Guyana Times - Friday, April 5, 2024.pdf

Guyana wants peaceful coexistence with neighbours – Pres Ali on Venezuela’s aggression

…says Govt not naïve, very watchful of developments in Caracas …int’l partners notified – VP; Guyana’s Opposition rejects Venezuela’s “organic law” See story on page 3

“Make Guyana your stopover choice”

– Edghill urges airlines for long-haul flights

DEA, CANU seize narco-submarine with 5000lbs of cocaine off Guyana’s coast

No sugarcoating “bad” situation, GPL’s performance “atrocious” – Jagdeo

As wildfires rage

…says old equipment, increased power demand among challenges Pages

Emergency services fully mobilised to assist citizens – VP

Construction of 1st 100 homes begins at Silica City

Linden duo busted with 9979g ganja

…associate attempts to bribe ranks with $453,000

Truck transporting LP gas explodes See story on page 9

Labourer slapped with attempted murder charge

metres.

Low Tide: 07:52 and 20:19h reaching minimum heights of 0.85 metre and 0.66 metre.

Guyana wants peaceful coexistence with neighbours –Pres Ali on Venezuela’s aggression

…says Govt not naïve, very watchful of developments in Caracas

President Dr Irfaan Ali has reiterated Guyana’s commitment to a peaceful outcome of the ongoing border controversy with its South American neighbour Venezuela, but he noted that Guyana is closely watching developments in Caracas.

The Guyanese Head of State made these remarks on Thursday while delivering the feature address at the 6th Annual Security Challenges in Latin America Forum in Washington DC. The event was held under the theme “Environmental Protection: Land Use in the Amazon Basin and Marine Conservation.”

During a panel discussion, President Ali was asked about Venezuela’s latest attempt to annex Guyana’s Essequibo region, and its impact on the region. In response, he pointed out that Guyana’s objective is to ensure that the region

the world; we want to help to remove problems from the world; but, at the same time, we are not naïve; we are very careful, very watchful about everything that is happening (in Venezuela),” he said.

“We are a country that is acutely aware of where our borders are. And we are a country that is determined to ensure that all that is contained within our borders remain within our borders and remain the assets of Guyana. We have no intention of converting any other assets from any one of our neighbours, our only intention is to live peacefully and to develop our country for the Guyanese people; but, more importantly, ensuring that our prosperity leads to regional prosperity,” the Guyanese Leader stated.

President Ali’s comments come on the heels of his Venezuelan counterpart, President Nicolas

of Latin America and the Caribbean remains stable and a zone of peace, while still ensuring that there is no threat to the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Our first form of defence is diplomacy. We want peaceful coexistence with our neighbours; we want to ensure that no action is initiated from Guyana that can destabilize the region, that can contribute to the creation of one more problem in

Maduro, promulgating on Wednesday “the Organic Law for the Defense of Guayana Esequiba”, thus effectively proclaiming the Essequibo region of Guyana – more than two-thirds of Guyana’s national territory – as a state within that Spanish-speaking nation.

Maduro has said this “organic law” will guarantee that the December 3, 2023 referendum will be fully implemented in the defence of Venezuela and its territory.

However, in a statement on Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Government of Guyana said this attempt by Venezuela to annex Guyana’s Essequibo territory is an egregious violation of the core principles of international law enshrined in the United Nations Charter and the Charter of the Organization of American States.

The statement said this unlawful act calls into question Venezuela’s obligation to abide by the letter and spirit of the Joint Declaration of Argyle for Dialogue and Peace between Guyana and Venezuela, agreed to by Presidents Ali and Maduro on December 14, 2023 in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

At that Caricom/CELAC/ Brazil-brokered historic face-to-face meeting, the two South American leaders had come to several agreements, including that Guyana and Venezuela, directly or indirectly, would not threaten or use force against one another in any circumstance, including those consequential to any existing controversies between the two states. They had also agreed that controversies between these two states would be resolved by international law, including the Geneva Agreement.

Put on notice

In light of the flagrant violation of that pace pact, the Guyana Government has since vowed to reject Venezuela’s attempts to annex its sovereign territory.

President Dr Irfaan Ali at the 6th Annual Security Challenges in Latin America Forum in Washington DC on Thursday

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday promulgated “the Organic Law for The Defense of the Guayana Esequiba”

Collaborative approach

There are many social ills affecting the Guyanese society, especially the younger segment of the population; and programmes and support services to help address these issues could never be enough. For example, the use of illegal drugs and alcohol, crime, suicide, domestic and other forms of violence are having a huge negative impact on communities across Guyana. And now, more than ever there is need for a genuine collaborative approach, with inclusive planning and coordination, where volunteerism is a key element, to help find practical and lasting solutions to these many ills.

We are well aware that sometimes young people feel there is no end or solutions to the problems they are facing and hence they turn to various forms of anti-social behaviours thereby creating more challenges for an already burdened society.

While the government must play a crucial role in designing the relevant policies and putting in place the necessary legislative framework and other support mechanisms aimed at addressing these issues, this burden must also be shared by various actors within the society, such as religious groups, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) etc; since such problems affect everyone. For example, there is hardly any family in Guyana which has never been touched directly or indirectly by suicide. Experts have pointed to the fact that about 90 per cent of people who die by suicide had some sort of mental illness at the time of their death.

Many people die by suicide, because depression is triggered by several negative life experiences and the suffering person does not receive effective treatment or support. In many communities across the country, persons are crying out for attention; they need guidance or simply someone to speak with; many want to find a way out of their misery. However, sometimes accessing that source of help is very difficult.

At present, there are quite a few NGOs, faith-based organisations, etc, offering such support services; but there is need for more to get involved. Those who are already on board should be commended for the work they are doing. Such work is invaluable and must be supported and encouraged. A few new organisations are also coming on board and some are expanding their services offered.

The role of the Private Sector should also never be underestimated. There is need for funding for many crucial programmes aimed at creating better opportunities for young persons and businesses should step up to the challenge. Such programmes once effectively implemented would see our children and young people become well-equipped with the necessary skills to develop themselves and, in turn, contribute to the overall development of the country as a whole.

Former Caricom Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, some time ago, had said the majority of victims as well as perpetrators of crimes reported by the Police are young males 18 to 35 years old. This is surely reason to be concerned, as right away one would begin to worry about the kind of future these persons would have, and the contributions they would make to their societies, if any at all.

Certainly, there is a great need for intervention in order to combat the challenges facing young people. In order to prepare young people for workplace success, job training programmes need to go beyond technical instruction and also teach “life skills” such as communication, reliability, and teamwork. This push to teach youths life skills has been validated by employers who have consistently reported that, above all, they want to hire employees who possess workplace-ready skills, such as communication, teamwork, motivation and responsibility. Technical skills, they say, can be learned on the job.

We believe that if our young people are to move from the less mature and irresponsible ways of thinking and acting, to making more mature and responsible judgments and engaging in activities that are the hallmark of a sociallyproductive adulthood, certain support systems must be provided.

APNU/AFC responsible for electricity generating shortfall today

We refer to David Patterson’s letter published in the April 3, 2024 issue of Stabroek News on the subject of the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL), and wish to make the following observations.

The APNU/AFC is wholly responsible for the current shortfall in electricity generation at GPL and, by extension, for the electricity woes being faced by the people of Guyana today.

In 2013, the APNU/AFC used their parliamentary majority to block the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP), after a protracted effort on their part to derail the project. As a direct result of the APNU/AFC’s vote against this project, the Blackstone Group (whose market capitalisation stands today at US$157 billion) and their power development subsidiary at the time, Sithe Global, were forced to withdraw from the project.

Had AFHP not been obstructed by the APNU/ AFC, it would have been in operation today supplying the national grid with 165 MW of electricity.

Not content with the damage done by blocking AFHP, the APNU/AFC remains up to today intent on denying the Guyanese people adequate electricity generation for the foreseeable future. This is evident in their efforts to delay and derail the Gas to Energy (GtE) project. As was the case with AFHP, the GtE project is being developed in partnership with credible international

partners including, in this instance, ExxonMobil and the Lindsayca/CH4 consortium. This project, when completed, will supply the national grid with 300 MW of electricity.

Despite their stated opposition to both AFHP and GtE, the APNU/AFC is yet to propose a single atscale alternative to either of these projects. They did not propose an alternative throughout the 2011 to 2015 period when they derailed AFHP, they spent five years in Government from 2015 to 2020 and still did not propose (much less develop and implement) an alternative, and they have spent the period from 2020 to 2024 criticising the GtE, still failing to propose an alternative lasting solution to the country’s longstanding challenges with electricity.

Instead, Patterson’s letter states that “GPL under the coalition administration procured 63 MW

of brand-new generating sets, increasing the generating capacity of the company by 50%, a never-before-seen expansion in generating capacity in such a short period”. This statement is factually inaccurate and, to put it politely, blatantly disingenuous.

During the period from 2015 to 2019, GPL procured and installed a total of 14.2 MW at Canefield, Anna Regina, and Bartica. No other new generating capability of any significance was installed during the APNU/AFC’s term in office.

When confronted with the combination of their abject failure to address the electricity woes facing the country, as well as the prospect of being booted out of office as a result of the no-confidence motion, the APNU/AFC government then rushed to procure an additional 46.5 MW of generating capa -

bility. It is worthwhile to note that, having failed to raise financing to purchase the 46.5 MW, the APNU/AFC Government then resorted to financing the purchase illegally in the absence of a budget for 2020, by making unauthorised withdrawals from the Consolidated Fund and purporting to grant loans to GPL without the requisite prior parliamentary appropriation.

These 46.5 MW remained undelivered and uninstalled at the time the APNU/AFC eventually demitted office in August 2020, and so cannot possibly be counted in Patterson’s claim of “never-before-seen expansion in generating capacity”.

Meanwhile, after the APNU/AFC assumed office in 2015, fuel prices plummeted. In 2014, the last full year that the PPP/C was in office, crude oil averaged US$98.95 a barrel. By 2016, this had declined to US$43.73 a barrel, less than half the price of two years prior. This was mirrored in the weighted average fuel price per barrel paid by GPL, which declined by 54 per cent from 2014 to 2016, and which remained relatively low until 2020.

Despite this sharp and sustained decline in fuel prices, the APNU/AFC did not pass on the benefit of lower fuel costs to consumers by a corresponding reduction in electricity tariffs, granting instead a meagre 10 per cent reduction in electricity prices in the wake of a 54 per cent reduction in fuel acquisition costs.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre arrives as the Easter Bunny stands at the podium before a briefing at the White House in Washington (VOA)

Dr Ashni Singh

Alistair Routledge should ignore click-bait letters

Dear Editor,

The pages of two of Guyana’s newspapers are awash with hostility towards foreign investors in this country.

Only Tuesday, one notable critic of FDI carried out a massive but uncalled-for attack against Mr. Alistair Routledge, calling on the Exxon head here to answer questions posed by another personality from that ambiguous entity called civil society. It appears that, for profes -

sional reasons, the author of that piece likes to attack big people like Jagdeo and Routledge, in order to get lots of attention.

These are basically click-bait articles that serve no other purpose than to get overexcited development deniers to click on the piece to carry up readership counts. That is good for the advertising business.

Mr. Routledge should understand that the vast majority of Guyanese

stand with the oil and gas industry. We know it took billions upon billions exploring for the oil and gas in a frontier environment where the risks were incredibly high.

The APNU-AFC signed a contract which the PPP and the people wish were more in favour of this country, but we also work with the norms of international law. Contracts are contracts. That is why future PSAs have been refashioned.

That also is why we developed a comprehensive Local Content regime, and are doing deep training in order to monitor every aspect of the oil and gas sector.

Mr. Routledge should not allow himself to be harassed. Those doing the harassing should consider abandoning their campaign of vilification.

Sincerely,

Dr Randy Persaud

When will the madness on roadways end?

Dear Editor,

It seems that reason has taken flight and the mental condition has deteriorated to such an extent that the senseless act, in the matter of the drag race accident which took place in an East Coast community between two vehicles, one allegedly being driven by a fifteen-year-old, reeks of pure and utter madness. Now three children are fighting for their lives, and

their world and that of their families has been turned upside-down.

