Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 18-15-2025

THURSDAY 18th December, 2025

PRICE $100 VAT INCLUSIVE

No. 108019

Five years of diversification, transformation SEE PAGE

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- President Ali outlines bold, expansive vision for economic and social transformation - junior stock exchange, SMEs loan, new tax incentives, more cash grants among comprehensive measures - says gov’t to create additional jobs, continue investments in education, health

Gov’t considering railway link from Lethem to the Atlantic coast – President Ali

SEE PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 18, 2025

‘Justice must work for the people of this land’ — President Ali

By Naomi Parris

G U YA N A’ S j u d i c i a r y, which has upheld stability and the principles of good governance, is poised for a new era of consistent excellence, President Dr. Irfaan Ali said, signalling a commitment to strengthening the country’s judicial

system.

Addressing a large gathering at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre late Wednesday, where he was outlining the government’s policy agenda for economic and social transformation for the next five years, the Head of State said: “My government wel-

comes the judiciary’s effort to ensure accountability by pursuing evidence-based data management across all levels of the court system.”

He noted that the government will introduce disposal and clearance rate standards, leveraging the use of technology for all court operations.

As such, case manage-

ment, human resources, maintenance of stores for the payment of maintenance, bail and fines electronically will be the main areas of focus over the next five years.

“This administration holds an unflinching commitment to the Rule of Law, to the sanctity of our legal institutions, and most of all,

‘It’s a collective responsibility’

to you, the people of this land. Justice must work for the people of this land,” the President said.

In addition to this, legislative changes will be made to make judges, magistrates, as well as legal practitioners more accountable.

Further, the government will be launching the revised

edition of the Laws of Guyana, updated from 2012 to December 31 2021. The government will also be launching the Law Reports of Guyana from 2008 to 2021.

“These initiatives will make our laws easier, easily accessible, and more user-friendly to all our citizens,” the president said.

said these recommendations were valued and aligned with the administration’s broader policy direction.

Framing the measures as part of a wider shift in social values, President Ali stressed that animals, like humans, “deserve care, protection and respect”, and that reducing cruelty and neglect is a

shared responsibility.

Support for shelters, enhanced regulatory oversight and incentives for private providers are expected to feature in the 2026 national budget, thus embedding animal welfare within the country’s longterm development plan.

- President Ali announces policy-driven push to protect animals nationwide THE government has announced a wide-ranging package of measures to strengthen animal welfare, promising increased financial support for organisations and new tax incentives to expand professional animal care across the country.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali, addressing a large gathering at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre late yesterday outlined the government’s policy agenda for economic

and social transformation over the next five years.

During the period at reference, animal protection will be treated as a core component of building what the administration describes as “a more humane society”.

As part of the initiative, the government will provide increased resources and direct financial support to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) involved in animal care and welfare, as well as to institutions that

operate animal shelters and rescue services.

“We must also extend this circle of compassion to the creatures with whom we share this planet. Animals, like humans, deserve care, protection, and respect, and it is our collective responsibility,” the President said.

He noted that the government plans to reduce or remove taxes on veterinary hospitals, clinics, and animal shelters, with such entities to be exempt from corporation

tax, in line with existing concessions for the agriculture, health, and education sectors.

In addition to the tax incentives, a nationwide animal welfare campaign will be launched to map areas of “risk and distress” for animals, identify gaps in care, and prioritise interventions.

The campaign will be carried out in partnership with animal welfare organisations, which have already submitted proposals to the government. The President

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 18, 2025

Five years of diversification, transformation - President Ali outlines bold, expansive vision for economic and social evolution - junior stock exchange, SMEs loan, new tax incentives, more cash grants among comprehensive measures - says gov’t to create additional jobs, continue investments in education, health

By Naomi Parris PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali has unveiled a sweeping five year agenda for what he describes as “the most ambitious phase” of Guyana’s economic and social transformation, anchored in diversification, digitization, and broad based prosperity.

Addressing an audience of government officials, diplomats, private sector leaders and citizens at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) on Wednesday afternoon, President Ali said that the re elected Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration would “build on the historic achievements” of the past five years, with a sharpened focus on ensuring that growth is widely shared.

At the centre of the plan is a major push to deepen financial inclusion and expand access to capital.

He revealed that the soonto-be-established Guyana Development Bank, capitalised with US$200 million, will provide zero interest, zero collateral, micro credit to small and medium sized enterprises, women owned businesses, young entrepreneurs, and persons living with disabilities, alongside structured mentorship and training.

The President also announced the creation of a junior stock exchange, and new investment vehicles to allow ordinary Guyanese here

at home and in the diaspora to participate directly in large industrial projects through equity promising guaranteed returns.

“We are building an ecosystem where financial knowledge, unprecedented access to capital and new avenues for investment converge,” he said, adding: “This holistic strategy will ensure that Guyana's prosperity is widely shared and deeply inclusive for every citizen. My Guyanese brothers and sisters, this is our vision regarding financial and economic empowerment, a vision which, when realised, would ensure that every citizen has the knowledge access and opportunity to prosper; a vision that encourages our citizens to dream of bigger possibilities.”

SMEs will be able to access up to $3 million without collateral at zero interest, with a further $7 million available through co financing with commercial banks at preferential rates. Agent-banking networks, digital banking, and mobile wallets will be rolled out to reach remote communities, supported by legal and regulatory reforms, and a modernised Bank of Guyana.

He announced, too, that Budget 2026, to be presented early in the new year, will make provision for an $100,000 cash grant to every Guyanese citizen aged 18

years and older.

He further disclosed that additional cash grants will be paid over the next five years, as the government continues to roll out measures aimed at improving household welfare, and strengthening disposable income.

Alongside new financing instruments, the President pledged additional tax incentives and targeted cash grants, building on more than G$70 billion already distributed in direct transfers in the government’s last term in office, and extensive tax reductions on income, fuel, and key household costs.

President Ali stressed that diversification would run “both vertically and horizontally”, with value added agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and the creative industries all identified as pillars of a more resilient economy.

Major industrial parks at Wales and in Berbice will be powered by cheaper energy from the gas to energy project, expanded solar generation, and the revived Amaila Falls hydropower project.

JOBS, EDUCATION & HEALTH On the social side, the President vowed to sustain and expand jobs, and to continue “massive investments” in education and health.

Education will remain free at all levels, with the

Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) and the new AI driven Digital School offering thousands more scholarships and personalised learning nationwide.

In health, government spending has almost quadrupled since 2019, with 12 new hospitals underway, telemedicine at over 80 sites, and plans for a modern oncology centre and a life-sciences park.

The Head of State also reiterated commitments to build 40,000 new homes over the next five years, improve water and sanitation systems, modernise transport and urban infrastructure, and advance a comprehensive digital government platform to make public services faster, more transparent, and accessible.

“For us, the people come first, always. It is a guiding principle, putting people at the centre of every decision that shapes the economic blueprint,” the President said.

NEW TAX-INCENTIVES Meanwhile, Dr. Ali revealed a wide-ranging package of tax incentives aimed at deepening economic diversification, encouraging private investment, and easing the financial burden on households, small businesses, and vulnerable groups.

Central to this is the creation of special development zones which will be detailed in the 2026 national budget.

These zones will operate

President Dr. Irfaan Ali addressing the nation late Wednesday (Delano Williams photo) under a tax free incentive regime, targeting sectors that generate export earnings, or replace imports, with a particular emphasis on agricultural technology, agro processing, and non oil economic activity.

In a bid to support both businesses and families that rely on ‘pick up’ vehicles, the government, he said, will introduce a flat tax on double cab pick-ups, regardless of age.

Vehicles up to 2,000cc will attract a tax of $2 million, while those between 2,000cc and 2,500cc will face a $3 million tax. Officials say this will make it easier to renew or upgrade transport capacity, especially for enterprises operating in agriculture, construction, and services.

Signalling an intent to reward work, and encourage formal employment, the administration has pledged to continue raising the income tax threshold over the next five years, with the goal of

approaching levels seen in more developed economies.

At the same time, it will abolish net property tax on individuals, a move framed as an incentive for citizens to build savings and assets.

“These plans represent a blueprint for transformation that can be tangible in your daily life, in the work you do, the wages to earn… with your trust and partnership will turn this moment into a movement, a momentum that carries growth in our homes,” the President said.

A series of targeted tax measures will be used to stimulate investment in care and social services. Companies engaged in childcare and elderly care will see corporation tax removed on income earned from these services. The government will also co invest in childcare and elderly care facilities from 2026, on the condition that providers benefiting from concessions agree to cap their fees at affordable rates.

Gov’t considering More Guyanese joining formal banking system as railway link from gov’t accelerates financial inclusion, security Lethem to the Atlantic

AS the government transitions to a modern and digitally-driven economy, more Guyanese are joining the formal banking system.

Speaking to the nation from the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) on Wednesday, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali announced that over 600,000 Guyanese are now integrated into the country’s financial system.

The head of state made the remarks in his address to the nation at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) on Wednesday, where he outlined the government’s economic and social agenda for the next five years.

“We firmly believe that everyone should have equal

access to participate fully in our economy, beginning with the fundamental ability to open a bank account.

That is why we drastically simplified the requirement for opening bank accounts,” he told the audience.

“These simplified procedures are already in operation. Today, more Guyanese than ever before are part of the formal banking system. In fact, the number of bank accounts has grown by more than 65,000 since 2020,” President Ali said.

Earlier this year, the president called on Guyanese to ensure they open bank accounts, as the government aims to deliver social cash transfers via the banking system.

Additionally, Online banking is operational at four commercial local banks, making the process of creating a bank account much easier, including for those in the hinterland regions.

“This is progress in financial inclusion, and empowerment that is measurable. Moving forward, to ensure that every Guyanese has access to the banking system, and access to opportunity that exists in Guyana, today, every effort will be made to encourage them to open their own bank account,” he affirmed.

To further modernise the financial system, President Ali announced that a junior stock exchange will be created.

Financial reform aligns with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration’s commitment outlined in its 2025 Manifesto. The government aims to foster a more inclusive financial system that will empower all Guyanese to access the system, and to participate in saving and investment opportunities.

