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Thursday Edition U.S. seizes AIETEUR NEWS Venezuela-linked, Russian-flagged oil tanker after weeks-long pursuit January 08, 2026 - Vol. 19 No. 02

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $100 readership yesterday, 49,029

Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

‘Guyana could be next target of illegal oil grab

by Trump’ - protestors warn

Local human rights activists protested the abduction of Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, cautioning Guyanese that Guyana's oil could be next on President Trump's agenda.

The demonstration was held a few feet away from the U.S. Embassy in Kingston, Georgetown.

‘The Mohameds Corentyne are not going man gets anywhere’ 23 years ...defence lawyers for raping confident extradition case will be dismissed 5-yr-old boy

‘No Backroom Deals’ ...Opposition demands full disclosure on U.S. deportees’ pact …calls for consultations, parliamentary oversight Jailed: and national debate Sanjay Peter

‘No bank account, no licence’ ...Small Miners Association sounds warning

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Thursday January 08, 2026

Thursday January 08, 2026

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‘No Backroom Deals’ ...Opposition demands full disclosure on U.S. deportees’ pact ...calls for consultations, parliamentary oversight and national debate Opposition parties are demanding full transparency and broad consultation over reported discussions between the Government of Guyana and the United States on an arrangement to accept third-country nationals deported from the U.S., warning that any such agreement must not be concluded behind closed doors.

In a statement on Wednesday, WIN urged the government to refrain from accepting third-country deportees until there is consultation with the opposition and transparency on the terms of any such arrangement.

The party’s position follows media reports that Guyana is in talks with the U.S. to accept third-country nationals. Guyana’s Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud, has since confirmed that the government is engaged in consultations with the U.S. on an arrangement to facilitate the transfer of third-country nationals.

“Specific details and operating procedures including the responsibilities of the sending and receiving parties are still being discussed both bilaterally and internally, to ensure that the arrangement is implemented in full compliance of international

U.S. deportees legal obligations and national laws and policies of Guyana,” Persaud stated.

He also noted that the U.S. is a strategic partner for Guyana and that the two countries will continue to work closely to strengthen bilateral relations through increased cooperation in areas such as security, defence, migration, trade, investment and energy.

However, Persaud noted that because consultations are ongoing between the two countries, it is not possible at this time to provide specific details on the third-country nationals.

WIN, in response, expressed strong opposition to the discussions. “WIN is opposed to any such arrangement. We are deeply concerned that such discussions continue without consultation with the Opposition Leader, without

Rawle Munroe

Excavator operator jailed for simple larceny A 40-year-old excavator operator was on Tuesday sentenced to 24 months in prison after he was charged with the offence of simple larceny.

The accused, Rawle Munroe of Two Friends Village, Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara appeared at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Sunil Scarce, where the charge was read to him. Munroe pleaded guilty and was subsequently sentenced to 24 months in prison.

According to the police, he was arrested on January 6, 2025 for the crime committed against Ramdeo Persaud at Enmore, East Coast Demerara.

parliamentary scrutiny, and without debate in the N a t i o n a l A s s e m b l y.

Decisions with far-reaching national consequences must not be made behind closed doors.

The Guyanese people do not get transparency under the PPP; instead, we are forced to live with their backdoor deals,” the party said. WIN also questioned whether any public information exists on the background or character of individuals who may be brought to Guyana under such an arrangement.

The party further rejected claims that the third-country nationals would be “skilled,” arguing that many skilled

Guyanese remain unemployed and accused the government of failing to prioritise the development of local human resources.

Additionally, the party w a r n e d t h a t G u y a n a ’s infrastructure is already under significant strain.

“Guyana accepted thousands of Venezuelan refugees, placing added pressure on hospitals, schools, housing, and other essential services.

There has been no explanation of how these systems will cope with any additional influx,” WIN said.

The party made it clear that it does not support any agreement with the U.S. on accepting third-country nationals unless the government provides full disclosure, ensures parliamentary oversight, and presents a clear plan that prioritises the well-being of Guyanese citizens.

Moreover, Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and APNU Chairman, Aubrey Norton during an interview with News Source said government must halt all discussions with the US until national stakeholders are

Leader of WIN, Azruddin Mohamed

Leader of the PNCR and APNU Chairman, Aubrey Norton consulted and a migration policy is in place along with requisite systems to support such a movement.

Norton also expressed concern that the Government has advanced discussions without first holding

consultations. He told News Source that at this stage the PNCR is not “disposed” to supporting the proposed arrangement but is willing to engage in meaningful consultation to ensure that there is clear policy in place.

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Thursday January 08, 2026

Kaieteur News Wind energy and the Interior: Powering dignity, Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL-TEL: 624-6456 Editor: NIGEL WILLIAMS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Governance breakdown For a government that boasts endlessly about progress, transformation and “One Guyana,” the Irfaan Ali administration appears increasingly uncomfortable with some of the most basic requirements of democratic governance: transparency, legality and respect for constitutional processes. From the unexplained withholding of the 2022 Population and Housing Census to the selective paralysis of key constitutional bodies, the country is witnessing a troubling pattern of rule by convenience rather than rule by law.

Nowhere is this more glaring than in the government’s continued failure almost three years later to publish the results of the national census. In every functioning democracy, census data is public information, not political property. It tells citizens who they are, where they live, and how the country is changing. It informs development planning, public spending, infrastructure, healthcare, education and, critically, elections.

Yet, despite repeated assurances, deadlines and excuses, the census report remains buried. In 2023, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh promised a preliminary report by mid-2024. In October 2024, the Bureau of Statistics said results would be released “soon.” Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo later shrugged off responsibility, claiming he had “no information” on the matter. Almost a year later, there is still nothing. No preliminary report. No final report. No credible explanation.

This is not a minor administrative delay; it is a democratic failure. The Carter Center in the lead up to last year’s general elections had flagged concerns about the size of the Official List of Electors—757,690—pointing out that the absence of census data “obscures public understanding of basic population demographics and their potential relation to the size of the voter list.” In any serious democracy, that observation alone would trigger urgency.

In Guyana, it is met with silence.

More disturbing is that the opposition and civil society have largely failed to turn this into a national rallying cry.

The country stumbled into the September 1, 2025 highstakes election blindfolded, without the very data that should ground electoral credibility.

Meanwhile, the government armed with granular data from its cash grant exercise enjoyed a lopsided informational advantage. This hoarding of national data feeds suspicion. In a society where politics is shaped by demographic balance, migration and shifting communities, withholding census information inevitably raises questions of manipulation. Fair or not, the perception is unavoidable: that the government sees political value in operating within a fog of ambiguity.

The census is not the only area where constitutional order is being casually undermined. In Region 10, the Regional Democratic Council remains improperly constituted after a tied vote for Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. The law is clear on how such a tie must be broken. Yet the Regional Executive Officer has refused to reconvene the meeting, and the government has failed to intervene. This paralysis exists only in Region 10. Every other RDC is functional. Selective dysfunction is not coincidence; it is policy by omission. At the national level, the same contempt for constitutional norms is evident in the refusal by the government in league with the Speaker of the National Assembly to facilitate the election of the Leader of the Opposition, a constitutionally mandated office. Add to that President Ali’s recent swearing-in of members of the Teaching Service Commission without the required consultations with the Leader of the Opposition, and a clear pattern emerges: constitutional requirements are treated as optional when they are inconvenient.

Taken together, these are not isolated lapses. They form a mosaic of democratic erosion. A government that withholds census data, selectively disables regional

development and sustainable progress DEAR EDITOR For many communities in Guyana’s interior, access to electricity remains limited, expensive, and unreliable.

In villages across Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine, diesel and gas generators still dominate e n e r g y s u p p l y, o f t e n operating for only a few hours each evening. Fuel must be transported over long distances by river, trail or air, driving up costs and placing a heavy burden on village councils and households. In this context, investing in wind energy for the interior is not just about

electricity—it is about dignity, development, and sustainable progress for communities that have long been left behind.

Over the years, government and development partners have made commendable efforts to expand solar power in hinterland communities.

Including introducing hydropower at Kumu Falls, Moco-Moco and Kato. But Solar installations have improved lighting in schools, health centres and homes. However, solar energy alone has limitations, particularly during prolonged rainy seasons and

at night when electricity demand often peaks. A diversified renewable energy mix that includes wind power could significantly strengthen energy resilience in the interior.

Wind energy, especially through small- to mediumscale wind turbines, offers a practical and sustainable option for remote communities. Modern wind turbines can generate electricity even at moderate wind speeds and can be installed to serve villages, clusters of homes, schools, health facilities and agroprocessing centres. In

regions such as the Rupununi savannahs, elevated terrains, open river corridors and parts of the north-west, wind patterns suggest promising potential that warrants serious study and investment.

The long-term economic case for wind energy is strong. While the initial cost of installing wind turbines may be high, operational and maintenance costs are relatively low compared to diesel generators. Over time, communities can reduce or eliminate their dependence on fuel imports, saving money that can instead be (Continued on page 06)

President Ali’s pragmatic position on Trump’s actions against Maduro DEAR EDITOR, President Ali and Prime Minister Kamla of T&T faced all kinds of criticism (from CARICOM colleagues and left-wing nationalists, citing violating of international law, Vienna Convention, UN Charter, etc.) for siding with President Trump in going after narco-traffickers and for military intervention in capturing Maduro and deposing him. Both have been unfairly criticized.

There are also those who are supportive (a majority) of the two leaders’ decision to join the Trump campaign against Maduro. Kamla has traded barbs with Caricom leaders on siding with Trump. There is no right or wrong opinion or decision on allying with Washington.

But there is pragmatism – what is in a nation’s (or political leader ’s) best interests. Opposing Trump or the Americans is not!

Freedom of speech must be respected on all sides; people, including me, have a right to express their opinion on the events in our region.

Also, in the international system of nation states, leaders have the right to choose alliance; freedom of association must be respected. In a democracy as

ours and T&T, voters elect a government that makes policies and decisions for them; the elected government decides on foreign association or alliances. Government leadership, with confidential briefings and intelligence, know what is best for their nation. They must act quickly on available information. Their decision and action, especially on forging foreign alliances, right or wrong, must also be respected. When and if the opponents of the government win election and forms a government, they will also have that power to enter (or not) into or leave alliances.

President Ali and Kamla were placed in an unenvious position, as leaders of border nations, of joining the US against Maduro who has been threatening their countries sovereignty and resources, and they needed American assistance to counter Maduro and for their countries’ development and economic prosperity. What choice did they have other than supporting Trump? It is a ‘no brainer’ on whether President Ali (and or PM Kamla) should have sided with President Trump against the Maduro regime

governance, bypasses constitutional consultations and centralises power while boasting of progress is not moving forward, it is sliding backward. Governing without accurate population data in a rapidly changing, oil-fuelled society is reckless. Governing while undermining trust is dangerous. Democracy cannot survive on slogans and press conferences, which also not happening. It survives on institutions, information and respect for the rule of law. On all three fronts, this government is failing and the country is paying the price.

and its ties to narcotraffickers. Which person would be opposed to eradicating drug trafficking or removing a threatening menace on your border and who have sought to stymie economic development of your country?

Maduro had threatened both Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. While the threat has not been permanently eradicated with the departure of Maduro, it has been severely curtailed. Venezuela will not be a serious threat to Guyana and or to T&T in the near term. And if there is an American military presence there, both T&T and Guyana can rest assured they will not be threatened by whatever government is in Caracas.

The status quo on Guyana will hold and T&T will get its dragon gas as approved by President Trump. Trump aggressively use power to aid allies. Washington will protect the two countries on matters pertaining to oil, gas, and Venezuela.

If President Ali and or PM Kamla had opposed President Trump’s military strikes against narcotraffickers and intervention to depose Maduro, as the rest of CARICOM and most of Latin America did, would additional opposition from Ali and Kamla have stopped Tr u m p f r o m p u r s u i n g military strikes on boats and intervening in Venezuela?

No! President Trump had long decided that Maduro must go and offered him safe passage to another country.

Maduro declined the offer.

T h e T r u m p Administration (and predecessors) had viewed

the Maduro regime, and a few others in the region, as a threat to American geopolitical security and national interests. Trump, unlike his predecessors, decided to use military means to stop Maduro.