When will the madness on the roadways end? How could vehicles be racing in a community? And how could a fifteen-year-old be allowed to take the wheel of a vehicle?

The older driver saw it fit and proper to inculcate bad and poor road and driving habits in a young prospective driver – speeding; disregard-

ing life, property, rules of the road and safe driving practices.

Now the younger driver, because of a single moment of recklessness and gay abandonment, is scarred for life.

Both young men must face the full force of the law. Stupid actions must carry sensible consequences. Their actions were not only outrageous, but downright irresponsible and foolish. For

that, there can be no negotiation or compromise. I wish the children a full and speedy recovery, and hope they are able to overcome this traumatic event in their lives, even as their families find the strength to cope with the agonizing situation.

Sincerely,

Shamshun Mohamed

APNU/AFC responsible for electricity...

At the same time, the cash windfall that should have accumulated to GPL was squandered, including by allowing blatant delinquency on the part of Government consumers of electricity, with the effect that by the time the APNU/AFC demitted office, GPL was owed $12 billion by Government entities. This had a devastating impact on GPL’s cash flows and impaired the company’s ability to upgrade and maintain its capital stock.

All of the above serve to illustrate that, like so many other sectors of the economy, the electricity sector was not spared the consequences of the APNU/AFC’s political vindictiveness, acute lack of vision, and their abject ineptitude and sheer incompetence.

The responsibility for today’s electricity challenges, therefore, rests squarely at the feet of the APNU/AFC, who obstructed AFHP, bankrupted GPL, and are now seeking to undermine the GtE, all which this PPP/C Government is now seeking to repair and overcome. Needless to say, Patterson concludes his letter with the customary sanctimonious refrain, appealing for what he describes as a “real democracy”.

Thankfully, the people

of Guyana know Patterson and the APNU/AFC for their unique model of “real democracy”: one where the constitutional consequences of a no-confidence motion can be ignored, and where an incumbent Government can refuse to accept defeat in an internationally-observed election and hold on to power until the threat of international sanctions is visited upon the country.

Thankfully, the people of Guyana know Patterson and the APNU/AFC for what they are and have always been: dictatorial, visionless, inept, and sanctimonious.

In order to achieve a lasting solution to the problems faced by the electricity sector, this PPP/C Government has installed and is operationalising the 46.5 MW that APNU/AFC failed to deliver and an additional 28.9 MW at Columbia. Other options for short-term relief to the generation shortfall are also being explored. Additionally, 33 MW of solar capacity is being installed in Berbice, Essequibo, and Linden. And, for the medium term, work has already commenced on the 300 MW GtE, and proposals are currently being evaluated for the 165 MW AFHP. Additionally, US$160 million is being invested in upgrading the

transmission and distribution system to improve its capability and reliability. Government has also instructed that GPL accelerate efforts to eliminate internal inefficiencies and improve the quality of its operations. These and other interventions aim to address short-term defi -

ciencies and deliver medium and longer-term solutions.

Hon

Dr Ashni K Singh, MP

Senior

Minister

in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service

Climate change has caused unexpected shifts in weather patterns

Dear Editor,

Over the past few years, climate change has caused unexpected shifts in weather patterns, particularly a prolonged period of drought. This has had a significant impact on both the daily lives of people and the livelihoods of farmers. However, thanks to the Ministry of Agriculture's extension services, these affected farmers are receiving, and will continue to receive, the necessary support to ensure the sustainability of agriculture now and in the future.

Previously, we experienced heavy rainfall that led to severe flooding. However, it is important to note that efforts to improve drainage and irrigation systems are ongoing. Taking a proactive approach, rather than a reactive one, is crucial in effectively managing such a vital industry.

The Ministry of Agriculture has a budget allocation of $97.6B, of which

$29.4B has been designated for drainage and irrigation projects. Those include construction of two canals similar to the Hope Canal, and acquisition of 40 mobile pumps.

Additionally, $72.3B has been allocated for the maintenance and enhancement of the national drainage and irrigation network. This demonstrates the Government's proactive stance in addressing these issues. The work carried out by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) may seem straightforward, but it plays a crucial role in rehabilitating the drainage system and ensuring proper irrigation for farmers. As the agriculture sector introduces new high-value crops, it is essential that the infrastructure keeps pace, and not remain stagnant as in the past.

Sincerely,

David Benn

Page Foundation

A circle is a 2-dimensional figure with every point on its circumference an equal distance from its centre point, or origin. A circle’s circumference is its perimeter, the distance around it.

A line segment that starts at the circle’s origin and extends to its circumference is called a radius. The plural of radius is radii. In a circle, all radii are equal in length.

A chord is a line segment that has both endpoints on the circumference. A diameter is a special kind of chord that passes through the origin. It is always equal in length to 2 radii.

Exercises: Identify

(1) What is the radius of a circle if the diameter is 12cm?

(2) Identify the chord in the figure below.

(3) Identify the 2 radii below.

4)What are the six chords formed by inscribing a hexagon inside the circle below?

(5) What is the perimeter, or circumference, a circle whose diameter is 24cm.

Circumference = 2πr. Π = 22/7.

Hot or cold water? Which leaks faster

In this fun and easy science experiment, we’re going to determine which water leaks faster, hot or cold water.

Materials:

Two paper cups

Straight pin

Two small glasses

Ice cubes

Hot water

Instructions: Set the glasses on a table. Poke a small hole in the centre of the bottom of each paper cup.

Fill one paper cup with cold water and ice cubes. Place the paper cup filled with cold water on top of one

WORD SEARCH Circles

of the small glasses. Fill the other paper cup with hot water. Set the paper cup filled with hot water on top of the other small glass.

Observe which cup leaks faster.

How it works: The hot-water molecules are more active and

fall through the hole easier. The cold-water molecules are moving much slower and do not fall through the hole as easily.

Make this a science project: Try adding salt to the water. Try creating a larger but equal sized hole in each cup. (sciencefun.org)

By Walt Whitman

12

Lo, body and soul—this land,

My own Manhattan with spires, and the sparkling and hurrying tides, and the ships, The varied and ample land, the South and the North in the light, Ohio’s shores and flashing Missouri, And ever the far-spreading prairies cover’d with grass and corn.

Lo, the most excellent sun so calm and haughty, The violet and purple morn with just-felt breezes, The gentle soft-born measureless light, The miracle spreading bathing all, the fulfill’d noon, The coming eve delicious, the welcome night and the stars, Over my cities shining all, enveloping man and land.

Int’l partners notified of Venezuela’s “bad faith”

Argyle Declaration negotiations – VP …says concerns expressed at “untrustworthy nature” of Maduro regime …as Guyana’s Opposition rejects Venezuela’s "organic law"

Venezuela’s re-

cent move to annex Guyana’s Essequibo territory by law has been described as “bad faith” by Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, who has also reassured the Guyanese citizenry that Government remains vigilant on these latest developments coming out of Caracas.

On Wednesday, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro promulgated “the Organic Law for the Defense of Guayana Esequiba”, saying this organic law would guarantee that the December 3, 2023 referendum would be fully implemented in the defence of Venezuela and its territory.

At his weekly press conference on Thursday, VP Jagdeo indicated that the Guyana Government has notified its legal team as well as international partners about this latest act of aggression by Venezuela. In fact, he noted that there are mounting concerns about the Spanish-speaking nation’s recent attempt to an-

nex more than two-thirds of Guyana’s sovereign territory. “We’ve already notified all our partners. We’ve brought this to their attention – the bad faith negotiations of Venezuela, so they’re aware of what’s happening. Many of them are expressing concern and also outrage about this approach [of] the untrustworthy nature of the regime there, and we are not going to let our guards down. So, I hope that the country recognises this,” the vice president assured.

According to Jagdeo,

Maduro’s action, though not physical, is clearly a form of annexation by decree and/ or by law. He added that this runs contrary to the Argyle Declaration agreed to by President Dr Irfaan Ali and President Maduro in St Vincent and the Grenadines on December 14, 2023.

Moreover, the vice president has said this Venezuelan decree not only violates the legal proceedings currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), but also the provisionary measures issued by the World Court

Guyana wants peaceful...

“…the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana wishes to put on notice the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, the Governments of the Caribbean Community and the Latin American and Caribbean Community of Nations, as well as the Secretary General of the United Nations and the Secretary General of the Organization of American States, that it will not countenance the annexation, seizure or occupation of any part of its sovereign territory. Guyana has always stood by the principles of the United Nations Charter, the rule of law, and the peaceful settlement of disputes,” the Foreign Ministry stated.

The missive from Georgetown further noted that the proper forum for Venezuela to contest title to Essequibo is through the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where Guyana has filed legal proceedings to obtain a final and binding ruling on the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award that settled the land boundary between the two countries.

However, Maduro declared on Wednesday that Venezuela does not, and will never, recognize the Arbitral Award, and also reiterated the Spanishspeaking nation’s non-recognition of the ICJ.

Having rejected both

of Venezuela’s preliminary objections, the World Court has ruled it has jurisdiction to hear the case between Guyana and Venezuela, and has set April 8, 2024 as the time limit for the filing of a Counter-Memorial by Venezuela.

Offensive and undignified statements

On Wednesday, the Venezuelan leader also called President Ali a “puppet” of the United States Government, the British Government and US oil giant ExxonMobil, which is currently engaged in oil production activities in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off the Essequibo Coast. Maduro accused Guyana of partnering with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Southern Command – both from the US – to establish secret military bases to attack Tumeremo, which is the supposed capital of the new state Venezuela is purporting to establish within the Essequibo territory.

Maduro’s remarks about President Ali have not unnoticed by the Guyana Government, which labelled them as “offensive and undignified statements.”

According to the missive from the Foreign Ministry, it is unfortunate that the commitment made at Argyle to “the pursuance of good neighbourliness, peaceful coexistence, and the unity

of Latin America and the Caribbean” is now again seriously threatened by President Maduro’s words and action on Wednesday.

Nevertheless, President Ali on Thursday reiterated Guyana’s commitment towards maintaining peace in the region and working towards regional integration. He noted that Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is leading the charge when it comes to rebuilding regional integration with focus on a massive project that aligns the transport, economic and energy integration of South America.

“Recently, we had a trilateral between Guyana, Suriname and Brazil, with President (of Suriname Chandrikapersad) Santokhi and President Lula, and we have outlined very clearly what we see this integration or how we see the integration should look like and would look like. And Venezuela must understand that they’re part of a region that is working on establishing strong credentials in relation to the rule of law, democracy, respect for each other, respect for territorial integrity, and we’re going to do all that we can to encourage our neighbours to be good global citizens and not deviate from the path of what is good for the citizens of the region, and the citizens of Guyana and Venezuela,” the Guyanese Leader has posited. (G8)

that prohibit any change to the status quo of the 1899 Arbitral Award – which he says Venezuela is seeking to unilaterally change in order to gain control of Guyana’s Essequibo territory and a portion of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), where some 11 billion barrels of oil have been discovered over the past eight years, and in which oil production activities are ongoing.

Maduro declared on Wednesday that Venezuela does not, and will never, recognize the Arbitral Award, and also reiterated the Spanish-speaking nation’s non-recognition of the ICJ.

In 2018, Guyana moved to the World Court, seeking a final and binding ruling on the October 3, 1899 Arbitral Award which settled the land boundary between the two countries.

Opposition’s rejection

Meanwhile, Guyana’s Parliamentary Opposition – the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) – has also expressed deep concerns and alarm at this latest act of aggression by the Venezuelan Government. At that party’s weekly press conference on Thursday, Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton said Venezuela’s promulgation of “the organic law for the defense of Guayana Essequiba” is in total violation of international law.

“The Parliamentary Opposition not only rejects this organic law, but condemns it as a flagrant vio-

lation of International Law, the Geneva Agreement, and the letter and spirit of the recent joint Declaration of Argyle for dialogue and peace, agreed to on December 14, 2023,” Norton has said.

Moreover, Norton has said the “Organic Law” is also in clear violation of the recent decision of the ICJ, which enjoined that “pending a final decision in the (border controversy) case, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela shall refrain from taking any action which would modify the situation which currently prevails in the territory of dispute…”

According to the Opposition, this illegal act by the Venezuelan regime has come at a time when the Spanish-speaking nation continues to take belligerent action against Guyana, including the fraudulent referendum of December 3, 2023; the build-up of troops along the border, and other provocative acts.

