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Police take road safety, positive P5 behaviour lessons to schools, youths

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 6585

THE BEACON OF TRUTH WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026

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2nd Shield of the Americas meeting

Guyana to coordinate sanctions, financial actions against criminals to fight narco-terrorism See story on page 3

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Govt absorbing global cost shocks to protect consumers P 10 – President Ali Ganja, 2 P9 undocumented motorcycles found during Police raid

3 drivers face P8 $105,000 fines, $100,000 bail over traffic offences Essequibo Coast driver charged P8 over fatal Queenstown crash President Dr Irfaan Ali attends the 2nd Shield of the Americas meeting, convened by US President Donald Trump at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, alongside US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other regional leaders (President Dr Irfaan Ali/Facebook)

Guyana’s Ambassador tells world leaders to trust her with impartial, sound peacekeeping solutions …hopes UN bid inspires girls to reach top leadership Extradition request

P8 GPL pole damaged in Kitty 2-vehicle crash

Page 2

Police intelligence links US-sanctioned See story LOO to 6 execution-style killings, on page 7 torture & bribery – witness tells court

Hotter, drier days ahead as El Niño conditions to persist to March 2027 – Hydromet P11 warns

2 NEWS Guyana’s Ambassador tells world leaders to trust her with impartial, sound peacekeeping solutions WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…hopes UN bid inspires girls to reach top leadership

uyana’s Permanent Representative to the body, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, hopes that her candidacy for Secretary-General (SG) of the world peace body inspires girls and women globally to participate actively at the highest levels of decision-making processes. “This position is not just about me; it’s about showing young girls that they belong in the highest offices of international leadership. If they can see me here, they can imagine themselves here too.” she said in a recent interview as she underscored that her candidacy is a collective opportunity and carries significance beyond her personal journey. With the UN in its 80 years existence not having a female as leader, Rodrigues-Birkett said that women have been the backbone of diplomacy, peacebuilding and humanitarian work and yet, too often, they are absent from the top, and as such her candidacy will be a symbol of correcting that imbalance. As the race for the next SG of the United Nations (UN) intensifies, Guyana’s

UN envoy continues to make an impression on the world stage. The latest straw poll showed that she is a marginal second only to Costa Rica’s Vice President (VP), Rebeca Grynspan in the seven-person race, following the withdrawal of former Chilean President, Michelle Bachelet. This secret poll by the 15-member Security Council was conducted a day ahead of the annual gathering of world leaders in New York this week where President, Dr Irfaan Ali, is also likely make a final push in support of Rodrigues-Birkett.

Santa Rosa “formed me”

Crediting the people of her small indigenous village of Santa Rosa, Region One (Barima-Waini, for giving her the opportunity to participate from an early age and for shaping her into the woman she is today, RodriguesBirkett, says she is confident that she can get the job done. “In terms of my village, Santa Rosa, this is what formed me. This is the place that formed me as a young girl, my teachers there. And as I go through this period, I think about all those people

who’ve played one role or the other, because I don’t believe that anyone is self-made. People had to help us along the way. We had to put in the work, but people had to help us,” she said. “I think about my little internship that I had, just after school with Mary Williams at the time, teaching me how to type, teaching me how to dress for an office, reminding me that you don’t do your hem with white thread on a black skirt. And also when I would look at her and how she would speak in a meeting, so brave. And I wanted to be like her. When I remember my teachers that passed, Bridget Daniels, Victor Ferreira, all of these people, they always would choose me to do a welcome when there’s somebody coming into the village...,” she added. The Government of Guyana was also praised, especially former President Bharrat Jagdeo, for believing that a young woman from one of Guyana’s indigenous villages could be a Minister in his Government, appointing her first as Minister of Amerindian Affairs and later supporting her as Foreign

Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett

Affairs Minister. “And then when I think about (President (Bharrat) Jagdeo, who didn’t even know me, giving me the chance to be a Minister of Amerindian Affairs, making me wet my feet in politics and [look] at where that has led me. There’s so many, many people [to thank],” she said. The UN Ambassador said that she has received many good luck messages from persons not only in her village but other indigenous communities and the country “Many of them have sent me messages, feeling proud that I’m

a Morucan girl but Guyanese generally.” “It’s been a really humbling experience so far,” she expressed.

Perseverance & commitment to equity

Serving at home and at the FAO and UN among others, Rodrigues-Birkett said that she has gained special skills which she can use, should she be elected and reasoned that her career trajectory, is demonstrative of perseverance and commitment to equity. “I’m very conscious that experience is not equivalent to ex-

pertise, (and it’s not equivalent to good application, but experience certainly helps. I am a candidate that came from the field, working with the social impact amelioration programme (SIMAP) in the indigenous communities of Guyana. That gave me the full field experience, not just implementing projects, but the challenges that we faced back then,” she said, adding “I also realised then that some of the issues we faced in the indigenous communities, that they were structural. For example, when we wanted to build a school in a particular place, there were times when the land was not owned by the community and so you had to go through a long process of getting that approval to build that school, given the situation of the land.” “Then I got the opportunity to enter politics, where you would deal with legislation, where you would deal with the structural issues, I took that opportunity with both hands… then, of course, in foreign affairs…the diplomatic experience there.” TURN TO PAGE 7

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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2nd Shield of the Americas meeting

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uyana has joined the United States (US) and more than a dozen countries in the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region in renewing their commitment to collectively fighting criminal networks in the Western Hemisphere through a number of coordinated actions including imposing sanctions and other measures on at least 24 narco-terrorist groups. This pledge was made on Tuesday at the second meeting of the “Shield of the Americas” – a coalition formed by US President Donald Trump back in March 2026 to combat narco-terrorism in the hemisphere. President Dr Irfaan Ali was among the leaders at the meeting convened by President Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. The Guyanese Leader was joined by Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud and Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett. The meeting called for enhanced collective action to combat narco-terrorism and greater efforts to strengthen the resilience of the Western Hemisphere through economic, security and multilateral coordination. Addressing the leaders at the UN Headquarters, President Trump said “This is the largest and most powerful alliance for economic and national security ever to convene in the Western Hemisphere.” During Tuesday’s meeting, 15 of the 19 member states at the meeting adopted a Joint Communiqué declaring their intent to strengthen the resilience of the Western Hemisphere based on three pillars – economic, security and multilateral coordination. Guyana along with the US, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Trinidad and Tobago were among the nations to declare their intention to further strengthen the resilience of the region.

Action on pillars

COMMODITIES Indicators

Guyana to coordinate sanctions, financial actions against criminals to fight narco-terrorism

In this regard, the leaders agreed to jointly undertake a series of actions in accordance with their respective international and domestic legal obligations. These include defending their economies by enhancing economic cooperation; exploring investment screening mechanisms; safeguard-

President Dr Irfaan Ali attend the 2nd Shield of Americas meeting convened by US President Donald Trump at the United Nations Headquarters in New York

ing critical minerals supply chains through diversified and reliable sourcing; and promoting trusted supplier regulations for digital infrastructure to be applied on a non-discriminatory basis. Moreover, they recognised that durable security requires economic development, stable jobs and tangible opportunities for their people, and that economic sovereignty is successfully defended when the capital entering nations is transparent and verifiable. Another key area that Shield of Americas member states agreed to work on is defending democratic governance against armed narco-terrorist networks. This will see them coordinating on sanctions, designations and financial actions against terrorists and criminals, as well as expanding civilian law enforcement,

and supplying humanitarian and messaging assistance to defend popular will. They also pledged to defend and promote mutual respect for national sovereignty and each nation’s self-determination through multilateral fora to coordinate and advance shared objectives and proposals, such as catalysing international enforcement actions against transnational organised criminal groups or pursuing needed reforms to multilateral organisations. According to the joint missive, in furthering these three pillars, the participating states intend to strengthen cooperation through enhanced intelligence sharing; facilitate access, where appropriate, to security technologies and capabilities; promote training and professional development of human

resources; and expand the exchange of best practices. The countries will also deepen cooperation on investment and economic matters and to strengthen consultation on and coordination of common positions on issues of shared interest in regional and multilateral fora.

Narco-terrorist groups

In further recognition of the immediate and universally shared threat in the hemisphere posed by transnational narco-terrorist organisations, the Shield of Americas members announced the first joint action on Tuesday under the newly announced pillars. This will see individual and collective action to confront the scourge of narco-terrorism. TURN TO PAGE 5

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026

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Building trust, youth engagement & safer communities

he Guyana Police Force’s outreach activities over the past three days in Regions Six, Nine, and 10 point to an important dimension of modern policing: that is, crime prevention cannot depend solely on arrests, patrols, and enforcement. Building relationships with communities, particularly with children and young people, is equally important to creating safer communities. Over three days, Police ranks engaged students, teachers, young people, and residents through road-safety lectures, motivational talks, recreational activities and educational interventions. At Aranaputa Nursery School, 18 students and three teachers received guidance on bullying prevention, safe walking, curb drills, road crossing, and the use of safety helmets. At South Amelia’s Ward Nursery School, 22 students and five teachers participated in a similar road-safety session covering traffic signals, pedestrian crossings, bicycle safety, and the responsibilities of Police Officers. In Fryish Village, Corentyne, the approach extended beyond classroom instruction. Some 150 young people and residents participated in games, motivational talks and interaction with Police ranks, while 150 hampers containing school supplies were distributed. These engagements deserve continued support because the relationship between Police Officers and young people should begin long before a young person becomes a victim, witness or suspect in a criminal matter. Trust is an essential component of effective policing, as young people who understand the role of Police Officers and have opportunities to interact with ranks in positive settings are better positioned to view the Police as a source of protection, guidance and assistance. That familiarity can become particularly important when young people encounter dangerous situations, experience bullying, witness criminal activity or have information that could assist an investigation. International crime-prevention guidance has repeatedly identified community-orientated policing as an important means of strengthening relationships between law enforcement and communities. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has noted that Police engagement with communities can improve trust, strengthen local partnerships and support more proactive approaches to crime prevention. It has also identified Police lectures in schools and Police-youth activities among approaches used to address the needs of children and young people. The value of community relationships extends beyond public perception, as effective crime fighting requires information. Police Officers cannot be present everywhere at all times, making cooperation from residents an important part of identifying emerging problems, suspicious activity and vulnerable areas. Communities that maintain constructive relationships with law enforcement are better placed to communicate concerns and participate in solutions. This does not mean that community members should assume the responsibilities of Police Officers. Rather, it recognises that public safety is strengthened when residents and law enforcement understand their respective responsibilities, and maintain channels through which information and concerns can be shared. Encouraging regular school attendance, discipline, positive behaviour, and educational development addresses some of the social factors that can influence young people’s vulnerability to crime and victimisation. The UNODC has also highlighted youthfocused social development initiatives, including programmes designed to strengthen young people’s resilience to crime and violence. A single lecture or community activity cannot establish lasting trust. Consistent engagement, respectful interaction, and visible follow-through are necessary if relationships developed through outreach programmes are to become meaningful partnerships. The activities across Regions Six, Nine, and 10 show the value of meeting communities outside traditional enforcement settings. Children learning road safety from Police Officers, young people participating in activities alongside ranks and residents engaging directly with law enforcement all contribute to greater familiarity and communication. For Guyana, where crime prevention requires cooperation across institutions and communities, that relationship should be regarded as an investment in public safety. Building trust with young people today can create stronger channels of communication tomorrow.

