Kaieteur News

K

Tuesday Edition

China says U.S. NEWS seizure of ships ‘serious violation’ of international law AIETEUR

December 23, 2025 - Vol. 18 No. 51 Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $100 readership yesterday, 53,202

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

‘222 DAYS OF SILENCE’ - Govt. withholds Exxon audit as calls grow for mandatory disclosure law GECOM Deputy Elections Chief quits

Fraser’s mother points to the spot where was killed Sunday night at Plum Park, Sophia.

…exit set for January 2026 Aneal Giddings

Dead: Xavier Fraser

$18M worth of mercury seized in Berbice

Taxi driver gunned down, teen injured

…driver arrested in CANU crackdown

Commonwealth urges sweeping electoral reforms

…in late night shooting in Sophia

Chinese businessman ...calls on GECOM to prioritise adoption killed in robbery at Canje of biometrics for next elections

AK-47, pistols, ammo seized in Sheriff St. bust

The firearms and ammunition seized by CANU officers.

PAGE 02

Kaieteur News

Tuesday December 23, 2025

Members of the GPF high command and the awardees

Blanhum hails CID’s frontline role at awards ceremony

Best Cop for the CID, Deputy Superintendent Fiona Fredericks (right) receives her award from Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken.

The critical role of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in safeguarding public safety and strengthening crimefighting efforts was underscored on Monday when the Guyana Police Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID) hosted its Annual Christmas Luncheon and Awards Ceremony at the Police Officers’ Mess Annexe, Eve Leary.

According to a Guyana Police Force press release, delivering remarks at the ceremony, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law Enforcement), Mr. Wendell Blanhum, highlighted the CID’s central responsibility in the prevention, detection and prosecution of crime. He praised the dedication and professionalism of detectives across regions and specialised units, noting that their collaborative efforts continue to enhance investigative outcomes and public confidence in law enforcement. Deputy Commissioner Blanhum also acknowledged the growing contributions of female ranks within the Department, noting that their performance continues to strengthen investigative capacity and service delivery.

The release added that Commissioner of Police Mr. Clifton Hicken commended the ranks of the CID for their professionalism, discipline and commitment to service. He reaffirmed the importance of integrity, accountability and continuous self-improvement, while encouraging ranks to remain steadfast in upholding the core values of the Guyana Police Force. The Commissioner also extended Christmas greetings and best wishes for a safe, productive and successful New Year to all ranks and their families.

Meanwhile, the ceremony recognised the exceptional performance of Deputy Superintendent Fiona Fredericks who was named CID Headquarters Best Cop for 2025. Deputy Superintendent Fredericks also recently secured the title of Best Cop of the Guyana Police Force, marking a significant milestone in her policing career and underscoring the continued rise of women in leadership within the Force.

Sergeant Ravindra Beepat was named runner-up.

As part of the recognition, Deputy Superintendent Fredericks, in addition to receiving an incentive and trophy from the Guyana Police Force was awarded a trip for two to the United States of America sponsored by Mr. Suresh Jagmohan, a full spa package from Miss Cui Salon and Spa and gifts from Mr. Samuels, China Trading, Colours Boutique, RK’s Security, Dr. Sarah Hack and Sanjay’s Jewelry. Sergeant Ravindra Beepat, in addition to receiving an Continued on page 10

Tuesday December 23, 2025

Kaieteur News

PAGE 03

‘222 DAYS OF SILENCE’ - Govt. withholds Exxon audit as calls grow for mandatory disclosure law More than seven months after receiving the third cost recovery audit report on ExxonMobil, the Government of Guyana (GoG) has yet to make the document public, fueling mounting suspicion, public frustration, and renewed calls for legislation to enforce strict timelines for the release of critical oil sector information.

The audit, conducted by local consortium VHE Consulting, covers the period 2021 to 2023 and examines ExxonMobil’s recovery of a staggering US$19.6 billion in expenses charged against Guyana’s oil under the Stabroek Block operations. It is the largest cost recovery audit undertaken since Guyana began oil production in 2019. Previous audits exposed serious irregularities, including the use of Guyana’s oil to pay for expenses unrelated to the Stabroek Block and costs expressly disallowed under the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA).

While there was some reluctance on the part of the (GoG) in the past to release the two previous audit reports which were first

leaked to the media through unofficial channels, the third audit report remains tightly concealed by the (GoG), with transparency activists now beginning to question the administration’s motive.

An executive member of Tr a n s p a r e n c y I n s t i t u t e Guyana Inc (TIGI), Frederick Collins told Kaieteur News that legislative changes may be required to force government’s hand to release these documents.

In an exclusive interview, the past President of the watchdog body pointed out that members of civil society were left with no option but to protest the office of the Commissioner of Information, Charles Ramson (senior) over the blackout of information in the public domain, especially in the oil and gas sector.

Collins laid the blame squarely at the feet of government for failing to ensure information on the sector is readily available to not only members of the press but civil society as well. In fact, he argued, “Clearly, they are allowed by the people of Guyana to do exactly what they are doing

China says U.S. seizure of ships ‘serious violation’ of international law BEIJING, Dec 22 (Reuters) - China’s foreign ministry on Monday said the United States’ seizure of another country’s ships was a serious violation of international law, after the U.S. intercepted a China-bound oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast.

Venezuela has the right to develop relations with other countries, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a daily press briefing, adding that China opposes all “unilateral and illegal” sanctions.

On Saturday, the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted a second oil tanker in international waters off the Venezuelan coast, days after President Donald Trump announced a “blockade” of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela.

The tanker, Centuries, loaded in Venezuela under the false name “Crag” and was carrying some 1.8 million barrels of Venezuelan Merey crude oil bound for China, documents showed.

The crude was bought by Satau Tijana Oil Trading, one of many intermediaries involved in Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA’s sales to Chinese independent refiners, the documents showed. A White House spokesperson said the “falsely flagged vessel” carried sanctioned oil and was part of Venezuela’s shadow fleet. The Venezuelan government called the tanker interception a “serious act of international piracy.” China is the biggest buyer of Venezuelan crude, which accounts for roughly 4% of its imports.

because we demonstrated, including the press about how many times, over a year or two and the government did absolutely nothing, did not budge an inch to make confession. They simply stonewalled and sat there and this was in terms of access to all information, general access to information to get the information czar to do what he is being paid to do and the population watched us bleed in the sun and the government do nothing.”

Meanwhile, he speculated that government may be withholding the report as it may contain certain information that they wish for the public not to see.

Turning his attention to the questionable timeline since the report was handed over to government, the former (TIGI) President explained that it is normal for private companies to be audited at the end of each

financial year as part of its responsibility to shareholders.

In Guyana’s case, Collins pointed out that the (GoG) was elected on behalf of the citizens to manage the sector and holds equal responsibility to ensure its shareholders- Guyanese- are informed on the affairs.

The transparency activist argued, “In the oil business, the owners of this whole show are the people of Guyana, not the government.

The government is just the caretakers of the people of this country and the people are the shareholders who expect and should demand the accounts. People should be fired if you can’t produce the accounts so I’m saying to you that the caretakers are keeping the business of the people away from the people.”

Collins reminded that the 2016 (PSA) stipulates that

the (GoG) is required to audit the company at the end of every calendar year, as he noted that at least one other audit may be pending while the third report remains hidden.

“In any reasonable situation, the time which the audit report is released should give the owners of the company, in this case, the people of Guyana, enough time to be able to read and digest and the people who are intelligent enough to comment on the finances in the newspapers for us to see what is going on...if the report should be done every two years then you can very well have the next audit report out or due when this thing is released which is a little awkward so we should have,” he reasoned.

To this end, he suggested that a legal timeline be established for audit reports to be published.

Former (TIGI) President, Frederick Collins “In Guyana we are talking about an international cooperation like Exxon, an audit has been done and the government is sitting on it, so people must wonder what is going on...if they prolong it, they are creating suspicion that there is something or more things than one in the report that they don’t want the public to know.”

As such, Collins said there is a definite need for legislation to specific a time for audit reports to be published. “The responsibility that the government has is even greater than the responsibility of a private set of directors and therefore we Continued on page 8

Kaieteur News

PAGE 04

Kaieteur News 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

Cash grant puzzles, tangles The PPPC Government is trying hard to shake cash grant developments that cling to it like leeches. The harder the government tries, the more tangled it becomes in what is now an embarrassment of itself, and a humiliation for citizens. Different leaders in the government at different times indicated in clear terms that a cash grant was set for this year, with President Ali leading with his first 2025 message to Guyanese.

There will be cash grants, with one to be expected this year. To cut a very fine point on the representations from various leaders in the government, the cash grant has now come down to a matter of semantics, with its timing also featuring. In the interest of fairness, Vice President Jagdeo is correct. At no time did either President Ali or Prime Minister Phillips said anything about a Christmas cash grant. The president did say, though, that ‘the smile on his face should be taken as confirmation that an “enjoyable holiday’ would be had by Guyanese. Since that was said in August, what holiday could the president be talking about, other than the Christmas holidays?

We don’t think he meant Diwali, or any other national holiday that came after August. Guyanese longing for a cash grant to provide some temporary relief to their cost-ofliving woes should not be faulted for interpreting President Ali’s cash grant promise (made repeatedly) as meaning anything other than geared to the December holidays.

Jagdeo can try all his usual verbal tricks, but by default a cash grant promise for this year from the president distilled to one with December in mind.

Also, we note how convoluted and intricate Jagdeo can be, when so inclined. He has compiled a long record of such behaviour when the government or the president has egg on the face. Part of his duties is to put up a good fight for the president, cleanup after him. Referring to his party manifesto he admitted that “this is our manifesto here, it speaks to cash grants here but it did say before Christmas and in fact how can you do it before Christmas, it took us five months the last time to get it implemented…” It took five months, as he knows, because there was an ill-planned and chaotically conceived registration process to get eligible citizens in the government’s system. Due to the fact that is now part of the official record, that aspect of cash grants this time doesn’t count, other than for a relatively small number of the newly eligible, i.e. new 18-year old Guyanese.

The payment process, to a considerable degree, was smooth and pain free for those collecting. With the tedious and time-consuming registration process now not a factor, the cash grant payment could have been made if the PPPC Government and leadership were truly serious about doing something about the suffering of Guyanese, and treating them with the respect that they deserve. Not this overnight nonsense, about Guyanese “being good”, which bears a close resemblance to President Ali’s warning about “if you behave yourself….”

Are Guyanese now condemned to being children forever? Has the PPPC of Ali and Jagdeo appointed themselves as stern fathers of wayward Guyanese children?

Developments like these are what play a huge role in the collapse of governments to regimes. In any other country that a government dares to make fools of the people, see them as stupid, the people would not take it sitting down. Democracy has made Guyanese so docile that the PPPC Government has made it a business to have Guyanese on a string, as if they are only good to be puppets. The circumstances of countless thousands of Guyanese are paralysing and tragic, yet this is exactly the time that their own government schemes on how to take advantage of their good nature. A cash grant for Christmas would make such a difference in the lives of citizens, but this is when the government decides to begin its games. The people hear that they should work at “being good” and aim for a changed mindset. This is how insult is added to injury, from a PPPC Government that laughs at those who reelected them.

Tuesday December 23, 2025

Is it stupidity or part of a cycle of corruption?

DEAR EDITOR, One can only assume that we have in place a government that is so stubborn, so silly, that they cannot, or will not understand the difference between excellence, mediocrity, and extremely poor performance. Briefly I refer to a situation in Region 10 and one in Georgetown, as glaring examples of the irresponsible behaviour of government, and citizens must consider whether corruption and nepotism are not underlying causes.

The Bamia school in R e g i o n Te n c a m e t o attention over a year ago, and as I write today, the school promised to be ready and in use for the September term, is not yet in a state of readiness, the contractor well known PPP supporter.

Next the Bayrock synthetic track started eight years ago and since after 2020 awarded to a PPP darling contractor,

this week we are insulted by a statement from the PPP propaganda outfit, that the synthetic track is in use. You can have a house that can collapse with the slightest of vibration, because it has three pillars instead of four, but it is in use.

This track and field stadium, according to government that is in use, the roof is leaking and the track is already showing signs of decay.

Then there is the Bayrock digital recording s t u d i o , s a m e s t o r y, contractor an apparent PPP acolyte with no known track record in that type of construction, shoddy work, failed deadlines, same old story.

Then, there is in Georgetown the Princess Street Road project, a nondescript contractor with the correct connections, shoddy work, millions from the people’s purse. Where did

these many contractors hitherto unknown and untried come from, the few who have been allegedly blacklisted, it appears by a slide of hand, of name and address change, are still being awarded contracts, is this true?

I am not speaking blissfully, I speak ex cathedra, when I held the portfolio of works, hydraulics and supply I had engineers of substance, such as the late Philip Alsop, Lawerance Charles, Steve Narine, Sam Ramsahoye, B M Thomas and the likes of Gordon Marshall, Permanent Secretary, whose professional advice I relied on, they always cautioned against proceeding with any project, roads, buildings, canals, bridges, etc. unless we had in place qualified and competent persons to supervise such undertakings the likes of the late Walter Willis.

