Guyana Times - Wednesday, December 31, 2025

President Ali hails women as trailblazers in Guyana’s development

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…says women creating massive opportunities in leadership

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 6321

THE BEACON OF TRUTH WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2025

Guyana remains proud member of Caricom, solid US partner in fight against crime – Pres Ali Page 3

PRICE $100 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Over $14.5B P17 disbursed in LCDS funds to 248 Amerindian villages in past 3 years

Businessman to face Judge, jury over P15 death of reputed wife P16 US-based Guyanese woman charged in death of 15-month-old son Vibrant displays of fresh fruits by the hardworking vendors of Parika Market in Region Three (Local Government Ministry photos)

Poultry farmer riddled with bullets in bed, Wismar operator gunned down High Court to rule Jan 5 on Mohameds' bid to block US extradition

Enmore labourer chopped during brawl with P11 neighbour

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Page 7

East Canje robbery

Teen among 3 to confess to killing Chinese national

Guyana emerging as Pedestrian killed Region’s food production by speeding motor powerhouse – Pres Ali car at Providence Page 5

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Roll-out of P16 revamped emergency medical services to start next year – Dr Anthony

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2025| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2025| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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Guyana remains proud member of Caricom, solid US partner in fight against crime – Pres Ali P resident Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday reaffirmed Guyana’s strong commitment to the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and multilateral diplomacy amid growing regional debate over security cooperation and concerns raised by some regional leaders about the bloc’s effectiveness. The President made the remarks during a live interview with journalists and students on Tuesday where he was asked to respond to comments attributed to Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister (PM) suggesting that Caricom is no longer a reliable partner and that the regional body is deteriorating, particularly in light of increased United States (US) security operations in the Caribbean Sea targeting gun and drug trafficking.

President Ali firmly rejected that assessment, emphasising that Guyana remains a proud and committed member of Caricom, noting that the organisation’s headquarters is located in Guyana. He said multilateralism and regionalism are central pillars of Guyana’s foreign policy and diplomatic engagement.

“Multilateralism is an important part of our diplomacy. Regionalism is an important part of our diplomacy in Guyana. And I think it’s unfair to say that and I will not speak for my colleagues, but let me say this.

Collectively, I went to many Caricom meetings where we express concerns about drug trafficking, gold smuggling and other forms of illicit activity within our region, utilising our maritime space and our airspace. There is no doubt that the entire Caricom spoke up against this, including gun smuggling. We all ask for action to be taken,” the Guyanese Leader lamented.

He made it clear that he personally supports every action taken to eradicate drug trafficking, terrorism, gun smuggling and gold smuggling within the region, stressing that such criminal activities undermine democracy, erode freedom, fuel corruption and destroy societies. The President underscored the human cost of transnational crime, pointing to the tens of thousands of lives lost, families displaced and communities damaged by criminal networks operating across borders. He said these realities must remain at the forefront of regional and international security cooperation.

President Dr Irfaan Ali

Solid and reliable partner

President Ali also reiterated that Guyana is a solid and reliable partner of the US and other international allies in the fight against organised crime, while maintaining that regional cooperation through Caricom remains essential to achieving sustainable security and development outcomes.

“This brings me to my personal position. I support completely every action taken to eradicate drug trafficking, terrorism, gold smuggling within this region. It undermines democracy. It undermines freedom. It supports corruption. It destroys societies…. so the US has a solid partner in Guyana in the fight against those forms of criminality,” he added.

Earlier this month, US Department of War officials

visited Guyana to meet with senior Government and defence leaders to strengthen and expand Guyana’s strategic partnership with the US. Senior Advisor to the Secretary of War Patrick Weaver and Acting Assistant Secretary of War Joseph Humire (Americas Security Affairs) conducted key engagements, including with President Dr Irfaan Ali and Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Omar Khan. In a release to the media, the US Embassy in Georgetown stated that discussions focused on US support for Guyana’s territorial integrity and collaboration to advance regional security and stability.

Combating drug trafficking

Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo has also affirmed Guyana’s support for

all efforts aimed at combating drug trafficking, even amid rising regional tensions involving Venezuela and the US. The VP made the remarks earlier this month during his weekly press conference when asked about the US’ expanded maritime operations in Caribbean international waters, including the interception of a tanker reportedly carrying a Venezuelan crew as part of what has been described as a “shadow fleet”.

He stressed that he is not aware of any plans by the US to take action against the Venezuelan Government, nor would Guyana necessarily be informed in advance if such actions were contemplated. He noted that Guyana has received firm assurances from the US regarding support for the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The VP cautioned against speculation however, saying that Guyana would not be privy to hypothetical military actions by another country.

Jagdeo reiterated that the presence of US assets in Guyanese waters and offshore areas is fully aligned with assurances given to the Government of Guyana regarding the protection of its territorial integrity. President Dr Irfaan Ali had previously also spoken about Guyana Government’s support of ongoing efforts to combat narcotics trafficking and other forms of smuggling in the region.

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2025

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Industrial Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Leadership, innovation, and responsibility

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uyana’s development trajectory is increasingly being defined by the leadership, vision, and determination of its women.

Remarks on Tuesday by President Dr Irfaan Ali underscore this reality, highlighting the transformative role women are playing across leadership, business, technology, agriculture, and other critical sectors. Their contributions are no longer peripheral; they are central to the nation’s progress.

Statistical evidence reflects that more than 70 per cent of university graduates in Guyana today are women, a figure that speaks to both educational access and shifting societal priorities. This is a structural change, demonstrating that women are not only entering traditionally male-dominated fields but are excelling within them. Initiatives such as the Pathway programme and part-time employment schemes have further expanded opportunities, particularly for women who previously lacked income-generating options. These initiatives have enabled women to become financially independent, acquire valuable skills, and gain confidence, creating a ripple effect that strengthens both families and communities.

Currently, 35 per cent of new farms are owned by women, reflecting deliberate policy measures that have facilitated their participation and leadership. Similarly, women are leading in home ownership, accessing housing loans and receiving house lots at higher rates than men. These developments indicate that women are taking on a larger share of both development and family responsibilities, demonstrating a commitment to societal advancement that goes beyond economic achievement.

President Ali’s observations also highlight a pressing societal challenge: men are, in many respects, lagging behind. He emphasised the need for deliberate steps to re-engage men and empower them to contribute more actively to society, drawing inspiration from the drive, discipline, and determination that women have exhibited. This call is both timely and necessary. Sustainable national development depends not solely on the success of women but on balanced participation, where men and women complement each other’s efforts to foster holistic growth.

Women’s leadership exemplifies responsibility, foresight, and resilience, as their growing role is not confined to professional achievement but encompasses broader contributions to family and societal welfare. The President’s acknowledgement of women’s dedication to managing both public and private responsibilities underscores a broader truth: development is not only about economic indicators but also about the strength and stability of families and communities. Women’s example provides a benchmark for societal expectations, encouraging a culture of accountability, commitment, and proactive engagement.

The discourse also brings attention to the universal challenge of balancing professional duties with personal life. President Ali candidly admitted to struggling with allocating time between national leadership and family responsibilities, emphasising that effective leadership carries inherent trade-offs. This transparency underscores a broader societal lesson: success requires not only ambition and skill but also the capacity to prioritise, support others, and adapt to competing demands. Women leaders across Guyana increasingly demonstrate these qualities, offering a model for both men and institutions to emulate.

Women’s empowerment must remain central to national development strategies. Continued investment in education, entrepreneurship, and access to economic resources will consolidate gains already achieved and ensure the momentum continues. Equally important is creating avenues for men to contribute constructively, fostering inclusive participation that maximises national potential.

Development is a shared responsibility, and the strength of Guyana’s future will be measured by how effectively all citizens engage in its advancement.

The narrative of women’s rising influence in Guyana is not merely a story of gender equality; it is a story of national transformation.

Women are architects of opportunity, driving innovation, and setting standards for societal responsibility. Their leadership challenges traditional norms, inspires policy, and shapes a more equitable, prosperous nation. Guyana’s progress is increasingly being written by women, whose vision, resilience, and commitment illuminate the path forward.

In embracing and expanding women’s contributions, Guyana is not only recognising talent and dedication but is actively ensuring that the nation’s development is inclusive, dynamic, and sustainable. The achievements of the past decade provide a blueprint for the future, demonstrating that when women lead, society thrives, innovation flourishes, and opportunity multiplies.

Shetland’s South Mainland Up Helly Aa Jarl squad raise their torches at the Meadows as they lead Edinburgh’s Hogmanay torchlight procession (Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/The Guardian)

Why courage will decide 2026

By Lisa Hanna

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hose who dare to risk, lead. Those who hesitate, follow. Those who cling to safety vanish from their own potential. Courage is the bridge between who we are and who we are meant to become.” – Lisa Hanna I wrote these words for friends and those closest to me and gave them as personalised cards this year. They were meant as a private message, not a public declaration. But the time we are entering makes them impossible to keep private, because what once felt personal is now structural.

You see, courage is often confused with bravado or recklessness, but it is neither.

It is quieter and more exacting than that. Courage is the disciplined decision to move forward without guarantees, to act when outcomes are uncertain and assurances are absent.

As we approach 2026, this distinction matters because we are entering a period that will not reward comfort, consensus, or waiting to be chosen. The world is recalibrating at a pace that leaves little room for hesitation, and those who advance will not necessarily be the loudest or the safest, but the most decisive.

Globally, the direction of travel is clear. Economic power is shifting, traditional alliances are thinning, and technology is compressing time, labour, and relevance.

Artificial intelligence, automation, and capital mobility are already reshaping how value is created and who benefits from it. The global economy is becoming faster, leaner, and less forgiving, and opportunity is concentrating around those who move early and adjust quickly.

In this environment, neither nations nor individuals are preserved out of fairness

or sentiment. They are either adaptive, or they are bypassed.

In such a landscape, courage is a practice. It is the repeated choice to assume responsibility, rather than outsourcing it; to act rather than posture; to participate rather than spectate. What we often describe as caution is, in many cases, our fear that has learnt how to sound reasonable. Over time, the difference becomes unmistakable, and one can tell true discernment as it results in movement and decision. Fear, disguised as caution, on the other hand, produces delay that repeats itself until it becomes a pattern.

This pattern is easier to recognise when we think back to childhood. Anyone who played Stucky remembers the posture: arms stretched out, waiting for someone to pull you free. Sometimes, no one came. That was not bad luck or cruelty; it was the group making a decision. The game did not stop. It moved on.

Some people grow up and never leave that posture. They remain with arms extended, waiting for life to slow down or someone else to intervene, convinced they are misunderstood. Meanwhile, others change teams, change games, and keep moving.

If you are still standing there with your arms out, the problem is not misunderstanding; it is misalignment. At some point waiting becomes staying, and staying carries a cost, because momentum gathers around those who move. Stillness does not attract rescue; it fades from relevance. This is not moral commentary. It is how systems work.

Moreover, this reality carries particular weight for Jamaica at this moment. In the wake of destruction in parts of the west, some argued that Christmas festivities in Kingston should be cancelled in solidarity with their pain.

The instinct was understandable but incomplete.

Grief deserves acknowledgement, yet livelihoods also depend on continuity. Work must continue, opportunity must circulate, and the show, at times, must go on. Recovery is not served by stillness alone, but by movement, by recognising that rebuilding often requires looking beyond where we stand to where possibility still exists.

As we look towards 2026, a hard truth becomes unavoidable: the world no longer pauses for the unready.

It does not slow down to convince the hesitant, and it does not intervene for those who refuse to decide.

Progress behaves the same way. Courage now looks like self-authorship, both individually and collectively. It means deciding before comfort arrives, acting before permission is granted, and accepting that clarity often follows movement rather than preceding it.

For Jamaica, this requires an honest reckoning with inefficiency, outdated approaches, and habits that no longer serve us. Pride without performance is fragile, and sovereignty without strategy is symbolic.

If Jamaica were to change one thing in 2026, it should be our comfort with systems that do not work as they should. We have normalised delays, inefficiency, and excuses, then wondered why productivity stalls. Courage from leadership would mean abandoning the safety of low expectations, setting standards, enforcing them, and demanding discipline and output across the public and private sectors alike.

No country advances on potential alone. It advances on consistent, productive work, and staying in the past will not make us competitive, just as staying offended will not make us prosperous or staying cautious will not make us relevant. Why? Because safety

does not build leaders; it creates dependence, and dependence is incompatible with the future we claim to want.

