Kaieteur News

Israel kills

102 in Gaza

…asTrumpsayshewillbe‘firm’withNetanyahu

govt. approval –oilcompany

Fiveinjuredinthree-waycrash alongRupertCraigHighway

Glenn Lall renews call for 25% oil royalty to be on ballot paper

Minerscharged withmurderat Balamanibackdam

Amanzateamsup withsmallparties toformcoalition

Pres.Alideniesusing U.S.lobbyingfirmto targetMohamed

...butcompanysaystweetswere doneonbehalfoftheGovt.ofGuyana

GECOM approves symbols for 19 parties for Sept. 1 polls

The mangled cars involved in the accident

Glenn Lall renews call for 25% oil royalty to be on ballot paper

AsGuyanesepreparetoheadtothepolls on September 1, businessman and advocate for a better oil deal, Glenn Lall, is again calling for a referendum on the current oil contract signed between the Government of GuyanaandUSoilmajor,ExxonMobil.

Lall said specifically, the referendum mustallowcitizenstovoteonthedemandfor a25percentroyaltyinsteadofthecurrent2 per cent, which the previous coalition

government had negotiated with ExxonMobilbackin2016.

There have been widespread calls for changes to the contract, and last year, some citizenshadcalledforthemattertobeputtoa vote,butthiswasresistedbythegovernment.

A referendum is a general vote by the electorate on a single political question that has beenreferredtothemfora direct decision Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo had said then that while theremightwellbeissues

regarding bringing ExxonMobil to the table even with a successful referendum, he would prefer to deal with the matter after the general andregionalelections.

aretakenintoconsideration?Wewouldlove that. But the government of 2016 signed an agreement that says the only way you could have this amicably solved is with the agreementofthetwoparties,”hesaid.

However, Lall, who was at the forefront ofthatcallthen,hasbroughtthematterback intothespotlight,sayingGuyanesehavehad enough of the promises by the political leaders. Speaking during one of his social commentaries, Lall said the time for silence isover

“Thedaysofbeggingthesethreepolitical partiesfordignity,decency,andhonestyhave long gone…Today, I am calling on every single Guyanese to demand that this Exxon oil contract be placed on the ballot paper come September1.”

He had said then, too, thattheGuyanaElections Commission (GECOM) should focus on preparing for the 2025 generalelections,andthatanydiscussionson a referendum could be postponed until after theelections.

“We have time enough to deal with that after the elections. But right now, GECOM mustfocusononequestion,whichisholding elections within the constitutionally prescribedtimeframe,”Jagdeohadsaid.

The vice president had highlighted that Exxonhasmadeitspositionclearthatitwill not be up for a renegotiation of the oil deal. Thatdealwaivesalltaxesandcatersforitto be paid by the government out of its share.

Guyana receives a 2 per cent royalty; it allowsExxonanditsco-venturerstorecover up to 75 per cent of production costs before the remaining 25 per cent is shared between GuyanaandtheStabroekBlockpartners.

After accounting for the 2 per cent royalty, cost recovery, and profit sharing, Guyana’s total take from the oil produced is 14.5 per cent of the total value of the oil. Jagdeo added that any Guyanese, including himself,wouldwantmoreoutofthedeal.

“WouldIliketohave75percentinstead of52percentinthefuturewhenallthecosts

“Let your vote… let my vote let every Guyanese vote for what we want from this wealth God has blessed us with. Let us choose,” he said. The businessman asked whetherGuyanesewantto continue to survive “on thismiserable,shameful2 per cent royalty — the crumbsthatthePPP,PNC, andAFC sold us for or do wedemandafairshare— a minimum of 25 per cent royalty—sothatallofus, our children, our grandchildren, and generations to come can eat properly, live withdignity,andwalkwithpride?”

Notingthatthechoiceissimple,Lallsaid a 25 per cent royalty will bring real salaries that reflect an oil-producing nation. “25 per cent will ensure quality education with qualified teachers. 25 per cent can provide freemodernisedhealthcarethatwillserveall our people. 25 per cent will pave our roads, provide clean water, and create real jobs. 25 percentwillpullGuyanaoutofdarknessand intothelightofprosperity,”thebusinessman said.

He charged that if citizens sit down and acceptthecurrent2percent,thentheymust bepreparedtolivewith“thatsameoldsalary, cash grants, and vouchers And stop complaining—whilebillionsofyourwealth isbeingshippedouteverysingleday.”

Hesaidtheoilresourcesweremeanttobe Guyana’s,thisoilwasmeanttobeablessing, but because of the “greedy, selfish, and heartlesspoliticians,ithasbecomeacurse.A curse that has many of our brothers and sistersbuildingcardboardshacksforshelter, whileforeignersbuildcastlesoverseas…”

Hess Guyana Exploration Limited, the 30% stakeholder in the Stabroek Block has stated that the finalisation of the 20% relinquishment of the oil block is pending governmentapproval.

Under the terms of the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), ExxonMobil GuyanaLimited(EMGL)theoperatorofthe StabroekBlock,isrequiredtoreturnacreage where no commercial discoveries have been made,inproduction,appraisedorareaswhere thereispotentialcommercialinterest.

Hess in its 2024 financial statements

obtainedfromtheDeedsRegistrysaid,“The end of the first renewal period of the exploration licence in October 2024 which requires the relinquishment of 20% of the acreage not held by discoveries is pending approvalbythegovernmentofGuyana.” It should be noted that Exxon was required to return a portion of the Block to GuyanasinceOctober2023;however,former President David Granger had granted the company an extension in 2020 to conduct furtherexplorationactivities.Thisextended Continued on page 6

Businessman, Glenn Lall

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

The President and the media

CharteredAccountant,ChristopherRamrecentlywrote onhowPresidentIrfaanAlihasdiminishedthepresidency, bothbyhisconductandleadershipstyle.

Ram posited that the presidency is the most sacred office in our Republic – its occupant sworn to uphold the Constitution and to serve all the people without fear or favour HesaidhoweverunderPresidentAli,thatofficehas been diminished – “through evasion, manipulation, and a styleofgovernancethatrewardsloyaltyovermerit,secrecy overtransparency,andpartisanshipovernationalunity.”

HesaiditisapresidencythatservesfirsttheParty,then its leaders, its loyalists, and finally, their families and friends.PresidentAlineitherhisofficehascomeoutwitha statementchallengingMr Ram'sassertion,althoughPublic RelationsConsultant,KitNascimentocametohisdefence. Yesterday on the sidelines of an event at the St George's High School- Guyanese had another chance to see for themselveswhatourPresidentismadeof.

Ayoungjournalistsoughtanswersonhisgovernment's troublingresorttousingaUSlobbyfirmbeingpaidforwith tax payer's dollars to smear Presidential Candidate, AzruddinMohamed,linkinghimtoVenezuelanPresident, Nicolas Maduro. What followed was confirmation of Mr Ram's assessment of the presidency and the holder of the office.Thecrudemannerinwhichhespoketothereporter wassobadthatveteranjournalistDenisChabrolwasforced tointerveneinsupportofhiscolleagues.Wehaveseenthis typeofstreetbrawlbeforebythepresident,notdissimilar tohisstandardbearer,VicePresidentBharratJagdeo.

“I don't understand what you are saying about a lobbying firm being hired, the Government has hired no lobbying firm to target anyone, so the premise of your question is wrong and you need to come again, and you need to come again with facts”, he said in response to a questionposedbyNewsSource.

The fact is that five proposed tweets, prepared by Continental Strategy LLC- the lobby firm hired by the President Ali Government refer to Mohamed as a “proMaduro puppet” and were submitted to a U S congressionalofficeaspartofthefirm'slobbyingeffortson behalf of the Government of Guyana. Already one CongressmanCarlosGimenezpublishedoneofthetweets fromhispersonalaccount,echoingthefirm'saccusations. He stated: “In the U.S. Congress, we are alarmed by the regime in Venezuela's attempt to undermine #Guyana through its pro-Maduro puppet candidate Azruddin Mohamed, who is sanctioned by OFAC! The Western Hemispheremustremainastrongholdoffreedom—nota breedinggroundforcommunistdictatorships.”

The fact is according to public filings with the U.S. DepartmentofJustice,theGuyaneseGovernmentsigneda six-month agreement with Continental Strategy LLC in December 2024, which President Ali has admitted. The contract is worth US$50,000 per month and outlines that thefirmwouldprovidelobbyingandgovernmentrelations servicestoGuyana'sMinistryofForeignAffairs.Theaim, according to the filing, is to: (1) increase U.S. trade and investmentinGuyana;(2)assistinfinancialsectorreforms; and (3) raise Guyana's profile in the United States. The firm'sdutiesincludelobbying,preparinganddisseminating informational materials, and engaging directly with U.S. policymakers.

As we reported yesterday on June 23, John Barsa, a partner at Continental Strategy, emailed the Director of Communications for U.S. Congressman Carlos Gimenez, sharingthefivedrafttweets.Intheemail,Barsaclarifiedhe wassendingthematerial“onbehalfoftheGovernmentof Guyana.”So,forthePresidenttodenythathisgovernment wasnotpartofanyplantolinkMohamedtoMaduroaspart ofalargersmearcampaignisatbestdisingenuous. Itwas the same evasive approach the President used when MohamedhadreleasedWhatsAppmessagesbetweenthem

Where does the PPPC stand on the Iranian situation?

DearEditor, The Islamic Republic of Iranhasfounditselfinavery serious situation with our allies. Clerics are issuing fatwas against Trump and Netanyahu, while the Ayatollah remains defiant towards the idea of terminating the Iranian nuclear program. Maybe the situation in Ukraine is instructive, but the conflict with Israel continues to be a seriousconcern.Theconflict with the Palestinians has

brought forward the voiced concerns of President Ramotar who was also the General Secretary of the PPPC, and he has been and continuestobeaverystrong critic of Israel. PresidentAli has also voiced his discontentwiththewestina previousbroadcast,wherehe showed whatmanyconsider tobesignsofanger

The influence of Islam was appearing to be less pronounced in the PPPC whentheydecidedtoimport

pigsintothecountry,butthe conflict in the Middle East and the recent use of a local religious authority to reduce the importance of a political opponent raises concerns thattheinfluenceofreligion remains strong within the PPPC In a surprising comment, the President has called for no weakening of thepartnershipwiththeU.S., but one must ask where the PPPC stands on the Islamic Republic of Iran's current situation. Is religion less or

moreimportantthannational wealthandthebackingofan allythatmanyintheMuslim world see as a foe closely attached to Israel? After all, calls by the small Israelite community in Guyana to h a v e Yo m K i p p u r recognized as a national holiday have fallen on reluctant ears, if not deaf ones. Is it a sign of "One Guyana"forsomeandnotall Guyanese?

Sincerely, Mr.

JamilChanglee

Committee of Appointments failed to fulfill constitutional mandate

DearEditor,

In January 2024, I wrote to your publication calling for greater accountability in the functioning of the C o m m i t t e e o n Appointments,whichcarries a constitutional mandate to o v e r s e e c r i t i c a l appointments to various Commissions and state agencies, including the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).