Today it is clear that we have embarked with this oil and gold bonanza on a wild wasteful, wanton, spending spree, an injustice to all of us. Today I had occasion to travel along the East Bank of Demerara it was for the greater part of the journey a bumpy ride on road recently completed and paid for, is this stupidity or part of a cycle of corruption.

Even if the powers that be are not listening or do not care, those of us who believe we have a scared duty, must continue to write and speak.

I urge all citizens to note the events taking place in our Guyana and the massive, massive disinformation and propaganda machinery that exist, let us lean on the words of Swiss Philosopher Henri Frederic Amiel who said: “Truth is not only violated by falsehood; it may be equally outraged by silence.”

Sincerely, Elder Hamilton Green

PANDORA’S BOX: The Billion-Dollar Hospital Mirage DEAR EDITOR While the official Ministry of Health narrative continues to spin a web of “unprecedented progress,” the Guyanese public is being sold a high-interest mirage.

The silence at the Ogle and New Amsterdam hospital sites is not a “phase of construction”—it is a symptom of a massive, hidden corporate upheaval in Europe that has left our national healthcare future in a state of paralysis.

The red flags first raised

by Azruddin Mohamed of the WIN Party and Sunday Stabroek, regarding the stagnation at Ogle are just the tip of a very deep, very dark iceberg. It is time to open Pandora’s Box and reveal why these “turnkey” projects have stalled while our national debt continues to climb.

1. The Shell Game: Where is Vamed?

For years, we were told the Austrian giant Vamed was our savior. But here is the reality the government won’t tell you: Vamed has been broken up and sold. In early 2025, its international project arm was offloaded to a German entity, Worldwide Hospitals Group (WWH).

When a contractor is sold mid-stream, the legal and financial “plumbing” of the project breaks. This transition has triggered a

“Contractual Purgatory.” If the workers aren’t moving and the equipment isn’t arriving, it is because the new owners and the old lenders are locked in a room in Europe arguing over who holds the liability. Guyana is no longer a priority; we are a line item in a corporate liquidation.

2. The Debt Trap: Paying for Empty Shells The Ogle and New Amsterdam projects are built on Export Credit Financing—billions of dollars in loans from UK Export Finance (UKEF) and Sweden’s EKN/SEK. These are not grants. These are loans that must be repaid with interest by your children.

• The Ogle Standoff: Despite President Ali’s public “displeasure” and empty threats of liquidated damages, the site remains a concrete skeleton.

• The New Amsterdam Hospital Myth: In Region Six, we were promised a “Level Five” teaching facility. Today, we have a field of piles and a signpost.

3. The “Equipment” Deception The Ministry of Health claims these hospitals are “on track” for 2026. This is a technical impossibility. A hospital is only a hospital once it is “sealed”—dustfree, climate-controlled, and

powered.

• High-tech MRI and CT suites cannot be installed in a building that is still open to the Guyanese elements.

• If you see no HVAC ducting, no specialized flooring, and no “Clean Room” preparation, there is no medical equipment on the horizon. We are currently paying interest on empty rooms.

4. The Economic Betrayal of Locals While international firms play musical chairs with their corporate branding, local Guyanese subcontractors are being left in the lurch. Reports of payment delays and “milestone disputes” are rising. Our local labor force is being used as a political prop while the real decisions—and the real money—stay trapped in Vienna and Berlin.

T H E H A R D QUESTIONS: A Challenge to the Ministry of Health Since the government refuses to be transparent, the media must demand answers to these “Hard Questions” immediately: 1. THE NOVATION CRISIS: Has the contract for the Ogle and New Amsterdam hospitals been officially transferred (novated) from Vamed to WWH? If so, what were the costs of this delay to the

Guyanese taxpayer?

2. THE LOAN TRANCHES: Have the UK and Swedish lenders frozen the release of funds due to the change in ownership? Is the “stagnation” on-site a direct result of a “Stop Payment” order from European banks?

3. THE BUDGETARY MYSTERY:: Where is the $23 Billion?

In the 2022 Budget, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh allocated $12.4 Billion for this hospital. In the 2024 Budget, another $10.3 Billion was earmarked to “sustain” the project.

Here is the contradiction: This project is officially funded by a €161 Million loan from UK Export Finance (UKEF). Under these international agreements, the bank pays the contractor directly based on “deliverables”—actual work done.

• If the project is stalled and the building is an empty shell, what were the billions in local budgetary allocations used for? * Why is the Guyanese taxpayer pouring billions in cash into a project that is already covered by a 100% foreign loan? Is this a double-dip into the public purse?

3. THE EQUIPMENT PROCUREMENT: Provide the Bill of Lading for (Continued on page 06)

Tuesday December 23, 2025

Kaieteur News

PAGE 05

Wilson Harris, Creative Power, Troubling decline in workplace safety and the Orange Economy Guyana Has Not Yet Imagined DEAR EDITOR, If Guyana is serious about developing an orange economy rooted in creativity, culture, and sustainability, then it must engage far more seriously with the intellectual legacy of Wilson Harris. Not as a symbolic literary figure, but as a thinker who demonstrated, in the very structure of his work, how imagination becomes a productive force capable of reshaping identity, consciousness, and social p o s s i b i l i t y. H a r r i s i s Guyana’s quintessential organic philosopher of the Orange Economy.

Harris did not write novels that merely described Guyana. He reconstructed it.

In works such as Palace of the Peacock and the broader Guyana Quartet, landscape is not background scenery but an active agent. Rivers remember, forests speak, time fractures and recombines. Characters do not move through linear progress but undergo repeated transformations, deaths, and renewals.

What Harris achieves through this radical narrative form is the dismantling of colonial realism — the idea that reality is singular, fixed, and exhausted by inherited categories.

This is crucial for any serious discussion of creative industries. Harris shows that creativity is not the packaging of folklore or the marketing of heritage, but the capacity to generate new ways of seeing and inhabiting the world.

His fiction produces value not by repetition, but by transformation. The imagination, in his work, is a technology — one that converts memory, trauma, e c o l o g y, a n d c u l t u r a l plurality into new forms of

meaning.

Equally important is H a r r i s ’s t r e a t m e n t o f Guyana’s interior. As a f o r m e r s u r v e y o r, h e understood the land intimately, yet he refused to reduce it to cartography or resource. In his writing, the interior becomes a space where human and nonhuman life intersect, where indigenous cosmologies unsettle colonial time, and where identity is fluid rather than inherited whole. This ecological imagination is not sentimental. It is structural. It insists that culture, land, and consciousness are inseparable.

This has direct implications for an orange economy worthy of the name. Creative industries that merely replicate surface symbols will always be thin and externally dependent.

What Harris models instead is a deeper creative logic: literature, art, film, performance, and digital media that emerge from Guyana’s rivers, forests, languages, and plural histories as living sources of innovation.

Eco-cultural tourism, indigenous storytelling platforms, experimental cinema, contemporary visual art, and digital narrative forms all find their intellectual legitimacy here — not as add-ons to development, but as generators of it.

Harris also offers something rarer: a method for living with difference.

His work does not collapse Guyana’s multiple cultural inheritances into a single story. It stages them in tension, overlap, and dialogue.

Identity, for Harris, is never closed. It is continually becoming. In economic

terms, this is precisely the condition under which creative value multiplies.

Cultural confidence arises not from uniformity, but from the ability to hold complexity without fear.

What emerges from Harris’s body of work is a quiet but radical lesson: nations lose creative power when imagination is subordinated to inherited frameworks. Conversely, societies gain resilience when imagination is treated a s a national resource.

This is not abstract philosophy. It is a practical insight for policymakers, educators, and cultural institutions seeking to build sustainable, non-extractive forms of value.

G u y a n a ’s o r a n g e economy will not succeed by copying external models or by reducing culture to performance. It will succeed only if it takes imagination seriously — as Harris did — as a force that reshapes how a people understands itself, its land, and its future.

To ignore this legacy is not merely a cultural omission; it is an economic and strategic failure.

Wilson Harris showed us what creative power looks like when it is rooted, daring, and unafraid of complexity.

The question before us now is whether we are prepared to build an economy that reflects that depth.

Yours sincerely, Dr. Walter H. Persaud

DEAR EDITOR A s a p u b l i c communications analyst, I have been observing construction practices across Regions Four and Six, where the industry continues to expand rapidly. This growth has played a major role in Guyana’s infrastructure development and has contributed significantly to national revenue. Roads, housing, bridges, and commercial projects are reshaping the country, and this progress is widely welcomed However, alongside this growth, there is a troubling decline in workplace safety standards. Despite the existence of occupational safety and health laws in Guyana, enforcement remains inconsistent and, in many cases, visibly absent.

Construction sites often operate without adequate oversight, creating

environments where preventable accidents are increasingly likely to occur A major concern is the prioritisation of speed and low-cost labor over workforce development and safety compliance. The focus on completing projects quickly and cheaply has resulted in corners being cut, particularly in relation to worker protection. Safety enforcement should never be sacrificed in the pursuit of rapid development On many sites, basic safety requirements are ignored. Workers can be seen without helmets, harnesses, or access to modern tools and equipment. Exterior protective structures such as proper scaffolding are often inadequate, and national safety regulations are not consistently followed.

Contractors must be held fully accountable for

ensuring that these standards are always met Another serious challenge is the presence of multilingual workforces without effective communication systems. In emergency situations, the inability of workers to clearly understand instructions or warnings can lead to confusion, delayed responses, and serious injuries or fatalities. This risk cannot be overlooked in a high-hazard industry like construction Guyana’s development should not come at the expense of human life or d i g n i t y. S t r o n g e r enforcement of safety laws, improved workforce training, and stricter accountability for contractors are essential if the construction sector is to grow in a responsible and sustainable manner Sincerely: Blane R Bunbury

KN commended for free press DEAR EDITOR, Freedom of the press is very important for transparent, accountable governance. Fair, balanced news coverage and editorials as well as allowing a variety of views are also critical in responsible journalism. I commend your paper for meeting both criteria. That is why it is considered among the most read in the country and in the diaspora.

Criticism of your paper from a discredited columnist does not deter readership of KN. Guyanese are found globally in countless countries. I traveled globally where Guyanese reside and or are found (temporarily), engaging and writing about them as I also have been

doing about the Caribbean and Indian diasporas— in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, India, North America, UK, the Caribbean, Brazil, etc. (My heart goes out to the families and the victims of the massacre in Bindu Beach; what a magnificent beach that I visited twice in multiple trips to Australia).

Guyanese I encountered or engaged praised your publication for its objectivity and for keeping them informed about their homeland—carrying views critical of and praising the government and opposition as well as those that are objective or middle of the road views.

You have recently had some fantastic

editorials. Almost everyone who reads the papers is familiar with my name having been appearing in the mass media since the early 1980s in USA and from 1976 in Guyana during the students protest.

They engaged me freely in confidence knowing they will not be betrayed. I notice also that letters or commentaries in support of or critical of Exxon were also given press. Even those who are critical of your paper and its owner or publisher Mr. Glen Lall praise the paper, and those who are propagandists (in support of government or opposition) also applaud your paper in private for its (Continued on page 06)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 06

Tuesday December 23, 2025

Parliament’s role is not merely PANDORA’S BOX: The Billion-Dollar... to endorse aggregate totals, but to scrutinise priorities DEAR EDITOR M y e a r l i e r correspondence raised concerns about the concentration of high-value capital procurements at the close of the fiscal year.

A review of the Estimates of Expenditure 2025 now brings sharper focus to whether such allocations reflect deliberate planning priorities or are being driven by calendar pressure. The National Procurement and Tender Administration Board’s Minutes of 18 December 2025 record the opening of a tender by the Ministry of Home Affairs for the “Procurement and Installation of an Automatic Airflow System (Lots 1–6),” with a bid value of approximately G$2.36 billion. Given the scale of this procurement, it would reasonably be expected to feature clearly and explicitly

in the Estimates of Expenditure approved by Parliament.

However, a review of the Estimates of Expenditure 2025, Volume I, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, reveals no capital line item identifying such a project, nor any allocation approaching that magnitude.

The ministry’s capital programme lists expenditures for buildings, vehicles, tools, and equipment, but none signal a project of this scope or specificity. This raises a fundamental issue of public financial management.

Capital projects of this size should flow from articulated planning priorities, reflected in the Estimates and, where applicable, the Public Sector Investment Programme.

When a major procurement appears only at the tender stage, and at the very end of the fiscal year, it invites the

question of whether the project emerged from strategic planning or from the pressure to commit funds before year-end.

Parliament’s role is not merely to endorse aggregate totals, but to scrutinise priorities. That scrutiny is undermined when significant projects are not plainly identifiable at the point of budget approval.

Transparency after tenders are opened cannot substitute for transparency during the budget process itself.

These issues must be interrogated when the National Assembly next meets, as part of Parliament’s responsibility to ensure that public funds are committed in accordance with approved plans and clear priorities, rather than the exigencies of the calendar.