What makes this moment even more unforgiving is that the cost of inaction is no longer abstract. In a faster, more competitive world, falling behind does not announce itself with crisis; it happens quietly, through missed opportunities, declining influence, and the slow erosion of relevance.

When innovation passes you by, when talent leaves, when decisions are made elsewhere without your input, the loss is cumulative. Irrelevance does not arrive overnight; it is accumulated through repeated choices of familiarity over adaptation and comfort over courage. By the time the consequences are visible, the gap is no longer closing; it is widening.

Those who will shape 2026 will not be the most protected. They will be the most willing – willing to risk reputation, to move early, to correct course, and to walk away from stagnant rooms and outdated games. This applies to individuals and institutions as well as nations. Courage is the bridge, but it only matters if it is crossed.

No one pulls us free anymore. We pull ourselves. We choose movement over grievance, responsibility over excuse, and agency over nostalgia. And when that choice is made, something shifts. The moment we stop waiting to be saved, we become capable of leading. The moment we stop asking for sympathy and start insisting on excellence, our position in the world changes.

That is the choice before us. That is the work of 2026.

And, yes, it requires courage.

(Jamaica Observer) (Lisa Hanna is a former Member of Parliament, the People’s National Party spokesperson on foreign affairs and foreign trade, and a former Cabinet member)

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2025

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News

Guyana emerging as Region’s food production powerhouse – Pres Ali …says unforeseen shocks, natural disasters hindered 25 by 2025 target

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resident Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday said that the Caribbean Community’s (Caricom) Vision 2030 agenda is designed to ensure the region remains on track in strengthening food security, expanding agricultural production and incentivising investment, particularly capital investment in agriculture and food systems.

The President made the remarks during a live interview on Tuesday with five women Journalists and students, where he addressed concerns about regional food security targets and outlined Guyana’s growing role as an agricultural and food distribution hub for the Caribbean. President Ali rejected claims that regional targets had failed, noting that both Guyana and the wider Caribbean have been commended globally for their efforts to increase food production and strengthen food security. He explained that unforeseen shocks, including two major hurricanes and three storms, significantly disrupted agricultural output across the region, particularly in Jamaica, where much of the sector was almost wiped out, including major hatching egg production.

“But we also have to remember that a 25 by 2025 agenda came after the pandemic. And after the pan-

demic, tourism came back.

With tourism, I’m speaking about the region, comes higher demand. So of course, although the production increase, it did not increase at a pace at which tourism and other sectors started to reemerge after the pandemic. So this straight-line simplistic analysis by some lack depth. But that comes from the inexperience in policy making. And that comes from sometimes agenda that are skewed for a narrative,” the Guyanese Leader reminded. “For a matter of fact, if you look at all the reports, the Caribbean and Guyana have been commended globally for the efforts we have made on food security and increasing production, but we did not plan for two major hurricanes and three storms. The entire agriculture sector is almost wiped out in Jamaica. They contributed significantly to hatching eggs,” he added.

Tremendous strides

The Head of State stressed that despite these setbacks, the region has made tremendous strides and in many cases, surpassed its targets. However, vulnerabilities remain, especially in relation to natural disasters and financing.

According to the President, Vision 2030 is intended to ensure the policy environment continues to incentiv-

President Dr Irfaan Ali during a live interview with women Journalists and students on Tuesday

ise agriculture, food production and private investment, while supporting longterm resilience. President Ali pointed out that across Caricom, Government budgets have placed heavy emphasis on food production and agricultural expansion, which he described as a major success.

“So, the 2030 agenda is to ensure we stay on track, to ensure that the policy environment continue to incentivise agriculture and food production, incentivise investment, capital investment in agriculture and food production. And you have

seen in the budgetary allocation from every Government within the region, heavy focus has been on food production and agricultural expansion,” he said.

International investors

Turning to Guyana, President Ali highlighted major gains in poultry, livestock, egg, aquaculture, corn and soya production, noting that within two years Guyana is expected to begin exporting several of these products to the wider Caribbean. He also pointed to new investments in blackeyed peas and red beans,

alongside the opening up of new lands for agriculture through major drainage and irrigation works. He said Guyana is now attracting international investors interested in large-scale swine and livestock production, sugar refining, ethanol production, mega farms, hydroponic and vertical farming.

According to the President, this surge in interest is driven by strong public policy, a supportive investment ecosystem and confidence in the sector. President Ali also noted that lending to agriculture and food production has grown exponentially within Guyana’s banking system, reflecting increased confidence backed by infrastructure development, improved drainage and irrigation and targeted incentives.

Guyana-State of Roraima

On regional integration, the President said the Caricom region now views Guyana as a key production and distribution hub for food. He highlighted the Guyana-State of Roraima food security partnership as a major achievement, noting that Roraima’s large-scale agricultural capacity is being leveraged to create value-added and agri-processing opportunities in Guyana.

“It’s important that we have a partnership with a state like Roraima that

is huge in agriculture and their productive capacity is at a global scale. We are now leveraging that advantage to add value and create new wealth through agri-processing opportunities… We are now building out a cold storage facility to back that. We now have the food ecosystem that is being built out to support largescale processing, production, storage and distribution. So, we are building out the infrastructure. We’re talking about the airport at Lethem so we can export directly to the Caribbean.

Then we are looking at creating an agro-industrial hub in Lethem to bring raw produce, to add value, do all the packaging for the Caribbean and North American market. We are looking at similar hubs in Berbice, in Essequibo,” Ali disclosed.

These initiatives, the President explained, form part of an integrated strategy that links infrastructure development, technology, new agricultural lands and access to markets.

He expressed confidence that agriculture and tourism will emerge as two transformative pillars of Guyana’s economy over the next five years, stating that the scale of growth and investment in both sectors “will blow our minds.”

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2025

00:00 Movie - The Covenant (2023) 02:00 Movie - Kandahar (2023) 04:00 Movie - Little Crumb (1999) 06:00 Cartoons 07:00 Evening News (RB) 08:00 Nature Programme 09:00 Stop Suffering 10:00 Movie - Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) 13:10 Movie - Mohabbatein (2000) 17:00 The Young & The Restless 18:00 Anthony's Old Year Special 19:00 The Evening News 20:00 Stop Suffering 20:30 TVG Music Break 21:00 Superman and Lois S3 E13 22:00 Good Trouble S5 E7 23:00 The Office S9 E3 23:30 The Office S9 E4

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2025

Page

Foundation ◄

Probability is a measure of how likely something is to happen. You can represent probabilities using fractions, decimals or percentages.

The probability of something happening will lie between 0 and 1 or 0% and 100%.

The lower the probability, the less chance of that event happening.

The higher the probability, the more chance of that event happening.

If something has a probability of 0, then it is impossible, and if something has a probability of 1, then it is certain.

We use the notation P(event) to represent the probability of an event happening.

Probability scale The probability scale is a number line from 0 to 1 where you can place the probability of events occurring. Events can range from “impossible” to “certain”.

To understand the probability scale, you must be familiar with the positions of fractions and decimals on a number line between 0 and 1.

Probability

Here is the 0 to 1 number line split into decimals and fractions:

describe the probability can be positioned onto the probability scale.

In order to place events on a probability scale: 1. Calculate the probability of the event.

2. Identify the probabilities on the scale.

3. Indicate the probability of the event on the probability scale.

For example, let’s look at the probabilities of a few possible outcomes when a fair 6-sided die is rolled.

By Elder James Olson

Soul, plucking the many strings Of my limbs like puppets, make them dance, Dance, dance, in sombre joy, That after all the sullen play The old world falls, the new world forms.

A thought like music takes us now, So like, that every soul must move, Move in a most stately measure, And souls and bodies tread in time Till all the trembling towers fall down.

And now the stones arise again Till all the world is built anew And now in one accord like rhyme, And we who sound the midnight clock Hear the clock of morning chime.

[Source: Poetry (December 1948)]

An event which is impossible would be positioned at 0.

An event which is certain would be positioned at 1.

An event with an even chance of occurring or not occurring would be positioned at ½ or 0.5.

Events where different fractions, decimals or percentages can be used to

Materials •2 craft sticks/popsicle sticks •paper •1 disposable straw •2 rubber bands •scissors Instructions 1. Cut your paper so you have a strip that is the same length (long side) and width (short side) as the craft sticks.

These events are placed on the probability scale below:

2. Layer your craft sticks and paper so they resemble a stick and paper sandwich.

Then, wrap a rubber band tightly around one end.

3. Cut the straw to get two pieces with length the same as the craft stick's width.

You just finished telling your friends your New Year's resolution. They're staring at you dubiously.

now. Wrap the other rubber band around the open end, then slide your middle straw to the end you just closed.

6. You have completed your build! Now, just blow air in between the sticks and hear what happens.

4. Open the sticks and slide one of the straw pieces in between the sticks, with the paper on the bottom. Slide it all the way to the rubber band.

5. Then, slide the other straw piece to the middle, making sure the paper is on the top

vibration.

When something vibrates, it gives off sounds. Sometimes the vibration can be seen, but other times it cannot. When you blow air between the sticks, it causes the paper to vibrate. As the paper vibrates, the sound waves carry through the air to your ears and everyone else's! (childrenssciencecenter)

WHAT’S HAPPENING? Sound waves cannot be seen, and unlike light waves, they need a medium through which to travel (like air!). There are all kinds of sounds! High and low sounds, soft or loud sounds, soothing sounds, and harsh sounds are all different, but all sounds begin with a

WORD SEARCH

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2025| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

High Court to rule Jan 5 on Mohameds' bid to block US extradition C

hief Justice (acting) Navindra Singh on Tuesday indicated that he will deliver a ruling on the constitutional challenge to the Fugitive Offenders (Amendment) Act mounted by US-indicted businessmen Azruddin and Nazar Mohamed on Monday, January 5.

The Mohameds, who were sanctioned by the US, filed the application in the High Court in an attempt to block their extradition to the US to face money laundering, tax evasion, wire fraud and other charges before a Miami court.

Lawyers for the Mohameds, Attorneys-atLaw Siand Dhurjon, Damien Da Silva and Roysdale Forde, have argued that the provisions of the Fugitive Offenders (Amendment) Act, particularly the Authority to Proceed (ATP), which launched the extradition proceedings against the father and son duo, are unconstitutional, void and a nullity in law.

Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond, Attorney General Anil Nandlall, and Magistrate Judy Latchman, who is presiding over the substantive extradition case, were named as respondents in the proceedings.

The US-indicted businessmen are seeking the quashing of the authority to proceed by writ of certiorari as well as declarations from the court that Ministers Walrond and Nandlall can

have no role in the issuance of the authority to proceed. The Mohameds are also seeking orders of prohibition, barring the two Ministers from having any further role in their extradition, as well as a suspension of the extradition proceedings before Magistrate Latchman pending the outcome of the High Court proceedings.

The proceedings are scheduled to continue before Magistrate Latchman on January 6.

Meanwhile, this legal challenge mounted by the Mohameds was filed just days after Magistrate Latchman dismissed a constitutional application they

Azruddin and Nazar Mohamed at the High Court (NCN photos)

had filed to have their extradition case referred to the High Court.

Latchman had ruled that the arguments presented by the Mohameds’ attorneys had already been settled by Guyana’s higher courts and did not warrant further consideration at the magistracy level. She described the defence’s application as both “frivolous and vexatious” and characterised it as “an abuse of the process” in her December 10 decision.

Speaking with reporters following the court proceed-

that the Fugitive Offenders (Amendment) Act provides mechanisms through which the magistrate’s ruling in extradition cases can be appealed.

“The law itself, that is to say, the Fugitive Offenders Act, which governs extradition in Guyana, has in it a very elaborate and comprehensive system by which a person who is aggrieved by a decision in the extradition proceedings can challenge that decision. So, after the magistrate rules, for example, there is a right to

ings on Tuesday, the attorney general described the challenge brought by the Mohameds as nothing more than a delaying tactic.

“In my view, no serious issues have been raised…

We got to go through the arguments, though [but] I believe this is part and parcel of the expressed intent of one of the applications, Azruddin Mohamed, to delay this matter… I don’t think that they will succeed.

Extradition law is quite settled; it’s a straightforward area of law now. There are complicated extradition cases. This is certainly not one of them,” Nandlall contended.

He further highlighted

challenge the magistrate’s decision in the High Court, and then there’s a right to appeal that decision to the Court of Appeal, and every time the challenge is made, the law says that proceedings are stayed until those challenges are heard and determined,” he explained.