“These measures will neither contribute to the

peaceful relations between the two countries nor the overall peace of the region. A zone of peace can hardly survive in these circumstances. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela will therefore be responsible for the further decline in the relations between the two states and any breach in the peaceful development of the region,” the Guyanese Opposition has stated.

In fact, Norton outlined that neither the Guyana Government nor its people have engaged in any aggressive action against the Venezuelan Government or its citizenry, but have rather sought to solve the territorial controversy through peaceful and legal means, including the resort to the World Court.

To this end, he said, “The Parliamentary Opposition finally urges the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to act responsibly, and not further inflame the geo-political fault lines of the region and thereby threaten its further peaceful development.” (G8)

Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo

Construction of first 100 homes begins at Silica City

Construction of the first 100 Young Professional Homes has commenced at Silica City as part of the first phase of the area’s development. Situated along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, Silica City, the brainchild of President Dr Irfaan Ali, will be Guyana’s first smart urban centre.

According to a social media post made by Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues, the Young Professional Homes will be constructed in four distinct

styles, comprising two flat units valued at $25,200,603 and $25,290,178, and two elevated units priced at $33,980,153 and $34,450,145. Each flat home boasts a master bedroom with closet and washroom, two other bedrooms, washroom, kitchen, dining area, living room, and laundry room. The two-storey elevated homes feature a master bedroom with closet and washroom, two other bedrooms, an additional room, washrooms, kitchen, dining area, living room and sitting room.

Infrastructural works such as road and drainage networks are also ongoing. The development is being monitored by the Central Housing and Planning Authority’s Projects Department.

Rodrigues had said in March that the draft master plan for Silica City, Guyana’s inaugural modern and sustainable city project, is expected to be available by mid-2024. She was at the time speaking during a discussion on the Guyana Dialogue.

The Silica City project

Friends…

…with benefits

So much for the “peaceful coexistence” Mad Maduro promised at Argyle last December!! He’s inexorably pursued his “annexation” of Essequibo with first his referendum to “legitimise” it, then announced the “annexation” just before the Argyle meeting – and had to’ve assumed we didn’t view his temerity as “not peaceful”!! So, he then proceeded to have his Assembly approve his “annexation” by passing an Act to that effect, and massing troops near our border. And just two days ago, he signed an “Organic Law for the defense of Essequibo”, which takes for granted that Essequibo is theirs - and they can do what it takes to “defend” it! Give the man a peace agreement - and he takes Essequibo!!

For those who thought the Argyle Declaration meant more than the paper it was written on, Mad Maduro took special pains to insult our President. He gloated that nothing has given him more satisfaction than when he defended Venezuela’s claim to Essequibo in front of Pres Ali at Argyle!! Said he: “The liberators” (fighters for Venezuela’s independence from Spain, like Simon Bolivar) gave us the land, our identity, our character, and they gave us the complete Guyana; the right on the Essequibo is always, and always will be, a libertarian right.” So much for Pressie’s bottle of El Dorado as a peace offering!!

aims to address the impacts of climate change and sea level rises, as well as issues associated with the growth of non-coastal urban settlements. Rodrigues had said the project would further be advanced when the masterplan arrives.

“You would have seen last year that there was a delegation here from the University of Miami, and we signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Miami for them to deploy all of their experts in architecture and design so that they can do the master plan for Silica City…,” Minister Rodrigues had said. “They have about six months to get back to us on a draft…About mid this year we should be in possession of a draft of this master plan.”

Some 3,800 acres of land have been set aside for this Silica City project, and infrastructural works are already underway, including the creation of 100 residential homes in addition to shopping centres, apartment complexes, condos, hotels, restaurants, and other facilities.

Rodrigues had explained that the project is still in the first phase, and Guyana is seeking to develop approximately 10,000 acres of land for this project.

And if that weren’t provocative enough, Russia just announced that it’s preparing to host Mad Maduro in style – and as such, explicitly giving approval to the Venezuelans’ claim to Essequibo. It’s a matter of mutual backscratching. Venezuela’s been a firm supporter of Putin ever since Chavez started ruling Venezuela, and embarked on his disastrous socialist experiment. A common hatred of the US and friendliness towards Castro’s Cuba binds them even closer. It was Putin who supplied over US$30 billion in advanced military equipment – including Sukhoi fighter jets and missilearmed drones – that have given Mad Maduro the spunk to not only challenge us, but rattle his sabres at the US and UK!!

In the international arena, Mad Maduro has followed Russia’s lead in thumbing his nose at multilateral institutions like the UN and ICJ – and invaded and annexed neighbouring countries. Russia also helps Mad Maduro survive by evading US sanctions on its oil shipments, while the latter’s been a staunch supporter of Russia’s Ukraine War. Mad Maduro‘s visit will definitely end in some sort of arrangement to give assurances of further evasion of oil sanctions since the US’ easing of sanctions to allow Chevron etc to recover and ship Venezuelan crude will expire later this month.

For this and other reasons, we should expect Mad Maduro’s hostilities to be ratcheted up even further as their July elections draw nearer.

So, who can WE count on??

…in squatting

In Guyana, squatting’s been a widespread phenomenon ever since the abolition of slavery. The newly-freed Africans wanted to get off the plantations as fast as they could, and while some scrimped to purchase several bankrupt plantations, others went upriver and squatted on Crown Land. They were ousted.

After independence, Burnham’s unfulfilled promises to “feed, house and clothe” the nation for the good life led to a new wave of squatters. This has continued unabated 58 years down the line, but it would seem that the illegal squatting phenomenon has migrated into other areas of national life – even into the bastion of law-making itself – the National Assembly!!

We’ve got the case of three micro-parties using an obscure constitutional “joiner” provision to agglomerate their votes to gain a seat at the last elections. They agreed they would rotate the seat, and all went welltill the incumbent with just 244 votes balked!!

Will GECOM now stick to the spirit of the law and do the right thing?? Doubtful!!

…different strokes on LGBT

The US just imposed sanctions on Ghana and Uganda for passing legislation discriminating against LGBT persons. Sounds OK. But those countries have pointed out that Qatar FORBIDS LGBT practices - yet is not only unsanctioned, but approved!!

The construction of Young Professional Homes has commenced at Silica City

No sugarcoating “bad” situation, GPL’s performance “atrocious” – Jagdeo …says

old equipment, increased power demand among challenges

Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo is sympathising with Guyanese who are affected by frequent power outages, and has disclosed that Government is seeking to purchase an additional 40 to 80 megawatts of power for the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc, in order to offset increasing demands.

During his weekly press briefing at the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Freedom House Headquarters, Jagdeo said, “The situation is bad, there is no sugarcoating this.”

Acknowledging that explanations have been repeatedly provided to the affected citizens, he added: “We are not going to say people are not justified in the harsh comments they make, because we feel it ourselves. Because we live here and we are consumers too. It’s not that the Government is aloof from these concerns, (but) sometimes explanations don’t help at that moment.”

He pointed out that the current peak demand for electricity is at 180 megawatts, while the state-owned power company’s generating capacity is at 165 megawatts.

“Yes, the performance of GPL is atrocious in many cases, but also we are dealing with a real fact: growth demand and old equipment,” Jagdeo pointed out. In fact, the Vice President highlighted the increased usage of air conditioning units locally.

“What has happened is that the demand here has grown. Now, anyone here in Guyana would understand the growth in demand. You just look at the housing schemes: more houses, air-conditioned houses, more people are getting more money and they’re putting in AC. You have a number of businesses opening up, oil and gas projects, hotels, etc., and they are utilising significantly more power. So, our demand has grown, but we are still limping along with (some) old equipment,” he explained.

To address the issue in

the short term, VP Jagdeo said, efforts are underway to purchase 40 to 80 megawatts of power for a period of two years, until the Gasto-Energy project comes on stream. In the meantime, he noted, solar panels are also being used in the hinterland and other areas to increase the generation of electricity in those areas.

The PPP/C Government’s model Gas-to-Energy project includes a 300-megawatt power plant using natural gas that would be piped from the oil-rich Stabroek Block’s Liza field, offshore Guyana, to an integrated gas processing facility at Wales on the West Bank of Demerara. The project is set to come on stream next year.

Guyana has endured a spate of blackouts over the past week following what the GPL has described as engine failures at different locations. At least two engines are currently down.

With its current chal-

lenges, GPL is now generating some 165 megawatts.

Back in December, 17 containerised electricity generators were purchased to the tune of US$27 million to enhance power generation during the Christmas holiday. Procured from Apan Energy Service, these sets were expected to contribute an additional 28.9 megawatts to the national grid, but there have been shipment delays and technical issues in setting them up, and it has been reported that only nine of these gen sets have been installed.

Chief Executive Officer of GPL, Kesh Nandlall, disclosed to Guyana Times on Wednesday evening that five of the eight remaining sets will be installed by this weekend, and the remaining three will be connected next week. According to Nandlall, when these eight generators are connected, another 10 megawatts would be added to the national grid.

Meanwhile, President Dr Irfaan Ali told reporters on Wednesday morning that the issues affecting GPL’s operations are multifaceted and interconnected. These issues range from aged infrastructure and systems to lack of maintenance, to human resource gap, and to the growing demand for electricity coupled with public destruction of the entity’s transmission utilities.

“Immediately, we have to address the existing system and to invest in strengthening the existing system. Then, in the immediate medium-term, we have to look at the distribu-

tion and transmission system. Immediately, we have to look at the demand and bringing in that bridging power to help us through this period. So, those are the immediate steps, and, of course, the technical capacity and support,” the President explained.

That support, according to the president, could be imported. He explained that there is a human resource gap at GPL which the entity has been unable to fill.

“We have to get more engineers, more technicians and more linesmen urgent-

ly, because of the demand in the system. Because of the use of the system and the expansion of the system, there will be tremendous technical support that will come.

Right now, as I speak to you, I’ve expressed my disappointment (at GPL’s operations, but) the system needs technical people. There are a number of vacancies. They’ve been trying to recruit, but they’re not getting the people. So, they’re (going) out once more, and if they don’t get, then we’ll have to bring in that technical support,” the Guyanese Leader noted. The Head of State said Dominican Republicbased energy company InterEnergy Group (IEG) is one of the partners that the Guyana Government would be working with. Moreover, the Guyana Government has approached the United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF) for financing to upgrade the aged transmission system and distribution network. According to Ali, this could be a “sizeable” amount, given the need of the power company. (G8)

Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo at his press conference on Thursday Guyana Power & Light Headquarters on Main Street, Georgetown

DEA, CANU seize narco-submarine with 5,000lbs of cocaine off Guyana’s coast

The United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), with assistance from Guyana’s Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), has busted a naro-submarine with 2,370 kilograms (5000lbs) of cocaine “approximately 150 miles off the coast of Guyana.”

In a statement on Thursday, the United States Embassy in Georgetown said that on March 21, “the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Georgetown Country Office collaborated with the Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATFS), Guyana Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU), and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) to seize a SelfPropelled Semi-Submersible (SPSS) approximately 150 miles off the coast of Guyana.”

According to that statement, the SPSS was carrying 2,370 kilograms of cocaine.

“The US Navy’s guided missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf interdicted the self-propelled semi-submersible, resulting in the arrest of four individuals and seizure of the cocaine.

“This landmark SPSS seizure will be prosecuted in the United States. The U.S. Government remains com-

mitted to its support of the Government of Guyana and its Caribbean partners in developing ever-greater capacity to disrupt illicit traffick-

ing and transnational crime to advance citizen security,” the statement from the embassy said.

On March 29, CANU in-

tercepted two Venezuelan nationals with US$2.6 million worth of cocaine at Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo. And prior to that

interception, CANU ranks seized more than 100 pounds of cocaine at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) in February. When that bust was made, reports indicated that CANU agents stationed at the CJIA observed two suspects retrieving four duffle bags thrown over the airport fence by an unidentified male. Upon interception, a search of the duffle bags led to the discovery of 64 brick-like parcels suspected to contain cocaine.

CANU had said that the narcotics were intended for transport on a British Airways flight bound for St Lucia, with a subsequent connection to the United

Kingdom.

