GuySuCo CEO demands $25M from Stabroek News over "libellous publication"
Mother decries cross-border breakdown in daughter’s murder investigation
GMIN Ventures inks major supply agreement with Komatsu-Genequip
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, June 18 –22:15h-23:45h and Thursday, June 19 – 23:25h-00:55h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, June 18 –09:20h-10:50h and Thursday, June 19 – 10:30h-12:00h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Rain showers with instances of thunder are expected during the day and at night, with early-morning and late-afternoon sunshine. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.
Winds: East North-Easterly to East South-Easterly between 1.79 metres and 3.58 metres.
High Tide: 09:46h and 22:22h reaching maximum heights of 2.39 metres and 2.37 metres.
Low Tide: 15:48h reaching a minimum height of 0.82 metre.
“We cannot create destruction towards negotiations to peace” –President Ali on Israel-Iran airstrikes
…reiterates call for respect for international law, diplomacy
On Monday,
President Dr Irfaan Ali issued a passionate and urgent appeal for peace amid the military escalation between Israel and Iran, stressing that “we cannot create destruction towards negotiations to peace.”
“If we do not understand the consequential effects of what is taking place, we will all contribute to our collective failure in saving our world and saving humanity. We cannot be killing each other with an aim to negotiate towards peace. We cannot create destruction towards negotiations to peace. We must negotiate to peace to avoid destruction, and that is the position of the Guyana Government. Therefore, we have made a call today for both parties to respect international conventions, international law and international order and in the interests of the family of humanity, to negotiate to end the destruction...,” the Head of State said during his address at the 77th commemoration of Enmore Martyrs' Day.
President Ali called on all parties to respect international law and conventions. He reminded the global community of the far-reaching, often invisible toll that conflict takes on everyday lives.
“I speak to you today –from the day before the war to today, the price of fuel has already increased by more than 8 per cent. From the day before the war to
today, more than 30 million people will go into chronic hunger. From the day before the war to today, and if it continues, the price for cereal and other products will go beyond the 2017 and 2007 levels. So, every single country, every single member of the human family is affected by conflict and war,” he lamented.
On Monday, Guyana voiced strong condemnation of Israel’s recent airstrikes on Iranian facilities, warning that the military escalation threatens to spiral into a wider regional conflict. The country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, delivered a pointed statement during a high-level UN Security Council meeting convened to address the worsening tensions between Israel and Iran.
“Guyana is concerned
about the recent military escalation in the region, and calls for maximum restraint from Member States. In a region that is becoming increasingly combustible with each passing day, we appeal for dialogue, diplomacy and good sense to prevail, and for all parties to commit to no further military escalation in the region,” RodriguesBirkett said.
With fears of a broader war mounting, Guyana joined calls from several UN member states for immediate restraint, dialogue and a return to diplomatic channels. RodriguesBirkett also warned of the grave risk of nuclear catastrophe if the conflict escalates further, and emphasised that the world “simply cannot afford any miscalculations.”
In this regard, Guyana’s delegation called on both
parties to strictly adhere to international law, the UN Charter, and international humanitarian law, particularly the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“Guyana, therefore, urges both Israel and Iran to fully comply with their obligations under international law and relevant resolutions adopted by this Council. We further call on the two parties to uphold the principles of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, to adhere fully to international humanitarian law and the United Nations Charter, and to settle their differences peacefully,” the Permanent Representative to the UN said.
Guyana therefore pledged to support any Security Council measure that upholds its mandate to preserve international peace and security.
“The Council must take a united approach to these developments to confront the prospects of outright war in the region and the devastating consequences that would follow for the region and beyond. The maintenance of international peace and security requires us all to take decisive action, and now is the moment to redouble our collective efforts to prevent a wider conflagration,” Rodrigues-Birkett said.
Training sets the tone for peaceful 2025 elections
The launch of the second phase of Guyana’s national internal security training programme comes at a critical juncture in the country’s democratic trajectory. As the nation prepares for the General and Regional Elections slated for September 1, 2025, this coordinated training exercise led by the Joint Services is timely and essential for the preservation of law, order, and public trust.
The Command Post Exercise (CPX), which formally commenced at the Officers’ Training Centre, Eve Leary, is far more than an academic exercise, as it represents an important strategic approach to internal security, an approach informed by both recent history and the realities of a complex and evolving security environment. That over 800 personnel from all 10 administrative regions have already participated in theoretical training since April 8 demonstrates a commendable commitment to national preparedness.
It is no secret that the events surrounding Guyana’s 2020 elections posed significant challenges to stability and institutional resilience. Tensions were high, misinformation rampant, and public confidence in the electoral process momentarily shaken. That experience must not be allowed to repeat itself. The current training initiative addresses those very risks head-on, combining simulations of civil unrest, cyber threats, and coordinated emergency responses under one integrated framework.
Deputy Commissioner of Police and training coordinator Simon McBean aptly emphasised the importance of collaboration, professionalism, and strategic planning. These principles are indispensable, particularly in a diverse and multi-ethnic society where the perception of fairness and the rule of law can greatly influence public behaviour and national unity. Strengthening the operational readiness of the Joint Services is a matter of institutional efficiency; it is a safeguard for democracy itself.
The participation of leaders from across the spectrum of Guyana’s security architecture, including the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Fire Service, and the Guyana Prison Service, speaks to a commendable inter-agency solidarity. It also signals a unified front, one capable of responding swiftly and effectively to disruptions, whether physical, digital, or psychological.
Assistant Director of Prisons and Chairman of the Joint Services Training Committee, Kevin Pilgrim, was right to highlight the value of refining response mechanisms and improving collaboration. As the CPX transitions into its practical phase, the emphasis on calm, clear, and coordinated communication with the public will be vital. Election-related tensions, especially in a polarised climate, can escalate rapidly if security personnel are not prepared to deescalate with confidence, clarity, and impartiality.
Deputy Police Commissioner (Administration), Ravindradat Budhram also provided key insight by advocating the dissemination of lessons learnt across units. This approach not only fosters institutional memory and resilience but also ensures that smaller or less experienced regional teams are not left behind. Security should be uniformly strong, regardless of geography.
Moreover, Andrew Holder of the Fire Service and Vernon Burnette of the Coast Guard underscored the necessity of regional and maritime command readiness. Their inclusion in this training effort reflects an understanding that electoral stability is not just a matter for urban centres. Coastal and hinterland communities must feel equally secure and equally heard.
The coordinated training is an operational drill, as it is a symbol of national maturity. It indicates that Guyana’s institutions have taken stock of past vulnerabilities and are taking deliberate steps to strengthen the integrity of future elections. In doing so, they are not only preparing to secure polling stations and public spaces, they are also working to secure citizens’ confidence in the process itself.
This initiative deserves full public support. Security is a shared responsibility, and while the burden of enforcement rests with the Joint Services, the success of any election hinges on trust. By investing in readiness, professionalism, and coordination, Guyana is laying a firm foundation for peaceful elections and for the continued growth of its democratic institutions.
This training programme is a stride in the right direction.
Attacking a Hindu goddess is not protected free speech
Dear Editor,
Several articles have been published with mixed opinions on the remanding of Skello, as well as on his lewd remarks on a Hindu goddess. Some say he should not be punished because he enjoys freedom of expression, while others take the opposite position. Some say his remanding is excessive. Arrest, indictment, and punishment are for the court and the law. Our constitution, like that of most countries, grants free speech but with limits. Skello’s free speech falls within those limits.
One of the limits is respecting a people’s faith or deities (who in Hinduism are God or Goddess) that Hindus worship. All countries put limits on outlawing hate and disrespecting faith.
Some say the blasphemy law is outdated. The judge in Guyana is in the best position to interpret the law on blasphemy (attacking God) or hate or disrespecting faith and assigning punishment accordingly. Skello attacked Hinduism; he engaged in blasphemy. He hurt the sentiments of Hindus and religious people. He abused freedom of speech. For all of those reasons and more, he ought to be held accountable in a court of law. The judge determines the course of action. His lawyers will represent him.
Please note that in Hinduism, the almighty is male or female. And in Hindu worship, great reverence is placed on goddesses, the most important or revered being Goddesses Lakshmi (which is tied to Diwali celebrations), Durga (Kali), Saraswati, Parvati, Sita and Radha, among others. All of them are the same God (or Goddess) known or called by different names (including Rama, Krishna, Ganesh, etc.). When a person abuses Goddess Lakshmi, it is an abuse of God and the Hindu faith. The same would hold true for any attack on religious figures in Islam and Christianity or another faith.
Skello’s song, if it can be called that, is indefensible; that is not allowable free speech in any society, not even in a mecca of freedom like the USA. Religion is a very sensitive, touchy issue that can lead, and indeed has led to violence in many countries, including in Europe and America. When religious figures in Islam and Christianity were disrespected, serious violence followed; those who were thought to disrespect those faiths were attacked, many killed. Tens of thousands were known to be killed in the name of faith or for engaging in blasphemy in the Middle East.
No country allows unlimited freedom. The Guyana constitution, indeed that of all countries and the UN Charter, prohibits language that spreads hate or disrespects faith. Also, the Commonwealth has a “Summary Offences” rule, if not an Act, that carries indictment and prison time if convicted of attacking faith. The magistrate or judge makes that determination based on the law.
Some claimed that the blasphemy law is outdated and that Skello’s remarks were not blasphemous. Let him make remarks about Christianity and Islam in Europe or the Middle East; he would know what is blasphemy. Hindu goddesses are the essence of Hinduism. Saying one wants to perform sexual acts on a goddess is blasphemy. Attacking a religious figure is not free speech but blasphemy that can lead to divisiveness and serious violence.
