Kaieteur News

Businesscommunityupinarmsagainstlooters

…calls on police to take tough action to beat back criminals

The business community in Guyana has condemned the violence that broke out across the countryonMondayevening,which resulted in several persons being shot and injured, at least two men killed and dozens of supermarkets and other businesses looted by criminals.Theyhavealsocalledon the police to take tough action to beatbackcriminals.

Riots broke out following the completion of an autopsy on the body of Adriana Younge, which showed that she had died by drowning. Not satisfied with the results, some citizens protested on the streets, but several others in villages used the opportunity to beatandroblocalbusinessowners. In response, several stores on the usually busy Regent Street closed their doors on Tuesday The same situationprevailedonWaterStreet, East Coast Demerara and West CoastDemerara.

Police said that all video footage, images, and other available evidence are being reviewed by the Guyana Police Force. “All persons implicated in criminalconduct,including,arson, blocking and burning public roadways, malicious damage and destruction to private and public

properties, personal violence, and acts of terror and domestic terrorism, shall be arrested and charged,” police warned before making it clear that these individuals will be placed on a nofly list.Their personal information andotherparticularswillbeshared withregionalandinternationallaw enforcement agencies, the Guyana PoliceForcesaid.

Meanwhile, in a statement, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) extendeditsdeepestcondolencesto thefamily,friends,andcommunity membersaffectedbythetragicand untimely passing of Adriana Young. “We join the nation in mourning and stand in full solidarity with her loved ones as theyseekanswersandjustice.

The Commission joins His Excellency, the President of Guyana, the Leader of the Opposition, the Alliance for Change, and other private sector organisations in calling on all Guyanesetorespecttheruleoflaw, refrain from unlawful behaviour, anddesistfromdamagingpublicor privateproperty Mostimportantly, weurgeallcitizenstoavoidactions that could lead to harm against fellow Guyanese,” the statement read.

The PSC said it expects the Guyana Police Force to take decisive and appropriate action to bring those responsible for acts of violenceanddestructiontojustice. “Westronglyreaffirmthattheright topeacefulprotestisacornerstone of any democratic society However, the preservation of public order, adherence to the rule of law, and the protection of lives and property must remain paramount.”

“Furthermore,theCommission emphasises the importance of allowing the legal and judicial p r o c e s s e s t o p r o c e e d independently, free from political interferenceorpublicintimidation. The Commission calls on all national leaders to unequivocally condemn and reject all forms of violence, and to confine their support solely to peaceful and lawful expressions of public concern The Private Sector Commissionremainsresoluteinits commitment to peace, justice, and theruleoflawinGuyana.”

For its part, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) said it has noted with deep concern the incidents that occurred within the last 24 hours and is calling on citizens to

allowpeaceandstabilitytoprevail.

“Criminal elements have hijacked and preyed upon frustrations over recent incidents, andtheactsofviolence,lootingand destruction witnessed on Monday and the wee hours of Tuesday morningonlyservetocreateunrest and create divides among our people The Chamber remains concerned about the continued perpetuation of violence in our society, and public safety remains paramount.TheGCCIiscallingon authorities to enforce the implemented measures to temper unrestandbeproactiveinquelling any efforts aimed at furthering instability,” the statement concluded.

Alsoinastatement,theGuyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) said it fully supports the calls from citizens across the nation demanding transparency following the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of Younge “As an organisation, we are firmly rooted in the values of community, fairness, and the protection of our nation’s most vulnerable The GMSAacknowledgesandsupports the right of all citizens to express theirgriefanddemandjustice.

At the same time, we strongly encourage that all actions taken be peaceful and respectful of the rule of law Violence or destruction must not cloud the dignity of our collective pursuit of truth, as this doesnothaveaplaceinthemodern Guyana we are trying to build.We note and are reassured by His Excellency President Irfaan Ali’s commitment that no stone will be leftunturnedintheinvestigationof this matter We encourage the appropriateauthoritiestocarryout this mandate expeditiously, impartially and transparently We call on all sectors of society to uphold these principles as we collectively seek answers and honour Adriana’s memory,” the statementsaid.

PEACEFULPROTEST

Across in Region Five, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce there extended its deepest condolences and heartfelt prayers to the family and loved ones of Younge and noted that it standsinsolidaritywithherfamily duringthisperiodofimmensegrief and loss “We commend His Excellency, President Dr Irfaan Ali, for his prompt and compassionateresponsetothe Continued on page 6

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn assisted with the cleaning up of supermarkets that were looted on Monday night

Pathologists never ruled out ‘forced drowning’–AdrianaYounge’sfamily

…nosuchdiscussiontookplaceduringbriefing

One day after President IrfaanAliinformedthenation that the three-member pathology team, who conducted a post-mortem examination (PME) on the corpseof11-year-oldAdriana Younge, concluded that the childdidnotdiefromforcible drowning, family members

are disputing this information

Younge was reported missingonApril23duringan outing with family members

at the Double Day International Hotel and Bar,

Tuschen, East Bank

Essequibo She was discovered dead in the hotel poolthenextday Itshouldbe notedthatafterthechildwas discoveredmissing,analarm was raised and checks were made around the hotel premises, though not thorough The family is, however,certainthatthepool area was searched several timesbymultipleindividuals in hopes of finding little Adriana.

On Monday, three international pathologists determinedthatthechilddied fromdrowning However,no determination was made regardingthetimeofdeathor whether pool water or tap water was discovered inside ofthechild’slungs

This has left Adriana’s family in disbelief, as they maintain the child could swim

In fact, the child’s aunt, Amika Lewis, who was briefedbythepathologyteam at the Georgetown Public

Hospital Corporation (GPHC) following the PME, madeitclearthatmurderwas not ruled out by the three specialists

In an interview with Kaieteur News on Tuesday, she explained, “The three pathologists said that my niecediedfromdrowning Of course, the pathologists can only tell you the cause, they cannot say where she drowned” Thewomanadded,“They did not rule out that she was murdered They explained that to us, that they are not goingtoruleoutthatshewas murdered we the citizens, we the family, we the people who were there, know for a fact she did not drown in the pool.”

To this end, Lewis discountedremarkssharedby PresidentIrfaanAlithatthere wasno‘forcefuldrowning’of her niece She said, “I don’t knowifitwasMr AliorMr Jagdeowhohadaconference and said something that the pathologists said that she wasn’t forcefully (drown) The pathologist did not say that They did not say that They said other things: she didn’t have any broken bones; she was not raped Theydidnotsaythatshewas not murdered They did not say that she drowned in the poolandtheyexplainedthat they couldn’t tell us that.

They would need a toxicology report and some otherstuffdone.”

Duringapressbriefingon Mondayevening,theHeadof State told reporters, “The relatives were also informed thatthepathologistsruledout theoriesofforcibledrowning oranyothermeansofkilling followed by disposal of the bodyinwater”

In addition to the child’s relatives disputing these remarks reportedly made by the pathologists, Darren Wade, the family’s attorney, alsodeniedsuchinformation being communicated In an interview with Guyana Standard, an online news outlet,thelawyersaid,“What I heard, there was no violence, there was no harm or anything inflicted on the body That is what I could speak of Any word of forcible drowning, those wordswerenotusedtome I cannotspeakonthat ” He therefore maintained thathewasonlytoldthatthe childdiedbydrowning Kaieteur News also verifiedwithanotherofficial, that was in the briefing, that nosuchdiscussionwashad INVESTIGATIONOF ADRIANA’SDEATH

Meanwhile, Lewis noted that the family remains completelyinthedarkwhere justice for Adriana is concerned She noted that theyarecluelessastowhether any persons are in police custody, as no updates have been forthcoming regarding likely suspects who may be wanted for questioning in relationtothechild’sdeath. Further, she explained thatcitizenshavesincemade

a number of questionable discoveries at the building, including “secret doors and passageswithwashrooms”

To this end, the woman maintained, “We know, the family knows that she was murdered I think Guyana knows that and the world knowsthat Weagreewiththe pathologistbutweknowfora fact that she was killed and her body was then placed in thepool”

Dr Caleb Mc Mcloggan, a Guyanese medical professional, who observed Adriana’s autopsy in a live statement on Monday evening said the manner in whichthe11-year-olddiedis stilltobeinvestigated

According to him, “We havethecause,nowwehave to determine the manner in which she succumbed We know that it was due to drowning, now we got to know how she drowned We gottowaitonthetoxicology reportalso”

He said a laboratory was identifiedtosendbodyfluids takenfromthechild’sbodyto be tested. These will be thoroughly examined and tested to assess whether she was injected with a tranquilizer that may have beenthereasonfornomarks ofviolenceofthebody NOCOMMITMENT FROMPRESIDENTALI FORINDEPENDENT PROBE

Evenascallscontinuefor

International Pathologists along with family members of Adriana Younge and Attorney-at-Law, Darren Wade making their way to a briefing, following the Post Mortem Examination on Monday at GPHC.

an independent probe into little Adriana’s death, the Government of Guyana (GoG) has not given any commitmentinthisregard.

F o l l o w i n g t h e announcement of the child’s autopsy results on Monday, President Ali held a press briefing where he failed to commit to an international

investigationintothedeathof the11-year-old.

When asked a direct questionontheissue,hesaid,

“I have not addressed anything beyond what is before me now Throughout thiscase,Ihavestucktofacts

The first request was that of an independent pathologist, they had three This is the

report, these are the facts of thereportsoIamnotgoingto gobeyondfacts,especiallyon sensitive matters and any mature person, especially a leader, would confine themselvestothefactssothat iswhereIamstoppinghere” E ff o r t s b y t h i s newspapertocontactthe Continuedonpage6

KaieteurNews

PrintedandPublishedbyNationalMedia& PublishingCompanyLtd 24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.

Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456

Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams

Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Guyanaisraging, Guyananeedscooling

Flashpointsanddangerspotswereseeminglyallacross GuyanaonMondayevening. Differentareasofthistroubled countryeruptedinaprofusionoffiresandmadness. Some werejustlurkingintheditches,waitingfortherightmoment to pounce and unleash mayhem. The questionable circumstancessurroundingthedeathof11-year-oldAdriana Younge gave opportunity for frightening bursts of mob ugliness, with more rupturing in Guyana’s fragile social fabric. Onceagain,Guyanaisonedge,andGuyaneseworry aboutwheretheconflagrationscouldendup.

Achildisnotborn,butdead,andthemannerofherdeath deadened the little hope that was present in optimistic citizens. Nothing seems to hold fast, it helps us to get to a calmplace. Thereisasenseofforebodingastowhatcould beinstoreforthiscountryanditsdividedpeoples,shouldall the restraints of civility become loosened at the same time. Just a few short hours ago, Guyanese were front row spectatorstothesimmeringemotionsthatwerebuildingand building right beneath the surface placidness. What began as a good cause, gathering and supporting a family and a communityinitstimeoflossanddistress,quicklydetonated into raging infernos all over, and the Guyana Police Force stretchedeverywhere. TheGuyanaDefenceForcehasbeen calledouttohelpquelltherampantdisturbances.

Itisasthoughtimecametoastandstill,withGuyanese trappedinthe1960s,whentheeuphemismthatemergedout ofthatturbulentperiodwasof‘disturbances.’ Backthen,the BritishArmywassentouttorestoreorder Today,Guyanese have this weighty duty to sort out the woes that split them apart, the differences that just cannot be overcome, and a way to bring them together The local police, with a hand from the local army, are at the forefront of stabilizing the situationontheground. Thereissomuchmorethatneedsto be done, and must be done immediately, to purge the atmosphere of its destructive poisons. Guyana needs cooling,abatchofthatsoothingbalm.

The harsh and abusive talk from the top must cease immediately It is disrespectful and fosters disrespect in ordinaryGuyaneseforoneanother Asociety,richorpoor, onthemoveorstuckinwhateverdarkpitthatitfindsitself, needs men and women consistently respecting each other, sharing honesty, listening to each other, and working for waystomendthisbrokenandshatteredcountry Achildis gone,aneighbourhoodisemotionallyafire,andthiscountry eats away at itself, as provoked by its self-destructive tendencies.