Yours faithfully, Sherod Duncan, M.P

From page 05 the medical equipment for Ogle. If it hasn’t been shipped, where is the €161 million currently sitting?

4. THE “PENALTY” BLUFF: The President threatened “liquidated damages” against Vamed in late 2024. Has a single cent

been collected, or was that merely a theatrical performance for the cameras?

5. THE MOUNT SINAI GAP: If the buildings are stalled, what is the status of the “Mount Sinai” operational agreement? Are we paying international

consultants to manage hospitals that don’t have roofs?

The “Healthcare Revolution” is currently a construction site graveyard.

We demand the truth before the next billion is spent.

Sincerely Hemdutt Kumar

KN commended for free press...

From page 05 objectivity and balance. The paper also carried views critical of it.

And then there are sour grapes critics and arm chair columnists who find nothing positive about the paper or publisher because their biased, uninformed views and attacks on others are not published.

One discredited columnist unjustifiably and constantly attacks Glenn with diatribes and calumnies.

Everywhere I traveled, people indicated they read my contributions (though

not always in agreement) as well as those of GHK, Chris Ram, Ravi Dev, Keith Bernard, among others.

They like the outpouring of Walter Persaud, Tara Singh, Ubraj Narine, Nikhil Sankar, among others.

They are not always in agreement with views expressed, but they find the contributions informative, educational, and enlightening.

These writers don’t attack people or government or opposition.

They write objectively and analytically with supporting evidence unlike

those who sing for their money and lack credibility.

Countless articles of mine were published and many also rejected.

Everyone I met expressed appreciation for my historical factual pieces on the struggle for free and fair elections and on activities of the diaspora in USA and other countries.

People don’t pay heed to the attacks of your paper from the discredited columnist.

Thank you for your open press and responsible journalism!

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Tuesday December 23, 2025

Kaieteur News

PAGE 07

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

Tuesday December 23, 2025

APNU slams President Ali’s address, questions government spending

A

Partnership for National Unity ( A P N U ) Member of Parliament (MP), Dr. Terrence Campbell, has firmly rejected President Irfaan Ali’s recent claim that Guyana is “awash” with money, emphasizing that the government has not been careful in its spending.

During a recent APNU press conference, Campbell responded to the President’s statement that the country’s financial resources must be used wisely. “Everything is relative. I would say that Guyana is awash with

money compared to where we were 10 years ago. But on a global scale, I do not consider Guyana to be awash with money. And I support that we need careful spending, but careful spending is not what we have seen in this government,” Campbell stated.

He went on to highlight several examples of mismanaged funds, such as the billions of Guyanese dollars poured into infrastructural projects that are already showing signs of disrepair.

Additionally, he pointed

to the ongoing Gas-toEnergy project, which, according to Campbell, has only seen substantial investment in feasibility studies while costs have exceeded initial estimates.

“We have seen the execution of numerous infrastructural projects that are already crumbling. We have seen the gas-to-energy project, over $1 billion over initial estimates. This government with our oil windfall, and there is a long-term threat to oil, and we have seen it this year,” he said.

Campbell stressed the

need for a more prudent approach to the nation’s finances, especially in light of the country’s significant oil revenues. “It is important that we be prudent in how we invest those oil resources. It is important that we be prudent in saving for hard times, economic shocks. It is important that we be prudent in leaving money for future generations. This government has failed miserably,” he said. He further criticized the President’s comments, stating, “I think the President should be the last person to speak about us prudently spending the money that he claims that we are awash with.”

The APNU party also

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP), Dr. Terrence Campbell issued a statement, condemning the President’s recent speech as reflecting a troubling pattern. “The P r e s i d e n t ’s a d d r e s s reinforces a troubling pattern: a wish list framed as a plan, announcements detached from performance, and ambition unmoored from accountability. After five years of unprecedented oil revenues, Guyanese deserve quality, honesty, and

delivery—not recycled promises,” the party stated.

They further added, “Five years of oil revenues have n o t p r o d u c e d a commensurate improvement in the quality of life for the average citizen. Vision without honest selfassessment is not leadership; it is political marketing set to confine citizens to the inadequacy of the government.”

AK-47, pistols, ammo seized in Sheriff St. bust ‘222 DAYS OF SILENCE’

The Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) on Sunday arrested one person and seized a quantity of firearm and ammunition during an operation in the vicinity of Sheriff Street, Georgetown.

The CANU officers found one AK-47 rifle bearing serial number A 1 - 7 2 7 2 0 - 2 0 R O A , The firearms and ammunition along with one magazine seized by CANU officers. containing nineteen (19) serial number AHD901601 7.62×39mm live rounds, one Glock 17 pistol bearing with one magazine and no serial number LVH237 with ammunition.

“The suspect was one magazine containing seven 9mm live rounds and arrested and escorted to One Taurus pistol bearing CANU Headquarters, along

with the firearms and ammunition,” CANU said while noting that the person arrested is the holder of a firearm licence for the recovered Glock 17 pistol.

From page 3 should demand that there is a period of time beyond which they ought not to be able to hold on to the audit reports without sharing,” he said.

Background on third audit On May 15, 2025 the minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat revealed that the audit was completed and the report handed over to government for review. Five months later, in October, Bharrat informed this newspaper that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) was still conducting a technical review of the report and would make the document public after the process was completed.

Recently, Bharrat was asked again about the report and directed all questions to the tax agency.

Notably, the (GRA) has not responded to

any queries from this newspaper relating to the audit.

Previously, minister Bharrat said he was hesitant to disclose the initial sum that was flagged by the auditors. He explained, “The auditors would flag a figure and then it goes back to the company and the company might be able to produce evidence or receipts for everything so it keeps adjusting all the time so it’s no use I give you a figure and then it might raise questions all around.”

The minister at the time urged that the (GRA) be granted a few more days to complete the process with the oil company.

“Remember they would give the company time to provide evidence of spending and so,” he said while assuring that the third audit report will be made public on the website upon completion of the ongoing exchanges between Exxon and the (GRA).

Kaieteur News

Tuesday December 23, 2025

PAGE 09

Guyana’s democratic test Guyana is at a crossroads. It is now a nation of global interest, blessed with newfound oil wealth.

But a quiet political crisis is brewing at home. This crisis could invite serious international consequences.

It could turn off the financial taps from the European Union.

At the heart of the matter is a simple, constitutional duty. Guyanas Opposition parties must meet to elect a Leader of the Opposition.

The position is vacant. The constitution says it must be filled. Yet, the required

meeting has not been called.

This is not a minor political squabble. It is a direct threat to the health of Guyanas democracy.

Why does this one position matter so much?

The Leader of the Opposition is a key part in our system of checks and balances. This person has a role in determining who from its side sits on parliamentary committees.

The Opposition, led by the Leader of the Opposition, oversees government spending. It ensures diverse voices are heard in the

National Assembly. Without this leader, parliamentary scrutiny is weakened. The government faces less accountability. This makes democracy weaker for everyone.

The European Union has very clear rules on this. The EUs founding treaty states it is built on “democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights.” It says the Union is founded on “representative democracy.”

For the EU, strong parliaments and strong opposition voices are not optional. They are core

CANU seizes $18M in mercury at Crabwood Creek

T

he Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) on Sunday seized $18 million in mercury during an operation in the vicinity of Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, Berbice.

According to a statement from CANU, a vehicle was intercepted and during a search, officers found several parcels of “a highly toxic and strictly controlled substance, which was later confirmed to be mercury.”

The driver of the vehicle was arrested and the mercury with an estimated street value of $18M was

The mercury seized by CANU officers seized.

“The substance was then handed over to the Ministry of Natural Resources for specialized processing and disposal, while the suspect is

currently in Police custody, assisting with the investigations,” the statement said.

Investigations are ongoing.

DEM BOYS SEH

A Christmas Morning Survival Guide

D

em boys seh, Christmas Eve is a special kind of madness. Is licks you taking in the supermarket, is last-minute string-up lights falling down, is kitchen smelling like a distillery from the black cake. You collapse into bed at 2 a.m., your head full of tinsel and terror. But dem boys seh, congratulations! You have survived the war. Now, for the victors spoils: Christmas Morning.

First, ignore the “joyful” noise. Dem boys seh, that rustling and whispering at 5 a.m. is not Santas reindeer, is your offspring plotting your fiscal demise. Do not engage. This is the time to pull the blanket or sheet over your head and practise your deep, snoring

breathing. Dem boys seh, if you snore loud enough, you can convince them that waking you is a health hazard.

When you can resist no longersay, around 7:30 a.m., when the sound of gift paper packaging being murdered with bare hands reaches a crescendoyou emerge. But not with vigour.

The key to the giftopening spectacle is commentary.

Dem boys seh, you must not simply say “nice.” You must offer profound, weary analysis. Hold up a garish tie. Sigh deeply. Say, “The vibrancy of this colour… it speaks to a chaotic inner truth. Thank you.” Then, slowly sip your coffee as if its a potion keeping you alive.

Finally, dem boys seh, the ultimate Christmas Morning power move: After the pepper pot, the Strategic Nap Location in next. You must claim the epicentre of the chaosthe couch now buried in gift paperas your own. Amidst the cacophony of beeping toys and arguing relatives, you will achieve a state of Zen-like slumber.

Dem boys seh, there is no greater declaration of festive triumph than to snooze peacefully through it, having officially surrendered to the beautiful, blessed ridiculousness of it all.

Merry Christmas. Now, pass the remote before I konk out. Because Home Alone is a compulsory watch on Christmas Day! Talk half. Leff half

values.

The EU has a history of acting when these values are attacked abroad. When the military overthrew democracy in Myanmar, the EU imposed harsh sanctions.

When Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela sidelined the elected parliament, the EU sanctioned his officials.

When Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus rigged an election and crushed protests, the EU did the same. The reason given is always the same: “undermining democracy and the rule of law.”

The EU was loudly and firmly on the side of democracy in Guyana just five years ago. In 2020, when there was an attempt to rig the general election, the EU was vocal. It joined with other nations to demand a fair count. It threatened sanctions against those who would undermine the vote.

That strong stance helped defend the will of the Guyanese people.

Today, the silence from the EU is noticeable. The current crisis is slower. It is not a violent coup. It is fast approaching the five-month impasse of the 2020 general and regional elections. It is a quiet erosion; a constitutional duty being ignored. But the effect is similar. It weakens the foundation of parliamentary democracy. If the EU remains true to its own laws and past actions, it cannot stay silent forever.

What could happen if the EU decides to act? The consequences would be

severe.

First, Guyana could face targeted financial sanctions.

The EU has a powerful tool called that allows it to ban travel for individuals responsible for undermining democracy. Officials seen as blocking the constitutional process could find themselves personally targeted. The same could apply to government officials.

More broadly, the EU could suspend or cancel development funding.

Guyana benefits from EU projects and partnerships.

These funds could dry up overnight. This would be a major blow. It would directly upend national planning and the 2026 budget.

An EU sanction is a bright red flag. It signals that a country is a democratic risk. While EU funding, including support for the Guyanas Low Carbon Development Strategy is not significant, any decision by the EU to impose financial sanctions in Guyana could have a domino effect. Other western financial agencies including the InterAmerican Development Bank and the World Bank could follow suit.

If the EU acts, these financial institutions could follow. They might delay or cancel promised loans.

They could make new lending much harder and more expensive. Guyanas ability to draw down on committed funds for infrastructure and social development could be strangled. The flow of credit

needed to manage the economy could tighten sharply. The nations oilfueled ambitions could grind to a halt, not from a lack of money, but from a lack of trust.

Guyana is playing a dangerous game. It is betting that the world is so focused on its oil wealth that it will overlook a decaying democratic practice. This is a miscalculation. The EUs identity is built on defending democracy.

Guyanas future prosperity depends as much on strong democratic institutions as it does on oil revenues. One cannot thrive without the other.

The EUs patience is not infinite. Its silence now should not be mistaken for acceptance. Guyana must fix this constitutional breach itself, quickly. If it does not, it may soon find that its most important international partnerships, and its financial stability, are on the line.

The world is watching, and the rules apply to everyoneeven an emerging oil giant.

(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

Tuesday December 2025 Monday May 02,23, 2022

H@RD TRUTHS

BY GHK LALL

PM Phillips said so, not I “With sovereignty comes responsibility…the most solemn of these responsibilities is the obligation to safeguard our national sovereignty and preserve, protect and defend our territorial integrity.”

Impressive and inspiring.

More than normal because of the speaker’s rare elevation, almost that a basketballer.

Take a bow, Prime Minister Mark Phillips. If it were any other, armchair general would have applied. But not the PM, who is a real-life retired general. If anyone has a clue about sovereignty and responsibility and associated obligations, there is PM Phillips. He spoke in the context of territorial i n t e g r i t y, a n d t h a t expectation, irreversible commandment to defend to

the death.

Bravo, man general! Spoken like a true solider. With his permission, I take those same words and fit them to another national context that has similar searing standing. Or should have.

“With sovereignty come responsibility…”.

Appreciate if that wisdom could be whispered to Pres.

