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The launch of several mental health initiatives by the Government in partnership with SBM Offshore, marks a decisive and commendable step in the nation’s continued efforts to address the longstanding and complex challenges related to mental health.
In a country where mental health concerns, particularly suicide, have for decades presented serious public health issues, these interventions are both timely and necessary. The significance of this move is heightened by the fact that May is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month in Guyana, a period dedicated to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and fostering meaningful discourse around mental well-being.
At the official launch on Wednesday, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony acknowledged what many health professionals and families have long recognized: that mental health has too often been sidelined in national conversations. He admitted that this area of public health has been historically neglected, only gaining attention when tragedy strikes. His remarks reflect an overdue reckoning with the country’s mental health realities and the urgent need for inclusive, well-resourced, and sustained responses.
Encouragingly, the minister also reported that dedicated efforts by the Ministry’s Mental Health Unit, led by Dr Util Richmond-Thomas and Dr. Ruth Morgan, have already begun to yield positive results. Indeed, over recent years, Guyana has made incremental yet important progress in shifting the narrative surrounding mental health. Suicide rates, once among the highest in the world, have seen some reduction due to targeted interventions, greater public awareness, and enhanced access to mental health services.
However, despite these gains, significant work remains. The initiatives announced on Wednesday aim to consolidate and expand these efforts. One such initiative is a video series for children developed by SBM Offshore. This initiative focuses on early intervention by addressing mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression in the youth population—an often-overlooked demographic in mental health programming. The series is a forward-thinking strategy that recognizes the importance of nurturing emotional resilience and psychological awareness from a young age.
Another milestone is the launch of the MentalHealth.gov.gy website. Conceptualized by President Dr. Irfaan Ali, the platform is a significant innovation. Its accessible and centralized format is designed to provide the public with vital information and immediate support. Most notably, the built-in 24/7 chat service, staffed by trained mental health professionals, brings much-needed immediacy and confidentiality to those in crisis or in need of support. The potential of this platform to reach underserved and remote communities is especially crucial in a country with significant rural populations.
Further, the establishment of the 915-suicide crisis hotline represents another vital layer in the national response system. This three-digit emergency line provides an accessible, lifesaving resource for individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress. Its importance cannot be overstated. In moments of acute crisis, immediate and compassionate intervention can make the difference between life and death.
The Health Minister rightly emphasized that addressing mental health cannot rest solely with the Health Ministry. Rather, it requires a whole-of-society approach. Families, communities, workplaces, schools, and faith-based organizations all have indispensable roles to play in creating environments that are supportive, empathetic, and nonjudgmental. Reducing the number of suicides and improving mental health outcomes is a national imperative that calls for collective responsibility.
To sustain these gains, continued investment in mental health infrastructure, human resources, education, and community-based programs is essential. Equally important is ongoing public awareness to break the silence, combat stigma, and foster cultural shifts around mental health and emotional well-being.
The recent announcements reflect a maturing understanding by the nation’s leadership that mental health is inextricably linked to public health, social stability, and national development. It is a recognition that mental wellbeing must be treated with the same urgency and importance as physical health.
Parents in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) collected the digital TV box for their children. The device gives access to six digital channels as the Education Ministry continues to expand educational access across Guyana (Education Ministry photos)
The GDF has acquired a STOL aircraft with short runway power to tackle Guyana’s tough terrain.
The Guyana Defense Force (GDF) has taken another stride in revamping its fleet of aircraft, with the purchase of a new Tecnam P2012 aircraft that specialises in taking off from and landing on short runways, a feature that is in itself a tactical boost well suited for Guyana’s geography.
It was announced on Wednesday that the GDF had purchased a new Tecnam P2012 aircraft. The aircraft is a Short Take Off and Landing, also known as STOL, which means that it does not need a standard extended run way to take off or to land.
“This acquisition represents a key part of the GDF’s ongoing commitment to expanding its operational reach, especially in remote and underserved regions of Guyana. The Tecnam P2012 STOL’s capability for shortfield operations makes it particularly well-suited to the country’s geographic demands,” the GDF said in its statement.
According to GDF, the aircraft was purchased with the aim of expanding the army’s reach in remote
and underserved regions of Guyana. It was also purchased with the intention of boosting the Air Corps ability to support national security and humanitarian efforts. Additionally, engineer training is being done. Once this and pilot training are completed, the aircraft will be delivered to Guyana.
“This development reflects the GDF’s strategic focus on maintaining a modern, capable and responsive Air Corps, one that supports national security, humanitarian response, and development initiatives, while ensuring its aviation assets remain current, effective, and mission ready.”
“As part of the integration process, engineer training is currently underway, to be followed by pilot training. Upon completion, the aircraft will be delivered to Guyana and inducted into active service with the Air Corps,” the army explained.
Tecnam, an Italian aircraft manufacturer, is no stranger to Guyana having recently supplied two P2012 Traveller Continental aircrafts to Roraima Airways. It was explained by the GDF that a senior team led by Colonel Administration and Quartering, Commander Roger Nurse, travelled to Italy to inspect the aircraft
and sign the acceptance agreement.
“The team was led by Colonel Administration and Quartering, Commander Roger Nurse, and included Commanding Officer of the Air Corps, Lieutenant Colonel Julian Archer, Maintenance Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Damon Joseph, and Chief Pilot, Major Lloyden Layne,” GDF explained, adding that “during the visit, the officers thoroughly examined the aircraft’s technical records, inspected all systems, and observed ground and in-flight demonstrations. All aspects of the aircraft's performance met the required standards, following which an Aircraft Acceptance Agreement was signed, marking the GDF’s formal acceptance of the asset.”
Last year, $42.2 billion was allocated in GDF budget to invest in capital assets. This year, that figure was $50 billion. The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government has embarked on a massive push to recapitalize the GDF’s assets, with the purchase of planes, helicopters and boats.
The Government had announced the acquisition of a maritime patrol asset from France last year. A letter
of intent was subsequently signed in April 2024, with the aim of procuring the vessel, between the Guyana Government and leading French aluminum shipbuilding company OCEA S. A.
The vessel is valued at EU$39.5 million, and is expected to arrive in 2026. The inked agreement covers the manufacturing of the vessel, a comprehensive logistics package with spares, and five years of maintenance of the product.
Additionally, a 115 Defiant monohull patrol vessel, which was designed and built by United States-based Metal Shark Boats to the tune of US$11.5 million for the GDF, had also arrived in Guyana last year to join the army’s Coast Guard fleet.
Prior to that, Indian firm Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, as part of Line of Credit the Government of India had extended to Guyana, had delivered two Dornier 228 planes to
the GDF. The planes were acquired to the tune of US$23.27 Million. And back in October 2020, the US State Department had approved the sale of four helicopters and related equipment to Guyana to the tune of US$256 million. According to the particulars of the sale, Guyana will get four helicopters, including two Bell 412Epi and two Bell 429 helicopters, plus related equipment.
The Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP) is discussing several ways to tackle crime in the Region as it hosts its 39th Annual Conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) this week.
According to Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, the discussions are focused on several issues aimed at upgrading the criminal justice system across the Caribbean.
One of the programmes to be implemented in many countries is a Regional Witness Protection Programme. Nandlall said
despite an agreement signed by several Heads of State in 1999, some countries have passed the legislation but are yet to operationalise the programme.
“Since 1999, an agreement was signed by several Heads of State and a model bill was produced out of that agreement and it has not been operationalised in many of the Caricom States although many have passed it. We passed it here in 2018, but never brought it into operation,” he noted.
The AG added that “individual countries have their own witness protection programme, but they are insular programmes rather than regional”.
Following the meeting, several Caribbean States will be passing “regional type” legislation, Nandlall said. These include legislation to incorporate the Regional Security System into MEMBER STATES’ law enforcement arm, the Caricom arrest warrant bill and the advanced passenger information record bill.
The ACCP’s objective is to prevent crime in the Caribbean through law enforcement efforts and concerted involvement of key stakeholders. The body was established in 1987 and has a membership comprising Commissioners of Police
from 25 Caribbean jurisdictions.
With the theme “United Against Crime”, this high-level conference brings together leaders in policing from across the Caribbean to advance collaboration, capacity building, and best practices in law enforcement.
On Monday as security officials from across the Caribbean gathered in Guyana for the five-day conference on enhancing regional policing, President Dr Irfaan Ali unveiled a seven-point plan aimed at strengthening collaboration and resource-sharing to tackle common criminal issues. President Ali’s plan focuses on several key areas: Human Capital Development, Infrastructure Enhancement, Advanced Training Programmes, and Technology Development, among others.
The charge alleged that, on March 13, the three officers stole the narcotics that had been secured at the West Ruimveldt Police Station. They were not required to plead, but were remanded to prison until May 14.
When the matter was called again, their attorneys were successful in getting them released on bail. They are expected to return to court on June 11.
During their first appearance, the prosecutor had
revealed that CCTV footage captured Corporal Pellew removing the suspected narcotics from the strongbox and handing them to Singh and Harris, who entered the CID Room with the bag and later returned with it.