WhatGuyaneseneedmostatthistimeisthereassurance thatthetemperatureisbeingcooled,thatadifferentkindof recoveryisunderway Becausetherearethosewiththekeys intheirhands,whoareworkingtowardspeaceandsecurity andnotvulgarpoliticalends.

Thelastthingthatweatthispaperlookfortoday,orpoint to, is who is most responsible. We are all responsible, to some extent. We are all culpable, in ways large and small. When we are silent about wrongs, we are partners in the coverups. Whenwesupportthedamageunleashedinmany areas,thenwearepartoftherushtogreatself-harm. When wequietlyapplaudthosewhodivideus,thenweareforthose who should be first-class citizens, who should be secondclass (or lower), and all the troubles that flow from such a situation, such a self-made predicament. All Guyanese, regardlessoftheirtestimonialsandcredentials,musthavea strongsensethattheyhaveaplaceinthiscountry,thatthey count and they belong, and that they are being treated equitably Ifnot,thenthiscountryisgoingnowhere,butto manymorerepetitionsofwhatwaswitnessedinthebottom halfofthisMondayjustgone.

Leaders have a most demanding role to deliver amidst ashes,fears,andhurts. Institutionsmustbesaidandseento beprofessional,leaderstrustworthy,whileeverycitizenisa refereeandcontributor Guyaneseneedcooling,notonlyto diminishtherage,buttomovethiscountryforward,upward.

Lack of Trust Results in Violent Protests

DEAREDITOR,

Violencecanneverbeasolutiontoa problem; violence (death and destruction)canneverbejustified.Yet, there is periodic public violence in our nationagainsttheinnocent–protesters taking to the street, leading to looting, arson, destruction, and occasionally death. Earlier this month, the police unleashed violence on protesters, killing two in Linden.An investigation andreportareawaited.

The violence experienced since the

death of the eleven-year-old child of Tuschenislargelytheresultofalackof trustinandfrustrationwithdealingwith state institutions, especially the police. The government is always blamed for everyproblem,evenwhenithadorhas nothing to do with the issue. It was the police that messed up in their investigation over the missing child, who was subsequently discovered to have drowned as per autopsy reports. Thepolicefailedtododuediligencein lookingforthechild.

Burning, blocking

roads,

Because of police errors, the public also complain about the poor handling of perceived corruption, inadequate handling of accountability and transparency in governance (government and the opposition), a perceived compromised judiciary (but not all personnel, only some of them) and law enforcement (police, in particular),andpoliticianswhoseemto caremoreaboutthemselvesratherthan whatisbestforthecountry Peoplehave

Continued on page 6

looting never

acceptable in protests; perpetrators must be brought to justice now!

DEAREDITOR,

The unfortunate death of the young school child Adriana was appropriated by thugs as an opportunity to burn, block roads, rob, loot, and riot, desecratingalegitimatecauseforacall for justice in the Police handling of the investigationofthematter

Wedon’thavepoliticianswhothink that “a hole in the boat is a hole in the whole boat.” Our politics has always been a poisoned chalice of “expose, oppose,anddepose.”Theideaisforas many bad things to happen so that the Government can fail or fall. I am disappointed at the silence of the churchesatthistimewhenthenationis

ravagedbyviolence.

Whenthechilddied,everybodyand their brother concocted theories, assertions and opinions of what happened, with no evidence whatsoever, instead of waiting for the autopsies and results of the investigations to unfold. Social media was ablaze with opinions and rabble rousers stoking false narratives, all calculated to slash and burn the Police andcussdowntheGovernment.

Rationalityandreasonfled,andthe rallying cry was justice for Adriana. Whenbloggerswrotethatitiswrongfor protesters to burn down buildings, and loot and riot, the answer was don’t be

concerned about the destruction of property, justice was what we want. These folks did not understand that if you burn down the hotel, the scene of the crime, you have burned down the main source of forensic evidence, preventingtheattainmentofthejustice wewereshoutingfor

Now, when the Government bent over backwards and agreed to bring in threeforeign,highlycompetentforensic pathologists who unanimously agreed the child died by drowning, this evidencedidnotmatter Theerrorofthe Police was that it allowed mobs to assemblearoundthehospitalforalong

Continued on page 6

Vietnam: Fifty Years since the End of the War

DEAREDITOR,

On April 30, the democratic and patriotic forces the world over would celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the great victory of the Vietnamese people for national and social liberation. This was theculminationofmorethan three decades of armed struggle The Vietnamese peoplehadtoconfrontsome of the most powerful imperialistforces.

Thatstrugglebeganafter theSecondWorldWarwhen Japanese imperialism invaded Vietnam The people, led by the Workers Party, later to become the Communist Party of Vietnam, began an armed struggle to rid their country ofJapanesecolonialism.

Immediately after the war, the French, who had colonised Vietnam but had left it during the war, returned to repossess their “prized possession ” However,thepeoplewerein nomoodtoberecolonised.

They finally managed to end French colonialism in 1954 with their victory at DienBienPhu.

It was then that the United States, which had emerged from the Second World War as the most powerful state, entered the fray to continue to oppress theVietnamesepeople.Their motivation was to “stop communism”duetothehigh prestige of the Soviet Union in defeating Hitlerite Fascism.

The cost of the war was horrendouslyhigh.Thereare no exact figures for the number of Vietnamese civilians and soldiers who died. It varies between one andtwomillionpeople.

More than that, the Vietnamese people faced a tremendous bombardment

More bombs were dropped on Vietnam than were droppedintheSecondWorld War The US, in particular, used chemical weapons on the population, causing enormous ecological damage as well as human suffering Two of the (in)famous bombs that were used regularly were “Agent Orange”, which destroyed forests and rice fields and poisoned the land Even today,manybabiesarebeing born deformed and with other illnesses due to the massiveuseofthosehorrible chemicals.

The other type that was used was napalm bombs, which burned the flesh off thepeople.

The United States lost fifty-eight thousand three hundred persons (list of names at the Washington Memorial) Millions of dollars in military hardware were destroyed on both sides.

However,thevictorywas so decisive that it took the US eight years before resuming its invasion and attacking other countries. In 1983, under the Reagan administration,tinyGrenada was invaded.Today, we are observingthiseventatatime when wars are raging in many places. Indeed, the National Liberation struggle ofthePalestinianpeoplehas now degenerated into a genocide. Israel is clearly doing its darndest to kill all Palestinians.

Thisisbeingdoneopenly and with impunity The people in Gaza are being bombed daily The targets are mainly children and women. They are not only bombed, but snipers kill indiscriminately

Intheprocess,healthand otheremergencyworkersare beingkilled,thisistoensure

Berbice Bar

Demands Justice for AdrianaYounge

DEAREDITOR,

TheBerbiceBarAssociationstandsinsolidaritywiththe parents,relativesandfriendsofAdrianaYoungeandextends itsdeepestcondolencesonhertragicpassing.

The tragic circumstances surrounding Adrianna’s death have understandably caused significant public concern, and the Berbice Bar expects that the rule of law will prevail and thattheperpetratorsofthishorrendouscrimewillbebrought tojusticeexpeditiously Regards, BerbiceBarAssociation

that no medical facilities are available for the thousands ofinjured.

Now,thereisadeliberate policytostarvethepeopleto death.Nofoodormedicineis allowed into Gaza. Water and electricity have been disconnected, and all infrastructure is destroyed. The Israeli army is even targeting machinery such as bulldozers to prevent the Palestinian people from removing rubble caused by Israeli/US bombs, thereby causingthosetrappedtodie.

It is hard to imagine anything more cruel than whatishappeninginGaza.It isfascismonsteroids.

This is happening as the whole world watches, appearing helpless. It was very different during the VietnamWar

An important reason for the Vietnamese people’s victory (even at a very high cost) was international solidarity Millionsofpeople

inmostcountriestooktothe streets to stand with the peopleofVietnam.

In that period too, the contribution of the socialist countries, the Soviet Union, C h i n a , G D R , Czechoslovakia, and Cuba, provided great assistance to the heroic Vietnamese people, which allowed the fightersnotonlytowithstand the attacks, but they struck very decisive blows to the invaders/occupiers.

Today, the imperialist stateshavetakenfullcontrol of the mass media. They have a deliberate policy to blockoutnewsfromthearea. Nothing of the plight of the Palestinian people could be foundinCNN,MSNBC,the BBC and other corporate media.

Many countries and political parties that were vocal during the Vietnam War are now deafeningly silent.Now,thefearofwhat the US would do to them,

The autopsy results are in, and now the Police must act

DEAREDITOR,

For the last ten days, Guyanahasbeengrippedby the tragic death of a young child. In scenes never seen before, Guyana came together as one people to grieveandmournforher Unfortunately, there is a cadre of rabble-rousers who never seem to let a tragedy gotowaste.

They always seek to exploit it for personal and political gain. I respectfully submit that this time, they went too far Homes, businesses and public structures were set ablaze. Innocent people were attackedandharmed. These illegal acts should not go unpunished, and the Police must now act and arrest the lawbreakers.Failuretodoso will only embolden similar

actsinthefuture.

We respectfully call on the Police and law enforcement to peruse the many videos available and bring all lawbreakers to justice. Additionally, as a dual citizen, the well-being of my country means too muchtomenottoactaswell. Therefore, I downloaded manyincitement,incendiary material and video recordings of the lawlessness and forwarded them to the FBI with a historical background for them to analyse and act upon.Theinnocentpeopleof Guyana also deserve justice for the destruction, mayhem and demolitions they had to endure over the past several days.

Respectfullysubmitted, HerbertAllen

what sanctions would be appliedbytheUSifIsraelis criticised, is the greatest concern of many of the leaderstoday

The only country that is reported to be helping the oppressed Palestinians is Iran.However,itisnomatch for the US, UK and other NATO countries that keep Israel’skillingmachinewell supplied.

Tangible solidarity is beinggivenbytheHouthisin Yemen. Indeed, it is very heroic for Yemen is very poor,buttheyhaveemerged as the conscience of humanity They are facing death with a heroism incomparableinhistory

Theongoinggenocideby Israel, supported by the US,

is not only doing damage to the Palestinian people but to all of us in the world. It is dehumanisingusandforcing us to accept the criminality of the rich and powerful states.

As we celebrate the victory of the Vietnamese peopleonApril30,1975and the subsequent socioeconomicprogressthatithas made since that date, let us recall the strength of international solidarity and demand that the Palestinian people have the right to live in their own state to determinetheirowndestiny Palestine will win eventually!

Regards, F

DonaldRamotar

Bagotstown man shot dead

Police are investigating the shooting death of Mark Anthony Benjamin, 37 years old of Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara, whichoccurredTuesdayevening. Police said the incident occurred around 18:40 hours at Norton Street, Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara by suspect Hosea Salmon. Preliminary investigations reveal thatthevictimandthesuspectwereknownto

eachother,andtheyhadanalteraction,which led to the suspect shooting the victim to his head, and thereafter, he made good his escape. The victim was later pronounced dead, and his body is currently at the Memorial Gardens Mortuary awaiting post mortemexamination.

The Police are in pursuit of the suspect whileinvestigationsremainongoing.

Lack of Trust Results in Violent...

Frompage4

lost respect for the police and most politicians.Thereseemstobegreaterrespect and faith in religious and civic leaders (community elders) and educators than in politicians. The lack of trust in state institutionsandpoliticians(electedofficials) will have an impact on social cohesion, as it will hinder good governance and trust in institutions as a solution to problems or grievances. It can lead to violent protests, as witnessedoverthelastfewdays.

The poor response from police to crime, abductions, domestic violence, protests, shootings, etc., will exact a high price on institutions, undermining people’s faith in them. Though protests in Linden started peacefully, they ended tragically due to clasheswiththepolice.Lackoffaithinpolice helpsexplaintheunrestinLindenaswellas inTuschen.Elementsinthepoliceforcehave broughtaboutthelackoftrustinthem.