The PPP/C Government intends to achieve this by collaborating with commercial banks to expand banking services, including those in the hinterland, by simplifying the process of opening a bank account.

Guyanese will also be able to apply for loans and process transactions Online within the next five years. (DPI)

coast – President Ali

PRESIDENT Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Wednesday revealed that the government is examining possible options for the construction of a massive rail transit system.

He made the revelation on Wednesday as he outlined the government’s ambitious transport infrastructure agenda for the next five years at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).

“In this regard, we are evaluating possible options for a mass transit system, especially to ease congestion in Georgetown, as well as to move cargo from Lethem to

Guyana’s Atlantic coast,” he announced at the ACCC. Earlier this year, the head of state revealed that the Ministry of Housing is undertaking a feasibility study on the project.

The aim is to create a modern, well-connected Guyana, where communities, including those in Guyana’s remote and hinterland areas, can access opportunities and participate in Guyana’s development.

It is a key commitment outlined in the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) 2025 Manifesto.

(DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 18, 2025

President Ali’s mother files defamation lawsuit in Canada against ‘Melly Mel’ over false Facebook claims BIBI Shariman Neshaw Ali, the mother of President Dr. Irfaan Ali, has filed multi-million-dollar defamation lawsuit in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice against Meta Platforms Inc., and social media personality Melissa Ann Atwell-Holder, alleging that she was subjected to a sustained and malicious campaign of false corruption claims that caused serious reputational and personal harm.

The Statement of Claim, filed on November 3, 2025, seeks damages totalling CA$15 million and extensive injunctive relief, including court orders to compel the removal of allegedly defamatory content and to restrain any further publication.

According to the court filing, the lawsuit arises from a series of Facebook posts and video broadcasts published from August 12, 2025, primarily on the

Facebook pages operated

by Atwell-Holder under the names “Melissa Ann Atwell (Melly Mel)” and “592 Media Inc.” The plaintiff alleges that the broadcasts falsely accused her of accepting bribes, coercing contractors to pay kickbacks amounting to five per cent of contract values, acting on behalf of or in concert with the President of Guyana and being involved in criminal or organised criminal activity.

The claim states that the words used in the broadcasts were defamatory in their natural and ordinary meaning, as well as by implication and innuendo and conveyed the false impression that both Mrs. Ali and her son were corrupt.

The lawsuit further alleges that the defendants knew, or ought reasonably to have known, that the content would be widely republished and rebroadcast across Guyana, Can-

Melissa ‘Melly Mel’ Atwell-Holder ada, the United States and in which he stated that the elsewhere, particularly giv- information he had proen the political sensitivity vided during an interview of the allegations at the concerning the President’s mother was false. In that time.

The claim states that the statement, Baksh said he republication of the content withdrew the allegations, by various media outlets apologised to Mrs. Ali and and online platforms was confirmed that he had neva predictable consequence er paid her any money nor of the original broadcasts conducted any business and that the defendants are transactions with her.

On the same day, Satherefore jointly and severally liable for the further tyamrine Sahadeo of VALS Construction issued a pubdissemination.

The court documents lic statement denying any also reference a series of improper dealings with subsequent statements is- the President, his mother sued after the initial pub- or anyone acting on their lications. On August 12, behalf, and categorically 2025, businessman Azeem rejecting claims of corrupt Junior Baksh issued a pub- payments or influence.

The claim further states lic apology on Facebook

that on August 16, 2025, journalist Travis Chase, who recorded the interview referenced in the broadcasts, publicly indicated that he had no information to substantiate the allegations made by Baksh, that he did not authorise the release of the interview, and that he was not pursuing the matter further.

According to the filing, neither Chase nor his employer, HGP Nightly News, published or broadcast the interview on any of their platforms.

Despite these statements, the lawsuit alleges that the defamatory content remained online and continued to circulate. The claim also references additional Facebook posts published on September 7, 2025, which allegedly escalated the attacks and included statements referring to Mrs. Ali as a “gangster granny” and asserting that she and the President were engaged in criminal activity.

According to the court filing, these later posts were made after legal correspondence had been sent requesting the removal of the content, and no apology or retraction was issued.

The plaintiff alleges that the continued publications were reckless, malicious and intended to humiliate her and her son.

The Statement of Claim

outlines Mrs. Ali’s professional background as a long-serving educator who worked for decades in Guyana’s education system and later continued her professional and community involvement in Canada.

It stated that the publications caused severe emotional distress, humiliation, anxiety and reputational damage and that her children and grandchildren were also subjected to ridicule and harassment as a result of the online attacks.

In addition to Atwell-Holder, the lawsuit names Meta Platforms Inc., Facebook Holdings LLC, Facebook Operations LLC and Facebook Canada Ltd., alleging that the companies facilitated the dissemination and continued availability of the defamatory content despite being provided with corrective statements and denials.

The claim asserts that Meta failed to take reasonable steps to remove or restrict the material.

Mrs. Ali is seeking general, aggravated and punitive damages, declarations that the publications were defamatory, interim and permanent injunctions restraining further dissemination, orders compelling the removal and destruction of the content, as well as legal costs and interest.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 18, 2025

Guyana’s Dr Riyad Insanally elected commissioner of Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

Dr Riyad Insanally, former Ambassador of Guyana to the United States and Permanent Representative to the Organisation of American States (OAS), was elected on Wednesday as a Commissioner of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) by the OAS Permanent Council.

Nominated by the Gov-

Dr Riyad Insanally

ernment of Guyana, Dr Insanally will succeed Dr Christopher Arif Bulkan, who recently vacated the position following his appointment to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

In a Facebook post announcing the development, President Dr Irfaan Ali expressed his appreciation for Dr Bulkan’s contributions and extended his best wishes

to Dr Insanally.

“I thank Dr Bulkan for his service and wish Dr Insanally all the best as he supports the advancement of human rights across the Americas,” the President stated.

Dr Insanally brings extensive diplomatic experience to his new role, having served as Guyana’s ambassador to the United States and

as the country’s representative to the OAS, where he played a key role in regional policymaking and multilateral engagements.

His election is expected to strengthen Guyana’s presence in international human rights discourse and contribute to the promotion of human rights across the Americas.

The Inter-American

Commission on Human Rights is an autonomous organ of the OAS responsible for promoting and protecting human rights in the Americas. Commissioners are tasked with examining human rights issues, advising member states, and ensuring compliance with regional human rights standards.

508 nursing assistants graduate as Health Minister urges continued professional development

A TOTAL of 508 nursing assistants graduated on Wednesday as part of the Ministry of Health’s expanded training programme, a development Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony said is critical to s t re n g t h e n i n g G u y a n a ’s healthcare system amid rapid national transformation.

The graduation ceremony, hosted by the Health Sciences Education Department, was held on Wednesday at the National Cultural Centre, and brought together families, educators, and health officials. The newly trained nursing assistants will be deployed within the regions where they reside, supporting healthcare delivery across the country.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Anthony encouraged the graduates to view the qualification as a starting point rather than an endpoint. “Do not remain static,” he said, urging them to set goals and pursue further academic and professional

advancement within the healthcare system. “In healthcare, no single academic achievement is enough. This is the first step in a scale of achievements.”

The minister noted that Guyana’s healthcare sector is undergoing significant expansion, including the construction and commissioning of six new hospitals, along with additional health centres and outposts. He said these developments have increased the demand for skilled and specialised healthcare personnel.

Dr. Anthony explained that the country’s three traditional nursing schools were not designed to produce more than 200 graduates annually, prompting the ministry to introduce a hybrid training model. The programme allows students to be trained in all 10 administrative regions, reducing the need for relocation to Georgetown.

According to the minister, the hybrid nursing assistant programme was developed fol-

The newly- trained nursing assistants will be deployed within the regions where they reside, supporting healthcare delivery across the lowing curriculum validation by international partners, including institutions in the United States and Brazil, as well as Mount Sinai. The model incorporates Online instruction, simulation laboratories, and supervised clinical practice.

He said the successful

graduation of a second cohort demonstrates the effectiveness of the approach, while emphasising that pathways exist for further advancement. Graduates were encouraged to pursue qualifications as registered nurses, midwives, Medexes, or doctors, and to specialise in various

healthcare disciplines.

Dr. Anthony also disclosed that specialised nursing programmes are expected to be rolled out over the next two years. He further encouraged graduates to take advantage of free Online academic opportunities under the Government of Guyana’s GOAL programme, which offers undergraduate and postgraduate studies in healthcare-related fields.

“We believe we can sustain human resources in all regions, including where new hospitals will be built, without having to rely heavily on transferring staff to hinterland areas,” the minister said.

In outlining broader system reforms, Dr. Anthony noted that diagnostic imaging services have been introduced at newly opened hospitals, and that the sector is moving towards full digitisation.

He said plans are underway to integrate artificial intelligence for interpreting X-rays, and to introduce additional CT scan

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and MRI equipment nationwide.

He also announced that the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) is expected to launch a patient application in 2026 as part of its electronic health records system, replacing paper-based documentation, including in laboratory services.

Meanwhile, Director of Training and Education at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Chandroutie Persaud-Bahadur, described the graduation as a milestone in healthcare workforce development. She noted that the nursing assistant programme comprises three components delivered through 12 courses and represents the ministry’s second cohort trained under the hybrid model.

Dr. Persaud-Bahadur said the graduates will return to serve in their respective regions, adding that their work is expected to reflect the standards of professionalism, compassion, and respect emphasized during training.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 18, 2025

Managing a boom

GUYANA stands at a defining moment in its economic history. After recording extraordinary growth in recent years, international projections suggest the expansion is far from over.

The United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has forecast real GDP growth of 24 per cent for 2026, following estimated growth of 43.6 per cent in 2024 and 15.2 per cent in 2025.

In a region where most Caribbean economies are projected to grow at under two per cent, Guyana’s trajectory is exceptional by any standard.

Such figures place the country firmly in the regional spotlight, but they also sharpen an important question: How can this period of rapid

expansion be translated into lasting, broad-based development rather than short-lived prosperity?

ECLAC itself cautions that Caribbean economies remain vulnerable to external shocks, energy dependence, and natural disasters. Guyana’s challenge is, therefore, not simply to grow, but to manage growth wisely.