President Dr Irfaan Ali has sharply criticised regional leaders for failing to capitalise on the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme, describing it as a missed opportunity to build capacity across the Caribbean.
He urged Police Commissioners to take immediate action to utilise the available opportunities within the Programme.
During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Guyana last year for the Second IndiaCaricom Summit in Georgetown, an appeal was made to Caribbean nations to capitalise on the opportunities offered by the ITEC Programme; however, no significant actions were taken by regional countries.
years, hundreds of our officers have benefited from training in the ITEC Programme in the most sophisticated fields at every level. I found out that they have not received any or very few applications from the Region for training under the ITEC Programme.”
He challenged regional commissioners to examine the ITEC Programme and make full use of it, encouraging the Region to take advantage of the opportunities it presents.
He also stated that he would take it upon himself to personally follow up on all applications submitted.
in Guyana have the entire listing, and to identify areas that you can benefit from under the ITEC Programme, and have this year, and I can champion this for you, get the application in, and I’m telling you, I will take a personal interest in ensuring I follow up on all the applications that are coming from the Region under the ITEC Programme, because the opportunities are there, tremendous opportunities for training.”
the National Defence Institute is operating at high-level master’s programmes, post-graduate programmes. It’s integrated with other international defence and training institutes globally.”
ITEC is the leading capacity-building platform of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. Instituted in 1964, ITEC is one of the oldest institutionalised arrangements for international capacity building, having trained more than 200,000 officials from over 160 countries in both civilian and defence sectors.
his disappointment, stating, “I would say I’m very disappointed in the Region, and I’ll tell you why. When Prime Minister Modi was here, he emphasised that there are thousands of training opportunities under the ITEC Programme in India. In the last four
President Ali expressed
“You have thousands of training opportunities that you can select from under the ITEC Programme, free of cost, that are available, and we’re not making use of it. So, I would challenge the Commissioners here to have a look at the ITEC Programme. I’ll have the Commissioner of Police
According to the Head of State, Guyana already has the certification, and considerations are being made regarding a regional academy to support personnel training. “We already have the certification, so we want a discussion around this. How do we deploy this regional academy to support your training? But outside of that, we have just launched the National Defence Institute, and
He also expressed a desire to present to the Commissioners the opportunities that the programme offers, which span across specific needs such as cybercrime. He referenced how Guyana’s National Defence Institute conducted a specific programme on cybercrime for Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), so they can understand its importance and the necessity of investment.
In 2024, a group of 30 individuals from law enforcement agencies and various social service organisations in Guyana visited India for a special course under the ITEC Programme.
Anew 915 emergency suicide crisis hotline, developed by the Health Ministry, has been launched on Wednesday as part of efforts during the Health Ministry’s May Mental Health Awareness Month activities aimed at reducing the number of persons attempting suicide.
The toll-free 915 suicide prevention hotline will be operational 24/7 and will offer callers professional help.
The launch of the hotline was announced alongside the launch of a website where persons can also seek support if struggling with
mental health challenges. The mentalhealth. gov.gy website is intended to serve as a central hub where persons can learn more about mental health,
and access crucial resources such as a 24/7 chat platform, which would also be manned by trained professionals.
The website is the brainchild of President Dr.
Mohammed Irfaan Ali.
Another project aimed at tackling mental health issues is an animated video series for children, developed by SBM Offshore. The videos aim to educate viewers on mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and cyberbullying.
These initiatives were rolled out with support from the Office of the President and SBM Offshore Guyana.
Delivering the keynote address at the launch, Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony highlighted that while mental health is one of the major issues in the country, it is often pushed under the rug.
“Mental health is one of the challenges that we have in our country, and has been one of the areas that have often been neglected. We don't
ciety of promoting mental wellness among citizens.
“This is not a Ministry of Health problem, this is a societal problem; and if we are going to deal with it, then all of us will have to work together to make sure that we can reduce the amount of cases of persons attempting suicide; or, for that mat-
pay too much attention to mental health until it starts affecting us,” he noted.
He also underscored the importance to the wider so-
ter, we would like to see no one in this country actually committing suicide,” Dr Anthony expressed.
However, due to strategic polices and initiatives rolled out by the Ministry’s Mental Health Unit, Dr. Anthony revealed, over the years, significant improvements have been recorded.
“…many years ago, Guyana had been known to have lots of cases of suicide and lots of challenges with mental health, but because of dedicated efforts, we have started to turn that around. I also want to congratulate the Mental Health Department of the Ministry of Health, headed by Dr. Morgan, and you can see that over the last couple of years, that indeed we are changing the outlook for mental health,” he expressed.
This month is a call to action to break the silence around mental health, reduce stigma, and encourage open conversations about mental well-being.
Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan leads men and women in uniform during a community engagement with residents of Eteringbang on the Cuyuni River, Arau Village along the Wenamu River and Arekuna Territory of Paruima
The Government, in keeping with its urban renewal efforts, envisions that Silica City will be one of the richest cities in the world when it comes to its biodiversity.
During Tuesday’s launch of the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership (FCLP), which is being co-chaired by Guyana and the United Kingdom, President Dr Irfaan Ali laid out his government’s biodiversity vision, and noted that the intent was to create a “forest city” that will fea-
going to build, we’re thinking about how do we create a forest city. Planting hundreds of thousands of trees. Not replanting, because we’ve not taking down. But planting anew, adding more. And greater value.”
Conceived in 2009 and located on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, Silica City will be Guyana’s first modern, sustainable city. In August 2024, President Ali announced the completion of the planning model for Silica City, which forms part of his govern-
ture hundreds of thousands of trees.
“We are hoping that in just a few years, you will walk in a forest city in Guyana, and even the new city, Silica City, that we’re planning. You will walk in a city that is the richest in biodiversity in the world. This is how serious we’re taking this,” the President said.
“While many are saying, how many more flyovers we’re
ment’s climate change mitigation initiatives under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).
In November, the Head of State met with an executive team from Republic Bank Guyana to discuss collaborations on a number of innovative projects, including the Silica City project. In February 2023, a $2.1 billion contract was inked to
develop Silica City. It is envisioned that over the next two decades, this new secondary city along the LindenSoesdyke Highway would grow to hold more than 12,500 households.
It would initially cater to just over 3000 households in the first five years, but 3800 acres of land have been earmarked for the new city. The first phase of the project would see an initial 400 “Young Professional” homes being constructed.
It was previously reported that the Housing Ministry had already begun shortlisting persons for these homes. In fact, construction has already commenced on the first 110 “Young Professional” homes in the city, and those works were 50 per cent complete as of November last.
The city will have highend developments including smart homes with the newest energy-saving technologies for wastewater management, energy management, and water conservation. The city will have recreational parks, community centres, an electricity grid, and a multi-specialty health facility.
President Ali had previously announced that phase two of the city will focus on Diaspora investments, which comes as the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government has been pushing for the Diaspora to come home and invest.
The Government has been making deliberate efforts to
encourage the Diaspora to not only visit, but also invest in Guyana. Only last year, it was announced that the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s Diaspora Unit would be partnering with Guyana’s first indigenous company to offer Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions to create a platform that will better enable members of the Diaspora to make enquiries and conduct transactions with governmental agencies.
King’s Foundation
President Ali also acknowledged the presence of Ben Bolgar, the Senior Director for the King’s Foundation that is playing a key role in helping Guyana revamp its urban planning landscape and architecture.
“I want to pay a particular
welcome to Ben Bolgar, who is with us today from the King’s team. Ben is doing fantastic work on our urban planning and helping Amerindian communities advance their village plans.
“The world needs leaders who act as champions of the forest agenda, in the way President Jagdeo, the Prime Minister of Norway and King Charles did years ago. I hope the FCLP will help to make the case for why we need to see such leaders emerge in the years and months ahead,” President Ali added.
Last year, President Ali had announced that the Government would with support from the British-based King’s Foundation, transform the capital city under the rollout of the next phase of the
strategy. President Ali, whose doctorate is in Urban and Regional Planning, had noted that the King’s Foundation would be providing support to Guyana in the area of sustainable urban development.
“We are very pleased that we have established this strong partnership with the King’s Foundation in the renewal of the City of Georgetown. And we’re working on various projects to enhance the City of Georgetown and give it back that title of the Garden City of the world,” the President had laid out during high-level discussions that focused on the LCDS.
As a matter of fact, the President noted that the work to renew Georgetown would be within the LCDS 2030 vision and would include the beautification of the city and country, the expansion and revival of urban planning and improvements to drainage and irrigation in the city to address flooding.
Only in March 2025, the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) had launched the National Tree Planting Project at the Conversation Tree and Pike Street intersection, Georgetown, a $600 million initiative that will be rolled out across the country and see nature being seamlessly incorporated into the Government’s infrastructural projects.
The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has confirmed that it is actively addressing recent concerns over the content of songs deemed offensive to certain religious and ethnic communities in Guyana.