Principles of international law and international relations, and UN Charter don’t trump (pardon the pun) matters pertaining to national security of a major power. The US is the most powerful nation in the world, and it will not allow a thug (allied with anti-American powers in the east) to defy its hegemony in a region that is America’s backyard. The other nations (their leaders) critical of President Trump were issued a warning, and they should take it seriously.

In deciding to side with USA, President Ali and PM Kamla must also have taken cognizance of the fact that hundreds of thousands of their nationals reside in USA and who are supportive of the American policy against Maduro. Opposing the Americans could have had devastating consequences on their diasporas.

At this time, the interests of Guyana and T&T have laid with an alliance with USA, not being an unattached observer on the sidelines preaching an unrealistic rhetoric of ‘zone of peace’. Their very territorial survival, national security, and economic wellbeing would have been on the line in not supporting USA and or in allowing Maduro to continue his threats against them.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Thursday January 08, 2026

Kaieteur News

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Democracy in Guyana vs Venezuela DEAR EDITOR, If we truly value democracy, we must ask a sober question: If democracy is an issue in Ve n e z u e l a , t h e n h o w different is the Guyanese experience today? A careful look at recent developments suggests alarming parallels that demand urgent public scrutiny.

1. Absence of a Functioning Opposition Leader It has been more than four months since Guyana’s 2025 elections, yet the office of Leader of the Opposition remains unfilled. Because of this vacancy, Parliament cannot properly appoint opposition nominees to critical state bodies. The result is a weakened legislative check on government power — a cornerstone of democratic governance. This stagnation empowers the majority party without meaningful contestation. In contrast, Venezuela’s democratic collapse began with the systematic exclusion of opposition leaders from political life, including the disqualification of María Corina Machado from elections and legal persecution of opposition figures — moves that heavily skewed political competition in favour of the

incumbent regime.

2. A Partisan Elections Commission The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is currently without appointed commissioners, effectively leaving the commission’s most substantive functions in the hands of its Chief Elections Officer. Because the Speaker — aligned with the government benches — controls the process of electing parliamentary leadership and thus opposition nominees, GECOM remains incapacitated by procedural gridlock. A fully constituted and independent electoral body is essential to credible, free elections; without this, public confidence in electoral outcomes is undermined.

This dynamic echoes the experience in Venezuela, where the National Electoral Council (CNE) became an instrument of government control rather than a neutral electoral umpire. The CNE repeatedly disqualified parties and candidates, manipulated voter registration, and failed to release transparent results, contributing to elections that observers widely condemned as neither free nor fair.

3. Poverty in the Midst of Resource Wealth

Despite being one of the fastest-growing oil economies globally, Guyana faces a stark poverty crisis.

International reports estimate that roughly 58 % of Guyanese live in poverty, with about 32 % in extreme poverty, surviving on less than US $3.65 per day — even as oil revenues accumulate.

W h i l e d i r e c t comparisons must respect c o n t e x t , Ve n e z u e l a ’s experience shows how democratic rights can erode under prolonged economic hardship coupled with political exclusion and state capture: years of crisis left millions in extreme poverty and contributed to one of the largest displacement crises in the world, undermining democratic participation and social cohesion.

4. Security Forces and Political Involvement In Guyana, there have been reports of security services becoming involved in civic and political functions — including deployments under programmes such as “Men in Mission” and “One Guyana” banner.

While national defence forces can support civilian activities, their partisan use erodes the line between legitimate service and political influence and raises

fears of militarisation of civic space.

I n Ve n e z u e l a , t h e politicisation of the military and allied paramilitary groups — including “colectivos” — was central to maintaining regime control.

These forces were routinely deployed to suppress dissent and intimidate citizens, effectively acting as political enforcers rather than neutral defenders of the Constitution.

5. Freedom of Speech and Treatment of Critics Freedom of expression in Guyana remains formally protected, yet critics of the government have reported harassment, social and economic pressure, and in some cases legal threats that chill critical voices. This dynamic undermines democratic openness and robust civic debate.

By contrast, in Venezuela freedom of expression is severely constrained, with extensive government surveillance and censorship measures.

Critics — including ordinary citizens — faced arbitrary detention, repression, and loss of employment for expressing dissent on social media or public platforms.

6. Institutional Failure and Politicisation

Key oversight bodies in Guyana — such as the Integrity Commission, Ethnic Relations Commission, and police oversight mechanisms — are widely perceived as weak, under-resourced, and politically influenced. When institutions meant to enforce transparency and protect rights are compromised, democratic accountability weakens.

Venezuela provides a stark example of institutional breakdown: democratic institutions were gradually hollowed-out, subordinated to the executive, and stripped of legitimacy. Courts, electoral authorities, and legislative bodies became extensions of executive will, eliminating institutional checks and balances.

7. Politicisation of the Public Sector The increasing politicisation of Guyana’s public sector — including reports of recruitment and service delivery tied to party allegiance — damages meritocracy and citizen trust in governance.

A public administration that serves political interests rather than the public good undermines democratic

equality and efficient service delivery.

While Guyana has not reached the levels of institutional erosion seen in Venezuela, where the state apparatus was broadly coopted for partisan ends, the direction of current trends matters.

Democracy is not only about holding elections, but also about ensuring that state institutions serve all citizens equitably. Guyana retains democratic structures that Venezuela lost over years of authoritarian consolidation.

Yet several patterns — from weakened oversight to institutional dysfunction and economic exclusion — mirror early warning signs observed in Venezuela’s democratic backsliding.

If we cherish our democratic future, we must strengthen our institutions, protect civic freedoms, and ensure that mechanisms of accountability function independently and transparently.

Without these actions, the distinction between “we are not Venezuela” and “we could face similar challenges” becomes worryingly narrow.

Respectfully, H. Singh

Kaieteur News

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Thursday January 08, 2026

Integrity in public office must never be selective, politically convenient, or negotiable DEAR EDITOR As we enter this New Year, I extend best wishes to you and to the people of Guyana for a successful, peaceful, and prosperous 2026, under the guidance and blessings of Almighty God. Politicians take public office to serve their people and to bring meaningful improvements to their circumstances, not to exploit the system for personal enrichment. Public office is a trust, and that trust must be exercised with integrity, t r a n s p a r e n c y, a n d accountability.

I write out of deep national concern regarding the troubling and persistent revelations surrounding Minister Susan Rodrigues and the unexplained financial means allegedly

used to acquire multiple properties within a relatively short period of her tenure as a junior minister, within the Ministry of Housing and Water. These disclosures, now firmly in the public domain, raise serious questions that have yet to receive satisfactory answers.

I am compelled to address this matter not only as a concerned citizen, but also as someone who has previously served in public office. Between 2019 and August 2020, I served as a Junior Minister in the Ministry of Communities.

During that period, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, then Leader of the Opposition, publicly accused me of corruption and alleged that I owned three house lots. I immediately rejected this false and misleading claim,

convened a press conference, and disclosed to the nation that I held only one title, issued to me in 2016, while I was serving as a Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastrcture, prior to me being reassigned to the Ministry of Communities.

To further strengthen my position, I contacted my attorney and initiated legal proceedings against Mr. Jagdeo in December 2019.

That matter, regrettably, remains pending some six years later. Additionally, all my financial disclosures, including a legitimate loan from Republic Bank, were made public and duly submitted to the Integrity Commission. I did not hide behind silence or political protection; I confronted the allegations with facts and

documentary evidence. I am often comforted by the scripture in Genesis 3:19, “By the sweat of thy brow shalt thou eat bread.” Simply put, honest work justifies honest reward. Any wealth accumulated by those in public office must therefore be clearly traceable to lawful income and hard work, not to privileged access or opaque transactions.

It is therefore sad and most worrying to witness the posture adopted by Minister Rodrigues, who appears unbothered by the seriousness of these allegations. Even more troubling is the conspicuous silence of President Irfaan Ali and Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo.

This silence is particularly concerning given that both men have themselves been fingered in allegations of c o r r u p t practices—allegations they have denied, yet without

providing the necessary documentary evidence to clear their names.

Corruption under the PPP/C administration appears to have become normalised and immune from consequence. This sends a dangerous signal to the Guyanese people, that wrongdoing in high office is to be tolerated. Such a reality is grossly unfair to citizens who sit on the sidelines, witnessing before their eyes how some politicians appear to enrich themselves through access to state resources.

Since assuming office in August 2020, and with the advent of Guyana’s oil wealth, the PPP/C administration seems to have grown increasingly emboldened. Reports of questionable conduct continue to surface. Notably, in 2024, an employee attached to Minister Rodrigues was accused of

underhanded dealings involving state lands. The nation was told that action would be taken; however, no meaningful action followed, and the individual reportedly remained on the job.

In light of these developments, I join the call of all right-thinking Guyanese for Minister Susan Rodrigues to do the decent and honourable thing, resign her position and allow for a full, impartial, and transparent investigation into these damning allegations of corrupt practices while serving as a junior minister. Public pressure must be maintained until the truth is revealed and accountability restored.

Guyana deserves better.

Integrity in public office must never be selective, politically convenient, or negotiable.

Yours sincerely Annette Ferguson

Wind energy and the Interior:...

From page 04 invested in education, healthcare and local enterprise. For a country that now earns significant revenue from oil production, allocating a portion of these resources to renewable energy in the interior would represent a forward-looking and equitable use of national wealth.

Beyond cost savings, wind energy contributes to environmental protection.

Diesel generators emit greenhouse gases and pose risks of fuel spills that contaminate rivers and soil—resources upon which Indigenous communities depend for fishing, farming and daily life.

Wi n d e n e r g y, b y contrast, is clean and renewable, aligning with Guyana’s commitment to climate resilience, forest conservation and lowcarbon development.

Equally important is the social dimension of wind energy investment.

Hinterland and Indigenous communities should not merely be recipients of technology, but active partners in planning, implementation and management.

Community-owned or community-managed wind projects can empower village councils, create local employment and foster a

sense of ownership and pride. Training programmes for youth in turbine maintenance, basic engineering and energy management would build skills and open new pathways for employment within the community.

Such an approach also aligns with the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), ensuring that Indigenous peoples are fully involved in decisions that affect their lands and livelihoods.

Energy development, when done respectfully and inclusively, can strengthen rather than undermine traditional governance and community cohesion.

The role of the state is crucial. Government agencies, in collaboration with the University of Guyana and international renewable energy partners, should undertake comprehensive wind mapping and feasibility studies in the interior.

Pilot projects in selected communities would allow for testing, learning and refinement before scaling up. Hybrid systems that combine wind, solar and battery storage could provide stable, round-theclock power suited to local conditions.

Challenges certainly exist. Technical expertise,

maintenance logistics and upfront financing must be carefully addressed.

However, these challenges are not insurmountable.

Climate financing mechanisms, regional partnerships and targeted training programmes can help bridge gaps. What is required above all is political will and a commitment to inclusive development.

As Guyana charts its future as an oil-producing nation, it must also decide how development benefits are shared.

Reliable electricity is foundational to education, healthcare, small business development and overall quality of life. When interior communities continue to lag behind in access to basic services, national progress remains incomplete.

Investing in wind energy for the interior is therefore about more than powering homes. It is about affirming the dignity of communities that have contributed to Guyana’s cultural and environmental heritage for generations. It is about enabling development that is locally grounded, environmentally responsible and socially just.

And it is about building a future in which no region of the country is left in the dark.

Your Sincerely, Medino Abraham Msc

Thursday January 08, 2026

Kaieteur News

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Thursday January 08, 2026

‘No bank account, no licence’ ...Small Miners Association sounds warning

Chairman of the Small Miners Association, David Daniels The Small Miners Association Guyana Inc. has encouraged miners to comply with new banking requirements, stressing that the measures are aimed at safeguarding the industry and ensuring miners remain

legally compliant.

Chairman of the Association, David Daniels, in a recent message, said the requirement is linked to Guyana’s obligations under anti-money laundering legislation and is intended to

ensure that mining activities are conducted legitimately.

“It is to ensure that once you’re mining in the mining i n d u s t r y, y o u a r e legitimately mining,” Daniels said.

Last week, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) issued a notice instructing all miners and stakeholders, including traders, to update their personal records with the Commission by January 31, 2026. The Commission had also announced that all miners and stakeholders are required to maintain a local bank account as a mandatory condition for the processing,

access or renewal of mining licences and permits.