“Stack” by Nicole Eisenman, a monumental, eight-metre-tall totem sculpture has been installed in the Annenberg Courtyard at the Royal Academy of Arts, London, UK (Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian)

Here’s how Germany can defend its democracy. Banning the AfD isn’t the answer By Timothy Garton Ash

ar-right nationalist populist parties are making the run everywhere from Washington to Warsaw. So why be so alarmed about a little regional electoral victory for one such party, the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), in one federal state, Saxony-Anhalt? “Because it’s Germany!” is the almost instinctive answer in many heads around the world. But that “because it’s Germany” needs to be taken apart, like the segments of an orange. Yes, because of Adolf Hitler, two dictatorships (Nazi Germany until 1945 and communist-ruled East Germany until 1989), and two world wars. And yes, some of the language used by the AfD will give anyone familiar with Nazi rhetoric a cold shudder down the spine. Then there’s the fact that Germany is Europe’s central power. The AfD’s national co-leader Alice Weidel says that when her party gets into Government after the federal election scheduled for 2029, Germany will abandon the euro and leave the Schengen border-free travel area. What would be left of the EU then? The great German liberal social and political thinker Ralf Dahrendorf, who died in 2009, told me more than once that he would only feel really confident of the resilience of German democracy when it had withstood the test of a big economic crisis. Well, the country is close to that now. The final segment of “because it’s Germany!” is perhaps the most interesting. The federal republic’s entire constitutional, political and educational system is designed to prevent anything like the collapse of the Weimar republic into Hitler’s dictatorship in 1933. The federal republic should be a wehrhafte Demokratie – a democracy capable of defending itself. So how Germany will defend its democracy is a question not just of European but of global significance. Looking at all the answers being frenetically canvassed in Berlin, I think the most convincing formula is: neither ban the AfD nor embrace it, but instead constrain it legally and fight it politically. The German constitution provides for political parties that are “hostile” to its basic liberal democratic principles to be banned. Senior German politicians have called for an application to be made to the constitutional court to ban the AfD, or at least its most extreme parts, on those grounds. But it’s too late for that. The AfD has been a major force in the Bundestag since its success (off the back of the migration crisis) in the 2017 General Election and, like Reform UK in Britain, has led

nationwide in opinion polls. To suddenly tell so many citizens “you’re not allowed to vote for the party you support!” would itself be an assault on democracy. But this is not democracy, as in the tyranny of the majority: the people have spoken, off with your head! It’s liberal democracy, meaning the outcome of any popular vote is constrained by the rule of law, human and minority rights, and pluralist, anti-majoritarian institutions. The real threats to German democracy today are less like Weimar in 1933 than Budapest in 2010 (when Viktor Orbán took over) and Washington DC in 2025. The mini-Donald Trumps of the AfD have reportedly been quietly exploring Trumplike executive and administrative devices they might use to consolidate their control. The Federal Republic of Germany has the right, the power and the duty to stop them. Article 37 of the constitution, which allows federal authorities to overrule anti-constitutional behaviour by the states, has never been used in the 77-year history of the republic. Assuming, as now seems likely, the AfD forms the state Government in Saxony-Anhalt, all federal powers, up to and including article 37, should be used wherever necessary. For example, they should prevent sensitive intelligence about Russia’s increasing aggression being shared with a SaxonyAnhalt branch of the domestic security service controlled by the pro-Russian AfD; secure the independence of courts and prosecutors, as well as the neutrality of police and civil service; and, I would add, stop any extreme politicisation of education and public service broadcasting. Of course, AfD politicians will cry “foul!” – tough. If, as they say, they want “another republic”, they can go and live in Russia. Yet even more important than these legal and administrative constraints is the political response. At the opposite end from those calling for the party to be banned are Christian Democrats calling for the “firewall” to be abandoned and AfD politicians to be embraced as part of the normal political process. Letting them take responsibility in a state Government will, it’s argued, expose their incoherence, incompetence, and lack of real policy answers. Talking and working with them will end up moderating them, as apparently happened with Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy. I’ve been tempted by these arguments myself. But evidence collected by political scientists suggests that a strategy of inclusion is just as likely to put more wind in the nationalists’ sails. And AfD activists are themselves warn-

ing against the danger of Melonisierung (Melonisation). So Christian Democrats should not be tempted to get half into bed with the AfD, like a middle-aged man nervously edging into an extramarital affair. Instead, starting already this weekend with elections in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Berlin, they should more effectively combat it politically. Rather than defining Christian Democracy by what it’s against (the AfD and the far-left Linke), they should say what it’s for. To renew Germany’s social market economy, they should implement all the labour market, pension, tax and other reforms agreed this summer with their Social Democrat coalition partners – and more. Faced with huge external challenges, from Russian aggression to US and Chinese AI, the Christian Democrats – historically the party of Europe – should boldly advocate the European-scale answers which alone will give any European country the strength to stand up to giants. But besides AI, Germany’s mainstream parties badly need EI (emotional intelligence). The key to the success of the AfD’s Ulrich Siegmund in Saxony-Anhalt, as with Trump and Britain’s Nigel Farage, is a kind of emotional communication. “I’m here with you; I hear you and see you; I share your anger. With me, you can say what you really think and be yourself, because – whether or not I’m a millionaire – deep down I’m a normal bloke like you. So let’s all have a beer and march forward to an imagined past.” It’s fascinating to re-read the exiled German political scientist Karl Loewenstein’s influential 1937 article on “militant democracy” and find him insisting that democracy cannot “devise emotional formulas capable of competing with the fascist Pied Pipers”. Hence the emphasis on constitutional constraints. But in our transformed information environment, with its premium on attention, drama and passion, democracy can’t be defended simply by legal constraints and rational policies. Democrats everywhere need to compete with today’s Pied Pipers on the emotional plane, too. Constant presence on social media and physical presence on the ground are both essential. Hungary’s new Prime Minister, Péter Magyar, and to some extent the UK’s Andy Burnham, have shown how it can be done. So much will now depend on German democrats, and especially Christian Democrats, proving they can do the same. (The Guardian) (Timothy Garton Ash is a historian, political writer and Guardian columnist. His new book, Europe in 7 1/2 Chapters, is published in October)

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026

guyanatimesgy.com

News

Police take road safety, positive behaviour lessons to schools, youths

On Tuesday ranks from the Annai Police Station conducted an educational lecture for students of the Aranaputa Nursery School (Radio Eve Leary photo)

he Guyana Police Force (GPF) continued its community outreach efforts over the past three days, engaging children and young people in road safety, discipline, education and positive behaviour. On Tuesday, ranks from the Annai Police Station conducted an educational lecture for 18 students and three teachers of the Aranaputa Nursery School, Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo). The session addressed bullying prevention, safe walking practices and the importance of using the right side of the road. Students were also taught kerb drill and safe road-crossing practices, as well as the importance of wearing safety helmets.

Police ranks on Monday conducted an educational lecture at the South Amelia’s Ward Nursery School (Radio Eve Leary photo)

The ranks advised students to wear white or light-coloured clothing at night to improve visibil-

ity and reminded them that pedal cycles should be equipped with bells, brakes and lights. The

Ranks at the youth group activity at the Hogtown Ball Field, Fryish Village, Corentyne, Berbice (Radio Eve Leary photo)

children were also encouraged to obey their parents and teachers. A similar initiative was held on Monday when Police ranks conducted a road safety lecture for 22 students and five teachers of the South Amelia’s Ward Nursery School, Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Berbice). Themed “Careful Driving Saves Lives,” the session covered the roles and responsibilities of police officers, police appointments and equipment, including batons and handcuffs. The children were also taught about kerb drill, traffic light signals, pedestrian crossings and safety precautions when travelling in motor vehicles. Guidance

Guyana to coordinate sanctions...

FROM PAGE 3

“As such, we declare our intention to impose, as applicable and in accordance with our respective international and domestic legal obligations, asset freezes; immigration and visa restrictions for members, associates, and supporters of the organisations; and criminal liability for individuals knowingly providing material support, including logistical support, to the organisations, among other measures,” the joint missive declared.

This first joint action will focus on 24 criminal organisations operating in countries within the hemisphere. They are: The 24 groups: Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13); Tren de Aragua; Carteles Unidos; Cartel del Golfo (Gulf Cartel); La Nueva Familia Michoacana; Cartel del Noreste; Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG); Cartel de Sinaloa; Gran Grif; Viv Ansanm; Los Lobos; Los Choneros; Barrio 18; Cartel de Los Soles; Clan del Golfo; Primeiro

Comando da Capital; Comando Vermelho; Chone Killers; Los Viagras; Juarez Cartel (La Línea); FARC Dissident Groups including FARC-Estado Mayor Central, FARC-Segunda Marquetalia, or aliases, affiliates, and successor groups; ELN; Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso); and Los Tiguerones. In order to facilitate these new actions, the Shield of Americas intends to formally engage President of the Organisation of American

States (OAS) Permanent Council on the establishment of an Organ of Consultation under Articles 6 and 13 of the Inter-American Treaty on Reciprocal Assistance (Rio Treaty). Once the formal meeting of the Organ of Consultation is convoked, the coalition intend to participate at the ministerial level to consider adopting a resolution promoting and facilitating collective action against narco-terrorist organisations under the Rio Treaty.

was also provided on the safe use of pedal cycles and the equipment required for them. Students were encouraged to respect their teachers and apply the safety lessons discussed during the session. Meanwhile, Regional Police Division #6, through its #2 Sub-Division, continued its youth outreach activities on Sunday, September 20, with a Youth Group Activity at the Hogtown Ball Field in Fryish Village, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). Some 150 youths and residents participated in games, motivational talks and interactions with po-

lice ranks. During the engagement, the youths were encouraged to attend school regularly, study diligently, remain disciplined and recognise the importance of education in building a positive future. As part of the activity, 150 hampers containing school supplies were distributed, while snacks were also provided. The GPF said the outreaches are part of its ongoing community engagement efforts aimed at promoting safety, discipline, education and responsible behaviour among young people while strengthening relationships between police and communities.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 00:00 Sign Off 06:00 Islam for Guyana 06:30 TVG Devotional Hour 07:00 Evening News (RB) 08:00 HGTV 09:00 Stop Suffering 10:00 Food Network 12:00 Movie - The Chronicle Mysteries Vines That Bind (2019) 13:30 Movie - Felicity: An American Girl Adventure (2005) 15:00 Cartoons 16:00 Indian Soaps 17:00 The Young & The Restless 18:00 Documentary: Nat Geo Animals 19:00 The Evening News 20:00 Stop Suffering 20:30 Movie - How to Train Your Husband (2018) 22:00 Movie - Father of the Bride (2022)

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026

Foundation ◄

Page

CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY

Sets

The probability of picking a multiple of 4 that is not a multiple of 5 from the universal set is 15 .

Example 2: two-set Venn diagram using symbols The universal set ξ={Quadrilaterals} . The Venn diagram shows the frequencies of quadrilaterals that belong to the two sets A={rotational symmetry}, and B={at least 1line of symmetry}. Calculate P(A∪B).

Example 3: two-set Venn diagram using symbols The universal set ξ={Students in Year 10}. The Venn diagram shows the frequencies of students that belong to the two sets depending on which GCSE they study: G={Geography}, and H={History}. Calculate P((G∩H)^' ).

The subset of the union of A and B equal every item within both circles:

The frequency of numbers within this subset is 1+3+3=7. The larger set is the universal set. The total frequency is therefore: 2+1+3+3=9.

7 9

• • • • 1. 2. 3.

Sponge Shallow dish Seeds Magnifying dish

The frequency of numbers within this subset is 15+163+148=326. The larger set is the universal set. The total frequency is therefore: 15+163+148+22=348. 326 = 163 . 348 174 P(G∩H)= 163 174 .

n this fun and easy botany and biology science experiment for kids, we’re going to explore sprouting seeds. Materials:

Instructions: Place the sponge in the shallow dish. Add water to the dish. Make sure the sponge remains above the water level. Sprinkle seeds on the sponge and push them gently into

By Paul Martínez Pompa

P(A∪B)= 79 .

The complement to the intersection of Gand H is the region:

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4. 5.

the sponge. Place the seeds in a sunny location for three or four days. Observe the seeds for cracking and sprouting with your magnifying glass.

How it works: By placing the seeds on the sponge instead of in soil, we are able to observe the seeds sprouting. The water in the sponge will trigger the seeds to begin sprouting. Make this a science project: Try different types of seeds. Try placing the seeds on the sponge in a dark space. Try placing the seeds on the sponge in the refrigerator. (sciencefun.org)

and when i raised my eyes a little higher, i saw human wishes. i saw moons blessed with the deepening moan of night. i saw winds that traveled across thousands of miles of mothers who were silent now and draped over their flashlights. i saw lands going back to sleep and doors opening both ways. i saw escape buttons pressed into bodies stacked behind your dinner party. i saw sunlit sidewalks. i saw no sign of decaying bags anywhere. i saw signs of decaying bags everywhere. i saw birds that loved your hair through another blurry summer. i saw deserts refusing responsibility at all costs. i saw children who got out of the way just in time and children who never got out. i saw, or i saw that i saw. Source: Poetry (September 2026)

Start your story with an incredible performance. WORD SEARCH

NEWS

Extradition request

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Police intelligence links US-sanctioned LOO to 6 executionstyle killings, torture & bribery – witness tells court

Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman

urders, including execution-style killings, torture, beating of employees and bribery are among the serious offences that Senior Superintendent of Police Prem Narine said intelligence in the possession of the Special Branch Unit suggests are linked to United States (US) sanctioned and indicted Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed. Narine made the statement on Tuesday while facing further cross-examination in the extradition proceedings against Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, before Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Asked again whether he believed Azruddin Mohamed was a threat to national security, Narine maintained, “Yes, I do believe so.” When pressed by defence counsel to explain the basis for that belief, Narine said, “I have information. It suggests that he’s involved in murders.” The defence then sought to clarify the nature of the information and asked Narine

what other offences it suggested Azruddin Mohamed was involved in. Narine listed “murders, torture, execution-style killings,” before adding “beating of employees” and “bribery.” Narine also revealed that intelligence in the possession of the Special Branch Unit links Azruddin Mohamed to six execution-style killings, including three people who died when a vessel exploded. Narine referred to a man known as “Pet Boy,” whose stepson was allegedly killed and Regan Rodrigues. He said there were at least two attempts on Rodrigues’ life and mentioned another alleged killing that he could not recall the details. The police witness was asked whether that was the full list of offences he could recall. Narine said, “I think that’s it,” and later reiterated that those were all he could recall at the time. The defence then put the issue directly to Narine, asking whether he was stating that Azruddin Mohamed had committed all of the acts he had identified. Narine answered, “Yes,

sir.” The questioning then turned to the source and institutional status of the information. Narine confirmed that the Special Branch Unit had the information and agreed with the suggestion that, if the Special Branch possessed it, then the Guyana Police Force (GPF) also had the information. Narine was subsequently asked whether he had personally investigated any of the matters to which he had referred. He acknowledged that he had played some role in the investigation of the offences. When defence counsel sought to establish which offences he had personally investigated, Narine identified murders.

was the greatest threat at this time. During cross-examination, defence counsel put to Narine that, having identified Azruddin Mohamed as the “greatest threat to national security”, his objective as a police officer would be to eliminate that threat. Narine responded that any action taken against

Courts. Azruddin Mohamed and his father are facing extradition proceedings in Guyana after the US formally requested their surrender in October 2025. A US federal grand jury in Florida indicted the two men on multiple charges, including wire fraud, mail fraud, money-laundering conspiracy and customs-related offenc-

also states that Azruddin Mohamed evaded more than US$1 million in Guyanese taxes in connection with the importation of a Lamborghini. The Mohameds have denied the allegations. The US is seeking their extradition so they can face prosecution. Pending the outcome of the extradition proceedings,

National security threat

Narine is the prosecution’s second witness in the extradition proceedings arising from the USs’ request for the surrender of Azruddin and Nazar Mohamed. He has been under extensive cross-examination by Defence Attorneys. Dhurjon asked Narine whether he knew of anyone else who posed a threat to national security greater than Azruddin Mohamed. Narine replied in the negative and maintained that Mohamed

US-sanctioned and indicted Azruddin and Nazar Mohamed

the threat would be pursued “by all legal means possible.” The extradition hearing will continue on September 28 and 29, with further cross-examination of Narine expected at the Georgetown Magistrates’

es, arising from an alleged scheme involving more than 10,000 kilograms (kg) of gold and an estimated US$50 million in unpaid taxes and royalties to the Government of Guyana. The US indictment

the two men, who were arrested on October 31, 2025, were each granted $150,000 bail and ordered to surrender their passports and report to the Ruimveldt Police Station.

