Tuesday with a, thus far, unbeaten 84 off 127 balls, while Justin Greaves also ended the day unbeaten on 19 from 42 deliveries.
Anderson Phillip was the pick of the Trinidadian bowlers on the day, snaring 3-30 from nine overs.
Meanwhile, at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica, Barbados Pride sealed a victory by an innings and 11 runs over the hosts, Jamaica Scorpions. The Scorpions had a better second innings with the bat as Brandon King (63), Odean Smith (73) and Abhijai Mansingh (35) stood out, but it was still not enough to cut down Barbados’ 439, resulting in the win for the visitors.
Play is expected to resume at 10:00h today for Day Four.
Guyanese cyclist Aaron Newton has signed with United Statesbased outfit Foundation Cycling, continuing a growing pathway for local riders into the international arena.
Newton, a former threetime Junior National Champion from 2021 to 2023, joins the programme after an impressive rise through the domestic ranks, capped by a rewarding 2025 season in which he captured both the Elite National Road Race and Time Trial titles. His progression was further highlighted on the regional stage with a silver medal performance at the 2025 Caribbean Championships.
Now based in the United States, the young rider said the move represents a significant step in his development as he looks to test himself against higher-level competition.
Newton noted that cycling has been his focus since age 14, when he first followed his father into the sport, and described the opportunity with Foundation Cycling as a proud
moment in his career. He becomes the latest Guyanese to link with the team, following in the footsteps of Jamual John, who previously rode with the pro-
Football fans were treated to an exciting double-header on Monday night as the Linden Town Week Inter-Ward Football Tournament continued at the Bayroc Stadium in Linden.
The tournament, presented by the Kashif & Shanghai Organisation in collaboration with the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA), forms part of the annual Town Week celebrations and is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. With six wards competing and a lucrative $2 million prize purse at stake, anticipation was high for the second night’s fixtures.
The opening match of the night featuring Central & South Mackenzie & Mines taking on Amelia’s Ward/Kara Kara/Bamia ended in a 0–0 stalemate after a tightly contested affair.
Both sides showed flashes of attacking intent but were ultimately unable to break the deadlock. Defensive discipline and solid goalkeeping defined the encounter, as neither team managed to convert their chances. The result leaves Group A wide open heading into the next round of matches.
In the second game, Silvertown/West Watooka/ Canvas City delivered a com-
manding performance to defeat Wisroc/Block 22 by a convincing 4–1 margin.
Shemiah Samuels opened the scoring with a well-taken goal to set the tone. Shane Haynes then stamped his authority on the contest with a clinical brace, demonstrating sharp finishing inside the box. Azainneo Benjamin added the fourth to cap off an impressive team display.
Wisroc/Block 22 managed a consolation goal through Errol McCalmon, who found the back of the net to briefly spark hope, but Silvertown’s attacking prowess proved too much on the night.
The emphatic victory ensures Silvertown/Canvas City has a chance to advance in Group B, while Wisroc/Block 22 will need a strong response in their upcoming fixture.
The tournament continues
on Wednesday, April 29, with crucial Group A and Group B encounters.
In Group B action from 18:00h, Blueberry Hill/ Christianburg/Alleys & Valleys will clash with Block 22/Wisroc as both teams look to secure valuable points. Later, at 20:30h in a key Group A showdown, Half Mile/One Mile/Scheme will face Amelia’s Ward/Kara Kara/Bamia. With Amelia’s Ward coming off a draw in their opener, they will be eager to claim maximum points and strengthen their position in the standings.
As Linden Town Week festivities continue, supporters can expect more thrilling football under the lights at Bayroc, with pride, community bragging rights, and a multimillion-dollar prize on the line.
RR’s Jai-Soorya on the charge
Sooryavanshi was quick off the blocks (again), smashing 43 off just 16 balls. After jamming two york-ers, he went six, four, four against Arshdeep Singh to close the opening over in style. Lockie Ferguson, playing his first match of the season, took time to find his rhythm. Sooryavanshi wasn’t giving him the time. He got a thick outside edge over slip before whipping a 145.1kph scorcher over deep midwicket and then going straight down the ground for six more. RR crossed 50 in just 19 balls, but Arshdeep’s around-the-wicket worked as Sooryavanshi sliced him straight up, and Shreyas Iyer ran back from mid-off to take a comfortable catch. Yashasvi Jaiswal was, all this while, the silent spectator. As soon as Sooryavanshi departed, he went on the offensive against Arshdeep as RR raced to 66 for one after four overs. Harpreet Brar, the Impact Player, bowled a two-run fifth over, but Ferguson was taken for runs again with RR racing to 84 for one after six.
Yuzvendra Chahal strikes!
gramme during his own stint overseas. Newton’s addition also marks him as a second-generation rider within the Foundation setup.