GGMC had stated that those without a bank account must take immediate steps to regularise their status. The Commission warned that non-compliance with the local bank account requirement will affect the processing, issuance or renewal of licences and permits. As such, Daniels advised miners to adhere to the rules and regulations of t h e s e c t o r, i n c l u d i n g maintaining a bank account where required, noting that compliance would allow miners to remain active and relevant in the industry while

providing for their families.

He noted that miners renewing licences at GGMC or conducting transactions with the Guyana Gold Board will be required to present banking information. He explained that while cash payments are issued up to a threshold, transactions above that amount are settled by cheque, making a bank account necessary.

“Your gold value in excess of $2 million you will receive a cheque, and with that cheque, you will have to get the bank account to go and change a cheque so that that money will take and from a business perspective,

it will allow you to save your money,” he said.

Daniels also pointed to available banking options in Region Seven. He noted that the Association has already received calls from miners seeking assistance and said it is prepared to help with documentation, including letters of recommendation, where necessary.

“So please, small miners, don’t see this as a burden.

See this as an added opportunity whereby you will be able to provide and you will be able to better develop your business and better develop your family,” Daniels noted.

‘The Mohameds are not going anywhere’ The defence team for Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed, the father and son businessmen indicted on multiple charges in the United States, remain confident that the extradition proceedings against them will ultimately be dismissed.

The two are facing a federal indictment in Miami, Florida, following a 25-page unsealed indictment on October 2, 2025, which

accuses them of masterminding an elaborate fraud and money-laundering operation involving gold exports, customs fraud, bribery, and the evasion of millions in taxes and royalties owed to Guyana.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, the Mohameds' defence lawyers emphasised that the case is likely to be thrown out of court. One of their lead attorneys, Siand

...defence lawyers confident extradition case will be dismissed

Dhurjan, expressed unwavering optimism, stating, "All of these proceedings will result in one outcome: the complete discharge of these charges, at one stage or another, in one court or another." He added firmly, "Make no mistake, the Mohameds are not going anywhere. These extradition proceedings will be overcome."

Since the case was

Father and Son Nazar (right) and Azruddin Mohamed brought before the court in October 2025, the Mohameds' legal team, which includes prominent attorneys Roysdale Forde SC, Damien Da Silva, and Siand Dhurjan, has employed a vigorous defence strategy. This led to delays in the extradition process, primarily by challenging constitutional issues tied to the 2009 amendments to the Fugitive Offenders Act. The defence team had filed a request to stay the extradition proceedings to address these constitutional matters.

Despite their efforts, Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman rejected their request, and the matter was subsequently brought before the high court. Acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh also

ruled against the defence, denying their request to stay the extradition proceedings while the constitutional issues were being addressed.

Undeterred by these setbacks, the defence appealed Justice Singh’s ruling to the Full Court, seeking to halt the extradition proceedings in the magistrates’ court until the constitutional challenges could be fully heard, emphasising that their clients’ rights must be exercised. On Monday, however, Justice Singh denied the defence’s request for a stay, allowing the extradition process to continue. This ruling cleared the way for the committal proceedings to move forward.

Roysdale Forde, one of

the lead attorneys for the defence, expressed disappointment with the c o u r t ’s d e c i s i o n a n d confirmed that an appeal would be filed with the Full Court. In addition to challenging the extradition proceedings, the defence has also filed a judicial review application, alleging bias against the government and specifically targeting the Minister of Home Affairs for authorising the extradition case. This application is scheduled to be heard on January 14.

The extradition proceedings are set to resume today, with the first witness, Sharon RoopchandEdwards, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expected to continue her testimony.

Kaieteur News

Thursday January 08, 2026

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From the Monroe Doctrine to the Donroe Doctrine Over the past few days, the phrase “The Monroe Doctrine” has been bandies about to explain the US decision to bomb Venezuela and to kidnap that country’s President, Nicholas Maduro.

So, what exactly is this Monroe Doctrine and how is it related to the present US actions in Venezuela?

The Monroe Doctrine was a U.S. policy announced in 1823. It was first promulgated under the presidency of James Monroe. In simple terms, it asserted that Europe should stay out of the Americas. The United States warned European countries not to create new colonies or interfere in North, Central, or South America.

The Monroe Doctrine thus enunciated the position that the Americas – South, North and Central America – were off-limits to new European colonisation. If European powers tried to take control of any country in the Western Hemisphere, the U.S. would see it as a hostile act. In return, the Doctrine committed that the U.S. would stay out of Europe’s affairs, including not to interfere in European wars or politics.

At the time, many Latin American countries had just won independence from European empires, and the U.S. wanted to help keep them free from being recolonised. Or this was how the US tried to make noble the objectives of the Monroe Doctrine.

But over time, the Monroe Doctrine was sometimes used to justify U.S. influence or intervention in the region, which is why many Latin American countries later viewed it as a cover for American dominance rather than protection.

In the early 1800s, the U.S. did not have the power to enforce the doctrine on its own; Britain’s navy helped discourage European interference. But by the late 1800s: The doctrine was used more assertively to block European involvement in disputes in Latin America.

At the turn of the 20th century ( 1900s), the United States, expanded the doctrine with the Roosevelt Corollary, claiming the right to intervene in Latin American countries to prevent European powers from stepping in. This led to

U.S. involvement in places like Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua.

During the Cold War period, the doctrine was invoked to oppose Soviet influence in the Americas, most notably during the Cuban Missile Crisis. While not formally abandoned, the doctrine is less explicitly cited today, though the idea of limiting outside powers’ influence in the hemisphere still appears in U.S. policy discussions.

Cheddi Jagan had long held the view that the original Monroe Doctrine was not about protecting Latin American but was being used as a pretext for future U.S. expansionism in the region. He eventually said that Simón Bolívar himself viewed the doctrine with suspicion, worrying that Latin American nations might simply trade one powerful outside influence (Spain) for another (the United States).

But Jagan, ever the profound leftist thinker that he was, also saw the Monroe Doctrine as having an economic component.

According to him, “…from the time of the Munroe Doctrine, the Latin American economy has been

DEM BOYS SEH

We don’t want any deportees that are not Guyanese D em boys seh Guyana gat some people who believe governance does best when nobody watching. Imagine that.

While Parliament not meeting, while there is no Leader of the Opposition, while the National Assembly collecting dust, somebody somewhere feel now is the perfect time to talk with Uncle Sam about taking in third-country deportees.

Deportees! From America! As if Guyana is some kind of international lost-and-found department.

Dem boys nearly choke on dem bush tea when dem hear that one. Since when Guyana become a dumping ground for people other countries don’t want? We can’t even properly deport we own criminals, but we now want to import other people own? This is like borrowing trouble on hire purchase.

Dem boys seh let us be clear. This is not a small matter. This is not signing for stationery or agreeing to exchange Christmas cards.

This is about sovereignty, law, morality and common sense. Any agreement to accept third-country nationals deported from the United States must come to Parliament. Full stop. End of story. No Parliament, no Opposition Leader, no mandate, no moral authority. Anything else is backdoor governance, and Guyanese people allergic to backdoors.

Morally, Guyana should say no. We did not try these people. We did not sentence them. We do not know t h e m . We a r e n o t responsible for America’s immigration mess. Charity begins at home, and home already struggling with we own problems to add another layer. We can barely manage our own problems without importing extra

ones in bulk.

Legally, dem boys seh this thing shaky like Georgetown seawall at spring tide. On what legal basis Guyana would accept non-Guyanese deportees?

Where the laws? Where the safeguards? Where the consultation? Or is the plan to smile, nod, sign and hope nobody notice?

Dem boys also notice the timing real convenient.

Parliament not meeting. No Opposition Leader to raise hell. No debate. No sunlight. But dem boys seh sunlight coming whether government like it or not.

So let it be known: dem boys oppose any talks, any discussions, any quiet understandings on thirdcountry deportees. If the government push this foolishness, dem boys will be there. Peaceful protest.

Loud voices. Clear message. Guyana is a country, not a warehouse.

Talk half. Leff half.

placed in a straitjacket. Its economy is in imbalance with a deformed type of capitalism and a backward agrarian structure. US strategy is to maintain Latin America as a raw material producer with dependence on one crop or one mineral.”

To understand whether the Monroe Doctrine has any influence on the present aggression between the United States and Venezuela, one has to look at the United States policy towards that country over the past two decades or more The classic idea echoed in U.S. rhetoric is that the Western Hemisphere is the U.S.’ sphere of influence, and hostile governments or actors there could face consequences. This echoes the spirit (but not the letter) of the old doctrine.

At present, the U.S. government is framing its military action and capture of Maduro as necessary to address alleged drug trafficking and national security threats — while also signaling that a government

hostile to the United States in the region won’t be tolerated.

At the United Nations Security Council, two days ago, the United States framed it actions against Venezuela, which murdered more than 50 innocent persons, as being typically a law enforcement operation.

However, this position has been strongly rejected by several countries, including Cuba. Cuba’s representative cautioned the Council that the United States’ hegemonic and criminal agenda toward Venezuela has already led to grave and unpredictable repercussions for regional stability.

Referring to Washington’s long-running use of unilateral sanctions, economic strangulation, and even acts of maritime terrorism, he said the latest developments only reinforce the pattern of imperialist and fascist aggression inspired by the obsolete Monroe Doctrine.

T h e C u b a n representative insisted that

the United States must immediately free President Maduro and his wife, and called on the international community to take a firm stand against this act of state terrorism.

Other critics argue that the United States actions against Maduro represents a renewal or extension of Monroe-Doctrine-type thinking is actually classic interventionism or hegemony — the U.S. acting directly in another sovereign nation’s affairs rather than simply warning off European powers. Some have even referred to Trump’s present stance as the Donroe Doctrine.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10 S

UTH

D TR

HAR

HK

BY G

L

LAL

Thursday 2026 MondayJanuary May 02,08, 2022

H@RD TRUTHS

BY GHK LALL

Why the silence I was mystified by the PPP Govt’s silence on the US-Maduro developments.

Now, I am beginning to get the first glimpses of understanding as to why there is the thundering silence out of loud PPP Govt corners. There is the man Maduro, a real caudillo he is turning out to be, and he holds more keys that unlocks

secret doors than I thought possible.

From the US indictment against him, the thunderclap came: indictment includes unnamed Caribbean and Central American leaders who were complicit in the Venezuelan’s vast drug trafficking empire, and who p o c k e t e d h i s p a y o ff s .

Guyanese know that there

are those among their finest chiefs who cannot resist taking a dollar, any kind of dollar from any type of source.

Don’t expect any names to be published, for some of the unnamed leaders who took payoffs are useful to US calculations. What is going on in Guyana is more than silence. It is shivering in

Fisherman charged with attempted murder of woman, 54 A fisherman of Barima River, North West District, Region One was on Wednesday remanded to prison after he was charged with attempted murder.

The accused, George Joseph, 26 appeared at the Mabaruma Magistrate’s Court before Senior Magistrate Clive Nurse, where the charge was read to him. He was not required to plead and was remanded to prison.

According to brief information provided by the police, Joseph was arrested on December 8, 2025 for the offence committed on Sandra Dawson, 54, a farmer which occurred on December 7 at Barima River.

The matter was adjourned to February 7, 2027.

Charged, George Joseph

Freedom House, and those other big houses with some of the biggest people in his criminal-infested land.

Recall that the US government quietly and suspiciously removed PPP Govt official Ms. Mae Toussiant Thomas, when the father and son Mohameds combo was charged. There had to be some bargain with the devil, and a large pound of flesh collected from the PPP Govt. That is called a marker, or IOU. One was whatever the US does in Venezuela, the PPP squires had to bite their tongues and get a chastity belt for their tonsils. Not one peep out of the PPP relative to predawn helicopters, masked men, machineguns blazing, Maduro and his better half sent express delivery to Brooklyn, USA. Even the usually clever scripts that are read in public were lacking on this occasion, with some tripe that even a pig would turnup its nose at in disdain.

Yuh nat sellin’ mee dat stinker about norms and so forth, are ya? Oftentimes, it is better to do away with the scripts, and just keep mouth as sealed as a casket.

Just as in drug smuggling, I have always questioned myself as to who took payoff money from the drug money masters. This man Maduro may be in chains, but he has in his head

(and in books) what could make master politicians look like master criminals. No wonder there’s appalling silence here on what happened in Venezuela last Saturday. Maduro may be in the lockups, but he can still expose some top politicians, and put a hole in their balloons.