Lackoftrust,frustrationwithinstitutions, including the government itself (going back

over the last decade). Religious and civic leadersenjoymoretrustthanelectedleaders. Lackofopportunitiesamongtheunemployed alsolessenstrustinstateinstitutions.Despite sustained economic growth, youth unemployment and a livable income have remainedhigh,withmanyhouseholdsunable tomakeendsmeet.

Allthiswhile,acorruptionculturegoing back for a couple of decades has prevailed. Peoplecomplainaboutacultureofimpunity against the police and certain political officials.

Government needs to adopt a workable strategy with a well-defined direction in addressing the lack of trust in state institutions and grievances from the youth andagainstthepoliceforcethatisviewedas compromised.Otherwise,trustininstitutions will continue to erode, resulting in violent protests and political as well as economic instability

Yourstruly, VishnuBisram

Burning, blocking roads, looting never acceptable in protests...

Frompage4 time before removing them towards the end oftheday TheDeputyPoliceCommissioner came out and said the foreign doctors were terrified by the noise and chants of the protesters surrounding the hospital. The autopsy was done amidst an environment of tension and fear created by those who want “justice.”Itwasbullyingatitsbest.Nowthe family’s attorney is asking for an “international” investigation. What did he think the three foreign doctors were? I don’t recall the Government bringing in so many foreign pathologists to do such an investigation.

Inowcallforjusticeforallthevictimsof

the burning, looting and blocking of roads. The Police have lots of footage of the terrorists at work and must speedily identify them all and bring them before the courts so wemayhavejusticefortheirvictimsandthe nation.

These folks must be taught a lesson that you cannot terrorise a nation, that there are consequences when you do. I support the President’s call for these destabilisers to be dealtwithbythelaw ThePolice/Government failed us in such previous riots when they failedtochargeandtryalltheterrorists.

Sincerely, Dr.JerryJailall

CivilSocietyAdvocate

Pathologistsneverruledout‘forced...

Frompage3

HeadofStateforacommentprovedfutile. OPPOSITIONJOINSCALL

Meanwhile, Opposition parties have joined with grieving relatives of Adriana Younge in calling for an independent investigationofherdeath.

InastatementonTuesday,Leaderofthe Alliance For Change (AFC), Nigel Hughes said, “No parent should have to mourn a daughter under such unclear and troubling circumstances. Today, we acknowledge the preliminary report that cites drowning as Adriana’s cause of death. Yet even as that detailcomestolight,thelargertruthremains elusive.”

The wickedness must stop!

DEAREDITOR,

Severalinnocentchildrenwerevictimsof an acid attack. Those who are instigating racial division and attacking the young and innocent to do so are nothing but cowards. Theymustfacethefullforceofthelaw CRG stands with the President in condemning those who seek conflict, division and destruction. Leave the children alone and havethecouragetofacethosewithwhomyou disagree.Angerisnoexcuseforlawlessness, violence and wickedness. Most Guyanese want a peaceful resolution to our current concernsandapeacefulelectionyear Using the anger of the people to instigate racial violenceisnotapathtovictory Itisapathto

rejectionatthepolls,conflictanddivision. CRGcallsforapeacefulresolutiontoour differences.

The President must also take immediate action to remove those responsible for the weakness of the GPF and our crime-fighting system. His government must regain control ofthestreets,andsafetyontheroadsmustbe restored. If a curfew is necessary, then one must be put in place. No one should be supporting racial hatred and racial attacks of any kind. Those who do must be held accountable. There is no place for violence thiselectionyear

Sincerely, Mr.JamilChanglee

Business community up in arms...

Frompage2

Family’s request for an independent forens

c investigation The Government’s decision to facilitate the involvement of international forensic pathologists—Dr Gary L. Collins (the Family’s Representative), Dr Glenn

TransparencyandJustice.”

property, and unlawful behaviour occurring in our region and across the country. We call upon everyone to uphold peace, law, and order during this sensitivetime.”

DEEPCONCERN

Adding its voice, the RegionThree Private Sector Inc. (R3PSi) said it is also concerned about the violent incidents that have unfolded from Monday into Tuesday, particularly following the heart-wrenching autopsy of 11-year-oldAdrianaYounge.

Following an hours-long autopsy conducted at the GeorgetownPublicHospital Corporation (GPHC), her death was officially confirmed as drowning. “In light of this tragedy, R3PSi stronglyadvocatesforurgent reforms in safety protocols across recreational facilities.”

“Adriana Younge was a young woman with dreams and dignity She should be remembered not for the chaos her death sparked,butforthechangehermemorycan inspire,”AFCurged.

Leader of the Opposition and People’s NationalCongressReform(PNCR),Aubrey Norton, also reiterated calls on Tuesday for anindependentprobeofthechild’sdeath.

Previously,thepartyhighlightedtheloss of confidence in the local law enforcement and justice systems in Guyana. As such, it said, “The President must therefore fire the Commissioner of Police and invite the FBI or some other reputable international law enforcementbodytoinvestigatethisheinous crime.”

Caption: International Pathologists along with family members of Adriana Younge and Attorney-at-Law Darren Wade makingtheirwaytoabriefing,followingthe Post Mortem Examination on Monday at GPHC.

To this end, the Leader renewed the party’s call for a full, transparent, and independent investigation into the events that led to Adriana’s death. “The public deservesclarity Thefamilydeservesjustice. AndGuyanadeservesanswers,”AFCsaid. Notably, it also made it clear that violence, looting, burning buildings, blockingroadsandother“lawless”actswere not justice nor will they bring peace or honourAdriana’slife.

The R5CIC said it unequivocally supports the right to peaceful protest as a fundamental democratic principle “However, we stronglycondemntheactsof violence, looting, and the obstructionofroadwaysthat have occurred in various communities in Region No. 5 and the Country at large, including Belladrum Village, Paradise Village, BurmaRoad,No.28Village, Armadale Village, Hopetown,No.8Villageand No. 5 Village. Such actions not only endanger lives but also disrupt the economic stability and social harmony of our Region and Country We c a l l u p o n t h e Disciplinary Forces to act swiftly and decisively to restore peace and order, ensure the safety of all citizens, and protect Public Infrastructure and Private Property Itisimperativethat the pursuit of justice for Adriana does not become o v e r s h a d o w e d b y l a w l e s s n e s s a n d destruction.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have suffered harm, loss, or damage to their businesses and properties during this periodofunrest.TheR5CIC remains committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to promote peace, justice, and the well-being of our communities. Once again, the Region 5 Chamber of Industry and Commerce emphatically condemns all acts of violence, damage to

“The R3PSi extends heartfelt condolences to Adriana’s family and all those affected by this unimaginable tragedy We are gravely disturbed by the violence, looting, and destruction witnessed on Monday and the early hours ofTuesday morning. These actsdonotreflectthevalues ofourcommunitiesandonly serve to deepen wounds and sow division,” the statement read.

“We unequivocally condemn all forms of violence and reiterate that criminal elements must not be allowed to hijack public grief and frustration for selfish and destructive ends. We urge all citizens to remaincalmandallowpeace and stability to prevail. At this difficult time, we must unitearoundsharedvaluesof compassion, empathy, and justice Public safety is paramount, and we call on the relevant authorities to enforce the necessary measurestorestoreorderand prevent any further escalation,” the statement added.

The private sector body also expressed profound c o n c e r n o v e r t h e circumstances surrounding the death of youngAdriana. Reportsindicatethatshehad gone missing last Wednesday, April 23, and herbodywasdiscoveredthe following morning in the swimming pool of the Double Day Hotel

It said all swimming pools, especially those at hotels and public venues, must be equipped with trained lifeguards and appropriate safety infrastructure to prevent such tragedies from recurring. The safety of our children must never be compromised.

“As we reflect on the pain and unrest of recent days, we encourage all citizens to turn inward in solemn prayer and contemplation. We lift up Adriana Younge and all those who are grieving, injured, or traumatised by recent events. Let us be inspired by what uplifts and unites us, not what tears us apart. We are blessed to live inthislandwecallhome.Let us care for it, protect it, nurtureit,andworktogether to build a safer, more compassionate society This i s o u r c o l l e c t i v e responsibility our sacred dutytothisHomelandandto future generations,” the statementnoted.

“In this defining moment,‘OneGuyana’must not be just a slogan, but a guiding principle that calls ustounity,peace,andshared responsibility Now more than ever, the world is watching Guyana—not only as an emerging economic powerhouse but also as a nation striving to mature democratically and socially Whatwedotodaywillshape how we are seen tomorrow May love, brotherhood, and humanity be the foundation upon which we move forward.AndmayGodbless every soul born in this place wecallhome.”

BewaretheShark-OilPeddlersandFakeHealers

A few years ago, a man losthisson.Thedeathofhis sonhastraumatizedhim.He has never recovered from it and now has gone to the extremeofblamingsomeone ofputtinga’badspirit’onhis son. When I asked him how he came to this conclusion, hesaidthataspiritualperson toldhimthis.

Guyana is a land of believers.Weareapeopleof faith. Most of us belong to one religious order or another We go to church, mandir, or masjid. We pray, we fast, we celebrate holy days. And central to nearly

every faith in Guyana is the idea that good and evil exist side by side. We believe in GodandtheDevil.Inangels anddemons.Inblessingsand curses. So when something bad happens to us—a sudden illness, a string of misfortune, the unexplained death of a loved one—it is easyforourmindstolookfor a spiritual cause. Many Guyanesedon’tjustaskwhat wentwrong,but who caused it.Wasitsomeonejealousof us? Was it someone “working something”?

That’s when the snake oil

Dem Boys Seh...

peddlersenterthescene.

Thesefraudstersclaimto see things. They speak in riddlesandwarnyouof“bad vibes.” But what they really wantisyourmoney Theyare notspiritualguides.Theyare predators who feed off fear, pain,anddesperation.

These are the people selling shark oil and promising miracles. They tell you your child’s fever is n o t d e n g u e o r a n infection—it’sacurse.They sayyourbackpainisn’tfrom hard work it’s someone sending“badeye.”Theywill never recommend you see a

Parkin’ probs and mouth wata trouble

Parkin’in town is a real headache. Dem boys seh sometimes yuh leff home early early,likecockstillsleepin’,butyuhstillend up late fuh yuh appointment. Not because yuh stop fuh buy an egg ball and couple polorie or take a likkle detour, but because yuh spend half yuh life circlin’ de block lookin’fuhaparkin’spot.

Dem boys remember one time a man rushin’fuhabig,bigmeetin’.Hecirclin’de city like a vulture. He panic, sweat bussin’. Indesperation,heraiseheeyetodeskyand holler, “Oh Lord, if yuh find me a parkin’ space, I gon stop drink, stop smoke, and I gonliveclean!Nomorewomanondeside!”

As soon as he done seh dat, one sweet, sweetparkin’spotopenuprightinfronthe. Hepeepbackuptodeheavensandseh,“Nah worry,BigMan—Ijustfindone.”

Dem boys seh is so people stay—quick fuhbargain,quickerfuhbackpedal.

But not all parkers gat guilt. Some just boldface. Dem does park cross-corner, in

front people gate, even pon pedestrian crossing like is dem name paint de white line.Oneday,mestepoutastoreandseeone trafficcopwritin’aticketfuhacarblockin’ dedriveway Metryfuhbegalilbit.“Come onboss,howaboutgivin’amanabreak?”

Cop didn’t even blink. He keep writin’ likeifispoetry

So me get lil vex and call he a jack—well, somethin’ startin’ wid “jack.” He look up, and next thing yuh know, he write another ticket—dis time fuh smooth tyres.

Me seh, “Yuh really is a donkey, yuh know!”

Boom—ticketfuhexpiredfitness.

Every insult was a new slip. He staplin’ demticketslikeifhestaplin’ricebag.When hedone,carwindscreenlooklikeChristmas cardcollection.

And guess wha? Me car bin park round decornerwholetime!

Talkhalf.Leffhalf!

doctor Because if you do, you’ll find the truth. And once you know the truth, you’llstoppayingthem.