In a multi-cultural Caribbean context and in the diasporic countries, all of which are multi-cultural, faiths are respected. In the USA, the mecca of freedom of expression, artistes don’t attack religious figures. Why should Skello get a pass under a claim that it is freedom of expression? Several prominent figures, including Anil Nandlall, Pandit
Narine, Dr Vindya Persaud, Rhyaan Shah, Swami Aksharananda, President Irfaan Ali, Ravi Dev and this writer, among others, assailed Skello for disrespecting Hindus and Hinduism. Ubraj Narine and a few others should not be the only pandits or religious figures to come out publicly in the media excoriating Skello. I would like to think that there are also other courageous pundits who are not afraid to voice their opinion when Hindus are attacked or feel they are marginalised or discriminated against.
A minister of government as well as a GECOM commissioner are of the view that remanding Skello to prison is an extreme punishment. The duo has no business becoming embroiled in this controversy. They are public figures; the matter does not relate to their work. They are not lawyers on record for Skello. Let Skello's lawyer approach the court for relief. If they wish to petition the court on behalf of Skello, then they should resign from their respective positions and join Skello's defence team. Blasphemy or not, there must be limits to free speech. Attacking people’s religious sentiments is not protected free speech.
Yours sincerely, Dr Vishnu Bisram
Ubraj
Working to make our roads safer and our daily commute less stressful, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) was out on the roadways on Tuesday, from the West Bank to the West Coast of Demerara and the East Bank to East Coast of Demerara
"Baby Skello" released on bail after High Court intervention
– days after remand for blasphemous libel
Daniel Wharton, popularly known as “Baby Skello”, who was recently remanded to prison on a charge of blasphemous libel, has been granted bail in the sum of $45,000 following an application in the High Court by his lawyers.
On June 13, Wharton was remanded to prison at the Diamond Magistrates Court by Senior Magistrate Judy Latchman until July 1. This was in relation to a song he released on social media, containing several vulgar lyrics about the Hindu deity Maha Lakshmi.
At the time, his being remanded to prison did not go down well with sections of society, with several persons in the legal field criticising the decision and even questioning why blasphemous libel was still on Guyana’s statute books.
On Tuesday, it was confirmed that Attorneysat-Law Dexter Todd and Everton Singh Lammy had approached High Court Judge Simone Morris and were able to secure $45,000 bail for Baby Skello.
In an invited comment, Lammy noted that Wharton should have never been remanded in the first place for such an offence. According to Lammy, “I don’t speak to the media on matters that are sub judice, but I’ll make an exception in this case and just say that bail should not have been refused.”
One of those who publicly spoke out against Baby Skello being remanded was Education Minister Priya Manickchand, who is a lawyer by profession. Her initial public opinions on the case had attracted
profanity-laced criticism from social media personality Mikhail Rodrigues, aka Guyanese critic, but on Monday Manickchand stuck to her principles.
“If I were to pick myself up from here, waste some time and walk over to the cybercrime unit, and make a complaint, he most likely would be charged. If he were charged, and he went before the courts, two things would happen,” the minister said.
“One, he would get bail. Which would reinforce my point that these laws are not being applied consistently. Or he would not
get bail. And he would be thrown into jail until his next hearing date. And if that were to happen, I would find it absolutely ridiculous and… I would fight for him to get pretrial liberty. Because that is what our constitution guarantees.”
On her personal Facebook page a few days ago, Manickchand had noted that the court not only has to be consistent but also sensible in how the law is applied. She had also been critical of the fact that Domestic Violence (DV) matters be -
Plaisance man granted bail on 6 charges of assault, abuse
A37-year-old man from Plaisance, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was on Tuesday granted a total of $80,000 bail after he was hit with six charges related to a violent outburst involving police officers and a woman he allegedly abused at Stabroek Square.
Kenan Letlow, of Lot 86 Victoria Road, Plaisance, appeared unrepresented before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where the charges were read to him in open court.
The charges stem from a series of incidents that unfolded Friday, June 13, 2025, at Cornhill Street, Stabroek Square, Georgetown.
Letlow was first accused of unlawfully as-
saulting Rihanna Duncan, a woman who was present in court and indicated her willingness to proceed with the matter. He pleaded not guilty to that charge.
He was then read a second charge: assaulting Police Constable 25793 Burnett, a peace officer acting in the execution of his duties. Letlow again pleaded not guilty, claiming that he was the one being abused. “I was in handcuffs, and I was tased,” he told the Magistrate.
The third charge alleged that Letlow used threatening language towards Duncan. He again denied the allegation, telling the court, “I didn’t threaten her.”
When questioned by Magistrate Azore about his
relationship to Duncan, Letlow said she was not his partner but he knew her from where his girlfriend used to be.
The fourth charge stated that Letlow had behaved in a disorderly manner in a public place. He pleaded guilty to that offence and admitted to being out of line. For that charge, he was fined $10,000 or, in default, two weeks’ imprisonment.
The fifth charge accused him of resisting arrest when Constable Burnett attempted to take him into custody. Letlow once again denied the allegation, maintaining that he had already been tased and was not resisting.
The final charge was that he had assaulted another police officer, Constable
26766 Ifill, while at the Stabroek Market police outpost. Letlow denied assaulting the officer, insisting that he was again tased during that incident and did not lay a hand on anyone.
The prosecutor objected to bail, citing the nature of the offences and reports that Letlow was “constantly abusing” Duncan.
Despite the prosecution’s objections, the Magistrate granted bail: $10,000 for the threatening language charge, and $15,000 each for the four other charges to which he pleaded not guilty, totalling $80,000.
Letlow is set to return to court on Wednesday, June 25, when the prosecution is expected to disclose statements and evidence in the matter.
fore the court are often not given the same level of attention.
“The bench needs to be consistent and sensible in its application of the law. We are jailing someone for mumbling or trying to sing something offensive against a female goddess (which was terrible and should never be encouraged or listened to and which I personally condemned) but failing to address speedily DV matters where women are at the mercy of the court, failing to address matters of cyber-bullying where women’s nude photographs are published online without their consent and other truly egregious crimes against women. I truly hope he has a lawyer who will have this odd decision reversed at the high court,” the minister had said.
Someone else who had been critical of the Magistrate’s Court decision to remand Baby Skello was Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Commissioner Sase Gunraj, himself an
attorney-at-law. He had described the remand of Baby Skello as unnecessary and excessive, noting that refusal of bail should not be used as a penalty.
“The remand of Baby Skello is unnecessary and excessive. His attempt at music was undoubtedly blasphemous and disrespectful, but refusal of bail ought not to be used as a penalty,” Gunraj said.
There have since been calls, for instance from the Alliance For Change (AFC) for the repeal of blasphemous libel from Guyana’s statute books, with the party arguing that such laws are archaic and incompatible.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2025
Daniel Wharton, popularly known as “Baby Skello”
Attorney-at-Law Everton Singh Lammy
Education Minister Priya Manickchand (File photo)
Attorney-at-Law Dexter Todd
Foundation
Adding or subtracting fractions with like denominators
To add or subtract fractions with unlike, or different denominators, you have to change them into fractions with common or like denominators. This process is called finding the common denominator.
Example:
Add 1/2 + 1/12 = 6/12 + 1/12 = 7/12
Subtract 1/2 - 1/12 = 6/12 - 1/12 = 5/12
To find a common denominator in these fractions, first: look at the denominators, 2 and 12. What number is a multiple of both 2 and 12? A simple way to find the common multiple is to multiply the two numbers. 2 x 12 = 24. In some cases, there is a smaller number that is a common multiple that would be easier to work with. In these examples, 12 is a lower common multiple than 24, so it will work as your common denominator. In each fraction, multiply the original denominator to make it become the common denominator. Then multiply the original numerator by that same number.
A child said What is the grass? fetching it to me with full hands;
How could I answer the child? I do not know what it is any more than he.
I guess it must be the flag of my disposition, out of hopeful green stuff woven.
Or I guess it is the handkerchief of the Lord,
A scented gift and remembrancer designedly dropt,
Bearing the owner’s name someway in the corners, that we may see and remark, and say Whose? Or I guess the grass is itself a child, the produced babe of the vegetation. Or I guess it is a uniform hieroglyphic, And it means, Sprouting alike in broad zones and narrow zones, Growing among black folks as among white, Kanuck, Tuckahoe, Congressman, Cuff, I give them the same, I receive them the same. And now it seems to me the beautiful uncut hair of graves.
Tenderly will I use you curling grass,
It may be you transpire from the breasts of young men, It may be if I had known them I would have loved them, It may be you are from old people, or from offspring taken soon out of their mothers’ laps, And here you are the mothers’ laps. This grass is very dark to be from the white heads of old mothers, Darker than the colorless beards of old men, Dark to come from under the faint red roofs of mouths. O I perceive after all so many uttering tongues, And I perceive they do not come from the roofs of mouths for nothing.
I wish I could translate the hints about the dead young men and women, And the hints about old men and mothers, and the offspring taken soon out of their laps.
What do you think has become of the young and old men? And what do you think has become of the women and children? They are alive and well somewhere, The smallest sprout shows there is really no death, And if ever there was it led forward life, and does not wait at the end to arrest it, And ceas’d the moment life appear’d. All goes onward and outward, nothing collapses, And to
ExxonMobil drilling for oil in Hamlet-1 well in south-east Stabroek Block
ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) is currently exploring for oil at its Hamlet-1 well in the southeast of the Stabroek Block, a location that the company has already indicated could add even more oil resources to the over 11 billion barrels it has discovered so far.