Boat Captains strengthen safety, emergency response skills

Guyana’s Ambassador tells world leaders... FROM PAGE 2

Impartial & sound peacekeeping solutions

Guyana’s Permanent Representative wants all 193 world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting this week to know that their countries can trust her to provide impartial and sound peacekeeping solutions, although voting by the Security Council is later this year. Then on January 1, 2027, when the current SG steps down, she hopes that indomitable indigenous woman from the small and peaceful country of Guyana gains the confidence of the 15-member Security Council to carry on the execution of the peace organsiation’s work in the capacity of UNSG. “If I did not serve on the Security Council, I would not put forward myself, because the pillar of peace and security is, in some ways, this

is what the UN was formed for… the UN was formed in the ashes of World War II, and to prevent the scourge of war, to prevent another world war. But development and human rights cannot be ever divorced from peace and security. So the three pillars of the UN are very important,” she said. Further, she added, “So I bring field, political, and don’t forget my parliamentary experience; my diplomatic experience and my technical experience as well…I bring quite a wide range of skill sets.” The five Security Council veto powers - the United States (US), China, Russia, France, and Britain - will have the final say on a candidate to take over. Once a candidate is chosen, the UN Security Council will eventually formally make the recommendation to the 193-member General Assembly for election.

Participants during the GTA and MARAD HSSE and Maritime Boat Captain training focused on vessel safety and emergency response

ineteen tourism industry participants took part in a Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) and Maritime Boat Captain Refresher Course hosted by the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) in collaboration with the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD). The training was facil-

itated by Jenell WilliamsPinder and Captain Courtney McDonald, Director of Maritime Safety at MARAD. The session, hosted last week, focused on refreshing participants’ knowledge of health, safety, security, and environmental practices, as well as key requirements for the safe operation of vessels. Participants also re-

viewed practices aimed at ensuring they are better prepared to respond appropriately to emergencies while operating on the country’s waterways. The course is part of the GTA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen safety standards within the tourism industry. According to the GTA, the initiative is intended to ensure tourism operators

and boat captains have the knowledge and skills necessary to operate vessels safely and manage emergency situations. The collaboration with MARAD, it GTA stated, also provides an opportunity to reinforce maritime safety requirements among tourism operators whose activities involve the transportation of visitors by boat.

8 NEWS 3 drivers face $105,000 fines, $100,000 bail over traffic offences WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Prakash Kissoon

Devonte Person

Abdool Omar Saleem

hree Essequibo Coast men were brought before the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court earlier this month on various traffic-related charges arising from separate incidents. Prakash Kissoon, 25, a self-employed man of Cottonfield, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) was charged with dangerous driving, driving an uninsured motor vehicle and driving an unlicensed motor vehicle. The charges stemmed from an incident on September 11, on the Richmond Public Road,

Essequibo Coast. Kissoon appeared before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir on September 16, where the charges were read to him. He pleaded not guilty to the dangerous driving charge but guilty to driving an uninsured motor vehicle. He was granted $50,000 bail on the dangerous driving charge and fined $30,000 for driving an uninsured motor vehicle. For driving an unlicensed motor vehicle, Kissoon was fined $10,000, with an alternative of two weeks’ imprisonment. The matter was adjourned to October 14, 2026, for disclosure of statements.

Also appearing before the court was Devonte Person, 20, a construction worker of Richmond Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast. Person was charged with dangerous driving and driving an uninsured motor vehicle, offences which allegedly occurred on September 11 on the Richmond Public Road. When the charges were read to him on September 16, Person pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving and guilty to driving an uninsured motor vehicle. He was granted $50,000 bail on the dangerous driving charge and fined $30,000 for driving an un-

insured motor vehicle. His matter was also adjourned to October 14 for disclosure of statements. Meanwhile, Abdool Omar Saleem, 38, an operator of Pomona Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast, was charged with five traffic offences stemming from an incident on September 7 on the Pomona Access Road. The charges were driving an unlicensed vehicle, breach of insurance, driving an unregistered motor vehicle, and failing to display the required identification marks at the front and rear of the vehicle. Saleem appeared before Magistrate Mohabir on September 11 and pleaded guilty to all five charges. He was fined $30,000, with an alternative of three months’ imprisonment, for driving an unlicensed vehicle. He was reprimanded and discharged for the breach of insurance, unregistered motor vehicle and failure to display the rear identification mark charges. For failing to display the front identification mark, Saleem was fined $75,000. His total fines amounted to $105,000.

Essequibo Coast driver charged over fatal Queenstown crash

3 5 - y e a r - o l d Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) driver has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving in connection with the death of Isaacs Rojas in January. Chandu Singh, a driver of Hoff-Van-Aurich, Essequibo Coast, appeared at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s

Charged: Chandu Singh

Court on Friday last before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir. Singh was charged under Section 35(1) of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02, for allegedly causing the death of Rojas by dangerous driving. The charge stems from an incident that occurred on January 4 at Queenstown

Access Road, Essequibo Coast. Magistrate Mohabir granted Singh $700,000 bail on the conditions that he report to the Anna Regina Police Station every Friday and surrender his travel documents, including his passport, pending trial. The matter was adjourned to facilitate disclosure of statements.

GPL pole damaged in Kitty 2-vehicle crash

The vehicles that were involved in the Kitty, Georgetown crash

uyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) has raised concern over the increasing number of vehicular accidents involving its electricity infrastructure following another

crash in Kitty, Georgetown, on Tuesday afternoon. The latest incident occurred at about 15:30h and involved motor lorry GAD 5037 and motor car PAL 9858.

According to GPL, the collision damaged its electricity network and resulted in a service interruption affecting sections of Kitty between Queen Street and Vlissengen Road,

Georgetown. No one was severely injured in the incident. However, GPL said the downing of power lines posed a potential risk of serious injury or death to the persons involved as well as members of the public. The company said such accidents not only create safety hazards but also damage critical electricity infrastructure, result in repair and replacement costs, and disrupt service to customers. GPL urged motorists to exercise greater caution when driving, particularly in areas where electrical infrastructure is located. According to the power company, once the circumstances of the accident have been established, it will take the necessary steps to recover the costs associated with repairing or replacing the damaged infrastructure.

Pushing… I

… Guyana

n your Eyewitness’ estimation, if there’s one word that describes President Ali, it’s “peripatetic” – which means “going from one place to another constantly”!! It’s of Greek origin and is associated with Aristotle’s habit of walking around as he taught his students, who were then dubbed “Peripatetics”!! Pressie’s perambulations are tied to his drive to develop Guyana by personally engaging persons from all walks of life and circumstances to motivate them to get with his Government’s developmental programme!! So here he is in NYC, along with 130 other world leaders, for the 81st annual UN General Assembly Debate!! And, as is his wont, he used the opportunity while waiting his turn to push Guyana’s profile as a candidate for development!! He met with the head of the US-EXIM Bank, which had signed a US$2 billion MoU initial framework back in July 2022 to facilitate US exports and infrastructure development!! Now this was a landmark development, showing that in going head-to-head with China to oust them from the hemisphere economically as well as militarily, the Yanks were putting their money where their mouth is!! Last year they’d plunked down US$527 million to finance the US company finishing off the GtE project at Wales!! Well after the meeting, Pressie was able to have the EXIM Bank commit to the welter of projects that are in the pipeline for Berbice – including the second GtE, deep water harbour, and affordable housing! That’s working the room!! Interestingly, while President Trump spoke at the UNGA, China’s Xi Jinping bypassed NY and flew to Washington to meet Trump tomorrow!! So much for all the platitudes China spouts about the new world order where multilateralism will prevail – and snubs the United Nations!! But Pressie didn’t stop there to rest on his laurels – no siree, Bob, as the Yanks would say!! He moseyed over to the elite Harvard Club in Midtown Manhattan to address and hobnob with a host of business leaders – sponsored by the Florida International University Adam Smith Center – to identify all the opportunities that abound in Guyana for good ole American entrepreneurship!! Maybe that GtE and ancillary projects in Berbice, since the financing’s already in the pipeline!! Now Pressie’s scheduled to address the UNGA tomorrow morning on the theme “Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations that delivers for all”, and you can bet your bottom dollar that he won’t miss this fortuitous theme to push our Carolyn to succeed Secretary General Gutierrez – whose term ends this year!! She’s got a better chance now that Chile’s Bachelet stepped aside – as others will. But, as your Eyewitness has said, ultimately the decision’s gonna be made by the Big Five – the US, Britain, China, France, and Russia – who have veto over the nomination!! …the US interests President Trump kept true to form as he spoke second – after Brazil – to declare his Administration’s position on a host of issues at the UNGA!! Right up there was the UN itself – where he left absolutely no doubt that the US ain’t pleased with the organisation!! One argument was that as fast as he tries to get a handle on illegal immigration into the US, the UN actually spends millions and millions on getting them in!! Maybe that’s why that UN agency – the International Organization for Migration (IOM) – is now assisting with settling US third-country deportees?? After stating that he’s settled seven wars, President Trump accused – by name!! – India and China of keeping the war in Ukraine going by continuing to buy Russian oil!! He also called out the European countries for playing both sides against the middle on Russian energy supplies!! Your Eyewitness wondered whether President Trump would’ve thanked Guyana for receiving third-country deportees – but he picked El Salvador!! …prices up Here we go again, the price of wheat’s going up – and up because of tensions in the Black Sea ports due to the Ukraine-Russian war!! With roti and bread as our staples, it’s gonna hit us hard! The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Ganja, 2 undocumented motorcycles found during Police raid P

olice in Regional Division Two seized 235.8 grams (g) of cannabis and two motorcycles during a cordon and search exercise in Queenstown, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) on Friday. The exercise was conducted between 13:40h and 16:20h after police ranks acting on information received went to the area. According to Police, during the exercise, ranks searched an area in Queenstown Village, 30 feet from a nearby shop where several persons

The cannabis that was found by Police found at Queenstown

were gathered in an open area. A black plastic bag was found among vege-

tation. Police said that the bag contained several bulky transparent plas-

tic bags, each containing leaves, seeds and stems. The narcotics were re-

trieved and shown to the persons who were in proximity to the shop. However,

Police said all of them denied ownership of the black plastic bag. It was taken to the Anna Regina Police Station, where it was weighed and amounted to 235.8g. During a further search, police also seized two motorcycles. One of the motorcycles had no identification marks affixed to either the front or rear, while the second had no identification mark affixed to the rear. Police said no documents were produced for either motorcycle. Both motorcycles were lodged as investigations continue.