Inthatcorrespondence,I providedabriefoverviewof the reasons behind the Committee's failure to meet regularly Imustnowremind both you and your readers thatthelastmeeting,the19th sitting of the Committee, washeldinApril2023,more than two years ago. That meeting focused on

finalizing the public consultations for the Rights of the Child Commission. Unfortunately, that process hasnotadvancedsince.

Editor, with national elections constitutionally due by September 1, 2025, I must express my profound disappointment and dissatisfaction as a sitting member of the Committee. The Committee has utterly failed to fulfill its constitutional mandate during the life of the 12th Parliament; a Parliament I can confidently describe as the most dysfunctional in Independent Guyana's history

As a Member of Parliament who has served on this Committee under both Opposition and

on the matter of taxes for luxury vehicles. When he was confrontedwithdocumentedevidencethathefacilitatedthe undervaluationforcustomspurposesofahigh-endvehicle, thePresidentridiculedthesource.

We have said here before that President Ali's press conferencesandpressengagementswhatevertheyarecalled havemostlybeencharacterisedbyblusterandbravadowhen dealing with locals. However, when he should be at his strongest and frankest, i.e., with foreign investors and partners, he operates in secrecy, surrendering on his knees, and speaking in respectful tones. He very quickly and efficiently finds manners and mind his manners when foreigners are in the room.The local media is not engaged then,butblockedout.Whenthemediadaretoaskpertinent questionsonvitalissues,Aliretreatbehindwallsofsilence, or bash independent media professionals with verbal broadsides.AliisaPresidentwhoprefersthesoftquestions, thesweetsubjects,thatarenotamongthemostconcerning issues in the minds of Guyanese. Guyanese taxpayers millions are misused to make friendly media men and womenintospectaclesofthemselves.

Keyinformationistwistedorwithheldoncrucialissues, like oil. And when Ali wants to look good, he engages in thesetrashtalkingsessionsthathesayswithastraightface are press conferences. Guyanese are abused, standards are abused, a culture of media misuse with the resulting darkness and ignorance taking hold. Leaders lead by example governments govern with fidelity to principle. Whenthosearelaughedat,thenGuyanesegetthepressriots thattheyget.

Government benches, I can say that despite previous challenges,theCommitteein past parliaments met regularly and worked to addressmattersbeforeit.

On April 30, 2025, I, alongwithothermembersof the Committee, received an email from the Parliament Office on behalf of Minister Gail Teixeira, MP, who serves as Chairperson of the Committee The email proposed holding the 20th meeting on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, rather than the statutorydateofWednesday, May 14, 2025, due to the scheduled meeting of the Parliamentary Management Committee.

Members of the Committee responded, indicating their availability for Tuesday, May 13, 2025,

as proposed. My colleague, MP Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, requestedclarificationonthe agenda.OnMay2,2025,the followingagendaitemswere shared:

1. Renewal of contracts and continuation of discussions on the appointment of a Deputy DirectortotheFIU.

2. Status update on the WomenandGenderEquality Commission.

3. Status update on the Rights of the Child Commission.

4 Continuation of discussions on the Indigenous People's Commission;and

5. Appointment of members to the Local GovernmentCommission. Despitethis,nofeedback (Continueonpage4)

Still wedded to the political and ideological concepts of the Adam Smith free market paradigm

DearEditor,

Having- just listened to International Lawyer Melinda Janki's contribution to the Guyana Oil Spill Bill debate I could not resist commenting on some of her comments (government is incapable of running business and proscribing its role as simply creating the atmosphere for the private sector to function as the engineofgrowth). Shehasleftmetoassume thatsheisstillweddedtothe political and ideological concepts oftheAdamSmith free market paradigm, while totally ignoring the economic issues which constitute the foundation of that concept, and which she apparently failed to realise hadsuccumbedsincetheend ofWWII.

I would like to suggest that she research the performance of the major industrially developed European countries (England, Germany, Norway, Italy, Sweden, Austria The Netherlands) Japan, China The Asian Tigers (Singapore, Hong Kong,SouthKorea,Taiwan), even the United States, the bastion of the paradigm: all t h o s e c o u n t r i e s , experiencing critical free market, failures, both static and dynamic, negatively i m p a c t i n g t h e i r developmental goals and in all cases substantial government intervention was involved at all stages of their planning and operations.

Inthisregard,Imust (Continueonpage4)

Sugar and the opposition parties

DearEditor,

ThePNC-ledAPNUand theAFC,asthecampaignfor Elections 2025 heats up, once again have started another ominous attack against SUGAR. No matter how they disguise their intentions, their ominous threats are very clear for every sugar worker and for every Guyanese citizen to see. Their plans are clear –close sugar No matter how they describe it – “rightsizing” , “reassigning assets”,etc.–themessageis loudandclear

They might have succeeded in fooling some sugar workers in 2011 and 2015. But in 2025, the same old lines will not work. Sugar workers will not be fooled again. One would think that the PNC and the AFC leaders would want to avoid at all cost making promises about SUGAR Afterall,theybetrayedsugar w o r k e r s w h o overwhelmingly rejected and punished them in the 2018 and 2023 local government elections and in Elections2020.

ThePNC-ledAPNUand theAFChadpromisednotto close any sugar estate, to give every sugar worker a 20% pay increase. When David Granger, Moses Nagamootoo and Khemraj Ramjattan jointly took the stage at Whim and other places in 2015 and boldly promisedthat“sugarwastoo big to fail”; that no sugar estate will be closed, and, a hefty 20% pay increase for sugar workers, sugar workers and the Guyanese people took them at their word. The promise of 20% wages and salary increases

tempted some sugar

workers.

To the utter dismay of sugar workers and their families, the APNU/AFC promise was empty as they proceededbetween2015and 2020 to close four sugar estates, fired more than 7,000 sugar workers, forced sugar workers to fight in courtfortheirseverancepay, invested little to nothing in the other sugar estates, causing them to deteriorate, neglectedthecanefields,the factories and the field equipment,tookawayassets from GUYSUCO, placing valuable GUYSUCO assets

in NICIL, burdened GUYSUCO with a loan of $30B, left all liabilities with GUYSUCO, and froze the sugar workers' wages, salaries and benefits. The only times when sugar workers' wages and salaries were frozen were in the 1980s under a PNC government and between 2015 and 2020 when the PNC-led APNU and AFC formedthegovernment. Previously, between 2012 and 2015, using their one-seat majority, the blocked support for GUYSUCO Since 2020, they have consistently opposed any support for GUYSUCO.Theirhistoryis one of attacking and putting GUYSUCO and sugar workers under siege. We must never forget when AFC's Ramjattan stood in the hallowed halls of Parliamentanddeclaredthat theonlyreasonthePPPwant to support sugar is because sugarworkersaresupporters ofthePPP.

NowthatElections2025 arevirtuallyatourdoorsteps, the PNC and the AFC are backwithloftypromisesfor

GUYSUCO and sugar workers. The question is who, which sugar worker, which Guyanese citizen, would be so gullible to believe them, to trust them? Every promise they have ever made to sugar workers have been broken promises. Their trail of broken promises has stirred distrust and fear among sugar workers, their families and fortheGuyanesepeopleasa whole.

Distrust of the PNC and theAFCisfuelednotjustby broken promises, but through their hypocrisy, dishonestyanddisrespectfor people. Jointly, the PNC-led APNU andAFC closed four sugar estates and, had the PPP not secured victory at Elections2020,thePNC-led APNU/AFC government wouldhaveclosedthesugar industry. To insult the Guyanese people now with

theredefinitionofwhatthey did, with a different narrative, is sheer dishonesty

The narrative today is to deny they closed any estate. Today, with elections looming, the PNC leader, AubreyNortonandtheAFC former, disgraced leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, present their assault against GUYSUCO as “rightsizing” , removing “redundancy”. By whatever name they refer to their actions, they cannot change the truth. The TRUTH, the hard,cold,irrefutabletruthis thattheyclosedthemajority of sugar estates and they were on their way to fully closing the industry No word-smithing can change thetruth.

Aubrey Norton at his pressconferenceonJune27, 2025 asserted that no sugar worker will be fired. The

Committee of Appointments...

Frompage4 hassincebeenreceivedfrom Minister Teixeira regarding the non-convening of the May13,2025,meeting.

Editor, the matters listed above are urgent and consequential, particularly theappointmentsattheFIU, which are critical to Guyana's compliance with Anti-MoneyLaunderingand Countering the Financing of Terrorism(AML/CFT)laws. In the absence of this meeting,andconsideringthe Committee's inaction, I would like to know whether the contracts for key FIU personnel have since been renewed, and if so, on what constitutionalbasis.

Therefore, I call on Minister Gail Teixeira as

Chairperson to publicly explain:

Why the 20th sittingof the Comm

convened?

How, in the absenceof ameeting,theurgentmatters before the Committee, particularly the renewal of contracts at the FIU will be addressed prior to the 2025 elections?

I sincerely hope I will not be blindsided with a decision made unilaterally, or without the required constitutional process, r e g a r d i n g t h e s e appointments I look forwardtoapublicresponse fromMinisterTeixeira.

Yourssincerely AnnetteFerguson,MP

shamelessness with which he made that statement is frightening. Norton cannot seriously believe that sugar workers and the Guyanese people have forgotten that his party led the massive firing of more than 7,000 sugarworkersbetween2015 and 2020, an albatross he carries heavily around his andhisparty'snecks.Tonow insist that no sugar worker willbefiredisapromisethat onlyfoolswillbelieve.

Norton spoke of diversification and using GUYSUCO's assets, inc

wonders if this was a Freudian “slip-of-thetongue”, revealing the truth, whichistocloseestatesand use GUYSUCO's assets for another wild, unaccountable spending spree, just as they did with the $30B loan that wastakenbetween2015and 2020.

The PNC leader promised that investments w i l l b e m a d e f o r d

sificat

o

of GUYSUCO,aplanthatthe (Continueonpage6)

Not only did they fire more than 7,000 sugar workers, they refused to compensate the workers with their legal entitlement of severance. The present Attorney General, in his private capacity, supported by the PPP, provide legal representation for workers who appealed to the judiciary and won their claims for severance with interest owed. Even then, many sugar workers had to waituntilthePPPcameback into government to obtain theirlegalrights.

Still

wedded to the political...

Frompage4 recognize the Guyana government and even the private sector apparently, in recognition of the dramatic changes taking place worldwide, for embracing the concept of P

achievement of their developmentalgoals

In my case even at the ripe old age of 93, I hope to witness a shift from just Oil and Gas and some quasiinfrastructuralprojects–into gold for exploration, extraction, and marketing timberforitsmyriadcurrent and future viable applications, bauxite, manganese, tourism, and agriculture.

Yourstruly SylvesterCarmichael

Man wanted for rape found injured, turns self in

T

he 38-year-old

Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara (WBD) man who was wanted by police for rape turned himself in at the Diamond Police Station, East Bank Demerara (EBD) onTuesday

Quincy Bernard arrived atthestationvisiblyinjured, unable to walk and in company of his lawyer, NigelHughesandrelatives.

Bernard was missing for almost 48 hours after ranks from the Wales Police Station arrived at his home Sundaynighttoarresthim.