I know some smart-alecky in the PPP Govt is likely to say that, technically speaking, Guyana is not a part of the Caribbean, which may be quarter correct. Therefore, there is no finger of inclusion wrapping around the necks of some of Guyana’s golden political children. I beg to differ, for there is the power of logic.

If big buckets of cash could have been collected over the years from drug people, gold people, dirty people, people with history, then why not from the Big Kingfish himself, Nicolas Maduro Moros? He was in so much of a hole for such a long time (blame US sanctions) that he was ready to do business with everybody. And there are some leading political darlings here who would do business with anybody for a million or two, and think nothing of turning their backs on them in a crunch.

Maybe even give them up to keep on the good side of the Yanks. I shouldn’t have to

name any names, only draw the maps with the appropriate symbols.

Now there are two things that Guyanese politicians, ruling and others, have going for them. Both are US based. First, the US is not likely to disclose any names.

Political assets in the Caribbean can’t be jeopardized. Recall how Panama’s Manuel Noreiga was coddled and virtually granted immunity while Black communities in the US, especially California, were devastated. That is how US protections rackets work, complete with a star presence. If the US wouldn’t give up a destructive criminal like Noreiga, which names from Guyana is the same US going to give up publicly? And, if former PPP Govt Permanent Secretary (a protected asset) could be made to fall off from US sanctions status, then all things are negotiable.

So, rest easy boys in the new government and old government, all is well.

Once the oil and Exxon are well taken care of, then there is nothing to fear.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Thursday January 08, 2026

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Fly Hill Nursery, Cracrana Primary, NA Mayor hails Kwebana Secondary among 18 schools 2025 a success to be commissioned …says advancements more than setbacks

New Amsterdam Mayor, Wainwright McIntosh New Amsterdam Mayor, Wainwright McIntosh has lauded the success of the council in 2025, noting that the administration has seen more advancements than challenges throughout the year.

In a recent one-on-one with Kaieteur News, McIntosh summarised the highs and lows that characterised the last year of the municipal body, and also offered insights on what is expected as the council commences its 2026 agenda.

“For the year 2025, we were able to better achieve the goal of better sanitation services with regard to garbage collection.

We were able to increase the frequency with which we service residential and commercial bins. We improved significantly in that area,” the mayor told Kaieteur News.

The department tasked with garbage collection was bolstered with the acquirement of three compactor trucks, two of which are in “good working condition,” while mechanical works are being done on the other.

Regarding projects outlined for 2025, the council honored its commitment to paving the walkway of one of the town’s most iconic sites- Esplanade Park. Within the park, the children’s corner underwent an upgrade with repairs to recreational structures, in addition to sand-filling and fencing the designated parameters. The Esplanade Park is also now outfitted with a canteen, for which tenders were issued. It is expected to be in operation soon. Furthermore, the council had fruitful collaboration with the Retired Teachers Union, which generously facilitated the fencing of the Cenotaph at the park.

He also detailed supplementary plans for the recreational ground.

“The Esplanade Park, we will continue to enhance our facility. We will be installing lights around the park.”

These endeavors will be advanced by the $1.8 million earnings from the 2025 Town Day activities.

Meanwhile, McIntosh explained that the council took on the challenges posed by flooding.

Pitt Street, despite being one of the main commercial hotspots, has been flood-prone for decades. The M&TC implemented systems to mitigate this situation, which yielded much success owing to a comprehensive plan for the central part of the township.

“We were able to undertake a massive drainage programme within central New Amsterdam, where interlock drains were desilted within the central New Amsterdam area…namely, the interlocks between Pitt Street and New Street, all along the Strand area, those front drains were desilted….as a result of undertaking that project, we would have seen the minimising of flooding when it rains.”

The drains were strategically covered with galvanised materials, as opposed to concrete, allowing for easy access to the drains, when necessary, works arise. Concrete drains were also constructed along Trinity Street.

Maintenance works were conducted on the New Amsterdam Market, the mayor mentioned.

A major 2025 highlight for the council was its representation of the town of New Amsterdam and the wider Guyana for the first time at the 27th InterAmerican Conference of Mayors and Local Authorities held last September, which was attended by the mayor himself, his deputy and the town clerk. The conference created avenues for Continued on page 15

The Ministry of Education on Wednesday announced plans to commission 18 new schools by the end of the first quarter of this year.

The ministry in a statement, said in some cases, students will begin occupying the new facilities prior to formal commissioning, ensuring that learning continues without interruption.

The schools are part of the government’s plans to expand access to quality education and improving the learning environment for students nationwide. The ministry noted that it “remains committed to fostering equitable access to education and creating conducive environments for academic success. These new schools represent a major step toward fulfilling that vision.”

Kaieteur News understands that these new and extended schools are located in Regions One, Three, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten and in Georgetown.

In Region One, the ministry said it will be commissioning the Hosororo Secondary School and the Kwebana Secondary Schools. This publication had reported that the new $2,619,208,261 Hosororo School will have 40 classrooms across two blocks, accommodating up to 800 students and

The secondary school located at Hosororo, Region One.

provide modern educational amenities, to support the academic growth of the students in the region.

Regarding Kwebana, the ministry in July 2023 signed $2,017,419,996 in contracts to build the new state-of-theart building to house over 600 students and over 25 teachers. The school will consist of 30 classrooms, space for science laboratories, TVET Centre, Home Economics, and Industrial Arts, among others. It will also feature several fire prevention mechanisms, including fire escape stairs, escape doors, fire alarms, fire extinguishers and more.

In Region Three, the ministry will commission the Blooming Minds Nursery School, while the Mibikuri and

Chesney Nursery Schools will be opened in Region Six. The first ever secondary school in Middle Mazaruni which was constructed at Issano will be opened, and in Region Eight, the Micobie Secondary will be officially commissioned.

Moving down to Region Nine, the ministry has plans to open nine new schools there. These are the Fly Hill and Simonie Nursery Schools, Cracrana, and Churikidnau Primary Schools, and Nappi, Maruranau, Shulinab, Tabatinga and Karaudarnau Secondary Schools.

Further, the ministry will open the Rockstone Nursery in Region 10 and the newly extended Sophia Primary School in Georgetown.

The newly built secondary school at Issano, region Seven.

PAGE 12

Kaieteur News

Thursday January 08, 2026

Kaieteur News

Thursday January 08, 2026

PAGE 13

Vendors removed from GPHC entrance ...to be relocated to nearby parking lot Persons who were vending directly in front of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) gates along New Market and East Streets were once again removed on Wednesday and are expected to be relocated to the East Street Parking Lot. The removal followed an urgent letter sent by the GPHC to the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), which was shared by Town Clerk Candace Nelson during an emergency statutory meeting on Monday.

This is not the first time vending activities in the area have been addressed. In 2022, the Ministry of Public Works removed vendors operating along New Market Street between Thomas and East Streets, citing obstruction to

the free flow of traffic around the country’s main public healthcare institution. At that time, the ministry stated that violation notices had been issued, giving vendors seven days to vacate the area.

Further action followed in 2024, when attorney Sase R. Gunraj, representing GPHC, issued an ultimatum to the M&CC regarding the continued presence of vendors around the hospital. In correspondence addressed to the Town Clerk, Gunraj warned of impending legal action should the council fail to act.

The hospital, located in North Cummingsburg and bounded by Middle, East, Lamaha and Thomas Streets, with New Continued on page 15

Mayor of Georgetown City Council Alfred Mentore along with councillors and town clerk addressing the vendors.

A clear New Market Street near GPHC entrance

A Vendor stall being removed on New Market Street

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Thursday January 08, 2026

‘Guyana could be next target of illegal oil grab by Trump’ - protestors warn

Scenes from the picket exercise near the American Embassy.

By: Davina Bagot

W

ith the largest o i l discoveries recorded within the last decade, Guyana has become the envy of many nations. It must therefore be mindful of its relations and policy decisions in this regard as tensions soar between its neighbor, Venezuela and its ally, the United States of America (USA).

This message was central as a handful of picketers lined up Wednesday in Kingston, Georgetown, a stone’s throw away from the U.S Embassy to demonstrate against the abduction of Ve n e z u e l a n P r e s i d e n t , Nicolas Maduro and the killing of over 80 persons in the process.

“It was an abductionplain and simple...the only reason for any of this, just like Iraq is oil. America does not give a damn about Ve n e z u e l a , G u y a n a , Colombia or any of us. All they are interested in is oil,” said Vanda Radzik, a human rights activist.

She warned that the events in Venezuela should send a clear message to Guyana on what can possibly recur here should politicians fail to dance to the tune of the Trump administration. “ We a r e b a c k t o imperialism, we are back at attempted colonialisation and Guyana should be warned that it doesn’t go down the path of becoming another colony in all of this big talk about support of Tr u m p a n d A m e r i c a , ” Radzik told this newspaper as she lowered her placard.

The activist argued that the appropriate method of addressing any concerns or

suspicion the US president might have had about drug trafficking and other illegalities was through a court.

Instead, his brazen acts, according to her, demonstrate that the rule of law does not apply to him.

“Tell me, give me one example when rule of law has applied to Donald Trump and the way he rules.”

To this end, she warned that Guyana should be mindful in its dealings with such a leader. In fact, she reasoned, “Guyana should be more than mindful and we should be speaking out against the atrocities of Trump today.”

Further she said there is a big lesson for Guyana to learn from the Venezuela situation. Radzik noted, “Trump does not care about Guyana or the government or us the people of Guyana. It is only the oil that he is concerned about and he wants to do everything to protect his interests in our oil; Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in the whole world and he is determined to pocket those for the USA. What right have they to our sovereignty and our resources? They belong to us!”

Violation of international law Meanwhile, attorney Christopher Ram who joined the women-dominated exercise, told Kaieteur News that the move by President Trump was not only a violation of international law but a desecration of the Caribbean region for which for decades fought to maintain a zone of peace. In fact, Ram believes that the region has now disintegrated into a zone of hostility and bullyism which he strongly condemned.

He argued, “I don’t think one has any doubt that this is not about democracy. In fact, if it was democracy the US government would not be doing what it is doing. They have admitted that this is about oil and we have to be mindful that we ourselves are a newly developing oil economy.”

The lawyer continued, “We are probably the envy of lots of people. We are on the radar and we can easily have a situation where we are told, you have to sell your oil to the United States of America or you have to part with CNOOC (the Chinese partner in the Stabroek Block). Those are some of the dangers.”

‘Charge Trump!’

Meanwhile, executive director and founder of Guyana Trans United, Candacy Mcewan told Kaieteur News she was in firm solidarity with the people of Venezuela, since an injustice has been committed that affects everyone.

“One of the things we must be mindful of is that we can’t go about bombing people because there are innocent people in the process who lost lives, and if I am going to murder, I would be held accountable and Trump or whoever carried out such an order should be placed before the court,” she urged.

Dangerous precedent Also raising concern about the persons killed

while Maduro was extracted from his country, Danuta Radzik argued that the US hailed the mission a “clean cut operation” simply because none of its soldiers were harmed.

The activist noted that the abduction of the head of state sets a dangerous precedent and should act as a warning for nations in western hemisphere.

She reasoned, “It started off by their declaration of a policy in which the United States of America is now claiming the right to the resources and to the control of the entire western hemisphere. This is utter and total madness. It is imperialism and it is very dangerous. It means that any country in the western hemisphere is now open to

the US now coming in and wanting to claim their resources and wanting to ensure that the government supports the US and their policies.” Radzik said while the US president claims that Venezuela is responsible for trafficking and other crime, there is no legal ground for his actions.

The activist pointed out, “There is no legal ground and besides that this is not the way that you stop trafficking of drugs. This is not the way it is done. It is not done by bombing little boats and killing people.”

Further, she noted that Guyanese are deeply shocked by the position of the Guyana government which has failed to voice its support in defense of the sovereignty of Venezuela.

Corentyne man gets 23 years for raping 5-year-old boy Sanjay Peter, a 29-yearold resident of Williamsburg, Corentyne, was on Tuesday handed a 23year jail sentence for rape committed on a five-yearold boy back in 2018.

Imposing the sentence in the Berbice High Court, Justice Sandil Kissoon cited the gravity and discouraging rate of such offenses in society.

Peter was indicted on two counts: first countsexual activity with a child family member, and the second count-rape of a child under 16.