According to the Maritime Administrative Department (MARAD) in a notice, exploration drilling is being done from June 15, 2025, and will conclude on August 31, 2025, with drill ship MODU Stena Carron.
“The Hamlet_1 Well Site is situated approximately 104.40 nautical miles (193.40 kilometres) off the coast of Guyana and covers an area of 0.29 square nautical miles (1 square kilometre), bounded by the following coordinates,” MARAD said, urging ships to stay clear of Stena Carron and the other ships that will be used.
UG
Earlier this year, EMGL President Alistair Routledge had spoken about the Hamlet-1 well in the context of the company’s plans to explore for oil this year after a previous year spent appraising a
number of discoveries.
“We drilled some large exploration wells last year; we are digesting the results of those. In the meantime, we have identified one exploration well that we are progressing the ap-
provals for with the government and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). That well will be called Hamlet - the Hamlet One well. That’s actually looking for an oil play in the southeast portion of the Stabroek Block,” the oil executive had said.
As a matter of fact, Routledge had also indicated that for 2025 the company plans to drill 30 development wells, with the company setting the stage for future exploration and production of oil in the Stabroek Block.
“As always, at this stage, we’re investing in a mix of wells. The Yellowtail project is starting up. We will also be drilling wells for other projects that are going to start up soon. Around about 30 development wells in 2025, spanning across Yellowtail but also Uaru and the Whiptail developments.”
“So - really important
year for us as we drill those wells and prepare for those developments to start up in 2026 and 2027,” Routledge had said during an appearance on the Energy Perspectives Podcast.
EMGL, oil giant Exxon Mobil’s local subsidiary, is the operator of the Stabroek Block and holds a 45 per cent interest, while Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds a 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds the remaining 25 per cent interest.
Currently, ExxonMobil is producing oil from three offshore developments in Guyana: Liza Phase One and Two, which utilise the Liza Destiny and Liza Unity Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) units, and the Payara Project, which uses the Prosperity FPSO. All these projects are located
in the Stabroek Block. The Prosperity FPSO vessel started pumping oil in 2023, and so far, its daily production rate has risen to above 200,000 barrels of oil. Combined, the Liza Destiny, Unity and Prosperity FPSO vessels produce 650,000 barrels of oil per day.
Guyana pumped out over 220 million barrels of oil for the entirety of 2024. It is estimated that when the Yellowtail development project comes on stream, production will climb to 810,000 barrels per day by 2027. Additionally, Exxon has already received approvals for and is advancing preparatory works on its fifth and sixth projects, Uaru and Whiptail. The company has, meanwhile, completed the purchase of all three FPSO vessels operational in the block, with the purchase of the Liza Destiny FPSO for US$535 million.
mechanical lab upgrades with new equipment through ExxonMobil’s $10M support
The University of Guyana (UG) has taken another stride in its mission to deliver worldclass engineering education with the enhancement of its Mechanical Lab at the Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET).
The upgrade was made possible through a $10 million (US$50,000) grant from ExxonMobil Guyana, and includes new industrial-grade equipment aimed at improving hands-on learning and technical innovation, the university noted.
The upgraded facility was officially launched during a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on June 9, 2025, at the Turkeyen Campus.
It forms part of UG’s long-term vision outlined in Blueprint 2040, which includes goals focused on advancing science, technology,
engineering, and innovation and ensuring students are equipped for the rapidly evolving local and global economy.
The newly procured equipment includes two Smithy Granite XT 3-in1 machines, a Miller Multimatic 215 Multiprocess Welding Plant, and a Jet HVBS-712DV Horizontal/Vertical Bandsaw 7" X 12" Deluxe. These replace older machines that had been in use since 1979, when they were first donated by the British Council.
In her remarks, ViceChancellor Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin explained that the upgrade is only the beginning.
“We’re not only speaking about becoming a worldclass university; we have a plan, and we are work-
ing that plan to get us there,” Professor Mohamed Martin said.
bridge the gap between theory and practice and provide the tools to develop real-world skills and open up new opportunities to work on meaningful projects and enter competitions.
“While we are delighted that students now have access to this equipment, we also urge them to take care of it, not just for themselves, but for the many others who will benefit in the years ahead,” the Vice-Chancellor advised.
Third- and fourth-year mechanical engineering students Joshua Joseph, Ezron Bishop, and Dwayne De Costa shared their collective gratitude. They said the upgrade significantly enhances the lab, as it will help to
Joshua Joseph stated that “These are not just tools or machines; they represent opportunities for hands-on learning and real-world experience. So, previously, with inadequate resources, we didn't have much practical experience. However, with these new additions, we can now work within our own lab to complete projects. As you know, we can just do more than just read from a textbook. So, we can now design, build, test, and improve real mechanical components; develop research prototypes; participate in student competitions, which we are planning to do shortly; and
projects like making gokarts, which we have done, and solar-powered devices; and also engage in smallscale manufacturing or repairs within the university.” Meanwhile, Ezron Bishop thanked Exxon Mobil for the support, stating, “Your gifts have not only enabled us to complete hands-on projects, but they also allowed us to personally develop our technical skills. We promise to make use of the equipment to learn, to grow, and to carry forward the value of hands-on engineering experiences. Your investment in this faculty has played a significant role in enhancing the quality of engineering education that we receive. And it is not only shaping our individual futures but also the future of engineering within Guyana."
Map showing Hamlet’s location
GuySuCo's role can be expanded to support other crops like rice, cassava – Pres Ali
President Dr Irfaan Ali on Monday said that the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) must become a hub of rural economic development, expanding its operations to support other crops such as rice and cassava.
He made the disclosure on Monday during an address at the 77th anniversary observation of the Enmore Martyrs.
"We have to think strategically of how we will expand the role of GuySuCo. And perhaps it is time for us to reimagine GuySuCo’s role altogether," the president said.
"Why must its man -
date stop only at sugar? GuySuCo can and must become a hub of rural economic development," he noted.
According to President Ali, GuySuCo's lands, infrastructure and knowledge base can support other crops like rice, corn, and cassava.
He noted too that it can support livestock operations, agro-processing hubs, farmer training and extension services, as well as fabrication and engineering services.
The president also noted that GuySuCo possesses some of the best machinists in the world, and "we have to leverage this human capital and human potential.”
In this regard, he reiterated already announced plans to diversi -
fy crops, skills and income at GuySuCo and for sugar workers.
"We don't only want sugar workers to rely on their income from sugar," the president said.
"We want to convert acreage of land into high-yielding production, high-value production, but production that is owned by the workers. Lands that are cultivated and revenues that are generated, but generated to support the income diversification of the workers," he noted.
The plan the president outlined is to co-invest with workers in GuySuCo to create new economic activities.
Making… … sugar great again
Well… there you have it!! Speaking to the country on our commemoration of Enmore Martyrs’ Day, Pres. Ali announced he was gonna “Make Sugar Great Again” – MASUGRA!! Your Eyewitness thinks the acronym MASUGRA has a nice ring to it and should now roll off the tongue of every red-blooded Guyanese out there!! Now, dear reader, in case you think your Eyewitness is making some strong stuff – please disabuse yourself of that notion!! Yes Siree Bob – your Eyewitness thinks we can realise MASUGRA!!
And to do so, he’ll invoke that old analogy he rakes up every now and then about whether a hammer is still the same hammer after first its handle was replaced and – after a while - its head!! Get it?!! Pressie didn’t say GuySuCo gotta be producing ONLY sugar again – gotcha!! Did you know that Toyota started out making fabrics?? That’s right!! They were weaving fabrics when the owner – Toyoda – invented the world’s first automatic loom. So, you’d think he’d keep on doing what everyone thought he knew best!! Wrong!! What those who thought that way assumed was that he was a fabric weaver – rather than an INNOVATOR!! And so it was that after WWII, when Japan had to rebuild from scratch, the company decided to produce motor cars! And not even for its own market – which was practically non-existent – but for America that had just defeated it!! Their mos’ prized asset was a great workforce – they just had to be producing what the world wanted – then cars!! If you can’t beat ‘em – join ‘em!! So, what Pressie realised was that GuySuCo’s greatest asset wasn’t really sugar but the people that produced sugar for years – on land that’s unique with its drainage and irrigation system!! It can produce what the world wants NOW!!
So Pressie’s strategy for MASUGRA is “crop diversification, skills diversification, income diversification!!” For the first –GuySuCo could now start cultivating crops like rice, corn, and cassava – as well as livestock operations and agroprocessing because the inputs are already here. And the second – skills diversification – would lead to hard-working field workers retrained to produce new crops that the world wanted!! Many don’t realise that GuySuCo is also a MANUFACTURING company – and its factory workers are uniquely positioned to provide engineering services in whatever industry we choose to get into!!
Some of these new industries could be placed in the hands of the workers – by leasing the land or financing new manufacturing industries – thus accomplishing Pressie’s third strategic goal – income diversification!! This is what Lee Kwan Yu did with what he inherited in Singapore – to turn it from “Third World to First”!!!
Can MASUGRA be accomplished? Sure, it can!!
…war
Some are wondering why Israel chose to attack Iran. Well, duh!! Remember for countries there are “no permanent friends or permanent enemies – just permanent interests?!!” And the continued existence of the country should rate rather high on its list of interests, shouldn’t it?? The leaders of Iran have declared that their great enemies are the US – “the Great Satan” – and its surrogate in the region – Zionist Israel!! Folks seemed to’ve forgotten that the present Iranian regime is a successor to the one that overthrew the Shah – who was besties with the West, including Israel!!