“The point that I’m making is that the extradition law itself, the Fugitive Offenders Act, has in it, built-in mechanism that provides a comprehensive regime of safeguards and due process for persons who are affected by extradition proceedings. And there is no need, therefore, for these collateral excursions and challenges to be filed in the

High Court and elsewhere.

They are intended, I think, to delay, and hopefully they will not succeed,” he added.

The extradition of Mohameds is being sought under the Guyana–United Kingdom extradition treaty, which continues to operate in Guyana pursuant to Section 4(1)(a) of

the Fugitive Offenders Act, Cap. 10:04, as amended by Act No. 10 of 2024. The extradition request was formally submitted by the US Government on October 30, 2025.

Indicted by US grand jury

The father-son duo have been indicted by a grand

jury in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida on 11 criminal charges ranging from wire fraud and mail fraud to money laundering, primarily connected to the export of gold to the US by their company, Mohamed’s Enterprises.

If convicted, most charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and fines of up to US$250,000, while the money laundering charge carries a fine of US$500,000 or the value of the laundered property.

The indictment follows sanctions imposed over a year ago by the US Government on the Mohameds, their businesses and the then Home Affairs Ministry Permanent Secretary (PS) Mae Thomas in relation to the same allegations.

The sanctions are related to the evasion of taxes on gold exports, with the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) noting that between 2019 and 2023, Mohamed’s Enterprise omitted more than 10,000 kilograms of gold from import and export declarations and avoided paying more than US$50 million in duty taxes to the Government of Guyana.

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2025| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Prognosticating…

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…2026

s we look towards the new year (not “capitalised” New Year! – THAT, we know, is gonna be a mega blast!!) We can expect a budget presentation since the VP said it’s gonna be an early one!! As your Eyewitness’ been stressing over the years, budgets are basically the Government’s income and expenditure for the given year. But budgets aren’t just about spending money for spending’s sake… The money’s supposed to be spent for a purpose. The said purpose being outlined in the party’s manifesto that was put out just before the general elections to solemnise what the party promises to do OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS!! We can see it like a contract we put our signature to when we placed that “X” on the ballot paper and dropped it into that box!!

So what’s the question on most folks’ minds when they think about the 2026 budget?? After being disappointed over what they presumed was gonna be a Christmas bonus, your Eyewitness figures they’re gonna expect a new cash grant for sure!! And whether we like it or not, with the Govt stressing we’re the fastest-growing economy in the world, the average citizen pretty much figures his income should be growing in line with that!! Fast!! So here we are at the start of Pressie’s second term, and shouldn’t we find out what they promised as far as income for citizens?

The Government might lower the tax threshold from the present $130,000 monthly – meaning that everything below this amount won’t be taken out from your pay cheque!! But the reality is even if the Govt raises that to $200,000, folks don’t really appreciate they’re getting more money!! The same with lowering taxes overall!!

They only feel better if their SALARY is raised – never mind that more is taken out in taxes!! Have you ever heard anyone boasting that their “take-home pay” has been increased?? No Siree Bob!! It’s all about how big – or small – their salary is.

But since we are in a private sector economy, there’s not much the Government can do about the salaries there. And for the Government workers, no matter what annual increase they get, it ain’t ever gonna be enough to “fill their eye”!! Even when the budget confirms the Wales Gas to Shore 300 MW generating plan will kick in next year to decrease light bills by 50 per cent – or that 8000 homes are gonna be built – that won’t cut it. So what’s the Government to do??

It’ll come down to general cash grants, increased schoolchildren “Because We Care” cash grants and a new transportation cash grant, disability grants, increased pensions and new transportation grants, etc.

The operative term is “cash grant”!! ...a thoughtful New Year’s Eve Now that your Eyewitness is getting on in years, he’s noticed he’s become a tad more thoughtful. Today, as he contemplated another New Year’s Eve, this poem, “On Ageing” by Maya Angelou, came to mind: “When you see me sitting quietly,/ Like a sack left on the shelf,/ Don’t think I need your chattering./ I’m listening to myself.

Hold! Stop! Don’t pity me!/ Hold! Stop your sympathy!

Understanding if you got it, / Otherwise I’ll do without it! / When my bones are stiff and aching, and my feet won’t climb the stair, / I will only ask one favour: don’t bring me no rocking chair. / When you see me walking, stumbling, / Don’t study and get it wrong. / ‘Cause tired don’t mean lazy / And every goodbye ain’t gone.

I’m the same person I was back then,/A little less hair, a little less chin,/A lot less lungs and much less wind. But ain’t I lucky I can still breathe in?”

Yep…it’s your same, ole (and humble) Eyewitness!! …big power politics Frenemies US and China are at it again!! While Exxon and CNOOC cooperate to get 86 per cent of our oil revenues – China’s holding military drills around Taiwan simulating the seizure and blockade of the island’s key areas, following an US$88B weapons deal!

The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2025| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

10 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2025| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

East Canje robbery

Teen among 3 to confess to killing Chinese national

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Detectives at the crime scene

olice say three males, including a 17-yearold, have admitted to their involvement in the killing of 61-yearold Chinese national Chen Yongping during a robbery at Cumberland, East Canje.

In an official statement, Police confirmed that the suspects, two 29-yearold men from the Fort Ordinance Housing Scheme and the 17-year-old from Bun Bush Dam, Canje, were arrested, cautioned and interviewed, during which they admitted to their roles in the robbery that resulted in Chen’s death.

The incident occurred on Monday, December 22, 2025, at about 05:00h, shortly after Chen and

his 32-year-old son returned home from the Port Mourant Market, where they had gone to purchase cassava for their small chip-manufacturing business.

Police said the men were attacked shortly after driving into their yard.

Both were robbed of cash and cellular phones valued at more than $1 million.

They were rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital, where Chen later succumbed to his injuries. His son was treated and later discharged.

According to the Police, the suspects remain in custody as investigations continue. Video-recorded interviews were conducted

as part of the probe, and charges are expected to be laid after legal advice is obtained.

While Police have not released operational details of the crime, Guyana Times understands that investigators have since pieced together how the robbery was planned and carried out.

Information obtained indicates that the robbery was allegedly planned the day before it was executed.

The 17-year-old was reportedly contacted by the two older men and invited to take part in the plan.

It is understood that on the morning of the attack, shortly after 05:30h, the teenager was picked up and later taken near the vic-

tims’ home at Cumberland.

He was allegedly instructed to remain some distance away to act as a lookout while the two older suspects entered the yard.

After the robbery, the suspects are said to have regrouped and left the area in a vehicle. The teenager was later dropped off at his home and reportedly received a share of the stolen money.

It is further understood that he later destroyed the clothing he had worn during the incident by burning it beneath the Canje Bridge. Additionally, one of the suspects allegedly disposed of a cellular phone by throwing it from a moving vehicle while travelling toward Georgetown, fearing it could be traced.

The killing has sent shockwaves through the East Canje community, where Chen was known as a hard-working businessman who operated a small agro-processing venture from his home. Residents have since renewed calls for increased Police patrols and stronger crime-prevention measures in the area.

The three remain in custody as detectives continue their investigations.

Pedestrian killed by speeding motor car at Providence

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hirty-eight yearold Leslyn Cupidore of Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was killed by a speeding car in the wee hours of Tuesday along the Providence Public Road.

Based on reports received, the motor car bearing registration number PAM 8305, driven by a 33-yearold male from North Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was proceeding along the roadway at a high speed when he collided with the pedes-

trian, who was crossing the road at the time.

As a result of the impact, Cupidore sustained bodily injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by doctors and emergency medical technicians attached to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

A breathalyser test conducted on the driver proved that he was under the influence of alcohol but below the prescribed limit. The driver remains in custody as investigations continue.

Linden youth arrested after driving off with Nissan X-Trail

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27-year-old man was arrested for allegedly stealing a black 2017 Nissan X-Trail motor vehicle bearing registration number PWW 2165, belonging to a distillery company located in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Based on reports received, the incident occurred on Monday at about 19:30h in the vicinity of Green Heart Street, Mackenzie, Linden.

Preliminary reports stated that the driver parked the vehicle along the roadway and entered a

supermarket. Upon his return, he observed that the vehicle was missing and immediately reported the matter to the Mackenzie Police Station.

However, acting on information received, Police later observed the vehicle and intercepted it in the vicinity of Redwood Crescent, Mackenzie, Linden.

The driver was arrested and escorted to the Mackenzie Police Station, where he remains in custody. The Police were up late Monday evening reviewing CCTV footage.

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2025| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Poultry farmer riddled with bullets in bed, Wismar operator gunned down

Murdered: Ramdyhan

Dion

Shawn

head was found in the kitchen area of the house, while

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The house in which Ramyhan was killed

poultry farmer and bus driver of the Bamia-LindenSoesdyke Highway was riddled with bullets by an unknown person (or persons) while in bed early Tuesday morning. The deceased has been identified as 47-yearold Dion Shawn Ramdyhan, also called “Cookie”.

Based on reports received, the now-deceased man, along with a friend, 60-year-old Ernest Hall, also called “Badge”, was occupying a small house made of zinc and was a partner in a chicken and pig farm.

Hall told investigators that on Monday at about 19:00h, he secured the house and went to bed, using his mobile phone while Ramdyhan was lying in his own bed and looking at his phone as well. Hall fell asleep, leaving Ramdyhan still on his phone.

However, at about 02:30h, Hall stated that he was awakened by loud explosions and heard the deceased calling for help; soon

pool of blood. Upon inspection, eight gunshot wounds were found on his body, including one to the left upper abdomen, one to the left up-

The bullet holes in the zinc

after, he became motionless.

Hall raised the alarm and contacted the Police.

Upon arrival, the deceased was found lying on his right side on a bed in a

per arm, one to the left side of the upper back, two to the left buttocks, one to the right buttock, and two to the left thigh.

In addition, one war-

eight 9 mm spent shells were found on the ground outside of the house, and eight bullet holes were seen on the zinc close to the bed where the deceased was lying.

The body was taken to the G-Jetso Funeral Parlour as investigations continue.

Meanwhile, another man was gunned down on Tuesday in Region 10, at Wismar Linden.

Dead is Amar Jones, an operator of a wreck removal service.

Guyana Times understands that he came under attack from two gun-toting men on a motorcycle while plying his trade at Wismar.

Following the attack, the two men escaped. A man-

Murdered: Amar Jones

hunt has been launched to locate and arrest them.

Enmore labourer chopped during brawl with neighbour

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52-year-old labourer is now nursing a chop wound to his head following an altercation with a taxi driver on Sunday at Beezie, Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Police stated that the labourer and the taxi driver are neighbours, and on the day in question at about 00:30h, an argument broke out between them, which subsequently led to a physical altercation.

During the altercation, the 31-year-old taxi driver took away a cutlass that was in the possession of the now-injured man and dealt one blow to his head.

The injured man report-

edly collapsed a short distance away from the scene but was observed by ranks on mobile patrol, who immediately transported him to the Enmore Regional Hospital, where he was admitted in stable condition.

The suspect was later arrested after he turned up at the Enmore Police Station to report the incident. He was taken to the hospital for medical attention as investigations continue.

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2025| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS 13

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2025| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

President Ali hails women as trailblazers in Guyana’s development …says women creating massive opportunities in leadership

From left: Kiana Wilburg of Starting Point; Editor in Chief of Guyana Times, Tusika Martin; Guyana Chronicle’s Naomi Parris; News Room’s Vishani Ragobeer and Fareeza Haniff of Starting Point

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resident Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday praised the growing role of women in Guyana’s development, describing women as trailblazers who are creating “massive opportunities” across leadership, business, technology, agriculture and other key sectors. The President made the remarks during a live interview with five women Journalists and students while responding

to questions about women’s empowerment and the direction of national development over the next five years. He said the progress of women in Guyana is evident, noting that more than 70 per cent of university graduates in the country are women. “Women in this country are taking and creating massive opportunities in leadership, in business, in technology, in sports,” President Ali

said, adding that sustained Government investment has played a critical role in expanding access to education, employment and entrepreneurship for women.

“When you have more than 70 per cent of our graduates from university being women, it tells you the story,” he said.

He highlighted the impact of programmes such as the Pathway and parttime employment initia-

tives, explaining that many participants are women who previously lacked opportunities to earn an income. These programmes, he said, have helped women become financially independent, more confident and better skilled. The President also pointed to policy measures aimed at supporting women in agriculture, noting that 35 per cent of new farms are now owned by women.