Theywillgiveyoubitter things to drink, and ask you t o b r i n g s t r a n g e items—white rum, chalk, a white fowl, rice grains, and tenthousanddollars.They’ll tell you that your problems are spiritual. That you need “cleansing.”That somebody istryingtodestroyyou.

And in your weakest moment, you believe them. Because it’s hard to accept that bad things just happen. It’s easier to think someone caused it And it’s comfortingtothinksomeone canremoveit.

Even worse, some of these fake healers actually believe in what they’re doing They’re not just conmen they’re misled themselves. They genuinely believe that every headache is a hex, every lump is a curse, and every misfortune is the result of some “work” being done. So instead of sending you to the hospital, theysendyoutotheriver,to bathe in silence before sunrise.

Andsadly,manyvictims don’t speak out. They’re ashamed. They don’t want people to know they spent thousands of dollars and got no better They keep going back, hoping that next time the cleansing will work. All while the shark-oil peddler counts the money and prepares the next concoction.

T h e r e a r e r e a l consequences. People die. They die because they

ignored warning signs and chosechantsovercheck-ups. Children die because their parents trusted a “seer” instead of a pediatrician. People suffer silently because they fear being told their sickness is punishment forsomesin.

We need to put things in perspective. If you’re sick, the first person you should see is a doctor A trained, certified, and competent medical professional. Ask questions.Demandanswers. And if you’re not satisfied, gogetasecondopinion—but from another doctor, not from a candle-lit room with incenseandwhispers.

If someone shows signs of mental illness, emotional trauma, or depression, they needprofessionalhelp.Nota spiritualist Not a selfproclaimed prophet Take them to a psychiatrist, a counselor, a therapist. They need care, not candles Healing,nothearsay This does not mean you should abandon your faith. Faith is powerful. Prayer brings comfort Religious belief can strengthen the spirit But belief should neverreplacemedicine.God gave us minds to learn and hands to heal.We dishonour that gift when we ignore science and put our trust in charlatans.

There has never been a single credible study that shows a fortuneteller curing cancer Or an astrologer removing diabetes Or a “cleanser” stopping a seizure There is no evidence none that someone selling bush

medicine on Facebook can treat hypertension or cure a childwithepilepsy.

So if you’re ill, even if youhavetowaitforhoursat the clinic, go. It’s better to wait than to waste your moneyandriskyourlife.Do notfallforthegimmicksofa fraudster dressed hiding behindincensesmoke.

Andifacommunityelder tells you they can “remove thebadluck,”askthemwhen last they had a check-up. Some of them can’t even heal themselves, much less anyoneelse.

At the end of the day, most problems people face are medical in nature. They require real diagnosis, real treatment, and real followup.

Spiritualists may give you hope. But hope alone doesnotcuredisease.Anda falsesenseofhealingcanbe more dangerous than no healingatall.

Stoplettingtheshark-oil peddlers win. Stop feeding the fake doctors. Put your faithinfacts,notfrauds.And alwaysremember—beliefin good and evil is fine, but whenitcomestoyourhealth, startwithatrained,licensed, and qualified medical professional.

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

Thedeathofthischildmustinspiregenuinechange

The darkness brought many dangers. Just over a dayago,thedangerscamein waves, ever moving, always inflaming.

Guyana looks at itself, andshouldn’tlikeit. Ithink that many of the more levelheadedandsoberinthis society saw some of this coming. Yet Guyana is always caught flatfooted Mentally,tosomedegree.

Fires are as old as this Republic Youths on motorbikes weaving in and out of spaces, like metallic Molotovcocktails,areanew development. Apresentand future threat of proportions. Whether in Los Angeles or the lost spaces of Guyana, citizens, younger and older, display the worst kinds of energies.

The last thing I wish for is that fears are found to be right. But Guyanese are givenaglimpseofwhatboils underneath. It is as ugly as sin,andaschallengingasan unscaled mountain. Who will have the courage to stand up and say: it is time that a different way is thought of, started on, and carvedout?

What we have is not working There is no oneness about it. Unless thereisacountofthosewho tacitly support, secretly rejoice,atwhattumbledinto the streets and wreaked havoc across the face of all citizens. Oneness means that we all speak the same language,standforthesame values, and all have shoulders towards the same nationalobjectives.

This means that the positive statement from the

Those that devastate what is on the ground, and thenthemind,next. Flames symbolize the scorching in the soul that seeks any kind of release, then burns whatever, whoever, is touched. The unjust and unacceptable responded to with more of what is unjust and unacceptable. Highly so, and right here, I say it loudandclear. Icondemn,I kick to the curb, fully knowing that nothing is going away, not to be seen again.

Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Aubrey Norton, that there is no support for looting,mustbefollowedup with outstretched hands acrossthepoliticalaisleinan effort to mend Guyana’s (our) gaping wounds Wounds that reveal their naked, weakening haemorrhaging before the world, when the unbearable can’tbeabsorbedanymore.

President Ali has repeatedlysaidthathestands for ‘peaceful protests’, which I also endorse to the hilt, but his is the leadership responsibility to be a presencethatispeaceful. In hischoiceofwords.

In his calmness when dissatisfied Guyanese push against his will for answers that speak of honesty To denounce protests that intensified and expanded as “politically instigated” does not unite, but sets Guyanese intothatfamiliarframework: ‘usagainstthem.’

The passing of Adriana Younge,nevertoexperience the joys and heartbreaks of formative years, teenage

years,mustbeseenandused as a catalyst for change that isbetter.

It is untimely, but I will riskit:oneachoccasionthat one of the two major demographicsinthiscountry has convinced itself that it can do it alone, realization quickly comes that there is fooling of self. There are differentkindsofsharing.

But there must be faces from across the spectrum of Guyana,wherethereismore ofthecivil,andnotsomuch ofthepolitical.

The political system has corrupted and smashed the people of this country for close to 70 years. I am always surprised that this societyhasheldtogether,but migration played a prominentrole.

I think that the time is ripe for the governance architectureofGuyanatobe reengineered, rebuilt. The Guyana Police Force is the obvious first priority Let’s face this fact, no proper and professional Guyana Police Force drives no real regard for law, for order, for incorruptibility.

Politicians can no longerbetrustedtobe the stewards of national lawenforcementortohave thedominantinput.

If there is learning from the protesting, looting, and dying that started with the firstdeathofthatchild,then there will be openness Openness to having local civil society functioning as the bridge that links two groups, two demographics, and two states of mind. Those in charge-from the president to the Opposition Leader-must be mentally willingtosubstitutethelocal for the international, or Guyana will forever be a dependent.

Potential will be about the peace that is expected, butneverhappens. Potential willbeoftheprosperitythat isamirage,otherthanforthe few who get richer and richer, while the masses growpoorerandpoorer

If the old political tricks resurfaceandtakeover,then AdrianaYoungewouldhave diedfornothing,theprotests andthemessagesfromthem wouldbeofnovalue.

Ifherdeathhastobethe salvethatheals,thenitmust be. Back to square one is backingintothegatesofhell. Guyanese just got the first taste. Distrust comes from injustice, and as is often the case, ingrained malice leads to menace and the mayhem justwitnessed.

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

Let this not be another occasion, when those with standing speak of a commission for this and a commissionforthatmystery tobeprobed. Themustbean occasion seized by leaders, fromthepresidenttothosein the opposition, to commissiontheirmindstoa differentkindofvision.

Over100 students receive GRIEFSUPPORTat AdrianaYounge’s school

Former head of the Child Care Protection Agency (CCPA), Ann Greene, said more than 100 pupils of the Parika Salem Primary School received grief support on Monday, in response to the untimely death of former student, AdrianaYounge

The counselling session was initiated by the Ministry of Education and provided support to 132students.Greensaidthesessions willcontinue.

She added that the sessions covered pupils from Grade One to Six. However, not many children

attendedschoolonMonday.

“It went well, they did well, and they did the session well. But some of the children you know, they young, so they wouldn’t take in much of grief counselling but what really they needed yesterday, and they need to know that, you know,wecare.”

The education ministry said the goaloftheinitiativewastoofferboth students and staff a safe and supportive environment where they couldprocesstheiremotions,access professional counselling, and begin thehealingprocess.

Former Head of the Child Care Protection Agency (CCPA) Anne Greene hugging a student of Parika Secondary School during the grief counselling session.

BikerdiesinNewAmsterdamaccident

A53-year-oldman died on Tuesday morning when his electric motorcycle collided with a car on Princess Elizabeth Road in NewAmsterdam,Berbice.

Dead is Leyland Reece, who resided at Lot 22 S m y t h f i e l d , N e w Amsterdam. Police said the accidentoccurredat06:15h.

The accident involved 37-year-old Andrew King, whowasthedriverofamotor car with registration number #PAB 2622 and Reece, who was the rider of an electric cycle.

While reports did not

Leyland Reece

indicate how the accident occurred, it was stated that the cyclist received injuries abouthisbodyandwastaken

to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital by publicspirited citizens in an unconsciouscondition.

Reecewasexaminedbya doctor on duty, who treated him but he unfortunately succumbed to his injuries. His body is remains at the said hospital mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.

“A breathalyzer test was conducted on the driver, but no trace of alcohol was found. The car driver is presently in custody, assisting with the investigation,”policesaidin thereport.

Lowturnoutat schoolsafterfieryriots

SchoolsacrossGuyana,particularlyonthe East Coast, East Bank, and in Georgetown, remainedlargelyemptyonTuesday,following violentproteststriggeredbytheautopsyresults of11-year-oldAdrianaYounge

Publicschoolswereexpectedtoreopenon Monday after the two-week Easter break However, chaos erupted after the autopsy revealed Adriana had drowned, a conclusion thatmany,includingherfamily,haverejected

“Thisisnoresulttome,”herfather,Subrian Younge, declared The report, conducted by three pathologists at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), was met with immediate unrest What began as a peaceful protestoutsidetheGPHCspiralledintoviolent confrontationsafterasecurityguardallegedly punchedafemaleprotester

Protesters and riot police clashed violently Police fired rubber pellets, while demonstrators retaliated with bricks, glass bottles,anddebris.Fireswereset,businesses looted, and streets barricaded. Among the most affected areas were Regent, Camp, and Lamaha Streets, where videos showed supermarkets being looted and attempts to break into the City Mall and other establishments

As a result, citizens, partially parents, were afraid to send their children to school. Whilenoofficialdirectivehasyetbeenissued by the Ministry of Education, most public schools saw extremely low attendance as fearfulparentsoptedtokeeptheirchildrenat home.“Oncethereisanupdateinthisregard, we will communicate same to the public,” the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer told KaieteurNewsonTuesday

Kaieteur News understands that public schools in Plaisance, Buxton, Paradise on the East Coast Demerara (ECD), as well as President’sCollegeandSt Stephen’sPrimary, only a handful of students showed up West Demerara Secondary, Soesdyke Secondary andYarrowkabraSecondaryontheSoesdykeLindenHighwaywerecompletelyshutdown. Some schools, such as Queen’s College, pivoted to online sessions. A teacher from Brickdam Secondary related to this publicationthatsheleftschoolearlybecause

An empty classroom at St. Stephen’s Primary

students did not show up. “When I arrived at the school, no children were there, the roads wereempty,andIjustcametoschool,signed in,andwenthomeafterwards,”sherecounted. Meanwhile, a teacher from President’s College shared a contrasting experience for Monday: “Yesterday was 95% attendance Members of full-house staff attended classes, and the curriculum was delivered” However, by Tuesday, things had drastically changed “Today, we had an issue with what happened last night (Monday evening). Teachers were scared to come out. By 1 p.m., the teachers left the compound. They were given an unofficialgreenlighttogohome.Noteaching wasdone,andstaffpresencewaslimited.”

For students preparing for exams, particularly Grade 11 pupils, schools began organising online sessions to continue the curriculum “Theministryneedstoissueaclear statement We have to protect the nation’s children,” the teacher urged Parents voiced concern over the safety of sending their childrentoschoolamidsttheunrest.

Onemother,whosechildattendsaschool ontheEastCoast,explained,“Mysonwentto school yesterday, but today we are not comfortable sending him, in case anything happens.”