Reports are that shots werefiredatBernardduring the attempted arrest and he fled. Relatives were worried that he might have been

nursing a gunshot wound. It is unclear where Bernard was before arriving at the

Design for new road to connect Land of Canaan to Linden - Soesdyke Highway

completed - Pres. Ali

A n e w r o a d w a y connecting Land of Canaan to the Linden-Soesdyke Highwaywillbeconstructed soon, as the design for the new road link has been completed, President Irfaan Aliannounced.

President Ali made the disclosure during the opening ceremony for the new Ogle to Eccles Highway

“We have now already completed the design of the connection from Land of CanaantothenewSoesdyke/ LindenHighwaythatwillbe alongsidethenewSilicacity thatopeningupthousandsof acres of land. Now that is goingtobeaspectacleofjust likethenewDemeraraRiver Bridge,”hesaid.

He continued, “We are building basically, from an engineeringperspective,you hear about floating foundation,we'llbebuilding actually a causeway Now, those of you who travel and

Frompage3 the deadline to October 2024. Notably, the last update received from the government on the process was in April 2025. The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) in a statement had disclosed that itisstillfinalizingthereview oftherelinquishment. This publication had previously reported that

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat at a press conference earlier this year explained the technical challenges involved in finalizing the relinquishmentprocess.

you go to Tampa in these areas, would know that in these swampy areas that the roads are constructed as a causeway.”

The President said a c a u s e w a y w i l l b e cons

minimal impact on the environment.

“So, the design for the Land of Canaan to the Linden/Soesdyke is already completed,”hereiterated.

TheMinistryofHousing and Water had announced thatanewfour-lanehighway is being construction from CraigtoLandofCanaan.

Meanwhile,thepresident disclosed that engineers are working on designs for an interconnection of the HoustonHighwaytotheold EastBankRoad.

“Now we also will have, v e r y s o o n , t h e interconnection of the Houston Highway that is what we call the Houston interconnectionthatisonthe

designnow

Thatwillbeanotherfourlane road that will connect this (Ogle to Eccles) highway, Heroes Highway, Houston, and then goes out back again to the old East Bank Highway,” he explained.

PresidentAlithankedthe Ministries of Public Works and Housing and Water for work done to connect the East Coast and East Bank corridors.

“Roadsarenotjustabout movement;theyarecatalysts for broad-based national development. Where roads go,opportunitiesfollow,and where opportunity flourishes, so too does human dignity, industry and prosperity,” the president said.

Additionally,hesaidthat by improving the road network, access to markets forfarmers,fishermen,small businesses and investment opportunitiesareimproving.

police station but the police wereaskedtotakehimtothe hospital first but ranks said that he had to be formally arrested before any other actioncouldbetaken.

The exchange was caughtoncamera.

Police in a statement subsequently noted that thereweresomeabrasionsto Bernard's knees. Police said that Bernard told them he received the injures while running away from the police.Hereportedlysaidhe fell.

However, before police could have completed their formalitiesandtakeBernard tothehospitalforadoctorto determine his interviews, there was a confrontation among People's Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) activist, Ossie Rogers, Bernard's relatives and Leader of the Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity (ALP),SimonaBroomes.

Broomes reportedly accompanied Bernard and his relatives to the police station. While at the police station, Rogers reportedly walkedinandconfrontedher with the words, “Y'all does only show up fuh the criminals. What about the victim?”

The confrontation was captured in a live Facebook video Allegations were made that he also verbally abusedBernard'sfemale (Continueonpage16)

A requiem for the PNC-APNU

DearEditor,

The departure from the PNC-led APNU is moving from a trickle to a tsunami. By election day the APNU (and AFC too) will be so depleted, it is likely they mightjustthrowinthetowel.

Now, there are multiple reasons for abandoning the PNC-led APNU Chief amongtheseare(a)thepoor treatment of women; (b) the intensification of ethnic dominance in the party; and (3) the conspicuous lack of leadership.

Yet, one of the biggest reasons has been left unaddressed. For this I urge readers to take a look at the ridiculous letter by Lincoln Lewis (6/30/2025) in which he accuses the PPP of attempting to rig the upcomingelections.

The truth is only the PNC, the PNC-led APNU, and the AFC have been verifiably implicated in rigged elections in the country Mr Lewis'tiresome incantations have become boring, clumsy, awkward,

distasteful, jejune, insipid, but most of all, they have becomecounter-productive. The consequence of Lewis'comicaldistortionsis that even those within the PNC are voting with their feet He is writing the requiemforthePNC-APNU. Lincoln Lewis is an emperor without an empire. Hisplaywithincitementwill fall into an abyss of ignominy People have a limitwithnonsense.

Sincerely Dr.RandyPersaud

Sugar and the opposition...

For their part, the ministry outlined that it is collaborating with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to assess discovery areas and finalize the relinquishment. However, it did not explain why the process has taken several months beyond the October2024deadline.

“EMGLhas provided an updated discovery area and othertechnicalrequirements totheMNRandGGMC,and this is currently being finalized The MNR and GGMC continue to work diligently in assessing the extent of these discovery areas in order to finalize the

requirements, and this will be completed shortly, all

PetroleumActivitiesActand the Stabroek Petroleum Agreement,” the ministry said. Importantly, the ministrydisclosedthatithas agreed with Exxon that a minimum area of 2,534 km² (square kilometer) has been agreed to be relinquished.

The Stabroek Block spans approximately 6.6 million acres, about 26,709 km² (square kilometer), making the agreed relinquishment a minimum of 9.5% of the totalblockarea.

Frompage5 opposition bluntly panned when President Irfaan Ali emphasizedthisafewweeks ago.ThetruthisthatthePPP Government started this diversification already and now, like Christopher Columbus, Norton and the PNC has discovered. They are clueless, resorting to word-smithing the plans alreadyinplacebythePPP What is ominous is that Aubrey Norton refuses to pronounceonwhethersugar estates will be closed or privatize, hiding behind “studies” that they previously either refused to doorignored.Thisisalways a confession of what they trulyintendtodo–closethe industry Not to be outdone, theAFCdecidedafewhours later to hold their own press conference dealing with sugar. Khemraj Ramjattan insisted that Guyana cannot

develop with sugar for various reasons. For various reasons, therefore, he essentially concluded that sugar must be closed, even thoughheinsistsondefining this as “right-sizing”. He sees investments in GUYSUCO as a waste of money, calling GUYSUCO, onceagain,a“blackhole”.It is categorically disgraceful. Ramjattanisshameless. Ramjattan in answering to questions from Adam Harris claimed that the PPP did not keep its promise of reopening closed estates The PPP had promised to reopen sugar estates where feasible. Rose Hall Estate, Canje, was re-opened in 2024 and its cultivation continues to expand

Cultivation at Skeldon has resumed, with more than 1,000 acres of sugar cane alreadyonstreamandthisis expected to significantly

increaseby2026.Inrelation toWales,itwasdecidedthat since APNU/AFC had completely removed all equipment and demolished totally the factory, the gasto-energy project would replace sugar The PPP kept its promise Ramjattan shamelessly ignored the accomplishments. As Elections 2025 approaches, the Guyanese people have a clear choice beforethemwhenitcomesto sugar The PPPhas made its intentions clear – invest in GUYSUCO to keep sugar alive, while diversifying GUYSUCO, ensuring that sugar workers have a secure future. The other parties are equally clear – close the sugar industry, even if they are disguising this intention with words such as “rightsizing”.

Regards Dr.LeslieRamsammy

Quincy Bernard collapsed at the Diamond Hospital.

Quincy Bernard at the Diamond Police Station.

BLUNT BLUNT

Electioncampaigngonewild

The PPP/C's ferocious attacks on Businessman, Azruddin Mohamed as he visits communities as part of his elections campaign continues to unnerve citizens who are interested in justice and fair play.

Guyanese are all aware of the US sanctions against the Mohameds and the allegations of tax evasion filed by the Guyana Revenue Authority, but his right to campaign and be part of the electoral process is not one for the PPP and its supporters to decide.

Guyanese voters deserve better. They deserve rallies, not riots. They deserve to hear every voice, not just the one that currently holds power.

They deserve to cast their ballots free from fear, not amid the howls of political mobs. The election campaign must be peaceful, fair, and open to all.

History is littered with the remains of democracies that allowed political intolerance to masquerade as strength. If the PPP continues down this path, it may soon find itself the architect of the very political hostility it has long claimed to oppose. In the end, the question is not whether donkeys and horses need light—but whether the PPP still believes that the people of Guyana deserve the light of democracy

Mohamed no threat to the PPP

President Irfaan Ali, the presidentialcandidateforthe People's Progressive Party / Civic (PPP/C) has declared that Guyanese businessman, Azruddin Mohamed is “absolutely no threat” to the PPP/C at the upcoming elections but noted that he a securityrisktothecountry

Earlier this year, Mohamed, who was sanctioned in June 2024 by the United States DepartmentoftheTreasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control(OFAC),announced his intentions to contest the 2025 General and Regional Electionsslatedtobeheldon September 1 He is the presidential candidate for We Invest in Nationhood (WIN)party

On Tuesday, President

– Pres. Ali

Ali in a live stream on his Facebook page reminded citizens of the OFAC sanctions against Mohamed andwarnedofconsequences it entails for Guyana's financial systems, diplomacy and national security “He is a risk for Guyana;heisariskformany reasons and because he is a risk,thesanctionsoutlineda series of effects that will comeaboutasaresultofthe sanctionsitself,”Alisaid. The head-o

h e government's concern lies withtheriskMohamedpose tothecountryratherthanthe

President Irfaan Ali, presidential candidate for the People's Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C)

PPP's electoral victory

“Azruddin Mohamed is absolutely no threat to the People's Progressive Party electoral victory our support is strong, it is intact and we don't need to move away from facts and what is there,”Alisaid.

Guyanese businessman, Azruddin Mohamed, the presidential candidate for We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party

President Ali outlined thatwhengovernmentspeak about national security, they speakofsecurityoftheState, natural resources, and financial systems all of whichwouldbeatstakeasa result of Mohamed. He added,“Yesheisarisktoour financial system…is he a security threat to our financialsystem,yes,ishea threat to our natural resources credibility and transparency,yes...”

To this end,Ali outlined that it was the U.S. government who identified Mohamed as a threat to Guyana'sfinancialandother systems. He noted, “Our diplomacy is linked to the

defence of our sovereignty, and territorial integrity…so is he a threat to our diplomacy yes, is our diplomacy linked to our national security yes, is our security linked to our relationship with key allies like the Unites States in defense of our border, yes it is.”

M o r e o v e r , A l i highlighted that Guyana's greatest threat is that of Venezuela and to this end stated, “Is Azruddin Mohamed a threat to the defence of this border against Venezuela, yes, because our key ally has identified him to the extent thatissanctionedbythem.”