According to President

Ali, women are also leading in home ownership, with more women accessing housing loans and receiving house lots than men. He described women as being more responsible in managing family and societal obligations, stating that they currently carry a greater share of the burden of development.

“Today, more women are taking housing loans than men. More women are being allocated house loss

than men. And I would say that women are being far more responsible than men in our society today. And that they are bearing far more of the burden of development, the burden of family than men in our society today. And I will go as far as to say that our men are lagging behind and we are disappointing the women of our country,” the Guyanese leader expressed.

TURN TO PAGE 14

14 NEWS Govt advances world-class health care in Reg 2 with commissioning of digital X-ray machine at Charity Hospital WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2025| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony and others at the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon

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he Government's vision of delivering world-class healthcare beyond Georgetown is steadily becoming a reality, as significant investments continue to transform regional health facilities across the country. This was underscored on Wednesday during the handing-over and commissioning ceremony of a modern digital X-ray machine at the Oscar Joseph District Hospital in Charity, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) where Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, highlighted the steady decentralisation of healthcare services and the expansion of advanced diagnostic and surgical capabilities along the Essequibo Coast. Dr Anthony noted that regional hospitals have evolved far beyond their former role as basic drugstore facilities, with sustained investments now ensuring that critical diagnostic services such as digital X-rays, ultrasound, mammography and CT scans are becoming accessible across multiple regions. He explained that this transformation is deliberate and ongoing, with the ultimate goal of ensuring equita-

ble healthcare access nationwide. "We should have these facilities across every region. So, think about moving from when it was just a drugstore hospital to now decentralising it in these different regions and this year we'll continue that process and we'll continue until we have mammography in every region," the Health Minister stated.

He explained that while digital X-ray and mammography services are often considered sufficient at regional hospitals, the Government has gone further to strengthen diagnostic capacity. According to Dr Anthony, the recent opening of the Lima Hospital marked a major milestone, with the addition of another digital X-ray, multiple ultrasound machines and plans to introduce mammography later this year. "For the first time on this coast, you also have a CT scan. So, people now don't have to go to Georgetown to get a CT scan. You can get them right here, and that has made a big improvement in the services that you're able to offer."

Dr Anthony explained that the availability of advanced diagnostic imaging

directly impacts the quality of surgical care, as accurate imaging allows doctors to make precise diagnoses before entering the operating theatre.

"That is why when you think about updating the

the doctor is going to do the surgery, they know exactly what is happening."

Turning his attention to the newly commissioned equipment at Oscar Joseph Hospital, the Minister highlighted that the digital

than older analogue machines. "This one you have is a GE X-ray, which is one of the top brands. When we cut the ribbon and demonstrate it, you will see how accurate it is, the kinds of images that it generates and all of this will help to improve services." He emphasised that digital X-rays offer major safety and efficiency advantages, noting that older machines exposed patients to higher radiation levels and often required repeat imaging.

"These types of X-rays use fewer rays and therefore they're less harmful. But the quality of the image is fantastic. And because it is placed on a computer, we can manipulate it. We don't necessarily have to call back the patient to do a second one."

Dr Anthony further revealed that the Ministry is now integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into diagnostic services, allowing X-rays to be analysed within seconds. "We are finally working with an AI system.

When the X-ray is generated, it goes seamlessly to the system and in 17 seconds it decides whether this X-ray is normal or ab-

The digital X-ray machine that was handed over to the Oscar Joseph District Hospital in Charity

kinds of surgeries that we can do here, it is because now you have the diagnostic imaging. So, the doctor is going to make the right diagnosis and when

X-ray machine is a General Electric (GE) unit-one of the top global brands-capable of producing highly accurate images while using significantly less radiation

normal. If it's abnormal, it gives you a tentative diagnosis," he said.

Using pneumonia as an example, Dr Anthony explained that the system

can identify not only the condition but its precise location within the lungs, further strengthening diagnostic accuracy.

Addressing lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, he disclosed that Lima Hospital is now capable of generating its own oxygen, with plans to bottle oxygen for distribution to health centres along the coast.

"During COVID, we had to scramble to get cylinders filled in Georgetown. Now, with the new hospitals, we are able to make oxygen on-site and very soon we'll also be able to bottle our own oxygen, reducing a lot of money that we are paying right now," he said.

He also announced that the hospital now has three modern surgical theatres, which will soon be equipped with laparoscopic towers to facilitate minimally invasive surgery.

"This is the same type of surgery that is available at the Georgetown hospital.

Now it's not big surgery, big cut. It's a small cut but the same surgery and within one or two days you're out and back to your business," Dr Anthony stated. The Health Minister stressed that these upgrades reflect the Government's broader healthcare agenda. "When the President talks about a world-class healthcare system, it is not just for Georgetown. It is for all over the country. And we have started experiencing that transformation right here on the coast," he said.

Dr Anthony also explained that extensive infrastructural work was required to support the sensitive equipment, including rewiring the facility, installing backup generators and placing the X-ray unit on a dedicated UPS system to ensure uninterrupted operation. "The whole ecosystem had to be put in place to make sure you get proper images and reliable service," he explained.

He assured that the commissioning at Oscar Joseph Hospital is just one of many to come, as the Government continues to roll out healthcare upgrades across the regions.

President Ali hails women as trailblazers...

FROM PAGE 13

Against this backdrop, he urged men to learn from the drive, discipline and determination demonstrated by women, stressing the need for deliberate action to re-engage and empower men, with women’s leadership playing a key role in that effort. “Women love confident men, strong men

who are living positive life.

And I think that we need to take a leaf out of the women’s books in Guyana and convert their drive, their passion, their enthusiasm in our own lives so that we can reignite that flame that is definitely missing in our society. And on the contrary to your question, we

have to take deliberate steps. We have to take deliberate steps to win back the men in our society,” he urged. Meanwhile, responding to a question on balancing leadership and family life, the President offered a personal reflection, admitting that he has struggled to allocate

enough time to his family.

“I must admit, first of all, because I believe that you have to admit your weakness, that I have not done a good enough job when it comes to managing time at the family level, because my son reminded me of that. And one of the stark reminders was he saw

me one Sunday going out in the fields. And he said to me, ‘Daddy, I never want to be a President’. And I said to him, ‘Why? Why would you say that?’ And he said to me, ‘You always have time for the people and are out with the people, and you don’t spend enough time with me’. So, I can be

a leader and tell you it’s all rosy, but I have to tell you the truth. So, whilst I have been able to give as much time as possible to the people, I believe I have not done a good enough job at managing the holistic allocation of time,” the Head of State admitted.

NEWS 15

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2025| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Ramsammy’s Businessman to face Judge, Ruminations jury for death of reputed wife

In 2026, Guyana positioned for transition to 1st-world services, infrastructure

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uminations wishes our sisters and brothers a happy New Year. We wish that 2026 will be a great year for Guyana and for all Guyanese. Our country is transitioning rapidly, and as proud as we are of the developments in 2025, we are eagerly looking forward to 2026.

For those of us who have been fortunate to visit different countries around the world during the Christmas season, the Dr Leslie Ramsammy decorations and the festivities in Georgetown and different parts of Guyana, including the Main Street Christmas Village and the Kingston Seawall Christmas Market, rank among the best in the world. Clearly, Christmas 2025 sets a new bar for Guyana. I believe that in CARICOM, there is nothing to match what Christmas 2025 in Guyana was. As 2026 arrives, Guyana has much to look forward to.

Throughout December President Irfaan Ali, VP Bharat Jagdeo, and Minister Ashni Singh have reminded Guyanese and the world that Guyana’s Natural Resource Fund (NRF) has more money in it to pay off our total national public debt and still have significant funding remaining. We should all be proud that Guyana stands today as one of only a handful of countries that has enough money in reserves to cover its total public debt. This astounding achievement seems impossible to many around the world because one of the many threats and crises that the world is dealing with is national public debt.

Global public debt reached a record high of about US$105 trillion in 2025 compared to about US$50 trillion in 2010. Although public debt in developing countries accounted for less than one-third of the total – about US$33 trillion – it has grown twice as fast in developing countries as in developed countries since 2010. While Latin America and the Caribbean have increased public debt 2.5 times more than in 2010, developed countries increased by 1.5 times.

The UN believes that public debt is a major problem impacting the abilities of countries around the world to deliver on their SDGs, leading to more than 65 per cent of the SDG targets being off-track for 2030.

Globally, 3.4 billion people (almost 50 per cent of the global population) live in countries where interest payments on their public debt are more than their total expenditure on health or education. A record 61 developing countries spend more than 10 per cent of their total revenues on interest on their public debt. Africa, for example, spends US$70 per capita on interest for their public debt, while spending only US$63 and US$44 per capita on education and health. In Latin America and the Caribbean, per capita spending on interest reached US$353, slightly below the $382 per capita on health and $403 on education.

Guyana’s per capita interest payment on debt servicing amounted to less than US$240 per capita, much less than the Latin America and Caribbean average. In contrast, its per capita expenditure on health is more than $US1200 and on education more than $1500. Overall, in a world where many countries’ public debt-to-GDP ratio is far above 100 per cent and where the majority of countries spend more than 10 per cent of their national revenues on debt servicing, Guyana’s public debtto-GDP ratio is under 20 per cent today, with a debt servicing of below four per cent of total revenues. Guyana stands as one of only a handful of countries that have enough money in just their NRF to simply pay off all their loans.

This is significant because Guyana can use most of its revenues for national development. This is now transforming Guyana. For example, in 2026, Guyana is looking to become a fully digitalised society. President Irfaan Ali stated that from passports to renewal of driver licences to banking and to patient care, Guyana’s bold digital transformation aims to make Government and services faster and more accessible. A key component to enable full digitalisation is for all citizens to obtain an e-ID card. That process has already begun. Already banks have started to allow online banking, and citizens can apply for passports in certain instances online.

Already, GPHC has gone online with medical records already transitioning from paper-based to electronic record-keeping. By the middle of 2026, most of the records at GPHC will be electronic. The Pathology Lab is already fully digitalised, utilising virtual reading of laboratory tests by pathologists in New York and other distant places.

The Minister of Health has announced that all public labs in Guyana will become connected to the electronic record system. By the end of 2026, Guyana expects that many public health institutions will move to electronic records. As a consequence, at GPHC, patients can begin to make appointments online, and some clinics are already utilising virtual patient visits.

But Guyana is also well on its way to transforming how Guyana looks through massive physical infrastructure projects. The recently commissioned Bharat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge already has transformed how Guyana looks. We can begin to see Guyana looking like a developed country. The Demerara Bridge already sees more than 50,000 vehicles crossing per day. With a new Wismar bridge soon to be commissioned, a new Berbice Bridge and a new Corentyne River Bridge, with new hospitals, particularly a new GPHC, new schools, new hotels, and with more than 40,000 new homes on their way, these should add to the total transformation of Guyana, and these should become visible as soon as 2026.

With Guyana’s first gas-to-energy plant set for commissioning in 2026, Guyana is set to reduce its fossil fuel use by almost 50 per cent in 2026. This and many other developmental projects consolidate Guyana’s exciting transition from a country with an infrastructure more like that of an LDC to an infrastructure that looks more like a developed country.

Happy New Year, Dr Leslie Ramsammy December 29, 2025 The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance

Attorney-at-Law Sanjeev Datadin Marlon Da Silva and his late reputed wife, Kenesha Vaughn

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arlon Da Silva, who was charged for the murder of his reputed wife, Kenesha Vaughn, was committed to stand trial in the High Court at the next criminal assizes. This was the ruling of Magistrate Dylon Bess at the Diamond Magistrate’s Court at the conclusion of the Preliminary Inquiry (PI).

Da Silva was charged with the murder of Vaughn on Sunday, February 23, 2025, at their Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) home.

During the proceedings on Tuesday, defence attorneys urged the court to commit Da Silva for manslaughter instead, contending that the evidence supports provocation and does not establish the intent required for a murder charge.

It is reported that the defence relied heavily on Da Silva’s unsworn statement and video footage tendered during the proceedings, arguing that the incident occurred during a sudden confrontation with no cooling-off

period.

The defence also argued that Guyanese law imposes no duty to retreat and asked the court to either discharge Da Silva on grounds of self-defence or commit him for manslaughter only.