So, both the US and Israel would see their interests being threatened by a nuclear-armed Iran!! And we arrive at the present scenario unfolding – with the US having rather (implausible) deniability in the mission. The fly in the ointment is that Israel’s led by a fella who’s playing with a weak hand and is gambling for domestic survival.
He’ll almost certainly overplay his hand – and therein lies the danger for the world!!
…schoolchildren happy
Min. Of Education, Manickchand, announced that because of General Elections scheduled for Sept 1st, the looong August Holidays gotta be lengthened some mo’ – school buildings gonna be used as polling stations. Guess who’s gonna be happier than pigs in doody?!!
President Dr Irfaan Ali
Govt receives 20 proposals to industrialise Enmore Estate sugar production – Pres Ali
The Enmore Sugar Estate, one of several sugar estates that were closed down and aban-
doned by the previous A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government, is now poised for transformation, with some 20 proposals being submitted to industrialise sugar production at the estate.
This is according to President Dr Irfaan Ali who, on Monday, revealed that the Government is keenly reviewing the documents.
“We already have more than 20 business proposals that will send industries manufacturing and expanding production right here in Enmore… The role in sustaining livelihoods, communities, and entire regions remains vital even today. Therefore, let no one dare tell you that sugar is a relic, that it is dead, that it is a burden, because they would not only be wrong, they would be dangerously mistaken. Sugar is still vital, especially to the rural economy.” The Head of State said.
On this point, the Guyanese leader highlighted that sugar, through Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), supports about 20 percent of Guyana’s population, serving as a hub of social and economic life in rural regions.
He further emphasised that the industry not only sustains cane harvesters but also a wide network of workers, including mechanics, drivers, vendors, engineers, and technicians, as well as households, shops, and schools dependent on sugar-driven commerce.
“Make no mistake, GuySuCo possesses the best machinists there are globally. The global machining industry historically recruited machinists and fabricators from GuySuCo. We have to leverage this human capital and human potential. And in embracing this future that I speak of, there will be some exciting opportunities, crop diversification, skills diversi-
fication and income diversification.”
“It (GuySuCo) has been a provider of healthcare, housing, education, sports, and recreation, and perhaps most critically, drainage services for communities. The canals and pump stations that GuySuCo maintains don't only protect its cane fields; they protect entire villages. They shield rice farmers, cash crop plots, and livestock pens across large acreage of land across our coastline. Without GuySuCo's drainage systems, entire communities could flood in a single night of hard rain,” he added.
GuySuCo produced 6,738 tonnes of sugar for its first crop of 2024, falling short of the initial target of 16,000 tonnes. In total, less than 50,000 tonnes of sugar were produced in 2024, with President Ali warning that heads will roll if GuySuCo’s 2025 first crop targets aren’t met. In total, the Government is projecting the production of over 100,000 tonnes of sugar for 2025.
Last year, some $15.5 billion was expended on support of the sugar industry, including the acquisition of six new cane harvesters, conversion of 2,734 hectares of land for mechanised cultivation and harvesting, and rehabilitation of critical revetment works. In 2025, an additional 3,068 hectares of land will be converted to support mechanisation. Key investments will be made to acquire additional field equipment, rehabilitate field infrastructure, and construct over 17 kilometres (km) of all-weather roads across the industry. For these efforts, some $13.3 billion was approved during the budget estimates – as part of the Agriculture Ministry’s $104.6 billion budget – to support and rehabilitate the sugar industry this year.
Enmore Sugar Estate, East Coast Demerara
Minister Manickchand highlights TVET advancements as MoE hosts fair, expo
Education Minister Priya Manickchand has emphasised the substantial transformation within the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector since the return of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) to Government. This includes the expansion of institutions delivering technical subjects and a marked increase in student interest.
She made this announcement on Tuesday during the opening day of the Ministry of Education’s (MOE’s) TVET Unit annual TVET Fair and Exposition at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).
The two-day event, from 09:00h – 16:00h brings together more than 44 participating entities, including secondary schools, post-secondary institutions, public and private sector businesses, Government ministries, non-Governmental organisations, and representatives from the health, hospitality, construction, agriculture, and oil and gas industries.
The expo is an ambitious and inspiring showcase of the vast opportunities and talents emerging through TVET in Guyana.
According to the Education Minister, out of Guyana’s 10 administrative regions, nine are home to TVET institutions, ensuring that skills training opportunities are widely accessible.
“When I came into office in 2019, we had nine secondary schools offering just four CVQ subjects. I want you to hear me—nine schools, four subjects. Today, because of conscious investment, planning, getting on the ground, and putting the facilities in place, we now have 74 secondary schools across Guyana offering 24 CVQ subjects. That, my friends, is what love looks like.”
She added that this is what investment in education looks like, and that it forms part of ensuring Guyana’s children are prepared for the rapidly developing country before our eyes.
“When I came into office, we did not have any
organised TVET centres in Regions One, Five, or Seven,” she noted, adding that interest in TVET has since grown tremendously among students.
“I think in the last five years, I have donned more hard helmets, vests, and boots than any other Minister of Education or otherwise in the history of this country. And I say that with comfort and confidence. We have been consciously and consistently building schools across this country—and we take safety seriously.”
Meanwhile, in delivering her opening remarks, Assistant Chief Education Officer for Technical and Vocational Education, (ACEO -Technical) Marcia Paddy-Andrews, emphasised the transformative vision that underpins this year’s theme: “Empowering Youths, Elevating Skills: TVET as Catalyst for Inclusion”.
She described it not as a mere catchphrase, but a call to action that recognises the urgency of investing in young people, refining practical skills, and removing systemic barriers.
The ACEO -Technical highlighted the Ministry’s significant strides over the past five years in strengthening technical education across Guyana. She underscored the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that every student—regardless of geographic location— is afforded the opportunity to explore at least one area of technical and vocational study. This has been made possible through targeted financial investments by the Government of Guyana, resulting in the construction and rehabilitation of Practical Instruction Centres (PICs) and Practical Instruction Departments (PIDs) across all educational districts.
She described the exposition not merely as an event, but as a movement—a dynamic platform for unlocking the untapped brilliance of youth and positioning TVET as a cornerstone for national development and equity.
Mrs Paddy-Andrews
skills
praised
very force driving transformation through TVET.
Throughout the expo, patrons can witness firsthand the ingenuity and innovation of students and institutions from across the country. From sustainable energy solutions and green technologies to construction prototypes, digital creativity, and advancements in agriculture, the exhibits demonstrate the diverse and meaningful opportunities that TVET provides.
The public can expect to see displays and demonstrations in areas such as electrical installation, welding, carpentry, fabric decoration, agro-processing, aquatic farming, and block making, among many others. These disciplines reflect the everyday applications and core purpose of hosting this exposition and fair.
noted that the fair is an intersection where innovation meets inclusion, where
meet opportunity, and where empowerment converges with equity. She
the youth of Guyana for not waiting for change, but instead becoming the
Education Minister Priya Manickchand
A scene from the TVET fair and expo
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2025 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Education Minister derides Hughes’s TVET promise
– as AFC plugs establishment of policy already carried out by Govt
Education Minister Priya Manickchand on Tuesday issued a pointed response to remarks made by Alliance For Change (AFC) leader Nigel Hughes, who had pledged to establish a national Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) policy and to expand technical institutions nationwide.
Speaking during the Ministry of Education’s annual TVET Fair & Exposition, hosted by the TVET Unit under the theme
“Empowering Youths, Elevating Skills: TVET as a Catalyst for Inclusion,” Manickchand rebuffed Hughes’ statements, saying the work he’s now proposing has long been underway under the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government.
“Recently, I heard a presidential hopeful speaking with an accent... That he was going to have a national TVET policy. Big man, it done,” she said – stating that this has already been done by the current administration.
Manickchand noted that since the PPP/C Administration returned to office, the Government has significantly expanded technical education offerings, ensuring that students across the country have access to Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ)certified programmes in fields aligned with Guyana’s growing economy, including the oil and gas sector.
“That he was going to make sure every child was exposed to TVET because of
the oil sector? Big man, the oil sector has been around since your party was in office—and you did nothing to advance that sector,” the Minister informed.
She directly addressed Hughes, referring to him as a “dear friend and colleague in law,” but criticised his role during the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition’s time in office.
“Nigel’s party was in office for five years after oil was found. They didn’t build a single new TVET institution. Not one. No new high school started and finished. No policy to advance TVET. Nothing. He was comfortable leaving all of you with a Government that didn’t build a single TVET centre—though we left the mon-
ey there for them.”
Manickchand emphasised that while every citizen has the right to choose their leaders, those decisions must be based on truth and performance.
“They’ll come to you with an accent and self-promoting shows without space for real interrogation. But the facts remain—we’ve shown you what progress looks like. We’ve delivered.”
On that note she urged young people to critically assess all political options heading into the elections, comparing not just policies but leadership capabilities.
“Compare Priya and Nicolette. Compare Irfaan and David Granger. Your life and your children’s futures depend on it.”
The Minister prom-
ised that under her stewardship and the PPP/C Administration, TVET will continue to grow, ensuring that every child exiting high school will be CVQ qualified and prepared for modern industries.
“I promise you that growth. And you will see that growth with us.”
“God bless you, and may God always bless this beautiful land of ours, Guyana,” she concluded.
The two-day expo, being held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) features over 44 participating entities and highlights innovation, skills development, and job readiness in fields such as agriculture, hospitality, construction, and renewable energy.
GMIN Ventures inks major supply agreement with Komatsu-Genequip
GMIN
Ventures
Guyana Inc, a subsidiary of G Mining Ventures Corp, has officially signed a landmark agreement with Komatsu–Genequip for the supply of mobile equipment for its flagship Oko West Gold Project, located in Region Seven, Guyana.