AchildresidingontheEastCoastsaidhe and his siblings stayed home out of fear, following Monday night’s violence Meanwhile, private institutions’ administrations responded swiftly Mae’s Schools announced online learning for the week

“It is in the best interest of our students andstafftoprioritizetheirsafety Assuch,we will have online learning for this week,” the school stated. Nations School also closed on Tuesday, including its university and administrativeoffices.

Adriana Younge’s body was found approximately20hoursaftershewasreported missing from the swimming pool area at Double Day Hotel in Tuschen Her disappearance and the delayed discovery, despite prior searches of the hotel grounds, sparkedintensepublicoutrageandscrutinyof thepolice’shandlingofthecase

Pollard Primary School in Georgetown visibly empty while passing

Mixedreactionstomidnightcurfew

…even

as Govt. mulls moving it 10PM

There have been mixed reactions to the five-hour-long curfew imposed by the government, which starts from midnightdailyaspartofitsefforts to restore public order following Monday night’s fiery riots across thecountry

The Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Home Affairs, on Tuesday imposed a nationwidecurfewfrom12:30a.m. to 5:00 a.m. in response to violent protests and widespread looting that erupted across the country followingthereleaseofanautopsy

report confirming that 11-year-old AdrianaYoungediedbydrowning.

The ministry said the Public (Safety) Order 2025 is being enforcedtomaintainlawandorder “In the interest of good order and public safety, in every administrative Region of Guyana, there shall be no public meetings, gatherings and assemblies of persons,processionsormarchesin anypublicplaceduringthehoursof 12:30 a.m. to 05:00 a.m.” The curfewprohibits,duringtheperiod, anyformofpublicassembly Minister of Home Affairs

Robeson Benn, speaking to Kaieteur News, confirmed that authorities are reviewing the currentcurfewandareconsidering movingthestarttimeto10:00p.m. “They [relevant authorities] are consideringit,wearereviewingit,” Minister Benn said. He continued, “Basically, it means everybody, includingyou(reporter),shouldgo homeby10:00.”

Meanwhile, contacted for a comment on the curfew, Leader of the Opposition Aubrey Norton criticised the government and policefor“mishandling”Younge’s

situation, which led to the uproar the country is currently in. “First, thisentirescenewascreatedbythe

incompetenceoftheGuyanaPolice Force and the government. Had theyactedproperly,wewouldhave notarrivedatwherewearrived.”

Hecontinued,“Whywouldyou wantacurfewfrom12:30to5:30in themorning,whenmostpeopleare at home? There’s something sinister about it.” Norton also warnedoftherisksofextrajudicial violence and said the solution lies in restoring public trust in law enforcement, not implementing a curfew

David Patterson, Chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC), called for calm but urged the government to keep the curfew short-term. “I think it is a limited curfew, and obviously we have to give some sort of support to the police, but I do think it should be, and I hope it’s a very limited curfew; it doesn’t go on for any longerifit’snecessary.”

Some citizens also had mixed views on the curfew Roy McKenzie,acitizeninterviewedby Kaieteur News, expressed sympathy, but noted that imposing a curfew at this time is a drastic measure.

“It’s a strong measure and maybe it is necessary to restore calm, however, it puts a lot of pressure on residents who need to work, buy food, or care for their families.”

He added, “I just hope the authorities can find a balance between keeping the community safe and respecting our daily needs.”

Nicholas, another citizen, said the curfew might help reduce crime, but added, “It would have been more effective had it been in placeatanearliertime.”Aresident

Continued on page 22

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton

Chairman of Alliance for Change, David Patterson

Looters run with television sets on their heads at Vreed-en-Hoop

A blocked Sheriff Street

Marking of 2025 NGSA papers has started star –Education Ministry

The Ministry of Education on

Tuesday announced that the marking of the 2025 National GradeSixAssessment(NGSA)papers,which is being conducted by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), started on Monday

In a Facebook post, the ministry stated that Education Minister Priya Manickchand, on Monday, visited one of the main examination marking centres where she engagedwiththeCXCofficers,theirmarkers andotherstaff.

“There, she observed the process firsthand. During her visit, she underscored the importance of accuracy, strict adherence to the marking scheme, and maintaining the integrity of the assessment She also reaffirmed her confidence in the system and those entrusted with this critical task,” the ministryreported.

Approximately 342 markers from across all education districts are currently involved in marking and evaluating scripts for 15,813 pupilswhowrotethisyear’sNGSA.

Minister Manickchand disclosed that the examination results are expected to be releasedonorbeforeJune26th,2025.

The NGSA, which was written on April 16 and 17, assesses the capabilities of each student in four subject areas: Mathematics, English,ScienceandSocialStudies.

Afterthepapersaremarkedandthescores tallied,thenumberofpointsaccumulatedwill determine which school the student will be placed in to receive their secondary education.

It was reported that the government, through the education ministry, has been constructing a number of new secondary schools across the country, creating more accessforstudentstoreceivetheirsecondary education.

At the recent launch of the National STEAM Fair, Minister Manickchand announced that by September this year, 20 newsecondaryschoolswillbeopenedacross thecountry

Among these schools are the new Christ Church Secondary School and St. Mary’s, which will become the new Brickdam Secondary,andTuschenSecondarySchool.

According to the minister, with these schools coming on board, it is expected that the country will achieve its goal of universal secondaryeducationbymid-2026.

Minister of Education Priya Manickchand engaging the markers of this year’s NGSA examination on Monday (Photo courtesy, Ministry of Education)

Soesdyke triple murder victims to be laid to rest on Thursday

The three women of the LaCruz family who were brutally killed in a tragic domestic shooting at their Soesdyke-Linden Highway home, will be laid to rest on Thursday

Twenty-six-year-old Maline LaCruz, her mother

50-year-old Waveney LaCruz,andher17-year-old sister SueAnn LaCruz, were gunned down on April 23, 2025, at their home in Waiakabra, SoesdykeLindenHighway

According to reports, Maline’s husband, Parmanand Ramdial, a

goldsmith by profession, opened fire on the family, killing the three women and injuring Maline’s brother Ramdial, died by suicide by ingesting a poisonous substance.

Hewaspronounceddead at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre.

Family friend, Dawn Sampson, confirmed to Kaieteur News that she is p l a n n i n g f u n e r a l arrangementsforThursday Sampson noted that the post-mortem examination was initially scheduled for Monday at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation

(GPHC) but was postponed due to the autopsy of 11year-old Adriana Younge, w

al attention.

Despite the delay, Sampson assured that preparationsarenowinplace forThursday’sfuneral.“The viewingofthebodieswillbe held at Sandy’s Funeral Home, and from there they will be taken to their home. Burial will be done at the KurukururuBurialGround,” shesaid.

She disclosed that MinisterwithintheOfficeof the Prime Minister Kwame McCoy stepped in and

assisted her with finances.

“Minister Kwame McCoy helped us with the funeral,” Sampsonstated.

Kaieteur News had reported that the attack

occurred in the presence of Maline’s three children who escapedunharmed.

Maline sustained gunshot wounds to her breast, both sides of her

Guyana, Brazil and PAHO launch cross-border vaccination programme

DPI - The Governments of Guyana and Brazil, in partnership with the Pan A m e r i c a n H e a l t h Organisation/World Health

O r g a n i s a t i o n (PAHO/WHO), have launched a cross-border vaccination programme to increase immunisation coverage and advance regionalhealthcooperation.

The programme was launched on Saturday at Fazenda Buritizal Grosso in Bonfim, in Brazil’s State of Roraima, marking the start of Vaccination Week in the Americas.

This year’s campaign, running from April 26 to May 3, 2025, is themed: ‘Your decision makes a difference:Immunisationfor all.’ It forms part of the Disease Elimination Initiative,aregionalstrategy targeting the eradication of over 30 infectious diseases andconditionsby2030—11 of which are vaccinepreventable.

InGuyanaandBrazil,the programme will focus on prioritising immunisation against yellow fever, measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), and human papillomavirus(HPV).

These vaccines will be administered at health facilities across Region Nine,includingSandCreek, Massara, Yurong Paru, Annai, Aishalton, Rewa, Fairview, Shulinab, P o t a r i n a u , To k a , Karaudarnau, Karasabai, Lethem, Maruranau, and Surama.

‘Weareallcommitted’ Speaking at the launch, MinisterofHealthDr Frank Anthony reaffirmed his government’s commitment to increasing vaccination uptake.

“We all know the importance[ofvaccines]and we are all committed to making sure people get vaccines. I think because both countries have a very strong interest in vaccination, we have seen that the coverage increased significantly We are very pleased with that increased coverage,”hesaid.

Dr Anthony reported that national coverage for MMR and yellow fever stands at 99 per cent, with

Region Nine showing 100 per cent coverage for MMR and 97 per cent for yellow fever

He also acknowledged that misinformation continues to undermine public confidence in vaccines and called for continuous public engagement.

“Wehavetokeeptalking toourpopulationandensure that they understand the importance of vaccination. That is why it is important that initiatives like this not just in one jurisdiction but combining our efforts to ensure that the population that straddles both countries areproperlyimmunised,”he said.

HPV vaccination key in preventing cervical cancer is also being expanded, with Region Nine’s current coverage reportedat92percent.

Infrastructureandhealth

Dr Anthony said the government remains committed to building a “world-class healthcare system” and is prioritising infrastructure projects, such as roads and bridges, to strengthen cross-border collaboration and drive s o c i o - e c o n o m i c development.

P A H O / W H O

Representative in Guyana, Dr Kim Dickson, emphasised the value of coordinated regional

responsestoemerginghealth threats like measles and yellowfever

“We in PAHO will continuetoprovidetechnical support to our counterparts, to our leaders and policymakers in advocating for health as a foundation of progress,” Dr Dickson stated.

Agrowingpartnership

Romualdo Feitosa Silva, M a y o r o f B o n f i m Municipality in Brazil, hailed the immunisation programmeasasymbolofa strong partnership between thetwocountries.

“We want to increase vaccine coverage in Bonfim and communities,” he said.

“My administration is

strongly committed to straightening this kind of initiative, and we will be promoting these actions to ensure vaccination for all. This will be our priority- a partnership with local, national and international healthorganisations.”

This marks the third cross-border immunisation effort between Guyana and Brazil in the past five years. Also present at the launch were Regional Chairman Bryan Allicock, Regional Health Officer Dr Cerdel McWatt, Brazil’s State SecretaryofHealthAdelaide Rosa de Castro Lucena, and P A H O / W H O Representative for Brazil, ElisaPrieto.

back, and throat. Waveney was shot in the head, breast, and right hand, while SueAnn suffered injuries to herleftbreast,righthip,and thecenterofherlowerback.

DEAD: Sueann LaCruz DEAD: Waveney LaCruz DEAD: Maline LaCruz

Officials at the launch of the cross-border vaccination programme (DPI)

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Cops blame civilian for false info on Adriana’s ‘abduction’ - Pres. Ali

…but family recalled Commander Mandall, other ranks insisting they had footage of girl being taken away

President Irfaan Ali, on Monday evening, told the nation via a Facebook Live broadcastthatitwasacivilian working with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) who was responsible for the release of falseinformationclaimingthat 11-year-old Adriana Younge had been abducted.

The Commander of Regional Division #3, Assistant Commissioner of Police Khalid Mandall, was recently sent on administrative leave to facilitateaninvestigationinto the death of the child, who was found in the swimming pool at the Double Day InternationalHotel,Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo.

Adriana disappeared on the afternoon of April 23 while on a swimming outing at the Double Day Hotel. Despite searches of the pool andthepremises,shewasnot located on Wednesday That night, police issued a statement claiming they had reviewed footage showing thechildleavingthehoteland beingspiritedawayinaRaum motorcar

However, in a dramatic turn of events following the discovery of Adriana’s body in the swimming pool at the Double Day Hotel, the Guyana Police Force stated that the initial statement on the child’s disappearance was inaccurate. Amid widespread public outrage over the police’s handling of thecase,Mandallwasinitially transferred and then placed onadministrativeleave.Three other ranks were also placed under close arrest.