“This is not about politics, this is about our country, this is about our security,” Ali said outlining that government have a responsibly to secure the c o u n t r y ' s p e o p l e , institutions, and diplomacy He further outlined that Mohamed was sanctioned long before he announced hispoliticalambitions. Moreover, in an invited comment,OdessaPrimusan executive member of the WIN party denied President Ali claims and stated, “The biggestthreattothiscountry is the PPP...” She outlined that while Mohamed has travelled the length and breadthofthecountrytohelp those in need – the PPP has been focused on hiring lobbying firms to spread propaganda about him Primus argued that the PPP party is threatened by the Mohamed-led WIN party and noted that the PPP has realised that citizens are moreawareandwillvotefor WIN come September 1. Further, she challenged President Ali to release the evidence that links Mohamed to the Nicolas Maduro-regime.

Guyana'selectoralsystemhas becomesusceptibletocorrupt votingbyforeigners- Alexander

Opposition nominated commissioner of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Vincent Alexander has expressedconcernsoverthe number of foreigners who are able to obtain birth certificates and ultimately therighttovoteinelections h e r e

Inhisrecentappearance

on the programme, “Context” hosted by Journalist, Enrico Woolford,Alexandershared his contentions at how loosely a person born outside of Guyana could obtain a Guyanese birth c e r t i f i c a t e

“In the last five years, thelawhasbeenchangedto allowsomeonetoturnupto say that a Toshao has identifiedhim/herofhaving b e e n b o r n i n t h e [Indigenous] village and by virtue of that, that person canobtainaGuyanesebirth certificate.Onceyouhavea Guyanese birth certificate, youcanturnupatGECOM to register to vote, so this problem goes beyond GECOM, ” he said AccordingtoAlexander,

Opposition nominated Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Commissioner, Vincent Alexander

“Thelawprovidesforitsoit goes beyond us at GECOM andpeoplemightarguethat the Toshao has to sign an affidavit so that means that they can be brought before the court for falsifying a document, but the fact remains is what we have created is an opening to allow for persons who are notnecessarilyGuyaneseto be given Guyanese

c i t i z e n s h i p ” Hestressedthatinterms of Region One, there has beenasignificantriseinthe

numberofpeopleregistered t o v o t e

“It makes you ask yourself; were these people naturallyborninGuyanaor havetherebeenasignificant number of people who acquire birth certificates under the pretext that their parents were Guyanese or under the pretext that the Toshao has attested to them being born in Guyana,”

A l e x a n d e r n o t e d

HeassertedthatGuyana hasasystemthatcanbeseen aslegalbutissusceptibleto c o r r u p t i o n

“…And it impacts the electoral roll because it allows people unto the roll that may very well not be entitled to be there ”

“If you can prove heritage, in other words if your parents are Guyanese or you were birthed by Guyanese; you are entitled tobeGuyanesebutitwould r e q u i r e s o m e documentation but an important point has been raisedthatgoesbeyondyou having a right to be Guyanese. In Guyana, the legal architecture is (Continued on page 16)

The PPPC's dirty politics

The PPPC has been known to play dirty But evenwithsuchahistory,one must be concerned that the ruling party may be using statefundstogoafteroneof its political rivals. For this, the PPPC government deservespublicindictment. Whatweknowandwhat wasannouncedpubliclywas that the Government of Guyanahadhiredalobbying firm, Continental Strategy LLC, to provide lobbying services and Government relations services. It was assumedthatthiswaspartof the government's effort to secure the national interest including in relation to the territorial threat by Venezuela.Itcouldnothave been related, at the time, to the need for assist in removing the proposed tariffs imposed by Trump because when the company wascontractedthisissuehad notyetarisen.Butthisissuer could and should have been later added to the lobbyist's remit

A recent report in the press suggests that this lobbying firm is being used for partisan advantages and specificallytogoafteroneof the political rivals of the P P P C – A z r u d d i n Mohamed, a Guyanese businessman, sanctioned by theU.S.Treasury'sOfficeof Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Azmo as he is referred to in Guyana is, inconveniently for the PPPC, a declared presidentialcandidate.

ContinentalStrategy,the lobbying firm, should be asked to explain who instructedit todraftnoless

than five tweets yes, tweets for dissemination by a U S Congressman, branding AZMO as a Maduro puppet. What we haveherearequestionsasto whether the PPPC government paid a foreign entity to mount a character smear campaign against a domestic political rival. What name shall we give to this grotesque marriage of public expenditure and private vendetta? Certainly not “foreign affairs,” unless we now equate diplomacy withdefamation.Itisnotjust improper Itisunethical.Itis abusive.And it may well be illegal.

S

n a l l y appropriated for public purposes, not partisan w a r f a r e W h e n a government spends national revenues to secure the vilification of a citizen abroad much less a political opponent running for public office—it crosses alinenotmerelyofpropriety butoflegality Thisisuseof aforeignpolicyapparatusto achieve partisan ends It weaponizes diplomacy as a bludgeon against the democratic process. In a functioning democracy, this would be grounds not merely for outrage but for impeachment.

And what of the tweet itself?“IntheU.S.Congress we are alarmed by the regime in Venezuela's attempt to undermine Guyana through its proMaduro puppet candidate Azruddin Mohamed, who is sanctioned by OFAC!” One mightbetemptedtolaughif

theimplicationswerenotso grave.Arewetobelievethat thesovereigntyofGuyanais so fragile that it can be so easilyundone?

Moreinsultinglystillare the implications: that the PPPC government may be attempting to conscript Americanlawmakersintoits partisan feuds. This is the true irony: the PPPC accusing its rival of foreign allegiance while itself engaging in

gn orchestration. The sin is not only hypocrisy it is projection.

Andwhatdoesthissayto the people of Guyana? That their tax dollars are better spent on tweets than on schools? That their democracy is too fragile to withstand dissent, and must therefore be policed by lobbyists, not ballots? What

Guyanese public hold in an election whose outcome is being manipulated not in campaign halls but in CapitolHill'scorridors?

Is this the future of democratic contestation in the Caribbean? That rivals will be neutralized not by debatebutbydollars,notby votes but by viral slogans? The PPPC has, by its conduct, resorted to a dangerous practice of using the instruments of state to suppress opposition forces under the guise of foreign diplomacy Theimplications arenotjustnational;theyare hemispheric.

In all of this, the most chilling silence is that of accountability Nostatement fromtheMinistryofForeign Affairs, no rebuke from the

DEM BOYS SEH

Foe-reign Policy and de AZMO phobia

Demboyssehdegovernmentseh AZMOain'tnothreat.Demseh he ain't got no party, no base, andnochance.Butifhereallyain'tathreat, whydemspendingUS$50,000amonthpun he?

One minute de government hollering 'sovereignty' and 'non-interference' like is nationalanthem.

Next minute dem paying a foreign lobbying firm fuh write lil tweet. Imagine dat — taxpayers' money being used fuh script tweet like “AZMO is a Maduro puppet.”Andallthiswhilepoorpeoplestill waitingfuhwaterpipeandagarbagetruck!

Dem boys seh is no longer foreign policy is foe policy! Instead of representing Guyana to de world, de Ministry of Foreign Affairs now representingFreedomHousetoCapitolHill. Islikeweexportingourdirtypoliticsalong withdericeandgold.

And leh we talk straight — ifAZMO is reallyajoke,likedemseh,whyalldisfuss? Why try so hard to tie he to Maduro, Cuba, Russia, and probably next week, North

Office of the President, no government inquiry And whywouldtherebe?Thefox does not report the missing chickens. But make no mistake: this is a scandal of immense proportions that resembles some of the allegations levelled against PresidentDonaldTrumpand his use of his office to go after his political rivals. It was alleged that Donald

government Ukraine to

actagainsthispoliticalrival, Joe Biden, in the lead-up to the 2020 U.S. presidential election. These allegations wereatthecenterofTrump's firstimpeachmentin2019.

Korea?IslikedegovernmentseeingAZMO indemsleep.Demanlaunchapartywitha dove, and de whole Cabinet trembling like leaf in storm. Even de jaugaur gat dem trembling.

Demboyssehisdesperationseason.And is just July! Imagine what gon happen by August? Dem gon probably hire one astrologer in New York to say de stars alignin against AZMO presidency Watch howdeysettingdestage—usingbigwords like “national security,” “external threats,” and “democratic values” while dem using taxpayers'moneyfuhdirtyupaman.

Butdepeoplewatching.Deyknowwhen yuh spending so much to attack a man, yuh ain't confident. Yuh scared. Dem boys seh when yuh start to use de people money fuh fight yuh political ghost, is time fuh de peoplewakeup.

De government turning diplomacy into warfare.Fuhnow,AZMOjustwalking'bout withhedove—butdemboyssehdewhole governmentactinglikehecarryinganuclear missile. Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the

necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)

The real fear is that the PPPC may have joined the bandwagon in using state power and the state's financial resources to go after a political rival. Not onlywouldthisbewrongbut it raises the possibility of a governmentthatiswillingto spendmillionstodestroyits rivalsandmaybeinclinedto turn the same tools against thepeople.

H@RD TRUTHS

President on fire for US

Whatcouldbelovelierto American ears than Guyana's president handing them this country on a platter! American Independence Day at an American hosted event, and Guyana's president cup overflowed with grandeur about the extraordinary partnership between this countryandthenewMother Country,America. Move over, Madame High Commissioner from GreatBritain,theoldMother

Country Per Guyana's captivated president, the partnership is inviolable, morespecialthanthestoried one between the AngloSaxon cousins. It's so close that it converted the ocean separatingthemintoapond.

Now,thereisGuyanarudely shovingtheBritsaside,with its president taking a bow (and a knee) before the gathering of diplomatic glitterati and local panjandrums. Thepresident was all but slobbering, so drivenhewastocollapsethis countryintoaUSsatellite.

'We will do absolutely nothing to damage the partnership with the US.' The PPP Government, that is. Amanhastoknowwhere his bread comes from, the sourceofhispower Thereis none better at subjugating himself, the Guyanese people,tosuchapartnership, than Guyana's president FromaPPPthatwasalways about Down with America, to a PPP that is now All for America.

To use the lingo of American Football, Guyana'spoliticalOlympian is an All-American and an All-Pro.

He is that good at bendingbeforethethroneof Guyana's new sovereign, America. In my book, that takes first class honors, that well-designed presidential homage exhibited as politicalfidelity Relativeto exhibition, Guyana's presidentisacrossbetweena walking, breathing, Metropolitan Museum and Madame Tussauds Wax MuseuminNewYork.

I am so awed by this clever leader, this brother livingwithaperpetualfever, that I shrink from mentioning him by name. Hehasmadehimselfsuchan immortal figure in that direction.

Iponderwhatmyfellow Americans thought of the worship of their partnership with Guyana, and from Guyana's big chief himself. Neither a flunkey nor one from the ranks of the silky PPP secondary, but His

Majestyhimself. I place this in the public domain, because look at the momentousoccasionthat wasbeinghonored.

It was a salute to American Independence from the tyranny of the Crown, the British Crown. Americans know about that indefinable essence known to the world as patriotism. Sadly, it is unknown in Guyana, and from top to bottom. Americans have sacrificed blood and treasure, sons and daughters and statesmen, to the hallowed cause of patriotism.