The government has consistently argued that its strategy extends beyond oil and gas. President Irfaan Ali has framed the current period as “a Golden Era”, while emphasising that long-term strength will be measured not by barrels produced, but by how resource revenues are converted into infrastructure, human capital, energy security, and economic diversification.

This emphasis reflects a

widely-accepted lesson from resource-rich states: Windfalls can accelerate development, but only disciplined policy choices can sustain it.

There is evidence that diversification and resilience have become central policy themes.

Investments in infrastructure and energy systems are intended to reduce production costs, support private sector expansion, and improve the country’s ability to absorb external shocks.

The focus on integrating different energy sources and expanding productive capacity suggests an awareness that oil revenues alone cannot guarantee stability.

Equally significant has been the government’s parallel focus on social investment. Since 2020, a range of measures has been imple-

mented to cushion households against rising living costs, and to widen access to education and healthcare.

These include increased pensions and public assistance, cash transfers to vulnerable groups, the restoration and expansion of education grants, tax reductions, and the removal of tuition fees at the University of Guyana and selected technical institutions.

New schools and regional hospitals have also been commissioned, reflecting an attempt to ensure that growth is accompanied by improvements in quality of life.

This dual emphasis on economic expansion and social support has helped maintain public confidence during a period of rapid change.

However, it also raises expectations. As revenues

grow, so, too, will demand for efficiency, transparency, and measurable outcomes.

Social programmes must be sustainable, and infrastructure spending must deliver value rather than strain future budgets.

Policy continuity has been presented as a stabilising anchor. Senior Minister with responsibility for finance Dr. Ashni Singh has indicated that the 2026 National Budget will remain aligned with the government’s Manifesto commitments, underscoring consistency in economic direction.

In an environment of fast-paced transformation, such clarity can be reassuring to investors and citizens alike. Still, continuity must be matched by adaptability, particularly as global energy markets, geopolitical

tensions, and climate risks evolve.

Guyana’s current growth cycle offers rare opportunities. The scale of expansion projected by ECLAC is unlikely to be repeated indefinitely, making this period especially consequential.

Whether the country’s “Golden Era” becomes a foundation for long-term prosperity will depend less on headline growth rates, and more on prudent management, institutional strength, and inclusive development.

History shows that booms can either widen divides or close them. Guyana’s task now is to ensure that its remarkable growth becomes a shared national asset; one that outlasts the surge itself and secures stability for generations to come.

Air Transat launches direct Canada– Guyana Service with inaugural flight to CJIA

THE Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), on Wednesday, celebrated the arrival of Air Transat’s inaugural flight from Canada, marking the start of a new direct air link between Georgetown and Canadian cities.

The twice-weekly service, operated using the Airbus A321LR, aims to enhance connectivity for tourism, business, trade, and the Guyanese diaspora.

The launch was attended by Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar; Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues; Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Sébastien Sigouin; and Air Transat Senior Director for Brand Communications, Bernard Côté.

Minister Indar said the new service aligns with the government’s strategic objectives for aviation and national development.

“The commencement of this Air Transat service reflects the Government’s continued

The inaugural arrival was observed by Minister of Public Works with responsibility for aviation, Deodat Indar; Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues; Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Sébastien Sigouin and Bernard Côté, Senior Director for Brand Communications at Air Transat efforts to expand Guyana’s international air connectivity,” he said. “Improved and reliable air links are essential to supporting

economic growth, facilitating trade, and strengthening Guyana’s integration with key international markets.”

He further added that the entry of Air Transat demonstrates confidence in Guyana’s aviation oversight and regula-

tory framework.

“As we continue to strengthen safety, security, and compliance in line with international standards, Guyana remains well-positioned to attract reputable airlines and sustain long-term growth in the sector,” Minister Indar said.

Chairman of CJIA’s Board of Directors, Sanjeev Datadin, underscored the significance of the route for the airport’s longterm development.

“The addition of this service reflects the deliberate, long-term approach being taken to increase Guyana’s airlift,” he said. “We remain focused on building strong airline partnerships, ensuring sound governance, and supporting investments that position CJIA to meet future demand while maintaining international standards.”

Air Transat’s Chief Revenue Officer, Sebastian Ponce, reaffirmed the airline’s commitment to the route. “Celebrating the launch of our inaugural flight to Georgetown is a

proud moment for Air Transat,” he said. “This new service deepens our connection with Canada’s vibrant Guyanese community and offers travellers a seamless way to reach a destination rich in culture and heritage.”

The Airbus A321LR, used for the service, is recognised for its efficiency and passenger comfort, making it suitable for longer-range operations. The route will operate twice weekly until May 29, 2026, and is expected to provide additional travel options for both leisure and business passengers.

Airport officials noted that the launch complements ongoing CJIA modernisation and expansion projects aimed at improving operational efficiency and positioning Guyana as a regional and international aviation hub. The new service is seen as a significant step in supporting economic activity, tourism growth, and stronger ties between Guyana and Canada.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 18, 2025

From 2020 to 2025, PNC constituencies felt insulted by their leaders

THE words of Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo have analytical usage in studying the future of the PNC. Mr. Jagdeo said there were PNC voters in the September 2025 election that did not want to vote for the PPP but chose not to vote for the PNC itself. They rejected the PNC on voting day, and that explains the 16 seats for WIN. What needs to be analysed is why so many traditional PNC voters rejected their own party that has been a part of the Guyanese social and sociological landscape since its birth in 1957 and formed the government as recently as 2015.

How can any PNC stalwart remain emotionally stable when they read the statistics? From 31 seats at the time of the election to 12. From 217,920 votes in 2020 to 77,998 in 2025.

From 47 percent of total votes won in 2020 to 18 percent in 2025. The term "rejection" may be far too mild to describe what happened to the PNC in 2025.

There is definitely a multi-causal explanation for why the PNC lost so terribly in 2025, but the Jagdeo statement cries out for interpretation. Mr. Jagdeo said PNC folks didn’t want to vote for PPP/C, but they didn’t want to vote for the PNC either.

Why the PNC constituencies did not want the PNC in 2025. I believe from 2020, African leaders that either belonged to the PNC or were high-profile demagogues propagandising for the PNC appeared in the eyes and minds of PNC constituencies as either foolish or deceitful or misguided or deceiving (as distinct from deceitful), politically dishonest,

culturally insulting, or simply wrong people.

The genesis of this typology began in 2020, and Norton led the clique in deceiving African people who thought he had no shame. Norton said multiple times that he had the 2020 statements of poll (SOPs) but from 2020 to the next election, he never publicly displayed them. PNC folks knew he was lying to them and felt insulted.

From the time Norton proclaimed that APNU+AFC won the 2020 election and he had the SOPs to prove it and refused to prove it, his standing among PNC supporters began to diminish.

He could not have recaptured that lost credibility because he was trapped in a cul-de-sac. If he produced the SOPs, it would have still dented his credibility because they would have shown that the APNU+AFC lost.

By the time the 2025 election came around, Norton was a spent force.

Next was Roysdale Ford.

PNC voters lost respect for him because of the sycophantic image he portrayed on Nomination Day. He rightfully pulled out of the race to become leader of the PNC during its last congress because he publicly rejected the manipulation that accompanied the planning of the election.

Together with Amanza Walton-Desir, they declined to contest the executive position. Walton-Desir did the right thing, and that earned the respect of PNC supporters. She left the PNC and formed her own party.

But on Nomination Day, Ford's name appeared on the PNC list. There and

then PNC supporters lost respect for him.

There were people not on the PNC list who were seen as PNC aficionados. Vincent Alexander is considered a protector of the PNC’s interests. Like Ford, African Guyanese lost respect for Alexander. Alexander publicly declined to appear again on the Freddie Kissoon Show, and when he gave his reasons, African Guyanese must have seen in him the personification of African leadership failure.

Alexander declined to appear again on the show because he said he did not like the nasty comments against him on social media when he last appeared on the show. It had to cause the loss of both respect and admiration for Alexander and cost the PNC votes on September 1, 2025.

Not only was his reason stupid, but it was cowardly. Once you are armed with your beliefs that you employ in the service of the community whose interests you seek to preserve and protect, then you will receive all types of stupid and crazy criticism, and the last thing that should be on your mind is deterrence.

If you are going to regret the hurtful things people say about you, then get out of public life at a speed faster than Usain Bolt because you are letting down the people on whose behalf you speak. There is no question in my mind that when Alexander said he couldn’t handle the negative words he saw in the comments section and thus he will no longer be interviewed, African Guyanese told themselves that he could no longer speak

for them. Why should any human be accepted in society who is afraid of what people say about them? People will always

talk!

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the

author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 18, 2025

Housing Ministers meet regional housing officers to strengthen service delivery

MINISTER of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, on Monday, engaged Regional Housing Officers (RHOs) in discussions aimed at improving the efficiency and quality of housing and land-related services across the country, as the Government continues efforts to strengthen institutional performance within the sector.

The meeting, held at the Ministry of Housing and Water’s Brickdam headquarters, was attended by Minister within the Ministry, Vanessa Benn; Chief Executive Officer of the Central Housing and Planning Authori-

The engagement also allowed Regional Housing Officers to raise operational challenges and share field-level experiences, providing the Ministry with insight into constraints affecting service delivery

ty (CHPA), Dr. Martin Pertab and Permanent Secretary Bishram Kuppen. Senior officials used the forum to outline ex-

pectations and reinforce the role of RHOs in advancing national housing programmes at the regional level.

According to the Ministry, discussions focused on improving turnaround times, strengthening accountability, and ensuring timely responses to citizens’ needs.

Minister Croal emphasised the importance of consistent service standards and effective implementation of housing policies, noting that regional offices serve as the primary point of contact between the public and the housing sector.

The engagement also allowed Regional Housing Officers to raise operational challenges and share field-level experiences, providing the

Ministry with insight into constraints affecting service delivery.

Issues related to co-ordination between regional offices and the central administration were highlighted, with officials stressing the need for closer collaboration to ensure policies are implemented uniformly across all regions.