On Wednesday, the ERC acknowledged that local artiste Baby Skello has been arrested by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in connection with his latest song, which reportedly contains blasphemous content targeting the Hindu
religion. The ERC said in a statement that it "respects the independent actions of the GPF to investigate and address this matter within the full extent of the law."
However, the ERC clarified, the matter is also under review by the Commission itself, and that Baby Skello has been officially summoned to appear before the ERC.
“While the ERC has referred several matters to the police based on completed investigations, that is not yet one such case,” the
statement said.
In addition to Baby Skello, the ERC announced that artistes Richard Singh and Vision Clake have been summoned over their song titled “Chiney”, which reportedly contains controversial content. The Commission has said it is addressing the contents of that song in line with its mandate.
The ERC assured the public that it remains committed to promoting harmony and good relations among all peoples of Guyana.
As the Tourism Ministry works to capitalize on Guyana’s tourism potential, the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) in April concluded business inspections in 9 administrative regions, resulting in numerous businesses and tourist guides becoming licensed.
On Wednesday, the GTA published its April Highlights, and according to the authority, April was another strong month for tourism in Guyana, due to targeted efforts to grow the sector, strengthen partnerships, and push sustainable development.
One such effort is the licensing of tourism businesses and tourist guides within the country. According
by Senior Tour Guide Mr Paul Waldron, highlighted the importance of tour guides and tour operators being adequately prepared to host travellers through effective leadership, communication, and group management techniques, among other areas. Both practical and theoretical methods were employed during this training.
The GTA also facilitated a Business and Financial Management Training session with 15 participants from Region 4.
Mr Marlon George, a master trainer attached to the GTA, led the session. Participants were guided through areas such as Business Fundamentals, Book-keeping and Financial
Affairs to construct a guest house. And with the ongoing development of the road to Lethem, they have already begun to receive a few visitors, exploring it for recreational activities.
In Region 6, the GTA conducted a comprehensive tourism training and product assessment session in the communities of Orealla and Siparuta. The initiative engaged 37 participants – 20 in Siparuta and 17 in Orealla. The training broadened participants’ perspectives on tourism and its potential impact on community development. As a direct outcome, both communities have initiated steps towards establishing local tourism committees to guide and support future initiatives.
to information received from the report, the GTA in April successfully completed inspection of all tourism businesses in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), and Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
This resulted in 31 tour operators becoming licensed, along with 7 tourism accommodation establishments and 8 Lodges/Resorts, as well as 4 Tour Guides receiving their licenses. As such, a total of 50 tourism businesses and tourist guides are licensed for 2025.
Training
Moreover, as part of its commitment towards ensuring local tourism businesses are well equipped with best practices that align with international standards, the GTA also facilitated a number of training drives.
The GTA facilitated a Tour Guide training session with 25 aspiring tour guides and tour operators in Georgetown, and 10 in Berbice. This training, led
Management, Budgeting, Pricing, Contracts (Employee and Business), Taxes (Covering NIS & GRA), and key areas of Marketing.
Additionally, the organization facilitated a First Aid and CPR Training session for 18 participants, 12 of whom were official safari drivers. Mr. Thompson Akputo of St. John’s Association led the training in Georgetown, employing practical and theoretical learning methods. The First Aid and CPR Training is mandatory to become officially licensed with the GTA.
Product development
As part of the organization’s efforts towards expanding its tourism destinations catalogue, the GTA also conducted several project development drives at sites in several regions.
As part of the Region 10 Tourism Circuit Development project, the GTA executed an Introduction to Tourism training in Great Falls, Region 10. 17 persons were introduced to critical concepts of tourism development and management.
The community recently received funding from the Ministry of Amerindian
The GTA also conducted an Introduction to Tourism training and initial product assessment in Philippai, Region 7. The sessions engaged 50 participants and focused on the fundamentals of tourism and the principles of community-based tourism development. As part of the outreach, preliminary assessments were also conducted in the satellite communities of Ammokokopai and Klaimalu.
Following the initial training and product assessment in Philippai, the team journeyed to Wayalayeng, a remote satellite village of Philippai, for a site assessment and to engage residents on their tourism interests. Home to approximately 186 people, the village sits on a plateau near the top of the Wayalayeng Waterfalls, which also serves as the community’s primary water source. A total of 57 residents attended a community meeting where the basics of tourism and community-led development were discussed.
The GTA completed an assessment at St. Deny’s –Tapakuma, Region 2. The team met with the Toshao and Village Council to discuss the village’s plans for
tourism development, and conducted assessments for potential experiences. The village officially commissioned its Hadali Tokoro Ecolodge last year, so the GTA’s support in expanding its tourism potential is timely. To complement this ecolodge, proposed experiences include visits to Dawa Pump Station and Tapakuma Lake, fishing, sampling local fruits, and enjoying cultural performances. This assessment was made possible through the GTA’s partnership with Environmental Management Consultants Guyana.
The organization also facilitated a two-day outreach to Nappi Village, Region 9. The visit featured a Community Tourism Planning session. The session brought together the
Village Council and key local tourism stakeholders to discuss tourism development opportunities collaboratively.
The community’s Water Catchment Area Management Plan served as a foundational document for the session, guiding discussions to ensure future tourism initiatives align with local environmental and resource management priorities.
In addition to the planning session, the team assessed the Wontai Birding Trails, an emerging tourism initiative owned by a local villager.
The GTA will work to ensure that all necessary registration and licensing requirements are met before the official launch of this experience, which holds significant potential as a sustain-
able, community-led birding and eco-tourism product.
Moreover, in Region 9, the GTA led a re-engagement meeting with the Quarrie Village Council and local tourism stakeholders. The objective of this meeting was to determine the outcomes and challenges of tourism development in Quarrie. The GTA has been working with this community for the past two years to develop their community tourism package.
Additionally, The GTA led a re-engagement meeting with the Karasabai Village Council and local tourism stakeholders. The objective of this meeting was to determine the outcomes and challenges of tourism development. Karasabai is known as a birding destination, specifically for sun parakeet spotting.
ANorth West man was on Wednesday granted bail in the sum of $150,000 when he appeared before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh at the Port Kaituma Magistrate’s Court to answer to five charges.
Twenty-nine-year-old Orangel Antonio Castro Rodrigues of Triangle Backdam, Baramita, North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini) was charged with two counts of being in possession of a firearm without being the holder of a firearm licence, and two counts of being in possession of ammunition.
He faces an additional charge of assault causing actual bodily harm.
It is alleged that on February 27, 2025, at Triangle Backdam Baramita, North West District, he had in his possession a 12-gauge shotgun serial # AV60664E –without being the holder of a firearm license in force at that time. Rodrigues is also alleged to have in his possession at the time a 16-gauge shotgun, serial # 10-05. Apart from the two firearms, the labourer is accused of having in his
Charged: Orangel Antonio Castro Rodrigues
possession three 16-gauge live ammunition and one 12-gauge live ammunition without being the holder of a firearm license in force at that time.
Rodrigues has additionally been charged with unlawfully assaulting Yulismar Rodrigues so as to cause her actual bodily harm on February 27, 2025 at the same location.
He pleaded not guilty to all the charges, and the prosecutor told the court that the prosecution is not ready to commence the trial, since the investigation was incomplete. Meanwhile the court not
asked not to grant bail to the accused, noting the nature and gravity of the offence.
However, Attorney-atlaw Bernard D Silva, who represented the accused, made an application for the court to grant bail to the accused.
While noting the nature of the investigation and the frequency with which the court sits, the attorney argued that the refusal of pretrial liberty would more than likely create unnecessary and prolonged delays.
“There is no certainty of a near trial date,” he told the court, adding that Rodrigues is not a flight risk and has a family here, which include three children and a wife.
The magistrate upheld the appeal and granted bail to the accused in the form of $150,000. However, as one of the conditions attached to his bail, Rodrigues would have to report to the Baramita police station on the last Friday of every month.
The matter has been adjourned until June 10, when the police would be expected to give a report on their readiness.
Anew Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) office has been commissioned by Local Government and Regional Development Minister Sonia Parag on Wednesday in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne). Since the establishment of the NDC, there was no proper office for it to carry out its operations.
When Local Government Elections were held in June 2023, what was then the largest NDC in the country, the 52-74 NDC, was split, forming two NDCs: the 52-63 NDC and the 64-74 NDC.
At the time, there was a sub-office for the previous 52-74 NDC at Number 71 Village. That office became the office for the 64-74 NDC.
Because of the lack of space, council meetings were held under a private residence situated opposite the sub office, with four to five government part-time workers attached to the 64-74 NDC staff and councillors.
With limited space available, there was a need for a new building to be constructed. Hence, the newly commis-
sioned $18.3 million building.
Minister Parag, speaking at the simple commissioning ceremony, noted that the NDC is now empowered to do what it should be doing. However, she said, councillors still have the responsibility to go into the field and serve the community.
“We will have many more going to be built and refurbished. But what does it do? It is enabling you to be in an environment where you can comfortably work and carry out your functions. But again, I will emphasise, don’t let this
Sol Guyana Inc (Sol) has said on Wednesday that while it fully respects the judicial process, it disagrees with the recent High Court ruling ordering that it pays over $2.1 billion in excise taxes to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).