Hence, they can celebratewhatitistobetruly independent If the RevolutionaryPatriotsdidn't rise and stand like men 249 years ago, then there would be no America, such as is known and hailed today Andwhatdidtheysaythatit wasabout?

Taxation without representationservedwellas theircauseandcry Amorsel of thought for Guyana's distinguishedpresident.

For here in today's Guyana, it is 'feel free, take what is wished for, and do what is desired, with that mostmagnificentofallgifts. It is Guyana's oil. Oil in copious quantities. Oil so deep and oceanic that I believe it is hidden from Guyanese.

I am certain that Mr AlistairRoutledgeheardme. Happy Fourth, Big Brother Itisaholiday,soIpassedon thatwordfrompre-1865that startswithanm,acapitalM andendswithana.

Ah, from Olde England totheOldSouthofAmerica, and to over here in Guyana. Over here and towering like a Colossus over the Guyanese people, too Meanwhile,themainmanin

Guyana's official political firmament bowed his head, whispered his prayer before the present American High Priestess.

God bless America God bless the PPP and all that engages in, all that it gives up, and all to stay whereitis. Ifanybodyfrom anywhere seeks to have an understanding of the partnership of which the president spoke so sweetly, so cagily about, I share that prayerfromthepresident.

The things that men do don'tliveafterthem. Itlives withthem,stripsthemnaked publicly

Whether by the rocket's red glow, the pale light of dawn, or the deep impenetrablevelvetofnight, the nakedness of the PPP Government and its cast of calculatingcharactersgleam withthatsicklyyellowlight. In the world of courage, yellow has its own despised place. Ihavescantobjection reanyGuyaneseputtingona showydisplayofthemselves to fulfill their own ambitions.

Ontheotherhand,Ihave onlyuttercontemptforthose who pawn the priceless patrimony of Guyanese as a passport for their power, their prosperity Happy Fourth to all Americans, wherever they are. I begin with Excellencies Nicole D. Theriot and Alistair Routledge. Regrets that I cannot gush, make people blush.

(Theviewsexpressedin this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the o p i n i o n s o f t h i s newspaper.)

Miner gets 2 months in jail for possession of narcotics

A28-year-old gold miner was on Tuesday sentenced to two months in prison and fined $30,000 when heappearedattheBarticaMagistrates'Courtto answertoapossessionofnarcoticscharge.

Wesley Nelson of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, pleaded guilty when he appeared beforemagistrateTeriqMohamedwhoreadthe charge.

Nelson was charged under Section 5(1)(a)(i) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, Chapter10:10.

W esley Nelson ( Guyana Police Force Facebook page)

Pres.AlideniesusingU.S.lobbyingfirmtotargetMohamed

President Irfaan Ali on Tuesday denied that his government is using a USbasedlobbyingfirmtotarget

b u s i n e s s m a n a n d presidentialcandidateofWe InvestinNationhood(WIN) party, Azruddin Mohamed, amid growing controversy surrounding a series of draft tweets linking Mohamed to Venezuelan President NicolásMaduro.

The issue erupted after documents filed under the

...but company says tweets were done on behalf of the Govt. of Guyana

U S Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) revealed that Continental Strategy LLC, a lobbying firm contracted by the GovernmentofGuyana,had drafted tweets describing Mohamedasa“pro-Maduro puppet” and a threat to regionaldemocracy

The five proposed tweets were submitted to a US

congressionalofficeandwere part of the lobbying firm’s activities on behalf of the Guyanesegovernment.

However, during a sideline interview, President Ali acknowledged that the governmenthadindeedhired Continental Strategy, but strongly denied that the contract was intended to target Mohamed or any

Amanza teams up with small parties to form coalition

With just under two months to go before the September 1 general and regional elections, three political parties, Forward Guyana (FG), The People’s Movement (TPM), and Vigilant Political Action Committee (V-PAC), have joined forces to contestthe2025polls.

The coalition was formalised during a signingceremonyheldonTuesdayattheCara Lodge Hotel, Quamina Street, Georgetown. Party leaders Amanza Walton-Desir (FG), Nigel London (TPM), and Dorwin Bess (VPAC)signedtheagreementonbehalfoftheir respectiveparties.

The alliance, now known as the Forward Guyana Movement, unveiled a new name, symbolandcolourbeingpurple.Thesymbol beingawheel,incorporateselementsfromall threefoundingparties.

Accordingtocoalitionmemberandevent host Malika Ramsey, the wheel was chosen deliberately to reflect the group’s collective mission.

“Forus,thewheelisasymbolofprogress and movement. It represents the evolution that Guyana needs in order to advance our collective cooperative cause. The wheel symbolises unity and wholeness, its circular shapesignifiesinclusivity,completeness,and balance,”Ramseyexplained.

The interior of the wheel features the original logos of the three founding parties, while two spaces remain open for additional partiesthatmayjoininthefuture.

“Those spaces symbolise our willingness to welcome like-minded groups and persons

politicalopponent.

“The government has hired no lobbying firm to target anyone,” PresidentAli saidfirmly.

When pressed about the rationale behind the firm’s messaging connecting Mohamed to the Venezuelan regime, the president d

concerns about Venezuela’s threat to Guyana’s sovereignty

“You know we have a threat with Venezuela Venezuela has threatened the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Guyana We have serious danger with Venezuela, Venezuela broughttheirnavyvesselinto our waters So, we have the capability that is necessary with our allies to keep them informedandtoworkwithus in ensuring that at the diplomaticlevel,ourmessage and our communication is intact,”PresidentAlisaid

Again, when asked specifically why documents filed on behalf of the Guyanesegovernmentlinked Mohamed to Venezuela, President Ali denied any suchconnection.

Detailsofthe lobbyingAgreement

According to public filings with the U.S. Department of Justice, the Government of Guyana enteredasix-monthcontract with Continental Strategy LLCinDecember2024.The contractisworthUS$50,000 per month and outlines that the firm would provide lobbying and government relations services to Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The aim, accordingtothefiling,isto: (1) increase U.S. trade and investment in Guyana; (2) assist in financial sector reforms; and (3) raise Guyana’s profile in the United States. The firm’s duties include lobbying, preparingand disseminating informational materials, and engaging directly with U.S. policymakers.

who satisfy our legal, ethical, political, philosophical, and moral preconditions in governingGuyana,”Ramseysaid.

Meanwhile, delivering remarks at the event, FG Leader Amanza Walton-Desir, a former member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and shadow minister of foreign affairs, emphasised the significanceofthenewpoliticalalliance.

“Today is not just the coming together of three movements, it’s the coming together of national consciousness We didn’t form this alliancebecauseitwaseasy wediditbecause itwasnecessary,”Walton-Desirstated

TPMLeaderNigelLondondescribedthe pact as a new chapter for Guyana’s political culture.

“The people of this country are signing a new contract with hope, with trust, with an understanding of what a healthy relationship amongpartiesshouldmanifest,”Londensaid.

HefurtheraffirmedTPM’sstrongbeliefin thecoalition’spromisestating,“ThePeople’s Movement is certain about the potential that liesinstorewhenpartiescollaboratewiththe nation’sbestinterestasourfocus.Thepeople of our beloved Guyana are able to move her forwardtoadifferentpoliticalexperience.”

Businessman and V-PAC leader, Dorwin Bess, expressed approval of the alliance stating,“IbelievethatGuyananeedsthisright here, a movementthatwill invitethe people. Becausewearenotdoingthisforthethreeof us, we are doing this for all of you. There is enough wealth in this country that every Guyanesecanbesuccessful,”hesaid.

“Idon’tknowhowyou’re linking this to Azruddin Mohamed,” he stated However, the president did go on to reference Mohamed’s legal status “He is sanctioned by the United States He is sanctioned by OFAC. When you are sanctioned by OFAC, you are in breach of major international laws That is what Azruddin Mohamed is. It is not the GovernmentofGuyanawho sanctioned him., it is the United States of America,” hesaid.

OnJune23,JohnBarsa,a partner at Continental Strategy,emailedtheDirector of Communications for U.S. Congressman Carlos Gimenez, sharing the five draft tweets. In the email, Barsa clarified he was sending the material “on behalfoftheGovernmentof Guyana.”

The drafted tweets read asfollows:

“US-sanctioned gold mogulAzruddinMohamedis running for president in Guyana Thisisn’tjustalocal scandal—it’sawarning.The Western Hemisphere must remain a stronghold for democracy,notaplayground forauthoritarianinfluence.”

“A sanctioned Maduro ally running for president in Guyana? This isn’t just politics it’s a red flag. The Western Hemisphere must not become a safe haven for

authoritarianexpansion.”

“Venezuela’s attempt to encroachintoGuyanathrough pro-Maduro puppetAzruddin Mohamed’spresidentialrunis alarming The Western Hemisphere must remain a strongholdoffreedom nota breeding ground for communistdictatorships”

“Maduro’s sanctioned puppet Azruddin Mohamed running for president in Guyana is Venezuela’s latest attempt to creep into a sovereign democracy The Western Hemisphere must

#Guyana #Venezuela#FreedomFirst” “U S -sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed, seen as sympathetic to Maduro-style politics”

Thesetweetswere

Continuedonpage16

Businessman and WIN presidential candidate, Azruddin Mohamed

President Irfaan Ali

From left: TPM Leader Nigel London, FG Leader Amanza Walton-Desir and V-PAC Leader Dorwin Bess

MOH renews MoU with Chinese medical brigade

Minister of Health, Dr FrankAnthony and Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Yang Yang, on Tuesday renewed the Memorandum ofUnderstanding(MoU)for theChinesemedicalbrigade.

The simple signing ceremony was held at that MinistryofHealth.

Dr Anthony expressed thanks to the government and people of China for making the collaboration possible.Healsothankedthe ChineseMedicalBrigadefor its cooperation and commitment to Guyana and thehealthcareofitspeople.

“Of recent time, and during COVID, we had to reorient ourselves. In that reorientation, one of the things that we were able to innovate was to ensure that, apart from the brigade working and teaching while they work, we were able to formalise a teaching structure. And for the last two years now, the brigade members would begin teaching the theoretical components of the training, then, those who were being selected would go to China to do their practical training,”theministersaid.

He said the China team has assisted in more advanced types of surgeries, “…things that were almost impossible a couple years

ago, we now do them routinely at the Georgetown public hospital, and that is because of the professional training that has been given by the brigade members to ourlocalstaff,”Dr Anthony said.

GPHC'sChiefExecutive Officer (CEO), Robbie Rambarran said the event was the second of its kind.

The agreement allows Chinese specialists to travel to Guyana for training. He said with the official launch of the 2025 talent development programme, seven Guyanese doctors have been selected to go to China for further training in Septemberthisyear.

Meanwhile,Ambassador Yanginheraddress,saidthat based on the MoU signed in July 1993, the Government of Jiangsu Province was designated to undertake the task of dispatching medical teams to Guyana This initiativemarksChina'svery first medical cooperation project with a country in South America and laid a solid foundation for the two country's bilateral cooperationinthehealthcare sector,shenoted.

“According to the MoU, each batch of Chinese medical teams need to serve in Guyana for at least one year

By now, China has dispatched 20 batches of medical teams to Guyana, comprising a total of 295 medical professionals,” Yangsaid.