The potential street value of the narcotics seized, had they reached their intended destination, was estimated at over £3 million, equivalent to approximately G$679 million.

Just over one week ago, CANU Director James Singh had said that that drug enforcement unit had seized a startling 1.1 tonnes of marijuana and over 75 kilograms of cocaine from various operations across the country.

He noted that most of the marijuana had come from the Andean region of South America, which includes Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.

The 5000lbs of cocaine that were found off Guyana’s coast (US Embassy photo)

The naro-submarine with the cocaine (US Embassy photo)

Interdiction in progress (US Embassy photo)

“Make Guyana your stopover choice”Edghill urges airlines for long-haul flights

In light of significant investments being made to upgrade the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), along with efforts being undertaken to facilitate ease of travel, airlines are being encouraged to make Guyana their stopover choice for long-haul flights.

The call was made by Public Works Minister Juan Edghill on Tuesday night during a reception to mark the inaugural United Airlines flight between Georgetown and Houston. Edghill indicated that as Guyana continues to attract more investments in its aviation sector and witnesses increases in arrivals within the country, Government is making the necessary investments to support the

growth of the industry.

Affirming his views on the welcoming of the airlines, he said this development shows that Guyana is one step closer to greater things. With this view, he made known towards foreigners from Houston that they should see Guyana as the hub that connects South America with the Caribbean.

Lending his perspective on the recent number of foreigners that entered the country, the minister expressed that every foreigner who visits Guyana provides a gain towards the country’s tourism sector.

“We want to see full capacity of visitors coming in and coming out of the country; so, to all those who are marketing the country,

thank you for helping, every time a visitor comes to Guyana it is good for Guyana, and it is good for what Guyana wants to do for the rest of the world,” he stated.

Further, he explained that the ministry is doing everything within its power to ensure foreigners experience great ease of doing business and travel in Guyana.

“Make Guyana your stopover choice during longhaul flights,” the minister told the gathering. Further, he pointed to the legislative amendment made in 2022 to allow licensed foreigners to drive in the country without having a local permit, which are still in momentum. This amendment ensures that a foreign driver visiting

Guyana is able to drive within the country without having to apply for a permit.

According to Edghill, all of these privileges are set to enhance the stay of foreigners, and equip them with easy navigation.

“We are also ensuring that foreigners can witness bilingual signs and directions throughout Guyana,” he reassured persons at the event.

Additionally, Edghill referred to the significant investments being made in the CJIA, affirming that scores of infrastructural works are currently being undertaken to upgrade the infrastructure of the CJIA. He said there are four major proj-

ects ongoing at the airport, and he unveiled that work is currently being done for the building of a commercial centre, which is set to be completed soon.

According to Minister Edghill, this centre would be equipped with a VIP lounge and a wide capacity to make the travel experience much more comfortable for travellers. He added that a special building is to be constructed to house airline offices, providing the current 300-plus staff of the airport with accommodation.

He also noted that a new administration building is under construction, and fourthly, the baggage system within the airport will be

enhanced, which would significantly reduce the time it takes travellers to get their luggage.

Highlighting the importance of fast service for travellers, he said that congestion and long waiting hours are experiences he wishes not to be harboured.

“Congestion is not something that you ever want at airports. It is costly and it is something that…can be a great inconvenience to travellers around the world,” he expressed.

The board of Directors of the CJIA is working to ensure a better airline and to ensure the people of Guyana have a better travel experience. (G2)

A section of the gathering at the reception

Public Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill and Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar, along with US Ambassador Nicole Theriot and others, posing with the United Airlines officials at a welcome reception for United Airlines (Public Works Ministry photo)

As wildfires

Emergency services fully mobilised

As wildfires continue to rage in several communities across Guyana, several critical agencies have been mobilised to help affected citizens. Among those agencies are the Health Ministry, the Joint Services, and the Civil Defence Commission (CDC).

Raging wildfires in the Santa Mission community of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) on Wednesday reached a critical point, rendering it impossible for firefighters to access the affected areas to extinguish the fires. As a result, Joint Services teams shifted their focus to ensuring the safety and well-being of the residents through swift evacuation measures.

The dense smoke emanating from the fires has prompted the evacuation of over 25 individuals from Santa Mission and the neighbouring village of Santa Aratak. Most of the evacuees have found temporary shelter at the Timehri Primary School, while some are being accommodated by their relatives.

Battling

During his weekly press conference on Thursday, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo disclosed that the Health Ministry is equipped and ready to provide care to individuals battling health complications brought on by the fires. These include smoke inhalation, heat stress, radiation, and air pollution.

Further, the vice president explained that

the Civil Defence Commission is setting up shelters across the country and packaging food supplies for persons displaced by wildfires. And while no homes or personal assets have thus far been destroyed, farming communities that depend on agriculture are among those in need of urgent assistance.

“As the president pointed out, we are (supplying) hampers to some of the communities in Region Nine… Those places, the people mainly deal with subsistence farming; it’s not like the coast, areas where people work elsewhere. So, the issue is they just done lose income, they lose a source of food, and therefore we have supplied hampers, we’re sending in cassava from the coast to some of the hinterland communities,” the vice-president said.

The vice-president has commended the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Guyana Forestry Commission for working collaboratively to diligently mitigate wildfires that are threatening, and has explained that future investments garnered would strengthen Guyana’s preparedness to better manage climate-related challenges.

The vice president, who is also the pioneer of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), has noted that this issue of wildfires is not only affecting Guyana.

“This is something we have spoken about for a very long time: the extreme weather that

mobilised to assist citizens – VP

we will continue to experience; that is why we are spending so much of our resources on adaptation methods,” he said, referring to the country’s investment in drainage and irrigation methods, to reduce flooding in the rainy season and retain water for the dry periods.

He noted that over US$2 billion earned from the sale of forest carbons under the LCDS will be spent on adaptation, in addition to the sums given directly to indigenous communities.

According to Chapter 5 of the LCDS 2030 document, with resources from the GuyanaNorway Partnership, Guyana developed a Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy to set out a comprehensive and overarching framework for adapting and building resilience to climate change impacts. The chapter summarises elements of that strategy, which include strengthening the drainage and irrigation systems, building climate resilient agricultural systems, public health adaptation to climate change, flood management, among other things.

“On the coast as well as in the hinterland, some of the areas, the crops have dried up, and the fires have affected some of the farmlands in other areas in the hinterland, so the CDC is fully mobilised…We’re supplying hampers for some of the communities in Region Nine that have had all of their crops destroyed,” the vice president has said.

El Nino

Guyana has experienced over 1300 wildfires since January, and this is a direct result of the El Nino phenomenon, which is responsible for the prolonged dry season. One thousand of those fires occurred in communities located in Regions Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); whereas the regions with the lowest incidents of wildfires are Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), which both had less than 200 fires.

Joint Service teams are utilising satellite imagery surveillance to monitor fires countrywide, while land and air techniques are being used to prevent fires from escalating. Resources are stretched thin, but efforts are ongoing to procure advanced firefighting equipment specifically tailored to combat wildfires.

The Guyana Fire Service is urging citizens to avoid deliberately setting fires to either burn garbage or for land clearing, noting that such acts are punishable by law. The Fire Service, in a statement, said it is working to combat several wildfires reported at Coverden and along the Heroes Highway on the East Bank of Demerara; as well as at Port Mourant, East Berbice-Corentyne; Lovely Lass Village, West Coast Berbice; and in Linden.

Any fire or emission of excessive smoke should be reported to the Fire Service via 912.

Labourer slapped with attempted murder charge

Joel Benjamin, a 37-year-old labourer of Queenstown, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), was on Thursday arraigned before Suddie Magistrate Tamieka Clarke on an attempted murder charge which detailed that on April 2, at Queenstown Village, he attempted to murder Jonathan Singh, a miner and resident of Queenstown.

Benjamin has been remanded to prison, and the case has been adjourned to April 25. Charged: Joel Benjamin

Truck transporting LP gas explodes

Firefighters from the Eccles Fire Station rushed to the Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Thursday evening after a truck transporting Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) exploded.

The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) said that a water tender, along with a crew, was dispatched to the scene and the fire was brought under control.

Reports are that a yellow canter truck, GRR 1823, which was transporting LPG, was proceeding to Land of Canaan, EBD when a fire started in the cabin. The canter was completely destroyed along with a number of LPG cylinders.

Essequibo Coast man nabbed with illegal gun …2 guns found in Linden garbage heap

A32-year-old male resident of Henrietta, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) has been caught by a patrol of police ranks with an illegal gun and an empty magazine.

According to the police, at about 09:15h on Thursday, ranks on mobile patrol were in the vicinity of the Anna Regina Police Station when they observed the unemployed man walking on the road. He was stopped, and a search was carried out on his person.

After the gun was found, police asked him if he has a firearm licence, and he responded in the negative. He was then arrested, and remains in custody pending charges.

At about 17:00h on Wednesday, ranks of

the Mackenzie Police Station, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), acting on information received, went to the back of the Mackenzie Market, where garbage and old freezers are dumped, and found two firearms wrapped in a T-shirt which was further wrapped in a plastic bag. One of the firearms was a.32 revolver and the other appeared to be a .22 semi-automatic pistol.

The guns that were found in a garbage heap behind the Mackenzie Market in Linden

The gun that was found in the possession of the Essequibo Coast man

Guyana’s ‘One Health’ initiative aims to detect any new pandemic

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony attended a high-level meeting at the Cara Lodge Hotel in Georgetown to discuss the key findings of the ‘One Health’ initiative, unveiling new plans to detect future pandemics.

In November 2020, the World Bank approved US$7.5 million for Guyana’s COVID-19 Emergency Response Project, to aid the country in combatting the pandemic and strengthening its health system. The project focused on enhancing laboratory capacity, supporting

screening and surveillance, improving contact tracing, equipping healthcare facilities for better treatment and care of COVID-19 patients, and preparing for the deployment of a safe and approved COVID-19 vaccine.

Subsequently, the Health Ministry allocated some of the funds to collaborate with agencies such as the World Health Organization/ Pan American Health Organization, Ministry of Finance, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Guyana

Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to implement a ‘One Health’ agenda. This agenda aims to prevent and better prepare for current and future health challenges at the human-animal-environment interface, through collaboration and coordination across governance frameworks of human, animal, plant, and environmental health programmes.

Dr Anthony has commended the World Bank for its assistance during

the season of the pandemic, and has noted that the Bank was flexible in adapting systems that aided in enabling Guyana to effectively control the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Additionally, he highlighted the Health Ministry's efforts in enhancing surveillance systems and conducting assessments for the ‘One Health’ agenda. Stating that the ministry has recognised that it is very important to also prepare a system for any new pandemic, Anthony said that any new pandemic that will happen would probably be a jump from animals into a human population. “We have to be able to

develop a system where they can detect viruses, whether it’s in an animal population or human population, so that we can see if there's any connection,” he said, while further expressing that such detection is what the ministry is trying to build with the ‘One Health’ initiative.

“Fortunately, we've had this grant under this project, and we have utilised the resources to be able to finish all the assessments, and we're now finishing off the national plan," he declared.

The minister has also said that the ministry’s system was mainly paper-based, but through the grant, it was able to part-

ner with Johns Hopkins University to develop an electronic database system that would be able to provide timely information. Along with this, he said, the ministry has implemented telemedicine sites to also aid in real-time information.

PAHO/WHO Country Representative Dr Luis Codina affirmed the commitment of PAHO/WHO and the Ministry of Health to strengthen every aspect of agencies under the ‘One Health’ approach, even as he highlighted that the project demonstrated remarkable flexibility in adapting to the evolving environment and addressing the country's needs.

Senior Health Specialist for the World Bank, Federica Secci, has said the primary goal of the project is to enhance public health preparedness and serve as a catalyst for change, since it birthed the One Health Initiative.

Among those present at the event were UN Resident Coordinator for Guyana, Yesim Oruc; FAO’s Oletta Williams; Advisor to the Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy; and other representatives from the Health Ministry, Finance Ministry, World Bank, IICA, GLDA, and United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). (G2)

Linden duo busted with 9,979g ganja

…associate attempts to bribe ranks with $453,000

Police in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) have arrested two men whom they busted with 9,979 grams of marijuana, and another who attempted to offer the police an inducement to procure the release of the arrested men.