The signing took place on Monday, June 16, 2025, in the boardroom of GMIN’s corporate headquarters at the Pegasus Corporate Suites and Business Centre, Kingston, Georgetown.
According to a release by GMIN Ventures, the agreement was executed by LouisPierre Gignac, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of G Mining Ventures Corp., and Schelte van Dijk, Managing Director of Genequip.
Also present were Renger van Dijk, Chairman of
Genequip, and Omar Abril, Senior Project Manager of Komatsu. Representing GMIN were Country Manager Bjorn Jeune, Administrative Services Manager Ravi Samaroo, and Communications Specialist Stacy Carmichael.
As part of the agreement, GMIN will acquire a fleet of over 60 Komatsu mobile equipment units, valued at over USD 83 million. Deliveries are scheduled to commence in June 2025 and will continue through to the start of production in 2028.
In addition to supplying state-of-the-art equipment, Genequip, Komatsu’s exclusive representative in Guyana since 1993, will provide comprehensive maintenance and parts support to ensure long-term operational excellence at the Oko West site. Komatsu, a globally recognised leader in the manufacture of heavy machinery, brings its expertise in mining, construction, and utility equipment to support the success of the project.
“This agreement reflects our commitment to equipping our team with the
highest quality machinery, ensuring both operational excellence and safety,” said Louis-Pierre Gignac, CEO of G Mining Ventures.
“We are proud to partner with Komatsu and Genequip, two globally respected companies, as we continue to invest in Guyana’s future.”
“As we build the Oko West Gold Project, our focus remains on safety, sustainability, and local capacity building,” Gignac added.
“This investment strengthens our ability to deliver a project that benefits not only our shareholders, but also the people and communities of Region Seven.”
A symbolic painting was presented to Mr Gignac by the Genequip team in recognition of the partnership and shared vision for sustainable development in Guyana.
This agreement represents another key milestone in the advancement of the Oko West Gold Project and aligns with GMIN’s broader vision of delivering lasting value for its stakeholders and host communities.
Louis-Pierre Gignac, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of G Mining Ventures Corp and Schelte van Dijk, Managing Director of Genequip sign the agreement. [From L-R] Also pictured are Renger van Dijk, Chairman of Genequip; Bjorn Jeune, Country Manager, GMIN Ventures Guyana Inc; Omar Abril, Senior Project Manager, Komatsu; and Ravi Samaroo, Administrative Services Manager, GMIN Ventures Guyana Inc
Ramsammy’s Ruminations
A walk, a trot and now an exodus of Opposition members to the PPP
While there is no better option for any nation than democracy, it, however, can be messy, and this is on full display in Guyana as Elections 2025 approaches. Two stark visions are before the people.
Dr Leslie Ramsammy
President Irfaan Ali and the PPP have placed unity of our people, moving forward as one, soaring high together, and One Guyana as a priority issue for Elections 2025. In contrast, Aubrey Norton and his PNC, under the umbrella of APNU, a collection of one-man, one-woman parties, and the WPA, which has been dead for years now, have placed division and polarisation as a central issue for this election. They have placed “Afro-Centricism” as a priority issue, above unity and One Guyana. David Hinds of the WPA has issued several inflammatory, racist statements, targeting Indo-Guyanese. Norton, by insisting that the PNC will not condemn the Hind’s statements and by incorporating the WPA into the ranks of the PNC, has essentially given unconditional endorsement for Hind’s position against Indo-Guyanese. The AFC, similarly, has refused to condemn Hinds and the dead WPA.
There are no “ands, ifs, or buts” for Elections 2025; people have to choose between two stark visions: President Ali’s and the PPP’s vision of unity and One Guyana, with all races occupying equal rights vs. the Opposition’s vision of division and polarisation, with the hierarchical placing of Afro-Guyanese above all races. Never have political parties been so clear in what they ask the Guyanese people to vote for when it comes to racial politics. The Opposition has disposed of the pretence for unity. The PPP remains true to its more than 75-year struggle for a totally united Guyana.
Then there is the second stark choice for Guyanese – President Ali and the PPP have earned global respect for Guyana, whether it is on climate change, low-carbon development strategy, biodiversity alliance, programmes to address social welfare needs, infrastructure development, housing and water, agriculture and food security, education and health, etc. Guyana is today respected around the world. Global leaders have praised Guyana, as have international development agencies such as the IMF, World Bank, IDB, CDB, and Exim Banks of China, India, and the USA. Guyana is consistently garnering attention in global bodies such as the Security Council of the UN, which Guyana is presently serving as the president for the second time in two years, at the WTO, WHO and PAHO.
On the other hand, a US-sanctioned man is prepared to sacrifice Guyana to protect himself from American criminal charges. Sanctioned or not, he wants the people to choose him and, in so doing, rebuke the USA and solicit sanctions for the whole country. It is clear that he is trying to protect himself by taking cover as a political leader. He is shamelessly buying people’s perceived support and trying to buy votes. The world has never seen a more blatant attempt at perverting the democratic process, similar to Colombian and Mexican drug lords.
This second stark choice is simple: the Guyanese people are being asked to choose between President Ali’s and the PPP’s vision of Guyana being a valuable and admired global leader vs. the vision of an internally sanctioned candidate who cares little for Guyana but wants to use Guyanese as a shield to continue building a sanctioned, criminal enterprise, deemed so by the Americans.
The people clearly, weeks before Elections 2025, have begun to show their choices in these regards. It is clear that the vast majority have already embraced the unity platform with President Ali and the PPP. It is clear that the people want to partner with the USA. In these regards, the people have already demonstrated rejection of Norton, the PNC and the umbrella, and the AFC and the man who was sanctioned for international crimes, including robbing Guyana of more than $10B. Even members of the Opposition have been walking away from the unholy choices of polarisation and ethnic division and sanctions from the USA.
A few weeks ago, I wrote about an exodus of members from the Opposition to the PPP. I predicted then that the exodus will become a mad rush as Nomination Day gets closer. As predicted, that exodus now has become a rampage away from the opposition to the PPP. In the next couple of weeks, former members and activists of the PNC, AFC, WPA and smaller one-man, one-woman parties, such as GAP, which constituted APNU, will take the walk. Actually, the walk has become a trot and will soon become a sprint to President Irfaan Ali and to the PPP.
The latest endorsements for a second term for President Irfaan Ali and the PPP are Syndey Allicock, a former Vice-President under the David Granger-led PNC-led APNU/Coalition. Allicock, a member of GAP, served as Vice-President and Minister of Indigenous Affairs between 2015 and 2020, under President Granger and the APNU/AFC government. Allicock, a pioneer in community-based tourism in Guyana, believed that the coalition had lost its way and that he had seen enough to believe that President Ali can unite Guyana and transform our country.
Hinds, PNC leaders like Winston Jordon, and PNC operatives like Rickford Burke and Mark Benschop have resorted to name-calling. The choicest and most vile name-calling has been reserved for IndoGuyanese who have taken the walk from the PNC to the PPP. People like Geeta Chandhan and Daniel Seeram have been called cosmetic props, imposters, traitors and slave-catchers. Afro-Guyanese have been called traitors, lick-bottoms, house slaves, etc. It is shameless that Nagamootoo and Ramjattan, by their silence, have accepted that this is what they were.
Notably, not one endorsement has come out for the Opposition. They have begun to endorse themselves. They issue long statements of self-endorsements to combat the endorsements for President Ali and the PPP for Elections 2025.
GuySuCo CEO demands $25M from Stabroek News over "libellous publication"
Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Paul Cheong has signalled his intention to take legal action over defamatory comments made by a letter writer and published in a section of the media, regarding his leadership of the company, if $25 million in damages aren’t paid.
In a letter of demand, Cheong has threatened to take legal action over a letter to the editor that was published by Stabroek News. In that letter, dated May 19, the writer made a number of accusations against Cheong ranging from his sourcing of mechanical parts for GuySuCo to management of the company’s finances.
According to Cheong’s letter of demand, the letter’s accusations are defamatory, false and have caused serious harm to his reputation. He pointed out that in addition to his longstanding service to GuySuCo, he has also held roles in a number of private companies and the Private Sector Commission (PSC).
“Unsurprisingly, our client’s reputation has been seriously harmed by the publication of such defamatory allegations, the nature of which are deeply distressing, embarrassing and wholly unfounded. Our client is a well respected and prominent figure in the business sector in Guyana with over 40 years of experience.”
“As previously mentioned, he currently holds the position of Chief Executive Officer of GuySuCo since 2024, having previously served as a mem-
ber on the company’s Board of Directors. In addition to his longstanding service to GuySuCo, our client served as Chairman of the Private Sector Commission in 2021 and 2022,” the letter further said. Cheong demanded a full retraction; for him to be indemnified for costs incurred in the matter, and for damages in the sum of $25 million to be paid. Further, the newspaper was given until July 3 to respond.
Only recently, Cheong also had cause to deliver a scathing rebuttal to recent criticism from accountant and commentator Lalbachan Christopher Ram. Cheong asserted that his leadership is rooted in experience, measurable achievements, and a commitment to rebuilding an industry once left in shambles.
In a strongly worded statement responding to Ram’s letter titled “Sugar Dreams and Capital Nightmares”, Cheong
dismissed the criticism as outdated and politically motivated, accusing Ram of “recycling the same tired narrative for over fifteen years” while ignoring the structural progress being made at GuySuCo.