In this regard, the company has said it would be exercising its legal right to appeal.
“Guided by its core values of Integrity, Respect, Safety, and Community, Sol affirms that it is fully compliant with its legal and fiscal obligations in Guyana and all of the countries in which it operates. The company remains committed to fulfilling its obligations in accordance with the law, and upholding its broader legal and corporate social responsibilities,” the company said in a statement.
The High Court on Friday last ordered the petroleum importer to pay the GRA over $2.1 billion in excise taxes, after ruling that the company wrongfully held back a large quantity of tax-exempted fuel that should have been delivered to ExxonMobil Guyana.
On May 9, the High Court ordered the petroleum importer to pay the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) over $2.1 billion in excise taxes, after ruling that the company wrongfully held back a large quantity of tax-exempted fuel that should have been delivered to ExxonMobil Guyana.
The ruling was handed down by Justice Nareshwar Harnanan, who found SOL in breach of its obligation to deliver a full consignment of fuel imported under a special tax arrangement linked to the oil giant’s operations. In his 14-page judgment, the judge concluded that SOL retained 54,878,817 litres of fuel that had been exempted from the standard excise rate under a Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) between ExxonMobil and the Government of Guyana.
That PSA entitled ExxonMobil to a reduced excise rate of 10 per cent on fuel
imported for petroleum-related activities. However, SOL, who acted as the importer on ExxonMobil’s behalf, delivered only 147,950,610 litres out of a total of 202,829,427 litres it brought into the country in 2020 under the tax-exempt arrangement, according to court records.
Following a review of fuel reconciliation documents and a subsequent audit, the GRA determined that the undelivered volume no longer qualified for the exemption, and assessed taxes on the shortfall, amounting to $2,196,908,802.
In court, GRA maintained that SOL was never entitled to the tax relief in its own right, and was merely the conduit for importing the fuel on behalf of ExxonMobil.
The GRA said that by retaining the excess, SOL violated the terms of the exemption, and despite several notices, failed to pay the taxes owed.
SOL, in its defence, argued that it had complied with tax obligations and operated under an administrative framework in which exemptions could be applied retroactively after internal reconciliations. The company also pointed to software changes at the GRA in 2019 and internal delays as reasons for its actions, suggesting that there was precedent for recouping taxes through future exemption letters.
But Justice Harnanan dismissed those explanations, stating, “While [SOL Guyana Incorporated] may have encountered legitimate administrative uncertainty, it does not follow that it was lawfully entitled to unilaterally retain a portion of tax-exempt fuel under the guise of a self-directed ‘recoupment’ mechanism.”
The court placed heavy weight on documentary evidence presented by the GRA, including a February 22, 2021 letter from SOL and a certified report from ExxonMobil’s Logistics Manager confirming the volume received.
Justice Harnanan found that the remaining fuel could
be the only place where you’re working from. Make sure that you are touching base every day with the community in the communities, because that is what matters,” the minister has said.
not be shielded under the tax waiver, and ruled that SOL’s actions amounted to an “improper and unauthorised retention of tax-exempt fuel.”
He was also clear that SOL’s eligibility for any such tax relief depended strictly on express authorisation from the GRA, which had only been granted for the fuel destined for ExxonMobil.
“As previously established, the defendant’s ability to benefit from tax exemptions derived solely from the express authorisation of the claimant,” the judge wrote.
In rejecting SOL’s argument of “legitimate expectation,” the court noted that the issue was not raised in SOL’s pleadings, and lacked evidentiary support. SOL had contended that because the GRA had previously issued retroactive exemptions, it had reason to expect that similar relief would be granted in this case, even though the practice stopped following the GRA’s switch to a new customs software system in 2019.
But Justice Harnanan concluded that this line of argument could not stand, noting it was improperly introduced only in final written submissions.
SOL had also filed a counterclaim seeking a refund of $278,341,888 in what it claimed were overpaid taxes, but this, too, was dismissed by the judge, who ruled that the claim stemmed from “the erroneous belief of an entitlement to the tax exemption.”
Ultimately, the court ordered that SOL Guyana pay the full $2.19 billion in excise taxes, along with interest at six per cent annually from the time of filing until the judgment date, and four per cent thereafter until the amount is paid off. Additionally, SOL must pay $3 million in fixed costs to the GRA by July 31, 2025.
Attorney-at-Law Jason Moore, in-house counsel for the GRA, appeared on behalf of the agency, while attorneys Nigel Hughes and Stephen Roberts represented SOL Guyana.
The minister said her ministry will be working closely with the NDCs, their subventions, and work programmes to ensure that residents feel the impact.
“Later this year, we will be giving to each NDC a new compacted garbage truck for every single NDC throughout the country. That is going to help the garbage pick-up. We are developing several other landfill sites in Region Six that will be able to help in the disposal of garbage as well. We have also empowered you with mini-excavators through the Ministry of Agriculture to be able to tackle drainage is-
sues, and you have gotten fogging machines to assist with the health issues such as dengue and so on,” Minister Parag highlighted.
She pointed out that with increased funding being made available to the Local Government Ministry, subventions to NDCs and Municipalities have increased significantly. As from this year, NDC subventions have moved from $5M annually to $30M, which will allow those agencies to be able to do more for the respective communities.
“We were able to build some NDC buildings from scratch. While we could not do that for all of the NDCs, we were making sure that we were able to still put some funds that could rehabilitate those. So, what you are looking at here is one of the re-
cent, or most recent, designs that we have had for the NDC buildings.
“Cane Grove has one that is very similar to this one in terms of design. I want to say how efficient it was that we were able to get this building up very quickly and in a very timely manner, so that we can carry on our business as an NDC. But on that point, I also want to say that now that we have a very comfortable and very beautiful building, it does not mean that the NDC councillors will sit in here all day. It just means that you will be processing, as per your functions, what you have to do administratively, but you are still responsible to the people to do your field work. So, you still have to go out there and make sure that you do your field work,” she told the councillors.
The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has issued a condemnation of the song “Good Like Jesus”, written by Jamaican dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel, and has labelled its contents as blasphemous and deeply offensive to the Christian community. This song has been released since 2024.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the ERC denounced the lyrics of the song for being profoundly disrespectful to the figure of Jesus Christ, who holds central significance in Christianity and is also revered in other major religions, including Islam and certain Hindu traditions.
“The Lord Jesus Christ is not only a revered figure in Christianity, but is also recognized and respected within the Islamic and Hindu faiths,” the Commission noted. “Content that demeans such a universally respected figure risks offending multiple faith communities, and threatens the delicate balance of inter-religious harmony in our society.”
While acknowledging the importance of freedom of artistic expression, the ERC has emphasized that such freedoms must be exercised with responsibility and sen-
sitivity. “Any form of content that mocks, trivializes, or desecrates sacred religious figures erodes the foundations of mutual respect and threatens the peaceful coexistence of our diverse society,” the Commission has stated.
As a result, the ERC is formally calling for the controversial song to be banned from broadcast on all airwaves in Guyana, and removed from digital platforms accessible within the country. The Commission has also urged a halt to any further public dissemination of the song, and disclosed that it would be engaging the promoter of an upcoming con-
cert featuring Vybz Kartel to directly address the issue.
The Commission has said it expects full cooperation to ensure that the event does not contribute to the spread of what it describes as “offensive content that undermines interfaith harmony.”
Reaffirming its role in promoting respect and unity among Guyana’s diverse population, the ERC has said it “remains unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding the rights, dignity, and faiths of all Guyanese.”
“Acts of religious disrespect will not be tolerated, and will be addressed with firm and constructive measures,” the statement noted.
During a visit to Guyana in March, the Jamaican Dancehall sensation announced that he will be returning to Guyana to seek out local artistes with whom he would collaborate on upcoming projects – an initiative that President Dr Irfaan Ali has described as an “opportunity of a lifetime.”
During that visit, he held an engagement session with Guyanese artistes at State House. During the interaction, Kartel announced plans to collaborate with a male and female Guyanese artiste.
The invoice in question that was included in GRA’s supplemental filings to the High Court
Weeks after the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) said it had “irrefutable” evidence of tax evasion by United States-sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed and his relatives, the tax agency submitted said evidence to the High Court in supplemental filings that expose massive undervaluation of tax filings, and could even constitute perjury. The newly submitted evidence was provided by the US
Department of Justice itself under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT), and comprises 78 pages of correspondence between US and Guyanese authorities. Of particular interest is an original invoice for the Lamborghini Aventador at the centre of the dispute between the Mohameds and GRA. The invoice, which was billed to Azruddin Mohamed himself, declares that the Lamborghini was purchased at a cost of US$695,000. In his previous declarations
to the court, however, Mohamed claimed to have spent US$76,000 on the luxury car.
In explaining the timing of the filing, Rajandra Singh, in his affidavit of defence, claimed that GRA was “constrained by matters of national security” and could not have disclosed the information and included the matters it was now including.