10 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt absorbing global cost shocks to protect consumers – Pres Ali

President Dr Irfaan Ali

resident Dr Irfaan Ali has stood by his Administration’s stewardship of the economy amid a turbulent international environment, pointing out that fiscal interventions, subsidies and other measures have helped shield Guyanese consumers from some of the effects of rising global costs while maintaining economic growth. Speaking about the country’s Mid-Year Economic Report, Ali said Guyana’s economic performance must be viewed against a backdrop of global upheaval, including geopolitical conflicts, supply chain disruptions, in-

flationary pressures and climate-related shocks. “While I acknowledge the tremendous continued growth and advancement of our economy, as you rightfully pointed out, Guyana is not an isolated case,” the President said. “We do not exist in a hemisphere by ourselves. We are part of a global system,” he added, noting that the global system has experienced significant shocks that have created short-, medium- and long-term challenges for economies worldwide. Ali pointed to conflicts in Europe and the Middle East,

disruptions to international trade routes, rising transportation costs and weather-related impacts on food production as factors affecting Guyana. He noted that despite the country’s rapid growth, Guyana remains heavily dependent on imports for many of its consumption needs and productive activities. “We still rely on imported refined products to drive this expansion,” he said, adding that changes in the global trade environment have contributed to increases in the cost of goods, materials and services. The President also highlighted increases in the cost of fertiliser, grains, natural gas and other inputs used in agriculture and industry. He pointed specifically to the impact of higher fuel-related operating costs faced by the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL). “The war in Ukraine and Russia continues, driving up the cost of fertiliser, grains, natural gas. The Middle East war has taken natural gas out of the global system,” Ali said. He explained that natu-

ral gas is critical for energy, fertiliser, agrochemicals and the pharmaceutical industry, meaning increases in its cost can have wider effects. According to Ali, the costs associated with imported agricultural inputs, machinery, transportation and insurance are also being passed on to Guyana. He said diesel costs faced by GPL had increased by 89 per cent from the beginning of the year to the time of the interview. “...as a Government, we have not passed on a cent of this increase to the consumer,” he said. Ali said similar pressures affect the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), since much of its operations are also linked to energy costs. “The Government continues to subsidise and absorb these shocks,” he said, noting that while oil and gas revenues had increased by 33 per cent, greater levels of subsidies were also required for energy and water. The head of state also pointed to droughts and floods in various parts of the world, which have constrained agricultural production while demand for

food continues to rise. “We are not spared from that,” he said. Ali maintained that Government intervention has been critical to containing inflation and stabilising prices. “To manage this global challenge, manage the local challenge that we have, and tame inflation, and keep prices at the level we have kept it, speaks volumes about, one, our management of the economy, [and] two, the type of policies and programmes that we are implementing to safeguard the population and to protect against price shocks,” he said. He said Guyana is also facing climate-related pressures, with excessive rainfall earlier in the year affecting production and prolonged dry spells creating additional difficulties for agriculture. “So our production would have been affected,” Ali said. “Climate challenges are affecting us.” The mining and construction sectors have similarly faced higher costs associated with imported equipment, fuel and trans-

portation.

Strategic interventions

Nevertheless, Ali said strategic interventions have allowed Guyana to continue recording growth while cushioning citizens from some of the external shocks. He said one of the Administration’s challenges has been balancing public expectations with the increasing cost of maintaining and expanding services, including healthcare, education, social assistance, pensions, transportation support, and infrastructure. “The challenge of meeting the expectation of the people, financing that expectation, financing the existing programme and achieving the existing programme despite the increase in the costs and the price... all of these things are ongoing at the same time,” he said. Ali said programmes including the “Because We Care” grant, transportation assistance for students, higher old-age pensions, salary increases, and expanded healthcare services continue while the Government seeks ways to cushion the effects of higher costs.

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Hotter, drier days ahead as El Niño conditions persist to March 2027 – Hydromet warns

h e Hydrometeorological Service is warning Guyana to prepare for hotter and potentially more challenging weather conditions through March next year, with little relief from the current heat expected in the coming months. The warning came from Specialist Meteorologist Komalchand Dhiram as the Hydrometeorological Service convened stakeholders from the Public and Private Sectors to present its latest seasonal outlook and provide updated climate information to help key sectors prepare for and respond to the expected conditions. The current outlook is being influenced by El Niño, a climate pattern associated with unusually warm ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. The phenomenon can influence weather patterns around the world, including temperature and rainfall conditions. Looking ahead to the coming months, the Hydrometeorological Service presented a graph showing the expected sea surface temperatures and the likelihood and strength of the El Niño phenomenon. The graph used colour codes to indicate predicted sea surface temperatures. Areas shown in red represented temperatures that are expected to be warmer than normal, while blue indicated cooler-than-normal conditions. In fact, the outlook from October through December shows that sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific are expected to remain above normal. According to the Service, this region plays

not what we notice. Now, December may arrive and there may be some showers, and we want to see if we can get this around. Give yourself a chance for the month to finish and then do the analysis. We want to provide more detail on this.” He added, “And you

el now, as you can see here from April to March, this is looking green and not so much of a concern.” The Hydrometeorological Service noted that Guyana received less rainfall than usual during July and August, contributing to the below-normal rainfall out-

there is currently less concern at the long-term level. As the effects of El Niño are expected to affect Guyana, farmers are set to receive direct assistance from the government to help them cultivate crops and manage the anticipated conditions.

know what happened in July and August? We really did not get that amount of usual rain. So hence, the forecast is below normal. So therefore, we have now moved from drought warning to drought emergency alert at the short-term level. On the long-term lev-

look. As a result, the country has moved from a shortterm drought warning to a drought emergency alert. However, the long-term drought outlook, covering April to March, remains largely favourable, with the Service indicating that

Looking ahead to November, the Service noted that while rainfall could still begin during the month under normal circumstances, the start of the rainy season is expected to be relatively dry, with rainfall amounts projected to remain below average.

Specialist Meteorologist Komalchand Dhiram

an important role in influencing rainfall patterns and the intensity of seasonal rainfall. The graph also indicates that the warmer-than-normal conditions are expected to persist through March, with no significant change currently projected.

Hotter days ahead

Zoning in on the upcoming months of 2026, he noted that there are no signs of any significant improvement in weather conditions, with little chance of experiencing wetter conditions. To top it off, temperatures are expected to remain high, with the heat set to persist in the coming months. “So, from October, November, and December, the sea surface temperature is predicted to be above normal in this area, but the intensity of the seasonality. We continue to say that there is approximately a 90 per cent chance of this… that’s how confident we are that this can go all the way towards the end of March. At least up to January and

February, we have more than an 85 per cent chance that we’re going to have a strong El Niño.” The Hydrometeorological Service is forecasting below-normal rainfall conditions across Guyana for October, November and December. The Service noted that during this period, the southern part of the country is typically drier, while the northern regions generally receive more rainfall. However, the latest forecast shows a higher probability of below-normal rainfall across the country, with no indication in the current models of normal or above-normal rainfall conditions. He explained that the stronger the colour intensity on the forecast map, the greater the confidence that rainfall totals will remain below normal. “So though you receive rain, you still have a larger deficit. You would expect the rain to come in December to provide some form of relief for farmers and hydro planning and so on, but that is

12 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

More local production is key to cushioning global price shocks – Head of State P

resident Dr Irfaan Ali has said Guyana’s long-term economic strategy will focus on increasing domestic production, expanding infrastructure, and diversifying the economy to reduce the country’s vulnerability to external shocks. Speaking on the country’s Mid-Year Economic Report, Ali said the Government is pursuing investments intended to lower costs, strengthen productive capacity and create greater economic resilience. He said part of the Government’s strategy is to reduce electricity costs

through large-scale infrastructure projects, with the public expected to benefit from those investments over the medium and long term. Among the projects highlighted was the Gas-toEnergy (GtE) Project, which Ali said is intended to eventually reduce energy costs by approximately half, making the economy more competitive and expanding opportunities for households and businesses. Investments are also being advanced in areas including the Amaila Falls hydroelectric initiative, industrial hubs, agro-processing facilities and farm-to-

market roads. “All of this will lead, while not immediate, to the medium and long-term benefit of the Guyanese people,” he said. Agriculture remains a central component of the Government’s strategy to tackle inflation and strengthen economic resilience. According to Ali, the Government plans to establish farmers’ markets across the country in an effort to reduce the price transfers between wholesalers and retailers and improve consumers’ access to affordable food.

Farmer’s Market

He said a Farmer’s Market Day will be held at the Sophia Exhibition Centre next Wednesday, where consumers will be able to purchase produce at affordable prices. “We are going to launch the farmers markets across the country to ease the price transfers between the wholesale and retailers,” Ali said. The President said the Government is also examining opportunities to increase local production of food items currently being imported. “We are looking at onion production in Guyana. We are looking at the production of potatoes. We are looking at the production of more of what we consume,” he said. Plans are also being pursued to increase production of red beans, black-eyed peas and soya beans, while developing value-added products such as soya oil. Ali said efforts are also

being made to expand poultry production and establish local capacity for producing hatching eggs. The broader objective, he said, is to build sufficient productive capacity and storage infrastructure to absorb future shocks without major disruptions to prices. “We have to ensure that we always have a buffer,” Ali said. He noted that building resilience requires investment not only in production but also in storage facilities. A similar approach is being pursued in the beef industry through measures aimed at improving supply chains and supporting livestock producers in hinterland regions. Ali also pointed to financial inclusion and household wealth as areas in which the Government continues to advance. He said increased banking activity and growth in account ownership provide longer-term benefits, responding to claims that many new accounts were

opened primarily to receive Government cash grants. “A bank account itself is empowering. If one understands basic financial empowerment, they would understand the importance of a bank account and how a credit relationship is developed,” he said. The Government is also targeting vulnerable groups through housing programmes designed to assist families facing severe economic hardship. Thousands of households are expected to benefit from social housing initiatives, while Ali pointed to increases in savings, housing ownership, access to loans, use of financial services and educational attainment as indicators of the benefits of broader economic expansion. Looking ahead, Ali said sustained growth would depend on continued diversification, productivity improvements and strategic investment. “We have to continue to invest heavily in the economic diversification of our country,” he said. According to the President, the ultimate objective is for economic growth to translate into lower costs, expanded opportunities, and improved access to services. “Every citizen, every household, will enjoy the growth and the expansion and will continue to enjoy the growth and expansion of our economy,” Ali said.

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“We can prevent an outbreak from becoming another catastrophe” – Pres Ali tells UN forum …says Global South must be ready before next global pandemic

resident Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday highlighted the urgent need for sustained global action and investment in pandemic prevention, preparedness and response so as to avoid the widespread catastrophe that COVID-19 meted out across the world. He made these remarks at a forum held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) being held in New York. As part of the week-long UNGA activities, a HighLevel Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (PPPR) will be held on Friday. But ahead of that event, Guyana on Tuesday cochaired a high-level discussion on financing the PPPR to build global health security. The discussions brought together Heads of State, Ministers, international organisations, financing institutions and development partners from Africa and the Americas. Addressing these stakeholders, President Ali described the COVID-19 pandemic as one of the most tragic global health crises in modern human history. He said in order to prevent a crisis of such scale and gravity, that there needs to be consistent and sustained action. “We cannot prevent every outbreak, but we can prevent an outbreak from becoming another catastrophe. That is the responsibility we carry from the pandemic and a promise we owe to those who will come after us,” he declared. The Guyanese Leader noted that the COVID pandemic exposed crucial fault lines within and between countries – something that must be repaired before the next emergency finds them. This, he emphasised, is especially true for development countries. In fact, the President outlined five key lessons to which developing nations must pay critical attention when it comes to preparing for and responding to global health crises. First on that list is building local capacity. “Preparedness must begin before the emergency,” Ali contended. “COVID-19 taught us that the real test comes when ordinary capacity is overwhelmed.” To this end, he underscored the need to build strength throughout local health systems, starting from community care and disease surveillance to laboratories, hospitals and trained personnel. This way, he explained, a surge in demand would not result in a collapse in capacity. Readiness in the Global

President Dr Irfaan Ali delivering remarks on Tuesday at the United Nations’ forum on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response

South Moreover, the Guyanese Leader also stressed the importance of both the Americas and African region establishing alternatives to source critically-needed medical supplies. “The pandemic showed what happens when countries depend too heavily on distant sources for essential medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and protective equipment. Every country must ask, what happens if the supply stops? The answer must include diversified suppliers, strategic reserves and greater domestic and regional capacity,” he stated. Against this backdrop, President Ali pointed out that the Global South must become a producer of solutions and not just merely a consumer. He said while these regions possess scientists, engineers, doctors, researchers and institutions of considerable talent, those assets remain too fragmented. As such, President Ali’s call for the Global South to connect their scientific and technical capacities across borders. “Share research, pool investment, and build regional capabilities to develop and manufacture vaccines, medicines, diagnostics and other life-saving technologies. Science

should know north or south, but access to its fruits must never depend on geography. We must build a world in which the global south has a scientific capacity, not simply to receive life-saving innovation, but to help create it,” he asserted.

Financing

The Head of State also spoke about the financial impact of pandemics on economies. He said when such crises arise, Governments need resources immediately to respond – something that may not always be available. As such, he encouraged nations to ensure they have reserves, sustainable debt and some public finances that will allow them to act freely. Similarly, he pointed to the devastating effect a health crisis can have on livelihoods, especially those who depend on informal employment. “A resilient society is one that can absorb a shock without allowing it most vulnerable to fall through the floor. These lessons point to a larger truth. Pandemic preparedness cannot be the responsibility of Health Ministries alone. It belongs to finance, science, education, agriculture, trade, technology and for-

eign policy. It belongs to Governments, regions and international community. “The next global crisis may come from a virus we know or one we have never encountered. What matters is whether we meet it with the vulnerabilities of yesterday or the preparedness of tomorrow… Guyana anticipates that the outcome of this discourse we are having today will not be merely for academic purposes, but will be translated into a programme of action,” President Ali noted. Tuesday high-level discussions were cochaired by Guyana and

Burundi, in collaboration with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and with support from the United Nations (UN) Foundation. During a subsequent panel discussion, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony highlighted some interventions Guyana has made in building that other countries can learn from. He revealed following the COVID-19 pandemic, Guyana commissioned an independent study which highlighted the gaps within the local health systems.

With those findings, the Government subsequently launched the Guyana One Health Project aimed at strengthening national capacity to prevent, detect and respond to public health threats by upgrading laboratories, expanding surveillance systems, improving emergency preparedness and reinforcing coordination across human, animal and environmental health sectors. To finance this initiative, Guyana secured a US$15 million grant from the Pandemic Fund as well as a US$7 million loan through the World Bank.