Shesaidoverthepast32

years, Chinese medical teams in Guyana have provided medical treatment to nearly 1 31 million patients, saved over 30,000 critically ill individuals, and performedmorethan70,000

Govt.mullsusingDem.HarbourBridge tolinkTimehritoSandhills–Pres.Ali

Engineers are exploring the possibility of using the old Demerara Harbour BridgetoconnectTimehrito Sandhills, Upper DemeraraBerbice,PresidentIrfaanAli disclosedonMonday.

The president was at the time speaking at the commissioningceremonyof the new US$133 million Ogle to Eccles Highway wherehehighlightedseveral of the interconnectivity infrastructure occurring acrossRegionFourthatwill allowaccesstotheinterior Works have already beguntoclearandsurveythe Sandhillsroad.

“And what are we doing there?Sorightnow,wehave the engineers examining the possibilityofmovingtheold Demerara Harbor Bridge down river to connect Timehri to the Sandhills road.

Why is this important? That road from Timehri to Sandhills will take us to Falmouth and then we have already under construction the Parika to the Goshen

Road, that is the Del Conte Road loop that will interconnect with this Sandhills road that will take us into Bartica into the interior,”heexplained. Further, President Ali said that the TimheriSandhills road is going to open up “hundreds of thousands of new acreages of land for housing, mining, sand mining, agriculture,

The

Harbour Bridge which links Regions Three and Four

and,ofcourse,largeareasof forestry.”

“Sothatistheexpansion, theeconomicexpansionthat will take place, and all of this, all of these infrastructure I'm speaking to you about, is the exciting transformative future that we are talking about,” the Presidentstated.

The Demerara Harbour Bridge, which has already

outlived its lifespan by over 40 years will be replaced by the new Demerara River Bridge by August That bridgeisinitsfinalstagesof completion.

MinisterofPublicWorks

Juan Edghill told reporters recentlythattheoldharbour bridge “will not be a scrap iron; it will be part of enhancing Guyana's development.”

surgeries, making a tangible contribution to the improvement of public healthinGuyana.

“Looking ahead, China's original aspiration remains unchanged.Theirsupportfor Guyana's health sector, their confidence in promoting G u y a n a ' s m e d i c a l technologydevelopmentand their determination to enhance the well-being of the Guyanese people remainsunchanged.”

She continued, “I'm confident that, with the strong support of the Ministry of Health and Minister Anthony, we will continuetoworktogetherin the field of healthcare, fully

leverage the role of the Chinese medical team in Guyana, enhance the standard of healthcare services and the well-being of the Guyanese people Together, we will write a new and lasting chapter of friendship and cooperation inthefieldofpublichealth,” theAmbassadorsaid. Meanwhile, Rambarran relayed that one orthopedic doctor from GPHC and one from West Demerara Regional Hospital, along with specialists from the obstetrics and gynecology departments, general surgery, pathology and ICU anesthesia will be a part of thespecialisttraining.

Miners charged with murder at Balamani backdam

Two miners were chargedonTuesdaywiththe murder of a man at BalamaniBackdam,Cuyuni River,RegionSeven.

They were identified as 21-year-old Rovel Santiago of Mabaruma, Region One, and 20-year-old Shawn Williams of Kuru Kururu Village, Soesdyke Linden Highway

The duo appeared at the Bartica Magistrate's Court before Magistrate Teriq Mohamed. Both men were not required to plead to the indictable charge and remanded to prison until August14,2025.

Williams and Santiago were arrested on Saturday forquestioninginrelationto themurderofanotherminer identifiedasRileyAbrams.

According to a police release, they had admitted their involvement in Abrams' killing They repo

n

d detectivestothecrimescene where significant evidence was recovered, including knives (Suspected murder weapons) and the victim's blood-stainedclothing.

Remanded for murder, Rovel Santiago

Remanded for murder, Shawn Williams

Initial reports were that Abrams was stabbed to death between 00:30 and 02:00hrs.onSaturdayneara miningcamp. A p o s t - m o r t e m examination conducted on the remains on Monday, however, revealed that he died from multiple incise wounds.

Demerara

Minister Frank Anthony along with other persons present at the ceremony

Minister Frank Anthony and Chinese Ambassador for Guyana Yang Yang

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Guyanapouring'enormousresources'intofightagainst Venezuela-linkedgoldsmuggling–PresidentAli capability

DPI - President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has pledged to dedicate “enormousresources”todismantle a gold-smuggling network linked to Venezuela, a move spurred by a recent United States (U.S) warning that the illicit trade could empower “undemocratic forces.”

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He affirmed that Guyana willworkcloselywiththeUS authorities to confront and eliminate this serious threat.

“Only today, the U.S. reminded all of its partners about this serious threat with Venezuelaasitrelatestogold smuggling. And we have received that advisory today,” he said.

“And,Iwantyoutoknow that we are putting enormous resources into ensuring that thethreatofillicitgoldsmuggling, that can help to empower or safeguard undemocraticforces,isuprooted,”the president stated, while addressing the 249th Independence Anniversary of the United States last Friday

Guyana's head of state emphasised that strengthening international peace and securityremainsasharedpriority within the hemisphere.

TheU.S.,throughtheBureau of International NarcoticsandLawEnforcementAffairs, is dedicating resources to strengthen law enforcementandsecuritycooperation with the Caribbean.

ThesigningoftheMemorandum of Understanding (MoU)inMarch,duringavisit by U.S. Secretary of State Rubio, underscores the commitment between the two countries to addressing common security challenges.

President Ali stated that the MoU builds on the longstanding partnership and seekstodeepencollaboration in key areas.

This includes counternarcotics efforts, the fight against transnational organised crime, and the strengtheningofsecurityand defence cooperation.

AcknowledgingtheUSfor

its unwavering support in defending Guyana's sovereigntyandterritorialintegrity, President Ali said, “As we continue to advocate for this region to remain a zone of peace, my government is committed to the adherence of international law and the ongoing proceedings before the International Court of Justiceintheresolutionofthe controversywithVenezuela.”

Further cementing the united front against these threats, U.S. Ambassador Nicole Theriot spoke highly of the security cooperation between Guyana and her nation, asserting that the partnership is “the strongest it's ever been.”

She cited a recent joint military exercise, which saw the Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team (LAMAT) providingmedicalcaretoover 1,700Guyanesecitizens.The Guyana Defence Force's (GDF)CoastGuardisalsoreceivingsupportfromthejoint development of coastal radar

Beyond security, the president noted that Guyana recognises the importance of robust, sustainable, and democratic institutions.

As the country prepares for its upcoming general and regionalelectionsinSeptember, President Ali said, “We welcome the continued support of the United States in ensuring a fair, transparent, and credible electoral process, as was the case with your (country's) support after the 2020 elections.”

This strong partnership encompasses many broader areas of mutual interest, including economic development,trade,agriculture,technology, and advancing energy security

The President also highlighted significant US financial support, such as the US$500millionfromtheExImBankforthegas-to-energy project, as a testament to the deep collaboration between the two countries.

Pres. Ali denies using U.S. lobbying firm to target...

From page 11 included in Continental Strategy’s public filing with the U.S. Department of Justice.

AzruddinMohamedresponds InastatementonTuesday, AzruddinMohamedstrongly condemned the lobbying campaign, claiming it was a deliberateattemptbythePPPled government to discredit him using taxpayer funds.

“It has emerged beyond any reasonable doubt that the PPP-led Government of Guyana has used taxpayer fundstofinancetheU.S.lobbying firm to launch a campaignaimedatfalselyportraying me as an agent of the MaduroregimeinVenezuela,” Mohamed said. Herejectedanyaffiliation withVenezuela’sgovernment. “My father is Essequibo-

born.Iwouldneverbetraythe soil my family is rooted in. I stand firmly for Guyana’s sovereignty—I always have andalwayswill.”

Mohamed further accused the government of using misinformation to harm his candidacy and endanger his family, stating, “What we are witnessing is not foreign policy.Onceagain,thisisthe PPP using a foreign nation to

attackme,myreputation,and mycredibility.Byfalselylinkingmetoahostileregime,the government is deliberately placing my safety and that of myfamilyatrisk.”Hefurther claimed that this was not the first time such tactics had been used, asserting that the Government’s objective was to “delegitimize my candidacy through deception and fearmongering.”

Man wanted for rape found injured, turns...

From page 6 relatives. Police quickly calmed the situation down with some help from Broomes.

After completing the formalities,Bernardwastakento the Diamond Hospital where hecollapsedandbeganfrothingfromthemouth.

He was placed in a stretcher and taken into an emergency room for treatment.

Police, in the statement released later on Tuesday,

said that despite his weak state at the time, Bernard did not have any gunshot wounds to his body

“There was no gunshot injury on his body,” police said. Kaieteur News understands that Bernard might have collapsed because he had not eaten in days since fleeingthepolice.

He was reportedly hiding in a deserted area without access to food.

Kevin Paul, an acquaintance of Bernard, in a

Facebook post said that police turned-up to arrest the accusedaround18:00hrs.on Sunday.Bernardwasmissing since then.

“LanceCorporalA****n, attached to the Wales Police Station, shot at Quincy Bernard around 6pm last night (Sunday Night). To date, no word on Quincy’s whereabout is known,” Paul posted while adding that his Bernard’smotherwasworried as they continued searching forhim.

Additionally, police in a

wanted bulletin confirmed that a shot was fired when ranksattemptedtoarrestBernard.

The Force said that at about17:59hrsSunday,ranks visited Stanleytown to arrest Bernard, resulting in a confrontation where it is alleged that a live round was dischargedbyapolicerankcausing Bernard to flee into hiding.

Police could not confirm if Bernard was wounded but stated that his whereabouts wereunknown.

Guyana's electoral system has...

From page 8 manipulatedinwaysthathinders free and fair elections,” he continued.

The GECOM Commissioner described the issue as a'Pandora'sbox'formanufacturingfakeGuyaneseviaaffidavit issued by a Toshao or seniorofficial.

He told Kaieteur News that the system is “consciously corrupted.”

According to him, GECOM has not taken a stance on the matter because it is not something executed by the elections body; birth

certificates are issued at the General Registrar's Office (GRO). Heexplainedtoothat it is the amendments made to thelegislationthatrelatesthe registration of births and deaths that allows foreigners easy access to documentationwithoutadequatevetting.

“Ibelievethatthegovernment has consciously corruptedthesystemtofacilitate those people, because they thinkthatthepeoplewillvote for them… I believe that the lawthatwaschangedin2022 should be repealed,” Alexanderargued.

Israel kills 102 in Gaza as Trump says he will be 'firm' with Netanyahu

(AL-JAZEERA) Israeli forces have killed at least 102 Palestinians in attacks across the Gaza Strip, medical sources told Al Jazeera, even as United States President Donald Trump claimed that he would be “very firm” with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on ending Israel's war on the Palestinianenclave.

Israeli attacks on Tuesday destroyed clusters of homes in the north and southofGaza,amidfearsof yet another looming ground invasion.