With the information now in hand, however, Singh pointed out in his affidavit that Mohamed presented “fictitious and false” documents to GRA, and thus made false declarations to the tax authority in order to evade taxes – a criminal offence.
“The applicant (Mohamed) is guilty of perjury in this court for falsely declaring the value which was paid for said vehicle and submitted a valuation which was false.
“The applicant was guilty of entering into a criminal and illegal scheme with International Speed Consulting to deceive and defraud (GRA) as to the true price paid for said vehicle.”
It was only on Monday that the Court of Appeal had refused GRA’s application to overturn the High Court ruling that had placed an injunction on the tax agency from seizing the luxury vehicles owned by the Mohamed family.
Last month, there had been a tense stand-off that saw enforcement officials from the GRA being blocked from seizing several highend vehicles linked to nearly $900 million in unpaid duties.
Officers of the GRA, accompanied by ranks of the Guyana Police Force, went to the Mohamed family’s Houston, Greater Georgetown
residence to take possession of the luxury vehicles after repeated notices and a month-long effort to resolve the matter amicably had failed.
However, the operation was halted after the officers were met by an angry mob that physically obstructed access to the premises.
The GRA reported that Azruddin Mohamed refused to cooperate, questioned the basis for the operation, and summoned a mob from his property and nearby areas. The mob reportedly became increasingly hostile, prompting officers to retreat due to safety concerns.
Among the vehicles targeted for seizure were a Lamborghini Roadster, Ferrari 488, two Toyota Land Cruisers, a Rolls Royce, and a Range Rover — all allegedly imported under the re-migrant scheme but found to be in breach of its terms, including failure to meet residency requirements and presenting false declarations of value.
Despite the mounting stand-
off, the GRA noted that it had made multiple attempts to engage the Mohameds, sending three separate letters and emails inviting them to settle the outstanding taxes or make arrangements for inspection. No meaningful dialogue was initiated by the family, the agency said.
While the legal proceedings continue, the total taxes owed by the Mohamed family amount to nearly $900 million, linked to multiple luxury vehicles allegedly imported under false pretences or in breach of the re-migrant scheme.
Among the amounts cited are $479.7 million for a 2020 Ferrari registered to Hana Mohamed, $371.7 million for a 2020 Lamborghini Roadster titled to Azruddin Mohamed, and $320 million for a 2023 Rolls Royce registered to Bibi Mohamed. Additional taxes include $61.4 million for a 2023 Range Rover under Leslie Khan’s name, and $24.6 million each for two Toyota Land Cruisers also registered to Azruddin Mohamed.
Jordan appeared on Wednesday before acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty in regard to his misconduct in public office charge. His co-accused did not attend court, and according to the prosecutor, was not even in the country. According to the prosecutor, checks made with immigration have revealed that Heath-London is reportedly in Jamaica, and steps are being made to make contact with him.
Embattled former Finance Minister
Winston Jordan and former National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) Head, Colvin Heath-London, are slated to return to court next month, when charges in relation to a case involving misconduct in public office are expected to continue.
This account was briefly disputed by Attorney-atLaw Dawn Cush, who is also representing Jordan. Cush explained that HeathLondon has another pending matter, and usually ensures he is in the country for his court cases, though she too could not ultimately confirm if he was indeed in Guyana.
The Magistrate meanwhile suggested that the prosecution can ascertain Heath-London’s next court
date. That way, she noted, the matter before her and a reporting day for an update on Heath-London can be fixed for that date.
As such, June 25 has been set for reporting on Heath-London’s status, as well as the continuation of Jordan’s case.
Jordan was charged with misconduct in public office in March 2025. It is alleged that Jordan, between February and June 2020, wilfully misconducted himself by vesting over five acres of land, valued at $150 million, at a grossly undervalued price.
Jordan later appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore in her Georgetown Court on March 31, where was formally read to him a charge alleging that between February 25 and June 11, 2020, he wilfully misconducted himself in that he allegedly signed vesting order #69 of 2020, transferring over five
acres of land at Plantations Goedverwagting and Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara (ECD) for $2,425,000, despite the property’s estimated market value being $150 million.
Jordan was not required to enter a plea to this indictable offence. In addition to Cush, he was also represented by Senior Counsel
Roysdale Forde.
In December 2021, Jordan faced similar charges regarding the sale of state property to BK Marines Limited. That case, which involved the sale of the country’s largest wharf facility in Kingston, Georgetown, was dismissed in May 2023. At the time, Jordan had been accused of signing a NICIL vesting order that transferred 2.553 acres of land to BK Marines Inc. for $20,260,276, despite the property being valued at over $5 billion.
Prosecutors allege that the transaction amounted to an abuse of public trust, as the property was sold at a fraction of its worth.
However, Jordan’s attorneys had successfully argued that the prosecution had failed to establish a key element of the charge: namely, whether he qualified as a public officer under the law.
Senior Magistrate Leron Daly upheld a no-case submission, ruling that the evidence was insufficient to proceed. The case was subsequently discharged, and Chief Justice Roxane George later deemed the prosecution’s attempts to reinstate the charge a “waste of judicial time.” Meanwhile HeathLondon, who as Head of NICIL at the time, has also been implicated by the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) in the disposal of land, was dismissed from his employment in October 2020, soon after the PPP government had entered office.
Heath-London was arrested the following month, in keeping with a police probe into a number of questionable transactions done by NICIL. Several plots of State land were leased by individuals and then resold, resulting in huge profits.
The Belize Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) confirmed Wednesday that measles is actively spreading in a community called Spanish Lookout, and is investigating additional suspected cases linked to travel from Chihuahua, Mexico.
Two laboratory-confirmed cases of measles were initially identified on April
12, along with five clinically diagnosed cases epidemiologically connected to one of the first patients. The total number of cases remains undetermined as investigations continue, according to ministry officials.
Health authorities have issued a warning advising unvaccinated individuals to exercise caution when visiting Spanish Lookout due to
ongoing disease transmission in the area.
The MOHW has since stated that travelers aged 12 months and older are advised to ensure vaccination at least two weeks prior to travel, while parents of unvaccinated children under one year old should consult healthcare providers for guidance. (Source: Caribbean Loop News)
AVenezuelan toddler, who had been kept in US government custody after her parents were deported, has been returned to Venezuela.
Maikelys Antonella Espinoza Bernal arrived at the Simón Bolívar International Airport on Wednesday on a repatriation flight from the US.
Venezuelan First Lady Cilia Flores carried the 2-year-old in her arms as officials announced the girl’s return to reporters gathered at the airport.
Venezuela had been demanding that the United States return the girl for weeks, accusing US officials of kidnapping her.
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) previously denied the allegation, arguing the family was separated in an attempt to protect Maikelys from her parents, whom they accused
lady
without evidence of being part of criminal group Tren de Aragua (TDA).
In March, the US deported the father Maiker EspinozaEscalona to a notorious prison in El Salvador, according to the Venezuelan government. The mother Yorelys Bernal was later deported on a flight to Venezuela without her daughter.
On Wednesday, the
girl was reunited with her mother and grandmother at the presidential palace in Caracas. State TV showed Bernal crying tears of joy as she held her daughter tightly in her arms.
President Nicolás Maduro said Venezuelan officials had coordinated with lawyers and rights groups in the US to secure the girl’s return. (Excerpt from CNN)
Bolivia top court upholds ruling blocking Morales' election eligibility
Bolivia's constitutional court on Wednesday upheld a lower ruling banning more than two terms as president, in effect blocking former President Evo Morales from running in elections later this year.
The unanimous decision from the court came after years of speculation regarding the constitutionality of a
third term, with Morales arguing that not allowing him to run again would violate his human rights.
Morales has already served three terms as president, with a court allowing the final administration because his first came before a constitutional rewrite.
He ran for a fourth term in the 2019 elections, but
fled the country after the results were disputed.
Morales responded to the court's decision on Wednesday by saying on X that "only the people" could ask him to give up the candidacy.
Current President Luis Arce, a former mentee of Morales, has said he will not run for re-election. (Reuters)
Mexican beauty influencer shot dead during TikTok live stream
Ayoung Mexican social media influencer, known for her videos about beauty and makeup, was brazenly shot to death during a TikTok live stream, in an incident that sent shock waves through a country that faces high levels of gender-based violence.
The death of Valeria Márquez, 23, is being investigated as a femicide – the killing of a woman or girl for reasons of gender – the Jalisco state prosecutor said in a statement released on Tuesday evening Femicide can involve degrading violence, sexual abuse, a relationship with
the murderer, or the victim’s body being exposed in a public space, according to Mexican authorities.
Márquez was killed on Tuesday in the beauty salon where she worked in the city of Zapopan by a man who entered and shot her, the statement said. The prosecutor’s office did not name a suspect.
Seconds before the incident, Márquez was seen on her TikTok live stream seated at a table clutching a stuffed toy. She was heard saying, “They’re coming,” before a voice in the background asked: “Hey, Vale?”