14 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

President Dr Irfaan Ali is currently attending the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States, where he will be delivering remarks during the General Debate on Thursday. Ahead of his address, the Guyanese Head of State had a meet-andgreet with outgoing United Nations Secretary General António Guterres on Tuesday. This was just one of a series of engagements with world leaders and organisations that President Ali is having on the side-lines of the UNGA. He met with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Adel al-Jubeir, earlier on Tuesday. Their discussions centred on advancing cooperation in investment and strengthening bilateral relations. The Guyanese leader was joined by Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud and Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett. President Ali also attended a Shield of Americas meeting convened by US President Donald Trump and a high-level discussion on financing pandemic prevention, preparedness and response to build global health security. Also, on the side-lines of the UNGA, the Guyanese Leader on Monday joined Private Sector and business leaders for a roundtable hosted by the Americas Society/Council of the Americas.

15 Ramsammy’s “Bamboo is fast-growing” – Bharrat touts Ruminations more use for Guyana’s old mining lands Another call for Norton and the PNC- N NEWS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

led APNU to reveal election 2020 SoPs

arefaced is not enough to describe the renewed attempt by the Opposition, particularly the PNC-led APNU and their sycophants, to accuse the PPP of stealing Elections 2020. They are presently desperately trying to find something to gain sympathy. The Elections 2020 fraud trial of several senior members of the PNC, together with several persons who were senior officials of GECOM, is proving beyond a Dr Leslie Ramsammy shadow of doubt that there were unscrupulous attempts to change the results of the elections with numbers for hundreds of polling stations different from the Statements of Poll (SoPs) produced after the count on the night of Elections 2020. In fact, the altered figures amounted to more than 20,000 votes added to the PNC-led APNU/ AFC and more than 3000 votes removed from the PPP. Elections 2020 produced a set of SoPs which verified that the PPP won Elections 2020 by more than 17,000 votes. Elections observers from the Commonwealth, the UNDP, the Organization of American States (OAS), CARICOM, the Carter Center, the EU and local observers were clear that their copies of the SoPs reflected the SoPs that were in the ballot boxes after votes were counted on the evening of September 2, 2025. Everyone agreed that the PPP won Elections 2020, with 33 seats to the Opposition’s 32. This is yet another call for the PNC-led APNU to reveal its copies of the SoPs. Several members of the AFC had said they saw and have copies of the SoPs. Since they are again insisting that they won Elections 2020 and that the PPP rigged Elections 2020, why are they so afraid to show the world their copies of the SoPs? It is the first time in the history of the world that a party with the “winning” SoPs refuse to let anyone see their copies. Is it because they know that their copies will verify that the SoPs in the ballot boxes and the ones the PPP and others have are all consistent with the same numbers? The PNC-led APNU, like all political parties which contested Elections 2020, have copies of all the SoPs. They refused in the aftermath of Elections 2020 to show anyone their copies of SoPs. They still refuse to show anyone their copies of the SoPs from Elections 2020. Their copies of the SoPs have become one of the great mysteries in Guyana’s history, one of the most guarded secrets. The question is why is it that the PNC-led APNU and the AFC refuse to show anyone their copies of the SoPs? Several persons who are no longer members of the PNC or the AFC have been asked if they had seen the copies of the SoPs. Some of them would have seen copies from polling stations where they were working. But these former members have all confessed that their party – the PNC or the AFC – had never shared information with them. They had joined their leaders, accusing the PPP of stealing Elections 2020, without ever having seen the SoPs from Elections 2020. The PNC-led APNU/AFC copies of the SoPs have been guarded like gold at Fort Knox. The numbers of votes for all political parties in Elections 2020 contained in SoPs in the ballot boxes, and those in the SoPs published by the PPP on Marh 4, 2020, and those that observers had and even those which citizens photographed once they were posted at polling stations were 100 per cent similar. Once a recount of all boxes was done, weeks after the elections, the numbers in the recount SoPs were similar to the numbers in the original SoPs. The truth about Elections 2020 cannot be changed no matter how many times the Opposition and their sycophants try to change the narrative, try to rewrite history. The PPP and Dr Irfaan Ali convincingly won Elections 2020. The Statement of Polls (SoPs) from Elections 2020 is clear. GECOM’s original SoPs, the copies of those SoPs that all political parties had in their possession and that the Elections Observers had in their possession, clearly showed who won the elections. The recount of all boxes showed that the SoPs in all the boxes corresponded with the SoPs in the possession of GECOM and in the possession of the PPP and the observers. We, therefore, have evidence that the SoPs were authentic. This is the real reason why the PNC-led APNU/AFC could not share the numbers with their party activists and even leaders who did not see those SoPs then and still have not seen those SoPs. The trial of senior members of the PNC and senior staff of GECOM for fraud and attempts to rig Elections 2020 is ongoing. It has been a painful sloth. We have been told by a magistrate in another case involving a lead Opposition member who is wanted to face serious criminal charges in America that the court must take its time in the interest of justice and that the wheel of justice must be given the freedom to move at a slower than snail’s pace. The Elections 2020 fraud case is moving at a pace far slower than a snail’s pace. More than six years have elapsed. But what has been revealed so far leaves no doubt that there were clear attempts to steal Elections 2020 in a conspiracy between senior GECOM staff and senior members of the then PNC-led APNU/ AFC. No amount of twisting the testimony of any person during these trials will succeed in rewriting history. The PNC, between 1968 and 1985, rigged five national elections and then tried clumsily in 2020 to do the same. One former CARICOM Prime Minister described the attempt to rig elections in 2020 as the most transparent election rigging attempt he had ever seen. That is our history. That history cannot be rewritten because the world saw it in plain sight. The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance

atural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat has posited that Bamboo has been introduced as part of efforts to reclaim old mining lands, as the Government has kicked off a pilot project in Region 10 targeting reforestation while creating new economic opportunities for communities in and around former mining areas. According to Bharrat, Guyana remains committed to protecting its forests and expanding the country’s protected areas, even as extractive activities continue. As such, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) have been collaborating over the past three years on a reclamation and reforestation project, with bamboo playing a key role in efforts to restore former mining areas. “We are the second most forested country in the world, with 86% of Guyana covered by forests, second after Suriname. We have the lowest deforestation rate in the world. That is quite significant, really significant. We have about eight or nine per cent of our landmass that is protected. Those are the five protected areas, and we are committed to expanding those protected areas, including our waterways as well,” he said during a recent social media interview. “So while we have been carrying out extractive activities, we are very, very cognisant that the environment and the protection of the environment is critical and important.” Meanwhile, Bharrat highlighted the use of bamboo in the reforestation efforts, citing its rapid growth rate as a key advantage. “We have done reclamation and reforestation, for example, in Region 10, Region One and Region Eight, and these are the old mined-out areas. In Region 10, we are targeting the old bauxite mines. We launched recently a bamboo project in Region 10, a pilot project with the support of the European Union (EU). We’re hoping now to do reforestation using bamboo because bamboo is fast-growing. It grows very fast. It has a lot of economic value to it because we import bamboo ceiling, flooring and furniture from other countries, whereas we can create these opportunities for the communities in and around those areas.” Since 2023, the National Forest Restoration Initiative (NFRI), a collaborative effort between the GFC and the GGMC under the Ministry, has provided a framework for exploring restoration, with consideration given to non-timber and agroforestry pathways alongside native forest species. In an expanded initiative, Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat brought bamboo to the fore-

File photo: In April a bamboo pilot project for restoration and sustainable livelihoods in forest dependent communities was launched in Three Friends/Old Coomacka Mines

front as a fast-growing revegetation option to create short- to medium-term restored landscapes while supporting sustainable livelihoods and economies. Recently, a bamboo planting activity commenced under the project, “Piloting Bamboo for Restoration & Sustainable Livelihoods in Guyana.” The initiative is funded by the EU under the Euroclima programme and will be implemented

with technical assistance from Expertise France and the International Bamboo & Rattan Organisation (INBAR). Almost 500 bamboo plants were planted in recent times at Coomacka, Region 10. This exercise will be replicated in other areas throughout the country. Bamboo plants of the species Bambusa vulgaris var. Vulgaris is being trialled for the restoration of a minedout bauxite site in the old

Coomacka Mines area, close to the Maria Elizabeth/ Three Friends community, with technical guidance from INBAR. Mining communities in Region 10, including Maria Elizabeth/ Three Friends, Coomacka, Old England/Siberien, Nottinghamshire and Richmond Hill, have been steady partners in designing a project that fits the context of their landscape.

16 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

New measures coming to improve garbage collection in GT, NDCs

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Priya Manickchand and Permanent Secretary Miguel Choo-Kang meeting with Chief Sanitation Officer Walter Narine, Georgetown Town Clerk Candace Nelson, and contractors

he Government is moving to strengthen garbage collection in Georgetown and across Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), with new measures expected to be announced shortly. Local Government and Regional Development Minister Priya Manickchand and Permanent Secretary Miguel Choo-Kang met with

Chief Sanitation Officer Walter Narine, Georgetown Town Clerk Candace Nelson and contractors engaged by the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) to reinforce the Central Government’s position that garbage collection must be reliable, consistent and predictable. According to the Local Government and Regional

Development Ministry, the meeting focused on measures to improve garbage collection and service delivery across Georgetown. The Ministry said new measures are being developed to strengthen the collection system in the capital, with further details to be announced shortly. It also announced that a national plan to strengthen garbage collection across every NDC will soon be rolled out.

BritCham Guyana to host flagship Gala Dinner in Georgetown

Attendees at Lord’s Cricket Ground for BritCham’s launch

he British Chamber of Commerce Guyana (BritCham Guyana) will host its annual Gala Dinner in Guyana for the first time on November 25, as part of a week of activities focused on strengthening commercial ties between Guyana and the United Kingdom. The Gala Dinner will be held at the new Four Points by Sheraton in Georgetown and will bring together BritCham members, business leaders, investors, Government and diplomatic representatives, partners, suppliers, customers,

members of the Guyanese diaspora, and guests from Guyana and the UK. The event will be the centrepiece of BritCham Guyana Week, which will feature business, networking and engagement activities aimed at strengthening relationships between the two countries and highlighting commercial opportunities in Guyana. The Chamber said the event is particularly significant as Guyana marks its 60th anniversary of independence in 2026. In previous years, BritCham Guyana held its

annual events at prominent British sporting venues, including Lord’s Cricket Ground in London in 2024 and Chelsea Football Club in 2025. As part of this year’s programme, BritCham partner The Caribbean Council will organise a UK trade delegation to Guyana. The delegation is expected to include British companies interested in exploring the Guyanese market, establishing business relationships and identifying opportunities for investment, trade and partnerships.

Coralisle Group CEO Naz Farrow to retire; Yan Leclerc named successor

Couple slapped with narco trafficking charge on $1M bail each

Candy Lambert

Joseph Mohanlall

common-law couple accused of possessing more than 29 kilograms (kg) of cannabis for trafficking was granted bail in the sum of $1 million each when they appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty.

Joseph Mohanlall, a 44-year-old contractor, and Candy Lambert, a 34-year-old self-employed woman, both of Lot 14 Bel Air Road, Lamaha Gardens, Georgetown, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on

Friday. They pleaded not guilty to separate charges of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. The charges allege that on September 6, at their Lamaha Gardens residence, Mohanlall and Lambert had 29.510 kg of cannabis in their possession for the purpose of trafficking. The offence was brought under Section 5(1)(a)(i) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act. The charges were filed by Customs AntiNarcotic Unit (CANU). The couple was represented by Attorney-at-Law Bernard DaSilva. After granting bail, the Magistrate transferred the matters to Court Five, where they will continue on October 16.

oralisle Group (CG) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Naz Farrow will retire from the company effective December 31, 2026, with Group Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director Yan Leclerc appointed CEO designate, pending regulatory approval. Leclerc is expected to assume the position on January 1, 2027. CG Board Chairman Dr Grant Gibbons thanked Farrow for her three decades of service to the company, including her tenure as CEO, which began in 2017. During Farrow’s leadership, the Group expanded its presence across the Caribbean, rebranded its identity and operations under the CG trade name, and introduced a people-first service philosophy across the organisation. “Naz has been at the centre of our success over the past decade,” Gibbons said.

“While our performance is the result of across-the-board commitment to service by the entire CG team, Naz carried the flag, and the results speak for themselves.” Before becoming CEO, Farrow served as Chief Operating Officer of the Group’s health insurance business. Reflecting on her career, Farrow said it had been a privilege to be part of CG for 30 years, noting the company’s focus on providing clients with support and service. She said the Group had played a leading role in delivering insurance solutions and raising service standards across the Caribbean industry. Farrow also pointed to the company’s response to challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic and initiatives such as CG Pharmacy, which she said has helped make prescription medications more affordable.