However, Magistrate Bess ruled that key issues, including the number of shots fired, the reasonableness of Da Silva’s response, and whether provocation existed, are matters for a jury to determine. As a result, Da Silva was committed to stand trial for murder at the next sitting of the assizes.

Da Silva is represented by attorneys Glenn Hanoman, Sanjeev Datadin and Everton SinghLammy, while prosecutors Kiswana Jefford and Nigel Hughes appeared on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Speaking briefly in a telephone interview following the ruling, defence attorney Sanjeev Datadin confirmed that all final submissions had been made and the magistrate delivered his deci-

sion.

The decision follows an earlier ruling in November 2025, when the Diamond Magistrate’s Court dismissed a no-case submission filed by the defence. That application sought to have the charge dismissed on the basis that the prosecution had failed to establish sufficient evidence. Magistrate Bess overruled the submission, paving the way for final arguments and the eventual committal.

Da Silva, a businessman, is accused of fatally shooting Vaughn during an argument at their Diamond Housing Scheme home. The couple had been in a relationship for four years and had a three-year-old son.

It was reported that on the day in question, DaSilva arrived home and met the victim – who was at the time inside the kitchen – when a heated argument ensued between them. The argument turned into a physical altercation, resulting in the suspect slapping the now deceased woman.

In retaliation, the woman allegedly armed herself with a knife, and as she was approaching the suspect, he whipped out his firearm from his front pants waist and discharged several rounds in her direction, hitting her in several parts of her body.

She immediately fell to the ground and became motionless. After committing the alleged act, the suspect contacted the Police, who responded and rushed the victim to the Diamond Hospital, where she died.

It was reported that the argument allegedly stemmed from the victim confronting the businessman about several inappropriate text messages from a male friend. At the scene, four 9 mm spent shells and three suspected projectiles were recovered.

An inspection of the victim’s body revealed 12 injuries described as entry and exit wounds. Police also confirmed that the suspect was highly intoxicated and was earlier in the evening seen consuming alcohol at a popular drinking establishment on Main Street, Georgetown.

26 cases disposed of at Essequibo October 2025 Criminal Assizes

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he Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Chambers, on Tuesday reported that 26 criminal matters were disposed of during the Essequibo October 2025 Criminal Assizes, which commenced on October 28, 2025, with 65 cases listed for hearing.

According to statistics released as part of the DPP's year-end review, significant progress was made up to December 31, 2025, with several serious offences concluded before the High Court.

State Counsel II, Caressa Henry, while providing guidance and training to four newly appointed State Counsel – Fenton Budhram, Rodley Mathoo, Amya Manu, and Aleria Heywood – successfully completed 14 matters.

These included three murder trials, seven sexual

offence cases, two matters of attempted murder with alternative counts of felonious wounding, one manslaughter trial, and one charge of murder in furtherance of arson.

In two of the murder cases, the accused persons pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. One individual was sentenced to 20 years and 10 months' imprisonment, while the other received a sentence of 11 years and six months after the court took into account the guilty plea and other mitigating factors.

In another murder trial, the prosecution, following a review of the evidence and the availability of witnesses, offered no further evidence.

The presiding Judge subsequently directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty.

Of the seven sexual offence matters, three accused persons pleaded guilty and

are scheduled to be sentenced on January 20, 2026, following sentencing hearings. In three other matters, the complainants indicated that they did not wish to proceed with their testimony, resulting in directed verdicts of not guilty. One additional accused was acquitted after a jury trial.

In one of the two cases involving attempted murder with an alternative count of felonious wounding, the accused was found guilty of the alternative charge and sentenced to three years' imprisonment.

The court further ordered that the individual undergo alcohol rehabilitation and anger management programmes while incarcerated. The other matter was discontinued after the complainant declined to testify, leading to a formal not guilty verdict.

The lone manslaughter

trial concluded with the accused being acquitted by a jury. Meanwhile, in the matter of murder in furtherance of arson, the accused pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter and is also scheduled to be sentenced on January 20, 2026.

Additionally, 12 matters were discontinued by way of nolle prosequi. Of these, 11 were sexual offence cases, primarily due to complainants submitting written statements indicating their unwillingness to proceed or because they could not be located. In another manslaughter case, the High Court ordered that the charge and committal be quashed.

The Essequibo October 2025 Criminal Assizes will continue in January 2026 and are expected to conclude on February 17, 2026, ahead of the commencement of the February Assizes.

16 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2025| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Roll-out of revamped US-based Guyanese woman charged in death emergency medical services to start next year – Dr Anthony of 15-month-old son H

The home in Queens, where the mother lived with her 15-month-old son. She is now accused of murdering him (Roni Jacobson/New York Daily News)

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Queens mother has been arrested on murder charges in the death of her 15-monthold son after the baby was found dying in the family’s bathroom alongside his mother, who had slit her wrists in a suicide attempt, Police said on Tuesday.

Nicole Boodhai, 28, is charged with murder and endangering the welfare of a child. The NYPD spokesperson did not have informa-

tion on how the baby, who showed no obvious signs of trauma when he was discovered, was killed.

She and her son, little Charlie Ramraykha, were found inside the bloody bathroom when Police were called to the family’s South Jamaica home on 157th St near 109th Ave. Medics rushed mother and son to Jamaica Hospital, but little Charlie could not be saved. His

mother is recovering as she faces charges.

Police said the mother used a box cutter to slit her wrists.

The incident unsettled neighbours, including Fateema Masuma, 20, who lives two doors away.

Masuma said Charlie lived with his father and sister in addition to his mother, who hails from Guyana. (NY Morning Sun)

ealth Ministry Dr Frank Anthony has disclosed that as early as next year, elements of the revamped Emergency Medical Services will start to be rolled out, as the Government works with New York-based Northwell Health to streamline and modernise this critical aspect of the healthcare sector.

In a video posted on the Health Ministry’s social media page, Dr Anthony noted that “starting from early next year, you will see us start introducing elements of this, and over the next couple of years, the system will be fully built out, and you will have a new emergency medical service that will be run by a semi-autonomous authority.”

In September, the Guyana Government signed an agreement with Northwell Health to overhaul and manage the Emergency Medical Services over the next three years, while the country builds local capacity.

The plan includes the establishment of a national ambulance authority that will oversee the co-ordination to cover emergency dispatch via land, sea and air.

That authority is likely to be set up at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, formerly the Oceanview Hotel.

Elaborating on the initiative, Anthony explained that the partnership will result in all ambulances being updated and standardised and all Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) being appropriately trained.

“All of the ambulances will be equipped with various things to keep people alive while they transport them, maybe from the site of an accident to the hospital,” the Health Minister said.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

In addition, he said the pact will see Northwell Health working to improve the standards of dispatch and ensuring that worldclass protocols are developed and followed.

The Government is also looking at establishing a cen-

abling two-way, real-time communication between patients and healthcare providers in different locations, supported by audio-visual technology and integrated medical devices. The initiative targets hinterland and riverine communities, aim-

tral telemedicine centre at the Oceanview facility. The telemedicine programme is one of the initiatives that Guyana has been collaborating with Northwell Health, which is a non-profit integrated healthcare service that is considered New York’s largest healthcare provider, on to modernise the local healthcare sector.

Back in 2022, Guyana inked a five-year medical partnership with Northwell to, among other things, enhance care, train physicians, address health disparities, assess hinterland regions, and strengthen the secondary-care system.

Since then, the telemedicine programme has been expanded and now operates across 81 sites, thus en-

ing to improve patient outcomes and emergency response capabilities.

Northwell Health is among several United States-based medical institutions that the Guyana Government has been collaborating with, another being Mount Sinai Hospital, to enhance the delivery of its healthcare services.

Already, six new stateof-the-art regional hospitals have been constructed across Guyana at Diamond, Enmore, Bath, Number 75 Village, De Kinderen, and Lima as part of efforts to deliver high-quality healthcare to citizens.

Additionally, all healthcare facilities across all ten administrative regions are being upgraded.

NEWS

17

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2025| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Over $14.5B disbursed in LCDS funds to 248 Amerindian villages in past 3 years M

ore than $14.5 billion has been disbursed to 248 Amerindian villages over the past three years through Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), according to Minister of Amerindian Affairs Sarah BrowneShadeek.

Speaking during a live broadcast on Tuesday, the Minister said the funding represents recognition of the role Indigenous communities play in protecting one of the world’s most important forest ecosystems. She explained that following the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic Government’s return to office in August 2020, the LCDS initiative – originally launched in 2009 – was expanded to ensure greater and more direct benefits to Amerindian villages.

Browne-Shadeek disclosed that disbursements from carbon credit earnings under the LCDS amounted to 15 per cent, 26.5 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively, over the last three years, bringing total allocations to $14.5 billion. These funds, she noted, are being used to support sustainable live-

lihoods, strengthen climate resilience and advance village-led development, while preserving the environment for future generations.

“Total disbursement to date is $14.5 billion for the past three years, with a disbursement of 15 per cent, 26.5 per cent, and 20 per cent, respectively, from the carbon credit earnings under the low-carbon development strategy, now benefiting 248 Amerindian villages. We remain committed to ensuring that these resources support sustainable livelihoods, climate resilience, and village-led development, while preserving the environment for future generations.

Recognising that education is one of the most powerful tools for transformation, the Government is expanding access to quality education in Hinterland villages, including improved school facilities, trained teachers and learning resources, strengthening scholarship programmes, student dormitories, and transportation to ensure that geography does not determine destiny,” the Minister said.

Amerindian Affairs Minister Sarah Browne-Shadeek

Direct financial resources

In addition to LCDS funding, Amerindian villages continue to receive direct financial resources through Presidential grants and allocations from the national budget. Between 2020 and 2025, the Government invested $2.168 billion under the Presidential Grant Programme, reflecting a 128 per cent increase since 2020.

During this period, 253 villages with a combined population of 107,622 benefited from community-driven projects.

Browne-Shadeek stressed that a key feature of the programme is that villages decide for themselves how the funds are used.

“253 villages with a total population of 107,622 benefited from projects under the Presidential grant.

But what is important, and what this Government strongly supports, is that villages decide for themselves how these resources are used. Whether it’s in agriculture, ecotourism, small business development, craft production, or food security

projects, we trust our people to chart their own path.

We continue to invest in training, entrepreneurship, and skills development, especially for Indigenous youth, because economic independence is key to longterm resilience,” she added.

The Minister further revealed that from 2020 to 2025, a total of $11.7 billion was invested in village and community projects through the Amerindian Development Fund. These projects were implemented by villages, satellite communities and settlements, focusing on priority areas such as agriculture and food security, infrastructure, women and youth development, tourism and hospitality, and land and water transportation.

She reaffirmed that Indigenous peoples have always been the guardians of Guyana’s forests and are now direct beneficiaries of carbon credit revenues under the LCDS. “These funds are not charity,” BrowneShadeek said, emphasising that they represent rightful compensation for stewardship of the environment and a pathway to sustain-

able, self-determined development.

In 2023, the Government signed a multi-year agreement worth US$750 million with global energy giant Hess Corporation, facilitating the sale of $2.5 million in carbon credits to that corporation annually.

Those credits are generated by preserving Guyana’s vast rainforests, which serve as critical carbon sinks in the global fight against climate change. This pioneering approach has garnered international acclaim and positioned Guyana as a leader in sustainable development.

The first payment of US$150 million was received in 2023, and US$22.5 million thereof was disbursed to over 242 Amerindian, hinterland, rural and riverine communities and villages.

Population size was a key determining factor in the Government’s methodology for the distribution of money earned from this sale of carbon credits, and as a result, funds disbursed to recipient communities ranged from $10 million to $35 million.

2 years after devastating fire

New space secured for over 160 displaced Parika Market vendors

F

ollowing a devastating fire caused by welding sparks that ignited explosive materials and left more than 160 registered vendors without stalls, the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry has successfully designated a new trading space for the vendors.

After the destructive blaze, vendors were forced to ply their trade along surrounding roadways, resulting in increased congestion and safety concerns.

To address the situation, consultations were held on December 3 between the affected vendors and Minister Priya Manickchand, and a solution was derived.

Speaking on the move, Manickchand acknowledged that the vendors’ previous

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Priya Manickchand interacting with Parika Market vendors

situation was uncomfortable, noting that they were exposed to difficult conditions, including flooding at times, which further underscored the need for an urgent and sustainable solution.