Following the release of Adriana’s post-mortem examination(PME)resultson Monday evening that revealed she died by drowning, PresidentAli held a press conference to address the nation amid growing chaos and unrest. During the press engagement, he was asked what actions would be taken regarding the GPF’s handling of the case and the misinformation surrounding

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Dead, 11-year-old

Adriana Younge

the claim that the child had beenabducted.VicePresident Bharrat Jagdeo had already called for the release of the footage police claimed to have.

Forhispart,PresidentAli disclosed that a civilian was responsible for the misinformation.Hesaid,“I’ve asked for a full report on the report,theinitialreportofthe car from what was provided to me in that control center, there was a civilian who was workingalso,andthecivilian, because the control centers have civilians also, would have been the one who providedtheinformationthat was inaccurate. But after all of this, all of those informationwillbeprovided. ButIjustwanttolimitmyself to what is before me today.”

Former Commander of Region Three, Senior Superintendent Khalid Mandall President

He also spoke about reforms for the GPF Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). According to reports, Adriana’s mother, Amecia Simon, and her aunt, Amika Lewis, had recounted their experience with Commander Mandall and his ranks on the evening Adriana went missing.

Simon stated that when shearrivedatthehotel,police werealreadyonthescene,but her pleas for a thorough search of the building were ignored. She said an officer insisted her daughter was abducted, though they did not believe Adriana would leave the premises without notifyinganyone.“Isaid,my child is right in there. I said, shewouldn’tleavethisplace.

She’s right in there. Then he said they get footage that is showing that she left, she came out, and she left in a vehicle,”Simonstated. Similarly,Adriana’s aunt said that several police officers, including Commander Mandall, repeatedly claimed they had video footage showing Adrianaleavingthepremises, but they never showed it to the family. “Mandall told me we have a video here. He has his phone in his hand. We have a video here showing that the girl left. So I said, show us the video up to now, Mandall never showed us that video, but was insisting thatwecleartheroadandthat we go home, because he has avideoonhisphoneshowing that she left,” she added.

Mixed reactions to midnight curfew

From page 18 identifiedonlyas‘Darky’dismissedthecurfew entirely, by stating, “The curfew ain’t make sense, girl. You ain’t see is before 12 them people start loot and bun up de road, and vehicles and protest.”

Kathy Smith, President of the GeorgetownChamberofCommerceandIndustry (GCCI) and also owner of Dynotech Construction Chemicals Inc., called for the upholdingoflawandorderwhileexpressing sympathyforYounge’sfamily

She said, “The GCCI is disheartened by the tragic loss of such a young and promising life. We intended to express that at our planned vigil, which had to be postponed to alaterdate.”“Ithinkwhilethenationmourns with the family, this tragedy has been hijacked by criminal elements of society who havetakentheopportunitytoloot,burn,and

act violently We have received reports and observed many businesses that are vital to communitieshadtoclosetheirdoors,”Smith added.

Further,businesswomanMonicaThompsonsaidthecurfewwillhurtfarmersandvendors who operate in early morning hours. She told Kaieteur News, “The curfew, I don’t think it is called for the curfew, that is totally wrong, because at Parika, where the business areas are, the farmers are coming in night to get the market like 04:00 to 02:00 people does start going up by the stellingtobuyloads,it’sgoingtoaffectbusiness.”

Avendorknownas‘Raj’saidthatsucha curfewwouldmakeitdifficultforhimtoprepare for his day’s work. “Goods start pack out early. People come and buy early. It is gonna take a toll on we.”

VACANCY

Irfaan Ali

AdrianaYounge’sdeathgripsdiaspora

A section of the crowd at the vigil in

Wh i l e thousands of c i t i z e n s across the country joined in mourningthetragicdeathof 11-year-oldAdrianaYounge, scores of Guyanese in the diaspora responded with a similarshowofempathy

The international

community initially responded with small gatherings and candlelight vigils in places like Queens, New York, over the weekend.Thegatheringlater spread to Bridgetown, Barbados, where a book of condolences was opened in Younge’smemory GuyaneseinBridgetown

100

werejoinedbysympathisers from the island, several of whom learnt of the child’s tragic loss of life via social media.

Together, they lifted prayers and inspirational songs as they called for justice for Younge and her family On Monday, Guyanese in Brooklyn gatheredyetagainforavigil, this time, in a larger number as their collective cry for justice rang through the neighbourhood.

“Whatwewant?Justice! Justiceforwhom?Adriana!”

the crowd shouted

collectively, holding placards with the child’s

-severalvigilsheldinherhonour

of the deceased child

picture. Several participants held the Golden Arrowhead as they continued to chant “Sayhername!Adriana!”

In Canada, a vigil was held at Thomas Memorial Park,whichwasattendedby ahandfulofpeoplesincethe Canadianelectionswerestill ongoing. However, Kaieteur News understands that Guyanese there have plannedaninterfaithservice inYounge’smemory

Meanwhile, Guyanese and friends in the United Kingdom gathered Tuesday evening at the Brixton Tube station to honour the child’s memory Those in the UK held a faith service calling

arrested for various crimes ...wanted bulletins issued for dozens on causing public terror accusations

TheGuyanaPoliceForce (GPF),betweenMondayand Tuesday, issued wanted bulletins for 26 persons for allegedly inciting public terror under the Criminal LawOffencesAct.

The two persons who have since been arrested have been identified as: Robin Simon and Azriel Asby Asbywasheardstating inavideothatresidentsfrom various villages should, “lightupderoad…unodon’t stop, we have to get justice for Adriana.” The bulletins are in response to the recent intense protests, which erupted following the death of 11-year-old Adriana Younge.

for justice for the young child.Thecrowdsanghymns as they lit candles in her memory

The response from the diaspora followed several events held in honour of the deceased child. In Guyana, sympathisers, mourners and Younge’s family members heldacandlelightvigilinthe vicinity of the burnt Double Day International Hotel and Bar at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) while scores of persons in Linden, Essequibo and Georgetown hostedsimilaractivities.

Thebodyofthe11-yearold girl was pulled from the Double Day International Hotel pool last Thursday by her father, Subryan Younge, amidst a heated protest action The child was reported missing around 14:00hrs on Wednesday during an outing with her grandmother Despite repeated appeals for the policetoconductathorough search of the premises, family members claim this was not done. Furthermore, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) later admitted to

issuing an inaccurate statement, which indicated thatthechildleftthehotelin aredandblackToyotaRaum the evening she went missing.

Relatives remained adamant that little Adriana had not left the hotel, as surveillance footage reviewedfromaneighbour’s camera only showed the childentering.Herbodywas later recovered floating in thehotelpool.Asaresult,the family expressed distrust in localinvestigators.

O n M o n d a y, a n independent post-mortem examination (PME) conductedonYounge’sbody concludedthatshediedfrom drowning.

The result of the fourhour-long autopsy at the GeorgetownPublicHospital Corporation (GPHC) was later confirmed by the family’s lawyer, Darren Wade, and then President Irfaan Ali at a news conference.

Prior to the child’s postmortem, which commenced around 12:30pm, a series of scans, including X-rays and

a full-body CT scan, were conducted to assess for fractures and other injuries, including internal bleeding. While it appears as though theadministrationhasclosed the case, the family’s attorney said relatives are continuing to press the government for an independent and impartial investigation.

Wade complained that although President Ali publicly said that no stone wouldbeleftunturnedinthe death of Adriana and he would support the family, there has been no effort to meetthisspecificrequestby thefamily

Thefamilyhadrequested the services of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Scotland Yard or theRoyalMountedPoliceof Canada to investigate the death.

Wadestressed,“Ibelieve it is critical at this point in time for the family and for the entire country that the state acts, that the president doesn’t just talk and that he delivers based on that promise.”

Adriana Younge to be laid to rest next Monday

fiery protest, destroying both the hotel and homeofthehotel’sowner

n , 3 7 motorcycles were seized,

perpetrate crimes. As such, chargeswillbelaidforthose incustody

Minister of Public Works aided the joint service in cleaning Joint Services patrols will continue to maintainastrongpresencein theregionstoensurelawand order.” Notably,overthepast24 hours,100personshavebeen arrestedforvariousoffenses, including robbery under arms,saidpolice. I n a d

Eleven-year-oldAdrianaYoungewillbe laidtorestonMonday,May5,2025,some11 days after her body was pulled from the Double Day Hotel pool, at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE). Family members confirmedthedateonTuesday Younge was reported missing last Wednesday, moments after arriving at the popular hotel with relatives to swim in the pool. Despite checks in the pool and hotel, shewasnotfound. Her body later surfaced in the pool Thursday morning, resulting in a massive

Police, in an initial statement last Wednesday, claimed they had reviewed footage which showed the child leaving the hotel and was spirited away in a Raum motorcar

Followingthediscoveryofherbody,the policerevealedthattheyhadinfact,released aninaccuratemissivethedaybefore.

A post-mortem examination (PME) conductedonYounge’sremainsonMonday concludedthatshediedbydrowning.

Azriel Asby

Robin Simon

The diaspora in Barbados showed their support by hosting a vigil on Monday

Guyanese in the UK showed their support with a vigil and faith service to call for justice on behalf

New York for Adriana Younge

Palestinians resort to eating turtles as food runs out in Gaza

…as vital community kitchens may soon shut, halt free meals

Aljazeera - Palestinian fishermen in Gaza have resortedtoeatingturtlemeat duetoseverefoodshortages caused by Israel’s total blockade of humanitarian aid.

Meanwhile, Reuters has reported that it took five hours of queuing at a community kitchen in Gaza’s Nuseirat district for displaced grandmother Um Mohammad Al-Talalqa to get one meal to feed her hungry children and grandchildren.

But finding food may be about to get even tougher: Gaza’s community kitchens — lifelines for hundreds of

thousands of Palestinians after 18 months of war — may soon have no more mealstoprovide.

Multiple aid groups told Reuters that dozens of local community kitchens risk closing down, potentially within days, unless aid is allowedintoGaza,removing the last consistent source of meals for most of the 2.3 millionpopulation.

“We are suffering from famine, real famine,” said Talalqa, whose house in the GazatownofMughraqawas destroyed by Israel. “I have noteatenanythingsincethis morning.”

AttheAl-SalamOriental

Food community kitchen in Gaza City, Salah Abu Haseeraofferswhathefears couldbeoneofthelastmeals forthe20,000peopleheand hiscolleaguesservedaily

“ We f a c e h u g e challengesinkeepinggoing. We may go out of operation within a week, or maybe less,” Abu Haseera told ReutersbyphonefromGaza.

SinceMarch2,Israelhas completely cut off all supplies to the 2.3 million residents of the Gaza Strip, andfoodstockpiledduringa ceasefire at the start of the year has all but run out. It is the longest such closure the GazaStriphaseverfaced.

Community kitchens vary from one-room businesses to regular restaurants Thousands of people carrying plastic and aluminum pots to fill with free meals have been a commonsightintheenclave inthepastmonths.

“The community kitchens, which the population in Gaza are relying more on, because there are no other ways to get food, are at a very big risk to shut down,” Juliette Touma, spokesperson for theU N Palestinianrefugee agency, UNRWA, told Reuters

“We have 70-80 community kitchens still working in Gaza...In four to five days, these community kitchens will close their doors,” Amjad Shawa, the director of the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network (PNGO) in Gaza, told Reuters.

Shawaputthenumberof operational community kitchens in Gaza before the crossings closed at around 170.Hesaidanadditional15

The sun sets over the northern Gaza Strip, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, April 29, 2025. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

kitchens closed down

Mustafa Marouch, a vegetable shop owner, is anotheroftheregion’smany residents who are trying to restore their former lives as besttheycan

MALNUTRITION

Gazans’stateofnutrition isworsening.