Ali. Vice Pres. Jagdeo. The cabinet. The Speaker of the House. There is stirring border patriotism, up to and including great personal sacrifice. And there is the fiercest patriotism that must be embedded in natural resource protection.

Whatever has to be tabled, relinquished, if necessary, let it be.

Power is one.

Retention of power by any means, shouldn’t be about

surrendering the obligations that accompany sovereignty, its inheritance. I started to write betrayal of leadership obligations, abscondment for self-preservation and maintenance of the political status quo, but abandoned.

Xmas does that to me.

It is a sacred right to defend the land against all comers.

Perhaps, Mr. Phillips, a political holy man, can educate Guyanese, as to why that same sacred obligation to defend the fruits of that same land (and attendant seas) does not command the same call to duty. Doesn’t exist. In avoiding putting PM Phillips on a spot, I ease into this lesson, with his own words pilfered for background, basis. Sanctity of contract.

C l e a r l y, u n d o u b t e d l y,

inarguably, sanctity of contract currently vanquishes sanctity of sovereignty.

The same sovereignty and all those duties that PM Phillips thoughtfully specified. It is my immovable position that the call to preserve and protect territorial integrity must extend to and energise the preservation and protection of this nation’s natural resource birthright.

No matter the power of Exxon and its daunting imperial projection, a full fight must be waged.

I offer what should find favor with an old general in the still youthful PM. When a mighty foe cannot be overcome conventionally, then preservation and protection of national assets

(inviolable borders, sacrosanct family gifts) must be undertaken by nonconventional ways.

Should I say a scorched earth stand? I shudder, but the type of irregular combat that fits the situation, is to the advantage of the shorthanded. Pres. Ali may be lost in his blissful fantasist world.

But not former presidents Donald Ramotar, Bharrat Jagdeo, and David Granger. Here is a name that should ring a bell to General Phillips, all those former presidents.

General Vo Nguyen Giap. And another Ho Chi Minh. Point made, lesson over.

Sanctity of contract is to surrender all those noble responsibilities of which PM Phillips spoke so glowingly relative to territorial integrity.

Sanctity of contract, I believe, represents the worst in what is cowardly. Sanctity of contract is a king abandoning his post without so much as hard stare in his direction. Of what value is this patented farce of defending borders, of preserving national dignity, when there is the groveling, rolling over and

lying as if dying before a feared foe, without a finger lifted? Words and postures for the sake of both. They wear rather thinly, Mr. PM. If there can be this shameless kowtowing at the feet of Mr. Woods and his Viceroy, Mr. Routledge, then what intestinal sturdiness, what innovative sagacity can be brought to bear against a formidable and rampaging Maduro? Talk is easy and talk is cheap.

When a considerable portion of this nation’s energy is misused against Guyanese freethinkers held as hated enemies, then not the best is left for the machinations of a man like Maduro.

Sad to say, and to my dismay, when PM Phillips spoke from one side of his mouth, he went off halfcocked and came out half-baked. A man who tells half the story.

Merry Christmas, PM Phillips, sir!

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

Blanhum hails CID’s...

From page 2 incentive and trophy from the Force also received gifts from Mr. Samuels, China Trading, Exclusive Styles, RK’s Security and Queensway Security.

Fredericks in an accepting speech expressed deep gratitude and humility for the recognition. She thanked God for guidance and extended appreciation to the Commissioner of Police, senior leadership and the ranks of the Criminal Investigation Department for their support and confidence in her leadership.

Fredericks noted that receiving the awards during the tenure of the Minister of Home Affairs, Ms. Oneidge Walrond served as a powerful affirmation that excellence within the Guyana Police Force knows no gender. She dedicated the awards to her colleagues, particularly the ranks of the Narcotics Branch and CID, emphasising that the achievements reflected collective effort, unity and perseverance. Awards were presented across several categories during the ceremony. Academic awards were conferred on nine ranks who recently graduated from the University of Guyana.

Fourteen ranks from departments within the Criminal Investigation Department were recognised for outstanding performance. Awards were also presented for Regional Detectives Best Cop, along with commendations to supporting stakeholders for their contributions to policing and crime-fighting efforts.

The event also featured musical renditions by the Guyana Police Force Band and cultural performances, adding to the celebratory atmosphere. Also in attendance were Director of Public Prosecutions Ms. Shalimar AliHack, National Security Advisor Captain Gerry Gouveia Snr., Deputy Commissioner ‘Administration’ Mr. Ravindradat Budhram, Deputy Commissioner and Head of SOCU Mr. Fazil Karimbaksh, Deputy Commissioner Simon McBean, senior and junior officers, other ranks and stakeholders.

Tuesday December 23, 2025

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

Tuesday December 23, 2025

APNU criticises Govt. for not holding contractors accountable in major road projects

T

he A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has strongly criticised the government for failing to hold contractors accountable for the poor quality of infrastructural projects in Guyana.

Despite President Irfaan Ali’s recent speech outlining plans for 2026, the APNU pointed out that key issues related to flawed projects were not addressed. Member of Parliament, Terrence Campbell, raised concerns over the government’s failure to address persistent issues in roadwork and other major infrastructure projects. According to Campbell, the government has not been holding contractors accountable for “shabby” work, despite highlighting numerous ongoing infrastructure projects. He stated, “While

the President highlighted roads, bridges, and megaprojects, he failed to acknowledge persistent quality failures, premature deterioration, and the absence of accountability for contractors and cost overruns.”

Campbell further criticised the lack of transparency, claiming that the public has not seen evidence of any contractors being penalised for substandard work. “We have not seen evidence in the public domain going after contractors for shabby work and one can take in its own logical conclusion, one could arrive at the point that so many of these contracts are given to friends, family, and favourites. When shabby work is being done, it then becomes difficult for the government to go after these individuals, so the Guyanese

taxpayers pay, over and over again, for shabby work by contractors,” he added.

MP Nema Flu Bess also pointed out the deteriorating quality of roads, which are vital for transportation in various communities. She cited the Hero’s Highway as a prime example of poor construction. “The Hero’s Highway is a perfect example; ever so often you always end up in a hill or valley. I can give you an example of the piece in Craig, the recently opened area in Craig, there is a particular section on that road, if you don’t know how you are driving there, you could end up on a different path because of the waves that are there,” Bess explained. She also highlighted the deterioration of roads in areas like Grove, where residents are dissatisfied with the

A section of Heroes Highway construction quality, making it difficult for drivers to navigate.

In his speech last Wednesday, President Ali outlined several major infrastructural projects, including further advancements in the

construction of Silica City and rehabilitation works of t h e H e r o e s H i g h w a y.

Kaieteur News on Saturday reported that three years after government commissioned the US$65 million Heroes Highway project, the Ali-led administration has only now

moved to find contractors for an asphaltic overlay on the road. This delay has added to the mounting cost of the road, making it one of the country’s most expensive infrastructure projects.

Campbell, during the Continued on page 16

GECOM Deputy Elections Chief quits …exit set for January 2026 Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO) of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Aneal Giddings has tendered his resignation.

In a brief interview with Kaieteur News, Giddings confirmed his resignation, following the circulation of media reports. He noted that his resignation will be effective January 2026.

The Deputy Chief Elections Officer declined to comment on the reason for his decision to end his employment with the elections commission. He also refused to share information on his next step, even as reports indicate that Giddings will be heading to the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), another state agency. He said, “I won’t be able to confirm that. I prefer not to speak about all that at

the moment. In time it will come out.”

Giddings has been employed with GECOM as DCEO since 2023. He previously served as Information Technology (IT) Manager of the e l e c t i o n s b o d y. T h e Commission’s decision to appoint Giddings was met with objections from opposition-nominated commissioner, Vincent Alexander who had accused GECOM of failing to follow the required criteria for the appointment.

At the time Alexander claimed that GECOM had for the third time skipped the mandatory protocol to appoint Giddings, whom he described at the time as a People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) preferred candidate to the position of DCEO. He explained then that

Deputy Chief Elections Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission, Aneal Giddings when the position was originally advertised, another candidate met the requirements but was not appointed. Alexander claimed that the position was nevertheless readvertised. This, he said resulted in Giddings, who was at the time of applying, one year short of the required experience being placed under consideration.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday December 23, 2025

PAGE 13

Commonwealth urges sweeping electoral reforms ...calls on GECOM to prioritise adoption of biometrics for next elections The Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) has called for urgent reforms to strengthen the independence of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), modernise campaign finance laws, improve voter registration, and enhance inclusion and t r a n s p a r e n c y, e v e n a s i t commended Guyana for conducting largely peaceful General and Regional Elections on 1 September 2025.

Among one of its recommendations the group also called for the adoption of biometric technology early in the next elections cycle to enhance integrity, efficiency and credibility in the electoral process and that registration card of Commonwealth citizens should clearly identify the name of the Commonwealth country of citizenship.

The group also called on GECOM to publish disaggregated data on the number of registered electors from Commonwealth countries, stating the respective countries and number of electors. It also wants to see a more robust and c o n s i s t e n t p u b l i c education/awareness by GECOM on the eligibility of voters, including Commonwealth citizens.

Both issues of biometrics and

Some members of the Commonwealth Observer Mission during the recent elections. commonwealth citizens being eligible to vote here were top complaints by the opposition heading into the September 1, 2025 general and regional elections here.

In its report, the Group stressed that while Guyana’s electoral and legal framework provides a sound constitutional foundation, persistent challenges, particularly the politicisation of GECOM, judicial delays, uneven voter registration, and gaps in data collection continue to undermine public confidence in the electoral process. Addressing these issues, the Commonwealth said, is

essential to consolidating electoral integrity and democratic governance ahead of future polls.

The recommendations follow the deployment of a Commonwealth Observer Group

by Secretary-General Hon Shirley Botchwey, after a Pre-Election Assessment Mission held from 19 to 26 July 2025. The 10-member Group, made up of eminent persons and led by a chair, was present in Guyana from 23 August to 7 September 2025, observing campaign activities and election day operations across seven regions.

During its mission, the Group engaged extensively with political leaders, electoral authorities, security forces, civil society organisations, the media, and international partners. Observers also monitored the conduct of the campaign and the administration of the polls in a politically charged environment shaped by rapid economic transformation and deepseated political polarisation.

The 2025 elections took place against the backdrop of Guyana’s emergence as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies following the discovery of major

offshore oil reserves in 2015.

Observers noted that the high economic stakes intensified political competition, as voters viewed the elections as pivotal to the management of oil revenues, wealth distribution, and governance reforms. At the same time, Guyana’s long-standing territorial dispute with Venezuela over the Essequibo region—now before the International Court of Justice—added to the broader national context.

Despite a pre-election environment marked by mistrust in the electoral system and growing political fragmentation, the Group found that fundamental freedoms of assembly, expression, and campaigning were largely respected. The Ethnic Relations Commission’s Code of Conduct, designed to discourage hate speech and promote non-violence, was highlighted as a positive initiative to address ethnic polarisation, although the Group noted that not all political parties signed on due to concerns about enforcement. The Commonwealth observers praised the calm and orderly atmosphere in which the elections were conducted, commending the electorate, security forces, GECOM, and political leaders for Continued on page 16

PAGE 14

Kaieteur News

Tuesday December 23, 2025

‘We just want his body back’ — family pleads for help after Corentyne fisherman vanishes at sea Family members and friends of 54-year-old fisherman Permaul Punsammy of Whim Village, Corentyne, are pleading for assistance as efforts continue to recover his body after he reportedly fell overboard and disappeared during a fishing trip over the weekend.

Speaking to Kaieteur News on Monday, his daughter Kamini, 30, said that Punsammy left on November 27 last to go on his fishing activities, which he has been doing for over three decades.

Kamini stated that the man alongside three other fishermen had planned to make a “double trip,” and they arrived in neighbouring Suriname on December 7 with the intention of returning to local shores in time for Christmas. The quartet, which included a captain, was fishing in the Coppename River, Suriname.

On December 15, the four-man crew left Suriname

to make their second trip.

“On the fifth day at sea, they were pulling in seine and they said how he tripped and fell overboard,” Kamini stated.

The grieving daughter shared that she received a call from the captain on December 20 to inform her of the incident. “The captain of the boat called me and said ‘Kamini, yuh daddy fall overboard and we can’t find he,” she said. The boat owner also dispatched another boat with some of the man’s relatives to aid in the recovery effort, which was also unsuccessful. His son-in-law also confirmed to this publication that Punsammy had some time back confided in him his inability to swim.

Punsammy’s brother was also onboard with him when the tragedy occurred. His crewmen were unable to recover him despite scanning the area immediately. The men shared a close relationship with him, his daughter noted.

Feared dead: Permaul Punsammy, 54 “We are asking for help (from) whoever can come out with speedboat or whatever, if the Coast Guard can come out and help search up this side, because...if he dead, the body gon wash to come up this side. We need more boats to come out and search.”

He was holding on to the seine, she explained, but only his sticker suit and his headlight were found. She further expressed that any survival could only be a miracle, but the family has since accepted the strong likelihood that Punsammy had drowned. As such, they are hoping that the Coast Guards or other fishermen can recover his body so that some measure of closure could be afforded them.

