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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 25, 2020
Foreign minister addresses XX CELAC confab
–– discusses measures to contain COVID-19 pandemic FOREIGN AFFAIRS and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd, on Thursday, participated in the XX Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) held within the framework of the 75th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA). During the virtual meeting, the foreign ministers discussed measures to contain the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as well as efforts aimed at the revitalisation of the regional body to further benefit Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries. In a brief intervention, Minister Todd stated that “developing states, such as Guyana, value our en-
gagement in groupings like CELAC, since it is our view that it could play a critical role as a multilateral forum to promote greater partnerships with third world states and groupings”. The foreign minister also acknowledged the challenges faced by Mexico, the current Pro Tempore President (PTP), whose tenure coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. He lauded Mexico’s ability to aggressively execute an agenda that, not only emphasises effective scientific research and development but also pursues innovation, which included a wide range of plans that includes an initiative to produce and distribute a vaccine aimed at benefitting the region. Further, the attending
foreign ministers echoed the sentiments of Foreign Minister Todd and applauded the initiative of Argentina and Mexico in conjunction with Astra Zeneca Company, the University of Oxford, with support from the Carlos Slim Foundation, aimed at producing and distributing a COVID-19 vaccine for the region. Additionally, the ministers discussed the Regional Clinical Study on Dermatological Conditions associated with COVID-19, and the establishment of the CELAC Network of Specialists in Infectious Agents and Emerging and Re-emerging Diseases, as a useful platform for sharing best practices and the development of new areas. The foreign ministers
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd
also discussed the importance of regional food security, the need for further developments in technology and innovation, and the improvement of health care within the region.
Launched in 2011, CELAC functions as a regional mechanism for political dialogue and cooperation between 33 Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries. CELAC
has helped to deepen dialogue within the region in areas such as social development, education, nuclear disarmament, farming, culture, finance, energy, and the environment.
Armed bandits pounce on sleeping men TWO bandits, in the wee hours of Thursday morning, robbed two persons at their Fair’s Rust Extension, McKenzie, Linden residence. The robbery under arms was committed on a 48-year-old labourer and a 21-year-old male, both unemployed. Reports indicated that both victims were asleep when the 21-year-old man was awakened by a knocking sound on the door. Upon checking, he was
confronted by one of the robbers in front of the door who held him at gunpoint. The other bandit who was armed with the crowbar turned his attention to the labourer and demanded gold and cash while he ransacked the home. The robber found a combined total of $114,000 in cash while the victims were also relieved of their cellphones. The victims were taken outside where the suspect, armed
with the gun, discharged a round in the air and they both made good their escape, on foot, in a southern direction. A report was made, via telephone, and the police visited the scene where one 9mm spent shell and one warhead were recovered. Subsequently, at 02:05 hours, the said day, a man, fitting the description of one of the suspects, showed up at the Linden Hospital Complex with
Lusignan Prison escapee arrested in Buxton backlands
Arrested: Leroy Graham POLICE, on Thursday, arrested a 23-year-old inmate of the Lusignan Prison, who escaped in the wee hours, on Wednesday, from the facility. The prisoner, Leroy Graham of Middle Walk Buxton, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was caught in the backlands of Bux-
ton, after security officials acted on intelligence given pertaining to his whereabouts. Reports indicated that police ranks proceeded to a shack where the fugitive was the lone occupant at the time. He was arrested and taken to Vigilance Police Station and was
later handed over to the Guyana Prison Service. Graham is on remand for armed robbery. Graham was ‘admitted’ to the prison on August 20, 2020. His last known address is Middle Walk, Buxton ECD. “The prisoner broke out of a section of the burnt Lusignan Prison where he was housed for safety reasons. So far, evidence suggests that he jumped the southern fence and headed in the direction of the backlands,” a senior prison officer noted. Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, had announced that government will be building a new, modern detention facility to house inmates of the Lusignan Prison which has been overrun and crowded since the fires at Camp Street Prison. The situation at Lusignan was worsened earlier this year, following a fire which destroyed one of the facility’s main buildings which housed an administrative office, kitchen and facilities for approximately 185 to 190 prisoners.
what appeared to be a gunshot injury to his left upper thigh.
He was seen by a doctor on duty and admitted as a patient,
under police guard, as investigations continue.