The attacks come ahead of a planned visit next week b y N e t a n y a h u t o Washington, DC Trump said on Tuesday that the Israeli prime minister wanted to end the war on Gaza, even as his forces rampupattacksinGaza.

Among the Palestinians killed were 16 hungry aid seekers who died when

Israeli soldiers attacked crowds at aid distribution hubsrunbythecontroversial US-andIsraeli-backedGaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF),accordingtomedical sources.

They are the latest victims in a wave of daily killings at these sites, which have killed nearly 600 PalestinianssinceGHFtook overlimitedaiddeliveriesin Gaza in late May amid a cripplingIsraeliblockade.

More than 170 major international charities and n o n g o v e r n m e n t a l organisationshavecalledfor an immediate end to GHF, which rights groups say is operating in violation of internationalprinciples.

“Palestinians in Gaza face an impossible choice: starve or risk being shot while trying desperately to reach food to feed their families,” a joint statement read.

GHFbrings“nothingbut

Thick smoke and flames erupt from an Israeli air strike in Gaza City [Jehad Alshrafi/AP Photo]

starvation and gunfire to the peopleofGaza,”itadded. Israeli forces also attacked Gaza City in the north, where it recently issued forced evacuation orders for residents of the area,whichhasalreadybeen bombarded into rubble. At

least five people were killed when an Israeli quadcopter struckagatheringofpeople, local news agency Wafa reported.

At least 82 percent of Gaza is now an Israelimilitarised zone or under forced displacement threats,

according to the United Nations, warning people havenowheretogo.

Ismail, a resident of the Sheikh Radwan suburb of Gaza City, said that newly displaced families were setting up tents in the road, afterfleeingfromareasnorth

and east of the city and finding no other ground available.

“We don't sleep because of the sounds of explosions from tanks and planes. The occupation is destroying homes east of Gaza, in Jabalia and other places aroundus,”hesaid.

In Khan Younis and its al-Mawasi area in the south, at least 12 Palestinians were ki

belonging to the al-Zanati

Separately,achildwaskilled and several others wounded when an Israeli air strike struckadisplacementcamp.

Severalmorewerekilled in an Israeli attack west of theNuseiratrefugeecampin central Gaza, according to sourcesatal-AwdaHospital, whiletwootherswerekilled and several wounded in a separate attack on a UN-run school sheltering displaced families in the al-Maghazi refugeecamp.

St.George'sSchoolofSciencescommissioned

The St. George's School

c

of Scie

s

ed by

PresidentIrfaanAliandMinisterof Education Priya Manickchand on Tuesday some three years after beingdestroyedbyafire.

Delivering the feature address, President Ali stated that the St. George's School of Sciences is a pioneering step in reshaping

mathematics, and science, with marks that reflect discipline and potential.”

It should be noted that the School of Sciences is equipped with smart classrooms featuring interactive boards, multimedia technology,anddigitaltools;stateof-the-art laboratories for science and information technology; and device-based learning whereby

Guyana's educational landscape andasa“newmodelofeducation” tailoredforthemodernera.

Quoted in a release from the Office of the President, the Headof-Stateattheceremonysaid,“This isnoordinaryschool.Itisaschool of excellence, created for those with the hunger to learn and the commitmenttoachieve.Admission

automatic—it is earned. Students

studentswilleachreceivealaptop, amongotherworld-classfacilities.

During his address, the President noted that the school's holistic curriculum marks a deliberate departure from the “narrowconfinesofrotelearning”. He stated that extended learning opportunities will be offered through tutorials, while students will also be required to participate in music, sport, foreign languages, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), and

communityservice.

“Wewanttoproducescientists with soul, technicians with talent, and leaders with compassion,” the president said adding “And let me emphasize standards will be enforced. Students will be monitored for punctuality, attendance, and completion of assignments Parents will be promptly notified of infractions. This school is not just about nurturing intelligence—it is about cultivatingresponsibility.”

Notingthereasonforbuildinga School of Sciences, the President explained that Guyana's national transformation will require a new generation of scientific minds across sectors such as oil and gas, climate resilience, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and healthcare.

“We need local talent to fill those roles. We need to train our childrennotjusttogetjobs—butto

leadindustries,”hesaid.

Further, he added that while specialisedlearningisanidealong overdueinGuyanaandrepresentsa boldshiftinthecountry'sacademic approach, traditional schools, with theirrigourandculturallegacy,will continuetoserveasthebedrockof thenation'seducationsystem.

The President said that these traditional institutions must be complemented with specialised schools that focus on the arts and creative industries; agricultural science; engineering and robotics, and maritime studies and aviation technologies,amongotherareas.

Meanwhile, delivering brief remarks, Minister Manickchand recalled that it was a devastating moment in July 2022 when the originalstructurewasdestroyedby fire, knowing the school's rich history

She noted that having it built back, and now opened as a School

ofSciences,intheoneyearthatthe students have been going there, they produced excellent performances. She noted that after one year, 70% of the students gained 70% or more in their examinations.

Accordingtotheminister,“I'm happy to tell you that the children whowereplacedherelastyearhad to have achieved at least 70% in mathematics and 60% in English and 60% in science and that's last year This year, because all our investments have produced much better results at the NGSA, the children who are coming here had to have achieved 85% in mathematics, 70% in English and 70% in science. We have some of our brightest children right here at St.George's.”

The $253 8M St George's Schoolwasopenedtoitsfirstbatch of Grade Seven students in September2024.

President Irfaan Ali and Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand commissioning the new St. George's School of Sciences on Tuesday.

Diamond Secondary cops Inter-Secondary Schools Cricket title

Diamond Secondary School emerged victorious in the Inter-Secondary Schools Player's Challenge Trophy Tapeball Cricket Championship, defeating Beterverwagting (BV) Secondary School in a competitive final to lift the 2025title.Afterwinningthe toss under windy skies, Diamond Secondary opted to bat first. Arshad Drepaul anchored the innings with a composed knock of 28 runs, laying a solid platform for

hisside.Diamondeventually posted 61-4 from their allotted four overs. BV's Randy Roopnarine was the pickofthebowlers,finishing with figures of 2-19, effectively keeping the scoringincheck. In reply, BV Secondary looked to chase down the target but were stifled by disciplined bowling, particularly from Adrian Persaud, who picked up 223. Sachin Muniram topscoredforBVwithafighting 21,buttheirinningsclosedat 53-3, falling short by eight

runs For his all-round performance, Arshad

Wednesday July 02, 2025

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

Today heralds the beginning of a very agreeable period. You will be especially happy You will project confidence, clarity, and charisma whereveryougo.Youusedup a lot of your reserves during thelastfewmonths.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Taurus, this would be a good momenttogetridofanything that still stands between you and achieving your goals. A certain obstacle might be sparkingtheimpulseyouhave toblendintothebackground.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

The signs say that you can expect a very profitable few weeks ahead, Gemini. You've worked hard lately, and it's only natural that you have finallyarrivedatthisstage.

CANCER(June21–July22)

The cosmos will ask you to make more of an effort, Cancer To do so means you will have to come back down toEarthandjointherestofus mere mortals. You may be cultivatingyourindependence abittoomuch.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Aquestisinstoreforyou,Leo. You're likely to engage in a search for physical or intellectualspace.Youmaybe asking yourself philosophical questions. Or perhaps you're thinkingoftakingalongtrip

VIRGO(Aug 23–Sept 22)

In navigating your emotional life, Virgo, you may feel you've made a great effort in the past month. You've been availableandconciliatory,and done your best to maintain harmony

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Libra, the cosmic signs indicate that your emotional universe will once again glow with positive energy. You will meet more people, and your encounters are likely to be profoundly gratifying, emotionallyandintellectually

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)

Foryou,Scorpio,thenextfew weeks portend a period of timidity You will probably go out less, introduce yourself to fewer new people, and be less pronetoshowingoff.

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

You may have spent the past few weeks exploring other horizons,meetingnewpeople, going out more frequently, or takingshorttrips.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

You're likely to enjoy a change intherhythmandqualityoflife, beginningrightnow,Capricorn Doyoufeelaneedtotakeyour friendships beyond superficiality? Perhaps you should reestablish contact with somepastfriends

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Today you can expect to be more enterprising in your humanrelationships,Aquarius. You may find new friends or enjoy quality time with old ones. It's likely that your love lifewillintensify

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

The past month has allowed you to affirm yourself, Pisces, and cement some aspects of your personality You're now entering a period of consolidation It's like you conceived a product, and are now finally ready to put it on themarket.

Drepaul was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player Meanwhile, cricket action continues this Saturday, July 5th, at the same venue, where veteran organiser James “Uprising” Lewis will host the Annual Secondary Schools' Boys End-of-Term 8-a-side 30BallKnockoutTournament. School teams from

, Essequibo, Linden, West Demerara, East Bank, and Corentyne will compete for the prestigious Hon Minister's Trophy, medals, and other major prizes. The much-anticipated event is coordinated by James “Uprising” Lewis and promises to be another thrilling showcase of emergingcricketingtalent.

WICoachDarrenSammy...

Frompage21 coachstated.

Asked whether Cricket West Indies (CWI) had l

responded, “I can't answer that. I'm pretty sure they are doingwhattheycantomake sure the right process is followed.We live in a world where today so many things comeout.

Allegations is just allegations until the process iscomplete.”

Regarding the player's claim of innocence, Sammy firmlystated,“Ican'tdiscuss thatwithyou.”

Still, questions continue toswirloverthetimingofthe public release of these allegations, leaving the cricketingcommunitydeeply divided.Meanwhile,alleyes are on CWI to see whether the player will take the field intomorrow'ssecondTest.

Hispresence,orabsence, will spark further interest in the allegations, especially as efforts in Guyana by one particular victim to seek justicehaveintensified.

Diamond Secondary held off BV Sec to lift 2025 Players Challenge Trophy Tape Ball Cricket title.

KFC National Schools Basketball Festival 2025 tips F off with thrilling action at CASH

The 2025 edition of the KFC National Schools Basketball Festival (NSBF) gotofftoanelectrifyingstart at the CliffAnderson Sports Hall(CASH),deliveringtwo daysofintenseactionacross both the Under-14 and Under-18divisions.

In the Under-14 category, St Stanislaus Collegeisstillinsearchofa positiveresultaftersuffering back-to-back defeats On DayOne,theynarrowlylost to Queen's College 25-20, before falling 13-7 to West DemeraraSecondaryonDay Two. Deshawn Gurrick led

the charge for Queen's College with nine points in their five-point win, while teammate Dimitri Singh added eight points and four rebounds. Against West Demerara, Saints struggled offensively as Nathaniel Sanchari and Yohan George didthebulkofthescoringfor the victors in a low-scoring six-pointencounter

Skeldon Line Path, meanwhile, had mixed fortunes. They cruised to a 21-8 victory over D-Up Academyintheiropener,but later succumbed 29-19 to a

Secondary outfit. The win forKwakwaniwasdrivenby

KwaysonBethane(8points), Rayquan Monah (7 points), and Trayon Hopkinson (6 points).

The Under-18 division also delivered high-quality basketball,withfiveexciting matchups over the first two days. Kwakwani Secondary, St Stanislaus College, President's College, Queen's College, and Government Technical Institute (GTI) all registeredwins.