Back in December, a 12member jury found Peter, also known as 'Akash', guilty on both counts of the indictment, which

Sanjay Peter, now serving 23 years in jail for child rape. summarised that between July 1 and August 5, 2018, he committed the act on a child, said to be a family member.

He also knew that the boy was under 15 years old.

Following his trial, sentencing was scheduled for January 6, 2026.

The state was represented by prosecutor Cicela Corbin, while attorney Kevin Morgan represented Peters.

Justice Kissoon also pointed out that individuals abusing the trust reposed in them by minors and taking advantage of them is a social scourge. He said the accused is unsuitable at this point for society.

Together with his jail term, Peters must also u n d e rg o r e h a b i l i t a t i o n services through the prison system, as ordered by the court.

Thursday January 08, 2026

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

NA Mayor hails 2025 a... Vendors removed from GPHC...

From page 11 municipal co-operation and technical exchange in the areas of waste management, tourism and youth empowerment, etc, but a key takeaway from the two-day event for the mayor was effective waste management as a top priority for sustainable development.

He noted that the M&TC is mulling a garbage recycling plant for the town, modeled after such innovative initiatives presented at the conference by other participating countries.

“In this new year, we will be exploring partnership with like-minded investors who wish to invest in a recycling plant, which will have myriad benefits.”

The council will also be pursuing other sources of revenue “to ensure services are rendered to our citizenry.”

The side wall of the administrative building, which is in need of rehabilitation, is a priority focus, to afford staff a sense of comfort while at work. The mayor disclosed that the local government commission had issued the council a letter advising that an assessment be done for works needed to the administrative building. Acknowledging the dilapidated wall as an eye sore, McIntosh said the council will explore all possibilities to ensure that it is reconstructed.

The health department, which oversees solid waste management and also inspects food houses and supermarkets, came in for strong commendation by the mayor.

Challenges Mayor McIntosh highlighted the sore issues of garbage disposal and littering within the town. He said these issues are not isolated to 2025, but have been a perennial plague, which the council seeks to cure through policies, initiatives and engagements with town constituents. Strides have been made in addressing the concern, but McIntosh acknowledged that more can be done, not only by the council, but by civic-minded individuals.

“For the most part, citizens would have contributed to those challenges, and as mayor of New Amsterdam, I believe collectively we can rise above these

challenges. In the area of littering, to date, some persons continue to liter indiscriminately.”

This comes amidst the major decline in dumpsites around the town, and the mayor has issued a “conscious call” for residents of the town “to show care and love for the environment,” by simply locating a bin in which to deposit their garbage.

Another concern noted of 2025 was that of cattle negligence. The mayor said cattle owners have been leaving their animals unsupervised, which would frequently venture onto the public roadways and create immediate hazards to road users, and causing loss of life.

“I’m calling on cattle owners to show keener interest in the way these animals are being reared, and not to have these animals roam the streets of New Amsterdam. It is very dangerous.”

Addressing the matter of roadside vending, the mayor lamented the continued encumbrances created along the road shoulders by the erection of stalls and other structures. In this regard, the mayor will be monitoring the custom with the aim of keeping citizens within permissible practices while not denying them the opportunity to secure their livelihood.

“If persons (are) coming out to vend, all we ask is for those structures not to remain on the road shoulders…..we understand the bread and butter issue, and the need for persons to make a livelihood for themselves.

We will not stop that. All we ask is for you to remove your stall, your stand, your tent at the end of the exercise.”

The mayor expressed his intention to work together with central government on many of the initiatives which he believes will advance New Amsterdam, even as he lauded the work of the council over the last year.

“In my view, as a municipality, the year 2025 was pretty much a successful year for the town of New Amsterdam. We will continue to ensure we deliver quality service to every citizen within the town of New Amsterdam.”

From page 13 Market Street running through, had raised concerns that streets, particularly East, New Market and Middle, were heavily encumbered by stationary and itinerant vendors. These vendors operated from makeshift stalls, immobile vehicles, caravans and push carts.

According to the attorney, despite repeated attempts by GPHC to resolve the issue, the M&CC failed to take decisive action. The presence of vendors was said to impede vehicular access to the hospital and obstruct pedestrian pathways, posing risks to patients, visitors and emergency services.

During Monday’s emergency statutory meeting addressing vending in Georgetown, Town Clerk Candace Nelson informed councillors in the presence of Mayor Alfred Mentore, that she had received a lawyer’s letter from GPHC demanding the removal of all vendors from around the hospital within three days.

“I just received another lawyer’s letter, this time to remove vendors from around Georgetown Public Hospital within three days, or they are going to court for mandamus,” Nelson told the meeting.

Mayor Mentore indicated that further discussions were necessary before a final decision could be taken. As a result, the meeting was suspended until next Monday to allow for continued deliberations on how to address vending across the city.

On Wednesday, Kaieteur News visited New Market and East Streets, and observed that the area, once densely occupied by vendors, had been cleared. Several vendors

were seen pushing their carts away from the hospital’s entrance.

Mayor Mentore, accompanied by Councillor Travis Ellis, Town Clerk Nelson and other council staff, visited the site and assured vendors that they would be temporarily relocated while preparations continue at the East Street Parking Lot. “In keeping with a demand letter seen by the council, vendors who ply their trade around the Georgetown Public Hospital and its environs were today asked to relocate to a nearby lot for about a week, while the Council prepares the East Street Parking Lot,” Mentore said.

The mayor acknowledged that vending in the area posed serious concerns, particularly the obstruction of ambulance access and entry points to the hospital. He noted that compliance was necessary to ensure public safety.

Mentore further disclosed that discussions were held with the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, Robbie Rambarran, along with councillors, the town clerk and key members of GPHC’s administration. An agreement was reached to relocate stalls and unoccupied caravans, allowing space for vendors to be permanently accommodated along the East Street Parking Lot. “The vendors who operate in the vicinity were very cooperative and supported the position taken by the authorities,” Mentore said.

He warned, however, that if vendors fail to comply with the council’s directives, the administration would be forced to take serious actions.

PAGE 16

Kaieteur News

Thursday January 08, 2026

“Sovereignty Belongs to the People” - Forward Guyana demands transparency on US deportees’ deal

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Opposition voices are intensifying calls for full disclosure and parliamentary oversight amid reports that the Government of Guyana is in advanced discussions with the United States on an agreement to accept third-country deportees and refugees.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday, Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) led by Member of Parliament, Amanza WaltonDesir raised concerns about the constitutional, social, economic, security and governance implications of such an arrangement, with calls for immediate transparency and public accountability before any agreement is finalised.

“Guyana is a small and developing state. Any policy that substantially alters our population profile or imposes new social responsibilities on our institutions must be subject to parliamentary scrutiny and national consultation.

This is not routine administrative cooperation.”

According to the political party, this is a matter that touches directly on the future composition, stability, and security of our society. “It therefore cannot be handled quietly or without clear disclosure to the people of Guyana. There are pressing and unanswered questions

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that must be addressed before any agreement is finalised,” Forward Guyana said.

“Who are these persons that Guyana is being asked to accept? What categories of migrants are included?

What independent verification systems exist to confirm their identities, backgrounds, and histories? What agency or authority in Guyana has evaluated the risks and longterm implications of receiving them?

Where will these individuals be placed upon arrival? Which communities will be directly affected? Have those communities been consulted? Have local authorities been briefed? What arrangements are in place to support safety, social cohesion, and service delivery?

Who will carry responsibility for integration and longterm support? Which ministries will be involved? What is the scope and cost of housing assistance, social services, healthcare, education, and employment support?

For how long will the United States provide financial contributions? What happens when those contributions end? Where will these persons live? Will housing resources be diverted from Guyanese citizens who are already experiencing difficulty accessing land and affordable homes? Will special settlements be developed?

What security and administrative oversight will govern them?”

Most importantly, the

Amanza Walton-Desir, leader of Forward Guyana Movement party asked how does this agreement benefit the people of Guyana? “Not in theoretical terms, not in the form of political assurances, and not in benefits accruing to the government of the day. What is the measurable, sustainable, national development benefit to the Guyanese people and how has this been assessed, documented, and approved? These questions go to the core issue of sovereignty and accountability.

The Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana is clear. Article 9 states: “Sovereignty belongs to the people, who exercise it through their representatives and the democratic organs established by or under this Constitution.”

“It is therefore a direct affront to the sovereignty of the Guyanese people to pursue or conclude an agreement of this magnitude in the absence of a functioning Parliament. A decision that could transform the demographic,

economic, and social fabric of our nation must not be made without parliamentary debate, without legislative approval, and without the input and understanding of the people in whose name sovereignty is exercised.”

Forward Guyana said that this country values its longstanding relationship with the United States and remains committed to constructive international cooperation. “However, as a small developing state, we must always ensure that any agreement supports our national development priorities and strengthens rather than strains our institutions and communities. It is therefore essential that arrangements of this kind are guided by transparency, consultation, and mutual respect, with the clear objective of advancing the well-being of the people of Guyana.”

The party said “If the Government believes this agreement to be in the national interest, then it must publish the proposed terms, lay the matter before Parliament, facilitate full debate, subject the agreement to security and economic impact assessments, and consult widely with civil society, local communities, and the private sector. Anything less represents governance by secrecy and exclusion.

The people of Guyana have a right to know. They have a right to question. They have a right to consent or dissent. Sovereignty belongs to us.”

Bus driver sentenced to 12 months for dangerous driving

M

inibus operator, Martin Hunte was on Wednesday sentenced to 12 months in prison after he was charged with dangerous driving involving an 11-year-old student from Kitty, Georgetown.

The 38-year-old made his court appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’

Court before Magistrate Shivani Lalaram where the charge was read to him.

The police reported that the incident occurred on December 10, 2025, at approximately 18:45 hours on the Public Road at Kitty.

Hunte pleaded guilty and was subsequently sentenced.

Charged, Martin Hunte

Kaieteur News

Thursday January 08, 2026

PAGE 17

Communications Barticians jailed for narcotics possession One appoints new CEO Charged, Walter Benn

Charged, Tecina Willis

F

our residents of Bartica were on Tuesday jailed for the offence of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

The accused are Tecina Angel Wills, 22, a fire woman of Two and a H a l f M i l e s ,

Bartica–Potaro Road, Rhon Smith, 36, a labourer of Mora Camp, Bartica, Walter Benn,27, a prison officer of Mora Camp, and Melissa Allen, 28, a vendor also of Mora Camp, all appeared at the B a r t i c a M a g i s t r a t e ’s Court before Magistrate

Charged, Rhon Smith

Teriq Mohammed.

According to police information, Wills and Smith were found guilty and each sentenced to two years imprisonment, while Benn pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to three years imprisonment.

Allen was found not guilty, and the charge against her was dropped.

The police disclosed that the four persons were arrested recently after they were found with 272 grams of cannabis in their possession.

Venezuelan migrants in Trinidad and Tobago ‘don’t trust Delcy’

Venezuela interim president Delcy Rodriguez, centre, at a meeting in Venezuela on January 4.

(Trinidad Newsday) S e v e r a l Ve n e z u e l a n migrants in TT expressed hope of “returning home” soon, once Venezuela’s economy improves.

They voiced their concern on January 5, the same day that ousted leader Nicolas Maduro appeared before a federal court in New York and entered a not-guilty plea to drug-related charges, and vice president Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as the interim president.

Rodriguez, a Maduro loyalist and lawyer, also served as Minister of P e t r o l e u m a n d Hydrocarbons under the Maduro-led Chavista regime.

“The hope of many Venezuelans is to be able to

return home and begin rebuilding our lives. We have to wait and see what is going to happen with the economy first,” a migrant told Newsday on January 5.

“We don’t trust Delcy Rodriguez, she’s a member of the Chavista group. But all we can do is wait for the results. We are putting our faith in (US) President Trump, but we no longer have any hope through any democratic and peaceful means.”

The female migrant, who asked that her name not be used, made several allegations against the former Maduro-led – now Rodriguez-led – socialist regime.

Maduro has dubbed Rodriguez “the tigress”

because of her antiimperialist rhetoric.

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured

by US forces before dawn on January 3 in Caracas and transported to the US. The migrant described the arrests as “a sign of hope for positive change,” even though the regime still exists.

Another migrant said she recognises Edmundo González as the former president and not Maduro.