“The Parika vendors who vended alongside the road and have done that for many years, who were themselves uncomfortable because they’d be flooded out often, they were exposed to weather, they were obstructing traffic and free flow of traffic, and pedestrians who were coming off the boat and going onto the boat, and you know it was fairly bad.”

The Minister expressed how pleased she was with the collaboration of the vendors with the ministry to move their stalls from alongside

the roadway.

“We had an agreement with the vendors of the Parika market, who vended alongside the road and have done that for many years, who were uncomfortable because they’d be flooded out often.”

In fact, she mentioned that they were even exposed to harsh weather conditions, and they were even obstructing traffic and free flow for pedestrians who were coming off nearby sea vessels. “[These situations were] fairly bad and so we had an agreement that the vendors would move into the market on or before midnight of the 29.”

The relocation is intended to reduce roadway congestion, improve traffic flow,

enhance public safety, and create a more organised and accessible trading environment for both vendors and customers.

Manickchand also stated that the redevelopment of this market serves as a blueprint for other markets across Guyana.

No vending on road

While welcoming the provision of the new space, the Minister made it clear that vendors who continue to operate along the roadway will be removed, as trading on the road will no longer be permitted.

“Any new person who believes that that’s a free space you can vend in, please know now that that’s not going to be allowed either by the vendors

here or by authorities… So I’m glad that we have showed [that] together vendors, market committee, NBC, regional chairman and the regional authority, Ministry of Local Government, the Government of Guyana can all cooperate to make sure that we are working together for the good of Guyana, and this is a beautiful model.”

In November, President Dr Irfaan Ali announced an aggressive and wide-ranging plan to upgrade and transform areas across the country, with heavy emphasis on rehabilitating market facilities, strengthening local market management, modernising landfill sites and expanding recreational spaces in urban and suburban communities.

President Ali noted that the Government has already commenced major improvement works aimed at enhancing governance, service delivery and community involvement.

The president emphasised that work has commenced across the country, focusing on landfill sites, markets, beautification, citizen inclusion, and involvement in development and improvement in governance and service delivery at the NDC level. He noted that these initial areas will be pursued vigorously.

In Guyana, the local Government is made up of 80 Local Government Organs (LGO), comprising 70 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and 10 municipalities.

18

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2025

guyanatimesgy.com

Regional

J’ca: Women playing Honduras' presidential runnermore dominant role up Nasralla challenges loss in human trafficking

C

hildren’s Advocate and National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, Diahann Gordon Harrison, says that women are gradually assuming a more dominant role in human trafficking.

She noted that while men are predominantly identified as the main perpetrators, women are “appearing as traffickers themselves or as very significant players within the human-trafficking syndicate or organisation”.

“They assist with the recruitment and so on. They assist with the orientation as to what the new recruits must do if they are going to

have this business operate and bring in the profit. So, we see that women are really using their nurturing side for a not-so-good purpose,” she said.

Gordon Harrison was delivering the 22nd Annual George Liele Lecture held recently at the Mamby Park Baptist Church in Kingston.

Information from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) indicates that, globally, about 40 per cent of people convicted for human trafficking are women, which is a much higher rate of female participation than in most other forms of organised crime.

They are involved in ownership, management, recruitment, housing and monitoring victims, collecting money, and forging travel documents.

While women and girls remain the majority of victims, particularly in sexual exploitation, traffickers often use women for recruitment because they are perceived as more trustworthy.

Gordon Harrison, in highlighting the scourge of human trafficking, said it is the largest growing form of organised crime in the world, with illegal activities amounting to approximately US$150 billion. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

H

o n d u r a n Presidential candidate Salvador Nasralla has formally challenged the results of the country's recent election, the latest twist in a closely contested race that was beset by delays, technical problems and fraud allegations.

Nasralla finished second to conservative candidate Nasry Asfura, who was backed by US President Donald Trump and was declared the winner on Christmas Eve, more than three weeks after the November 30 election.

Less than one per cent of votes separated the two candidates, according to the National Electoral Council, Honduras' electoral authority.

Salvador Nasralla, presidential candidate of the Liberal Party, gives a message after the Central American electoral body declared Nasry Asfura the winner of the presidential election

Nasralla's legal team filed an appeal with Honduras' Electoral Justice Tribunal on Monday, prompting the tribunal to issue a resolution late on Monday evening calling for

additional documentation before it decides whether to admit the challenge.

Asfura's party has denied Nasralla's accusations of fraud. (Excerpt from Reuters)

ing in the United States, with additional honours in Mexico, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas.

A pioneer of hand-painted clothing in Haiti and a leading figure in women-led entrepreneurship, she built a career that bridged art, education, and public service.

In 2009, she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a form of bone cancer, and relocated to Florida to receive treatment. She continued to create even while in rehabilitation centres, demonstrating a resilience that became central to how many remem-

bered her. In 2014, she embraced a renewed spiritual path and was baptised at the Tabernacle de Gloire, local media reported.

Following news of her passing, tributes poured in across social media, with fans, former students, and fellow artists sharing memories of Leconte’s generosity, discipline, and creative vision. Many described her as a mentor who opened doors, encouraged young talent, and proved that Haitian art and fashion could thrive on the global stage. (Excerpt from The Haitian Times)

Trump says US hit drug dock Haitian fashion designer in Venezuela; PM Kamla directs Murielle Leconte dies at 66 questions to US Embassy

P

rime Minister (PM) Kamla PersadBissessar has made it clear that Trinidad and Tobago is not part of any military operations against Venezuela and is directing all questions about what appears to be the United States’ first strike on Venezuelan soil to the US Embassy.

“Any questions regarding this are best directed to the US Embassy. Trinidad and Tobago is NOT a participant in any military operations within Venezuelan territory,” Persad-Bissessar

told Guardian Media via WhatsApp yesterday.

The PM was responding to questions related to international news reports yesterday, which quoted US President Donald Trump as saying the US had “hit” a dock facility along a shore in Venezuela, as he continued to wage his pressure campaign against the Nicolás Maduro regime.

Trump initially seemed to confirm a strike in what appeared to be an impromptu radio interview last Friday, and when questioned by reporters yester-

day about “an explosion in Venezuela”, he confirmed the strike.

While the Venezuelan Government had not officially reacted to President Trump’s claims of a strike on land up to last evening, Venezuelan news media reported on it.

According to Venezuelan daily newspaper El Nacional, President Trump also said yesterday that he had spoken “very recently” with President Maduro, but that the conversation was not fruitful. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

M

urielle Leconte, the Haitian designer and cultural entrepreneur, died on December 28 in Florida after a long battle with cancer. She was 66.

Leconte founded Murielle Créations on December 8, 1990 – on her birthday – specialising in hand-painted apparel, decorative objects and fashion accessories. Her work blended textiles, glass, ceramics, handbags and haute couture, all crafted by hand. Over the years, her creations earned many international awards, includ-

Oil tankers still arriving in Venezuela despite US blockade, data shows

US issues Iran-Venezuela sanctions over alleged drone trade A

T

he United States has issued sanctions against a Venezuelan company over accusations that it helped acquire Iranian-designed drones as Washington’s tensions with both Tehran and Caracas escalate.

The penalties on Tuesday targeted Empresa Aeronautica Nacional SA (EANSA), a Venezuelan firm that the US Department of the Treasury said “maintains and oversees the assembly of” drones from Iran’s Qods Aviation Industries, which is already under sanctions

by Washington.

The department also sanctioned the company’s chairman, Jose Jesus Urdaneta Gonzalez, accusing him of coordinat-

ing “with members and representatives of the Venezuelan and Iranian armed forces on the production of UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles] in Venezuela”.

“Treasury is holding Iran and Venezuela accountable for their aggressive and reckless proliferation of deadly weapons around the world,” Treasury official John Hurley said in a statement.

“We will continue to take swift action to deprive those who enable Iran’s military-industrial complex access to the US financial system,” he said. The sanctions freeze any assets of the targeted firms and individuals in the US and make it generally illegal for American citizens to engage in financial transactions with them.

The Trump Administration has also taken a confrontational approach towards Venezuela.

Trump and some of his top aides have falsely suggested that Venezuela’s oil belongs to the US. Washington has also accused Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, without evidence, of leading a drug trafficking organisation.

Over the past month, the US also has seized at least two oil tankers off the coast of Venezuela after Trump announced a naval blockade against the country.

Venezuela has rejected the US moves as “piracy” and accused the Trump administration of seeking to topple Maduro’s Government. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

t least two oil tankers have made their way to Venezuela in recent days, and others are navigating towards the country, a sign of state-run oil and natural gas company PDVSA's effort to expand floating storage and keep selling crude even as a US blockade has reduced exports to a minimum.

US President Donald Trump this month announced a blockade of all sanctioned vessels going in or out of Venezuelan waters as part of a strategy to pressure Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The US move has cut oil exports this month to about half of their November level.

The US has seized two fully loaded cargoes of Venezuelan oil, and its ships are patrolling the Caribbean Sea. The pressure has scared many vessel owners, prompting re-routings and U-turns.

Only a fraction of ships have kept on course to the

The Guinea-flagged oil tanker MT Bandra, which is under sanctions, is partially seen alongside another vessel at El Palito terminal, near Puerto Cabello

OPEC country.

Some tanker owners have insisted. At least two ships under sanctions have arrived in Venezuela over the last few days, and two more that are not under sanctions are approaching its coast, according to monitoring service TankerTrackers.com.

As part of swaps and arrangements made since the country was first placed under US energy sanctions in 2019, Maduro's administration pays for a long list of purchases and services with

oil, including debt service to China.

The two vessels approaching Venezuela are part of a fleet used by China and Venezuela to pay debt service with crude bound for Chinese ports. It was unclear whether China will press for a US waiver to secure delivery of those cargoes.

PDVSA did not reply to a request for comment.

Venezuela's oil Ministry and Maduro have said oil exports will continue.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2025

19

Around the World

US kills 2 in strike on alleged drug OILNEWS OIL NEWS boat in eastern Pacific, military says

T Oil flat as Russia-Ukraine peace hopes fade, Yemen tensions rise

O

il was steady after a choppy session on Tuesday as investors weighed dented hopes of a Russia-Ukraine peace deal and rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East around Yemen.

Brent crude futures for February delivery, which expire on Tuesday, settled down two cents, or 0.03 per cent, at US$61.92 a barrel.

US West Texas Intermediate crude settled down 13 cents, or 0.22 per cent, at US$57.95.

On Monday, both benchmarks settled more than two per cent higher as Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes against Yemen and after Moscow accused Kyiv of targeting a Russian Presidential residence, denting hopes of a peace deal.

"This latest stumbling block could see a risk premium return to the commodity, keeping prices in no man’s land," said Tudor, Pickering Holt analyst Matt Portillo in a note on Tuesday of the purported attack on Russian President Vladimir Putin's home.

Russia has said it will toughen its position in peace talks after accusing Kyiv of attacking the residence, an allegation that Kyiv dismissed as baseless and designed to undermine peace negotiations.

"The peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine could be delayed further, which is supportive to prices," said Dennis Kissler, senior vice President of trading at BOK Financial, adding that the actual effect on crude exports remains minimal.

The ongoing US blockade of Venezuelan oil and suspension of Caspian CPC Blend exports because of poor weather supported prices on Tuesday, said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo. (Excerpt from Reuters)

he US military said it launched another strike Monday on a vessel allegedly carrying drugs in the eastern Pacific, killing two people.

US Southern Command claimed in a post on X that the vessel was "operated by Designated Terrorist Organisations in international waters." The military didn't say which organisation, but the Trump administration has categorised several Latin American drug cartels as terror groups.

"Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting

A screengrab of the post on X from the US Southern Command account

along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Two male narco-terrorists were killed," Southern Command said.

Trump hopes to reach phase 2 of Gaza ceasefire "very quickly"

US NATO envoy casts doubt on Russian claim that D Ukraine attacked Putin’s residence

U

S Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker cast doubt on Tuesday on Russia’s accusation that Ukraine attacked President Vladimir Putin’s residence, saying he wants to see US intelligence on the incident.

"It is unclear whether it actually happened," Whitaker told Fox Business "Varney & Co." in an interview about an alleged incident which Ukraine has denied.

"It seems to me a little indelicate to be this close to a peace deal, with Ukraine really wanting to get a peace deal done, and then to do something that would be viewed as reckless or not helpful," he said.

Russia said on Monday that Ukraine had attacked a Presidential residence in the Novgorod region with 91 long-range attack drones. It said it would retaliate and that its negotiating stance would toughen in the talks.