Tuesday December 23, 2025

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

Oil loading in Venezuela slows, more ships make U-turns after new U.S. interceptions ( R e u t e r s ) - Ta n k e r l o a d i n g i n Ve n e z u e l a dwindled on Monday, with most ships moving oil c a rg o e s o n l y b e t w e e n domestic ports following U.S. action against two more ships and as state-run energy company PDVSA struggles to recover from a cyberattack, according to tracking data and sources.

The U.S. Coast Guard this month seized a supertanker under sanctions carrying Venezuelan oil and tried to intercept two more Venezuela-related ships over the weekend, U.S. authorities said. One of them is an empty ship under U.S. sanctions, and the other is an unsanctioned, fully loaded tanker bound for China.

Washington has not provided updated information on the s h i p s . H o w e v e r, U . S .

President Donald Trump’s announced blockade of all oil tankers under sanctions entering and leaving Venezuela has kept vessel owners on alert.

P a n a m a ’s F o r e i g n Minister Javier MartinezAcha said in a TV interview on Monday that supertanker Centuries, which was flying P a n a m a ’s f l a g w h e n intercepted on Saturday, did not respect the country’s maritime rules and had altered its name and disconnected its transponder while carrying an oil cargo out of Venezuela.

A country that provides its flag to a vessel in its

Government supporters participate in a protest against U.S. President Donald Trump’s order to blockade sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, in Caracas, Venezuela December 17, 2025. REUTERS/File Photo official registry can cancel the ship’s registration if an investigation determines it did not follow maritime rules. Trump’s pressure campaign on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has included a ramped-up military presence in the region and more than two dozen military strikes on vessels the U.S. alleges are transporting drugs in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea near the South American nation. At least 100 people have been killed.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday Washington’s goal was to secure regional stability and

security, adding that “The current status quo with the Ve n e z u e l a n r e g i m e i s intolerable for the United States.”

OIL PRICES RISE The vessel interceptions have dealt the toughest blow to PDVSA since the U.S. Treasury Department in 2020 imposed sanctions on the company’s former oil trading firms, two units of Russia’s Rosneft, which forced output and export cuts. Brent crude futures rose 2.4% to $61.94 a barrel on Monday afternoon, while U.S. WTI crude also climbed 2.4% to $57.89 following the U.S. actions and amid

R u s s i a ’s w a r a g a i n s t Ukraine, with both developments raising fears of supply disruptions.

The U.S. has paused a $40 billion technology deal it struck with Britain earlier this year. As of Monday, PDVSA had delivered a 1.9 million-barrel cargo of heavy crude to the Arubaflagged sanctioned vessel Azure Voyager at the Jose port, but no other supertanker bound for Asia was scheduled to load soon, internal company documents showed.

The number of loaded tankers that have not departed has increased in

recent days, leaving millions of barrels of Venezuelan oil stuck in ships, while customers demand deeper discounts and contract changes to take risky voyages beyond the country’s waters.

S o m e t a n k e r s approaching Venezuela’s coast, either to load oil for export or to deliver imported naphtha, have also made Uturns or suspended navigation recently until instructions from owners to load are clarified, LSEG monitoring data showed on Monday. PDVSA is slowly restoring some online systems and resorting to written records after a cyberattack last week. The company has been unable to fully re-establish its centralised administrative system, and many workers have not received their salaries on time, sources said.

PDVSA and Venezuela’s Oil Ministry have not replied to requests for comment. The country’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yvan Gil, said on Monday the U.S. seizures are against international law and constitute “acts of piracy.” China’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday the recent U.S. interceptions were a serious violation of international law. PDVSA’s main joint-venture partner Chevron exported a 500,000-barrel cargo of Venezuelan oil on Sunday, bound for the U.S. Gulf

Coast on one of its tankers under its U.S. authorisation, LSEG ship data showed. Oil Minister Delcy Rodriguez said on Sunday Venezuela had not interrupted deliveries to Chevron.

Chevron has exported seven cargoes of Venezuelan oil to the U.S. this month, each carrying between 300,000 and 500,000 barrels, according to monitoring data.

PURSUED BY THE U.S. The empty supertanker Bella 1, which the U.S. Coast Guard tried to intercept on Sunday when the ship approached Venezuela, was drifting on Monday northeast of Bermuda in the Caribbean, a satellite image o b t a i n e d b y Ta n k e r Tr a c k e r s . c o m showed. A U.S. official told Reuters on Sunday the tanker had not been boarded and that interceptions could take different forms including by sailing or flying close to vessels of concern.

The loaded vessel Skipper, the first seized by the U.S. this month, on Sunday reached an area near the Galveston, Texas, port for transferring oil cargoes, maritime sources said.

Guyana said last week the tanker had falsely used its flag. Collectively, Skipper, Centuries and Bella 1 have exported 41 million barrels of crude oil and fuel oil out of Iran and Venezuela in recent years, TankerTrackers.com said.

PAGE 16

Tuesday December 23, 2025

Kaieteur News

Taxi driver gunned down; teen injured

A

WANTED

VACANCY

Sales Rep needed, ages 1830 years. Knowledge of vehicle model will be an asset. Contact: 619-1237.

One Day and one Night nurse for the East Bank, call 615-9132 .

Wanted house lot to buy & land with unfinished building. We pay cash.

Call: 216-0671 / 692-8464.

Whataspp 622-0267.

Office Secretary wanted at export company in Land Of Canaan. Email: glinc20112011@gmail.com Live in maid wanted please call : 762-3155, Robb Street Bourda.

Wanted one Maid. For more information please Call: 680-1282.

VEHICLES FOR SALE 1 Honda CRV, includes TV, music system, alarm, reverse camera, spoiler, low mileage, PTT Series (first owner). Call: 6490956.

TOURS Suriname fireworks extravaganza. Celebration, tours, shopping, sightseeing, casino party bus, dolphin tour & more.

Call/Whatsapp: 639-2663/ 673-2348 .

OFFICE ASSISTANT / MESSENGER . Please send application to P.O.BOX 10109 , Georgetown . A valid motorcycle license .

LAND FOR LEASE Wales public road, W.B.D, Parcel 21 (0.467 acres) 20,342 SQ FT. Available long term 20-25 years. Sign on property.

Phone / Whatsapp: 592615-2270 / 592-628-8619.

Wales public road, W.B.D, Parcel 25 (0.494 acres) 21,388 SQ FT. Available long term 20-25 years. Sign on property.

Phone / Whatsapp: 592615-2270 / 592-628-8619.

Malgre Tout, W.B.D, (South of Masjid) - Lot C' (1.347 acres) 58,675 Ft. Available long term 20-25 years. Sign on property.

Phone / Whatsapp: 592615-2270 / 592-628-8619.

Versailles, W.B.D, (South of Aracari Hotel)-Lot 167 (4.6606 acres) 203,016 SQ FT. Available long term 20-25 years. Sign on property. Phone / Whatsapp: 592-615-2270/ 592-628-8619.

FOR SALE TRUCK TIRES 295 / 75R22.5 $40K EACH. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL / WHATSAPP:+592-6883201.

ENTERTAINMENT SERVICES VISA Application for USA, Canada, UK, ETA, ETC. Naturalisation guidance + application filling & Building Plans. Tel: 626-7040.

Family Fun Aracari Resort! Crystal clear pool, safe kids & adult sections, music & food. West Bank Demerara. Call: 264-2946-9.

Need a bus? Planning a tour or trip? Call/whatsapp Matthew's Bus Service & tours at: 639-2663, 673-2348, 689-6661.

ACCOMMODATIONS Aracari hotel renovated rooms,LEGAL A/C, TV,NOTICE Restaurant, Bar, Pool, Gym. Stay 7 nights, 1 FREE! Call 264 2946.

27-year-old man Xavier Fraser, a taxi driver was fatally shot on Sunday night near to his home at Mercy Wing, Plum Park, Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

The shooting, which occurred around 22:36 hours has left another man nursing gunshot injuries at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

According to a statement from Police an investigation has been launched into the incident and it has been indicated so far that the deceased was at the location when he sustained gunshot injuries.

However, the circumstances surrounding the incident are being actively investigated.

“The injured man was transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he was pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor on duty.

A 19-year-old male, also of Plum Park, who sustained gunshot injuries was admitted to the said hospital and remains in a stable condition,” police said.

Spacious , Furnished 900 SQ FT 1 bed/1 bath in Subryanville. Call: 6242619/624-4636

Deceased 27-year-old Xavier Fraser Fraser’s remains are currently at the hospital’s mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination, while CCTV footage is being reviewed as investigations continue.

In an interview his mother Thelma Butters told reporters that she was asleep when she heard someone calling for “inside.” She said she looked outside and the individual who was a friend of her son then informed her, “Xavier

get shot, Xavier get shot”.

“I saw my son on his knees saying Ma, ma and the guy took him to the hospital.

When I reached the hospital, now, the guy told me that he was taking my son to buy a gun and he got shot.

This is as much as I can say. I don’t believe that my son was going to buy a gun, but I believe that my son was set up and get shot because the young man in question is re-

sponsible for [another murder] too…So I think we need a proper investigation from the Police Force so we could know what happened to my son,” Butters said.

The grieving mother described her son as a loving child, and for the past six years since her separation from her husband she could not have asked for a better child. “…my son stood by my side for the last six years as a father to his children and father to my children and a backbone to me. I didn’t expect this from Xavier…My son was sick for the last week. He had an influenza, also he was in bed all the time,” she added.

Butters told the media that Xavier worked a lot, as they both would get contracts to do drains.

When questioned if she knew of him being involved in anything illegal, she said, “No illegal, no nothing.

His mother would support him. His father would support him and family and the contracts also. He got his car and he would work taxi from time to time. That’s it.”

APNU criticises Govt. for not holding contractors...

From page 12 APNU press conference, criticised the government’s handling of the project. He said, “Talk about putting the cart before the horse, everything this government does is rushed, it’s a brainwave.

The President wakes up one morning and this is what they’re going to do without thinking the project through properly, without feasibility studies, and this is why now,

almost four or five years after they started the whole Heroes Highway, we’re now talking about an asphaltic overlay.”

Earlier this year, Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill had warned contractors that they would not be paid for poorly constructed roads.

Addressing contractors at a substandard section of road in Wisroc, Linden, Edghill stated, “Poorly done work

will not be paid for. While contractors have been given timelines and deadlines, we (government) will not accept poor-quality work.”

He also added that contractors who deliver low-quality work would not be given further opportunities to bid for future projects. The Minister emphasised that all concrete roads must meet a specific standard of 4500 pounds per square inch (PSIA) and un-

dergo testing by government labs before payments are made.

Edghill also made it clear that engineers who approve substandard work would face consequences, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring value for money and quality service for the people of Guyana.

However, so far, no actions have been reported in this regard.

Commonwealth urges sweeping electoral reforms...

From page 13 respecting election-related procedures and reinforcing public calls for peace and national unity in the lead-up to polling day.

The Group also acknowledged the Commonwealth’s longstanding engagement in supporting Guyana’s electoral processes, including the provision of Good Offices and technical assistance. It noted the deployment in both 2020 and 2025 of senior electoral experts—Dr. Kwadwo

PROPERTY FOR SALE FOR RENT

…in late night shooting in Sophia

Herstelling two storey house 4 bedrooms,3 bathrooms apartment,garage,and recreation space.Asking price : 128 million . Call 6288619/615-2270 .

Afari-Gyan, former Chairperson of Ghana’s Electoral Commission, and Dr. Nasim Zaidi, former Chief Election Commissioner of India to support GECOM. While lauding the Government’s efforts to harmonise and modernise electoral legislation through amendments to the Representation of the People Act and the National Registration Act in 2022, the Group cautioned that legal reforms must be matched by consistent and transparent implementation.

On inclusion, the report welcomed notable progress

in women’s political participation, including the presence of two female presidential candidates and three female prime ministerial candidates, and the fact that women now account for more than one-third of Parliament.

However, it underscored the absence of sex-disaggregated data within GECOM, which limits effective planning and accountability.

The Group further noted the continued underrepresentation of youth, persons with disabilities, Amerindian peoples, and civil society actors, urging stron-

ger data collection, inclusive policy enforcement, and sustained civic engagement.

Overall, the Commonwealth Observer Group concluded that while Guyana’s 2025 elections were conducted in a peaceful manner and broadly reflected respect for democratic principles, meaningful reforms and the implementation of longstanding recommendations remain critical to improving electoral credibility, strengthening public trust, and ensuring more inclusive participation in future elections.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday December 23, 2025

PAGE 17

Panama says Venezuela-related Jamaican pastor pleads guilty to tax evasion tanker intercepted by US did not follow maritime rules

Panama’s Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha addresses a meeting of the U.N. Security Council on maintenance of international peace and security at U.N. headquarters in New York City, U.S, March 24, 2025. REUTERS/Mike Segar PANAMA CITY, Dec 22 (Reuters) - Panama’s foreign minister said on Monday that a tanker recently intercepted by the U.S. that was under Panama’s flag did not r e s p e c t t h e c o u n t r y ’s

maritime rules and had disconnected its transponder while navigating out of Venezuelan waters carrying a crude cargo.