Reports are that at about 19:47h on Wednesday, police ranks were on mobile patrol duty around Amelia's Ward in Linden when they observed a white motorcar, PAC 9138, travelling from the Kara Kara area. The patrol attempted to get closer to the car, but it suddenly started accelerating before it turned into Block 42 and came to a halt.

Police said the driver and another occupant in the front passenger seat quickly exited the vehicle and took out two bulky black plastic bags from the back

seat. But as the men were about to throw the two parcels into the nearby bushes, ranks apprehended them and took possession of the bags, which, when opened

in the men’s presence, each contained leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis.

According to reports, the driver of the car is a 24-year-old taxi driver of Central Amelia's Ward, and the other occupant is a 21-year-old pork-knocker of Central Amelia's Ward.

When arrested, the driver told ranks, “Officer, we can 'wuk' out something". Both men were arrested and taken to the Mackenzie Police Station, along with the motorcar and the suspected cannabis.

Upon entering the station compound, a 33-yearold construction worker approached the police ranks and offered them $453,000 as inducement for them to release the two suspects. He also was taken into custody and the cash was lodged. Police have said the cannabis was weighed in the presence of the suspects at the station, and it amounted to 9,979 grams. The three suspects remain in police custody, pending charges.

Persons present at the event held at Cara Lodge Hotel

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony speaking at the event

The drugs that were found in Linden

President Ali named Caribbean Global Leader 2024

The Caribbean Global Leader 2024 is Guyana’s President, Dr Irfaan Ali. This announcement was made by the Caribbean Global Awards on Thursday.

In a release, the organisation said that the winner of the People’s Choice for the best Caribbean Global Leader was President Ali, marking a historic moment with an unprecedented 609 valid votes cast. This record-breaking participation underscores the immense

interest and engagement of the public in recognising exemplary leadership within the Caribbean Region, the release read.

The 10 Caribbean Global Leaders, as chosen by the people, in order of place, were Ali; Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, SC (Barbados); Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell (Grenada); Prime Minister Andrew Holness, ON, PC (Jamaica); Prime Minister, Dr Terrance Michael Drew (St Kitts and Nevis); Prime Minister Ralph Everard

Gonsalves (St Vincent and the Grenadines); Prime Minister Philip Davis (Bahamas); Prime Minister Dr Keith Christopher Rowley (Trinidad and Tobago); Prime Minister Gaston Browne (Antigua and Barbuda) and President Sylvanie Burton (Dominica) and Actor Michel Reinette (Guadeloupe) tied for 10th position. The award will be handed over to President Ali on April 28 in London.

“Each of these leaders has demonstrated re-

markable dedication to their respective nations and the wider Caribbean Community. Their vision, commitment, and tireless efforts have significantly contributed to the Region’s progress and prosperity. The Caribbean Global Awards extends its warmest congratulations to all the winners and expresses gratitude to the public for their enthusiastic participation in this important recognition process,” the release from the Caribbean Global Awards stated.

Fort Island well to be upgraded with photovoltaic system – Housing Minister

…works to be completed in two weeks

The hand-pump well within the village of Fort Island, on the

Essequibo River in Region Three (Essequibo Islands–West Demerara), will be upgraded with a photovoltaic system. Works which will com-

mence in the coming weeks to upgrade a manually-operated water well would benefit some 120 residents, who are feeling the brunt of the extended dry season. As obtains in some other communities, residents there heavily rely on the river, a hand-pump well, and rainwater harvesting to meet their needs for potable water.

After a thorough assessment of the old system, the engineers attached to the Guyana Water Incorporated suggested that a photovoltaic system be installed, given that this solution proved to be the best alternative for the short-term.

The scope of works for the current shallow well includes the installation of a two- inch submersible pump, complete with well master, control switch, solar panels, lightning arrestor, level float, overhead storage, and a short distribution system.

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal explained that a long-term solution would be implemented, hinting that the Ministry would be exploring the drilling of a new well to better serve the

community. This intervention, Minister Croal said, is a testament to the administration’s commitment to ensuring equal access to basic services.

“This year, we are on a massive budgetary programme to ensure that we are able to do exactly that (increase access to potable water). Two ways: one is first-time access; and secondly, those on the coastland, Parika and other (areas), to ensure that they have treated water,” he explained.

“Now more than ever, across our country, all communities are feeling the brunt and all our people are understanding when we go around with GWI’s motto that says ‘Water is Life’, what it really means,” Croal said.

Residents have also been encouraged to assist with the installation of the distribution network, as standpipes would be erected in the community.

“Now that we’re doing that, we are looking for a little community participation, if you have persons who can assist. Because the pipes are not here for the well, the pipes are here

for us to put down in this small community a distribution network, and we’ll be putting down a number of standpipes so that you can all have access to potable water,” Minister Croal explained.

Since assuming office in August 2020, according to the administration, more than 35,000 applicants have gained first-time access to potable and treated water services. As a result, nearly 100 percent of coastal residents now have access to clean water.

Further, Government has drilled 75 wells, and has taken potable water supply in the hinterland from 46 percent to 86 percent by the end of 2023. Through the 2024 Budget, another 40 wells will be drilled in Amerindian communities as the PPP/C Government aims to achieve 100 percent access to potable water for the hinterland by 2025.

Communities that are set to benefit from enhanced water supply in Region Two include Friendship, Mashabo, St Denny’s/ Tapakuma Village, St Monica, Friendship, Dredge Creek, Baracaro, Bethany and Wakapao. (G1)

The current hand-pump well

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal addressing residents of Fort Island

President Dr Irfaan Ali

Region 6 RDC pays tribute to country’s longest-serving councillor

The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) has honoured Guyana’s longest councillor.

Thakoor Persaud, who passed away on March 11, had been a member of the RDC since 1985 and until his passing at the age of 81.

When the RDC met on Thursday, one minute of silence was observed in honour of the late councillor who previously served as the Chairman of the Black Bush Polder (BBP) Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) from 1994 – being the first Chairman of that NDC.

Regional Chairman David Armogan referred to him as being a dedicated councillor, who served with great distinction.

“Very rare he would be absent unless he was abroad, but once he is in Guyana he would be here working with all of the committees that he was in,” the Region Six Chairman said.

Persaud served on the Rice Assessment Committee, the Local Government Committee, the Agriculture Committee and also on the Rice Action Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture and he

He resided in Number 72 Village, Corentyne and when the BBP scheme was opened in 1961, he moved to that community to plant rice and cash crops.

was also Chairman of the Board of Guardians of the Public Assistance Scheme.

“He served in many capacities. He had a membership of over 50 years with the People’s Progressive Party; not many people can boast of that – over 50 years of service. So we will miss him,” Armogan said, noting that the late Persaud was not a bench warmer but rather someone who made meaningful contributions to RDC meetings.

Armogan referred to Persaud’s passing as a serious blow to the RDC.

At Thursday’s meeting by way of a letter to the RDC, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) said it had extracted the name of Sharron Smith from A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) list of candidates to replace Chichester.

Smith, who was absent, is expected to take the oath of office at the next RDC meeting.

Meanwhile, GECOM has also replaced the late Jevaughn Stephen on the New Amsterdam Town Council with Alison Grant. She took the oath of office when the Town Council met on March 26. (G4)

Meanwhile, Persaud was the second sitting councillor of the current RDC to have passed following the passing of Bridjet Chichester. She was 57.

Security guard nabbed with 2385g of ganja

P2385 grams of marijuana during a roadblock at Weldaad, West

Coast Berbice (WCB).

Reports are that during the Police exercise, motor

Jamaica schoolgirl killer’s lawyer argues against death penalty for client

Alawyer representing the man convicted of the 2017 murder of 15-year-old schoolgirl

Shineka Gray on Thursday argued against the crown seeking the death penalty for his client, who he suggested is capable of being rehabilitated.

Chumu Paris told the St James Circuit Court that the death penalty does not apply to his client, Gregory Roberts, because it should only be applied if the court finds that the convicted individual is incapable of reform.

“Murder is always a heinous crime but it is clear that the death sentence must be reserved for exceptional categories of cases within the more serious cases of offence,” stated Paris in his sentencing hearing submission to High Court Justice Bertram Morrison.

He used several case files in his submission to support his argument.

Paris also argued against what he said was the crown’s position in its submission, that sentencing should start at 50 years.

“What the crown is saying is that in the alternative of the death penalty, this man must serve that,” stated Paris. He argued that absolute fairness was lacking in the case as he referenced Roberts’s co-accused, Mario Morrison, who pleaded guilty in September 2022 after entering a plea deal with the State and was sentenced to life in prison a month later.

“Interestingly, the former co-accused then became the crown’s main witness… he admitted to having sexual intercourse with a minor and was found with her phone [by the police] but he was never indicted for any of those,” Paris said.

He said the starting point presented by the crown should be rejected by

the court.

“I submit my Lord that the particular range in dealing with this particular matter, I think it is safe to say, is within 15 years to life, but certainly nearer to 20 and upwards in considering a starting point,” stated Paris, adding “I am submitting that life imprisonment [or] 30 years would not be an appropriate starting point in this case.”

Shineka, who was a grade 10 student at the time of her death, was found dead three days after she had been reported missing. She was last seen alive in Montego Bay while on her way home from the funeral of a schoolmate.

Roberts and Morrison were later taken into custody in connection with the killing.

The sentencing hearing will continue on Friday when the Crown is expected to make its submission.

(Jamaica Observer)

car HD 1785 was travelling

towards Georgetown and was stopped. Police said that officers at the roadblock requested to search the vehicle, and the driver and its occupants exited the vehicle, along with their belongings. A bag belonging to a 29-year-old security guard was searched and Police discovered a large parcel wrapped in transparent plastic. The man, Police said, was asked about the parcel and he responded that he was "trying a hustle". The man was arrested and the drug when weighed amounted to 2385 grams (2.385 kilos) of cannabis.

The guard remains in custody pending charges.

Meanwhile, a bag belonging to a 21-yearold construction worker of Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, who was also in the car was searched, and Police found a transparent plastic which contained 43 grams of cannabis. The man was informed of the offence and arrested. Police said that the man admitted to owning the drug and claimed it was for personal use.

They both are in custody at the Fort Wellington Police Station.

The late Thakoor Persaud

olice in West Berbice arrested a security guard, who was caught with

The drugs that were found during the Police roadblock at Weldaad, West Coast Berbice

Regional Haitians seek to flee gang-fuelled anarchy as neighbours boost militaries

With no sign yet of a long-promised transitional council to usher in the deployment of international troops and restore order, Haitians who can are trying to flee the country.

Violent gangs have taken over much of the capital, killed thousands, and forced millions into acute hunger.

"Every day is a matter of life or death," Pierre Joseph, a 34-year-old Save the Children worker, was quoted as saying by the charity in a statement. It said he had been forced to leave two different homes with his wife and six-month-old baby, and was struggling to find basic supplies.

"For the first time, we are facing a crisis where nothing works, where the Government is simply not functioning," he said, adding that food and power supplies have collapsed. "Everyone is afraid and leaving the country."

The airport and maritime ports at Port-au-Prince have been closed for a month owing to gang activity, although the airport in the northern city of Cap-Haitien restarted flights to Miami last week, prompting many who are able to try to leave.

Neighbouring countries have bolstered border security measures, including the Dominican Republic, the only country that shares a land border with Haiti and which has ruled out refugee camps on its territory and deported tens of thousands.

In remarks released by the Dominican Government on Thursday, Dominican Foreign Minister Roberto

Alvarez told the BBC that some 10,000 military personnel had been deployed to its nearly 400-kilometre (250-mile) border, at a "heavy burden" to the national budget and disrupting cross-border trade.

Haiti has no elected representatives and has descended into a state of anarchy as gangs expand their near-total grip on the capital.

Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced his resignation on March 11 as worsening violence blocked his return from abroad, pending the installation of a transitional council brokered by regional leaders to install his replacement.

Henry had in 2022 requested an international force to help police restore order, but the process lagged and has been put on hold until the council is in place.

Soldiers from the Bahamas and Belize travelled to Jamaica last month for training by a Canadian task force to support deployment of Caribbean Community (Caricom) troops to Haiti.