Dr. Pertab reiterated CHPA’s mandate to deliver accessible and equitable housing solutions, while underscoring the importance of data-driven decision-making and adherence to established procedures. Minister Benn, in her remarks, en-

couraged regional officers to maintain transparency and professionalism in their interactions with the public.

The Ministry noted that the engagement forms part of an ongoing strategy to align regional operations with national housing objectives.

Officials said the outcomes of the discussions are expected to contribute to improved performance, greater responsiveness at the regional level, and increased public confidence in the services provided by the Central Housing and Planning Authority.

US$20M refinery could secure sugar industry’s future - GAWU

A PLANNED US$20 million sugar refinery has the potential to secure the long-term future of Guyana’s sugar industry, provided production at Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is ramped up to meet market demand, says Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) President, Seepaul Narine.

Speaking in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on the state of the sugar industry, Narine recalled that there has long been strong regional demand for white sugar, and that earlier plans had also envisaged a refinery component.

Now with investors indicating a willingness to purchase all of GuySuCo’s sugar for refining, this would effectively guarantee a market for the corporation’s output.

“If GuySuCo could have been able to produce the sugar then, it would have been a positive for them,” Narine said, adding that the refinery could help ensure “the future of the industry is secure”.

The Caribbean imports around 200,000 tonnes of refined sugar each year, totalling US$180 million in 2024.

With the new plant projected to produce 100,000 tonnes per year and designed with scalability for future expansion, Guyana is poised to become a major contributor to the region’s refined sugar needs.

However, Narine cautioned that the main challenge for the refinery would be securing adequate sugar supply, given GuySuCo’s current production constraints.

At present, he explained, GuySuCo has been hit by bad

GAWU’s President, Seepaul Narine weather and factory challenges which, together, contributed to a fall in production. The corporation has also been forced to carry over a substantial quantity of cane into the next year because it was unable to harvest it in time due to climate change challenges.

Despite these setbacks, Narine was firm in his support for the ongoing investments in GuySuCo. “I think the investment is worth every cent,” he said.

“GuySuCo has to be looked at not only from the point of view of the bottom line. It has to be looked at from the point of view of what it is providing today to the economy and to the Guyanese people as a whole.”

He described some of the industry’s services as “priceless”, pointing in particular to GuySuCo’s crucial role in preventing flooding along the coast, as well as its support for thousands of families and communities across the country.

Narine argued that, far from cutting back, even greater investments should be made in the sugar company, given its economic, social and environmental importance.

Looking ahead, the GAWU

President expressed confidence that GuySuCo and the wider sugar industry will endure.

“GuySuCo is an industry that will survive long into the future, and it should continue to be supported,” he said.

The refinery, he noted too, could be a key pillar in that future, locking in markets for local sugar, strengthening GuySuCo’s prospects, and reinforcing sugar’s longstanding role in Guyana’s economy.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali recently met with investors advancing the development of a 100,000-tonne white sugar refinery at the former Wales Sugar Estate, a project that is expected to boost Guyana’s sugar industry and strengthen the regional supply chain.

The refinery is being established by local company Gaico Inc. in partnership with US-based Sucro, which has developed three similar facilities in the region, including the Caribbean Sugar Refinery and Santander Sugar in Belize.

Once operational, the plant is expected to create a dedicated and reliable market for sugar produced by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

According to the investors, the project will generate approximately 75 jobs during its construction phase and an additional 60 permanent jobs once operations begin. The refinery is expected to be completed and operational within a year.

The development forms part of ongoing efforts to revitalise the former Wales Estate, which has been earmarked for major agro-industrial investment since the closure of sugar operations there in 2017.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 18, 2025

‘No Guyanese left behind’ CHAIRMAN of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Captain Gerald Gouveia (Jnr), has said that the private sector is excited and prepared to take advantage of new opportunities expected to emerge as Guyana continues its development.

His comments follow a series of announcements made

by President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Wednesday evening, during a live national address, in which the Head of State outlined several incentives and policy advancements aimed at driving business growth and reshaping the economy.

Describing Guyana as a land of growing opportunity, Captain Gouveia said the government has placed clear emphasis on key sectors and groups, including tourism, manufacturing, the creative industries, logistics and connectivity, hinterland communities, youth, women, persons with special needs, and the elderly.

“If you listen to all the incentives, it tells you where

Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Gerry Gouveia Jr.

Private sector stakeholder, Youni Abdul

Managing Director of GAICO, Komal Singh

Managing Director of Bounty Farm Ltd., David Fernandes

Businessman, Joseph Hoyte

the priorities are. It also encourages the private sector to invest in, all the way down to our furry friends, because animal care is now tax-free, and that’s amazing,” the PSC Chairman said.

Captain Gouveia added that the measures reflect a “no Guyanese left behind” approach, noting that the private sector is eager to work alongside the government in advancing these initiatives.

PSC stakeholder Komal Singh said the President’s announcements will benefit not

only the business community, but alos ordinary Guyanese as well.

Singh noted that many of the initiatives outlined will have positive impacts across sectors such as healthcare, education. and human services.

Commending the President’s address, Singh said private sector members were particularly pleased with the measures relating to agriculture.

Adding to this, Managing Director of Bounty Farms Limited, David Fernandes

said that the introduction of a zero-carbon tax for agriculture will encourage increased investment in the sector.

Fernandes said stakeholders are now looking forward to next year’s budget, which he believes will create opportunities to pass benefits on to consumers.

Another stakeholder, Youni Abdul, said the country is moving from segmented interventions to a more holistic system of benefits for citizens.

“If you look at the total

cash value of all the benefits — from cradle to grave — from the time you are born, you receive a cash grant, all the way to increased pensions planned over the next five years, and everything in between,” she said.

A citizen in attendance, Joseph Hoyte, told reporters that the boost for the agriculture sector was long overdue, and would create opportunities for people at all levels of the industry to increase production and expand opportunities.

Meanwhile, Pernell Cummings of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) said the institution has been working with the government to implement financial literacy programmes, and to make access to loans for small businesses easier.

“As you know, GBTI launched GBTI Grow, our small-business arm, about a year ago. We are, therefore, working closely together to help make these goals achievable for the Guyanese public,” Cummings said.

‘We have a responsibility to save this generation and generations to come’ - President Ali pledges to work closely with international partners on substance abuse and drug smuggling

By Naomi Parris PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to combating substance abuse and drug smuggling, warning that new and dangerous forms of drug use are increasingly threatening public health, particularly among young people.

Addressing the nation from the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) on Wednesday evening, the Head of State said the country is witnessing the rapid spread of emerging forms of substance abuse, including hazardous varieties of vaping and other drugs that impair mental and physical capacity.

“I wish to address these emerging forms of substance abuse directly, through informed policy, public education, and coordinated action that places prevention and protection at the centre of what we do. We will be working with our international partners against all forms of drugs. We have a global responsibility to save this generation, and generations to come,” the President said.

Speaking later to reporters, the Head of State said that with regard to drug trafficking and any form of drug smuggling, the government maintains strong collaboration with partners in the United States of America and other international stakeholders to curb these transnational crimes.

He stressed that the government has “no sympathy” for drug traffickers.

“Tens of thousands, mil-

- stakeholders welcome comprehensive plans announced by President Ali for digital, economic, social transformation

According to the President, the country is witnessing the rapid spread of emerging forms of substance abuse, including hazardous varieties of vaping and other drugs that impair mental and physical capacity lions of lives are destroyed; economies are destroyed by smuggling,” the President said.

According to the United States Department of State’s 2025 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), published earlier this year, Guyana has demonstrated a commitment to working with international partners to address drug trafficking.

The report disclosed that several government agencies in Guyana, including the Ministries of Home Affairs (Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit and Guyana Police Force), Education, Health, and Human Services and Social Security, are involved in addressing drug-related crimes.

It also highlighted the September 2024 launch of the National Defence Institute, aimed at building expertise through collaboration with the Carib-

bean Community (CARICOM) and United States security and defence institutions.

Additionally, the report noted that Guyana collaborated with the United States to increase drug seizures in 2024, particularly cocaine.

That year, Guyana seized more than four tonnes of cocaine, in cooperation with US law enforcement at an airstrip near the border with Venezuela, and also interdicted a semi-submersible vessel off Guyana’s coast carrying 2.3 tonnes of cocaine.

The report further stated that Guyana’s National Drug Strategy 2022–2026 outlines strategic programmes to guide the country’s drug control efforts, with a focus on interdiction, prevention, treatment and anti-money laundering measures.

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Labour Ministry, LINDSAYCA to host gas-to-energy job fair in Region Three

AS Guyana advances one of its largest infrastructure undertakings to date, the Ministry of Labour, in collaboration with engineering firm LINDSAYCA, is hosting a Gas-to-Energy Job Fair at Leonora Track and Field Facility, in Leonora, Region Three on

Friday aimed at connecting Guyanese with employment opportunities tied to the landmark project.

The initiative forms part of the government’s broader strategy to build a skilled national workforce and ensure that local labour directly benefits from major develop-

ment projects.

Officials said the job fair is intended to provide Guyanese with direct access to information on available positions, skills requirements and career pathways associated with the Gas-to-Energy programme.

The Gas-to-Energy proj-

ect, which is currently under construction at Wales, West Bank Demerara, is expected to significantly reduce electricity costs, improve energy reliability and support industrial expansion.

According to the Ministry of Labour, the job fair will serve as a platform for prospective employees to engage with representatives from LINDSAYCA, learn about current and upcoming vacancies, and receive guidance on qualifications, certifications and training opportunities needed to secure employment on the project.

The ministry has consistently maintained that workforce development is critical to maximising the long-term benefits of Guyana’s energy and infrastructure investments. Through job fairs, skills training programmes and partnerships with private sector entities, the government aims to equip Guyanese with the competencies required to participate meaningfully in a rapidly expanding economy.

The Ministry of Labour further noted that the twoday Gas-to-Energy Job Fair will be held on December 18

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 18, 2025

and 19 at the Leonora Track and Field Facility, Region Three, and will feature a wide range of employment opportunities across skilled, semi-skilled and technical categories.

Available positions include civil, mechanical, electrical and instrumentation roles such as carpenters, masons, plumbers, welders, electricians, surveyors, mechanics, painters, insulation specialists and general labourers.