Foreign minister Javier Martinez-Acha added in a TV interview that Panama

would take measures accordingly. He did not elaborate further.

A country providing its flag to a vessel officially added to its registry can cancel the ship’s registration if an investigation

determines that it did not follow maritime rules.

The supertanker Centuries, targeted by the U.S. Guard Coast Guard on Saturday after leaving Venezuela’s, was flying Panama’s flag.

France rushes emergency budget law to avert shutdown after talks collapse PA R I S , D e c 2 2 ( R e u t e r s ) - F r a n c e ’s government will push lawmakers to approve emergency legislation to keep the state running into January after they failed to agree on a 2026 budget, a stopgap measure to avert a shutdown as pressure mounts from investors and ratings agencies.

G o v e r n m e n t spokesperson Maud Bregeon said on Monday the special law aimed to give final negotiations a chance.

The Reuters Gulf Currents newsletter brings you the latest on geopolitics, energy and finance in the region. Sign up here.

A joint committee of lawmakers from both chambers failed on Friday to hammer out a full 2026 budget bill, forcing French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu to seek this stopgap measure to extend spending, tax collection and borrowing into January.

“This special law is not a budget ... we must, as quickly as possible, in January, come up with a

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu

budget for the country,” Bregeon added, quoting French President Emmanuel Macron.

Parliament was likely to approve the measure on Tuesday.

Investors and ratings

agencies are scrutinising France’s finances, with the country running the euro zone’s highest budget deficit.

LECORNU WANTS TO AVOID CONFIDENCE VOTE

Conservative lawmaker Philippe Juvin, who has been steering the 2026 budget through the lower house, said he expected a full text to be passed in early January.

Juvin told BFM TV he hoped Lecornu would use special constitutional powers to force through a compromise text that could be amenable to Socialist lawmakers.

Lecornu had pledged not to use such powers and to do so would likely trigger a vote of no confidence from the far right or hard left, though such a motion would fail without Socialist support.

L e c o r n u ’s m i n o r i t y government has little room for manoeuvre in France’s fractious parliament, where budget battles have already toppled three governments since Macron lost his majority in a 2024 snap election.

France used emergency rollover legislation last year until a proper 2025 budget could be passed in February, which the government says cost 12 billion euros ($14 billion).

NEW YORK (CMC) – A Jamaican-born pastor at a church in Brooklyn, New York has pleaded guilty in federal court to a tax evasion scheme.

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) said that Paul Mitchell, 60, the lead pastor of Changing Lives Christian Centre in the East N e w Yo r k s e c t i o n o f Brooklyn and president of the church’s educational daycare, pleaded guilty to “a criminal information charging him with one count of tax evasion.”

According to court filings, Mitchell, who resides in West Hempstead, Long Island, New York, was the founder of both the church and the educational day care centre.

The DOJ said that, between 2015 and 2022, “Mitchell used the organisations’ credit cards to pay for his personal expenses, including men’s clothing, thousands of dollars in jewellery, luxury watches, and life insurance premiums.”

Pastor Mitchell also wrote cheques from the church’s bank accounts to pay his own credit card bills and personal income taxes.

“As part of the scheme, Mitchell frequently withdrew large amounts of

cash from bank accounts for the church and the day care and transferred funds from those accounts into his own bank accounts,” the DOJ said.

“He failed to report his use of the stolen funds as income on his personal income tax returns, which significantly reduced his tax burden and allowed him to evade the payment of personal income taxes,” it added.

As a result of his conduct, the DOJ said Mitchell “caused a tax loss” of about US$2 906,072 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and about US $316 699 to New York State between 2015 and 2022.

The DOJ said Mitchell faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, restitution, and fines of up to US$250 000.

Changing Lives Christian Centre says on its website that Mitchell is the senior pastor and visionary for the church.

“Pastor Mitchell believes that, as human being we have a responsibility to empower one another,” it says.

“He believes that the human spirit, which houses the purpose for which we’ve all been created, must be nurtured, both naturally and spiritually.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 18

Tuesday December 23, 2025

Israel kills two Palestinians in Gaza City as ceasefire violations mount (ALJAZEERA) - Israeli forces have killed at least two Palestinians in the Gaza Strip as Israel continues to violate a ceasefire agreement and block desperately needed humanitarian aid to the warravaged coastal enclave.

The Palestinian news agency Wafa reported on Monday that two people were killed after Israeli troops opened fire in the Shujayea neighbourhood of eastern Gaza City.

Their deaths bring the total number of Palestinians reported killed in Gaza over the past 24 hours to at least 12, including eight whose bodies were recovered from the rubble in the territory.

The Gaza City attack is the latest in hundreds of Israeli violations of a United Statesbrokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which came into effect on October 10.

Gaza’s Government Media Office on Monday condemned Israel’s “serious and systematic violations” of the truce, noting that the Israeli authorities had breached the ceasefire 875 times since it came into

A displaced Palestinian child stands outside his family’s shelter during a rainy day at a makeshift camp west of Gaza City [File: Mohammed Saber/EPA]

force. That includes continued Israeli air and artillery attacks, unlawful demolitions of Palestinian homes and other civilian infrastructure, and at least 265 incidents of Israeli troops shooting Palestinian civilians, the office said in a statement.

At least 411 Palestinians have been killed and 1,112 others wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza since the ceasefire began, it added.

Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of Palestinian families displaced by Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza continue to grapple with a lack of humanitarian supplies, including adequate food, medicine and shelter.

As the occupying power in Gaza, Israel has an obligation under international law to provide for the needs of Palestinians there. But the United Nations and other

humanitarian groups say it has systematically failed to allow unimpeded deliveries of aid into Gaza. The situation has been worsened by a series of winter storms that have pummelled the Strip in recent weeks, with rights groups saying Israel’s refusal to allow tents, blankets and other supplies into Gaza is part of its genocidal policy and threatening Palestinian lives.

On Monday, the Gaza Government Media Office said that only 17,819 trucks entered the territory out of the 43,800 that were supposed to be allowed in since the ceasefire came into effect in October. That amounts to an average of just 244 trucks per day – far below the 600 trucks that Israel agreed to allow into Gaza daily under the ceasefire agreement, the office said.

On Monday, a spokesperson for UN chief Antonio Guterres reiterated the call “for the lifting of all restrictions of the entry of aid into Gaza, including shelter material”. “Over the past 24 hours, and despite the ceasefire, we have continued to receive reports of air strikes, shelling and gunfire in all five governorates of Gaza.

This has resulted in reported casualties and disruptions to humanitarian operations,” Stephane Dujarric said.

He said that the UN’s humanitarian partners are working to address the significant shelter needs, particularly for displaced

families living in unsafe conditions.

“Our partners continue to work to improve access to dignified shelter for approximately 1.3 million people in Gaza in the past week, about 3,500 families affected by storms are living in flood prone areas,” he said. Dujarric said that aid deliveries have included tents, bedding sets, mattresses and blankets, as well as winter clothing for children, but the needs remain overwhelming. The appeals come a day after the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza said that a lack of drugs and other healthcare supplies was making it difficult to provide care to patients.

Nearly all of Gaza’s hospitals and healthcare facilities were attacked during Israel’s two-year bombardment of the territory, damaging at least 125 facilities, including 34 hospitals. The Israeli army has killed at least 70,937 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly women and children, and injured 171,192 others since its genocidal war began in October 2023.

Trump pulls 30 envoys in ‘America First’ push, critics say it weakens US abroad WASHINGTON, Dec 22 (Reuters) - The Trump administration is recalling nearly 30 ambassadors and other senior career diplomats to ensure embassies reflect its “America First” priorities, a move critics said would weaken U.S. credibility abroad.

The State Department declined to provide a list of the diplomats being recalled.

A senior department official said on Monday the move was “a standard process in any administration” but critics said that was not so.

The Reuters Gulf Currents newsletter brings you the latest on geopolitics, energy and finance in the region. Sign up here.

“An ambassador is a personal representative of the president, and it is the president’s right to ensure

A general view of a U.S. State Department sign outside the U.S. State Department building in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 11, 2025. REUTERS/Annabelle Gordon/File Photo

that he has individuals in these countries who advance the America First agenda,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Nearly 30 senior

diplomats were among those ordered back to Washington, people familiar with the matter said.

They were posted to smaller countries where the

top U.S. representative has traditionally been from the Foreign Service, which is made up of career officials not aligned with a political party, the people said.

The recalled diplomats were encouraged to find new roles in the State Department, a second U.S. official said.

The American Foreign Service Association representing foreign service officers said it was working to confirm which members were recalled after some reported being notified by phone with no explanation a process its spokesperson called “highly irregular.”

“Abrupt, unexplained recalls reflect the same pattern of institutional sabotage and politicization our survey data shows is already harming morale, effectiveness, and U.S. credibility abroad,” spokesperson Nikki Gamer said in an email.

The State Department declined to respond to Gamer’s comments.

Trump has sought to place loyalists in senior roles since starting his second term after encountering resistance during his first term advancing his foreign policy priorities within the U.S. national security establishment.

Jeanne Shaheen, ranking Democrat on the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, assailed the Republican administration’s removal of the diplomats while about 80 ambassadorial posts remain vacant.

“President Trump is giving away U.S. leadership to China and Russia by removing qualified career Ambassadors who serve faithfully no matter who’s in power,” Shaheen posted on X. “This makes America less safe, less strong and less prosperous.”

Tuesday December 23, 2025

Kaieteur News

PAGE 19

Chinese businessman Midnight hit-and-run killed in robbery at Canje on Cemetery Road claims life of biker Police are hunting the driver of a speeding motor car who fled the scene after a deadly hit-and-run on Cemetery Road, Georgetown, shortly after midnight on Monday, leaving a 59-year-old electric cyclist dead on the roadway. Police are investigating a fatal hit-and-run accident which occurred on Monday about 00:30hrs on Cemetery Road, Georgetown.

The accident involved motor car PAB 6212, a dark-coloured Toyota Rumion, driven by a male whose name, age and address are unknown at this time and an

electric cycle EM 6699. Dead is Trevon Bacchus a 59-year-old of Roxanne Burnham Gardens, Georgetown who was riding the cycle at the time.

Preliminary investigations disclosed that motor car PAB 6212 was proceeding north along the western drive lane of Cemetery Road, Georgetown at an alleged fast rate of speed when the electric cyclist, who was proceeding north along the extreme western edge of the said road, was struck from the rear after the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle.

Police are investigating a brutal earlymorning robbery that claimed the life of a 61year-old businessman and left his colleague injured after the two were attacked by knifewielding assailants at their Cumberland Village, East Canje, Berbice residence around 05:00hrs on Monday.

In a press release police said they are investigating the murder which occurred about 05:00hrs at Cumberland Village, East Canje, Berbice which resulted in the death of Chen Yongping, a 61-year-old businessman and injuries to a 32-year-old business colleague of the same address.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the two victims had returned home after

travelling earlier that morning when they were confronted by two identifiable males armed with knives, who allegedly robbed them of a quantity of Guyana currency and mobile phones.

During the incident, both victims sustained injuries and stab wounds and were escorted to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital for medical treatment where Yongping succumbed to his injuries while receiving care and the injured male was subsequently discharged. The body of the deceased is presently at a funeral parlour awaiting a post-mortem examination. The suspects are presently being sought as investigations continue.

PAGE 20

Kaieteur News

Tuesday December 23, 2025

Tuesday December 23, 2025

Kaieteur News

PAGE 21

PAGE 22

Kaieteur News

Tuesday December 23, 2025

Kaieteur News

Tuesday December 23, 2025

PAGE 23

GBA hails successful National Open tournament

T

he Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Boxing Gym once again underlined its supremacy on the local scene after retaining the Champion Gym title at the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) National Championships, which concluded over the weekend at the National Gymnasium.

Continuing a period of sustained dominance, the GDF finished with seven victories, comfortably ahead

of the Forgotten Youth Foundation, which secured three wins, to emerge as the most successful gym of the tournament. GBA President Steve Ninvalle applauded the “combined and extra effort” of his executive, coaches, referee/judges and boxers which allowed for a successful tournament.

“It was indeed heartening observe the collective push in the same direction,” Ninvalle said.

The championships

brought together the country’s leading gyms and boxers across schoolboy, youth, junior and elite divisions, delivering three days of keenly contested bouts and high-level performances.

Individual accolades were spread across several gyms, reflecting the growing depth of talent within the sport. Andrew ‘Six-head’ Lewis Gym enjoyed a standout showing, with Imhotep Vanderstoop being

Tuesday December 23, 2025 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.

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.

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.

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.

named Schoolboy Best Boxer after an impressive run marked by discipline and ring intelligence.

The gym also celebrated Ken Harvey, who captured the Best Youth Boxer award following a series of commanding performances.

In the junior ranks, Kurt Mahase of the New Amsterdam Boxing Association was adjudged Best Junior Boxer, rewarding his consistency and technical sharpness throughout the tournament.