“Our president was democratically elected on July 18, and (Nobel Peace Prize winner) Maria Corina Machado, vice president,” the migrant said.

But migrants supportive of the Chavista government charged that Maduro and his

wife were kidnapped “because of traitors around.

They remained loyal to the new leader, calling her a “fire lady,” meaning she is strong.

Since the US buildup of military forces in the Southern Caribbean, which the Donald Trump-led administration said was part of the fight against narco-terrorism, the socialist regime had insisted that the presence was to oust Maduro and gain control of Ve n e z u e l a ’ s n a t u r a l resources, particularly oil.

Several international media houses have reported that the US will meet with oil executives this week to discuss Ve n e z u e l a ’s e c o n o m i c recovery.

Abraham Smith, new Chief Executive Officer of One Communications One Communications on Wednesday announced the appointment of Abraham Smith as Chief Executive Officer.

Smith brings more than two decades of senior leadership experience across the Caribbean and Latin America, including recent CEO-level stewardship of one of the region’s largest and most complex markets, the company said in a press release.

Brad Martin, Chairman of One Communications said, “As Guyana continues one of the most dynamic periods of growth in its history, the role of reliable, future-ready connectivity has never been more critical.

Abraham is a seasoned leader who understands the

national responsibility that c o m e s w i t h telecommunications leadership. He has a deep respect for local culture and a commitment to balancing commercial success with meaningful community impact. We are confident he will strengthen One Communications’ role as a trusted partner in Guyana’s development.”

As CEO, Smith will o v e r s e e b o t h O n e ’s residential operations as well as Brava, the company’s business arm, with a mandate to enhance both commercial and residential customer experience, strengthen network resilience, and expand enterprise partnerships.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 18

Thursday January 08, 2026

U.S. seizes Venezuela-linked, Russian-flagged oil tanker after weeks-long pursuit (Reuters) - The U.S. seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker that was being shadowed by a Russian submarine on Wednesday, after pursuing it for more than two weeks across the Atlantic as part of Washington’s efforts to b l o c k Ve n e z u e l a n o i l exports, U.S. officials said.

It appeared to be the first time in recent memory that the U.S. military has seized a Russian-flagged vessel.

The Marinera, originally known as the Bella-1, had previously slipped through a U.S. maritime blockade of sanctioned tankers in the Caribbean and rebuffed U.S. Coast Guard efforts to board it. Wednesday’s seizure effort, in the Atlantic near Iceland, was first reported by Reuters. In a post on X, the U.S. military’s European Command said the Trump administration had seized the vessel for violating U.S. sanctions.

“The blockade of sanctioned and illicit Venezuelan oil remains in FULL EFFECT — anywhere in the world,” U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in reply to that post.

Two U.S. officials, who were speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that Wednesday’s operation was carried out by the Coast Guard and U.S. military.

U.S. special forces initially

The vessel tanker Bella 1 at Singapore Strait, after U.S. officials say the U.S. Coast Guard pursued an oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela, in this picture taken from social media on March 18, 2025. Hakon Rimmereid/via REUTERS/File Photo.

helped secure the tanker but left the vessel, which was now under Coast Guard control, one of the officials said. The officials said Russian military vessels were in the general vicinity of the operation, including a Russian submarine. It was unclear how close the vessels were to the operation, but there were no indications of a confrontation between U.S. and Russian military forces.

R u s s i a ’s t r a n s p o r t ministry said it had lost all contact with the Marinera after U.S. naval forces boarded it. A senior Russian lawmaker from the ruling United Russia party, Andrei Klishas, said the U.S. seizure was an act of outright piracy, the TASS state news agency reported. Last year, French

Navy commandos detained a tanker suspected of operating for Russia’s “shadow fleet” off the coast of western France.

NOT CLEAR WHERE VESSEL WILL NOW GO The seizure took place just days after U.S. special forces swooped into Caracas before dawn on Saturday in a deadly raid to seize President Nicolas Maduro and take him to the United States. The U.S. military turned him over to federal authorities for prosecution on charges involving alleged drug trafficking.

It was unclear where exactly the ship would now go, but sources said it would likely be entering British territorial waters.

Britain’s Ministry of Defence declined to

comment. The U.S. Coast Guard first attempted to intercept the vessel last month, but it refused to be boarded. Since then, it has registered under a Russian flag and been renamed.

The vessel is the latest tanker targeted by the U.S. Coast Guard since the start of U.S. President Donald Trump’s pressure campaign against Venezuela.

COAST GUARD SEIZES A SECOND VENEZUELA - LINKED TANKER Separately, the U.S. Coast Guard also intercepted another Venezuela-linked tanker in Latin American waters on Wednesday.

The U.S. military’s Southern Command said the Panama-flagged supertanker M Sophia,

which is under sanctions, was intercepted before dawn and described it as a “stateless, sanctioned dark fleet motor tanker.”

“The U.S. Coast Guard is escorting M/T Sophia to the U.S. for final disposition,” Southern Command said in a statement. The seizure was first reported by Reuters.

It had departed from Venezuelan waters in early January as part of a fleet of ships carrying Venezuelan oil to China in “dark mode” or with its transponder off, according to shipping data and sources.

TRUMP EYES VENEZUELAN OIL Top Venezuelan officials have called Maduro’s capture a kidnapping and have accused the U.S. of trying to steal the country’s vast oil reserves, estimated to be the largest in the world.

In turn, Trump and top U.S. officials have accused Venezuela of stealing U.S. oil, in an apparent reference to the country’s nationalization of its energy sector in several waves over the past half-century.

Venezuela has millions of barrels of oil loaded on tankers and in storage tanks that it has been unable to ship due to the effective U.S. blockade on exports imposed since midDecember.

Trump said on Tuesday

that Caracas and Washington have reached a deal to export up to $2 billion worth of Venezuelan crude to the United States, an agreement that would divert supplies from China while helping Venezuela avoid deeper oil production cuts.

Such an agreement would be a strong sign that the Venezuelan government is responding to Trump’s demand that authorities there open up to U.S. oil companies or risk more military intervention.

Trump has said he wants interim President Delcy Rodriguez to give the U.S. and private companies “total access” to Venezuela’s oil industry. Since the U.S. imposed energy sanctions on Venezuela in 2019, traders and refiners buying Venezuelan oil have resorted to a “shadow fleet” of tankers that disguise their location, or to vessels already sanctioned for transporting Iranian or Russian oil.

The shadow fleet is considered exposed to possible punitive measures from the U.S., shipping analysts have said.

Reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart Additional reporting by Aizhu Chen in Singapore and Marianna Parraga in Houston, Editing

by Andrew Heavens and Frances Kerry.

Survivors recount RSF gang rape in Sudan; infants among victims (AL-JAZEERA) In Sudan, victims of sexual violence are often forced to suffer in silence, their tears shed where no one can hear them. But for women like Mariam*, the horror of war followed her even as she tried to flee. Attempting to escape from Gezira State to Khartoum early last year, Mariam’s vehicle was stopped by armed men. She was the only passenger singled out.

“We were coming from Gezira State…

They stopped us on the street and forced us down,” Mariam told Al Jazeera Arabic’s correspondent Asma Mohammed.

“They said they wanted to search us. Two of them consulted with each other, then called me over,” she recounted, her voice trembling. “They took me to a place… It was an empty room with a mattress. They told me to lie down, and then they raped me.”

Mariam returned to her family in the waiting car, shattered. “She told us immediately what happened… How many of them there were,” her aunt told Al Jazeera.

“Of course, they were from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).”

‘Is there a girl in this house?’

Mariam’s story is not unique. In elFasher, the tragedy repeats itself with even

greater brutality.

Um Kulthum*, a medical student, told Al Jazeera she was forced to witness mass rape and murder before becoming a victim herself. “The RSF forces entered … and besieged the area,” Um Kulthum said. “They killed my uncle, the one who raised me … right in front of us. “We were four girls, along with our neighbour’s daughter. The RSF forces then gang-raped us in a brutal manner.” These exclusive accounts align with a harrowing new report released last November by the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA), which documented nearly 1,300 cases of sexual and gender-based violence across 14 states since the war began in April 2023.

Speaking to Al Jazeera in November, Hala Al-Karib, the regional director of SIHA, explained that these are not random acts, but a strategy rooted in viewing women as “property.” “Kidnappings often occur at the beginning of an invasion… When homes are entered, there is a specific question asked: ‘Is there a girl in this house? Are there young women?’” Al-Karib said.

“We have heard from many witnesses who were told by RSF soldiers: ‘I am coming

to take this girl.’” Sexual slavery and trafficking The violence extends beyond immediate assault to long-term captivity. AlKarib described a terrifying reality of “sexual slavery” and forced labour.

“Women are kidnapped for ‘sexual slavery’, specifically young, middle-aged women, and also to serve the soldiers – forced labour, washing clothes, cooking,” Al-Karib told Al Jazeera. Even more disturbingly, she revealed that the exploitation has crossed international lines.

“Women are also kidnapped for the purpose of enslavement and sale in markets,” AlKarib said. “They are transported across the border to African countries neighbouring Sudan.” She added that women’s bodies are being used “as weapons in this war … to defeat communities”, leaving survivors crushed by stigma and often refusing to return to their families out of shame.

Punishing the Masalit The systematic nature of these crimes was further confirmed by Arnold Tsunga, a lawyer and former Africa director for the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), who led a fact-finding mission to eastern Chad to interview refugees fleeing the

violence. Speaking to Al Jazeera Arabic from Harare, Tsunga described his mission to Adre and Geneina as “heartbreaking”.

“The RSF are the ones who attacked the Masalit group… They were the majority of those subjected to sexual violence and rape,” Tsunga said. “It is sad to see that violence is now being used systematically as a means and weapon of war … to forcibly remove people from their land and to punish Masalit men who tried to defend their land.” Tsunga warned that the collapse of the rule of law has created an “absolute environment” for these crimes. “The RSF are now the responsible authority in these areas… There are no justice institutions working,” he explained.

“Impunity leads to more impunity … and this problem is related to rewarding criminals.”

Targeting infants The scale of the violence has overwhelmed local hospitals. At the Omdurman Maternity Hospital, the director general described a pattern of atrocities that spares no one – not even babies.

“The rapes are in very large numbers, far more than what is recorded,” Imad al-Din Abdullah al-Siddiq told Al Jazeera.

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L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Thursday January 08, 2026

Kaieteur News

As Guyana steps into 2026, the country’s media landscape stands at a dangerous crossroads. On paper, Guyana boasts media plurality, constitutional guarantees of free expression, and a government that routinely proclaims its democratic credentials.

In reality, journalism is being steadily suffocated by state-managed access, curated appearances, selective silence and an alarming retreat from accountability. The Guyana Press Association’s New Year’s statement should therefore be read not as routine commentary, but as a warning flare. The GPA’s description of journalism being “choked” by information control is neither hyperbole nor political rhetoric.

It reflects a lived reality familiar to every serious newsroom in this country.

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Thursday January 08, 2026

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Thursday January 08, 2026

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Windies U-19 skipper Dorne says wins over England, Sri Lanka a huge confidence boost heading into World Cup

A

head of the 2026 ICC Under-19 50-Over World Cup, Captain of the West Indies team Joshua Dorne credited series wins of Sri Lanka and England as confidence-boosters as the Caribbean side prepares for a competitive next few weeks of action across the African hosts nations; Namibia and

Zimbabwe.

The Windies youth skipper prior to the team’s departure yesterday said that the exposure and experience of playing in a tournament of such magnitude is a huge plus for the entire squad.

“The exposure of playing in an ICC tournament, an international tournament, playing against different

international teams just gaining that experience; for everyone it means a lot so it will be good to get that experience”, said Dorne.

The Caribbean lads most recent high-point was their 5-2 ODI series win over England back in December prior to which they beat Sri Lanka 4-3 in the summer, two series which helped set

Thursday January 08, 2026 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You'll find that things are slipping nicely into place for you today, Aries. Your persuasive manner and gentle nudges are just enough to get people where you want them.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) When faced with ten entrees on the menu, it might be hard for you to choose just one.

Feel free to order two or more, Ta u r u s . D o n ' t l e t indecisiveness slow you down. At the same time.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your dreams won't come true unless you believe in and act on them, Gemini. No one else is going to do it for you.