The job fair will also target operators for heavy-duty equipment, including excavators, dump trucks, graders, cranes, compactors, pavers, payloaders and telehandlers.

Guyanese are encouraged to attend the job fair and take advantage of the opportunity to explore employment prospects linked to the Gas-to-Energy project, which officials have described as a key pillar in the country’s development agenda.

Four charged with obtaining money by false pretence in Georgetown

Trevon Lancelot Simpson

Stephan James

FOUR individuals appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Monday, December 15, 2025, facing charges of obtaining money by false pretence involving $15 million.

The accused are Trevon Lancelot Simpson, 40, a contractor from Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara; Stephan James, 42, a porter of Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown; Andrew Williams, 38, a real estate agent from Triumph, East Coast Demerara; and Abeeka Archer, 40, a land surveyor from Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara. The alleged offence

reportedly occurred between November 10 and November 26, 2025, on Durban Street, Georgetown.

At the hearing before Her Worship, Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore, all four accused were formally charged under Section 194 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01. Each of the accused pleaded not guilty.

Magistrate Azore granted bail of $100,000 each for Simpson, James, and Williams. Archer was released on her own recognisance.

The case has been

Andrew Williams

Abeeka Archer

adjourned to January 26, 2026, for further proceedings.

No further details regarding the alleged transactions or the victims involved were disclosed in court. Authorities have indicated that investigations are ongoing.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 18, 2025

Regional Police Division #7 honours ranks, community partners at awards ceremony

POLICE ranks and community stakeholders from Regional Police Division #7 were recognised for their service and contributions during the Division’s Annual Christmas Luncheon and Awards Ceremony, held on Tuesday, December 16, at the St. John the Baptist Primary School in Bartica.

The event, hosted by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Dion Moore, Commander of Regional Division #7, brought together members of the Guyana Police Force and representatives of government agencies, local authorities and civil society to acknowledge achievements recorded throughout the year. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), E. Watts, attended on behalf of Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken.

Also present were Commander of Regional Division #10, K. Simon; Woman Superintendent Halley-Smith of the Community Relations

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Errol Watts hands over the best cop trophy to Inspector Fraser Department; Mayor of Bartica, Mr. Murray; Regional Executive Officer, Kerwin Ward; Guyana Revenue Authority Branch Manager, Dr. S. Basdeo; members of Station Management Committees; the Cops and Faith Network and other community stakeholders.

The ceremony was chaired by Deputy Commander of Regional Division

#7, Woman Superintendent D. Handy, who, in her opening remarks, underscored the importance of professionalism, teamwork and strong community partnerships in maintaining public safety and security across the region.

Prayers representing the country’s major faiths were offered at the start of the programme, with Christian,

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Errol Watts and other ranks share lunch during the Division’s Annual Christmas Luncheon and Awards Ceremony held at the St. John the Baptist Primary School in Bartica Muslim and Hindu invoca- sphere. These included vocal, tions delivered before the calypso and poetry presenrecitation of the National tations, along with dance Pledge by those in atten- performances by local youth groups. dance.

In his feature address, AsCultural and musical performances formed part of sistant Commissioner Moore the programme, with con- commended the ranks of Retributions from police ranks gional Division #7 for their and community performers dedication and resilience, adding to the festive atmo- encouraging them to contin-

ue to uphold integrity, discipline and professionalism in the execution of their duties.

Deputy Commissioner Watts echoed those sentiments, while also recognising the role played by community partners in supporting crime prevention and public safety efforts in the region.

More than 75 awards were presented during the ceremony, recognising police ranks for outstanding performance, as well as stakeholders, Station Management Committee members and community partners for their sustained support to policing in Region #7. Special awards for Best Cop and Runner-Up Best Cop were presented to Inspector Fraser and Sergeant Hopkinson, respectively.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Inspector Fraser, followed by fellowship and luncheon.

Organisers reported that approximately 150 persons attended the ceremony.

UG introduces pre-medical, engineering, and marine programmes across four regions

THE University of Guyana (UG) has announced a major expansion of its academic offerings, launching new high-demand degree programmes in the medical, engineering, and marine sciences fields. This initiative aims to provide increased access to education and address the nation’s demand for skilled professionals across multiple sectors.

The expansion includes a new Pre-Medical Sciences programme, as well as Civil Engineering and Construction and Infrastructure degrees, which will initially be offered in Regions 2, 3, 6, and 9, outside the capital.

The move is intended to allow students to pursue critical career pathways closer to their homes while supporting regional development.

In a strategic collaboration with global industry leader Maersk and other maritime and environmental partners, UG is also launching a new suite of marine-related programmes

and Infrastructure, and upcoming Marine programmes will open within the next week, with classes scheduled to begin in early 2026. UG’s leadership describes the initiative as a critical step in expanding access to state-funded education and fostering the development of a skilled workforce for Guyana’s evolving economy.

through its Institute for Marine and Riverine Ecologies and Economies (IMAREE) in Berbice. The programmes are designed to strengthen Guyana’s capacity in maritime operations, marine engineering, logistics, and coastal sustainability—sectors seen as central to the country’s growing economy.

President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo have emphasised the importance of aligning education with national development priorities. The University’s expansion reflects this vision by creating opportu-

nities for Guyanese to fill high-demand jobs across the country.

In addition to these programmes, UG continues to offer advanced studies in human and industrial relations, transportation management, and taxation. The University has also doubled its intake for high-demand courses for the 2025 academic year, accommodating all qualified applicants and raising the student population to approximately 15,000.

Applications for the new Pre-Medical Sciences, Engineering, Construction

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 18, 2025

New heights in China-Latin America co-operation

THE Chinese government released its Policy Paper on Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), the third of its kind, on Wednesday, comprehensively outlining China's policy toward the region.

This marks the first update to the document in nine years, drawing significant attention. From 2008 to 2016, and now to 2025, these three documents form a coherent and evolving framework that witnesses the deepening and strengthening of China-LAC relations as they advance further toward new horizons.

In May, President Xi Jinping proposed that China and LAC jointly launch five programmes - solidarity, development, civilization, peace, and people-to-people connectivity. As a result, China-LAC solidarity and co-operation have embarked on a new journey. The new policy document defines the relationship as "advancing hand in hand as a community with a shared future" and a "shining example of SouthSouth co-operation." The five programmes are elaborated as a core concept, marking a new height in China-LAC co-operation.

Spanning over 10,000 words, this policy document serves as an extensive "co-operation checklist" between China and LAC and a roadmap for future co-operation.

From facilitating the alignment of China's high-quality production capacity and equipment with the needs of regional countries, to promoting the development and demonstration of modern agricultural technologies; from strengthening co-operation in tracing and repatriating lost cultural relics, to invit-

ing LAC scientists aboard Chinese research vessels for joint polar expeditions - the list includes both "hard-core" infrastructure projects that underpin LAC's development and "warm-hearted" programmes in education, h e a l t h c a r e a n d c u l t u ral exchange. China-LAC co-operation is undergoing a comprehensive upgrade toward deeper integration of industrial and supply chains, collaborative scientific and technological innovation and inclusive sharing of benefits for people's well-being. This co-operation not only responds to LAC countries' urgent need to explore the path to modernisation, but also demonstrates China's sincere commitment to shared development with the region.

A British poll this year showed that public sentiment toward China is rapidly improving in LAC. Though separated by mountains and seas, the hearts of China and LAC countries are drawing closer. Recent developments include the launch of direct flights between China and Argentina, a 5.35 billion yuan (around $757.4 million) increase in China-LAC trade witnessed by the "Chancay-Shanghai" shipping route that is approaching its first anniversary, and the boost of mutual cultural appeal because of China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy for multiple LAC countries. Anchored in shared development and mutual learning among civilisations, the tangible benefits in the hands of Chinese and Latin American people, the shared landscapes in their eyes and the mutual recognition in their hearts are nurturing a flourishing future through accumulating mutual

trust and benefits.

The interplay of two ancient civilisations provides fertile ground for deepening China-LAC co-operation.

As fellow members of the Global South sharing similar developmental stages, China and LAC countries share a common yearning for world peace, pursuit of improving global governance and support for multilateralism.

This not only demonstrates the immense potential of China-LAC co-operation, but also powerfully galvanises the Global South to forge solidarity and self-reliance.

Together, they are voicing a collective voice across multilateral platforms - including the United Nations (UN), G20, APEC, BRICS co-operation mechanism and the China-CELAC Forum - to

uphold fairness and justice and advance reforms in global governance.

China's Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative and Global Governance Initiative have won broad recognition among LAC countries and align closely with the process of elevating China-LAC co-operation to a new stage. On Tuesday, the Group of Friends of Global Governance, launched at China's initiative, was officially established at the UN Headquarters. Cuba's permanent representative to the UN remarked that "if we want to build a community of a shared future, we need an initiative like this." China and relevant LAC countries continue to provide important

public goods for addressing global challenges. This vividly illustrates the meaning of China-LAC co-operation beyond the bilateral level: For the world, a China-LAC partnership characterised by close co-operation and shared development is a positive force in safeguarding world peace and stability as well as promoting global development and prosperity.

There are currently some discordant voices in the international arena that view China's development of relations with LAC countries as a geopolitical bargaining chip or some form of "manipulation." But by simply reading this document, one can clearly see that it is written that "China-LAC relationship does not target or exclude any third party, nor

is it subjugated by any third party." Between the lines, one can sense China's genuine goodwill in developing its relations with LAC countries. Against the backdrop of certain countries wielding the "new Monroe Doctrine" to impose military pressure and economic coercion on LAC nations, China treats the region as a "true friend" by participating in LAC's development on the basis of equality and cooperation.

This represents not only a co-operative model distinct from traditional geopolitical logic, but also a vivid example of Global South countries joining hands to strengthen themselves and overcome development challenges together.