“Yes,” Márquez replied, just before muting the sound
on the live stream.
Moments later, she was shot to death. A person appeared to pick up her phone, with their face briefly showing on the live stream before the video ended.
Mexico is tied with Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia as the countries with the fourth-highest rates of femicide in Latin America and the Caribbean, according to the latest data from the United Nations economic commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, at 1.3 such deaths for every 100,000 women in 2023.
(Excerpt from The Guardian)
Saint Maarten’s Justice Ministry has unveiled an aggressive strategy against illegal firearms, following the disturbing discovery of a gun in a minor’s possession on a school bus.
Minister Nathalie Tackling delivered a pointed message saying, “This Ministry will not tolerate the spread of illegal firearms, nor the culture of fear they bring. A weapon in the hands of a child is a line that should never be crossed.”
The Ministry’s multipronged approach includes extending the “Stop, Drop, and Go” firearms amnesty program through May 16, giving residents an anonymous channel to surrender illegal weapons without prosecution.
Behind the scenes, spe-
cialized KPSM police units are working to dismantle criminal networks while simultaneously strengthening prevention efforts through expanded school officer programs and youth outreach initiatives.
Recognizing the regional nature of the problem, authorities are also enhancing cooperation with French
to combat cross-border gun trafficking.
“Gun violence does not stop at our borders,” Tackling emphasized, outlining plans for improved intelligence sharing and coordinated border control measures. (Excerpt from Caribbean Loop News)
The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) says it has de-rostered a sitting judge in Grenada after he had been charged with the indictable offence of “assault with a deadly instrument”.
In a statement, the ECSC, a superior court of record for the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), said that it had been recently made aware that Justice Shawn Innocent, a High Court Judge currently assigned to the Criminal
court in Grenada, had been charged on April 28 with the indictable offence.
“Following this charge, Justice Innocent was granted bail until his court appearance, where he is expected to respond to the allegations.
“In light of these circumstances, Justice Innocent has been temporarily de-rostered. To minimise the disruption of proceedings in the Criminal court in Grenada, another judge has been assigned to assume Justice
Innocent’s responsibilities, effective 1st June 2025,” the ECSC said. It said it is “approaching this matter with the utmost seriousness, being mindful of Justice Innocent’s fundamental rights under the Constitution, while reaffirming its dedication to upholding the rule of law and maintaining the integrity of the judiciary”.
Grenada media reported that the judge is to return to court on June 23. (Excerpt from Caribbean Loop News)
China and Colombia have signed a joint cooperation plan on the Belt and Road Initiative, state media said on Wednesday after their leaders met in Beijing.
Burgeoning commerce in recent years has helped grow Beijing's influence in Latin America and the Caribbean, a region of strategic significance for the United States.
China is Colombia's second largest trading partner after the United States, which it recently displaced as Colombia's largest source of imports. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Peru's Prime Minister resigns ahead of no-confidence vote
The prime minister of Peru, Gustavo Adrianzén, has resigned hours before he was due to face a no-confidence vote in Congress.
Members of Peru's Congress had called for the no-confidence vote after the recent kidnap and killing of 13 mine workers, which shocked the country.
Adrianzén's resignation is another blow to the embattled president, Dina Boluarte, who has seen her approval ratings
plummet as crime rates in the country have soared.
The resignation of the prime minister – the third to serve under Boluarte – forces the president to replace her entire cabinet, adding to Peru's political upheaval.
Under Peru's constitution, all ministers have to step down if the prime minister quits.
While the president can rename the same people to the posts they resigned from, she can only do so once a new
prime minister is in place.
The already low approval rating of President Boluarte – who was sworn in when the previous president, Pedro Castillo, was impeached – have fallen further as Peruvians grow increasingly impatient at what they say is her failure to tackle crime.
Boluarte has since tapped Eduardo Arana, the Andean nation's latest justice minister, to become prime minister.
(Sources: BBC News, Reuters)
Oil prices eased on Wednesday after government data showed U.S. crude oil stockpiles rose unexpectedly last week, prompting investor concerns of excess supplies.
Brent crude futures fell 40 cents, or around 0.6%, to $66.23 a barrel by 2:05 p.m. EDT (1805 GMT). U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude slipped 39 cents, or 0.61%, to $63.28.
Both benchmarks, which traded close to their highest in two weeks in the previous session, lifted by a temporary cut in U.S.-China tariffs, fell after data from the Energy Information Administration showed crude stockpiles rose by 3.5 million barrels to 441.8 million barrels last week.
Analysts in a Reuters poll had expected a 1.1 million-barrel draw.
Net U.S. crude imports (USOICI=ECI), opens new tab rose last week by 422,000 barrels per day, the EIA said.
API industry data also showed a large build of 4.3 million barrels in crude stocks last week, market sources said on Tuesday.
"Definitely, the crude build in the API numbers was not of help," UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said of Wednesday's oil price fall.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allied producers, known as OPEC+, has been increasing supply to the market.
On Wednesday, however, OPEC trimmed its forecast for growth in oil supply from the United States and other producers outside the wider OPEC+ group this year. (Reuters)
Trump's meeting with Sharaa, unthinkable just months ago, boosts Syrians' hopes
Donald Trump has said his administration is now exploring the possibility of normalising relations with Syria – his comments coming shortly after he met Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, whose forces ended the decades-long dictatorship of the Assad family.
The extraordinary encounter, unthinkable just months ago, was short but significant.
"I think he has got the potential," Trump remarked after his meeting in Riyadh, 37 minutes long, with the former Syrian fighter formerly linked to Al-Qaeda.
The $10m US bounty on his head was only lifted in December.
Video footage of their conversation in a lavish Saudi royal palace showed some initial awkwardness as they spoke through a translator.
A beaming Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammad bin Salman, sat next to them.
The Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan joined them by telephone.
Trump acknowledged it was these two leaders who
U.S. energy officials are reassessing the risk posed by Chinese-made devices that play a critical role in renewable energy infrastructure, after unexplained communication equipment was found inside some of them, two people familiar with the matter said.
Power inverters, which are predominantly produced in China, are used throughout the world to connect solar panels and wind turbines to electricity grids. They are also found in batteries, heat pumps and electric vehicle chargers. While inverters are
built to allow remote access for updates and maintenance, the utility companies that use them typically install firewalls to prevent direct communication back to China.
However, rogue communication devices not listed in product documents have been found in some Chinese solar power inverters by U.S experts who strip down equipment hooked up to grids to check for security issues, the two people said.
Over the past nine months, undocumented communication devices, including cellular radios, have also been found in
some batteries from multiple Chinese suppliers, one of them said.
Reuters was unable to determine how many solar power inverters and batteries they have looked at.
The rogue components provide additional, undocumented communication channels that could allow firewalls to be circumvented remotely, with potentially catastrophic consequences, the two people said.
Both declined to be named because they did not have permission to speak to the media.
Using the rogue communication devices to skirt
firewalls and switch off inverters remotely, or change their settings, could destabilise power grids, damage energy infrastructure, and trigger widespread blackouts, experts said.
The two people declined to name the Chinese manufacturers of the inverters and batteries with extra communication devices, nor say how many they had found in total.
The existence of the rogue devices has not previously been reported. The U.S. government has not publicly acknowledged the discoveries. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Kremlin declines to say if Putin will meet Ukraine’s
The Kremlin has again declined to say whether President Vladimir Putin will travel to Turkiye for planned negotiations with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, amid
growing international pressure on Moscow to hold direct talks and end its threeyear war.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday that
Moscow would disclose the makeup of its delegation to Turkiye once Putin gave the order.
The planned negotiations, expected to take place on Thursday in Istanbul,
Turkiye’s commercial hub, would be the first direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow since 2022, shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion of its neighbour. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
Poland said on Wednesday it had uncovered what could be an attempt to interfere in its presidential election campaign using advertisements on Facebook that may have been financed from abroad, an assertion the social media platform disputed.
had convinced him to also lift the US's punishing Syria sanctions.
His sudden announcement on Tuesday night at a major US-Saudi investment forum in Riyadh won him a standing ovation. It was a volte-face after his many previous posts on social media that the US had "no interest in Syria".
"Tough guy, very strong past," is how Trump later described Sharaa to journalists travelling with his high-powered American delegation on his first official four-day tour.
It was a very Trump gloss about Sharaa's old links to al-Qaeda. His Islamist group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), was al-Qaeda's affiliate in Syria until he severed ties in 2016. HTS is still designated as a terrorist organisation by the UN, US and UK.
Removing restrictions which cut Syria off from the international financial system will enable greater engagement by aid agencies and encourage foreign investment and trade. (Excerpt from BBC News)
European governments have been on high alert for signs of electoral interference since Romania cancelled an ongoing presiden-
tial election in December due to allegations of Russian interference, which Moscow denied.
"The NASK Disinformation Analysis Center has identified political ads on the Facebook platform that may be financed from abroad. The materials were displayed in Poland," said NASK, the national research institute dealing with cybersecurity.