Unless you have a fairy godmother, you need to take matters into your own hands.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Expand your mind to its furthest reaches today, Libra.

There's an incredible opportunity opening up for you in which you can make great strides in a creative realm. Follow the music.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your mind may seem rather cloudy today, Scorpio, but don't let this hinder you. In fact, you'll find that you can use this feeling of fantasy to your advantage. Try to bring more magic into your life.

SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Today is an excellent day for you, one in which you'll find a great deal of strength in your emotions, Sagittarius. Trust that your instincts are serving you well.

the tone for the current squad’s aspirations of dominating the upcoming ICC youth Cup, as a number of their young stars including the skipper and his deputy Guyanese Johnathan Va n L a n g e ; h a v i n g exceptional performances during those encounters.

Speaking briefly on the team’s confidence build coming off a commanding win over two elite teams, Dorne said the experience which the team gained was undoubtedly a massive boost in the confidence department. The captain also lauded the inclusion of young batting sensation Jewel Andrew, who he said brings tons of experience and wealth of knowledge from the highest levels to the current team.

earmark vast improvement from the last Cup. “Ultimately, we have started really well in terms of the series leading into the World Cup. We want to be able to start in that same mold and carry that momentum forward from that series against England into the World Cup. The minimum objective for us is to ensure we get into the final stage which would be bettering the team from the last World Cup,” said Nurse.

The 2026 ICC 50-Over World Cup will bowl off from January 15 with the West Indies sharing Group D alongside Afghanistan, South Africa and Tanzania; with the Caribbean side facing the Tanzanians in the first match from 9:30h.

(Clifton Ross)

“The experience of England and Sri Lanka defeating those two teams in the series gives us a big confidence boost going into the World Cup. Especially with Jewel in the team it means a lot for us.

Obviously, he has a lot of international exposure and he can give information at any time while offering that experience he possesses”, Dorne explained.

West Indies U19 Head Coach Rohan Nurse briefly touched on the team’s progress in terms of the mood in the camp, which is currently at a high level as they prepare to carry that same momentum into their World Cup campaign. Nurse also said the team will be aiming for no less than a spot in the finals, as it will

JJTRC releases provisional...

From page 27 but also enhances fan confidence and international credibility.

Entries for the February 1 race day open on January 18 and close on January 28, 2026, strictly by official entry form. With generous purses, qualification stakes, and historic incentives on the line, all signs point to a

trajectory, February 1 is shaping up to be the first major statement of what promises to be an exceptional 2026 season.

highly competitive and memorable opening nomination day.

As Guyana racing continues its upward

Berbice River Bridge Closure to Road Traffic Thursday January 08, 2026

For Ocean going Vessels & Trawlers 07:55hrs Friday January 09, 2026

For Ocean going Vessels & Trawlers 08:40hrs For Ocean Going Vessels opening last 1-1½ hrs DATE: 01/07/2026

CANCER (June 21–July 22) If people hassle you or give you a hard time about your appearance today, pay them no mind, Cancer. You have the right to live your life any way you want to.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Reach for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, Leo. It's closer than you think. Indeed, your dreams are completely within your reach, and there are huge forces at work helping you achieve your goals.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Today is your day to dream and dream big, Virgo. Think about what it is that you want most out of life. Aim your arrow to the stars and pull back your bow as far as possible. There's no limit to how far you can go.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Things might get a bit confusing for you today, Capricorn. Don't feel like you need to make sense of it all. In fact, this task may be impossible. Just be yourself.

Let your creative nature shine through.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Mix your reality with a bit of fantasy today, Aquarius.

Allow your feet to come off the ground for a little while. Give yourself a rest. Take some time to meditate and clear your mind of your daily worries.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Let yourself go into high creative mode and drift into a whole other world, Pisces.

Escape your present reality and explore your fantasies through any sort of artistic endeavor. Dream as big as your mind allows.

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G.L.C. 357 Lamaha Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown Tel:226-0753. While every effort is made to ensure numbers are correct, please call the hotline for confirmation, The G.L.C. and Kaieteur News cannot be held responsible for printing errors.

Kaieteur News

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Thursday January 08, 2026

Bangladesh board says ICC considering request to move their World Cup games from India

N E W D E L H I , (Reuters) - The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said on Wednesday that the sport’s global governing body, the International Cricket

Council, is considering their request to move their Tw e n t y 2 0 Wo r l d C u p matches out of India over safety concerns.

Amid fraught relations

between the two countries, Indian Premier League (IPL) side Kolkata Knight Riders said at the weekend that the country’s cricket board (BCCI) had told them to

drop Bangladesh bowler Mustafizur Rahman.

Bangladesh’s interim government has since banned broadcasts of the IPL, and the BCB have

refused to play their World Cup matches in India, which is co-hosting the February 7 to March 8 event with Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh are scheduled to play three World Cup matches in Kolkata next month.

“In its communication, the ICC has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the full and uninterrupted participation of the Bangladesh team in the tournament,” the BCB said.

“The ICC has conveyed its willingness to work closely with the BCB to address the concerns raised and has assured that the board’s inputs will be welcomed and duly considered as part of the detailed security planning for the event.”

The ICC and Indian board did not immediately reply to requests for

comment from Reuters.

Some media reports have suggested the ICC, which is headed by former Indian board chief Jay Shah, had told Bangladesh they must play in India or forfeit the matches.

However, the BCB said reports of such an ultimatum were “completely false” and that it would work with the ICC to arrive at a solution that ensures their successful participation.

Tensions have risen in recent weeks between India and Bangladesh.

Hundreds protested near Bangladesh’s High Commission in New Delhi last month after a Hindu factory worker was beaten and set on f i r e i n B a n g l a d e s h ’s Mymensingh district over allegations he insulted the Prophet Muhammad.

Hope, Peters and Ngidi help Capitals overcome Buttler scare ESPNcricinfo - Shai Hope scored what he never had in 194 previous T20 innings. His career-best knock of 118* from 69 balls, the highest by a batter in SA20’s short history, took Pretoria Capitals (PC) to 201 at Kingsmead. In reply, the hosts Durban’s Super Giants (DSG) had to do what they had never done before successfully chase down a target of more than 167 in a completed game at SA20.

With DSG needing 42 more off the remaining 17 balls, and Jos Buttler batting on 74 with a handy David Wiese at the other end, faint hope of a win was still lingering. But PC’s Lungi Ngidi did what had never been done before in the SA20. His 18th-over hattrick left the home fans with dropped shoulders. They suddenly woke up, though, when Buttler went 6, 6, 2, 4 off back-to-back legal deliveries against Lizaad Williams in the 19th.

However, with 18 runs to get in the final over, Roston

Shai Hope tonned up with nearly four overs to go. (Sa20)

Chase nailed attempted yorkers, and Buttler (97*) lost two partners to run-outs.

Eventually, PC won by 15 runs but not without a scare.

Hope deals in boundaries Hope and his opening partner Connor Esterhuizen added 101 in 11 overs. But the latter hardly seemed to be p r e s e n t . W h i l e Esterhuizen’s dismissal on a steady 37 off 28 balls ended the partnership, Hope had thumped 59 in 38 deliveries by then. Hope’s innings was a combination of style, power and grace,

no matter his next 59 runs took lesser time - 31 balls.

Hope’s innings started with a fortunate inside-edged four, but soon turned into clean big-hitting. There was a beautiful swivel for six, forceful swats over the off side, crunching pulls over mid-on and midwicket, and hard sweeps off the spinners through square leg.

Hope brought up fifty in 34 balls, and after he lost Esterhuizen, added 85 in 44 balls with Roston Chase.

SA20’s first retired out Chase was on 24 in 15 balls -

Jos Buttler nearly took DSG home. (Sa20)

a pretty good pace, but perhaps not good enough for modern T20s. PC strategically retired him out with ten balls left in the innings, and his replacement Sherfane Rutherford fell for a two-ball duck.

Dewald Brevis, in next, crashed two sixes - both over deep square leg. The first of them hit a spectator on the forehead, and the second nearly touched the stars before landing in the stands.

That propelled PC to 201, leaving DSG with a something special to do.

Buttler fights but

lacks support The required run rate at the halfway mark of the chase was 11.20. DSG were 90 for 3 after ten overs, as all three of Marques Ackerman (27), Kane Williamson (12) and Aiden Markram (16) had departed after looking good.

Buttler, who came at No. 3, needed solid company, but he got none of it.

Twenty-four of his first 30 runs came in boundaries, including a variety of shots in the flick, pull, drive and reverse sweep. Buttler deposited Ngidi for successive sixes over extra

cover in the 14th over - the first of those took him to fifty - to keep the chase on track, but there was no support from the other end.

Heinrich Klaasen struggled to 16 in 17 balls, and Evan Jones fell first ball. Wiese was Buttler’s only hope, but Ngidi foxed him with a slower ball to get the first of his three wickets.

Wiese found Jordan Cox at long-on, Sunil Narine mistimed a pull to midwicket after being cramped for room, and Gerald Coetzee swung to deep midwicket.

With two wickets and two overs remaining, DSG needed another 40 runs to win.

Buttler’s fireworks against Williams got 22 of those in the 19th over.

With him having retained strike for the start of the final over, DSG still had hope. But PC’s Hope had the final say.

Scores: Pretoria Capitals 201 for 4 (Hope 118*, Esterhuizen 37, Wiese 1-34) beat Durban’s Super Giants 186 (Buttler 97*, Peters 335, Ngidi 3-39) by 15 runs.

Thursday January 08, 2026

Kaieteur News

PAGE 25

GCF, ACADO 2026 National U12 Rapid Chess tourney set for this weekend The GCF ACADO will be hosting the 2026 MOO Milk National U12 Rapid tournament this Saturday.

Marcia Lee (R) Receiving Sponsorship from Ms. Alicia DeAbreu, CEO of ACADO Guyana.

The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) welcomes 2026 with its first event of the new year when the country’s young chess masters collide in the National Under-12 Rapid Chess Championships,

sponsored by ACADO Guyana.

The company will be supporting the tournament under its MOO! Milk brand, with action getting underway on Saturday January 10. Action will be hosted at

the new ACADO Building, located on the Heroes Highway, with more than 50 prospects duking it out in two categories. The tournament will be played under Swiss rules with a 15-minute timer for the 7

rounds with categories for both Boys and Girls being played under 3 age groups; U-12, U-10 and U-8; with both legs expected to produce new faces given the immense youth talent pool. Respective winners in

the top 3 positions will be awarded with trophies and medals for the U10 and U8 legs.

Meanwhile, action this weekend is expected to get underway from 9:30h.

Bethell’s maiden century stalls Australia’s victory march in fifth Ashes test SYDNEY, (Reuters) Jacob Bethell scored his maiden test century to lead an England rearguard action on the fourth day of the fifth test on Wednesday but Australia still looked firmly set for victory and a 4-1 series triumph.

Anchored by Bethell’s 142 not out, England reached the close of play on 302 for eight with a modest lead of 119 runs over Australia’s bumper first-innings tally of 567.

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If England are to defy Australia to close out the series on a relatively good pitch, they are likely to have to do so without the bowling of captain Ben Stokes, who pulled up with a groin issue in the first hour of the day.

“He’s moving pretty gingerly,” Bethell told reporters. “So I don’t think that bodes too well for him bowling tomorrow.”

Bethell has looked a strong addition to the team after coming into the side in place of Ollie Pope for

spin.

England’s Jacob Bethell shakes hands with Australia’s Travis Head at stumps on day 4 not out on 142 runs. (REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake) England’s fourth test victory in Melbourne last week.

The 22-year-old confirmed his promise on We d n e s d a y , h o l d i n g England’s innings together in a string of big partnerships — 81 runs with opener Ben Duckett, 102 with Harry Brook and 45 with Jamie Smith.

Playing only his sixth test, Bethell spent a nervous couple of overs on 99 before reaching the most important milestone in the game with a crunching four.

“It’s pretty special. It’s

not really sunk in yet,” Bethell told reporters.

“We had to graft hard out there and ideally we’d be a couple wickets less. But yeah, 119 ahead. I think we’ve got a chance if we get it up to 180-190, potentially, tomorrow.”

His partners fared less well.

Duckett was bowled by Michael Neser for 42 soon after lunch when he looked well-set, Brook was ousted lbw for the same score on an Australian DRS appeal, and Smith was farcically run-out

for 26.