Kwakwani edged St

KFC NSBF U18 championship a test of resilience and fortitude.

Rose's High 33-27, with Simeon Sinclair scoring 10 points and grabbing four rebounds. Lenrick Seaforth chippedinwitheightpoints, while Tereek and Hayden Sampson contributed six pointseach.

St Stanislaus College bounced back in the U18 bracket with a hard-fought 37-32winoverSkeldonLine Path. Kadeem Beckles was outstanding, posting 16 points and six rebounds, while Dimitri Crandon supported with six points, eight rebounds, and five steals.

President's College secured a 30-24 win against

Mackenzie High, led by Michael Joseph's 11 points a

Mattaniah Fordyce added eightpointsandnineboards.

Other notable U14 results included Hururu Secondary (Aroama) defeating Mackenzie High 27-21, Marian Academy topping School of the Nations27-13,andStRose's High trampling YBG Academy38-19.

The KFC National Schools Basketball Festival ismadepossiblethroughthe generous support of sponsors including Edward B. Beharry Group, G-Boats Inc., Banks DIH, and the N a t i o n a l S p o r t s Commission.

Queen'sCollegeputona commandingperformanceto overwhelm School of the Nations 44-24 Alan Patterson notched a doubledoublewith12pointsand12 rebounds, while Darren Dublin top-scored with 15 points. GTI capped off the Day Two slate with a dominant 63-25 victory over North GeorgetownSecondary The trio of Jaheim Barnwell (18 points,13rebounds),Alwyn Adams (13 points, 7 steals), and Kyrell Butters (10 points, 8 rebounds) ensured theone-sidedaffair

Frompage21 Shariff.

Guyana Juniors will see the likes of Ricardo Narine, Kishan Puran, Italy TonChung and Anayah Lall

Part of the U14 action between Queen's College and Saints.

GCF/CARICOM 2025 Classic Team Championships set to dazzle local

The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) officially launched their annual CARICOM Classic Team Chess Championships with an exciting tournament featuring some of the best players from around the Caribbean.

Thesecondeditionofthe tournament was unveiled on Monday evening at the Pegasus Suites/Corporate Centre. The launch featured a number of stars from within the sport, officials fromCARICOM,alongwith Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr., GCF executives and president among many others.

During his feature address, GCA president Anand Raghunauth said it was a pleasure to welcome allthevisitingteams,adding that since the last three to five years the sport has grown and that the association was bound to execute all activities geared towardsdevelopingsports.

He said the sport has grown leaps and bounds especially in the junior area, whilegivinganupdateofthe progress over the last few years “We have to strategize, through this Caricom chess tournament the GCF has opted to grow and execute ideas with vision,”Raghunauthadded.

WI Coach Darren Sammy

stage -CM'sKhan,Couchman,JoshiamongGuyana'srepresentatives

He said the tournament, now in its second year, will takeabreaknextyearbefore resuming again in 2027 again.

The tournament will feature teams like Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, The Cayman Islands, Suriname, Dominica, Barbados and St. Lucia

G u y a n a ' s t e a m representatives feature stars like, Team A- CM Taffin Khan, Kyle Couchman, WCM Aditi Joshi and Ciel Clement.

Team B features CM Sachin Pitamber, Keron Sandiford, Aniyah CouchmanandWCMSasha (Continueonpage20)

backs justice process amid sexual assault allegations against player

…remains tightlipped on player's second Test selection

By Rawle Toney

With a wave of sexual assault and rape allegations

surfacing against a prominent Guyanese and West Indies player, West Indies Head Coach Darren Sammyexpressedhisstrong beliefinjusticebeingserved, while stressing the need for dueprocesstobecarriedout andrespected.

It was the first time that Sammy has spoken publicly on the allegations, after beingpressedbyreportersin

Grenada, where the Caribbean side is set to play the second Test against Australia tomorrow at the Island'sNationalStadium.

“We're all aware of what's been going on in the media. I'm very close to my p l a y e r s I ' v e h a d conversationswiththem(the players) to make sure their mental space is good,” Sammy stated at yesterday's press engagement in St George's.

Kaieteur News has

reported on several allegations against a particular West Indies player,withtheLawFirmof Hughes, Fields and Stoby representing one alleged victim from a case dating backto2023.

This newspaper has spoken to a number of women, all of whom shared sexual assault or rape allegations, mostly levelled againstthecelebratedplayer

Someareseekingjustice, others simply want to be heard, but all boldly stated thattheyarenotinterestedin any form of compensation, especiallyfinancial.

“OnethingIcouldsayis thatwebelieveinjustice.We are a community that believes justice must be served, however there is a process.

As you say, there is allegations.Wewillcontinue to support in whatever way we can to make sure due processandtherightsystem is followed,” Sammy pointedout.

According to the former West Indies captain turned coach, “As a cricketing boardandmeasheadcoachI wantjustice.Mymumraised

West Indies Head Coach, Darren Sammy

me well. As of now, it's all allegations. We know the justicesystem.Youhavegot towaitforthingstoprocess.”

Reporters highlighted to Sammy that one of the allegations involved the player being arrested and laterreleasedonbail.

Local authorities in Berbice had launched an active investigation, which reportedly ran into a deadend.

“I'm not aware of that partofit.Ididn'tgotoschool in data. I'm not a judge; I'm not a prosecutor Just like you,theinformationthathas come out is what we have. I'm pretty sure at the end of the day, justice will be served,”theWestIndies (Continueonpage19)

GCF president Anand Raghunauth during Monday's launch of the CARICOM Chess Classic

AllRoadsLeadtoAsuncion,Paraguay!

Archery Guyana

is proud to announce that theyhaveofficiallyaccepted the position allocated to G u y a n a b y t h e

C o n f e d e r a c i ó n Panamericana de Tiro con Arco (World Archery Americas) for participation

in the Recurve Men

Cate

y at the Pan American Junior Games to be held in Asuncion, Paraguay

T h i s e x c i t i n g opportunitymarksGuyana's first-everparticipationinthe JuniorPanAmericanGames for archery, a historic milestonefortheFederation andcountry

OuryoungathleteLucas Chung, together with Assistant National Coach Mr Jeewanram Persaud, continues dedicated training in preparation for this prestigiousevent. On

Federation, President Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon stated:“Thisisanincredible m

Guyana.

To be represented on such a significant international stage for the first time at the Junior Pan Ame

is a testament to the hard work andvisionofourentireteam overtheyears.

Weareimmenselyproud

Jeewanram and stand in full support of their journey to Asuncion. We've come a long way and this is only thebeginning!

We extend our sincere appreciation to World Archery Americas and the Executive Committee of the G u y a n a O l y m p i c Associationfortheirsupport inmakingthispossible.

Let us rally behind our athlete as he proudly carries ourflagtoParaguay.”

Lucas Chung and Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon recently shared a moment together at the seawall to commemorate Olympic Day 2025.

2025 CWI Men's Regional U19 championships...

Star-studded Guyana U19 team

wing out ahead of competitive Regional U19 season

Guyana'sUnder-19team wingedoutrecentlyaheadof t h e u p c o m i n g

Cricket West Indies Regional U19 Tournament playedinSt.KittsandNevis, with the local team opening their account against Barbados at the Elquemedo Willett Park tomorrow, July 3 Led by the dynamic JonathanVan Lange,andhis deputy Romario Ramdehol, the team features a mix of rising all-rounders and bowlers. Among them are Parmeshwar Ram and Shamar Apple, both fresh fromtheU15ranksmakinga

bold leap as their talent shinesthroughjuniorlevels.

The squad also includes Sachin Balgobin, Romeo Deonarine, Nityanand Mathura,BruceVincent,and M

prospects. O

preparation is Head Coach Garvin Nedd, backed by veteran Manager Nazeer Mohammed.

Guyana will be eyeing

tomorrow with opponents like the USA, Jamaica, Windward Islands and

Aaron Newton fires to victory, as Mendonca, London, Leung dominate

The 2025 National Cycling Championships concludeditsTimeTrialand Road Race events in spectacular fashion over the weekend, delivering an action-packed day of racing along the West Bank of Demerara, Region Three roadways.

Schoonord came alive, with a grand culmination of the Road Race segment; the event provided immense opportunities for the younger cyclists despite the low turnout. It showcased theincredibledepthoftalent, discipline, and endurance among Guyana's cycling circuit.

Racing took place at an adopted Schoonord circuit

w i t h v a r y i n g l a p requirements by category Despite adjustments to the course, competition was fierce across all divisions, w i t h t o p r i d e r s demonstrating immense preparationandresolve.

Themarqueeeventofthe day saw Aaron Newton claim an impressive victory, crossingthefinishlineahead of the experienced Paul De Nobrega and Michael Anthony, with Briton John placing fourth Their performances signaled a changing of the guard, with Newton'striumphadefining moment in this year's championship.

Carlos Mendonca powered to a commanding win in the Masters Over-40 race, displaying consistency andtacticalawarenesswhile Lear Nunes and Richard Lewiscompletedthepodium with strong showings, solidifying their reputations intheveteranranks.

Aaron Newton (center) wins time trial event, sharing the podium with Briton John (left) and Paul De Nobrega.

In the Masters 50+ Category, Nigel London tooktophonours,holdingoff all challengers with a dominant performance that underscored his mastery of long-distanceracing. Alexander Leung surged to a first-place finish, outpacingSidwellSandyina closely contested Junior's race.Thepairhasclearlyset ahighstandardforemerging talentinlocalcycling. The Juveniles category

saw Alex Newton, continuing his rapid ascent inthesport,finishedstrongly to take the win in this division.

The Ladies didn't

disappoint, Suzanne Taylor captured first place with a well-paced and determined ride Abigai

J

ffrey followed closely behind, both women displaying admirable competitiveness anddrive.

Meanwhile, the Time Trial segment highlighted not only speed but strategic excellence, with standout performances across all divisions Aaron Newton, Briton John, and Paul De Nobrega led the Elite category, while Alexander Leung and Sidwell Sandy impressedintheJuniors.

Alex Newton continued his golden run, Carlos

Mendonca replicated his roadracesuccess,andNigel London completed a dominant weekend in the Masters 50+ Suzanne Taylorcappedoffhersweep in the women's events, solidifying her status as the

topfemalerider

The 2025 National Cycling Championships not only crowned national champions but celebrated the spirit of sport. Across every age and ability category, competitors

resilience and excellence. Congratulations to all the winners and participants for earningtherighttowearthe national colors and for representing Guyana with prideanddistinction.

Trinidad & Tobago still to come in the round-robin format, before the potential playoffs which bowl off on July22.

encampment which featured inter-county trials and two

Essequibo, as they seek to winatitletheylastheldback in2018.

The Guyana U19 squad will be keen on bringing home a title they last held back in 2018

GCF/CARICOM 2025 Classic Team Championships

set to dazzle local stage

-CM'sKhan,Couchman,JoshiamongGuyana'srepresentatives

WI Coach Darren Sammy backs justice

Guyana Cycling Federation wraps up 2025 National Cycling Championship with time trial and road race events. In photo are: winners across the different divisions sporting medals.