It is believed that this "co-operation invitation," built on equality, respect and mutual benefit, will be welcomed by the people of LAC countries. The document serves as a marker in China-LAC relations that connects the past and the future: It carries forward the traditional friendship between China and LAC, characterised by equality, mutual benefit, openness, inclusiveness and the well-being of their peoples. It also responds to the historic trend that the changes unseen in a century are accelerating and the Global South is seeing a rising momentum. From high-quality Belt and Road co-operation to advancing the five programmes, from jointly advancing modernisation to helping build a community with a shared future for humanity, China-LAC relations continue to step onto new heights.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 18, 2025

Pathology ‘Lab’ at GPHC receives ‘gold standard’ ISO 15189 certification

THE Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has received ISO 15189 plus accreditation, becoming the first public laboratory in the country to attain the internationally-recognised certification.

The accreditation was hailed as a major milestone for the country’s public health sector during a ceremony held at the hospital’s complex on Wednesday.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, described the achievement as a significant step forward, not only for the institution but also for the wider health sector.

“This is a great milestone not just for Georgetown Hospital but for the entire public healthcare system,” he said while delivering the feature address at the ceremony.

Dr. Anthony noted that the accreditation further aligns with the government’s broader vision for the sector, referencing the administration’s long-term objectives.

Against this backdrop, he recalled President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s charge that the government would be working to build a worldclass healthcare system, and as such, each of these things, including the certification, is helping to build out the system bit by bit.

According to the minister, independent external validation is a critical aspect of the certification process, as it reinforces public confidence in laboratory services.

“The accreditation helps to build that trust and confidence because once it’s externally validated, people would know that it’s not us trying to validate ourselves,

but this was done independently, and it was done by achieving certain benchmarks, so they can feel confident,” he explained.

Dr. Anthony also signalled that this will not be a one-off achievement within the public sector.

“So, we are very proud of this achievement, as was said, this is the first one in the public sector, and I can assure you in the coming years, we will see many more such types of accreditations as we continue to improve our laboratory services,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of GPHC, Robbie Rambarran, said the accreditation represents far more than formal recognition.

“So today the ISO accreditation… we have a lot to celebrate and be proud of. The ISO 15189 Plus is the gold standard for medical laboratories; it goes beyond documentation and processes, it validates the competency, the reliability and every step from sampling to reporting,” he stated.

Rambarran emphasised that the certification reflects the hospital’s commitment to patient care and safety. “This achievement is not just a mere certificate to hang on the wall, it is a testament to our unwavering commitment to quality, accuracy, patient safety and continuous improvement,” he said.

He added that the accreditation supports the country’s broader healthcare goals, noting, “It aligns with our responsibility to strengthen the public healthcare system and deliver ser-

vices that meet global benchmarks.”

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From left: Head of Laboratory Services, Dr. Pheona Mohamed-Rambarran; Pathology Laboratory Manager, Maricea Comacho; GPHC CEO, Robbie Rambarran; Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony and Head of General Surgeries, Dr. Navindranuth Rambarran with the ISO Certification during the ceremony (Delano Williams photos)

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Dorne to lead West Indies Under-19s … Guyana All-rounder Jonathan van at ICC World Cup Lange appointed vice-captain ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – After leading the West Indies Under-19s to series wins over Sri Lanka and England, Joshua Dorne will captain the side at next year’s ICC Cricket World Cup. Cricket West Indies (CWI) made the announcement in a press release on Wednesday, with Dorne set to lead a 15-member squad at the World Cup, which will be held in Namibia and Zimbabwe from January 15 to February 6, 2026.

The 19-year-old Dorne was at the helm when the Windies defeated Sri Lanka 4-3 in August and trounced England 5-2 in September.

All-rounder Jonathan van Lange has been appointed vice-captain of a strong team

that also includes Jewel Andrew, the youngest player to represent the senior team in T20Is and ODIs, as well as Zachary Carter, Matthew Miller, Jakeem Pollard, Shaquan Belle and Vitel Lawes, who all played starring roles during both home series.

Micah McKenzie, who made his List A debut for the West Indies Academy against the Sri Lanka Emerging Men’s team in June, along with 16-year-old Shamar Apple, who was drafted into the Guyana Harpy Eagles squad for the recently concluded CG United Super 50 Cup, have also been named in the squad.

CWI’s High Performance Manager, Dwain Gill explained that the team was selected following a thorough process.

“This squad is the product of a deliberate and well-structured preparation and selection process. Performances in regional Under-17 and Under-19 competitions were closely monitored, with an emphasis on identifying play-

ers with specialist skills and the adaptability required for international cricket.”

“In assembling this group, we have aligned their development with the style of play we expect at the senior level, ensured exposure to high-quality match opportunities and placed a strong focus on leadership, tactical awareness and individual support within their territories,” Gill said.

“The result is a balanced and competitive squad, well positioned to perform at the Under-19 World Cup and contribute meaningfully to the long-term future of West Indies cricket.”

West Indies have been drawn in Group D alongside South Africa, Afghanistan and Tanzania. All group matches will be played at the High-Performance Oval in Windhoek, Namibia.

Ahead of the tournament, they will play warm-up matches against Ireland and Japan in Windhoek.

The top three teams from each group will advance to

the Super Six phase followed by the Semi-Finals on February 3 and 4, and the final on February 6 at Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe.

SQUAD WEST INDIES UNDER-19s: Joshua Dorne (captain), Jewel Andrew, Shamar Apple, Shaquan Belle, Zachary Carter, Tanez Francis, R’jai Gittens, Vitel Lawes, Micah McKenzie, Matthew Miller, Isra-el Morton, Jakeem Pollard, Aadian Racha, Kunal Tilokani, Jonathan Van Lange.

RESERVES: Brendan Boodoo, Tyriek Bryan, Earsinho Fontaine, Deshawn James.

MANAGEMENT UNIT: Rohan Nurse (head coach), Jerome Taylor (assistant coach), Nikita Miller (assistant coach), Kwayne Dalrymple (physiotherapist), Shayne Cooper (strength & conditioning coach), Dr Dwain Archibald (team doctor), Clint St Hill (manager).

Spectacular launch for ICC... (From back page) the trophy will also be taken to schools and colleges associated with players set to participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, offering young fans an inspiring, once-in-a-lifetime connection

to the global stage.

Additionally, the trophy will be showcased at major T20 leagues as well as select bilateral series, reinforcing the build-up to the tournament across formats and

geographies.

Fans around the world will be able to follow the tour’s journey through its official social media platform, @icctrophytour.

(ICC Media)

Barbados beat Guyana by... (From back page) Sookram for one with the score on 13-2.

Khan and Gajnabi repaired the early damage with a fluent half-century partnership before Kijani Inniss bowled Khan at 79-3. Inniss struck again when he bowled Afraz Ali for a duckat the same score. Gajnabi departed when he was caught and bowled by seamer Natarie Lavine as Guyana slipped to 84-5 in overcast conditions and strong breeze blowing from the Atlantic Ocean.

Rain was released by angry-looking dark clouds that hovered over Georgetown, stopping play with Guyana on 98-6. When play resumed, only Adrian Emmanuel of the

other batters offered resistance with 13 before he was run out.

The position could have been a lot worse had Bajans not gifted the home 26 wides in 33 extras. Oliver King was run out for one with just three runs on the board as Barbados began their chase badly.

Khan trapped Ky-mani Inniss LBW for 17 with a six and four at 23-2 in 4.2 overs as the Bajans looked very positive in their run-chase.

Lavine again looked the most talented player in the visiting team and added 57 for the third wicket with opener Jon- David Green, who was content to play the supporting role. Lavine, the

only Barbadian to reach a fifty, reached the ropes four times on the large ground, and a Bajan fan in the stands rushed onto the field with the ‘Broken Trident’ (Barbados Flag), waving it energetically.

However, when Jason Ganpat bowled Lavine to end his aggressive 30, his team was 80-3 from 16.5 overs.

ZDari Scantlebury joined the solid-looking Green and the pair brought up the 100 with entertaining stroke play to the delight of the Bajans in the stands.

After a rest day today, the final and deciding game is scheduled for tomorrow from 9:30 AM.

Chambers, Green, Frantzety... (From page 23) Mount Pleasant’s Daniel Green was the decisive spark, scoring two goals and an assist, with six of his nine shots finding the target.

Alongside him is a record-breaker and the Golden Boot winner. Cibao FC’s

Colombian striker Rivaldo Correa became the Caribbean Cup’s all-time leading scorer with 10 goals, netting four this year.

But even he was outscored by O&M’s Haitian sensation Herard

Frantzety, whose tournament-high five goals fueled his club’s final run.

Frantzety scored in both semifinal legs and found the net in the title decider, cementing his status as a big-game hunter.

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 18, 2025

NBA Cup championship: Knicks come back vs. Spurs to win 2025 title THE New York Knicks are 2025 NBA Cup champions, and made a case on Tuesday they can accomplish even more this season in the process.

Despite an 11-of-27 shooting night for Jalen Brunson and an injury that temporarily sidelined Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks erased a double-digit deficit to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 124113 and win the third NBA Cup title. They join the Los Angeles Lakers (2023) and Milwaukee Bucks (2024) in accomplishing the feat.

For a team that hasn’t won the NBA Finals since 1973 and hasn’t reached the Finals at all since 1999, that certainly means something.

The win will earn every Knicks player $530,933 in

prize money, a substantial raise for some of the team’s younger and less-heralded players. The Spurs will have to settle for $212,373 each as runners-up.

For a while, San Antonio had the leg up. After knocking off the 24-2 Oklahoma City Thunder in the semifinals behind a returning Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs had the enormous Frenchman back and playing even more minutes, going from 21 on Saturday to 25 on Tuesday.

They rode that momentum to an 11-point lead late in the third quarter. Seven different Spurs ended up scoring in double digits, while Brunson looked a long way off from his own 41-point semifinal performance. He still made a difference with

his playmaking and gravity, but the Knicks needed someone else to step up, especially with Towns still grimacing from an apparent first-half injury.

Several players did.

OG Anunoby posted a game-high 28 points on 10of-17 shooting, plus nine rebounds and three assists. Tyler Kolek and Jordan Clarkson both posted double-digit points off the bench. Mitchell Robinson extended possession after possession with 10 offensive rebounds and 15 total boards. And Josh Hart kept doing Josh Hart things.

“Without Tyler Kolek, OG Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson and Jordan Clarkson, we don’t win this game,” Brunson said after the game, while accepting NBA Cup

MVP honours.