The elite division produced some of the weekend’s most compelling action. Emmanuel Pompey of t h e F o r g o t t e n Yo u t h Foundation was crowned Elite Best Boxer, while teammate Abiola Jackman walked away with the Best Female Boxer award, highlighting the foundation’s continued impact in developing both male and female fighters at the senior level.

National Champion and Olympian Keevin Allicock

GBA assistant secretary treasurer Seon Bristol (right) hands over C/ship trophy to GDF coach Steel Crawford. association.

The body expressed satisfaction with the overall level of competition, stating that the performances on display reflected the hard work and commitment shown by gyms throughout the year.

The association further indicated that it will now take a short break before resuming activities in the new year, as it continues to roll out its development and exposure initiatives aimed at strengthening boxing across Guyana.

added a special touch to the championships, making contributions of trophies and hampers on behalf of MVP Sports, Smalta and Jai Signs.

His involvement was warmly received and served as inspiration for the younger boxers aspiring to follow his path onto the international stage.

In a post-tournament release, the GBA noted that the championships officially bring the curtains down on what it described as a busy and productive year for the

Guyana youth team rebounds strongly...

From page 26 notable performances were his win against Dereon Bramble (1580) from Trinidad and Tobago in Round 8 and his draws with Nisarg Katri (1634) from Curazao, Aaron Jaikaran (1714) from Barbados, and Dez Graham (1661) from the Cayman Islands. Meanwhile, Emma John, making her first international tournament debut as an unrated player, earned two wins and three draws, amassing 3.5 points in the Girls’ section. Emma’s highlight performances were against Karen Salazar (1539) from Guatemala, and her draws against Suriname’s Avantika Poetoe (1449) and Jamaica’s Victoria Aung (1451).

In the U18 Girls, Ciel Clement (1446), no stranger to the international stage, finished with 2.5 points after facing some heavy competition in the category.

C l e m e n t ’s h i g h l i g h t performance came from her victory against a higherrated Kiara Otero (1510) from Puerto Rico and her draw against Aradhana Singh (1610) from Trinidad and Tobago.

The participants returned home on Sunday, December 21st, 2025. The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) commends the young

welfare and the parents whose support was instrumental throughout the tournament.

Special thanks to the coaches FM Anthony Drayton and CM Taffin Khan who prepared the athletes for the competition.

athletes who demonstrated exceptional skill and character on the international stage.

The federation expresses gratitude to Mrs. Tanya Warren-Clement, Head of Delegation, for her steadfast commitment to the team’s

Berbice River Bridge Closure to Road Traffic Tuesday December 23, 2025

For Ocean going Vessels & Trawlers 06:10hrs Wednesday December 24, 2025

For Ocean going Vessels & Trawlers 06:40hrs For Ocean Going Vessels opening last 1-1½ hrs DATE: 12/22/2025

3

4 13

7

11 14 15

9 0

0 Evening 6

DATE: 12/22/2025 Afternoon

5 3

DATE: 12/22/2025

2

8

17

2

7

14

18

26

DATE: 12/20/2025

5

19

24

28

E

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

PAGE 24

Tuesday December 23, 2025

Albion Masters clinch victory in the 2025 BMC O40s T20 tournament - Trophy Stall sponsors all the trophies for Big Man Cricket

T

his tournament was proudly sponsored by Peter Lewis Contracting & Asphalt Services, Permaul Trading & Distribution, Trophy Stall & Diamond Fire & General Ins Co Ltd. The day began with light rain at the picturesque Albion ground, causing a 40minute delay before the final could commence. However, this did not affect the number

of overs. Vintage Strikers won the toss and opted to bowl first, allowing Albion Masters to take the initial swing on an excellent batting surface.

Openers Keith Fraser and Heeralall Bridgelall started cautiously but soon found their rhythm, capitalizing on the Strikers’ subpar bowling and fielding.

Fraser’s innings came to an end at 124 after 11 overs,

Albion Masters clinched victory in the 2025 BMC O40s T20 cricket tournament.

Keith Fraser copped the Player of the Final award.

having taken full advantage of several dropped catches, finishing with an impressive 86 runs off just 36 balls, featuring 6 sixes and 7 fours.

Bridgelall, who had been playing a supporting role, was later joined by Royston Crandon with nine overs remaining. Bridgelall shifted gears and began to unleash some exquisite shots, reaching 71 runs off 46 balls before rain interrupted play during the 16th over. He had struck 2 sixes and 5 beautifully timed fours.

When the rain started, Albion Masters had posted a formidable score of 190/1 in 15.3 overs. After a 120minute delay to address the rain damage, play resumed, allowing Vintage Strikers a

revised target of 118 runs in just 8 overs. With a daunting required run rate of 14.75, the Strikers needed to start aggressively, but they lost wickets frequently.

After the loss of Andrew Lyght on the first ball, Richard Latif for 15 runs off 9 balls, and captain Troy Benn for 16 runs off 11 balls, the team faced a steady stream to the pavilion, ultimately finishing at 62/6 in their allotted 8 overs.

Crandon was instrumental in the bowling department, claiming 2 wickets for 17 runs in his 2 overs.

The match was attended

by Mr. Raj Singh, Chairman of the Cricket West Indies Masters Association, and Priscilla McIntosh,

Defending champs Silver Bullets, through to quarterfinals, Winners Connection, Capital FC, Milerock gain maximum points to advance - UDFA/ Banks DIH year ending Christmas futsal championship reaches knockout stage

T

he teams with unblemished r e c o r d s , defending champions Silver Shattas, Winners Connection, Capital FC and Milerock are through to the quarterfinals after preliminary round play ended on Sunday in the Upper Demerara Football Association/ Banks DIH year ending Christmas futsal tournament in Linden.

Playing at the tournament venue in Retrieve in Linden, the defending champions Silver Shattas topped Group A with seven points, despite being level on similar points with Topp XX, after both sides got two wins and a draw; but goal difference went in favour of Silver Shattas.

In their final round robin

match against Group A rivals Hi Stars, Shattas, who had a 3-3 stalemate with Topp XX, won 4-3 with Damian Williams getting two goals and Jehu Regis and Omar Brewley knocking in the other goals.

Hi Stars goals were registered by Jermaine King, Clinton Charles and Shemain Samuels.

On the night also in Group A, Topp XX gained victory via the walkover route, for their second win, following a no-show by Amelia’s Ward Panthers.

In a Group B encounter, Capital FC rebounded from a goal down to whip Blueberry Hill 3-1, with Emmanuel Atkins leading their charge with a brace, and the other goal registered

by Mortimer Giddings Jr.

Shaka Lewis Cedric had given hopes for Blueberry Hill, when he netted the opening goal of the game.

It was Capital FC’s third win in as many matches for nine points, but Blueberry Hill still advanced with six points from two wins and a loss.

Milerock, playing with just two other teams in Group D, pounded their way to a 7-1 drubbing of Rockstone, with Mark Fredericks slamming home a hat-trick, while Tyrese Lewis hit in two, and Roshan Kitt and Alleyne McAulley the other two goals.

Elon Simon was the lone scorer for Rockstone who were eliminated, as they were previously beaten by Botafago, who joined Milerock as Group D

qualifiers. From Group C, Winners Connection with three wins for nine points, topped the chart after beating FC YMCA 1-0, with the decider coming off the boot of Cedric Hunte.

But FC YMCA is the other team to move on after they ended on six points with two wins and a loss.

Other results from Sunday were, Fearless getting a win after Coomacka did not show, a n d n o p o i n t s were awarded after both Net Rockers and Eagles United failed to turn up for their Group C fixture.

The quarterfinals will be played on Boxing Night at the Community Hard Court in Retrieve, Linden.

Marketing Manager of Diamond Fire & General Insurance Co Ltd. Mr. Singh led the presentation ceremony, congratulating Albion Masters on their impressive win and Vintage Strikers for reaching the final.

The following awards, generously provided by Trophy Stall, were presented: - Winners trophy to Albion Masters along with a cash prize of $250,000 - Runners-up trophy to Vintage Strikers with a cash prize of $150,000 - Player of the Final award to Keith Fraser, including a trophy and a cash prize of $10,000 - Player of the Series award to Richard Latif, with a trophy and a cash prize of $10,000 A d d i t i o n a l l y, t w o centuries achieved during

the tournament were recognized with trophies and cash prizes of $10,000 each for Richard Latif and Vinode Samaroo.

In his closing remarks, the Chairman expressed gratitude to all teams that participated in the 5th annual Big Man Cricket tournament and emphasized the importance of fitness for players, highlighting that masters cricket promotes healthier lifestyles and serves as “the second innings” for retired international cricketers and cricket enthusiasts alike. He also announced that the next BMC tournament in 2026 will be an O40s 40-over format, gearing up for the IMC O40s ODI World Cup scheduled for October 2026, which will feature 16 countries and 72 matches.

Richard Latif claimed the Player of the Series award.

Tuesday December 23, 2025

Kaieteur News

PAGE 25

Former CWI president Cameron says Test Cricket is Crème de la crème, but isn’t for everyone - Believes current 1st class system not “Tough enough” Ex- Cricket West Indies (CWI) president Whycliffe “Dave” Cameron recently shared strong views on what he believes has been some issues plaguing the growth of the Windies team and overall leadership, during a recent episode of the Mason and Guests Show.

The ex-CWI head alongside a number of highprofile guests, including former West Indies skipper Carl Hooper, former opener Philo Wallace among others, shared their raw views on the current state of West Indies cricket during the December 16 episode of the weekly show hosted by journalist Andrew Mason, out of Barbados.

The Windies have been on a mixed run, suffering wins, losses and a few high points on the individual spectrum but their upward trajectory remains a challenge, thus promoting the old CWI Boss to speak on a few topics.

Chiming in on a number of issues they believe continue to plague and hamper West Indies’ cricket system from fully unlocking its potential, Cameron and Wallace mostly notably, were critical of the direction things seemingly are heading for.

During his tenure as CWI president, Cameron racked up a stellar portfolio as his leadership helped create history with 3 ICC World Titles in 2016.

West Indies etched their

Ex CWI president Dave Cameron name yet again in the cricket history books after winning the Men’s T20 World Cup, the Women’s World Cup and the Under-19 Men’s World Cup, which featured Guyanese and future West Indies senior players in Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul and Tevin Imlach.

Cameron was also the brainchild of the now the Professional Cricket League (PCL) Franchise, which helped revamp the Regional 4-Day tournament into a more championship, player development-type format; which holds a more than a decade after and is arguably the measuring-stick for Wi n d i e s Te s t C r i c k e t selection.

“Test Cricket is not for everybody. Test cricket is the Creme De Le Creme”, said the former CWI Boss who dubbed the format as the Pinnacle in the sport.

The Jamaican spoke on Guyanese all-rounder Kevlon Anderson, who has been another talent from within the first class system to mysteriously vanishing

from the Test scene despite a decent start to his international career.

“Good players are going to last 20 years, it’s not about quantity it’s about quality.

One good cricketer a year cannot win matches, we can’t consistently win cricket matches with just one player, we need a team of players who are doing well or at a certain level,” Cameron explained.

As such, Cameron believed that longevity is lacking in the current situation, highlighting a number of past Windies workhorses who had lengthy, successful careers before hanging up their gloves/boots.

Cameron added that he thinks the current first-class system isn’t “Tough Enough” and as such more quality cricket should be played to help harden players, something he said was done during his stint as CWI president; adding that he doesn’t see a plan with “Measurable Target”.

Wallace, who played 7 Tests and 33 ODI’s from 1997 to 2000 during his time on the Show, shared similar views to that of Cameron, adding that consistency is clearly lacking no accountability, stating “We have to have a clear vision of what we want for West Indies cricket”. Stepping away from Test Cricket for a minute, Wallace made another fantastic point regarding the limited overs struggles of the West Indies. Next season’s

90’s West Indies player Philo Wallace says the vision for Windies cricket needs to be clear in order to achieve the things needed for ultimate success.

2026 IPL, a tournament which has been dominated

by West Indian players since its birth more than 10 years ago, has only seen 2 players from the Caribbean side in former skipper Jason Holder, who basically cut his teeth in India as a youngster with the Chennai Super Kings before fully breaking into the West Indies team as a mainstay.

The other being left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein, who is still young in his career despite having success as

one of the main strike bowlers in limited overs cricket, an issue Cameron touched on when comparing the vast difference in the state of things, when looking back at the 17 players who were consistently apart of the IPL back then.

Wallace also believed that the appeal from the West Indies, as it relates to attracting attention from the Indian franchises compared to widespread Caribbean influence which embedded

its roots into the foundation of the IPL in the past, has seemingly fizzled out; another example of how badly the current model needs to be revised.

In closing, Cameron said that he believes, “There are a lot of unqualified personnel around the whole setup set up”, further playing into the whole need for a shot in the arm, which is needed to help revitalize the state of West Indies Cricket. (Clifton Ross)

Chase’s Academic secures back-to-back KFC...