“I am deeply proud of what we have achieved together and of the strong foundation we have built for the Group’s future,” Farrow said. Leclerc, who joined CG in 2020, has more than 20 years of experience in the insurance and reinsurance industry. In addition to serving as Group CFO, he is an Executive Director on the CG Board and has been involved in the company’s growth and transformation. Gibbons said the Board has confidence in Leclerc’s ability to lead the Group through its next phase. Farrow and Leclerc will work together over the coming months to maintain the Group’s strategic priorities and facilitate the leadership transition, according to CG. “The outlook for CG is positive in all areas of operation, and we look forward to supporting Yan as he prepares to lead the Group into its next chapter,” Gibbons said.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026

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Regional

Hurricane Polo grows into Lula, Flavio Bolsonaro Category 5 storm off Mexico tied in latest polls

Hurricane Polo’s expected path along the coast of southwestern Mexico

urricane Polo rapidly intensified in the Pacific off the coast of southwestern Mexico on Tuesday, growing into a powerful Category Five storm that could bring life-threatening flooding to parts of the states of Guerrero and Michoacán, the National Hurricane Center said. The hurricane centre called Polo “extremely dangerous” on Tuesday, as its maximum sustained winds

climbed to 180mph. It will likely continue to strengthen through Wednesday, it said. As of Tuesday afternoon, Polo was located off the coast of Zihuatanejo, a coastal resort city in the Mexican state of Guerrero, and Manzanillo, another coastal city and resort destination in the state of Colima. It was stationary, hurling hurricane-force winds outward up to 35 miles from its centre, after

inching northward along the Pacific Coast throughout the morning. Polo was forecast to bring tropical storm conditions to parts of the coastline starting Wednesday morning. In some areas, heavy rainfall “may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain,” the hurricane centre warned. The storm remains far south of the Baja California peninsula. The Mexican Government issued a tropical storm warning for a stretch of the Mexican coast from Tecpan de Galeana, in Guerrero, to Punta San Telmo, in Michoacán. Forecasters said they expect Polo to continue on its current path before making a sharp turn toward the northwest Tuesday night and Wednesday. (Excerpt from CBS News)

Supporters carry a giant figure depicting Brazilian President Lula during a campaign rally

razilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro remain deadlocked in the latest polls, with the first round of Brazil’s election less than two weeks away. Two new polls on Monday showed that the pair are statistically tied in simulated runoffs ahead of next month’s election. If no candidate wins more than

50 per cent of valid votes in the October 4 first round, the two frontrunners advance to a runoff on October 25. Lula is seeking a fourth non-consecutive term as Brazil’s president but faces a challenge from the political right in Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, an ally of US President Donald Trump.

The elder Bolsonaro was ruled ineligible for office after Brazil’s top electoral court found he had abused his power while in office. A Quaest poll released on Monday showed Bolsonaro with 42 per cent of voter support in a potential runoff, versus 41 per cent for Lula. Meanwhile, a BTG Pactual/Nexus poll has Lula receiving 46 per cent of voter support, compared with 45 per cent for Bolsonaro in a potential runoff. The latest polls mark a narrowing from an earlier Quaest poll on August 5, which put Lula ahead by a wider five-point margin, 44 per cent to 39 per cent. Lula launched his re-election bid on August 2 at the Workers’ Party convention in Sao Paulo, casting himself as a defender of Brazilian “sovereignty” as pressure from the US Administration looms over the race. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Venezuelan DoorDash driver T&T signs air services agreements shot, wounded by ICE agent with Panama, Ghana

V e n e z u e l a n DoorDash delivery driver who was shot by ICE agents returned to hospital after being sent to a detention centre with a bullet still in his back, his lawyer has said. The shooting of Wilber Rafael Garcés Perez, 28, triggered protests in Austin, Texas, on Sunday. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a statement to the BBC it was investigating the shooting of a man in the Texan capital who had entered the country illegally. It was unclear what led to the shooting, with the local mayor and police demanding an investigation. It comes months after a man in Houston was shot dead by an ICE officer.

Wilber Rafael Garcés Perez was shot and injured by an ICE officer

Attorney Kate LincolnGoldfinch told the BBC that after being unable to move his arm in the detention facility, Garcés Perez was transported back to hospital on Monday evening. He was treated there and has since been returned to the deten-

tion facility. She added that detention personnel have revoked his communication privileges and have since moved him from an infirmary into an isolated room with a flat, non-adjustable bed. The BBC has contacted the Department of Homeland Security for comment. Texas lawmaker Joaquin Castro, a Democrat, on Tuesday has demanded his release from detention. He said Garcés Perez was in the US legally, had work permits and was seeking asylum. Garcés Perez’s federal case remains pending, and a hearing is scheduled for next week, his lawyer said. (Excerpt from BBC News)

rinidad and Tobago (T&T) has signed Air Services Agreements with Panama and Ghana, opening the way for strengthened aviation links with Latin America and Africa. The agreements were signed on Monday by Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Minister Sean Sobers on behalf of the Government during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The T&T delegation to the General Assembly is being led by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. The agreements establish the framework for air services between T&T and

said in his speech to the UN General Assembly. The Cuban delegation walked out of the UN General Assembly hall during these remarks. The US has maintained a trade embargo on Cuba for more than 60 years, and ‌Trump’s Administration has been stepping up pressure on Communist-controlled Cuba after using the military in January to remove Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Trump has called Cuba a failed nation in the past,

including in June, when he said the United States had some very good plans for Cuba and will take care of the country. Cuba has been a US antagonist for decades, since Fidel Castro’s 1959 revolution. Trump is strongly supported by hard line CubanAmericans in Florida, who have pushed for USinstigated regime change for decades. The Republican US president has made clear he wants to see change in their homeland. (Excerpt from Reuters)

cause of the country’s role as a major aviation hub connecting the Caribbean with Central, South and North America. Panama is home to Tocumen International Airport, a major regional hub and a key connecting point for passengers travelling between the Americas. The agreement with Ghana provides a framework for developing stronger aviation links between T&T and the African continent. The agreements form part of broader efforts to deepen bilateral relations with Panama and Ghana. (Excerpt from T&T Guardian)

587kg of cocaine seized in Caribbean counter-drug operation

Trump says freedom will be coming to Cuba in UN speech A resident Donald Trump said Cuba was a failed state and freedom would be coming to the Communist-run island in an UN address ‌on Tuesday that touted greater US involvement in the region. “My Administration is also seeking a fundamental change in the situation in Cuba, where the communist regime is under great pressure – the biggest pressure they’ve ever been under. It’s an absolutely failed state; it’s failing like never before, and it will fall,” Trump

the two countries while creating opportunities for increased connectivity and closer economic and people-to-people ties. The Government said the arrangements are expected to support tourism, trade and investment while strengthening T&T’s international aviation network. Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Eli Zakour welcomed the agreements, describing them as part of the Government’s broader strategy to expand the country’s air services arrangements. The agreement with Panama is expected to be particularly significant be-

multinational counter-drug operation in the Caribbean has resulted in the seizure of 587 kilograms (kg) of cocaine and the detention of three people. The operation involved the US Joint Interagency Task Force South and authorities from the Dominican Republic and the Netherlands. According to JIATF South, the operation began after a US Coast Guard maritime patrol aircraft detected a suspicious go-fast vessel. US forces continued tracking and coordinating the operation with support from

the Coast Guard, US Navy and additional patrol aircraft. Aircraft from the Dominican Republic and the Netherlands later assisted in maintaining surveillance of the vessel as authorities sought to intercept it. Dominican Republic forces ultimately took control of the operation’s final phase, intercepting the gofast vessel and seizing 24 bales containing a reported 587kg of cocaine. Three persons aboard the vessel were detained. Officials said maritime patrol aircraft provided about 21 hours of support during the operation.

JIATF South described the interdiction as one of the farthest offshore successful drug seizures carried out by Dominican Republic authorities in recent years. The operation involved cooperation among JIATF South, the Dominican Republic’s National Directorate for Drug Control and the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard. Authorities said the operation demonstrated how intelligence sharing, aerial surveillance and coordination among countries can be used to disrupt maritime drug trafficking in the Caribbean. (Antigua Newsroom)

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026

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Around the World

fighter jet crashes at American OILNEWS OIL NEWS US airbase in Germany, injures Pilot Oil price dips to US$100 on hopes of US-Iran diplomacy

il prices eased on Monday to their lowest level in 12 days, as investors ‌hoped for diplomatic progress on the Iran war due to this week’s United Nations meeting and eyed a partial recovery in shipments from Saudi Arabia. The Brent crude futures November contract settled at US$100.34 a barrel, down US$3.53, or 3.4 per cent. The WTI October contract that is expiring on Tuesday fell US$4.52, or 4.51 per cent, to US$95.78 a barrel. The November contract stood at US$92.47. Both benchmarks fell to their lowest since September 9. On Sunday, Iran and the US exchanged new threats, ⁠although President Donald Trump said he would be open to meeting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who is expected to be in New York this week for the United Nations General Assembly. Investors are pinning their hopes on a breakthrough in peace talks this week, said Tamas Varga, analyst at PVM Oil Associates. ”Just a couple days ago that would have seemed like a very far-flung idea,” said Bob Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho. ”It’s a move in the right direction.” Iran has conveyed its conditions to mediators for reengaging in negotiations, Al Jazeera reported, citing Iran’s security chief, Mohsen Rezaei. (Excerpt from Reuters)

n American military aircraft crashed at a US air base in western Germany on Tuesday, injuring the Pilot, the American military said. In a statement, the US Air Base Spangdahlem said that the Pilot ejected and was receiving medical care. It also said the plane, which was an F-16 Fighting Falcon, crashed around 14:30h local time, and that the cause of the crash was being investigated. The local German district, where Spangdahlem is located, had said earlier that fire and emergency teams res-

US Army personnel in protective suits investigating the crash site

ponded to the incident. Spangdahlem is home to an F-16 fighter jet squadron with about 20 aircraft, the

German news agency DPA reported. The squadron, which supports US Air Force and

NATO missions worldwide, is the centrepiece of the air base. The base has about 5,000 military and civilian employees, plus their family members, according to the latest figures. The US air base also employs between 700 and 800 Germans. Spangdahlem Air Base is home to the US Air Force’s 52nd Fighter Wing, which provides airpower and support for NATO operations in Europe and beyond. The crash remains under investigation. No injuries on the ground were reported. (Excerpt from CBS News)

Trump tells UN of “big decision” on whether to “annihilate” Iran or make peace deal

resident Donald Trump has told the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) he faces a ”big decision” on whether to strike Iran again or pursue a peace deal. Before a standing-room-only audience, Trump also rejected ”global Government” and vowed to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine

and ensure the US wins the artificial intelligence race. Trump’s speech on Tuesday came on a day of high-level diplomacy at the United Nations. He’s meeting more than a dozen world leaders as wars in the Middle East and Ukraine test his foreign policy agenda. He spent much of his address justifying the war with Iran, which has spiked global

oil prices while dragging down his approval ratings since the US and Israel launched the military action in February. ”Will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create a far greater country than it ever was before?” he said. ”Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy

people and countries again? Do I drive them into hell?” Trump said he believed an Iran deal, which has so far eluded him, would come right after November’s elections. The remarks were indicative of his foreign-policy strategy of coercive diplomacy – threatening overwhelming force while keeping negotiations open. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman slams targeting of Mecca by “terrorist” Houthis Healthcare in Africa under growing strain

after US withdrawal from aid programmes

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

audi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has branded Yemen’s armed Houthi movement a “terrorist militia” and accused the Iran-allied group of repeatedly targeting the holy city of Mecca. The 90-year-old Saudi monarch made the comments during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. It was a rare sharp intervention in current affairs by the king, as most day-to-day affairs are led by his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Deadly Houthi attacks this month have marked one of the greatest threats to Saudi Arabia’s security in years. King Salman called the suspected Houthi targeting of the holy city a “heinous crime” and a provocation against Muslim sentiment worldwide, according to SPA.

Last week, Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted a drone launched by the Houthis towards Mecca, an accusation that the Houthis strongly denied, with Houthi leader Abdel-Malik al-Houthi calling the Saudi claims “a heinous lie”. It was the first time in nearly 10 years that a security alert had been activated in Mecca, home to the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site. The Saudi monarch commended the military and security services for “defending the homeland and resolutely confronting any aggression against the holy sites, pilgrims, citizens and residents of the Kingdom”. Houthi missile and drone attacks increasingly target Saudi cities, energy infrastructure and shipping, opening another front in the wider regional conflict that began with the United States and Israel’s war on Iran in February. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

he United States’ withdrawal from key aid programmes has put healthcare in Africa and the Global South “under growing strain”, a new report warns. The report says the Trump Administration’s cuts to programmes such as the US Agency for International Development (USAID), as well as the Covid-19 pandemic and rising costs of living globally, have brought “new urgency” for the need to reform healthcare in the region. The report, titled A Sovereign Future For Health, was created by the Accra Reset, a global health initiative led by John Dramani Mahama, Ghana’s president, that believes countries in Africa and the wider global south should have greater

Protesters gather outside USAID headquarters in Washington, DC

control over their health development rather than being dependent on aid from western countries and international institutions.