"The advertising ac-
counts involved in the campaign spent more on political materials in the last 7 days than any election committee," a NASK statement said. It did not say which country the financing might have come from.
A spokesperson for Facebook's parent company Meta rejected the assertions of potential foreign meddling.
NASK said in a statement that Meta had blocked
the advertisements in question after the institute reported them. However, a Meta spokesperson told Reuters by email that it was not true the advertisements had been blocked.
NASK said in its statement it had informed Poland's Internal Security Agency and work was under way to determine the origin and financing of the advertisements. (Excerpt from Reuters)
At least 80 people have been killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza, hospitals and first responders say.
The Indonesian hospital said 22 children and 15 women were among 50 people who died when several homes in the northern Jabalia area were hit overnight. Nearby al-Awda hospital said it had received the bodies of another nine people, seven of them children.
The Israeli military said it struck Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad fighters in the north. It had warned residents of Jabalia and neighbouring areas to evacuate on Tuesday after rockets were launched into Israel.
It came as the UN's humanitarian chief urged members of the UN Security Council to take action to "prevent geno -
cide" in Gaza.
Speaking at a meeting in New York on Tuesday, Tom Fletcher accused Israel of "deliberately and
unashamedly imposing inhumane conditions on civilians".
He also called on Israel to lift its 10-week blockade on Gaza and criticised the Israeli-US plan to take over the distribution of humanitarian aid by using private companies, saying it was a "fig leaf for further violence and displacement" of Palestinians.
Israel's envoy to the UN, Danny Danon, said the accusations were "baseless and outrageous". He insisted the existing system for aid was "broken" because it was being used to help Hamas's war effort – an allegation both the UN and the armed group have denied. (Excerpt from BBC News)
Guyanese Romario Shepherd has re turned to India and will rejoin the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) squad for the re scheduled last leg of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Shepherd was accompa nied by the Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) West Indies duo of Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, and their men tor Dwayne Bravo.
Shepherd is part of West Indies’ One-Day International (ODI) squad for the series against England that starts on May 29, the day the IPL 2025 play-offs kick off. Cricket West Indies (CWI) is yet to clarify wheth er the England-bound West Indies players will be allowed to stay back in India to finish IPL duties.
England all-rounder Liam Livingstone has also linked up with RCB while Jacob Bethell has already re joined the team. Bethell is part of England’s white-ball squads for the home series against West Indies, while Livingstone has been dropped from both the ODI and T20 International sides. Bethell will be available for RCB’s next two fix-
tures – against KKR and Sunrisers Hyderabad – and fly home before the match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
RCB are on 16 points from 11 matches and look wellplaced to finish in the top four in the IPL 2025 points table and qualify for the play-offs.
Manchester United Manager Ruben Amorim says he has no intention of walking out on the club.
In the immediate aftermath of Sunday’s Premier League defeat by West Ham, Amorim said if he could not sort the club’s problems out heading into next season United should find someone who could.
That has been interpreted as the former Sporting boss beginning to realise he has taken on a job that might be beyond him.
However, in a Uefa briefing at Old Trafford arranged to preview the Europa League final against Tottenham on May 21, he said that was not the case.
“I’m far from quitting,” he said.
“I have a clear idea of what to do and I understand the problems of the team.
“Since I arrived here, I’m always talking about standards. I cannot see the team having these results, especially in the Premier League, and not say anything or take
timate round of fixtures in 16th place and are heading for their worst finish since the 1973-74 relegation campaign.
United have won four league games in 2025, three of which were against the teams who got relegated. Their only league victories since winning at Fulham on January 26 were against Ipswich and Leicester.
It could be argued a failure to beat Tottenham would at least provide more clear midweeks for Amorim to work with his squad next season.
The Coach does not view it that way at all.
As reported earlier, Bethell will be among the England players who will miss the play-offs. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) granted no-objection certificates (NOCs) to its players until May 25, the original date of the IPL 2025 final. As a result, Bethell was not named in England’s squad for the four-day Test match against Zimbabwe that starts May 29. There is also no clarity yet on the return of Josh Hazlewood and Lungi Ngidi. Hazlewood was likely to miss the remainder of the tournament because of a
shoulder niggle had the IPL not been suspended.
the responsibility.
“What I’m saying is that we need to perform or else they [the club’s hierarchy] will change us. That is normal.”
While Amorim has guided United to a European final for only the third time since 2011, his side have been terrible in the Premier League.
They go into the penul-
“I am not going to use that as an excuse,” he said. “That would be really bad.
“If we don’t win, it is going to be really tough, and the patience of the fans and you guys [the media] next year is going to be on the limit.
“We would have to be perfect to continue with everything – I know that. So, it’s not going to be better in that way.” (BBC Sport)
Ngidi made his RCB debut in place of Hazlewood on May 3 against Chennai Super Kings and is part of South Africa’s squad for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. The WTC final-bound South Africa players are likely to leave the IPL by May 25, meaning he will likely not be available for RCB’s last league-stage fixture against LSG.
Phil Salt, whose illness allowed Bethell to make his IPL debut, is set to be available for the remainder of IPL 2025. He is only part of England’s squad for the T20Is against West Indies that start on June 6, three days after the revised IPL final. (ESPNcricinfo)
he West Indies Women have slipped from seventh to ninth in the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s OneDay International (ODI) Team Rankings following the annual update released on Wednesday, but they will be hoping to climb back up the standings with a strong showing in their upcoming series against England.
The latest shuffle in the rankings sees the Caribbean side fall behind Bangladesh and Pakistan, after losing 10 rating points in the updated calculation, which now discounts matches played between October 2021 and April 2022, including the 2022 ICC Women’s World Cup. This update has particularly hurt teams like West Indies and South Africa, who had made the knockout stages of that tournament, but now see those performances dropped from the equation.
Despite the rankings dip, the West Indies will look at their series in England as a crucial opportunity to reassert their ODI credentials, especially as the countdown to major global events continues. A tidy performance on English soil could help them regain momentum and rebuild their position in the top tier of international women’s cricket.
“Going to England is a fantastic opportunity to play one of the best teams in the world for a long time and to really test our skills and put into practice what we’ve talked about off the pitch. The talk is cheap off the pitch; we’re going to put that talk into action and go out against England and play some good cricket,” West Indies Head Coach Shane Deitz said
ahead of the series.
“We’ve got the T20Is first, and that’s where we’ve played our better cricket in the past 12 to 18 months, so we’re looking forward to getting the tour off to a good start and play some good attacking cricket the West Indian way. It’s going to be an excellent tour for us to reestablish ourselves as a world-class team with worldclass players,” he added.
Meanwhile, Australia continue to dominate the women’s ODI landscape, holding a commanding 167 rating points, though their lead over second-placed England has narrowed slightly from 44 to 40 points. This change comes after the updated system shifted to weigh matches played between May 2022 and April 2024 at 50 per cent, and those played thereafter at 100 per cent, aligning with the men’s ranking cycle, which was previously updated in May.
Australia’s formidable results in the full-weightage period include sweeping series wins against India (both home and away); Bangladesh, and England, as
well as solid wins over South Africa, New Zealand, and West Indies.
England, sitting at 127 points, have made up some ground, thanks to a string of recent series wins — notably 3-0 and 2-1 victories over New Zealand, and 2-0 wins against Pakistan and Sri Lanka at home. They also managed tight 2-1 wins away to both Ireland and South Africa.
India remain in third, now only six points behind England, having delivered a series of dominant performances over the last two years. Their clean sweeps against Ireland, West Indies, and South Africa, and a 2-1 win over New Zealand, have solidified their top-three status.
South Africa, though still fifth, lost nine rating points in the reshuffle, reflecting a decline since their World Cup semi-final showing, while USA have been dropped from the table altogether after losing ODI status. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) are now eligible to enter the rankings once they complete eight official ODIs. (Sportsmax)
The second round of the Dakota 100 Endurance Championship is set for Sunday, May 18, at the South Dakota Circuit, Timehri.
It promises an exciting blend of speed, strategy, and stamina across a full day of racing action.
Hosted by the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMRSC), the event remains free for all fans, with racing beginning promptly at 11:00h.
Traditionally seen as an event for hardcore motorsport enthusiasts, the endurance race has long stood as a test of a driver’s focus, mechanical reliability, and pit strategy over extended periods.
The 100-lap feature, which lasts an average of two and a half hours, is the ultimate challenge in local circuit racing. But now, GMRSC is working to broaden its appeal.
“We want fans and aspiring competitors to come out
and see what endurance racing is all about,” the GMRSC stated.
“It’s not just about raw speed; you need discipline, teamwork, and pushing both driver and machine to their limits.”
The day begins with a 15-lap team bike race, featuring the best riders teaming up to conquer the circuit with speed and precision.
Adding to the excitement is a 20-lap sprint for the Vitz Cup Championship, the fastest-growing racing class
The One Guyana Under-21 National Inter-Club Knockout, Super-50 Tournament, which began last month, has officially been halted by inclement weather, a missive from the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) indicated on Wednesday.