From page 27 influencing the tempo of the match.

The wet playing surface hindered ball movement to some extent, as passes frequently slowed in waterlogged areas of the field.

Wharton was closely marked by the Trinidadian midfield, while Ruben Phillips and others found limited space to create scoring chances.

Despite efforts from both sides, neither team was able to convert, and the match ended 0–0 after full time and extra time.

The penalty shootout reflected the evenly matched nature of the contest, as both teams converted their initial attempts.

The shootout moved into sudden death before St Benedict’s

Yaylon Carrington missed his effort, allowing Chase’s Academic Foundation to claim a 5–4 victory.

The win made Chase’s Academic the first team to retain the KFC International Under-18 Goodwill title since the tournament’s inception six years ago.

St Benedict’s College finished as runners-up, earning US$1,500 and the second-place trophy for their performance. Kingston College secured third place and a US$1,000 prize following a 4–1 victory over Nickerie Technical Institute of Suriname in the playoff match.

The post-match presentation ceremony was held under the KFC Grandstand, where individual

awards were also presented.

Chase’s goalkeeper Flavio LaRose was named Best Goalkeeper of the tournament, while team captain Bryan Wharton finished as the tournament’s leading goal scorer with 11 goals in four matches.

The final major award of the evening went to Most Valuable Player, Chase’s center-back Malcolm Hendricks, who was selected by Narada Wilson (Talent Scout) to receive an all-expensespaid training opportunity with Brazilian club, Club Athletico Paranaense. Hendricks is expected to spend between one to three months training with the club.

Meanwhile, during an invited interview with the tournament’s

MVP, Hendricks expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, saying, “Well, to me it means a lot because, well, it’s my first time playing for Chase and also my first time playing in KFC tournament.

Though it wasn’t easy, we played against some tough opponents but my aim was to played and defend and I defended well. And I’d like to thank everyone who supported me through this journey, and I’m very happy with this result.”

Hendricks’ intentions are clear.

When quizzed on what to expect from him when he leaves to train in Brazil, he explained, “I can’t really express how excited I am.

But to tell you the truth, my aim is just to go there and put in the

work and hopefully I can learn a few things that will help me develop my talent. So, at this time I just hoping for the best while I’m there.”

The tournament was made possible through the support of title sponsor KFC Guyana, along with partners including GBTI Bank, ANSA McAL Distribution (Lucozade), Demerara Mutual, SkyTec Enterprise, TransGuyana Airways, HJ 94.1 Radio, New GPC/Limacol, Royal International Hotel and Austal. Additional support was provided by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 26

Tuesday December 23, 2025

Colts dominate Eagles to win GABA U23 Knockout title …Carmelo Man-Son-Hing named MVP

C

olts Basketball Club delivered a commanding performance to win the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) U23 Knockout title, overwhelming Eagles 106–55 in Sunday’s final at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH).

Carmelo Man-Son-Hing, who was later named the tournament’s Most Valuable Players, led all scorers with 26 points in a polished display that capped a successful year for head coach Willon Cameron and allowed GABA to close out the 2025 season on a high note.

Colts asserted their authority from jump ball, setting the tone with suffocating defence and crisp ball movement, orchestrated by Man-SonHing at the point.

Their intensity paid

Colts’ Carmelo Man-Son-Hing was named the MVP of the GABA U23 knockout tournament.

immediate dividends, as they surged to a commanding 35–11 lead by the end of the first quarter, leaving the Eagles struggling to cope with the Colts’ pace and backcourt execution.

Man-Son-Hing was ably supported by Domitre Rankin, who finished with 19 points and proved a constant problem for the Eagles’ defence.

The second quarter

followed a similar script, with Colts continuing to apply pressure on both ends of the floor. Their transition offense was sharp, while disciplined half-court defence limited the Eagles’

scoring opportunities and forced rushed decisions.

By halftime, the Colts had extended their advantage to 44–24, firmly placing the contest under their control and showcasing their depth and cohesion.

Alfin Joseph, who scored a team-high 19 points for the Eagles, attempted to keep his side within striking distance, but Colts’ balanced attack proved overwhelming.

Kimol Grimmond (16 points), Jaden Simon (16) and Shaquan Archer (19) all stepped up, making it difficult for the Eagles to focus their defensive efforts on any single threat.

Any hopes of an Eagles comeback were effectively extinguished in the third quarter, as the Colts emerged from the break with renewed intensity. They outscored their opponents 27–20 in the period to stretch the lead to 84–44, putting the outcome

beyond doubt.

The final quarter was a one-sided affair, with the Colts closing out the contest emphatically, adding 22 points while holding the Eagles to just 11.

The final buzzer confirmed a comprehensive 106–55 victory and underlined the Colts’ dominance throughout the knockout campaign.

Meanwhile, in the thirdplace playoff, Nets defeated Pacesetters 92–77, with Chris Perez leading the way with 24 points. Peter Langevine added 18, while Joel Lokhan contributed 16.

The U23 Knockout Finals once again highlighted the depth of emerging talent within local basketball, as GABA continues to provide a competitive platform for the development of Guyana’s young players. (Rawle Toney)

Guyana youth team rebounds strongly at CAC Youth Chess Festival - Kataleya Sam earns a medal Tw e l v e - y e a r- o l d Kataleya Sam was the standout performer for the Guyana Chess Federation at l a s t w e e k ’s C e n t r a l American and Caribbean (CAC) Youth Chess Festival in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Despite the Guyana contingent being disadvantaged by a flight cancellation that caused players to miss the first round, Kataleya exceeded all expectations. She secured a top-five finish in the U-12 Girls Category with five points, building on the momentum of the bronze medal and Conditional Woman Candidate Master Title she earned in the U-10 Girls Category two years ago.

Sam (1512) delivered a standout performance in Round 8, when she faced the Dominican Republic’s top seed, Amelia Maia Perrone Bueno. The encounter began as a balanced strategic contest, with both players maneuvering carefully.

When Perrone Bueno ceded the initiative, Sam r e s p o n d e d d e c i s i v e l y, exploiting emerging weaknesses and winning a pawn. From that point

forward, the National U-12 Girl’s Chess Champion demonstrated excellent positional control, systematically neutralizing her opponent’s counterplay and converting her advantage into a dominant win.

While Kataleya led the charge, her teammates showed equal grit. Refusing to be sidelined by their late start, the remaining youths rallied in the later rounds.

They delivered a series of clinical performances, proving they could compete with the best in the region despite the odds stacked against them.

In Round Two, Kyle Couchman (2004) competed in the U-18 Absolute section against the highest-rated player in the field, FIDE Master Santiago Ruiz. Ruiz, fresh off an international flight, faced a determined Couchman who showed no hesitation in taking the fight to his experienced opponent.

Couchman launched an aggressive kingside attack early in the game, forcing Ruiz into a prolonged defensive struggle. Despite losing an exchange during the middle game, Couchman

maintained relentless pressure. His persistence paid off when Ruiz committed a critical blunder under sustained attack, allowing Couchman to secure a well-earned victory.

The National Junior Chess Champion finished with four points in 16th position.

In Round 8, Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Aditi Joshi (1749) delivered a commanding performance in the U-16 Girls section against the tournament leader, WCM Liana Pieter of Curaçao. The game opened quietly in the Colle System, Rubinstein Variation, but soon escalated as Joshi secured the bishop pair and dismantled the defensive structure around her opponent’s king. Exploiting light-square weaknesses, Joshi mounted a precise attack that forced Pieter into increasingly difficult positions. In a desperate attempt to stay in the game, Pieter sacrificed material but ultimately lost multiple pieces and was forced to resign. The result handed Joshi her opponent’s first and only loss of the tournament. Joshi, the current Women’s Chess

Kataleya Sam (centre) poses with team mates at CAC Award ceremony.

Champion, ended the competition on five points in sixth place.

Candidate Master (CM) Sachin Pitamber (1950) delivered a remarkable performance despite missing the opening round and being sidelined from Round 8 due to illness in the U-16 Absolute Category. He remained undefeated across his seven matches, finishing with an impressive five points from three wins and four draws.

Vir Narine, competing in the U-10 Absolute Category, placed 13th with five points.

Narine showcased his talent, securing four victories despite missing the first two rounds of the competition.

His highlight performances were his victories over two of his higher-rated opponents. Narine, whose current ELO rating is 1426, delivered a stellar performance when he defeated Caleb Harry from Trinidad and Tobago (1504) in Round 5 and Mario Alejandro Icaza (1429) from Panama in Round 7, earning him some valuable rating points.

In the U-12 Absolute

Category, Abel Fernandez (1484) faced a steep challenge. After nine rounds, Fernandez ended the competition with a hardfought 4.5 points, consisting of four victories and a draw.

The National U-12 Open Chess Champion represented Guyana for the first time.

In the U-14 Categories, Nicholas Zhang (1517) demonstrated his resilience and skill by securing three wins and three draws for a total of 4.5 points in the Absolute section. His (Continued on page 23)

Kaieteur News

Tuesday December 23, 2025

PAGE 27

Chase’s Academic secures back-to-back KFC Goodwill Football titles - As St Benedict’s hoist one over crossbar

Chase’s Academic Foundation seals second consecutive KFC International Goodwill Football title, defeating St Benedict’s 5-4 on penalties.

The 2025 edition of the KFC International Under-18 Goodwill Football Tournament concluded on Sunday evening at the Ministry of Education ground, with Guyana’s

Chase’s Academic Foundation securing their second consecutive title after defeating Trinidad and Tobago’s St Benedict’s College 5–4 on penalties.

The final ended goalless

after regulation and extra time, with both teams producing disciplined defensive performances in front of a decent crowd.

Chase’s Academic Foundation, the Republic

Bank League champions, and St Benedict’s College matched each other toughness throughout the contest, limiting clear scoring opportunities and maintaining strong defensive organisation across the field.

In the first half, Chase’s Academic players Isaiah Ifill, Shaquan David and tournament leading scorer Bryan Wharton pushed forward on several occasions, but St Benedict’s defence responded effectively to deny any breakthroughs. At the other end, Chase’s goalkeeper Flavio LaRose made a number of important saves to keep the score level at the interval.

The second half saw similar patterns of play, with difficult weather conditions (Continued on page 25)

Chase’s Malcolm Hendricks secured KFC MVP award inclusive of a one to three-month stint in Brazil where he will train and play at a professional club in what is considered the mecca of Football.

New Zealand thrash West Indies to seal series win Brandon King played his shots to combat a wearing pitch. (Getty Images)

Jacob Duffy made a big impact on the final day. (AFP/Getty Images) BBC Sport – New Zealand bowled West Indies out for 138 to win the third Test by 323 runs and complete a 2-0 series victory.

West Indies resumed on 43-0 in Mount Maunganui, needing an unlikely record total of 462 for victory, but slumped from 87-0 to 112-8 either side of lunch.

New Zealand fast bowler Jacon Duffy took 5-42 and spinner Ajaz Patel 3-23 as

the visitors lost 10 wickets for 51 runs, with the Test ending just after tea.

“It was a pretty clinical performance,” said New Z e a l a n d c a p t a i n To m Latham.

“Winning the toss, batting first, being able to get close to 600 - it’s the perfect blueprint.

“And then obviously doing what we did with the ball. The guys playing the way they did was obviously

really pleasing.”

The win moves New Zealand into second place behind Australia in the World Test Championship standings.

New Zealand led by 155 runs after their first innings of 575-8 declared then set West Indies the record run chase when declaring on 306-2 in their second innings.

Latham and fellow opener Devon Conway

became the first openers in the history of Test cricket to score centuries in both innings as they put their side in a commanding position.

Conway, who scored 227 and 100, became the 10th batter in Test history to score a double hundred and a hundred in the same game, while Duffy took 23 wickets in the three-match series.

West Indies captain Roston Chase made just

two and five in the third Test to complete a difficult series during which he scored only 42 runs and took three wickets.

“I think I had a tough series, very below par for my standards,” said Chase.

“I didn’t really lead from the front on the field.

“Leading in terms of words and encouraging and inspiring the team, that was all good and well,

but in terms of going out there and producing for the team, I thought I let myself down and the team down as well.”

Scores: New Zealand 575 for 8 dec (Conway 227, Latham 137, Ravindra 72*, Greaves 2-83) and 306 for 2 dec (Latham 101, Conway 100, Hodge 2-80) beat West Indies 420 (Hodge 123*, King 63, Duffy 4-86) and 43 for 0 (King 67, Duffy 5-42, Ajaz 3-23) by 323 runs.

GABA president, Jermaine Slater, presenting the U23 knockout tournament trophy to Colts’ captain, Domitre Rankin and his teammates.

rts o p S

Chase’s Academic secures back-to-back KFC Goodwill Football titles

Colts dominate Eagles to win GABA U23 Knockout title …Carmelo Man-Son-Hing named MVP Chase’s captain Bryan Wharton paying keen attention as he holds off Trinidadian striker during the goalless KFC Goodwill final on Sunday evening.

- As St Benedict’s hoist one over crossbar

New Zealand thrash West Indies to seal series win

Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.