A key statistic cited by Mahama and Accra Reset is that Africa produces less than one per cent of its vaccines while carrying about 25 per

cent of the global disease burden. The report cites how abrupt changes to global health financing, such as the US withdrawal from several global health initiatives, forced countries within the global south to urgently restructure their finances. The report points to the Trump Administration’s decision to dissolve USAID, which pushed Nigeria to absorb the 28,000 health workers who were previously employed by the agency at a cost of $200m. Such funding cuts caused “severe and devastating” disruption globally, according to research presented at the 26th International Aids Conference in Brazil earlier this year. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

Greenland, Denmark sign US deal in bid to end Arctic standoff

S President Donald Trump and the leaders of Greenland and Denmark signed an agreement on Tuesday that permits a larger US military presence on Greenland and may resolve a standoff over the strategically located and mineral-rich island. The agreement, signed during Trump’s visit to t‌he UNGA in New York, stops short of Trump’s demand that the US annex Greenland as a US territory to head off the growing Arctic presence

of Russia and China. But the deal does codify a greater US military presence on the icy territory, an option that emerged as Greenland leaders argued against a complete US takeover. A text of the deal released after the event said the US can establish a ”Golden Dome” defence system in Greenland as a shield against ballistic missile threats. The shortest route from Europe to North America runs via the Arctic

island, which is the location of the northernmost US military base. In his speech to the assembled world leaders at the UN before the signing ceremony, Trump said the agreement gives the US ”permanent ⁠control over security and all other needs on that territory.” ”No US adversary will ever be permitted to establish a military presence in Greenland any more or make sensitive investments there without our express written

approval,” Trump said. Trump signed the agreement along with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland Prime Minister JensFrederik Nielsen in a trilateral ceremony after Trump gave his UN speech. Frederiksen described the agreement as a deal that can ”last forever” and said it underlines the importance of the NATO alliance and respects Greenland’s right to self-determination. (Excerpt from Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026

ARCHIE

DAILY HOROSCOPES Be honest with yourself and those you encounter. Question anything that seems dodgy or unrealistic. Refuse to align yourself with groups that don’t share your beliefs or objectives.

(March 21-April 19) Protect your reputation, meaningful relationships and lifestyle from scammers. Spend more time taking care of your mental and emotional health and protecting what you’ve worked so hard to achieve.

PICKLES

(April 20-May 20)

(May 21-June 20)

Stop worrying about what others think and do what makes you happy. Rather than having regrets, pick up the pace and put what you want in place. When one door closes, another will open.

Give whatever isn’t running smoothly a chance to dissipate before you start something new. Distance yourself from negativity and those trying to rewrite history. Know what’s important to you.

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

(July 23-Aug. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Refine your lifestyle to reflect your health and well-being. Taking better care of yourself will lead to new possibilities and desires. Refuse to let temptation result in overspending, bad habits and overindulgence. Spend more time nurturing meaningful relationships. How you conduct your personal and professional life will have an impact on your ability to earn and to function properly in whatever situation comes your way. Pursue your dreams. Let your creative ideas flow and your mind take you on a tour of what’s possible. Refuse to let laziness stand between you and your heart’s desires. Live up to your potential.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

Don’t settle for less than what you want. Being a tagalong will not satisfy your needs. Follow your heart and pursue what inspires and motivates you to find and develop your niche.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

It’s up to you to make things happen. If you delve into the where, why and what of every situation and opportunity, you’ll find the people and options that suit your needs best.

Pay more attention to what you do, and keep your thoughts to yourself. Flying under the radar at work or at home will give you greater freedom to complete what’s necessary. (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Assess your financial, medical or legal position before you make a move. Be sure to stick to the rules and maintain up-todate paperwork. Go through the proper channels to avoid setbacks.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Don’t carry burdens that don’t belong to you. Be a good listener, nothing more. Your highest returns will come from following your heart and pursuing what makes you happy.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026

Harpy Eagles Gym ready to spread their wings at GBA’s National Novices

arpy Eagles Boxing Gym is preparing to make a strong statement at the Guyana Boxing Association’s (GBA) National Novices Championship, with Coach and trainer James Walcott determined to see his young charges challenge for honours when the three-day tournament gets underway from September 25–27 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH). The championship is expected to bring together some of the country’s most promising amateur boxers, all eager to seize their moment in the spotlight at one of the most anticipated events on the GBA’s calendar. For Harpy Eagles, the tournament represents another opportunity to showcase the depth of talent being developed under the

watchful eye of former boxer-turned-Coach James Walcott, whose gym has established a reputation for producing some of Guyana’s leading youth pugilists. While Pace and Power Gym and the New Amsterdam Boxing Academy have already publicly signalled their intentions of challenging for the overall title, Walcott is making it clear that Harpy Eagles will not be entering the championship merely to make up the numbers. The experienced trainer is targeting the crown and believes his stable has enough talent to mount a serious challenge. “I have at least 15 boxers that I want to bring,” Walcott said, while explaining that more than 20 youngsters, including females, are currently competing for a place on the fi-

nal team. “I have a lot, but I have to take like 15 of the best. The competition will be tough this time, so they’re all working and training hard to find a spot on the team for this weekend,” Walcott said. The battle for selection, he believes, has created an added level of motivation within the gym, with every boxer eager to earn the right to represent Harpy Eagles and ultimately make an impression inside the ring. “We have been doing well. We either win or come second most times, so my job now is to keep them focused,” Walcott pointed out. However, while the gym has considerable depth among its male boxers, Walcott remains hopeful that his females will finally get the opportunity to showcase their abilities in competition.

He explained that one of the recurring challenges is finding opponents for his female boxers, despite their commitment to training. “They’re use to boxing with the boys in the gym, but I would tell them that they can’t fight against boys when we get to tournaments. Sometimes we go to weigh-in, and they don’t have anyone to fight them. So, they would ask me if they could fight with the boys, and I would tell them no,” Walcott stated. With a handful of female boxers working towards selection, Walcott is hoping circumstances will be different at this year’s Novices Championship. “They train, and I would love to see them get a chance to fight,” he said. With competition for places already intensifying at Harpy Eagles, Walcott’s

Harpy Eagles Gym’s James Walcott (C) (File Photo)

charges are expected to arrive at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall hungry for suc-

cess, as the gym looks to turn its growing reputation into championship glory.

Luckiram, Latchana claim division titles at Super September Shoot cedures. The association reported that participants safely completed the challenges while maintaining the required discipline. The two divisions offered different equipment conditions. Production competitors used relatively standard factory firearms, placing greater emphasis on comparable equipment, while the Competitors and officials posed for a group photo at the Guyana National Rifle Association’s Super September Shoot at the Timehri Rifle Ranges on September 6.

Yonelle De Abreu topped the women’s category

avendra Luckiram and Rajiv Latchana won the Production and Standard divisions respectively, while Yonelle De Abreu topped the women’s category at the Guyana National Rifle Association’s Super September Shoot at the

Timehri Rifle Ranges on September 6. Sponsored by Aquafina Water and Ice Inc., the event was the association’s third small-bore competition for 2026. The International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) Level I competition

featured four stages, with shooters competing across two divisions and a separate women’s category. Luckiram led a field of nine competitors in the Production Division, finishing ahead of Gordon Richards in second place and Jemaine Klass in third. Latchana secured first place in the five-member Standard Division. Daniel Sugrim finished second, while Jonathon Ferreira completed the top three. De Abreu took the leading women’s prize in a category contested by two participants. Competitors faced demanding stage scenarios in hot, sandy conditions, with the timed format testing their shooting skills, composure and ability to follow the sport’s strict pro-

Standard Division allowed more flexibility to customise firearms and equipment. Results were calculated using the PractiScore 2 application and presented by small-bore captain Gordon Richards. The section’s leadership also includes vice-captain Basmatee Mohabeer. The association com-

mended match officials and competitors for their professional conduct, particularly their attention to safety throughout the competition. It also thanked Aquafina Water and Ice Inc. and its other sponsors for their continued support of the association and the development of sport shooting in Guyana.

National Park to host Alanzo Greaves Memorial Race on Saturday

yclists will gather at the National Park on Saturday, September 26, to honour the late Alanzo Greaves at a memorial race featuring four competition groups and more than GY$800,000 in prizes. Presented by Kaieteur Attack Racing Cycle Club (KARCC) under the theme “Honouring a Champion”, the event is scheduled to begin at 09:00h. Entry costs GY$1,000. The programme includes categories for young riders, elite competitors, masters and female cyclists, alongside BMX and upright races. Group One will bring together juveniles, Category

Four riders, masters aged 50 and over, and females. Elite cyclists, masters aged 35 and over, and juniors will compete in Group Two. BMX and upright riders make up Group Three, while Group Four is designated as the open race. The four-group format provides opportunities for cyclists across several age groups and racing categories to participate in the tribute. The event is supported by Matrix Taxi Service, Chung’s Global Inc., Jason Rambarran and Café Sol Restaurant & Bar. Promoted with the message “Ride In Power”, the Alanzo Greaves Memorial Race is being organised in

Cyclists will gather at the National Park on Saturday, September 26, to honour the late Alanzo Greaves at a memorial race

honour of the former national champion who tragically passed away in an accident a year ago in September.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Abrigo breaks 2 national records as Guyana’s lifters collect 5 medals

L-R: Guyana’s three medallists, Kezia Joseph, Nadina Taharally, and Keisha Abrigo

eisha Abrigo established two national records and earned a deadlift bronze medal as Guyana completed the opening two days of the 2026 South American Powerlifting Championships in Santiago, Chile, with five medals. Abrigo’s performance on Monday was part of a productive outing for three of Guyana’s four female representatives,

with Nadina Taharally winning gold and debutant Kezia Joseph securing silver. Their efforts followed Sunday’s gold for Franklyn Brisport-Luke and silver for Navindra Tamasar. Guyana’s tally at the championships, organised by the South American Powerlifting Federation (FESUPO), stands at two gold medals, two silver, and one bronze after six of the country’s 17 athletes

competed. Contesting the women’s 76-kilogram (kg) Open class, Abrigo set a national squat record of 172.5kg and a national total record of 447.5kg. She also registered a 77.5kg bench press, while her 197.5kg deadlift earned her the bronze medal. Abrigo finished fifth in the seven-lifter Open field, one place ahead of compatriot Joseph, whose debut brought a silver medal in

the separate bench press competition. Joseph had entered that event alongside the Open competition and claimed silver with a 65kg bench press. Her other best lifts were a 170kg squat and a 165kg deadlift, giving her an overall total of 400kg. Taharally, meanwhile, produced an error-free performance in the women’s 76kg Masters II category, successfully completing all nine attempts despite the chilly conditions in Santiago. The seasoned campaigner won gold with a total of 380kg, comprising a best squat of 140kg, a 75kg bench press and a 165kg deadlift. The women’s three-medal return built on the start made by Brisport-Luke and Tamasar on Sunday, September 20. Lifting late into the night, Brisport-Luke secured Guyana’s first gold as the sole competitor in

the men’s 66kg Masters II equipped category. He recorded a 125kg squat, a 72.5kg bench press and a 140kg deadlift for a total of 337.5kg. Tamasar earned silver on debut in the men’s 66kg Open equipped class, where he competed against Ecuador’s Soria Fernando. His squat sequence tested his composure. After successfully opening at 182.5kg, he failed at 200kg on his second attempt before returning to complete that weight on his third, encouraged by his teammates in the stands. Tamasar went on to achieve a best bench press of 117.5kg and a 192.5kg deadlift, finishing with a total of 510kg. Brazil-based Janice Savory was Guyana’s first competitor on the opening day. She finished outside the medals in the women’s 57kg. Open classic division, recording a 120kg squat, a 55kg bench press

and a 135kg deadlift for a total of 310kg. Both Savory and Tamasar were initially nervous but expressed gratitude for the encouragement they received from their teammates during their first competition representing Guyana. Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation President Franklin Wilson congratulated the pair and said the federation was proud of their efforts, along with those of the other eight debutants in the squad. Wilson said the number of new representatives reflected encouraging growth in the sport and underlined the importance of investing in development programmes. He also congratulated two new coaches who passed the International Powerlifting Federation’s Level Two course, following the federation’s investment in their training.

BM Soat joins Over40s World Cup as Silver sponsor

Premier Eagles B overpower Strikers in 4-set thriller

Premier Eagles Volleyball Club continues to be a powerhouse in the DVA (file photo)

remier Eagles Volleyball Club produced a commanding performance to overcome Castrol Strikers in a fourset battle, recovering from a first-set setback to secure a convincing victory. The Strikers made the stronger start, taking the opening set 25-20 as they looked to establish early control. However, the Eagles quickly found their rhythm and responded with a 25-18 victory in the second

set to level the contest. Premier Eagles then turned up the pressure in the third set, dominating the Strikers 25-9 to move within one set of victory. The Eagles maintained their momentum in the fourth, closing out the match 25-15 to complete the comeback. Leading the Eagles’ charge was Evgeny Titov, who was named the match’s Most Valuable Player following an impressive all-

round display. Titov finished with 17 points, including 13 successful attacks, three ace serves and a crucial block, as his attacking efficiency and presence at the net helped propel the Eagles to victory. After dropping the opening set, the Premier Eagles showed their composure and attacking strength to win three consecutive sets and seal the four-set triumph over the Castrol Strikers.

M Soat Auto Sales has joined the International Masters Cricket (IMC) Over-40s Cricket World Cup Guyana 2026 as a Silver sponsor, supporting preparations for the 16team tournament scheduled for October 17–31. The competition will feature 72 matches, with the West Indies competing on home soil and the Cup Final set for the Guyana National Stadium at Providence. The Cricket West Indies Masters Association (CWIMA) announced the partnership in a September 19 release, saying the company’s contribution will assist with staging the tournament and welcoming visiting teams. CWIMA welcomed the support and acknowledged the collective effort needed to deliver the competition. Organisers, clubs, volunteers and sponsors will all play a role in preparing for the international event. The association also thanked BM Soat’s management and staff for supporting Masters Cricket and Guyana’s hosting of the World Cup. The tournament provides an international platform for cricketers aged 40 and over to rep-

CWIMA President Raj Singh (right) shares a moment with a representative of BM Soat

resent their teams. It will also give local fans an opportunity to watch experienced players and support the West Indies throughout the competition. Founded in 1986, BM Soat Auto Sales offers a range of vehicle brands and models through showrooms in Georgetown, Success and Happy Acres.