Ukraine called Russia's accusations "lies" aimed at

justifying more attacks on Ukraine, and its foreign minister said on Tuesday that Russia had not provided any evidence "because there's none."

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Putin told him in a phone call that Ukraine tried to attack the residence. Trump said he was "very angry" about it. Asked if there was evidence of such an attack, Trump said, "We'll find out."

The White House declined further comment on the alleged incident, while officials from the US intelligence community have been close-lipped about the incident. The CIA declined to comment.

"We're going to get to the bottom of the intelligence. And for me, the most important thing is what the United States and our allies' intelligence services say about whether or not this attack actually happened," Whitaker said.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

ducting boat strikes on September 2, which the administration has justified by arguing the US is in a "non-international armed conflict" with cartels.

The strikes have drawn pushback from congressional Democrats and a handful of Republicans who argue the operations haven't been authorised by Congress and the administration hasn't provided sufficient evidence that the vessels were carrying drugs.

(Excerpt from CBS News)

Search for MH370 resumes 12 years after it vanished with 239 person on board

“Hell to pay” if Hamas doesn't disarm, Trump says

onald Trump said he hoped to reach phase two of the Gaza peace plan "very quickly", as he warned Hamas would have "hell to pay" if it did not disarm soon.

The US President, whose 20-point peace plan requires the militant group to disarm, made the comments as he met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida for talks on Monday.

During a press conference with Netanyahu after their meeting, Trump said Israel had "lived up to the plan 100 per cent", despite continuing attacks by its military in Gaza.

The US President also said his country could support another major strike

The US military has hit at least 30 alleged drug vessels in the region since early September, killing 107 people – part of a monthslong campaign of boat strikes near Latin America.

President Trump has argued that boat strikes have been effective at quelling drug trafficking in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean Sea, but critics have questioned the President's legal authority to carry out the strikes.

The military began con-

on Iran were it to resume rebuilding its ballistic missile or nuclear weapons programmes.

In response to Trump's threat, Iran's supreme leader's top political adviser, Ali Shamkhani, said on X that any aggression towards Iran would be met with an "immediate harsh response".

Asked how quickly Hamas and Israel should move to phase two of the peace plan, Trump said, "As quickly as we can. But there has to be disarmament."

Speaking about Hamas, he said, "If they don't disarm as they agreed to do – they agreed to it – then there will be hell to pay for them.” (Excerpt from BBC News)

A

lmost 12 years after Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 vanished over the Indian Ocean with 239 people on board, the search for the Boeing 777's wreckage was scheduled to resume Tuesday in the Indian Ocean – supported by the latest advancements in deep-sea, self-guided drone technology.

MH370 took off from Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur, shortly after midnight on March 8, 2014. It should have been a routine, roughly six-hour flight north to Beijing.

About 40 minutes later, the aircraft's transponder switched off, which made it disappear from civilian air traffic control monitors.

Military radar, however, picked up the plane banking sharply west, back over the Malay Peninsula and

out over the third largest body of water in the world, the vast Indian Ocean.

The initial search for the aircraft covered more than 46,000 square miles off the coast of Western Australia, an area larger than the state of Virginia.

But using drift analysis, incorporating data on the history of ocean currents and winds, the people in charge of the search have now narrowed down the area of highest probability for success to around 5800 square miles.

British-American deepsea robotics company Ocean Infinity has not revealed the location of the new search, but it hopes to finally solve the tragic mystery by deploying a fleet of the world's most advanced underwater drones.

(Excerpt from CBS News)

1st female Bangladeshi Prime Minister dies aged 80

K

haleda Zia, the first female Prime Minister (PM) of Bangladesh whose long rivalry with Sheikh Hasina defined the country’s politics for a generation, has died aged 80.

Zia was one of the most significant and divisive political figures in the country since Bangladesh's independence 50 years ago.

Her death was announced on Tuesday morning by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

She first came to power in 1991, remaining in office until 1996, and then served a brief second stint. However, the opposition boycotted the election result, and Zia was then toppled by Hasina, who remained her arch political nemesis for the next 30 years.

As Zia and Hasina alternated in the PM’s office over the past three decades, they stayed locked in a fierce political rivalry. Zia’s 2001 regime was mired in accusations of corruption, and after

Hasina took power again in 2009, she was slapped with multiple cases.

In 2018, Zia was found guilty and jailed on corruption charges for 10 years.

Her party said the charges were politically motivated to weaken the opposition, accusations denied by the Hasina Government.

Zia remained under house arrest for years, while her health began to deteriorate. But after the fall of Hasina during a mass uprising in 2024, she was freed

from years of house arrest.

In January, Zia was allowed to travel abroad for medical treatment after Hasina’s Government rejected requests at least 18 times.

After her death was announced, interim PM Muhammad Yunus released a statement, calling her a “symbol of the democratic movement”.

Zia is expected to be buried on Wednesday in Dhaka, alongside her husband. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

20

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2025

guyanatimesgy.com

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

(March 21-April 19)

Take a unique approach to personal money management, and you'll find a way to make your dollars stretch. Don't trust someone else to handle your finances or possessions.

(April 20-May 20)

Do what you enjoy doing most, and you'll gain momentum and insight into how you want to spend your time. Home improvements offer adequate space to pursue your dreams.

PICKLES

Explore new possibilities. Visit places of interest and consider making a move if it justifies the means. Listen to your heart, not to what others try to lead you to believe.

(May 21-June 20)

Don't put off what requires your attention now. The sooner you put your chores behind you, the better you will feel. Change will make room for a new adventure.

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

(July 23-Aug. 22)

Check your motives before you engage in something questionable. An opportunity will turn into a lesson if you aren't specific regarding what you are willing to contribute.

You can have fun if you mix and mingle today and if you don't make promises you'll regret. Stick to the basics and map out your game plan with precision and detail.

CALVIN AND HOBBES (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Stick close to home, protect what you've worked so hard to achieve and put your energy into tying up loose ends. Avoid traps, review information and take ample time to respond.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Consider your options and embrace what you find most appealing. Personal and professional partnerships can improve if you communicate openly and honestly regarding what you are willing to contribute.

Be sure to stick to what's feasible. Be diligent and inquisitive when an offer seems too good to be true. Ask questions and opt out if you sense a hidden agenda or cost.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Set standards that will carry you where you want to go. Life choices begin with you and your ability to make things happen. Let desire lead the way.

LAST PUBLISHED WORD – MEDLAR

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Make your surroundings more inviting or user-friendly. How you organize and set up workstations for projects will affect your productivity. Stick to your plans and budget.

Don't neglect or underestimate the extent of a job or project. If you take something on or make a promise, fulfillment will be necessary to protect your reputation.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2025

21

Harmanpreet leads the way as India complete 5-0 sweep over SL

Shafali Verma won Player of the Series

Harmanpreet Kaur celebrates her half-century

I

ndia completed a dominant series sweep over Sri Lanka, clinching the fifth and final T20 International (T20I) in Thiruvananthapuram by 15 runs. Posting 175 for 7 thanks to a commanding 68 from Harmanpreet Kaur, India's bowlers then restricted Sri Lanka to 160 for 7 despite fighting half-centuries from Hasini Perera and Imesha Dulani, sealing a comprehensive victory.

During the course of the match, Deepti Sharma became the leading wicket-taker in women's T20Is with 152 scalps, surpassing Australia's Megan Schutt.

This was India's third 5-0 sweep in T20Is, following similar clean sweeps against

the West Indies in 2019 and Bangladesh in 2024. India and England are the only teams with three whitewashes of five-match series in women's T20Is.

Sri Lanka strike early with the ball

Unlike the fourth match, when India raced to 61 without loss in the powerplay, Sri Lanka struck early on Tuesday despite little help for spinners from the pitch.

Shafali Verma, coming off a hat-trick of half-centuries, was dismissed for five by left-arm spinner Nimisha Meepage once again, from around the wicket, lofting a catch to long-on. Debutant G Kamalini, who replaced Smriti Mandhana, was

trapped lbw after mistiming a sweep off Kavisha Dilhari's first ball. With 40 for 2, India posted their lowest powerplay score in this series.

Soon after, number three, Harleen Deol, was bowled

by Rashmika Sewwandi.

Two overs later, Richa Ghosh nicked one behind off Chamari Athapaththu's offspin, leaving India 64 for 4 in the ninth over. Athapaththu struck again soon after, deceiving Deepti with her pace and flight as the left-hander top-edged a sweep to short fine leg, reducing India to 77 for 5.

Harmanpreet takes off

Harmanpreet arrived with India at 24 for 2 in the fifth over and anchored the

innings even as wickets fell around her, steering India to a competitive total. The India Captain combined caution with intent to bring up her first T20I fifty since October 2024, reaching the milestone in 35 balls after moving from 10 off 9 with a flurry of boundaries.

She dominated the key contest against left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera, scoring 31 off 17 balls, including four fours and a six, with 94 per cent control. It was a well-paced innings, marked by smart footwork against spin, as she took the game deep and scored all around the ground. Her innings ended with Dilhari's clever arm ball that produced an inside edge and rattled the stumps.

India were 142 for 7 in the 18th over.

India's lower order steps up

India's untested lower order played a key role in turning a modest total into a competitive one. Amanjot Kaur added stability, scoring 21 off 18 balls and putting on a 61-run partnership with Harmanpreet for the fifth wicket, helping the innings regain momentum after regular wickets fell.

After her dismissal, Arundhati Reddy – promoted ahead of Sneh Rana – launched a late assault, hitting four fours and a six off 11 balls for an unbeaten 27, guiding India to 175 for 7. The team scored 32 runs in the final two overs.

Perera, Dulhani fifties in vain

Hasini Perera scores a half-century

With Athapaththu gone in the second over, Perera and Dulhani faced a daunting task. Dulhani, coming in at number three again ahead of Harshitha Samarawickrama,

played a confident innings, coming down the track and sweeping as needed, hitting five boundaries inside the powerplay. Perera rotated the strike well, keeping the scoreboard ticking. Aided by the dew, their 79-run second-wicket stand was broken in the 12th over when Amanjot dismissed Dulhani for 50 with her first ball.

Perera carried on, moving from 32 off 23 balls to register her maiden 38-ball fifty in her 89th T20I. Having debuted in 2014 and shuffled around

aaa

the order, she opened this series for the first time in three years. When the equation came down to 55 off 24 balls, Perera struck a four and a six off Shree Charani before being yorked. Her 42-ball 65 included eight fours and a six.

When Sri Lanka needed 44 off 20 balls, India fought back hard. The visitors lost their key batters at the death, collapsing from 132 for 4 to 140 for 7, eventually falling short and remaining winless in India. (ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

India Women (20 ovs maximum) Shafali Vermac Dulani b Meepage 5 Gunalan Kamalini lbw b Dilhari 1 Harleen Deol b Sewwandi 13 Harmanpreet Kaur (c) b Dilhari 68 Richa Ghosh†c† Kaushini Nuthyangana b Athapaththu 5 Deepti Sharma c Meepage b Athapaththu 7 Amanjot Kaur c Dilhari b Sewwandi 21 Arundhati Reddy not out 27 Sneh Rana not out 8 Extras (nb 1, w 8) 9 Total 20 Ov (RR: 8.75) 175/7 Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Shafali Verma, 1.1 ov), 2-27 (Gunalan Kamalini,4.1ov),3-41 (Harleen Deol,6.2ov),4-64(Richa Ghosh, 8.3 ov), 5-77 (Deepti Sharma,10.4ov),6-138 (AmanjotKaur,16.5 ov),7-142 (Harmanpreet Kaur,17.4 ov) Bowling O-M-R-W Malki Madara 4-0-37-0 Nimasha Meepage 3-0-25-1 Kavisha Dilhari 2-0-11-2 Inoka Ranaweera 4-0-39-0 Rashmika Sewwandi 4-0-42-2 Chamari Athapaththu3-0-21-2

Sri Lanka Women (T: 176 runs from 20 ovs) Hasini Perera b Shree Charani 65 Chamari Athapaththu (c) c Sharma b Reddy 2 Imesha Dulani c Shafali Verma b AB Kaur 50 NilakshikaSilva lbw b Sharma3 Kavisha Dilhari b Vaishnavi Sharma 5 Harshitha Samarawickrama c Deol b Rana 8 Kaushini Nuthyangana † run out (H Kaur/Rana) 1 Rashmika Sewwandi not out 14 Malki Madara not out 5 Extras (b 4, w 3) 7 Total 20 Ov (RR: 8.00) 160/7 Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Chamari Athapaththu,1.5ov),2-86 (Imesha Dulani,11.1ov),3-100 (NilakshikaSilva,13.3ov), 4-107(KavishaDilhari,14.3 o v ) , 5 - 1 3 2 ( H a s i n i Pe re ra , 16.4ov),6-140(Kaushini Nuthyangana,17.4ov),7-140 (Harshitha Samarawickrama, 17.5 ov) Bowling O-M-R-W Deepti Sharma 4-0-28-1 Arundhati Reddy 2-0-16-1 Sneh Rana 4-0-31-1 Vaishnavi Sharma 4-0-33-1 Shree Charani 4-0-31-1 Amanjot Kaur 2-0-17-1

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2025

Upper Demerara Football Association's/Banks DIH Futsal

Botafago FC, Capital FC advance CLASSIFIED ADS to final after contrasting victories B

Caption: Evin Lewis and $5+VAT wordteamRashid Khanperwere mates at St Kitts & Nevis Patriots last season

Call: 223-7230-1

otafago Football Club (FC) and Capital FC secured contrasting wins as they set the stage for an East versus West final in the Upper Demerara Football Association's fourth Banks DIH futsal Christmas tournament, scheduled for Thursday evening in Linden.