Cheong defended his track record, citing more than 35 years of experience in the sugarcane industry, including his tenure as one of the country’s largest cane farmers, as well as his long-standing service on the Board of GuySuCo under both the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) administrations.
He also highlighted his broader agricultural background and accomplishments during his tenure with the PSC where he said he doubled corporate membership, improved earnings, and expanded market access for Guyanese products.
The legal threat comes at
a time when the Government has signalled that GuySuCo must focus on diversification. During his address at the Enmore Martyrs Ceremony, President Dr Irfaan Ali had stressed that GuySuCo must diversify its operations to support other crops such as rice and cassava.
“We have to think strategically of how we will expand the role of GuySuCo. And perhaps, it is time for us to reimagine GuySuCo’s role altogether. Why must its mandate stop only at sugar? GuySuCo can and must become a hub of rural economic development. We don’t only want sugar workers to rely on their income from sugar,” President Ali said.
Between 2020 and 2024, the Government invested $45 billion in the sugar industry, to revitalise the sector and make it a vital component of the country’s developmental plans. The focus has been on modernising operations, including the mechanisation of GuySuCo estates, with a significant portion of the estates now automated. Additionally, efforts have been underway to recapitalise the industry through the replacement of outdated infrastructure and systems, aimed at improving overall efficiency after the damage brought on by the former APNU/AFC Administration’s efforts to gut the industry.
With a focus on strengthening internal cooperation, the Government hopes to bring the sugar industry back to its former glory, contributing once again to the nation’s development and economic growth.
2 Essequibo men charged in separate cases for larceny, grievous bodily harm
Two men from the Essequibo Coast were on Monday brought before the courts in separate criminal matters, one for allegedly stealing over $200,000 from a man’s home, and the other for reportedly inflicting grievous bodily harm during an altercation.
Tuffic Briglall, a 37-yearold taxi driver of Lot 12 Danielstown Public Road, Essequibo Coast, appeared at the Charity Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Tamieka Clarke, where he was charged with Break and Enter and Larceny.
It is alleged that on June 11, 2025, Briglall unlawfully entered the dwelling house of Vishwannauth Doodnauth at West Sparta Dam, Essequibo Coast, and stole G$220,000 in cash.
Briglall pleaded not guilty and was released on $250,000 bail, on the condition that he report to the Anna Regina Police Station twice monthly until the matter is concluded. The case was adjourned to June 24, 2025.
In the second case on Monday, 24-year-old Michael Rambaran appeared at the
Vigilance Magistrate’s Court before Senior Magistrate Sunil Scarce, where he was charged with Inflicting Grievous Bodily Harm.
The charge alleges that on May 30, Rambaran unlawfully wounded 45-year-old Akbar Hussain at Vigilance, East Coast Demerara (ECD).
He pleaded not guilty and was granted $150,000 bail. Both matters have been adjourned for continuation at later dates.
GuySuCo CEO Paul Cheong
59 persons on remand to stand trial at Berbice Assizes
– as June session of Criminal Assizes opened Tuesday
Fifty-nine persons are currently remanded at the New Amsterdam Prisons awaiting trial at the Berbice Assizes. This is according to the Officer incharge of Prisons, Senior Superintendent Patrick Crawford.
The June session of the Criminal Assizes opened Tuesday with the traditional parade and march past.
This is the fifth time that there was an all-female parade for the opening of the Assizes.
An Assistant Superintendent led the parade and march past. In addition, an Inspector, Sergeant, and twenty-eight ranks made up the all-female contingent.
The salute was taken by
Justice Priya SewnarineBeharry.
The June Session will be presided over by Justice Peter Hugh, where there are 59 persons currently remanded at the New Amsterdam Prisons awaiting trial.
These include 49 for murder, 2 for attempted murder, one for sexual activity with a child, and one for sexual penetration with a child.
Additionally, there are four persons remanded for sexual penetration and two for unlawful wounding.
The age range for those remanded is from 18 years to 71.
Of the 49 who have been indicted for murder, five are teenagers and 32 are between the ages of 21 and 30,
while 11 fall between the ages of 31 and 40.
The oldest person remanded is a 71-year-old man who is indicted for sexual penetration.
Apart from those remanded, the list of persons who are expected to stand trial at the June Session includes persons who would have been granted bail before their trial.
The gazetted list has 89 persons, with additional names for sexually related offences, possession of firearm without a licence, and embezzlement.
Justice SewnarineBeharry is expected to conduct one trial before Justice Peter Hugh takes over.
The session will run until October.
Mother decries cross-border breakdown in daughter’s murder investigation
The mother of Coretta Blair Sandy is expressing deep frustration over what she describes as diplomatic delays, poor inter-agency communication, and a lack of coordination between Guyanese and French authorities in the aftermath of her daughter’s killing.
Tricia Sandy, the mother of the 34-year-old woman whose body was found in French Guiana earlier this month, says the pursuit of justice has been stymied by procedural obstacles and what she describes as institutional indifference.
Coretta was found in French Guiana, days after she was reported missing. Her remains were discovered near the home in Cayenne where she had been staying with her husband, Terrence Glasgow. The woman reportedly travelled with Glasgow to French Guiana on May 29, expecting to return to Guyana within two days. But after all communication with her mother ceased on June 11, concerns escalated. Glasgow later returned to Guyana alone, telling Coretta’s family that she was killed in a shoot-out during an ambush in Suriname.
However, inconsistencies in his story, particularly his inability to specify the location of the alleged ambush, raised suspicions. Coretta’s family contacted the police, and Glasgow was detained in Guyana.
But the family is unclear if the police will secure the necessary permission to keep the suspect in custody beyond the lawful 72-hour detention period.
“They said it’s 72 hours and he has to be loosed,” Sandy recounted, referring to the detention of her daughter’s husband, who was initially arrested by Guyanese police. “I said, I’m begging you [to the station sergeant at the Cove and John Police Station] as a mother… Don’t
loose him.”
According to Sandy, despite a statement being taken and her repeated follow-ups, investigators indicated they were bound by local law. “I know Guyana have laws which we should follow, but as I’m a mother, I’m grieving my child, my only child.”
Sandy said she took her concerns all the way to senior law enforcement officers. “I went to the Commander… I begged the commander… just give him a rearrest,” she recalled. “He said, remember the problem is not in Guyana, it didn’t happen here, it happened in French Guiana.”
What followed, she said, was a string of miscommunications and failed attempts to reach diplomatic representatives, since she claimed, the Guyana police attempted to correspond with the overseas authorities via WhatsApp.
She said she attempted to make direct contact with the French Consulate in Georgetown. “We were all around Georgetown looking for this place,” Sandy explained, detailing her trip across multiple locations in the city searching for the consulate’s office.
Eventually, she told Guyana Times that she received a call from the French Consulate.
Sandy said the official
assured her he was now sending a report through the proper diplomatic channels, involving the Suriname Consulate. “He said he saw it in the papers and he sent it to Suriname… so that I could get a clarification.”
Still, the grieving mother expressed dismay at how a lack of formal protocol caused delays. “Oh God, this thing is devastating, it’s troubling me so much,” she said.
She noted that, although the French side was more responsive, the disjointed international coordination left her with little recourse. “He [the person she spoke to on the phone] told me… he and Guyana does not have no connection… he said go to the high court in your country and seek for a stay.” Despite the obstacles, Sandy said she continues to get updates from French authorities and has received strong community support from across Suriname and French Guiana.
“I’m a Guyanese, I’m not Dutch, and those people support me 100 per cent… It’s morning, noon and night, I can’t even sleep, those people on my phone, keeping me updated.”
Sandy said she remains hopeful that the diplomatic path now being followed will allow for legal action to proceed.
Coretta Blair Sandy Dead woman’s husband, Terrence Glasgow
Diamond-Good Success road to face traffic restrictions amid construction works
As rehabilitation and construction works continue along the Diamond–Good Success section of the East Bank Public Road, the Ministry of Public Works, in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force (GPF), will be enforcing traffic restrictions aimed at easing congestion along the corridor.
Currently the Government of Guyana is undertaking the US$75.8 million East Bank Demerara (EBD) Road improvement project. This initiative, aimed at supporting climate-resilient infrastructure development, marks the first of its kind to be funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in Guyana.
Over the past several months, road rehabilitation and construction activities have commenced along the Diamond–Good Success stretch of the East Bank corridor. The project has so far involved extensive excavation works and deployment of heavy-duty machinery.
As a result, several sections of the roadway have been dug up, while equipment and construction materials occupy parts of the carriageway. These developments have contributed to noticeable traffic congestion in the area, partic-
ularly during peak hours, prompting frustration among commuters and concern from local authorities.
During a site visit to the project on Tuesday, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill announced that traffic restrictions would take effect starting today, as part of efforts to ease congestion. He explained that the initiative will be supported by a series of measures, including clearly marked diversion routes and the installation of traffic signs, all aimed at maintaining a smooth and orderly flow of traffic throughout the construction period.
“We have made all the necessary connections for people to go down to Heroes Highway, connect through Diamond and come through the bypasses
so that you don't have to be on this carriageway. What we are seeking to do now is to only allow for trucks and articulated vehicles carrying heavy load to remain on this carriageway, and all buses, cars, SUVs and the rest of it – the smaller vehicles – to start as of today going through the bypasses that have been created.”
Edghill added, “What we are proposing to do is only trucks, because with the work that is going on as – you can see, lanes would be interrupted. So, sometimes, you would not be able to get a full two lanes of traffic flowing north to south and south to north.”
The EBD Public Road sees more than 30,000 vehicles daily, with trucks making up between 20 to 30 per cent of that number.