Say what you will about the Spurs’ inexperience and Wembanyama’s health, it was an impressive win for a Knicks team and another addition to their case as the team to fear in the East.

Off nights for Brunson and/ or Towns have frequently spelled doom for a team often lacking in depth over the past few playoffs, but this time it had three bench players step up in a major way.

With the team sitting in second in the East at 18-7, 2.5 games behind the Detroit Pistons, that’s a meaningful development.

Notably, none of the above stats will make it to the regular-season numbers. While every other game in the NBA Cup

New York Knicks players celebrate their NBA Cup triumph

counts toward the regular season, the championship

game does not. (Yahoo Sports)

Nigeria accuse DR Congo of 'fraud' as 'Excessive fog' forces abandonment of they hunt World Cup reprieve India-SA T20I in Lucknow DR Congo beat the Super Eagles on penalties to book their place in March's intercontinental qualifier, which will allocate the final two places up for grabs for the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

But Nigeria's claim of "fraud" centres on a group of players who recently switched their international allegiance to their opponents.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) believes players such as Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe, both of whom featured in the game in Morocco, were ineligible because Congolese law does not allow dual citizenship.

But the Congolese Football Federation (Fecofa) has rejected the NFF's challenge.

"Our contention is that FIFA was deceived into clearing them," said NFF’s general secretary, Mohammed Sanusi.

"The Congolese rule (law) says you cannot have dual nationality, but some of their players have European and French passports.

"There is what we consider to be a breach of (FIFA's) regulations. We are saying it was fraudulent."

The NFF says it has submitted supporting docu-

Nigeria wants FIFA to look into the eligibility of certain players fielded by DR Congo in the 2026 World Cup African play-off final

ments and legal arguments to world football's governing body.

The BBC has contacted FIFA for comment and is waiting to hear back.

Fecofa, however, has branded the petition as an attempt to "win via the back door".

"The World Cup must be played with dignity and confidence. Not with lawyers' tricks," said a post on the Leopards' official social media, external.

The message also described Nigeria as "bad losers" and dismissed the complaint as poor sportsmanship. (BBC Sport)

THE fourth T20I between India and South Africa in Lucknow was abandoned without toss due to "excessive fog". Match officials deemed the visibility too poor for play and called off the game at 9:25 pm local time.

The toss, originally scheduled for 6:30 pm, was repeatedly delayed as the umpires carried out inspections roughly every 30 minutes in the hope that conditions would improve.

However, the dense fog that had descended on the city showed no signs of lifting.

With a prolonged delay expected, the grounds staff covered the pitch with hessian sheets at around 8pm.

Poor air quality further

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday, December 18, 2025) COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) NZ won by 9 wickets (2) Jacob Duffy (NZ) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who has scored most runs for NZ in Tests to date?

(2) Who has taken most Test wickets for NZ to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

compounded the situation, with the AQI in Lucknow crossing 400 around the scheduled start time. Both teams spent extended periods indoors, with Hardik Pandya even wearing a mask while out in the middle.

Despite the conditions, the stadium remained nearly half-full until the official aban-

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donment, with India set to play in Lucknow for the first time since the 2023 World Cup. India lead the five-match series 2-1 and will next face South Africa in the fifth and final T20I in Ahmedabad on Friday, December 19, where the visitors will have the opportunity to level the series.

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22

Overton, Wood star in Adelaide Strikers' winning start JAMIE Overton (2-22 & 30) and Luke Wood (3-26 & 18*) put in all-round performances as Adelaide Strikers downed Sydney Sixers in their den to kickoff their BBL 2025-26 campaign with a win. It was an evening where bowlers dictated terms from both sides - Sydney Sixers were restricted to 159/9 and then the chase went on till the very last over.

All six of Sixers' bowlers picked at least one wicket each but the Strikers emerged victorious with three wickets to spare.

Sixers lost two early wickets before Josh Philippe and Moises Henriques added 50 off 34 deliveries. But they lost their way in the middle, falling from 94/2 to 100/5 in the space of seven deliveries.

Jack Edwards, fresh from an IPL contract earned with Sunrisers Hyderabad, added some lower-order runs that pushed the team past the 150-run mark. Wood finished with 3-26 while Pope

Strikers eked out a three-wicket win against Sydney Sixers

bagged 2-25.

Strikers too lost a couple of Power-Play wickets and then a third in the eighth over but the chase was then built around Liam Scott's essay - a 32-ball 51.

Scott added stands with Jason Sangha, Alex Ross and Overton, who scored a crucial 30 off 20 deliveries in a phase when Sixers were pushing to regain momen-

tum.

They dismissed Scott in the 12th over to raise hopes, but Overton hit back with a seventh-wicket alliance worth 31 runs that was pivotal to the fate of the chase. Like Overton, Wood made crucial contributions with the bat too, by seeing the chase through in the company of Hasan Ali. (Cricbuzz)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 18, 2025

Green becomes most expensive overseas IPL player AUSTRALIA all-rounder Cameron Green became the most expensive overseas signing in Indian Premier League history when he was bought for 25.2 crore (£2.1m) by Kolkata Knight Riders at the 2026 auction.

The successful bid, which followed a bidding war with Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings, surpassed the 24.75 cr (£2.3m based on exchange rates at the time) that KKR paid for Australia pace bowler Mitchell Starc at the 2024 auction.

Green is the third most expensive player in IPL history.

India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant set the record at the 2025 auction, joining Lucknow Super Giants for 27 cr (£2.54m), after India batter Shreyas Iyer was signed by Punjab Kings for 26.75 cr (£2.51m) earlier that day.

Green, 26, has played for Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL, scoring 707 runs at a strike-rate above 150 and taking 16 wickets in 29 games.

Although he was sold in the capped batters category, Green said he will be available as an all-rounder and at-

Cameron Green averages 33.35 with the bat and 34.42 with the ball in 63 T20s

tributed the listing to a "stuffup" by his management.

Green has struggled with back injuries throughout his career and missed the 2025 IPL following surgery.

He returned to action as a specialist batter in June but is being used an all-rounder

by Australia in the ongoing Ashes series against England.

England opener Ben Duckett will make his IPL debut after being picked up

by Delhi Capitals for 2 cr (£167,000).

He was the only England player selected in the initial phase of the auction but four

were picked in the accelerated rounds.

All-rounder Liam Livingstone was purchased for 13 cr (£1.085m) - the fifth-highest price of the auction - by Sunrisers Hyderabad, who will become the 32-year-old's fourth IPL side.

Batter Tom Banton and left-arm seamer Luke Wood will join Jos Buttler at Gujarat Titans, while batter Jordan Cox was picked up for the first time by holders Royal Challengers Bengaluru and will play alongside Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell.

Sri Lanka seamer Matheesha Pathirana was the second-biggest earner of the day, signing for Kolkata Knight Riders for 18 cr (£1.5m).

Uncapped Indian wicketkeeper-batter Kartik Sharma and all-rounder Prashant Veer were both signed by Chennai Super Kings for 14.2 cr (£1.185m) in the next biggest deals.

Australia's Steve Smith, England's Jamie Smith and Jonny Bairstow and New Zealand's Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell were among the players unsold. (BBC Sport)

Kingston College ran rampant against Bahamas’ ACEA IT was goals galore for Kingston College on Tuesday at the Queen’s College ground when they thrashed Bahamas ACEA 28-0 on day 2 of the KFC Goodwill International football series.

It was the highest goal margin the competition has seen eclipsing Chase Academic Foundation 24-1 victory over the same opponents on Sunday last.

ACEA again looked at sea in the regional competition unable to close the flood gates against Kingston College who pillaged their uprights.

Davion Clarke was the chief destroyer, with 6 goals to his name. They were also hat-tricks for Shaquan Elliot, Robinho Morgan and Shemoy Thompson.

Nthanda Scott, Micah Simpson and Khemaldhi-

no Gentles also registered doubles with a goal each for Robney Grandstand, Adriel Fraser, Rasheed Payne and Riley Kavwaroo.

Champions Chase Academic Foundation stayed flawless with a 6-0 victory over West Ruimveldt Secondary.

Chase Academic Foundation again had Bryan Wharton at the forefront of their win with a brace while Isaiah Ifill, Malcolm Hendricks and Shaquan David also scoring.

The sixth goal came by way of a West Ruimveldt own goal.

Also in the winner’s circle was St Benedict College who defeated Suriname Technical School 7-2.

It was a ding dong affair with St Benedict College’s Jaylon Carrington and Jelani Scott scoring in the first

half.

A goal after the resumption by Josiah Barrow extended the lead before Camron Burke scored a double to make it 5-0.

Jaydan Duncan added another before Suriname Technical School had consolation goals from Stefano Castillion and Jizreel Sedoc.

Kai Robertson scored his lone strike as St Benedict College finished 7-2 winners.

Jose Viera School of Brazil close off the day’s clashes with a 4-0 win over Annai Secondary.

Jonatan Da Silva in the 25th minute got things going before Brayan Morais hit the back of the net in the 42nd and 80th minute.

Tayllor Emmanuel also scored in the 70th minute to cap off the 4-0 victory.

The victorious Kingston College football team

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 18, 2025

Carey goes from Ashes villain to hero with century in Adelaide heat

By Ian Ransom ADELAIDE, (Reuters) - Hometown hero Alex Carey rode his luck to a first Ashes century to rescue Australia as England's bowlers toiled in an Adelaide Oval cauldron on a scorching opening day of the third test on Wednesday.

The wicketkeeper's 106 helped drive Australia to 326 for eight at stumps, with Mitchell Starc (33 not out) and Nathan Lyon, scoreless off 18 balls, having provided stubborn tail-end resistance.

Carey survived a caught-behind decision on 72 with the help of a glitch with the review technology before going on to score his third test century.

In front of a big family gathering in the sell-out crowd of 56,298 at his home stadium, Carey raised his bat and his head to the sky in a tribute to his father who died of leukaemia in September.

"It was pretty special to make a hundred here in front of home fans and family, and you know why I was looking to the heavens," he said.

"I'll try not to tear up. It was a great moment.