There has been radio silence surrounding the tournament for the past two weeks, with frequent rainfall having its say. As such, the tournament’s standstill is of no surprise.
The GCB shared in its statement on Wednesday, “The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS), wishes to inform all, play in the ongoing One Guyana Under-21 National Inter-Club Knockout Tournament has been temporarily halted due to continuous rainfall across the country.
“The tournament officially began on April 8, 2025, with matches taking place across the counties of Essequibo, Demerara, and Berbice. It was for-
mally launched on March 12 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
“This tournament is part of the One Guyana initiative, it’ll give young players a chance to play competitive cricket, while aiming to bridge the gap from U19 cricket to the seniors game.
“When the tournament was launched, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Charles Ramson Jr, reaffirmed the Government’s strong support for sport development across Guyana.
“The Minister explained that the Government of Guyana, along with the National Sports Commission (NSC), was keen on supporting all sport activities. The then went on to encourage associations to build stronger partnerships with both the Ministry and the NSC to create a thriving sporting environment nationwide.
“GCB President Bissoondyal Singh hailed the MCYS for partnering with the GCB for this new but important age group cricket. The Under 21-age group cricket is part of the
Momentum is building to the first-ever Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) Independence T10 Cup on May 25, with Regal Stationery and Computer Centre confirming its support for the grand fundraising event.
Set to start at 10:00h and conclude under lights at the LBI Ground, East Coast Demerara, the competition promises scintillating cricket with top local players set to showcase their skills in the high-intensity format.
Regal Stationery and Computer Centre of 69 Seaforth Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, has pledged $150,000 to the initiative, further extending its benevolence to sport development and cricket in particular.
GCB’s five-year strategic development plan, which is actually in its fourth year since the Bissoondyal Singh-led administration took office in March of 2021.
“Here’s where the tournament stands right now:
“In Demerara, they’ve reached the semi-final stage. GCC will play DCC in one semi-final, and Transport will face East Bank in the other.
“Essequibo is in Round 2. The top two teams will go to the final.
“Berbice is still in Round 1, with a few teams already moving on to Round 2.
“The Guyana Cricket Board thanks all the players, clubs, coaches, officials, and supporters for sticking with us.
“Once the weather clears and grounds are deemed playable, matches will resume.
The GCB is actively exploring revised schedules and alternative venues where necessary, and we look forward to completing what has already been a very promising tournament.”
Sales Representative Anuradha Bahadur, moments before presenting the sponsorship cheque to DCB Secretary Davteerth Anandjit, pointed out that Regal Stationery and Computer Centre is always keen on being involved in activities that make a positive difference.
Proceeds from the Independence T10 Cup will be channelled into cricket development in Demerara, and Bahadur indicated that is something the company is pleased to be associated with.
Speaking on behalf of the DCB, Anandjit expressed immense gratitude to Regal Stationery and Computer Centre for embracing the Independence T10 Cup, noting that such partnerships with the corporate community were key to fostering the growth and development of cricket.
Regal Stationery and Computer Centre is the third corporate entity to align with the Independence T10 Cup, following in the footsteps of Office Express and Anil Beharry Real Estate, Construction and General Business Services.
Anandjit added that preparations were moving apace for a grand day of cricket and teams were excited to commence the battle for championship honours.
Eight First-Division teams from the county will compete for top honours, with the format being a one-game knockout.
Total cash prizes of $500,000 and trophies will be up for grabs at the oneday event.
While the teams will be represented by players within the respective associations, each team are allowed two guest players from other counties.
The champion team are guaranteed $250,000 cash plus trophy; the runners-up $150,000 and trophy, while the losing semi-finalists will be receive $50,000 each.
On the individual side,
It can only be described as absolute scenes at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex in St Vincent and the Grenadines on Sunday last, when Guyana went down to the wire against former champions Jamaica, to clinch their first Cricket West Indies (CWI) Women’s T20 Blaze title.
Making the win more emotional was the fact that Guyana had narrowly missed out on lifting the trophy last year and years prior, by mere points.
Now, with the coveted accolade in the team’s grasp, all-rounder Shenetta Grimmond, upon her return to Guyana, explained just how much the win means.
“To be honest, I don’t
even have words to describe that feeling. It means a lot to all of us, because we know that we have been going close to the line and we have been vexed with ourself for not crossing the line and finally getting to do it, it means a lot to us,” she told sport Journalists on Monday during an interview.
Grimmond went on to talk media operatives through the team’s decision-making process of trusting Nyia Latchman with the super over, also discussing her composure in the tense situation.
She explained, “At first, we were thinking who we gon bowl, but then everybody decide we gon give Latchman, because
Gearing up for its inaugural staging this August, the Precision Sports T-15 Women’s Cricket Tournament is already gaining traction with sponsors on board.
Hand-in-Hand Mutual Fire and Life Insurance is among the recent sponsors to join what will be a transformative event for Women’s Cricket in Guyana. It recently made a presentation to organiser Nidia Andrews.
The Precision Sports T-15 Women’s Cricket Tournament is set to take place at the LBI Community Centre Ground, East Coast Demerara (ECD) August 9-16, 2025.
According to organisers, this exciting event aims to elevate women’s cricket in the region by providing local players with invaluable
exposure, development opportunities, and the chance to showcase their skills on a bigger stage.
One of the key features of the tournament is the screening session that will bring together players from Essequibo, Demerara, and Berbice who will compete for a spot on a select team representing Guyana. By selecting the best talent from across the country, the tournament will be encouraging the development of local players.
Teams from Trinidad and Tobago will also be competing, offering a dynamic mix of regional talent. This cross-border participation is expected to raise the level of competition and help foster stronger cricketing ties between the Caribbean nations.
Precision Sports further explained that the prima-
ry aim of the T-15 Women’s Cricket Tournament was to create more playing opportunities for Guyanese women cricketers. With limited platforms for women’s cricket in the country, this tournament serves as a stepping stone for players to gain the exposure that they deserve. By offering a competitive environment, the tournament provides an opportunity to highlight the skill, dedication, and passion of women cricketers, which is often overshadowed in mainstream sports.
Furthermore, the event will drive the development of the women’s cricket scene in Guyana, nurturing young talent and offering a pathway to recognition and higher levels of competition. It’s a major step forward in building a sustainable cricketing culture for women in the country.
throughout the tournament, Latchman has been giving the batter a difficult time. So, we trust her to go out there and when she deliver the first ball and we see that the batter couldn’t move it, she tell us to relax and we finally do that and she keep on doing her thing. We just allow her to do what she do best.”
“That was pretty good, because Jamaica had a real kick-start and we, even
the main bowlers, were going for runs and Latchman was the only other bowler to come [up] on that end, we trust her and she believed in her skills. She executed well,” Grimmond further shared on Latchman’s needed breakthrough in the game. The all-rounder further expressed hopes that the win could not only positively impact women’s cricket in Guyana but result in more
support. “I’m just looking forward that more girls come out and we have more support from the board, play more matches, get more involved in female cricket. I’m just hoping for that, not just for myself but for the other females coming up,” Grimmond opined.
Guyana defeated Jamaica by five runs in a super over to claim the T20 Blaze title.
Just half of a point separated the top two finishers in the recently-concluded National Open Chess Qualifiers, but the duo shares a common goal.
The David Rose Special School was a hive of activity over the weekend as the last four rounds of the eightround competition continued; in order to determine the top nine players that will challenge reigning champion Candidate Master (CM) Taffin Khan for his title.
Former National Junior Champion Keron Sandiford, who won the qualifiers with 6.5 points, discussed how the competition went for him, expressing a hope to better his achievement of last year.
“For me, it’s been a better experience than last year, because last year I got like seventh. So, this year has been much better. I’ve been steadily improving, because we have stronger ju-
niors coming out to play, so it’s been lovely,” Sandiford shared.
He added, “Last year, I qualified for the Olympiad team; I didn’t have the best tournament and I just want to improve from that and maybe qualify next year ‘cause next year, if I qualify again, I want to better that performance. Experiencewise, I got beat very badly, so I want to improve myself.”
Meanwhile, 15-year-old Kyle Couchman also detailed his outing in the qualifiers, already planning for the National Championships.
Couchman told Guyana Times Sport, “Well, the first few rounds were manageable and as the tournament went on to rounds four, five and six, the competition got really tight and I did suffer a loss, I had a draw. Nevertheless, with enough consistency, I hope to secure a place in the champi-
onships.”
“As always, I’ll aim for first place, because that’s the only way I will perform at my best,” the teenager said about plans for next week’s National Championships. What is common between the two players is the intention to take down the National Champion, Khan who has won back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024.
Sandiford jokingly admitted, “He’s on the hit list, as we would say. I have his picture on a dart board and I stick my darts in it every morning. ‘Cause one day I want to beat him; everyone wants to beat him.”
On the other hand, Couchman disclosed, “I’m very keen to play him once again. This time I hope to perform better than I did last year.”
The National Open Chess Championships are scheduled to move off on Saturday, May 24.