Meanwhile also present at the site visit was Traffic Chief, Assistant Commissioner Mahendra Singh, who recommended that public transportation be permitted to use the route in order to avoid disrupting the livelihoods of residents in the surrounding area.
“So one of the things I would suggest, and not deviating from the orders of the Minister of Government at the time, is that public transportation should continue along
this line. That is to say, the route 42 minibuses so that we don't take away from where persons have to travel or inconvenience them to reroute back to their residences or places that they go to do business.”
In addition to trucks and public transportation, the Ministry of Public Works will collaborate with the Diamond/ Grove Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) to ensure that residents are not restricted from ac -
cessing their communities during the construction period.
Moreover, the Diamond–Good Success section of the road, which carries a hefty price tag of $1.3 billion, is currently 45 per cent complete. Once finished, the 1.6-kilometre (km) stretch will feature widened lanes, increased capacity to accommodate heavier traffic volumes, and upgraded shoulders to allow for parking on both sides of the roadway.
Ongoing construction works
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill
Around the World OIL NEWS
Oil prices rise as Iran-Israel conflict escalates
Oil prices climbed on Tuesday as the Iran-Israel conflict raged with no end in sight, though major oil and gas infrastructure and flows have so far been spared from substantial impact.
Brent crude futures gained $2.11, or 2.88%, to $75.35 a barrel by 10:44 a.m. CDT (1544 GMT). U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was up $1.43, or 1.99%, at $73.20.
Both contracts rose more than 3% early in the session but retreated in volatile trade before bouncing back.
The continuing exchange of airstrikes between Israel and Iran returned geopolitical risk to oil markets already aware of a tight supply and demand balance, said Phil Flynn, senior analyst with the Price Futures Group.
"This is not a one-and-done; it's probably much more similar to Russia and Ukraine," Flynn said.
"The market is largely worried about disruption through (the Strait of) Hormuz, but the risk of that is very low," said Saxo Bank analyst Ole Hansen.
There is no appetite for closing the waterway, given that Iran would lose revenue and the U.S. wants lower oil prices and lower inflation, Hansen added.
Despite the potential for disruption, there are signs oil supplies remain ample amid expectations of lower demand. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Largest illegal trading platform for drugs taken down – EUROJUST
An international action week led to the disruption of Archetyp, one of the longest-running dark web marketplaces for drugs, and the arrest of its creator and current administrator in Spain.
The platform had around 3,200 vendors and more than 600,000 users, who traded drugs worth at least EUR 250 million.
Eurojust and Europol coordinated the investigations and operations, which led to the arrest of eight persons in total.
The dark web marketplace was active for over five years.
Archetyp was one of the only platforms to allow the
Suriname’s Santokhi will remain in office longer if VVV has to choose President
If the president and vice president are not elected by a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly (DNA), head of state Chan Santokhi will remain in office for the time being.
He will remain in office until the United People's Assembly (VVV) convenes, expected at the end of August or the beginning of September.
This was confirmed separately by Assembly chairman Marinus Bee and public administration expert Eugène van der San in an interview with Starnieuws.
According to Bee and Van der San, no emergency
legislation is necessary. As long as a new president has not yet been elected, the incumbent will remain in office to prevent a government vacuum. "The country cannot remain rudderless," says Bee.
Bee expects that the president and vice president will be elected via the National Assembly. The six parties that have formed a coalition together have 34 seats – just enough for a two-thirds majority.
The United People's Assembly (De Verenigde Volksvergadering – VVV) is a special meeting that is called when parliament cannot reach an agreement
on very special decisions.
Meanwhile, Suriname’s Independent Electoral Bureau (OKB) will decide on June 20 in a public session whether or not to declare the election results binding.
Without a binding declaration from the OKB, the election results, determined by the Central Main Polling Station, are not yet legally valid.
sale of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. The marketplace had around 17,000 listings online, and with more than 600,000 users, it is considered one of the largest of its kind.
Investigations into Archetyp revealed that its creator and current administrator is a German national residing in Spain.
Coordinated actions in five countries, carried out by around 300 officers, resulted in the arrest of the thirty-year old administrator in Spain, seven other persons and the seizure of assets worth EUR 7.8 million. (Excerpt from European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation)
Federal police have formally accused Brazil’s former far-right president, Jair Bolsonaro, of presiding over an illegal spying network which allegedly snooped on political rivals, journalists and environmentalists during his administration.
The latest accusations relate to a two-year federal police investigation into suspicions that a “parallel” intelligence agency was set up during Bolsonaro’s 2019-23 administration in order to monitor those considered government foes.
On Tuesday police ac -
cused Bolsonaro’s alleged former spy chief, Alexandre Ramagem – who ran Brazil’s intelligence agency, Abin, from 2019 to 2022 – of running the clandestine operation and accused more than 30 others of being involved, including the president’s politician son Carlos Bolsonaro.
The news website G1 said investigators had concluded that under Bolsonaro, members of Abin “formed a criminal organisation in order to monitor people and public authorities, invading mobile phones and computers”.
An Israeli military strike on Iran's nuclear complex at Natanz directly hit the underground uranium enrichment plant there, the UN nuclear watchdog said on Tuesday, revising its assessment after initially reporting it had been hit only indirectly.
Since Israel launched wide-ranging attacks on Iran on Friday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been providing updates on its assessment of the damage to nuclear sites, although it has not been able to carry out inspections.
On Tuesday it said, on X, "Based on continued analysis of high-resolution satellite imagery collected after Friday's attacks, the IAEA has identified additional elements that indicate direct impacts on the underground enrichment halls at
Natanz."
It said there was "no change to report" at Iran's two other major nuclear sites, Isfahan and Fordow.
Grossi had said on Monday there was little or no apparent damage at Fordow, where Iran has enriched uranium up to 60%, close to the 90% weapons grade, at a plant dug deep into a mountain.
At the Isfahan nuclear complex, several facilities were destroyed, including Iran's plant that converted uranium into a form into which it could be fed into centrifuges for enrichment, the IAEA has reported.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he believes his country’s strikes have significantly set back Iran’s nuclear program. (Source: Reuters, CNN)
The term of the current parliament, the National Assembly, ends on 29 June. In order to prevent a constitutional vacuum, it is crucial that the OKB completes its supervision before that date and declares the election results binding. Until then, the sitting DNA remains the only legally valid representative body. (Source: StarNiews)
New charges accuse Bolsonaro of running spy ring from Brazil’s presidential palace – OKB to decide on June 20 whether to declare election results binding
Bolsonaro is already facing the prospect of jail time over his alleged role in masterminding a military coup plot designed to help him keep power af -
ter
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. (Excerpt from The Guardian)
14 killed as Russian missile and drone attacks strike Kyiv – including American citizen
Russian missile and drone attacks have killed 14 people in Kyiv overnight, according to Ukrainian officials.
A 62-year-old US citizen who suffered shrapnel wounds is among the dead.
At least 139 others were wounded in strikes that hollowed out a residential building and destroyed dozens of apartments, with the
city's mayor announcing that Wednesday will be an official day of mourning. Emergency workers were at the scene to rescue people from under the rubble.
One person was killed and 17 others injured as a result of separate Russian drone strikes in the port city of Odesa. (Excerpt from Sky News)
Incumbent President Chan Santokhi
losing the 2022 election to the left-wing veteran
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro
Patience is a virtue. Have enough gumption to decline something you have no interest in, and turn your attention to what is worthwhile. Avoid snap decisions. Choose reason over recklessness.
Slow down, do your research and make every move or change beneficial. Check your ego and stubbornness at the door. Use charm and intelligence to outmaneuver anyone who treats you with disrespect.
Consider what you enjoy most and try incorporating that into your daily routine. Taking a break to satisfy your emotional well-being will help you accomplish more throughout the day.
Be open; awareness is the portal to new beginnings. Kindness and benevolence are your guide and path to happiness. Refuse to let anyone dismantle your dreams or interfere with what makes you feel complete.
Focus, stay alert and question everything and everyone. Timing will be essential when opportunities arise. Offer innovative insight and differentiate yourself from the competition.
Slow down, think and consider your best option. You have plenty to gain if you are levelheaded and willing to work alongside others. Social and networking events will help you engage with interesting people.
Emotions will lead you astray. Rely on common sense and expert advice before deciding how to use your energy. Patience and organization are necessary to take care of business.
Get all agreements in writing and protect yourself from vague situations. A playful attitude will keep others guessing and give you time to determine your next move.
Discipline and elbow grease will help you lower your overhead and enable you to design the perfect surroundings to pursue your next venture. Choose positive action over worrying.
A change of scenery will help you gain perspective regarding personal matters. Talks will help you understand what's possible and best for you. Personal gain is within reach if you're willing to act.
Pay attention to where the money goes. Overpaying or spending money on unnecessary items or entertainment will lead to a budget crunch. Retrace your steps and cut corners wherever possible.
Research will be worthwhile. Refuse to let anyone talk you into something you don't need or want. You can't buy love, but you can gain respect by doing what's best for you.
ARCHIE
Blue Water U15 Girls Championship…
PC, Wauna Primary, Canje and Bartica shine as preliminary round wraps up
The Preliminary Round of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)
– Blue Waters Shipping Under-15 Girls InterSecondary School Football Championship concluded last weekend with thrilling matchups across Regions 1, 4, 6, and 7. The nationwide tournament, aimed at promoting grassroots development and female participation in football, saw dominant performances and the crowning of regional champions who now advance to the next stage of competition, the eagerly awaited round of 16.