About 10,000 cases of acute malnutrition among childrenhavebeenidentified acrossGaza,including1,600 cases of severe acute malnutrition, since the start of 2025, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of HumanitarianAffairssaidin areportlateonMonday

“There has been an increaseinreportsoflooting incidents,amidthedesperate h u m a n i t a r i a n situation Over the weekend, armed individuals reportedly looted a truck in Deir al Balah and a warehouseinGazaCity,”the OCHAreportsaid.

TheGazahealthministry said at least 60,000 children were now showing symptomsofmalnutrition.

“Weareseeingpaediatric cases with moderate or severe acute malnutrition, and we are seeing also pregnant, lactating women that have difficulties breastfeeding, they t h e m s e l v e s a r e malnourishedorhaveavery insufficient calorie intake,” Julie Faucon, Medical Coordinator at Doctors WithoutBorders(MSF),told ReutersfromJerusalem.

The Hamas-run Gaza government media office said on Friday famine is no longer a looming threat and isbecomingareality.

Fifty-two people have died due to hunger and malnutrition, including 50

children,itadded.

AbuHaseerasaidfoodis being sold at “fictional prices.” Prices have risen 1,400 percent compared to during the ceasefire, the World Food Programme (WFP) said on Friday, adding that its stocks were nowdepleted.

Israel has previously denied that Gaza is facing a hunger crisis and says there isstillenoughaidtosustain the enclave’s population, but it has not made clear when and how aid will be resumed The Prime Minister’s office was not immediately available for comment

The military accuses the Hamas militants who have run Gaza of exploiting aid, which Hamas denies, and saysitmustkeepallsupplies out to prevent the fighters fromgettingthem.

On March 31, all 25 WFP-supported bakeries closed after wheat flour and cooking fuel ran out. That sameweek,asupplyofWFP food parcels distributed to families containing two weeks of food rations becameexhausted.

The Gaza war started after Hamas-led fighters killed1,200peopleandtook 251 hostages to Gaza in the October 2023 attacks, according to Israeli tallies Since then, Israel’s offensive on the enclave killed more than 51,400, according to Palestinian healthofficials.

UNchiefurges ‘irreversibleaction’ onIsrael,Palestinian two-statesolution

U n i t e d N a t i o n s Secretary-General Antonio GuterresonTuesdaypushed countries to “take irreversible action towards

implementing a two-state solution”betweenIsraeland the Palestinians ahead of an international conference in June.

“I encourage Member States to go beyond affirmations, and to think creativelyabouttheconcrete steps they will take to support a viable two-state solutionbeforeitistoolate,” Guterres told a Security Council meeting on the MiddleEast.

France and SaudiArabia will co-host the conference at the United Nations in June.

“Ourobjectiveisclear:to make progress on the recognition of Palestine and the normalization of relations with Israel at the same time,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot toldtheSecurityCouncil.

“This is how we will be able to guarantee Israel’s security and its regional integration, whilst responding to the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinians to have their ownstate,”hesaid.

Hesaidtheroadmapfor t h e e f f e c t i v e implementation of the twostate solution also required thedisarmingofPalestinian militants Hamas, defining a credible government structure in the Gaza Strip thatwillexcludeHamasand reform of the Palestinian Authority

The United Nations has longendorsedavisionoftwo states living side by side w

s. Palestinians want a state in the West Bank, East JerusalemandGazaStrip,all territorycapturedbyIsraelin a1967warwithneighboring Arabstates.

on Monday

DolphinSecondarydethrones...

Frompage33 tackle inside the box gave Dolphin a lifeline. Brian Brower,therockbetweenthe posts and team captain, calmly stepped up and slotted home the penalty Level at 2-2 going into halftime, the defending champsfoundthemselveson unfamiliarground.

The second half was a relentless tug-of-war.

Dolphin’s Brower made clutch saves, while Ezekiel

Frank-David buzzed around the final third creating chances. Then came a twist; Dolphin’s Jamal Williams wassentoffwithtenminutes left, reducing them to 10 men.Yet even with the odds stacked, Dolphin stayed resilient. As the clock hit 90, the moment of magic arrived.

Grant, the evening’s undisputed hero, struck again, a clinical finish that sent the Dolphin camp into

raptures and sealed a longawaited3-2titlewin.

“We’ve been waiting on this moment for quite some time,” an emotional Brower said post-match “I’m extremely proud of this groupofguys.”

The awards mirrored the excitement of the final Chase’sBryanWhartontook home the Golden Boot with 20 goals, Dolphin’s Ezekiel Frank-David was named MVP, and Brower rightly

earned the Best Goalkeeper award for his match-saving heroics.

The tournament, a Petra Organisation masterpiece, was backed by Nestle Milo andMassyDistribution,with support from MVP Sports, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, and sanctioned by the MinistryofEducation.

Dolphin Secondary didn’t just win a title; they earned their place in school football history What a swim.Whatastory

Hinds, Hamid, Henry, Chester...

Wednesday April 30, 2025

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

You're at risk of feeling emotionally overwhelmed today Don't worry, Aries, it will all work out. Take some deep breaths and apply your intellecttothesituation.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

You can expect to receive some good financial news today Yourmindracesamile a minute as you strategize ways to spend the money If you aren't careful, you will have the money spent before thecheckhasevencleared!

GEMINI(May21–June20)

You might be surprised by how clever and creative you aretoday,Gemini.Justforfun, you may decide to pick up a paintbrush and try watercolor painting or perhaps writing somepoetry.

CANCER(June21–July22)

Today you feel a tug of war between desires & obligations. If you're smart about managing time, maybe you can satisfy both. You could be discouraged by how hard you've been working for minimalresults.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

You need to give yourself more credit, Leo. When you set your mind to something, nomatterhowambitious,you usuallyaccomplishit.Remind yourself of this today, as you may feel bogged down by obligationsatworkandhome.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

Today you're bursting at the seams with energy and enthusiasm Your personal and professional lives are going well, so it's no wonder youfeeljoyful.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Take care not to get on a soapboxtoday,Libra.Youhave strong opinions on everything from religion to politics. You risk offending people if you expoundonthem.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov 21)

Friendsandmoneyrarelymix. Today a close friend may ask for a loan. Think carefully Ratherthantaketheeasyroute and say yes, you and your friendwouldbebetterservedif you helped him or her figure outawaytoearnthemoney

SAGITTARIUS(Nov22–Dec21)

Today could be filled with delays and mix-ups at the office, Sagittarius. You'd be well advised to remain as patient as possible. Take deep breaths and maintain your senseofhumor

CAPRICORN(Dec22–Jan19)

Youhavebigplans,Capricorn, and your dreams may be keeping you from paying attention to your work. Don't get too stressed. You've never missedadeadline,soyouknow that one way or another you willgeteverythingdone.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

It's frustrating when work gets in the way of romance and social activities. This is what you feel today Your thoughts are on your evening and weekend activities, but your obligationsareonyourdesk.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Thisisagooddaytomakeyour list and check it twice, Pisces. Thereisroomforimprovement in the way you organize your life.Yoursystemathome,such as it is, isn't particularly efficient.

CWI champions cricket...

Frompage28 together sport, culture, and commerce. With the right partnerships,thisprojectcanbeablueprintforhowsportcan drive meaningful investment. In addition, every year we broadcast cricket from the region to millions of viewers worldwide,manyofwhomtheCBIprogrammecouldbeof interest,”Dehringstated.

Meanwhile, Shallow believes the level of engagement fromregionalleadersatCIS25reflectsasharedcommitment toprogress.

“The Citizenship by Investment programme offers a valuable pathway for attracting meaningful investment into cricketandotherareasofregionaldevelopment.Itprovides an opportunity to connect global capital with our ambitions to grow the game and strengthen the Caribbean’s economic landscape. With this kind of unified interest, we can consolidate our efforts and create greater economic opportunitiesforallCaribbeanpeople,”Shallownoted.

Frompage31 Starsissetfor8.30pm.Inan

Secretary Dwayne Roberts remarked: “The honouring will be blended into the games and the breaks per intermission. The objective ofthisnightistopresentour commitmenttothecontinual developmentofbasketballin Linden and Guyana through this nonprofit organisation. Our desires are to provide help where we can with the scarceresourcesavailableto us.”

Admission for tonight’s eventisfree.

East Bank Essequibo CC elections set for May 4

TheelectionsofofficebearersoftheEast Bank Essequibo Cricket Committee will be held on Sunday May 4 at Tuschen CommunityCentreat11:00hrs.

According to a release, the requirements forclubstoparticipateintheelectionarethe submission of a financial statement, a list of their elected club officials with their contact numbers, minutes of the meeting at which

they were elected, a copy of the club’s constitution and names of the delegates and alternates.

All requisite documents /information mustbesubmittedtotheCricketOmbudsman at 47Aubrey Baker Street, South Ruimveldt Gardens or C/O The Guyana Cricket Board office,RegentRoad.Bourda.

Eachclubisentitledtotwodelegates.

Fitness Express joins the Battle of the Rising Stars

We’reexcitedtoannouncethatFitnessExpressisproudly on board for the Battle of the Rising Stars, taking place on Sunday, May 4th at the Royal International Hotel, the organisersinformedviaarelease.

As one of the first supplement stores in Guyana, Fitness Expresshassupportedsportsandathletesfromdayone.Since openingitsdoorsin2010,thecompanyhasbuiltareputation for offering the best supplements and top-quality gym equipment in the country It remains a one-stop shop for all fitness needs—delivering exceptional customer service and anunmatchedlevelofexpertise.

Whetheryou’rejuststartingyourfitnessjourneyoryou’re a seasoned athlete, visit Fitness Express today and get everythingyouneedtoachieveyourgoals.

Insupportofthisexcitingevent,OwnerJamieMcDonald officially handed over the sponsorship cheque to Roger Callender,PresidentoftheGuyanaBodybuildingandFitness Federation(GBBFF).Zoonalsocommittedtotheeventforthe year2025andmadeapresentation.

CWI champions cricket as catalyst for regional growth at CIS25 Conference

SportsMax - Cricket

West Indies (CWI) reinforceditscommitmentto innovation, strategic partnerships, and harnessing thefulleconomicpotentialof cricket as a regional asset duringitsparticipationatthe recently-concluded 25th Annual Citizenship by Investment and Investment Migration Conference (CIS25).

President Dr Kishore ShallowandChiefExecutive Officer Chris Dehring represented the organization at the prestigious event, which brought together

g l o b a l i n v e s t o r s ,

policymakers, and development leaders The list included the Honourable Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda; the Honourable Philip J. Pierre, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia; the Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of

Dominica; and the

Honourable Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada.

Chairman of the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG), Ricky Skerritt, and Nelecia Yeates, General Manager, were also in attendance, as CWI used the platform to present its evolvingvisionforcricketas a catalyst for sustainable economic growth across the Caribbean.

D e h r i n g , w h o participated in a high-level paneldiscussiononsportand sustainable investment,

sharedinsightsintocricket’s global commercial growth and the critical role of regionalinfrastructure.

“Crickethasalwaysbeen more than just a game in the Caribbean—it’sanidentity,a brand,andaglobalasset.But now it also represents a significantplatformtoattract regional investment where there is untapped potential, especially in EastAsian and North American markets where there is vibrant interest in the sport. By engaging high-net-worth fans more deliberately through cricket, we can attract capital that not only enhances our cricketing infrastructurebutalsodrives broader economic growth,” hesaid.

The redevelopment of Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) in Antigua was showcased as a flagship opportunity—envisioned as avibrant,multi-usecomplex that merges sport, culture, entertainm

nt, and innovation. CWI is actively exploring how this project can be enhanced by the region’s Citizenship by

( C B

investment.Theglobalreach ofWest Indies cricket can in turnbenefitthesustainability oftheCBIprogramme.

“Our aim is to turn Coolidge into more than a cricketvenue—weseeitasa

Dave Savoury (right), CEO of Zoon, makes a presentation to Roger Callender

Caribbean Boxing Organization formally established

The Caribbean Boxing Organization (CBO) was formally established onApril 27 & 28, 2025, during a meeting of prominent boxing promoters at Rendezvous Ridge in Barbados.