"This is just another iteration in ongoing efforts to ensure regional forces are proficient, integrated, and ready for any contingencies that may arise within the Region," Jamaican Defence Force Lieutenant Colonel Kevron Henry said in an interview.

Alvarez said military intelligence suggested many recruits were unwillingly forced into gangs by economic need and threats of violence.

The new provisional council would need to secure "hard cash" to fund Police intelligence and equipment within Haiti, he added.

"I certainly did not say it would be easy but I believe it is possible; the national police still exists," he said.

Despite hundreds of millions of dollars in international pledges, few funds have been handed over to the UN dedicated security mission trust fund. Gangs meanwhile, benefit from extortion, ransom payments and alleged backing from corrupt elites that have allowed them to amass large arsenals. (Reuters)

Ecuador declares Mexican Ambassador persona non grata, orders her to leave

Ecuador's Government declared Mexico's Ambassador to the country unwelcome on Thursday, citing "unfortunate" comments from the Mexican President about Ecuador's violence-plagued elections last year.

Ambassador Raquel Serur Smeke should leave the country "soon", Ecuador's Foreign Ministry told Reuters, after describing her as "persona non grata" in a statement.

On Wednesday, Mexican leftist President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador commented on the assassination last year of Ecuadorean presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, comparing it with recent violence during

Mexico's current election season, with several local candidates having been gunned down.

In his remarks, Lopez Obrador suggested that a "female candidate" who was leading in the presidential race at one point was unfairly tied to the killing of Villavicencio, and subsequently lost momentum. Obrador went on to blame media that he claimed were corrupt.

Leftist presidential hopeful Luisa Gonzalez, a prot g of ex-President Rafael Correa, lost the October presidential runoff election to Daniel Noboa, winning about 48 per cent of the vote against Noboa's 52 per cent.

Lopez Obrador used

the comparison to attack Mexican media outlets, a frequent target of his, in addition to arguing that Villavicencio's slaying led to a "charged atmosphere of violence" that extended throughout the campaign and to the present day.

"I'm talking about this so that owners of media outlets and those who are participating in these campaigns take responsibility," he added.

In its statement, Ecuador's Foreign Ministry noted that the nation remained in mourning over Villavicencio's assassination, and that its Government is committed to the principle of non-intervention in the internal matters of other countries. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Tropical forest loss eased in 2023, but threats remain, analysis shows

Tropical forest loss declined last year, but other indicators show that the world's woodlands remain under tremendous pressure, according to an analysis, released on Thursday by the Global Forest Watch monitoring project.

Destruction of forests helps drive global climate change. Because trees absorb climate-warming carbon dioxide and store it as carbon in their wood, that greenhouse gas is released when the wood rots or burns. This destruction also imperils biodiversity because of how many plant and animal species call forests home.

Here are key takeaways from Global Forest Watch's annual forest loss data.

Tropical forests fared better

The loss of primary forests those untouched by people and sometimes known as old-growth forests

in the tropics declined nine per cent last year compared to 2022.

But Global Forest Watch researchers said the destruction remains stubbornly high. The world last year lost about 37,000 square kilometres (14,000 square miles) of tropical primary forest, an area nearly as big as Switzerland and larger than the US state of Maryland.

Global Forest Watch is a project of the Washingtonbased nonprofit research organisation World Resources Institute, using satellite imagery. Most of the data is compiled by University of Maryland researchers.

Declining forest loss in Brazil and Colombia was largely offset by greater losses elsewhere, Global Forest Watch director Mikaela Weisse told a press briefing.

"The world took two steps forward, two steps back," Weisse said.

Scientists consider tropical primary forests to be among the most precious as their lush vegetation is the most densely packed with carbon. These forests also are treasure troves of biodiversity. The Amazon rainforest, for instance, is home to at least 10 per cent of Earth's known species.

Last year's tropical primary forest loss caused greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to half of US emissions caused by the burning fossil of fuels annually, Weisse said.

Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Bolivia topped the ranking of tropical countries with the most primary forest loss. That is in spite of destruction in Brazil falling 36 per cent, as President Luiz In cio Lula da Silva pursued aggressive conservation policies, particularly regarding the Amazon, Weisse said.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Cuba guarantees food rations in bid to defuse tension

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said on Thursday his communist-run Government has secured supply of key subsidised food rations as he moved to defuse tensions just two weeks after protesters took to the streets over widespread shortages.

Diaz-Canel, who appeared on the mid-day TV newscast, said his Government had undertaken an "enormous effort" to ensure the supply of food for the island s population of 11 million.

"April and May are going to be months with better prospects," he said. "The Cuban Government will continue to be committed to guaranteeing the people their levels of essential foods."

Cuba has since Fidel Castro`s 1959 revolution provided its citizens with a monthly ration of basics such as rice, beans, sugar, cooking oil and coffee, though those deliveries have been scaled

after protests

back over the years as an economic crisis has led to shortages and high prices.

The shortages, combined with oppressive 10-20 hourlong blackouts across the country, prompted several hundred protesters to take to the streets on March 17 in and around Santiago de Cuba, long considered a bastion of Government support, as well as in nearby Bayamo and Matanzas.

The Government moved quickly in recent days to defuse tensions.

Oscar P rez, Vice Minister Of Foreign trade, said on Thursday s State-run newscast that basic food items would also be guaranteed until June.

Cuba is struggling to raise the cash it needs to underwrite its social programmes.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Jamaican mom accused of fatally throwing baby off roof appears to be mentally unstable Judge

Shamoya Green, the woman who allegedly threw her five-monthold daughter off the roof of their home in December 2023 resulting in the child s death, appears to be mentally unstable, a Judge said during a hearing for the accused on Thursday. Green exhibited signs of disorientation and mental-health issues as she

made her way into the courtroom for the hearing in the St James Parish Court. Green was ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation on March 6 during her initial court appearance before Judge Kaysha Grant-Pryce, during which she suffered an epileptic seizure in the courtroom. When the matter came before the court on

Wednesday, it was revealed that aside from the pending psychiatric evaluation report, other documents had yet to be submitted. Those documents include an assessor s report regarding a witness to the alleged incident, as well as the post-mortem report and the scene-of-crime statement. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

People take cover from gunfire near the National Palace in Portau-Prince, Haiti, March 21, 2024 (Reuters/Ralph Tedy Erol file photo)

People walk on a street in Santiago, Cuba, March 21, 2024 (Reuters/Alexandre Meneghini photo)

Around the World OIL NEWS

Brent settles above US$90 for 1st time since October on geopolitical tension

Oil prices extended gains on Thursday, settling up more than US$1 as geopolitical tensions and output cuts outweighed caution about US Federal Reserve rate cuts.

Brent futures for June rose above US$91 a barrel before settling up US$1.30, or 1.5 per cent , to US$90.65. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures for May settled up $1.16, or 1.4 per cent to US$86.59 a barrel.

Both contracts closed on Thursday at their highest levels since October and continued to climb after the session ended, having received support in recent days from heightened geopolitical tensions and potential supply risks.

Oil rose on Thursday following news reports that Israeli embassies across the world have been placed on high alert owing to increasing threats of an Iranian attack on Israeli diplomats.

Iran, the third-largest producer in the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), has vowed revenge against Israel for an attack on Monday that killed highranking Iranian military personnel. Israel has not claimed responsibility for the attack on Iran’s Embassy compound in Syria.

In a sharp shift in tone, Washington issued its strongest public rebuke toward Israel on Thursday since the start of its war with Hamas, warning that US policy on Gaza will be determined by whether Israel takes steps to address the safety of Palestinian civilians and aid workers.

The United States on Thursday imposed new Iranrelated counter-terrorism sanctions against Oceanlink Maritime DMCC and its vessels, citing its role in shipping commodities on behalf of the Iranian military.

The United States is using financial sanctions to isolate Iran to disrupt its ability to fund its proxy groups and hamper the country’s support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, the Treasury Department said.

Prices were also supported after US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken said that Ukraine would eventually join NATO as support for the country remains “rock solid” among member states.

Oil’s recent gains have also followed Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries that cut fuel supply and news that Mexico’s State energy company Pemex requested its trading unit to cancel up to 436,000 barrels per day of crude exports this month as it prepares to process domestic oil at the new Dos Bocas refinery.

“All of these geopolitical factors happened at once, driving bullish sentiment and ultimately some profit taking,” said Frank Monkham, senior portfolio manager at Altimo LLC.

A meeting of top Ministers from the OPEC+, including Russia, kept oil supply policy unchanged on Wednesday and pressed some countries to boost compliance with output cuts.

The group said some members would compensate for oversupply in the first quarter. It also said Russia would switch to output rather than export curbs.

Investors will look to economic data and monetary policy for potential clues on the outlook for oil demand.

US unemployment claims increased more than expected in the last week, according to Labour Department statistics, as labour market conditions gradually ease.

That came after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell expressed caution on Wednesday about the timing of future interest rate cuts, after recent data has showed higher-than-expected job growth and inflation.

March’s employment report today is likely to show nonfarm payrolls increased by 200,000 jobs in March after rising by 275,000 in February, according to a Reuters survey. (Reuters)

Biden says Israel must prevent civilian harm in Gaza to keep US support

The US has told Israel that its ongoing support on the Gaza war is dependent on “specific, concrete steps” to boost aid and prevent civilian deaths.

President Joe Biden spoke to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the wake of the deaths of seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) staff on Monday.

Israel apologised for a “grave mistake”, but WCK founder José Andrés said his workers were systematically targeted.

Biden faces pressure to rein in unconditional military aid for Israel.

In a readout of the telephone call between the two leaders, which lasted less than 30 minutes, the White House said that the President “emphasised that the strikes on humanitarian workers and the overall humanitarian situation are unacceptable”.

“He made clear the need for Israel to announce and implement a series of specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers,” the summary said.

Secretary of State, Antony Blinken mirrored

the White House statement when he said that if the US did not see changes from Israel, then there would be a change of US policy.

Responding to a question of whether that could affect arms shipments to Israel, the White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said

he did not want to “preview the steps and decisions” that were yet to be made.

He added that the US expected Israel to improve conditions in Gaza within “hours and days”.

Kirby, however, stated that US support for “Israel’s self-defence remains ironclad. The United States isn’t going to walk away from helping Israel defend itself”.

“That said, you can say all that and... still believe that the manner in which they’re defending themselves against the Hamas threat needs to change.”

Israel has yet to comment on the US statements. However, Government spokeswoman Raquela Karamson said before the Biden-Netanyahu call that Israel would “certainly adjust our practices in the future to make sure this does not happen again”. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Trump suffers twin setbacks as Judges reject calls to dismiss charges

Donald Trump suffered a pair of legal setbacks on Thursday as Judges spurned his calls to dismiss criminal charges over the former US President’s efforts to overturn his 2020 loss in Georgia and his keeping classified records after leaving office.

Separately, one of the Republican presidential candidate’s allies, former Justice Department official Attorney Jeffrey Clark, faced the risk of disbarment after a Washington panel found he violated some Attorney ethics rules in his attempts to enlist the agency to help overturn Trump’s

Russia scales up its attacks as Ukraine warns of urgent need for weapons

Ukraine has repelled a battalion-sized mechanised assault on its eastern front – the first attack of such a scale in five months – proving the resilience of its defences, but raising concerns that Russia is becoming increasingly ambitious as it gears up for an expected major offensive.

The attack on Sunday reportedly included three dozen tanks and a dozen infantry fighting vehicles, and struck near Tonenke, a village close to Avdiivka, the city Russia overran on February 17 and has been inching westward from ever since. A Ukrainian serviceman reported that a third of the tanks and two-thirds of the infantry fighting vehicles were destroyed.

“The start was very good. We carried out combined fire,” said a Russian trainer of Storm-Z assault forces. “On subsequent approaches, which lasted until lunchtime, the fire supply

dwindled to sparse artillery fire … and then significant losses began.”

Yet he noted that the last group of vehicles to enter the fray suffered no losses, possibly indicating that local Ukrainian defences had been exhausted: “I would venture to cautiously suggest that these regular visits could ultimately overload the enemy’s strike capabilities.”

“We are trying to find some way not to retreat,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the Washington Post’s David Ignatius in an interview published two days before the battle.