"Dad played the biggest role in my cricket, coached me all the way through and sort of let me go as I got into my older teenage years, but (he) would always shoot a message (like) 'put the reverse sweep away'".

Carey was ably backed

by Usman Khawaja, who capitalised on his late inclusion in place of an unwell Steve Smith by scoring 82 off 126 balls.

The pair combined in a crucial 91-run stand that pulled the hosts from peril after they were reduced to 94 for four straight after lunch.

Trailing 2-0 in the series, England's hopes of keeping the Ashes alive suffered an early blow when home captain Pat Cummins won the toss and put his team in to

bat on a firm wicket begging for a big score.

By stumps, with the temperature still hovering around 35 degrees Celsius (95F), England's prospects appeared bleak after Carey and Starc pushed the hosts past 300.

With day two expected to hit 39 degrees, the tourists will be desperate for quick wickets in the morning to avert another punishing day in the field.

MISSED CHANCES Yet again, England had moments of ascendancy but were unable to take their chances.

Khawaja was the chief beneficiary, being dropped on three by Harry Brook at second slip with a thick edge off the bowling of recalled paceman Josh Tongue.

A diving Brydon Carse put down a tougher chance to remove Carey for 52 when he smashed Archer into the covers.

Captain Ben Stokes burned two of England's reviews trying to dislodge Carey, first for lbw when he was on 52 and later for the caught-behind appeal off the bowling of recalled seamer Josh Tongue.

Carey admitted he may have "feathered" the ball but a noise picked up by the "Snicko" technology did not align with the ball travelling by the bat on review of the delivery, so the decision stood.

England bowling coach David Saker said the tourists were hard done by.

"The boys are pretty confident he hit it," Saker told reporters. "Those decisions hurt."

Wednesday's cheers for Carey came two years after he became the villain of the 2023 Ashes for throwing down Jonny Bairstow's stumps in a controversial run-out during the second test at Lord's.

He was eventually

Australia's Alex Carey celebrates after reaching his century (REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

caught for 106 trying to slog-sweep the spin of Will Jacks, sending a top-edge soaring.

It continued a pattern of soft dismissals that kept England buoyed despite the taxing weather.

Both Australia's openers Travis Head (10) and Jake Weatherald (18) fell cheaply in a six-ball burst before the first drinks break.

A driving Head was caught for 10 off seamer Carse, with Zak Crawley diving to his left at short

cover to pluck a brilliant one-hander above the grass.

Weatherald fell trying to pull a sizzling Jofra Archer bouncer only to gift an easy catch behind the wicket.

Khawaja and Labuschagne steered Australia to 94 for two at lunch but Labuschagne and new batter Cameron Green threw away their wickets in three balls after the break.

Carse caught both at midwicket off the bowling of Archer in near-identical dismissals.

Chambers, Green, Frantzety headline Terence Crawford retires from boxing: 'Nothing else left to prove' 2025 Caribbean Cup Best XI MIAMI, Florida, (CMC )– The curtains have closed on a thrilling 2025 Concacaf Caribbean Cup, concluding with Jamaica’s Mount Pleasant FA hoisting their maiden trophy.

While the champions etched their name in history, individual brilliance shone across the region, culminating in the official tournament Best XI, a squad dominated by the finalists, but sprinkled with standout talent from across the Caribbean.

The selection, announced by Concacaf on the weekend, features the pillars of champion Mount Pleasant, the relentless engine of runners-up Universidad O&M FC, and key figures from Cibao FC and Trinidad’s Defence Force.

The last line of defence for the champions was the first name on the team sheet.

Tafari Chambers of Mount Pleasant FA was a veritable wall, making 17 saves over eight matches. His composure and clutch performances provided the foundation upon

which the title was built.

A blend of steel and distribution defined the back four. Cibao FC’s campaign was anchored by Edward Reyes, whose all-action contributions included 229 passes, 23 tackles, and 12 interceptions. He’s joined

by Mount Pleasant’s Jamoi Topey, a model of consistency over 545 minutes.

The Spanish connection at Universidad O&M FC proved formidable. Julen Olasagasti was a revelation, contributing a staggering 341

passes and, remarkably, scoring in the Final, while also making 21 defensive interventions.

His teammate Yoan Melo was an ironman, logging 710 minutes of steady, uncompromising play.

The engine room showcases both creativity and grit. O&M’s Spanish conductor, Jon Tricado, dictated play with 324 passes and chipped in two assists.

For the champions, Jamaican Jashaun Anglin was the disruptive force, combining 225 passes with a team-high 26 tackles.

The standout performer in midfield, however, was Trinidad and Tobago veteran Kevin Molino of Defence Force. The talisman secured third place and a 2026 Champions Cup spot almost single-handedly, finishing with a tournament-best 388 passes, four goals, and two assists.

The forward trio is simply electrifying. Named the tournament’s Best Player, (Turn to page 20)

FIVE-DIVISION champion Terence Crawford said Tuesday that he has retired from boxing.

The announcement came just three months after Crawford became the only boxer in the four-belt era to become an undisputed champion in three weight classes, accomplishing the feat when he defeated Canelo Alvarez for the undisputed super middleweight championship in September.

Crawford posted on social media that he was "walking away as a great with nothing else left to prove."

"I'm stepping away from competition, not because I'm done fighting but because I've won a different kind of battle. The one where you walk away on your own terms," Crawford said on his YouTube channel. "This isn't goodbye, this is the end of one fight and the beginning of another."

He added: "I gave this sport every breath I had.

Every scar, every triumph, every ounce of my heart. I've made peace with what's next.

And now, it's time. Thank you."

Five-division champion Terence Crwford

Crawford, 38, retires with a 42-0 record, with 31 wins coming by knockout. In addition to being undisputed at super middleweight, he became undisputed in the welterweight division when he defeated Errol Spence Jr. by knockout in July 2023 and was the undisputed champion of the junior welterweight division when he stopped Julius Indongo in August 2017.

Crawford has held 18 major world championships across five weight classes: lightweight, junior welterweight, welterweight, ju-

nior middleweight and super middleweight. He topped ESPN's Top 100 fighters of 2025 and retired as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the sport.

"I spent my whole life chasing something," Crawford said. "Not belts, not money, not headlines. But that feeling, the one you get when the world doubts you and you keep showing up and you keep proving everyone wrong."

Fighting out of Omaha, Nebraska, Crawford made his professional debut in 2008 after falling short in his bid to make the 2008 U.S. Olympic team. His debut wasn't met with as much fanfare as those of his peers, and he flew under the radar until he stepped in on three days' notice to face Breidis Prescott for his first televised fight in the co-main event of the Brandon Rios-Mike Alvarado 2 card on HBO in 2013. He easily outpointed Prescott and went on to win his first major world title by defeating Ricky Burns for the WBO lightweight title in 2014. (ESPN)

The West Indies Under-19 squad for the 2026 ICC World Cup

Dorne to lead West Indies Under-19s at ICC World Cup

PAGE

20

…Guyana All-rounder Jonathan van Lange appointed vice-captain

Spectacular launch for ICC Men’s T20 Barbados beat Guyana by 7 wickets World Cup Trophy Tour on DLS system in rain-affected match

THE ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Trophy Tour with DP World was launched over Adam’s Bridge, where a two-seater paramotor ascended into the sky carrying the trophy against the dramatic backdrop of India’s southern coastline.

Adam’s Bridge is culturally revered as Ram Setu in India, while also serving as a symbolic gateway linking the two co-hosts, India and Sri Lanka.

The two-seater paramotor flight traced the shimmering chain of limestone shoals below, reaching the farthest authorised point over the bridge before circling back, capturing sweeping aerial visuals and the emotions surrounding this iconic launch moment.

Across Adam's Bridge, where India and Sri Lanka meet, the Trophy Tour takes off for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Jay Shah, the ICC Chairman, reflected on the importance of the occasion.

"Launching the ICC

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Trophy

Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Trophy Tour with DP World above the Ram Setu, a site steeped in history, symbolism and shared cultural identity, sets an inspiring tone as we build towards this landmark event.

“This tour represents far more than the physical movement of a trophy. It is a unifying journey that brings continents, cultures, and cricketing communities together, igniting passion among fans worldwide and

strengthening the shared spirit that defines our game.

“With every stop, the Trophy Tour will heighten the sense of anticipation and invite fans across the world to join us in celebrating what promises to be an unforgettable ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.” The 10th edition of the global event will feature 20 teams, comprising 29 days of high-intensity cricket played at eight venues across India and Sri Lanka, commencing on February 7.

The Trophy Tour will journey across Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, Qatar, Oman, Nepal, Bahrain, and Mongolia, giving fans the chance to see the iconic silverware up close and participate in interactive experiences to build excitement ahead of the global megaevent.

The tour includes campus visits, fan meets, public activations and cricket carnivals designed to celebrate the sport’s energy and inclusivity.

In a unique initiative, (Turn to page 20)

Afraz Khan (left) and Shid Gajnabi both scored 28 and shared in a partnership of 66 at the Everest yesterday in a losing cause for Guyana (Sean Devers photos)

By Sean Devers BARBADOS beat Guyana by seven wickets on the Duckworth/Lewis/ Stern system yesterday in a truncated fourth and penultimate match in the fivematch series between the two teams at the Everest Cricket Club on Camp Road to level the series 2-2.

The match was initially reduced to 35 overs per side

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due to a couple of rain breaks and finally to 26 overs before Barbados began their reply.

The host on the back of a 66-run stand for the third wicket between Afraz Khan and Shid Gajnabi, led Guyana to 119-8 off 35 overs.

Khan’s 69-ball 28 included three boundaries, while Gajnabi, the brother of West Indies Women’s player Shabika Gajnabi, hit two fours, from 56 balls in his 28.

Player-of-the-Match Natarie Lavine

Kijani Inniss took 3-14 while Anahri Hinds had 2-28.

The young cricketers from the 166Sq mile island of Barbados reached 106-3 in further reduction to register a second consecutive victory. Guyana lost Daniel Johnson (2), who was bowled

by Kijani Inniss 9-1, before Deshawn Ramnauth, surprisingly used to open the batting, was bowled by Liam (Turn to page 20)

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2025