With the early punches in, PBKS fought back with the help of their spinners. Brar’s four overs cost just 25 runs, which includ-
ed just one four and one six. Chahal removed Dhruv Jurel with a juicy full toss that was mistimed only as far as wide long-on. Jaiswal reached his fifty off 26 balls but soon sliced Chahal straight to long-off. Riyan Parag also started well but also holed out off Chahal for 29 off 16.
Ferreira and Dubey the finishers
The required rate was exactly 12 when Parag holed out, with RR needing 72 off 36. But the PBKS spin-ners were done after conced-
Punjab Kings
(20 ovs maximum)
Prabhsimran Singh †c Parag
b Yash Raj Punja 59
Priyansh Arya c Burger
b Archer 29
Cooper Connolly c Ferreira
b Yash Raj Punja 30
Shreyas Iyer (c)c †Jurel
b Burger 30
Marcus Stoinis not out 62
Suryansh Shedge not out 3
Extras (b 4, lb 4, w 1) 9
Total 20 Ov (RR: 11.10) 222/4
Fall of wickets: 1-37 (Priyansh Arya, 2.5 ov), 2-96 (Cooper Connolly, 8.2 ov), 3-144 (Prabhsimran Singh, 13.6 ov), 4-181 (Shreyas Iyer, 17.6 ov)
Bowling O-M-R-W
Jofra Archer 4-0-40-1
Nandre Burger 4-0-59-1
Brijesh Sharma 4-0-42-0
Yash Raj Punja 4-0-41-2
Ravindra Jadeja 4-0-32-0
ing just 61 off 48 balls, and Dubey and Ferreira cashed in. After Arshdeep’s opening two overs went for 37, his final two went for 31. Dubey crashed Jansen for a four and six in the 16th, Ferguson was smoked for 16 in the 19th, and the game had turned in five overs. Ferreira hit the winning runs with a six over long-on to bring up his second IPL fifty and help RR secure two important points. The PBKS fast bowlers leaked 166 off 68 balls, an issue that has been plaguing them for a while. (ESPNcricinfo)
Rajasthan Royals (T: 223 runs from 20 ovs)
Yashasvi Jaiswal c Suryansh
The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has officially unveiled the fixtures for the 2026 season, with 39 matches set to take place from August 8 to September 20. For the first time, the competition will feature seven teams, as Antigua & Barbuda Falcons, Barbados Royals, Jamaica Kingsmen, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Saint Lucia Kings, and St Kitts & Nevis Patriots are joined by reigning champions the Trinbago Knight Riders in the battle for CPL glory.
The 2026 edition will also mark several historic milestones for the tour-
nament. St Vincent & the Grenadines will host CPL matches for the first time, with the opening fixtures scheduled for the scenic Arnos Vale Stadium, bringing the excitement of CPL cricket to a new audience. At the other end of the tournament, Barbados will host the CPL finals for the first time, setting the stage for a landmark conclusion to the competition.
Pete Russell, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League, said, “With an expanded tournament in 2026, we are delighted to be bringing CPL cricket to St Vincent &
the Grenadines for the first time. We are equally excited about hosting finals week
in Barbados, where we have ambitious plans to deliver the biggest and most memorable finale in the tournament’s 14-year history. Each year, our goal is to raise the
bar, and I am more confident than ever that CPL 2026 will be our best season yet.”
Date Match Time Host country Fri Aug 7 Jamaica Kingsmen v Antigua & Barbuda Falcons 19:00h
Vincent Sat Aug 8 St Kitts & Nevis Patriots v Trinidad & Tobago Knight Riders 19:00h
Sun Aug 9 Antigua & Barbuda Falcons
Aug 11
Aug 13
Aug 14
Aug 15
Aug 16
Aug 18
Aug 25
& Barbuda
v Barbados Royals 19:00h Antigua Wed Aug 26 Trinbago Knight Riders v Saint Lucia Kings 19:00h Trinidad Thu Aug 27 St Kitts & Nevis Patriots v Jamaica Kingsmen 19:00h St Kitts Fri Aug 28 Trinbago Knight Riders v Barbados Royals 20:00h Trinidad Sat Aug 29 Trinbago Knight Riders v Guyana Amazon Warriors 19:00h Trinidad Sun Aug 30 St Kitts & Nevis Patriots v Antigua & Barbuda Falcons 19:00h St Kitts Mon Aug 31 Trinbago Knight Riders v Jamaica Kingsmen 17:00h Trinidad
Tue Sep 1 St Kitts & Nevis Patriots v Barbados Royals 19:00h St Kitts Wed Sep 2 Trinbago Knight Riders v Antigua & Barbuda Falcons 19:00h Trinidad Thu Sep 3 St Kitts & Nevis Patriots v Saint Lucia Kings 19:00h St Kitts