“If there is no US support, it means that we have no air defence, no Patriot missiles, no jammers for electronic warfare, no 155-millimetre artillery rounds,” he said. “It means we will go back, retreat, step by step, in small steps.” (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

loss.

Those cases represent just some of the legal entanglements facing Trump, who has been criminally charged in four cases as he challenges Democratic President Joe Biden in the November 5 election, with the first-ever trial of a sitting or former US President due to get underway in New York on April 15.

“It just shows that everything’s moving forward,” said Amy Lee Copeland, a

former federal prosecutor in Georgia, who noted that progress in many of the cases remains slow.

Florida-based US District Judge Aileen Cannon on Thursday rejected Trump’s argument that the case accusing him of illegally holding onto classified documents should be thrown out on the basis of his argument they were his personal records rather than Government property. (Excerpt from Reuters)

British billionaire Joe Lewis fined US$5M by Judge for insider trading

AUS Judge ordered British billionaire Joe Lewis on Thursday to pay a US$5 million fine and serve three years of probation for sharing illegal stock tips, allowing the 87-yearold founder of an investment firm to avoid prison after Prosecutors and his Attorneys urged leniency.

US District Judge Jessica Clarke in Manhattan sentenced Lewis, who pleaded guilty in January to one count of conspiracy and two counts of securities fraud.

Lewis, founder of the Tavistock Group, sat flanked by his lawyers as the sentence was imposed, wearing a grey suit and an eye patch. He told the Judge he was ashamed of what he had done.

“I am here today because I made a terrible mistake,” he said.

The Judge agreed that Lewis could leave the US on his private aircraft on Thursday night, though his yacht, the Aviva, will be held until his fine is paid.

“Mr Lewis is grateful that the court has imposed a probationary sentence that considers his age and health issues,” Mark Herr, a spokesperson for Lewis, said after the hearing.

Prosecutors said Lewis, whose family trust controls a majority of London’s Tottenham Hotspur soccer team, passed inside information on his portfolio companies to two of his private pilots as well as friends, personal assistants, and romantic partners.

Those tips enabled the recipients of the information to reap millions of dollars in profit, according to Prosecutors. (Excerpt from Reuters)

US President Joe Biden during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the war between Israel and Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 18, 2023 ( Miriam Alster/ pool via Reuters file photo)

(March 21-April 19)

(April 20-May 20)

(May 21-June 20)

(June 21-July 22)

(July 23-Aug. 22)

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Refuse to let anyone decide things for you. Trust in your ability to know what’s best. Presentation and enthusiasm will put you ahead of the competition.

Call an expert and tie up loose ends. Get your facts straight before you make a move. Your confidence will change how others perceive you. Positive change is heading your way.

Rely on yourself, get your facts from the source and take necessary precautions. Hide your emotions when dealing with professional or money matters. Make decisions based on logistics.

Protect your health, reputation and position. Focus on learning and broadening your horizons. Your enthusiasm will lead to financial gains and opportunities to try something new and exciting.

Stay focused on your responsibilities and do what you can to get things right the first time. Educate yourself and prepare to outsmart the competition. Apply pressure where necessary.

Be accommodating for best results. Positivity will pay off. A change of plans or location will provide insight into alternatives that you may want to consider.

Set the stage to impress those you want to accommodate, and everything will fall into place. Your innovative approach to life and problem-solving will take you far.

Get out, network, mingle and converse with like-minded people. Implement lifestyle changes that appeal to you and will encourage valuable professional and social connections. Embrace change.

Bypass anyone trying to slow you down. Refrain from letting confusion set in due to gossip or misinformation. Stay on top of the facts. Focus on truth and align yourself with the right people.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Discipline will pay off. Zero in on what’s essential and what will help you reach your objective. Be ready to initiate change. Listen to complaints when dealing with domestic matters.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

A little pressure will pay off, but too much will lead to setbacks. Communication will help you find common ground with someone close to you. Pay attention and do something nice for a loved one.

Focus on your target and make necessary changes. It’s time to call the shots. Stop bending to accommodate others. Advocate for what’s important to you and enjoy the outcome.

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES PICKLES

Shashank, Ashutosh make Punjab ‘Kings’ of Gujarat

Punjab Kings had only a nine per cent chance of victory even as late as the 17th over of the chase. That too was the result of Shashank Singh being out there one short of a fifty. This was the guy whom his own team had tried to offload almost immediately after buying him at the auction last year. The franchise eventually sent out a tweet in clarification, which the player replied to, hoping to shut the stories that were swirling around. Last night, Kings and their purchase came good facing impossible odds.

Shashank hit 10 of the 29 balls he faced to the boundary. He was carting around former Indian Premier League (IPL) champions. Rashid Khan, launched over midwicket; Umesh Yadav, helped over fine leg; Noor Ahmad skewered over longoff; Mohit Sharma, even when he tried to go pace off and into the wicket, ramped over the keeper. These were unbelievable shots, because they came from a place where victory was only fantasy.

More magic at the IPL Kings only had two batters among their five substitutes in a bowling first XI. It looked a lopsided selec-

In those 12 balls, the Kings' chance of victory rose from 9.23% to 94.56%

This is what happens when two players look for the best boundary option that they have every single ball. But the fact that they were both uncapped, that they had very little experience at this level of the game – Shashank has played 13 matches in the IPL, but batted in just eight of those and had a high score of 25 prior

tion. But the man they chose as the Impact Sub played a massive role in their victory. Ashutosh Sharma, playing his first game of the season, and only the 15th T20 of his career, looked at an equation that read 41 off 18 balls square in the eye and took it down with brutal precision. He hit three fours in Azmatullah Omarzai's 18th over. Another six to start the 19th from Mohit. In those 12 balls, the Kings got 34 runs.

to this – and were coming up with the goods even against bowlers of the calibre of the Titans was incredible. They waited for Mohit and Azmatullah's variations – whether they were slower balls or short balls – and it wasn't just that they were looking to slog 'em across the line. Shashank (previously) and Ashutosh (in the death) ramped fours over the keeper. It was nerve-

less. It was glorious. And by the end of it, Kings had conquered their sixth target of 200 or more, a men's T20 record.

It is still early – only four matches – but Rashid Khan has an economy rate of 9.06, his worst in an IPL sea son. In this game, he was lined up twice by Jitesh Sharma, leaking backto-back sixes in the 16th over. He has already been hit out of the park nine times in IPL 2024. That's as many six es as he'd given up across 14 matches in 2021 and 16 match es in 2020. Titans are turning to him a lit tle more often now, be cause they don't have Mohammed Shami in the powerplay, and the death and it seems like he is yet to cope with that extra responsibility. Titans had the Kings in a squeeze at 70 for 4 in the ninth over and then 111 for 5 in the 13th over.

Liam Livingstone was injured.

Shikhar Dhawan, Jonny Bairstow, and Sam Curran were out. Only Jitesh and some un knowns were left. This

heavy line-up with David Miller out injured. That automatically puts pressure on their best batter and Gill could have cracked if not for the man coming out at number four and flaying at everything that came his way. Sai Sudharsan looked for a boundary off 12 of the 19 balls he faced. He outscored Gill – 33 off 19 vs 20 off 13 –in a 53-run partnership that reset the game.

Peak Shubman Gill

Gill made his highest score in T20 cricket batting well within himself. Even the most jaw-dropping shot of his innings was a simple consequence of seeing a length ball and knowing he can get under it.

match should've been done, but it wasn't.

Top-heavy Titans

Six. The total number of

Gill faced only 10 balls in the powerplay. Even after

Kagiso Rabada, who is IPL royalty thanks to his strike rate of 14.8, the best out of everyone who has at least 100 wickets in this tournament, was launched straight down the ground for an effortless six. Gill was simply responding to what was coming down and nine times out

10 overs, he had only been on strike for 19 deliveries. He looked in glorious form, but wasn't getting opportunities to influence the game. External pressure could have made him take a risk too soon and end up back in the hut, but Sudharsan's innings gave him a chance to bat at his tempo, and that was only ever going to spell trouble for the opposition.

of 10, he had the perfect one. Simply put, he was in the zone, striking at 185.42 and combining it with a control percentage of 91.67. That is rare. Typically when you're looking to go big, you end up with a few more mis-hits. It must feel like pretty small consolation, though, on a night where he watched his team lose from a winning position.(ESPNcricinfo)

Shubman Gill scored his highest individual score of IPL 2024 – 89

Ashutosh Sharma drilled 31 runs in 17 balls as an Impact Player

Shikhar Dhawan and Harshal Patel acknowledge a wicket

Team CAMS rev up with 10 drivers for 1st Circuit Race of 2024

As the excitement

builds for the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s first circuit racing event of 2024, all eyes are on Afraz Allie, President of Team CAMS (Caribbean American Motor Sports), and his 10-man team, who are gearing up to participate in this thrilling event.

Scheduled to take place at South Dakota Circuit on April 21, this event promises to be a showcase of skill, speed, and adrenaline-fuelled action.

Over the years, Team CAMS have made their mark on the local motorsport scene, consistently showing up in force and adding to the excitement with their on-track battles. While teams typically reserve their full force for the historic November international meet, this year, CAMS is playing the long game. Recognising the im-

portance of building momentum early in the season, they are seizing the opportunity to compete in local meets throughout the year, using each event as a stepping stone towards their ultimate goal.

By participating in the April event, Team CAMS aim to better prepare and

gauge the competition, laying down a baseline that will serve as a foundation for future upgrades and fine-tuning. Their recent appearance at the Endurance meet, where drivers like Afraz Allie in the Toyota Starlet, Chris Lall in the Honda Civic, Quin Lall in the Mazda Miata, Mohan

ited time to fix and develop their cars throughout the year, they must make the most of every opportunity to fine-tune their machines and sharpen their skills.

Rangasammy in the Mazda RX 7, Neil Persaud in the Honda Civic, Mark Samaroo in the Mazda Miata, Kemal Rahman in the Honda Crx, Sunil Nauth in the Honda Civic, Aaron Bethune in the Honda Civic, and Damian Singh in the Honda Civic showcased their skills and tested their cars on the newly-designed track, is a testament to their commitment and dedication to success.

While most of the drivers on Team CAMS boast years of experience and competitiveness, they have often been hindered by the one factor that plagues many in motorsport: time. With lim-

Despite the challenges, Team CAMS remain undeterred, with their unwavering commitment and dedication setting the stage for an action-packed race weekend. As the anticipation builds, fans are encouraged to mark the date on their calendars and come out in full support of their favourite drivers and teams. And while enjoying the thrilling racing action, it’s important to remember to drink responsibly and always have a designated driver.

With Team CAMS leading the charge, the April circuit racing event promises to be an unforgettable display of speed, skill, and sportsmanship.

Belladrum students engage in practical session at LGC

Twelve enthusiastic students from Belladrum Secondary School recently participated in a practical golf session at the esteemed Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) as part of their preparation for the upcoming Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams.

This initiative, organised by the LGC, aimed to provide students with hands-on experience and valuable skills to complement their academic pursuits.

Lusignan Golf Club Vice President Brian Hackett expressed his pride and satisfaction in welcoming the students from Belladrum Secondary School. He emphasised the club’s commitment to offering practical sessions free of charge to students preparing for the CSEC exams, along with prearranged sessions to en-

hance their experience. Hackett stated, “Lusignan Golf Club is very proud and happy that Belladrum has taken part in an opportunity that the club presents to all students preparing for the CSEC exams. This opportunity is available to every school, provided they inform us in advance of the number of students and

the desired date and time. We are dedicated to developing young men and women to excel in golf and sports in general.”

Acknowledging the support of Brewster’s Ice Cream and Republic Bank, who partner with LGC in the past in promoting youth sports in general and golf in particular, Hackett expressed grati-

tude for their contributions in facilitating the development of sports programmes for children. He also urged the Ministry of Education to collaborate with the Lusignan Golf Club to provide necessary arrangements and support for future golf-training initiatives.

According to Hackett, the programme continued

on Thursday, April 4 at the Lusignan Golf Club. The session was scheduled to include a two-hour classroom session on golf etiquette, golf course rules, golf course layout, attire, rules of golf, golf grip

18-year-old jockey Kishawn Pereira aims to rise

Fresh from a win in the H & Lower race on Sunday last at Port Mourant Turf Club Easter Cup, 18-year-old jockey Kishawn Pereira is aiming to continue his rise to the top.