Its involvement adds an established Guyanese automotive business to the tournament’s group of sponsors. The World Cup is being promoted under the theme “Reignite the Fire. Relive the Passion”. Fixtures and tournament updates are available at worldcup. windiesmasters.org

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026

Adams advances to 400M final on tough day for Guyana

Simeon Adams will compete in today’s Men’s 400M final

t was not the best of days for Guyana’s contingent at the ongoing South American Games in Rosario, Argentina, as several athletes across dis-

ciplines bowed out of the competition. The highlight of the day, however, was Simeon Adams’ season-best run in the Men’s 400M event to

book a spot in the final. Athletics Onesi Dunn missed out on a no-automatically qualifying spot in the Men’s 100M final on Tuesday night, finishing third in Heat One earlier that afternoon. Dunn stopped the clock at 10.66s behind Colombia’s Ronal Longa in first with 10.21s, while Argentina’s Lucas Villegas took second in 10.44s. The same went for Akeem Stewart in Heat Three, crossing the line in 10.76s for third place. Venezuela’s Bryant Alamo won that heat in 10.47s, while Colombia’s Carlos Palacios was second in 10.70s. The slowest non-automatic qualifier was Brazil’s Erik Barbosa, clocking 10.60s for fourth in Heat Two. In the 400M events, Kenisha Phillips clocked a season’s best 55.81s for sixth place in Heat One. Chile’s Martina Weil dominated the Heat, cross-

ing the line in 51.39s, followed by Argentina’s Megan Powell in 53.09s and Brazil’s Leticia Nonato in 53.92s. In Heat Two, Akeelah Dover crossed the line in 1:02:16 for sixth place. Colombia’s Lina Licona took the win in 53.36s, followed by Jainy Dos Santos in 54.32s and Genesis Canola of Ecuador in 54.50s, all qualifying for the final. The Men’s 400M Heat One saw Simeon Adams putting on a season’s best run in 47.12s for fourth place and a non-automatic spot in the final. He was led by Brazil’s Alison Alves in 44.99s, Venezuela’s Kelvis Padrino in 46.26s and Jhonatan Julio of Colombia in 46.91s. Meanwhile in Heat Two, Revon Williams stopped the clock at 48.02s for seventh place. Argentina’s Elian Larregina took first place in 45.71s, while Javier Gomez of Venezuela and Matheus Lima of Brazil completed

the top three in 46.09s and 46.29s, respectively. The Men’s 400M final, featuring Adams, is set for this evening. Squash In the Squash Men’s Singles round of 16 on Monday evening, Daniel Ince went down to Colombia’s Matias Knudsen 3-0 (5-11, 2-11, 0-11). The same was the result for Fung-A-Fat, who took on Ecuador’s Maria Moya in the Women’s Singles Round of 16 but was defeated 3-0 (5-11, 7-11, 7-11). Meanwhile, in the Women’s Doubles Division on Tuesday, Ashley Khalil and Kirsten Gomes comprised Guyana’s duo to take on Maria Tocar and Andrea Soria of Colombia. Unfortunately, the Guyanese went down 0-2 (8-11, 6-11) to the Colombians, ending their campaign in the quarterfinals. Table Tennis Chelsea Edghill started the day on a positive note

for the Guyanese team, racking up a 4-1 victory over Arianny Cardenas of Ecuador in the Women’s Singles. Cardenas started with an 11-7 win in the first set before Edghill roared back to take the Round of 32 encounter with four ensuing sets; 8-11, 5-11, 6-11, and 8-11. However, she was unable to get past the Round of 16 as Brazil’s Beatriz Kanashiro came out on top of their encounter, 4-0. The Brazilian prevailed 11-7, 11-8, 11-4, and 11-6. Over in the Men’s Division, neither Elishaba Johnson, Shemar Britton, nor Colin Wong advanced out of the Round of 32. Johnson fell to Leonardo Iizuka 0-4 (3-11, 8-11, 3-11, 7-11). Another Brazilian, Guilherme Teodoro, got the better of Colin Wong 4-0 (11-3, 11-9, 11-5, 1210). Meanwhile, Britton was defeated at the hands of Argentina’s Santiago Lorenzo, 0-4 (7-11, 5-11, 5-11, 4-11).

Abraham, Williams earn historic IPF Coaching qualifications

Bjorn Williams (left) and Ashlie Abraham (right) successfully completed the International Powerlifting Federation’s Level II Coaches Course in Santiago, Chile

uyana’s powerlifting programme received a major technical boost on Saturday, September 19, when Ashlie Abraham and Bjorn Williams successfully completed the International Powerlifting Federation’s (IPF) Level II Coaches Course in Santiago, Chile. It marked the first time in the sport’s local history that two Guyana-based Coaches, including a woman, completed the advanced programme. Abraham and Williams have joined United Statesbased Kerma Singh as Guyana’s three IPFtrained Level II Coaches. Singh completed the programme last year after successfully finishing the Basic Course one year ear-

lier. The Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) said its investment in technical development is part of a deliberate effort to strengthen the knowledge and capabilities of local trainers. The federation wants Guyanese athletes to receive guidance based on modern and scientific training principles while remaining informed about changing trends within the sport. The intensive course covered squat, bench press and deadlift theory, along with training and planning, sport psychology, referee rules, Coaching responsibilities, nutrition, sports management, anti-doping and stretching. Practical sessions were

also included. Abraham described the programme as dense and comprehensive. She said it was an honour to learn from renowned Coaches Dietmar Wolf and Pjotr van den Hoek and indicated that she intends to use the knowledge gained to help develop women’s strength and powerlifting in Guyana. Williams said the course was timely and featured a detailed and demanding syllabus. He praised the facilitators for delivering the material in an effective and engaging manner while encouraging participants to share their knowledge. Williams added that the content could contribute to the further development of powerlifting across the region. He is now motivated to share what he learned with other Coaches who are willing to improve their skills. “This is a watershed moment for local powerlifting,” Williams said, adding that the sport can continue to progress with sustained support from its stakeholders. The federation also acknowledged the many Coaches who have worked tirelessly with athletes over the years and believes they should be given opportunities to access IPF Coaching programmes. More Coaches could soon benefit, with the IPF preparing to introduce a basic course for all its

member nations. The initiative is intended to ensure that athletes receive high-quality guidance in their respective gyms.

The GAPLF thanked the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, the National Sports Commission, the Guyana

Olympic Association, Space Gym and its other supporters for helping to make the achievement possible.

GMR&SC Championship season revs off this weekend families to attend the opening round and support the local competitors throughout the day. The 2026 championship is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, One Guyana, GuyOil, Enet, KFC, and Castrol.

The superbikes will be in action at South Dakota this weekend when the championship season starts

he Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) will begin its 2026 Championship season on Saturday, September 26, at the South Dakota Circuit. The two-day event, which will feature qualifying on Saturday followed by Sunday’s Raceday, will see drivers competing for championship points across the club’s racing classes. The opening round follows the GMR&SC’s Speed Fest held at the South Dakota Circuit earlier this month. Drivers and teams will now turn their attention to the championship, with points on offer toward the 2026 titles.

Admission is $4000 for adults and $2000 for children. GMR&SC President Mohamed Shairaz Roshandin confirmed that while this is a late start to the championship, they expect the full support of drivers and riders. “Normally, our season starts earlier, but this year, with the Historic GT3 Challenge series coming here, we had to make some adjustments to the calendar. From what we have seen regarding registration, we are likely to get the full slew of competitors come the event,” the GMR&SC boss added. The GMR&SC is inviting motorsport fans and

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026

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Tahir keen to return as Warriors women celebrate maiden title

Assistant Coach Julian Moore and Sheneta Grimmond with the WCPL trophy

he 2026 season ended with contrasting outcomes for the Guyana Amazon Warriors franchise, as the men finished third in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) while the women captured their first Limacol Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) title. The achievements and challenges of both teams were discussed yesterday during a

joint press conference at the GAW office on Camp Street, Georgetown, where players and management reflected on the campaign and looked ahead to the future. For the men, veteran Captain Imran Tahir once again underlined his value with the ball, finishing as one of the leading wicket-takers in the tournament with 16 wickets at the age of 47.

With questions surrounding his future, Tahir made it clear that he remains motivated to continue playing, although the final decision rests with the franchise’s management. “I’m the kind of guy that likes challenges,” Tahir declared. “My part is to give my role, not as a Captain but as a player, towards the team, and I think I tried my best. Obviously, I leave it with the management, the team owner and the president. They will have to decide where my future will be.” Tahir said he remains eager to return, describing Guyana as his home and highlighting the support he has received from local fans. The Skipper explained, “I’m very keen to come back and play because I feel this is my home and I get a lot of love when I come here. I’m very motivated. I really wanted to finish on a high note, and probably I’m looking to finish my career in front of the Guyanese to say a big thank you to them.” Meanwhile, team manager Leon Johnson addressed the mid-tournament departures of Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi and Rahmanullah Gurbaz for international duty. Johnson explained that both players had initially been selected because they were available for the entire

Imran Tahir, Sheneta Grimmond, Julian Moore, and Leon Johnson

CPL, but an Afghanistan series against India was subsequently added to the international calendar. “The India-Afghanistan series was not on the Future Tours Programme. It was a series that popped up one week into CPL,” Johnson divulged. “Those guys are internationals, and they had to go back and play. So, it’s not a case where pre-CPL they weren’t fully available. They were fully available, but when national duties call, it has to

take preference.” While the men ended their campaign in third place, the women provided the franchise with its first major CPL title, defeating Trinbago Knight Riders in the Women’s CPL final. Assistant coach Julian Moore said preparations for the next campaign will focus on retaining the successful core while identifying overseas players who can complement the local talent. “I think the strategy for

next year is very simple. At some point in time, the owners will sit down with the relevant personnel, and we will look to bring the best possible team, as usual,” Moore said. “We are going to look at the mix and see who is on the market overseas and see how best they can mesh with the local girls. I think that’s the process we will go through and try to get it right as we did this year and try to take it back-to-back.”

Selman bursting with pride at GAW Women’s successful campaign

Shemaine Campbelle has come in for praise from her Head Coach after a dominant run this season

Guyana Amazon Warriors Women Head Coach Shakera Selman

fter an exciting game of cricket, Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) Women’s Head Coach Shaker Selman was beaming with pride, especially with the performances of the local players in the squad that helped them to lift the Limacol Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) trophy for the first time.

The GAW Women romped to the Limacol WCPL title win on Thursday last, defeating the Trinbago Knight Riders women by two wickets, with three balls to spare. It was a game of high intensity, going either way in a seesaw manner before being decided in the final over. Head Coach Shakera Selman, after a successful

campaign in her first stint as Head Coach of the side, expressed gratitude and detailed their approach to the chase. Selman expressed, “I’m really grateful, really thankful to God, firstly. Thankful to the players and the support staff, I think they all supported well and made it easy.” Turning her attention to

the gritty chase, the Head Coach told this publication exclusively, “It’s a game that ebbed and flowed, and it’s the excitement that the crowd wants. At the 10-over mark, we felt as though we had a set batter in; we were still in with a chance of winning the game. And it was very simple: a boundary every over meant that we were going to be in with the game, take it as deep as possible, and then we knew we could get over the line.” Chedean Nation, in her first innings with the bat for the season, came clutch, hitting four sixes in a match-winning 39 0ff 21.

Selman articulated her pride in Nation’s performance. “Yeah, I’m really proud of her. “Many people probably wouldn’t know this, but we are actually best friends,” Selman divulged. “So, I’m even more proud of her because she’s my best friend, but I’m really happy to see that she stepped up and showed all her experience, and it wouldn’t have been easy for her to be sitting on the bench at the start of the tournament. She really stepped up when we needed it and was really happy that it’s a local player that won the game.”

Shifting focus to Player of the Tournament Shemaine Campbelle, who also ended the season as the highest run scorer, accumulating 154 runs, inclusive of one half-century; the Head Coach described her campaign as inspiring. She opined, “Shemaine was brilliant. I think she, obviously, brought the confidence from a World Cup into this competition. She was good throughout this competition. She obviously didn’t have the score that she wanted today, but she was able to get us to the final. So, she’s very instrumental in that.” “I think what she’s shown is that this tournament is not about the internationals; the local players are also good enough, and hopefully, she inspires other Guyanese and other West Indian players,” Selman went on to add. Further quizzed on whether or not she is now open to taking her successes to the regional women’s side, Selman responded, “I’m waiting my turn. If they think I’m ready, I’m willing. I’m always willing to help West Indies cricket, so any opportunities I’m given, then I’m up to the task.”

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026

Sport is no longer our game, it’s our business

Tahir keen to return as Warriors women celebrate maiden title

Pg 23

Selman bursting with Abrigo breaks 2 national records pride at GAW Women’s as Guyana’s lifters successful campaign collect 5 medals Pg 21

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