Botafago crushed Blueberry Hill United 7-3, while Capital FC overcame Topp XX 3-2, and they now face each other for the top $1

Ext 19

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Topp XX and Capital FC in an action-packed game

million prize at stake.

Malachi Todd and Donovan Francis were double scorers in that victory for Botafago, who, after a 4-2 first-half lead, romped home winners 7-3, with single strikes from Jamal Haynes, Sherwin Caesar, and Shane Haynes.

For the losers, Roydell Arthur, Shaka Lewis, and Rydell Arthur each had one goal.

The second semi-final was more competitive, with

Botafago FC scorers

BUS SERVICE Scorers for Capital FC: Devonte Tappin and Emmanuel Atkins

Capital FC reaching the final after a struggle with Topp XX to emerge victorious by a 3-2 score-line.

Devonte Tappin led the way for the victorious Capital FC side with their first goal, while Emmanuel Atkins and Orlanzo Thorman contributed the second and third goals.

Topp XX's top shooter was Ryan Arthur, who netted a brace.

On New Year's night, the final between Botafago and Capital FC will be preceded by the third-place playoff match between the losing semi-finalists Topp XX and Blueberry Hill United.

Holder becomes ultimate wicket-taking machine in T20s

W

est Indies allrounder Jason Holder has capped off an incredible 2025 by becoming the highest wickettaker in T20 cricket in a single calendar year. He broke the long-standing record of Afghanistan's spin sensation Rashid Khan.

Holder, 34, achieved the milestone during the ILT20 2025 season in Dubai, picking up two wickets for 24 runs for the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders against the Gulf Giants.

That spell took Holder's tally for the year to 97 wickets in 69 matches, surpassing Khan's previous record of 96 wickets set in 2018.

The former West Indies Captain led from the front in the match, guiding the Knight Riders to a 32-run win, pushing them above the Giants into fourth place on the points

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Jason Holder

table.

What makes Holder's achievement even more impressive is that he took these wickets while playing for five different franchise teams across global T20 leagues, in addition to representing the West Indies side.

Holder has also become a specialist in death overs. Out

Noor Ahmad this year's second-placed bowler

of his 97 wickets this year, 45 came in the death overs, more than any other T20 player. His previous best was 59 wickets in 43 matches in 2022, meaning he increased his success rate by over 64 per cent.

Holder's all-round ability makes him a highly soughtafter player in franchise cricket. This was clear at the Indian Premier League (IPL)

2026 auction, where Gujarat Titans bought him for seven crores (US$779,769), far above his base price of INR two crores (US$222,791), after a bidding war with Chennai Super Kings.

This year, Holder topped the charts for picking the most wickets in T20s. Noor Ahmad is placed second with 85 wickets, followed by Hasan

Ali and Haris Rauf at 71 and 66 wickets, respectively.

Khan, meanwhile, had an off year marred by injuries, as he registered just 63 wickets in 55 T20 games. (cricket.one) Most wickets in a calendar year in T20s: Jason Holder – 97 wickets (2025) Rashid Khan – 96 wickets (2018) DJ Bravo – 87 wickets (2016) Noor Ahmad – 85 wickets (2025)

Roach is highest-ranked WI Test player on ICC rankings

V

eteran bowler Kemar Roach is the highestranked West Indian player in Test cricket. He climbed to 18th after his impressive performance in the opening Test, dropping two spots to 20th, and is one ahead of the injured Shamar Joseph, who did not take part in the New Zealand series.

Jayden Seales slipped one spot to 25th, while the inactive Alzarri Joseph and spinner Jomel Warrican maintained their rankings at 31st and 32nd, respectively.

Gudakesh Motie did not move from 65th, while Roston Chase dropped nine spots to 67th. Justin Greaves was the lone West Indies bowler to rise

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WI fast bowler Kemar Roach

in the rankings, moving up 12 spots to 80th.

There are no West Indies batsmen in the top 50 of the International Cricket

Council's Test batting rankings, following their disappointing performances in the recentlyconcluded Test series against New Zealand.

Shai Hope, the lone West Indies player previously ranked in the top 50, has fallen 11 places to 60th and is the highest-ranked batsman from the regional team in the most recent ICC rankings.

Hope, who battled an eye infection in the second Test and food poisoning in the final Test, slipped out of the top 50 despite a decent series that saw him score 255 runs at an average of 42.50.

Greaves, the regional team's highest scorer in the series with 283 runs at an average of 56.60, fell one spot to 62nd in the rankings despite his unbeaten double century in the second Test.

Former West Indies opener

Kraigg Brathwaite, who last featured for the West Indies in July against Australia, is the next highest batter at 65th. The biggest jumpers on the list for the Windies were Kavem Hodge and Brandon King.

Hodge, who scored an unbeaten 123 in the first innings of the third Test, leapt 11 spots to 66th, while King, who replaced the injured opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul and scored halfcenturies in both innings of the third Test, jumped 27 places and now sits in 73rd position.

John Campbell (75th), Alick Athanaze (76th), Joshua Da Silva (83rd), Chanderpaul (99th), and Captain Chase (100th) are the other West Indians on the list.

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23 Penalty drama sends Western Tigers, Slingerz FC to Super 16 finale T GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2025

he Super 16 semi-finals delivered high drama on Monday night at the National Training Centre in Providence, as defending champions Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Football Club (FC) were dethroned, while Slingerz FC narrowly preserved their unbeaten run, setting up a mouth-watering final on New Year’s Day. In the opening encounter, Western Tigers FC produced a stunning upset, eliminating the defending champions GDF FC after a tense 5-4 penalty shootout victory following a 1-1 draw at full time.

GDF FC took the lead in the 19th minute through Ian Dooker, asserting their authority early and looking every bit the reign-

Slingerz FC goal-scorer Kemar Beckford celebrates his goal

Western Tigers goal-scorer Kevon Woodley

ing champions. However, Western Tigers refused to be intimidated and struck

back in the 32nd minute when Kevon Woodley found the equaliser.

Despite sustained pressure and several half-chances from both sides, the score remained level at the end of regulation time. The match was decided from the penalty spot, where Western Tigers showed remarkable composure to convert all five attempts, edging

GDF FC 5-4 and ending the champions’ title defence.

The second semi-final saw Slingerz FC pushed to the brink by a spirited Guyana Police Force FC side. Police FC shocked the crowd just before halftime when Ryan Hackett scored in the 45th minute, placing

Slingerz’ unbeaten record under serious threat.

Slingerz responded in the 70th minute through Kemar Beckford, whose equaliser forced the match into extra time. With no further goals, penalties followed, and it was Slingerz goalkeeper Denzil Smith who stole the spotlight.

Smith produced a series of crucial saves in the shootout, while Omari Glasgow, Curtez Kellman, and Bryan Wharton calmly converted their penalties to secure a 3-1 shootout victory over Police FC. The results set up an intriguing Super 16 final on New Year’s Day, where Western Tigers FC will look to complete a fairy-tale run against a battle-hardened Slingerz FC side chasing yet another trophy.

“We look forward to this final, to deliver for our club” – Slingerz Head Coach ...says “Slingerz does not know how to lose”

Slingerz FC Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz

S

lingerz Football Club (FC) Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz has welcomed the pressure and expectations surrounding his team as they prepare for a highly-anticipat-

ed final, promising courage, confidence, and a spectacle worthy of Guyana's football fans.

Speaking after Slingerz’s hard-fought victory over Police, Shabazz

praised their upcoming opponents, Western Tigers, who advanced after a penalty shootout win against GDF. "Western did well to reach the final again with a victory from the penalty mark against GDF," Shabazz said. "I think they deserve to be in the final, and they will definitely be a worthy opponent. Of course, we want to win, but the game will provide a great atmosphere for Guyana's football, a great atmosphere for the players, and a great atmosphere for the fans."

Shabazz made it clear that Slingerz enter the final with belief firmly intact, highlighting the team's unbeaten mentality so far this season.

"We look forward to it with courage and with confidence because up to this point, Slingerz does not know how to lose," he added.

Reflecting on the semi-final clash against Police, Shabazz acknowledged the challenge posed by a dangerous attacking side while commending his players for their composure and preparation under pressure.

"It was definitely a difficult game against Police.

All the guys handled it well," he said. "The pressure in training – we prepared well. We even prepared for the game by practising some of the penalty kicks, and we delivered."

While noting areas for improvement, particularly

in ball retention, Shabazz credited his team's defensive discipline for securing the result.

"Police were a tremendous force in attack, and they attacked us well, but we defended well, and I'm happy that we got the result going into the next fixture," he said.

Known for his passion and candid reflections, Shabazz also spoke openly about the scrutiny that comes with success and setbacks, especially given his Trinidadian roots and adopted Guyanese identity.

"Pressure has been added to my middle name, so my name now has been changed to Jamaal Pressure Shabazz," he joked. "It's not easy to be born in Trinidad and reborn as a Guyanese,

and when you do well, they hail you as a Guyanese, and when you don't do well, they curse you as a Trini."

Despite the challenges, Shabazz embraced the responsibility that comes with leadership at the highest level.

"I'm always under pressure, but part of the job of coaching is accepting the pressure. I accept the pressure. I've been built for that,. Alhamdulillah," he said. "We look forward to this game, this final, to deliver for our club, Slingerz."

With confidence high and pressure embraced, Slingerz FC now turn their focus to the final, where both teams and supporters alike can expect a thrilling showcase of Guyana's growing football culture.

Queensway, Bakewell on board President’s Futsal Championship

W

ith the championship matches set to take place on Friday, January 2, 2026, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, two more companies have chipped in with support for the third edition of the One Guyana/Kashif & Shanghai/President's Futsal Championship.

Long-time supporters Queensway Group of Companies (QGoC) and Bakewell presented their contributions to CoDirectors of the coordinating group, Kashif and Shanghai Organisation.

QGoC Manager Mohamed Hussein said that they were pleased to play a part in this historic championship, which has seen a schoolboy’s tourna-

Kashif Muhammad receives a contribution from QGoC Manager Mohamed Hussein in the presence of Aubrey Major

ment for the first time.

Hussein also noted that young players are the bedrock of the game, and it is plausible to see a solid

foundation being laid for this format of the game, which can see Guyana making waves at the regional and international

Bakewell General Manager Shannan Ganga hands over the sponsorship cheque to Aubrey Major

levels once there is consistency in play.

Shannan Ganga, General Manager of Bakewell, another long-

time supporter of football and sport in Guyana over the years through its founder/owner, the late Naeem Naseer, noted that

it is an absolute pleasure for Bakewell to continue a great legacy and partnership with the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation.

"We see our partnership with Kashif & Shanghai as a pivotal part of the development of football in Guyana. This is a relationship that dates back decades, and we have seen what such collaborations bring for our athletes and the nation. So, we are happy to continue something we see as one of our social responsibilities."

Both Co-Directors expressed gratitude to Hussein and Ganga for their companies' continued and unwavering support for the game while wishing them both a blessed 2026.

T

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2025

Sport is no longer our game, it’s our business

Penalty drama sends Western Tigers, Slingerz FC to Super 16 finale

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Harmanpreet leads the way as India complete 5-0 sweep over SL

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