Stokes lasted five balls and scored one run when he did finally come out to bat, caught in the slips off a thick edge to leave his team clinging on at 267-7 and give Australia all-rounder Beau Webster his third wicket of the day.

Webster (3-51) had earlier shattered English hopes of giving Australia a fourth-innings run chase that might truly test them when he removed Brook and Will Jacks in the space of three balls with his part-time off

UNREMITTING BOWLING A l l o f A u s t r a l i a ’s bowlers were unremitting in their effort and application with Mitchell Starc removing opener Zak Crawley lbw for one with the fifth ball of the innings to claim his 29th wicket of the series.

Crawley did not offer a shot as the ball thumped into his pad and England’s opening partnership failed to survive the opening over for the fourth time in the series.

Scott Boland, remarkably not even a firstchoice selection when all Australia’s quicks are fit, was again uber-reliable and ousted danger man Joe Root for six in an lbw decision confirmed by DRS. The 36-year-old returned to take the last wicket of the day — his 20th of the series — by inducing a thick edge off Brydon Carse that Steve Smith gobbled up in the slips. One bright note for England at the backend of the series has been the bowling of seamer Josh Tongue (3-97) and he was

again to the fore as the visitors mopped up the last three Australian wickets in the first hour of play.

He removed Smith for 138 and Starc for five before many in another bumper crowd of 42,864 had taken their seats.

Australia’s last batsman, Boland, edged the ball to the slips off the first delivery he faced from Jacks, leaving Webster 71 not out.

Webster has had to bide his time to get his chance to play in the series and was delighted with his returns having fought his way into the team.

“I’ll take both the runs and the wickets,” he told reporters.

“I was trying to stay ready and if I got a chance in any of the tests that I was I was ready to go. It’s come in the last test and I’ve managed to do it.”

Scores: Stumps England 384 and 302 for 8 (Bethell 142*, Duckett 42, Brook 42, Webster 3-51, Boland 2-34) lead Australia 567 (Head 163, Smith 138, Tongue 397, Carse 3-130, Stokes 295) by 119 runs.

Kaieteur News

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Thursday January 08, 2026

Nexgen Golf Academy/LPGA Girls Site Leads Off 2026 - Heavy emphasis on Girls/Women’s growth to roll over from solid 2025

N

exgen Golf A c a d e m y officially teed off 2026 with a strong commitment to the development of women’s and girls’ golf in Guyana, as the LPGA Girls Golf programme took center stage at the Academy’s Woolford Avenue facility.

G u y a n a G o l f Association (GGA) and Nexgen Golf Academy president, Aleem Hussain, opened the year by personally conducting lessons with Ms. Kaylan Thomas of Sophia, one of the young golfers earmarked to represent Guyana in regional and international competitions.

Ms. Thomas is being

jointly trained by Al Junior Wilson, a key figure in the introduction of golf into Guyana’s secondary school system in 2021.

The collaboration reflects a broader national strategy to identify, nurture, and prepare young female golfers through structured coaching, access to facilities, and international exposure.

The LPGA Girls Golf programme has placed significant emphasis on the Caribbean and wider region, offering participants access to sanctioned tournaments, scholarship opportunities, mentorship, and performance-based incentives. These initiatives are designed not only to

improve competitive standards but also to empower young women through sport, education, and leadership development.

According to Hussain, “Our goal is to remove barriers to entry and ensure that talent, not finances, determines how far a young golfer can go.

Programmes like LPGA Girls Golf give our girls a real pathway—from grassroots to the global stage.”

As part of its 2026 launch initiatives, Nexgen Golf Academy is offering free access to all junior golfers, with clubs and balls included, from now until March 31, 2026.

In addition, adult

golfers will benefit from a Pay for One Hour, Get the Second Hour Free promotion during the same period.

The Academy continues to position itself as Guyana’s premier golf training and development facility, supporting national teams, school programmes, and community outreach, while reinforcing golf as a tool for discipline, confidence, networking, and long-term opportunity.

Parents, schools, and aspiring golfers are encouraged to take advantage of the current offers by calling 645-0944 to become part of a growing movement to elevate golf in Guyana.

Gauff leads US past Greece into United Cup semis, Swiss edge Argentina (Reuters) - The U.S. reached the semi-finals of the United Cup mixed team tournament after beating Greece 2-1 in Perth on Wednesday, as Coco Gauff defeated Maria Sakkari before returning to clinch victory for the defending champions in the doubles.

Gauff, a two-times Grand Slam champion, beat Sakkari 6-3 6-2 in an hour and 26 minutes to put the U.S. in front.

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The 21-year-old had lost in three sets to world number 42 Jessica Bouzas Maneiro when the U.S. took on Spain in Group A on Monday, but she shot out of the blocks against Sakkari and quickly racked up a 5-0 lead.

Sakkari showed some resistance, winning three straight games, but Gauff held serve to take the opening set before breaking the Greek twice in the second set to wrap up the win.

G r e e c e ’s S t e f a n o s Tsitsipas then earned a 6-4 75 win over world number nine Taylor Fritz to level the tie.

The 27-year-old was afforded little time to savour his first top 10 win since 2024, however, returning to

Coco Gauff of the U.S. reacts during her group stage match against Italy’s Jasmine Paolini. (REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq) the court just half an hour later alongside Sakkari to take on Gauff and Christian Harrison.

Momentum swung wildly in the hard-fought decider, with both teams taking a set apiece to send the match into a tiebreak.

The U.S. raced into a 5-0 lead in the tiebreak, and though the Greek duo rallied

to level at 6-6 a perfectly placed volley from Harrison squeezed through Tsitsipas’s legs and sealed a 4-6 6-4 108 victory.

“I thought it was great level throughout, we just played free and aggressive,” Gauff said.

SWITZERLAND ADVANCE TO SEMI-FINALS

Switzerland beat Argentina 2-1 as Belinda Bencic fired the European side into the semi-finals by first winning her singles match before returning for the decisive doubles match.

Bencic first beat Solana Sierra 6-2 6-2 to give Switzerland the lead but Sebastian Baez levelled the tie when he defeated Swiss veteran Stan Wawrinka 7-5 6-4.

Bencic then teamed up with Jakub Paul to beat Maria Lourdes Carle and Guido Andreozzi 6-3 6-3 to book Switzerland’s spot in the last-four.

Bencic remains unbeaten in the tournament with a 6-0 win-loss record this year.

“It’s a great feeling to start a season well,” Bencic said. “It gives you a lot of confidence that you come out of the blocks pretty good, and you already have so much play, of course, before Australian Open is always very important.”

Poland face Australia while Belgium take on the Czech Republic in the other quarter-final ties this week.

The 18-nation event in Perth and Sydney serves as a warm-up for this month’s Australian Open - the season’s first Grand Slam.

GGA Academy’s top female prospect Kaylan Thomas alongside GGA president Aleem Hussain and Coach Al Junior Wilson following a recent training session.

Lionel Messi eyes owning a club after playing days are done

Argentina and Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi waves to fans. (REUTERS/Adnan Abidi/ File Photo) Reuters - MLS superstar Lionel Messi wants to follow in the footsteps of Inter Miami’s David Beckham and become a club owner after he hangs up his boots.

The 38-year-old Argentina legend, who is signed with Miami through 2028, said he prefers ownership over coaching as his second act.

“I don’t see myself as a coach,” the two-time MLS MVP and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner told Argentine streaming channel Luzu TV in an interview published Tuesday.

“I want to have my own club, start from the bottom and make it big. Being able to give kids the opportunity to develop and achieve something important. If I had to choose, that would appeal to me more.”

Messi, who guided Inter Miami to their first MLS

Cup championship in 2025, has a future minority ownership stake in the MLS club in his contract.

In May, he helped longtime former MLS and FC Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez to launch a new fourth-division club Deportivo LSM in Suarez’s native Uruguay.

“I want to thank Luis for giving me this opportunity, for inviting me to join him and share this project that he has been working on for many years and that has grown a lot,” Messi said at the time, per ESPN Uruguay.

“Being able to be a part of this is an honor. I hope to contribute everything I can to continue growing this club and to be by your side.”

Messi and Miami begin the 2026 MLS regular season on Feb. 21 at Los Angeles FC. (Field Level Media)

Thursday January 08, 2026

Kaieteur News

PAGE 27

JJTRC releases provisional programme for first official Guyana Cup Nomination Day The Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee (JJTRC), in collaboration with Banks DIH Ltd, has officially released the provisional race programme for Sunday, February 1, 2026, to be staged at the Port Mourant Turf Club. This race day marks the first and most lucrative official nomination day for the 2026 Guyana Cup Nomination Series, and is already generating major excitement across the local racing fraternity.

Branded as the Banks Classic - Guyana Cup Nomination Series, the event will feature a 10-race card with a combined total purse of GYD $12,750,000, making it one of the richest single race days in the local calendar Feature Race: The Banks DIH Classic (1 Mile) Headlining the programme is Race 1, the prestigious Banks DIH Classic (Open), run over one mile, the same distance as the Guyana Cup final. With a total purse of GYD $3,750,000, including a first prize of GYD $2,000,000, this race is expected to attract many of Guyana’s top horses and stables.

Beyond the purse, this race carries significant nomination value, as the first and second place finishers will qualify for the Guyana Cup final, while the winner also stands to earn a 100% free entry into Guyana Cup Day, one of the most attractive incentives introduced in recent years.

February 1st, will be the strongest nomination day of the series. In addition to qualification opportunities,

this date features: Promoter-added bonus money, Free entry incentives for winners, Large purses across multiple classes, Eligibility toward trainer and jockey bonuses of GYD $500,000 each for qualifying two horses across nomination days.

As a result, many leading stables are expected to showcase their top runners early in the season rather than waiting for later nomination opportunities.

Below is a race-by-race summary of the February 1 provisional programme, including class, distance, total purse, and first prize: Race 1 – Banks DIH Classic (Open) Distance: 1 Mile To t a l P u r s e : G Y D $3,750,000 1st Prize: GYD $2,000,000 Race 2 – Sprint Classic (Open) Distance: 6½ Furlongs To t a l P u r s e : G Y D $1,875,000 1st Prize: GYD $1,000,000 Race 3 – F Class & Lower / E Class NonWinners / Imported Maidens Distance: 1 Mile To t a l P u r s e : G Y D $1,500,000 1st Prize: GYD $800,000 Race 4 – 3-Year-Old Guyana-Bred (Non-Winners of Two) Distance: 6½ Furlongs To t a l P u r s e : G Y D $937,500 1st Prize: GYD $500,000 Race 5 – L Class Maidens & First-Time Starters Distance: 6½ Furlongs To t a l P u r s e : G Y D $937,500

1st Prize: GYD $500,000 Race 6 – G Class & Lower / F Class NonWinners / Imported 3YO Maidens Distance: 7 Furlongs To t a l P u r s e : G Y D $750,000 1st Prize: GYD $400,000 Race 7 – I Class & Lower / West Indian-Bred Distance: 1 Mile To t a l P u r s e : G Y D $750,000 1st Prize: GYD $400,000 Race 8 – J3 & Lower Distance: 6½ Furlongs To t a l P u r s e : G Y D $750,000 1st Prize: GYD $400,000 Race 9 – L Class Open Distance: 1 Mile To t a l P u r s e : G Y D $750,000 1st Prize: GYD $400,000 Race 10 – L Class NonEarners (2025–2026) Distance: 6 Furlongs To t a l P u r s e : G Y D $750,000 1st Prize: GYD $400,000 (All purses are in Guyana Dollars)

The introduction of this nomination system reflects how far Guyanese horseracing has come over the last five years. Larger crowds, improved facilities, increased sponsorship, and

growing international interest have all driven the need for more structured, performance-based qualification systems similar to those used overseas.

Under the new format,

horses must earn their place in the Guyana Cup, Sprint, or Derby, rather than entering by reputation alone. This approach not only improves the quality of competition, (Continued on page 23)

Windies U-19 skipper Dorne says rts o p S wins over England, Sri Lanka a huge confidence boost heading into World Cup P. 23

The Caribbean lads winged out yesterday as they prepare for the 2026 ICC U19 50-Over World Cup.

JJTRC releases provisional programme for first official Guyana Cup Nomination Day P. 23

GCF, ACADO 2026 National U12 Rapid Chess tourney set for this weekend

P. 21

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