The youngster piloted Here Comes Heidi from the Jagdeo Racing Stables to a sensational win, ahead of stablemates Red Ruby and Theory of Colors; and Amicable Kate (who ran second).

This win was Pereira’s first major win, as he rode Here Comes Heidi to a $400,000 win. The teenager said he was inspired to ride horses by a friend – Godfrey, and he enjoyed watching horse racing on YouTube.

“I like watching how Frankie Dettori ride. He is an

Italian jockey but dominated horse racing in England,” he revealed.

Pereira sealed the top spot in a race that featured seasoned jockeys, including his teammate, Rico Hernandez out of Trinidad and Tobago. “I was happy, excited I got the win at Port Mourant. I worked hard for it,” Pereira said.

He added: “My goals as a jockey is to rise to the top and be the best.”

The Port Mourant Turf Club was treated to a delightful run from the champion horse for the year 2023, Spankhurst, who extended its dominance with another crushing win.

The Jumbo Jet-owned horse piloted by Jockey Colin Ross stormed to a $2 mil-

stances among other lessons. This was to be followed by a two-hour session developing their skills in chipping, putting and driving and understanding greens undulations.

The practical golf session at Lusignan Golf Club provided Belladrum Secondary School students with a unique opportunity to learn and develop valuable skills in a supportive and real environment. As the Club looks forward to hosting more schools in similar initiatives, it remains committed to nurturing young talent and promoting sportsmanship among Guyana’s youth.

lion win in the feature race, finishing ahead of Jessica’s Pride, Stolen Money, and Cremore.

The next race day is set for April 28, via the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Committee at Rising Sun Turf Club.

Jockey Pereira will be aiming to make a further name for himself when he heads to Rising Sun Turf Club.

Mohan Rangasammy in the Mazda RX 7 leads the GP4 pack

Eighteen-year-old jockey Kishawn Pereira (front right) scripted a sensational win in race five, the H and Lower race. He won with Jagdeo’s Racing Stable horse, Here Comes Heidi while Amicable Kate came in second at Port Mourant’s Easter Cup

Scenes from the practical session involving Belladrum Secondary School students

CWI U15 Rising Stars…

Guyana end as runners-up after thumping Leewards

Guyana’s national Under-15 team missed out on a regional victory on account of fast-bowling points, ending the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Rising Stars Under 15 tournament in second place, for a second consecutive year.

Both Guyana and Barbados ended the tournament with 16 match points from four wins and two points for their washedout clash against each other, but Barbados’ superior pace-bowling points (4) helped them pip Guyana in the final leap for the title, ending with 22 points. On the other hand, Guyana had 2.8 pace-bowling points for an overall 20.8 points.

Guyana, however, demolished the Leeward Islands by 147 runs, to end their 2024 campaign on a high note at the Liberta Sports Club, Antigua, on Wednesday.

While Khush Seegobin went early for 19 off 42 balls, half-centuries from Parmeshwar Ram (60 off 83

deliveries) and Emmanuel Lewis (60 off 55 balls) alongside Captain Adrian Hetmyer’s knock of 48 from 66 balls got the Guyanese up to an imposing, challenging 258-8 in their 50 overs. There were also contributions with the bat from Shamar Apple and Danvir Seegobin, who both slammed 18 runs. On the other hand, Jaquan Athanaze and S Harris

bowled for Leeward Islands, taking 2-35 and 2-53 respectively.

In the chase, Guyana’s bowlers combined to make light work of the Leeward Islands, who were bundled out for 111 in 35.4 overs

T Tonge top-scored with 28 runs in 24 balls, while the next best score of 19 off 50 came from K Mentore.

For Guyana, Richard Ramdeholl took 2-0 off four deliveries, Ravaldo Pereira claimed 2-11 from 3 overs, Arif Khan took 2-40 off 10 overs, while Ram pitched in with 2-32 off 7 overs.

Trinidad and Tobago rounded off the top three of the recently-concluded tournament with 13.6 points, garnered from two wins in five games, inclusive of a washout. Windward Islands and Leeward Islands were fourth and fifth with 9.0 and 7.8 points respectively from one win each, while Jamaica, who lost all their matches, ended the tournament with 5.2 points, made up chiefly of pace bowling and two no-result points.

Essequibo Archers hit bullseye with Archery Guyana affiliation

Archery Guyana

President Vidushi

Persaud-McKinnon has expressed her elation at the recent affiliation of the Essequibo Archers Club, em-

Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” Georgetown leg set the tone – Baptiste

As Laing Avenue hoisted the championship trophy on Sunday night, the Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” Georgetown competition was deemed a success, with organisers now looking ahead to other submeets.

In a nail-biting series of street football games on Sunday last, proverbial underdogs Laing Avenue ousted the defending champions Gold is Money and went on to lift their first Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” Georgetown title.

Laing Avenue edged Gold is Money 1-0 in the semi-final round and went on to prevail over North Ruimveldt 2-1 on sudden death penalty kicks in the much-anticipated final to cop the $800,000 grand prize.

In the aftermath, Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste labelled the tournament a success, notwithstanding some challenges faced.

“A very successful tournament, the teams came out to play. We had eight nights of exciting football, as you’ve just seen, Laing Avenue, they came out winners, toppling Gold is Money who won it for the last two years,” Baptiste

shared. He added, “All in all, successful tournament. We had some challenges, but we ended well and that’s the most important thing,”

Touching on why the Georgetown leg of the tournament was hosted first, Baptiste related that it set a positive tone for the nationwide sub-meets. The Guinness Brand Manager related, “As you know Georgetown is our biggest sub-meet, so we really wanted to start with Georgetown to get that enthusiasm in, the excitement in and set the stage for the other sub-meets.”

“The other sub-meet is

Essequibo; that’ll be a twoday tournament mid-April. So, we’re looking forward to another exciting tournament.”

With the action moving to Essequibo, a first in the tournament’s history, the Guinness Brand Manager divulged that preparations were already underway.

“We’ve already engaged the coordinator, we got our ads out, we have some clips from the Georgetown leg, spreading it in Essequibo so the players and the teams, the communities, can see what is it really to be part of the Guinness “Greatest of the Streets”, and we encourage them to come out

and support their community,” Baptiste informed Guyana Times Sport.

While Laing Avenue walked away with the first prize and Most Valuable Player (MVP) spoils, second-place finishers North Ruimveldt carted off $400,000, while third and fourth place in Gold is Money and North East La Penitence pocketed $200,000 and $100,000 respectively.

The Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” street football tournament will be played in several sub-meets before all the winners converge for a national championship tournament.

phasising the shared commitment to fostering the growth and development of archery across Guyana.

The affiliation comes hot on the heels of successful training initiatives in Essequibo, demonstrating the region’s burgeoning passion for the sport. PersaudMcKinnon went on to commend the rapid growth of archery in Essequibo, fuelled by the recent successful training of archery instructors in collaboration with the National Sports Commission.

The Essequibo Archers Club indicated that they were very proud of their newest triumph: an official affiliation with Archery Guyana. This exciting affiliation marks a significant milestone in the club’s journey and promises to elevate the sport of archery in the region to new heights.

Under the visionary leadership of President Wazeeda Bacchus, the Essequibo Archers Club have emerged as a beacon of dedication and excellence in the archery community. Now, with the backing of Archery Guyana, the club are poised to make an even greater impact, both locally and nationally. The Executive Committee, comprising a talented and dedicated team, stands ready to propel the club to new heights:

- President Wazeeda Bacchus

- Vice President Parmeshwar Persaud

- Secretary Trishel Hernandez-Williams

- Treasurer Usham Changa

- Assistant Sec/Tres Risha Chester

- Public Relations Officer Azizi Christiani

- Membership Secretary Renelle Williams

- Organising Secretary (Events) Rosanna Williams

- Assistant Organising Secretary (Events) Adelia Jonas

- Equipment Manager Noval Hastings

- Head Coach Ramnarine Ragoobar

With this powerhouse team leading the charge, Essequibo Archers are poised to dominate the archery scene, contributing to the sport’s growth and prominence in Guyana.

In light of this achievement, Persaud-McKinnon announced exciting plans for the National Federation to introduce archery in Berbice shortly, with preparations already underway. Individuals interested in exploring the sport are encouraged to reach out to Archery Guyana at ArcheryGuyana@gmail. com to learn more about the opportunities available.

Emmanuel Lewis slammed 60 in Guyana’s final game against Leeward Islands

Laing Avenue were crowned champions of the Georgetown sub-meet on Sunday last

President of Archery Guyana, Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon (in yellow) presents start-up equipment to President of Essequibo Archers, Wazeeda Bacchus (on left) and other Executive Committee members

Guyana end as runners-up after thumping Leewards

Guyana Football Federation (GFF)

President Wayne Forde has given a glowing assessment of the national team’s recent experience in Saudi Arabia as part of the 2024 FIFA Series, crediting Guyana’s participation as “a true moment of national pride”.

Organised by FIFA, the new international invitational competition featured a series of friendly matches as 24 nations went head to head across six series and five host countries from March 21-26.

Hosted by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), Guyana participated in the FIFA Series: Saudi Arabia A in Jeddah alongside Cambodia, Cape Verde, and Equatorial Guinea. A 1-0 defeat against eventual group winners Cape Verde was followed by a 4-1 win against Cambodia – securing a second-place finish for the Golden Jaguars.

Reflecting on Guyana’s experience in FIFA’s new tournament, Forde was keen to point out the many benefits of competing in an international tournament alongside nations from around the world.

He said: “This has truly been a moment of national pride for our country and news

of our selection to participate in the inaugural FIFA series was received with great excitement. The Golden Jaguars are loved and admired by the entire Guyanese society, and our fans have been attentive to every aspect of this historic experience. The players have been exemplary ambassadors while, at the same time, inspiring the younger generation of footballers here in Guyana to aim higher. I wish to commend President Infantino and the FIFA Council for introducing this remarkable initiative.”

While crediting FIFA for introducing the new international competition with teams from all six of FIFA’s continental governing bodies, Forde hailed SAFF as an “exceptional host” in discussing the impact of Guyana’s experience.

Forde continued: “We wish to thank SAFF for stepping forward and being a generous host to our beloved Golden Jaguars. Our experience in the Kingdom has allowed our players, staff, and everyone at GFF to discover an entirely new football culture and, in particular, the warmth

of the Saudi people. They have been an exceptional host and I do look forward to hosting one of their teams in Guyana in the very near future.”

For Forde, competing in Saudi Arabia could well be the springboard towards a new era of collaboration between the GFF and SAFF. When asked if the FIFA Series could be a catalyst for strengthening collaborative ties between the two federations, he revealed: “President Al Misehal and I have already exchanged correspondence and I am confident that beyond foot-

ball, there is a huge opportunity for us to learn more about our cultures. I am, therefore, confident that through our ongoing discussions, GFF and SAFF will discover many areas of mutual interest on which we can build a sturdy partnership for football development.”

For Guyana, the 2024 FIFA Series marks a continuation of progression on and off the pitch. Heading into the Jeddah-based series, the Golden Jaguars secured promotion to the CONCACAF Nations League A with five successive victo-

ries. With the building blocks in place for a promising future, Forde shed light on what could potentially be in store for both the national team and GFF. He added: “We most definitely hope to participate in future editions of the FIFA Series. We have generations of young footballers, who, I am sure, are inspired by this opportunity, and it is, therefore, my hope that they commit to working hard towards preparing themselves for similar opportunities in the future. At the same time, we are working to create strong bilateral relationships with SAFF and other nations with the aim of playing more friendlies across women’s football and youth levels whilst exploring other opportunities for collaboration.”

Saudi Arabia was one of five FIFA Series host nations alongside Algeria, Azerbaijan, Egypt, and Sri Lanka with two series held in the Kingdom and hosted by SAFF. National teams from AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, UEFA, and OFC competed in six series overall with the 2024 edition serving as a pilot phase for the competition. Many sides also faced each other for the first time in their history.

The Golden Jaguars staff and squad after wrapping up their Saudi Arabia campaign