TheAttendeesincluded:

- Mr BobbyOttley(St.Maarten)

- Mr RonaldAls(Barbados)

- Mr SeonBristol(Guyana)

- Mr DexterPatterson(Guyana)

- Ms.MariamBynoe(Barbados)

TheExecutiveMembersoftheCBOare:

- President:Mr SeonBristol(Guyana)

- Vice President: Mr Bobby Ottley (St. Maarten)

-

- Secretary:Mr RonaldAls(Barbados)

- AssistantSecretary:Ms.MiriamBynoe (Barbados)

- Executive Member: Mr. Dexter

Patterson(Guyana)

Following the formation, the group held discussions with the Executive of the Barbados Boxing Board and engaged the President of the Barbados Boxing Association to outline the objectives and the foundationalprinciplesoftheorganization.

The CBO has scheduled its second meeting during a boxing promotion in St MaartenonAugust30,2025.

Asubsequent meeting is planned to take place in Guyana with the date to be announced.

The establishment of the CBO aims to promote and develop boxing across the Caribbean region, fostering cooperation among member nations, organizing regional championships and elevating the sport’s profileintheCaribbean.

West Coast Warriors open NYNCL competition with 124-run victory

It was an auspicious start for West Coast Warriors after they registered a comprehensive, 124-run win over Yakasari Cricket Club on Sunday at Whitestone venue in the 2025 New York NationalCricketLeague(NYNCL)30-over competition.

Winningthetossanddecidedtotakefirst strike,Warriorsrattledupamammoth308-5 from the allotted 30-overs while they bowledYakasarifor184inthe25thover

Captain and former Guyana youth player, Kevin Christian, led from the front withanimpressive83.

Christian struck 9 sixes and a solitary fourduringhis46-ballstayatthecreaseand received good support from Avi Dhanpaul and Rajendra Khan with 64 and 55 respectively

Atthebackendoftheinnings,Vaickesh Dhaniram provided a late flourish with a spanking,unbeaten50lacedwith6sixesand 2fours.

GaneshRamlalltooktwowicketsfor51 runs from five overs, bowling for the opposition.

When Yakasari batted, Avinash Cassie scored a fighting 41, while Kapeshwar Jagdeo added 35 runs and 22 from HemakeshKissoon.

MediumpacerKabirGhaigrabbed3-42 from his maximum six overs, while leggy Brandon Cabose also picked up three wickets but the ex-Essequibo under-19 playerconceded48runsduringhisfive-over spell.

Anthony Providence was also in the wicket-column having captured 2-42 from six overs to help with the outstanding bowlingeffort.

The action is slated to continue on Sunday West Coast Warriors will tackle Tri-County Cricket Club at the same venue

In2024,Warriorsfeaturedinthefinal.

2025 CWI Breakout T20 League…

Titans sneak past hapless Guyana by 3 runs

Jamaica Titans pulled off a close 3-run win over the Guyana Rainforest Rangers thanks to a solid half-century from Kirk Mckenzie, backed up by good bowling yesterdayattheBrianLaraCricketAcademy

Left-armpacerJediahBladessnared3-25 with help from fellow speedster Nial Smith (2-29) while spinners Kevin Sinclair and Ashmead Nedd chipped in with a wicket each,whichkeptJamaicato166alloutafter 20 overs. Mckenzie led the batting charge witharobust51from31includingfivefours andapairofsixes,whileJordanJohnson(30) and Andrew Rambarran (36) played crucial

inningsfortheTitans.

Seeking a turnaround after a few L’s, the RainforestRangersthenslumpedto163-8as theyfailedtogetovertheline.

OpenerRivaldoClarkescoredabrisk24, whileKevlonAnderson(21),skipperKemol Savory (25) and all-rounder Zeynul Ramsammy (44*), tried to get their team acrosstheline.

The Titans pacer Zion Brathwaite (2-24) andAnthonyDackers(2-23),didthejobswell tohandGuyanathirdstraightloss. Guyana will play Leeward Islands in the nextround.

Seon Bristol (2nd right) and other members of the CBO.

Kevin Christian

Kirk Mckenzie

Hinds, Hamid, Henry, Chester, Jacobs among 10 listed for Guyballers ‘Night of Honour’ at Retrieve Hard Court

On a night set side to honourtenpersonswhohave m a d e s i g n i f i c a n t contributions to better the playing of basketball in Linden, the Guyballers Inc outofNewYorkhaspadded the special occasion with two supporting basketball matches, one featuring their

o u t f i t a g a i n s t a representative Linden side setfortonightattheRetrieve Hard Court in the mining townofLinden.

The Guyballers through

the Retrieve Raiders

Guyballers’Dwayne ‘Brown Sugar’ Roberts, Linden’s Yannick Tappin

Basketball Club and sanctioned by the governing Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) will show their appreciation for the efforts made by these individuals who dedicated their time, energy and resources towards the promotion of basketball in the bauxite community over theyears.

- Linden All Stars face Guyballers in grudge encounter

Former president of the GuyanaAmateur Basketball Federation (GABF) Nigel Hinds is one such whose effortsarebeingrecognised. Two outstanding former female nationals in Nichola Jacobs and Shana Chester, who now is a vice president of LABA, are also being givenrecognition.

Past national player and coach, Abdulla ‘Zico’ Hamid, who also has the Abdulla Hamid Basketball Foundation, coach and former Amelia’s Ward Jets standout Kevin ‘Two Feet’ Joseph, Dennis Niles of Kidrock Basketball Foundation, former LABA Treasurer and present

Manager of the Retrieve Raiders Basketball Club Eusi Francis, veteran sports journalist and past secretary of the LABA Joseph Chapman, outstanding former coach of Victory Valley Royals Basketball Club Christopher ‘Labba’ Pollydore and former FIBA recognised referee Sherwin Henryareallbeinggivenjust awards.

Theschoolgamewillsee thefuturegenerationofkids

being on display, and there willbelotsofgiveawaysfor theyouthsandspectators.

The grudge match at 8.30pm will bring its own attraction knowing that the Dwayne ‘Brown Sugar’ Roberts led Guyballlers are looking to walk away victorious against this Linden All Star side captained by Yannick Tappin.

T h e M a s t e r o f

Ceremonies is former

President of the LABA LawrenceSimonandamong those who will be in attendanceisPresidentofthe L A B A M s D a w n McCsmmon Barker and the first game between the two school teams, East versus West,bouncesoffat6.30pm; when all the invited guests areexpectedtobeseated.

The second game between Guyballers All StarsandtheLindenAll

Continued on page 27

GSA names strong 21-member team to represent Guyana at the upcoming Junior CASA C/ship

The Guyana Squash Association (GSA) has

officially unveiled a 21-member national junior team set to represent the nation at the highly anticipated 2025 Junior CaribbeanArea SquashAssociation (CASA) Championship, scheduled for June 29 to July 5 in GeorgeTown,CaymanIslands.

The announcement follows the successful staging of the Moo! sponsored National Juniors Championship, which servedastheprimaryselectiongroundfortheteam.Aspirited and determined squad was assembled by the GSA and its selection committee, reflecting both promising talent and experiencedcontenders.

Theteam,whichincludesablendofseasonedplayersand emergingstars,willnowshiftintointensivetrainingmodein the final weeks leading up to the Caribbean’s premier junior squashevent.Withtherecentcompletionofthestate-of-theart doubles court at Woolford Avenue, athletes will benefit fromenhancedpreparationfacilitiesdesignedtoelevatetheir performanceontheregionalstage.

Among the standout names on the roster are Louis Da Silva,KayleeLowe,EthanBulkan,EllaFernandes,andEmily Fung-a-fat.Theseathletesarenotonlyexpectedtoleadtheir respective age groups but are also strong contenders for individualtitles.

Thefullteamisasfollows;AlexisArjoon,EllaFernandes (Girls U11), Tehani Munroe, Zoey Mc Donald (Girls U13), KayleeLowe,TianaGomes(GirlsU15),AveryArjoon,Emily Fung-a-fat (Girls U17), Safirah Sumner, Rylee Rodrigues (GirlsU17),ZionHickerson,RafaelBrathwaite(BoysU11), Ethan Bulkan, JibrilAlli (Boys U13), Justin Ten-Pow, Egan Bulkan(BoysU15),BlakeEdwards,JustinGoberdhan(Boys U17), Louis Da Silva, Mohryan Baksh and ShilohAsregado (BoysU19).

Guyanawillheadintothisyear’stournamentwithaproud legacy to uphold.At the previous edition held in the British Virgin Islands, the national team secured an impressive second-placeoverallfinish,withtheboysplacingthirdandthe girlssecuringfifth.

Thecountry’srichsquashhistoryalsoincludesanoutright championship title in 2022, along with a dominant 12-year winningstreakfrom2005to2016.

With just over a month before competition begins, the youngathletesareexpectedtorampuppreparations,aimingto returntothetopoftheregionalsquashladder

‘One Guyana’ King and Queen of the Sand Football C/Ships postponed

The much-anticipated fifth edition of the ‘One Guyana’ King and Queen of the Sand Football Championships, originally set to kick off on Labour Day, May 1st, in the bauxite-rich town of Linden, has been postponed until furthernotice.

This year’s tournament promised an electrifying showcase of beach football action, with 74 teams; 64 male and 10 female ready to battle for sand supremacy at the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP-C) Linden office ground.

Organisers have assured that a new start date will be communicatedpromptlytoteams,officials,andfans.When thetournamentresumes,itwillofferalucrativeprizepoolof nearly$4millionincash,trophies,andincentives.

IntheKingsdivision,championswillwalkawaywitha hefty $1.5 million, while second to fourth place teams will receive $500,000, $300,000, and $200,000 respectively In theQueensdivision,thewinningteamwillclaim$500,000, with$300,000,$200,000,and$100,000reservedforthenext topthreefinishers.

The organising committee encourages all participants andsupporterstostaytunedforfurtherupdates.

Kaylee Lowe and Safirah Sumner to boost team Huyana at 2025 Junior CASA championship.

dethrones Chase Academic in epic Milo/Massy U-18 final thriller Dolphin Secondary

Dolphin’s Ezekiel Frank-David (right) receives MVP award from sponsor representative during Sunday’s epic culmination.

In front of a roaring crowd and under stormy skies, Dolphin Secondary finally had their day in the sun or in this case, rain, clinching the coveted 2025 Milo/Massy Under-18 Schools Football title with a breathtaking 3-2 triumph over defending champions Chase’s Academic Foundation on SundayattheMinistryofEducationground.

Both powerhouses entered the final unbeaten, but it was Dolphin’s hunger, some years in the making; that made the differenceonadrama-filledevening.Thescriptwastight,the tensionhigh,andwhenitmatteredmost,SeonGrantturnedthe tidewithabracethatwilllivelonginschoolfootballfolklore.

The match sparked to life almost instantly Chase’s DamaniHardystunnedthecrowdjusttwominutesin,curling inabeautyfrom18yardstogivehisteamtheperfectstart.But Dolphin,unfazedbytheearlyblow,struckbackquickly Inthe 6thminute,GrantpoweredthroughashakyChasebacklineto makeit1-1,signalingthatthecontestwasfarfromover Still reeling from the red-carded captain Bryan Wharton and midfield anchor Isaiah Ifill not in the starting lineup, Chase rallied again in the 17th minute. Neeiaz Baksh sent a thunderboltintothenetfromlongrangetoregainthelead—21.ButDolphinkeptcoming.Inthe44thminute,aclumsy

Continued on page 27

Bryan Wharton (left) cops Golden Boot despite 3-2 upset. MoE, Head of Allied Arts Unit, Nicholas Fraser assisting with trophy presentation.

- West Ruimveldt defeats Waramuri in 3rd place showdown

CWI Breakout Br T20 League…

Jamie McDonald (right) of Fitness officially hands over the sponsorship cheque to Roger Callender, President of the GBBFF.

Chase’s defenders swam Ezekiel Frank-David during Dolphin’s title hunt Sunday last at the MoE ground.

Dolphin Secondary carts off with 2025 Milo/Massy Under-18 Football title.

Kirk Mckenzie