This year's competition marks a historic milestone for Region 1 (Mabaruma District), which participated for the very first time in a girls’ football tournament of this scale. Their inclusion is a powerful testament to Blue Waters Shipping’s commitment to expanding access to opportunities and nurturing female football talent across every corner of Guyana.
President’s College reign supreme in Region 4
In Region 4 (East Coast Demerara), President’s College proved once again why they are a powerhouse in school football. The defending champions went unbeaten throughout the group, securing all 15 points available with commanding victories over rivals. Their standout players, Luiza Pugsley and Kimora Edwards, were instrumental with Pugsley netting an impressive seven goals, earning her the title of Top Goal Scorer in the region.
Hope Secondary secured
second place in the East Coast bracket, while Dora Secondary emerged champions on the East Bank, edging Yarowkabra Secondary, who finished as runners-up.
Match Results:
President’s College 7 – 0 Hope Secondary (Pugsley 4, Edwards 3) Yarowkabra 1 – 0 Dora Secondary (Isabela Puche)
Annandale 0 – 0
Hope Secondary
President’s College 3 – 0 Yarowkabra (Pugsley 2, Edwards 1)
Dora Secondary 1 – 0 Hope Secondary (Akalia George)
Region 1: Wauna Primary make historic debut
In their first-ever appearance in a national girls’ football tournament, Wauna Primary Top made an unforgettable impression by winning the Region 1 title. Their spirited performances against Hosororo Primary Top and North West Secondary earned them 6 points and the championship crown.
Prianka LaRose, team captain, was named Most Outstanding Player, exemplifying the talent that exists in this newly included region. Wauna’s participation reflects the ongoing work of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and Blue Waters to bring football to underserved districts.
Match Results:
Wauna 3 – 0 Hosororo (Daniels, Smith, Ghanie)
Wauna 1 (4) – 1 (3)
North West Secondary (penalty shootout)
North West Secondary 4 – 0 Hosororo (Thompson, Debideen, Chilcott, Singh)
Bartica dominate Region 7 best-of-three
Bartica Secondary retained their Region 7 title in dominant fashion, defeating Three Miles Secondary in a best-of-three series. After an opening draw, Bartica powered through the next two matches, with Nerismar Williams leading the charge and claiming Most Outstanding Player honours.
Match Highlights
Bartica 2 – 2 Three
Miles (Kelys & Nerismar Williams; Arrianna Stoby 2)
Bartica 2 – 1 Three Miles (Nerismar Williams 2)
Bartica 5 – 0 Three Miles (Kelys 2, Nerismar 1, Virlerkys 2)
Canje edge New Amsterdam on goal difference in Region 6
In a closely fought Region 6 campaign, Canje Secondary dethroned New Amsterdam Secondary thanks to a superior goal difference after both teams finished level on 10 points. Latoya Williams of Canje was named Most Outstanding Player, contributing significantly to her team’s overall performance.
Match Results: New Amsterdam 1 – 0 Vryman’s Erven (Shania Billingy) New Amsterdam 0 – 0 Canje
Looking ahead: The road to the final begins
With regional preliminaries completed, sixteen schools have advanced to the Round
Williams stars as Oklahoma City Thunder 1 win away from NBA title
Jalen Williams scored 40 points for the Oklahoma City Thunder as they held off an Indiana Pacers comeback to win 120-109 and take a 3-2 lead in the NBA Finals.
The Pacers reduced an 18-point deficit from the second quarter to two points in the fourth quarter before Williams, whose tally was a career best in a play-off game, and team-mate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander helped guide the Thunder to victory.
NBA Most Valuable Player Gilgeous-Alexander provided 31 points along with 10 assists as home side Oklahoma moved one win away from securing the NBA title in the best-of-seven series.
"My team-mates instil a lot of confidence in me to go out and be me," Williams said. "And [coach] Mark [Daigneault] has done a good job of telling me to just be myself. "I don't get to be anything more, and that's given me a lot of con-
fidence."
The Pacers had overcome a 15-point deficit in game one to win but could not repeat the feat in game five.
"Tonight was the exact same game as game one, to be honest," Williams said. "Learning through these finals is what makes this team good, and we were able to do that."
Game six will take place in Indianapolis on Thursday at 20:30 local time (Friday, 01:00 BST), with Pacer’s star Tyrese Haliburton insisting he will be ready for the contest. Haliburton scored just four points in 34 minutes of action in game
points in the fourth quarter
five, with Indiana coach Rick Carlisle saying the player was "not 100%".
He added, "It's pretty clear. But I don't think he's going to miss the next game. We were concerned at half-time. He insisted on playing."
"It's the finals, man. I've worked my whole life to be here, and I want to be out there to compete, help my teammates any way I can. I was not great tonight by any means, but it's not really a thought of mine to not play here. If I can walk, then I want to play. It is what it is. Got to be ready to go for game six," Haliburton added. (BBC Sport)
of 16, set to commence in the coming weeks. The competition promises even more action as the top teams from across Guyana compete for national glory.
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and title sponsor Blue Waters Shipping congratulated all participants, highlighting the exceptional talent and sportsmanship on display.
“This championship is more than just football –it’s about empowering girls, building confidence, and creating opportunities,” said a
Sammy happy with preparation
Wahead of Australia series
starts the series as the No. 1-ranked team, having not lost a series in the 2023-25 WTC cycle.
They have 123 points, while the West Indies are in eighth place with 73 points. A win in the series could see them move to seventh above Pakistan, who are on 78 points.
Meanwhile, the Australians are due to arrive in Barbados on Tuesday and will have a training camp at the picturesque Windward Cricket Club on the eastern side of the island.
est Indies Head Coach Daren Sammy said he is delighted with the hard work being put in by his players during the ongoing pre-series camp in Barbados.
With over a week before the first ball against Australia in the opening Test, Sammy put the players through an all-day training session in the middle to test their readiness to face the world number 1 ranked team.
“Today was a full day of ‘Test’ cricket as we looked at game-sense training. It was good to see Shamar run in and bowl those really good areas, and so did all the other bowlers. The ability to consistently hit that six-metre mark was good to see, and I enjoyed seeing the bowlers firing,” Sammy said.
He was hugely impressed by Shamar Joseph, the 24-year-old fast bowler who is making his return to the international stage.
“Shamar, since he announced himself on the Test arena against Australia in these two Test matches Down Under, I would love to see him repeat those kinds of performances in the coming weeks here on home soil. We went back to see the preparations he had then and the kind of work he had in his legs, and we tried to recreate that kind of situation,” Sammy related.
The team will compete for the Frank Worrell Trophy and signals the start of the 20252027 cycle of the ICC Men’s World Test Championship for both teams. Australia
They have been forced to make a change to the squad with all-rounder Sean Abbott's replacement, Brendaan Doggett, who had an injury complaint during the ICC Men’s Test Championship finals in England last week.
They are also expected to be without batting legend Steve Smith, who suffered a dislocated finger when he spilt a vital catch in the final at Lord’s. Smith’s absence means Josh Inglis, the backup wicketkeeper, is expected to take his place in the middle order.
It is also expected that 19-year-old sensation Sam Kostas will open the batting and Marnus Labuschagne will return to Number 3 as a replacement for Cameron Green, the giant allrounder, who struggled at Lord’s.
“I will be in a splint for eight weeks now, and I may be able to play with it in a couple of weeks. It will depend on my functionality and what I am able to do, so it was probably the best result I could have hoped for,” Smith said.
“I was standing pretty close with the helmet on, and as we saw throughout the game, a lot of nicks went short of first and second slip. The plan was to stand pretty close, and I lost sight of the angle that Mitchell Starc was bowling, and it kind of went inside Bavuma’s hip, and I didn’t see it until really late. It was tricky … it didn’t go in my hand very well. Fortunately, there is no break there, and it just split the skin and dislocated it, which made me feel pretty ill at that stage.”
West Indies: Roston Chase (captain), Jomel Warrican (vice-captain), Kevlon Anderson, Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Johann Layne, Mikyle Louis, Anderson Phillip, Jayden Seales; Daren Sammy (head coach) Australia: Pat Cummins (captain), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Sam Konstas, Scott Boland, Matt Kuhnemann, Sean Abbott; Andrew McDonald (head coach)
MATCH SCHEDULE 1st Test: June 25-29 at Kensington Oval, Barbados 2nd Test: July 3-7 at National Stadium, Grenada 3rd Test: July 12-16 at
(Sportsmax)
SQUADS
Jalen Williams scored 11 of his
GFF representative. “We’re proud of the passion and determination shown by every team so far.” The next phase of the tournament is expected to feature higher stakes and tougher matchups as teams from all regions clash on the path to national victory.
The Wauna Primary outfit
West Indies Head Coach, Daren Sammy
Central Stags confirm squad for 2025 ExxonMobil Guyana GSL
Here’s a brainteaser for you. What do Central Stags captain Tom Bruce and West Indies rising star Matthew Forde have in common?
Two things, actually. They’ll both be playing for the
T20
match for the Stags since March 2024: the veteran all-rounder has been an overseas player for the Joburg Super Kings T20 franchise in the interim.
The Stags also welcome Dean Foxcroft to the GSL squad, with the twinkle-toed,
Central Stags at the upcoming ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League, and they both hold matching one-day fastest fifty records.
Bruce smashed the New Zealand List A record off 16 balls when the Stags won the 2016 Ford Trophy Final at Pukekura Park, and 23-year-old Forde recently became the joint holder of the world’s ODI record with AB de Villiers, having plundered his 16-ball fifty for the Windies against Ireland last month.
Different format to the T20 showcase that awaits in Guyana, for sure, but the Stags will take it.
Bruce captains the Stags squad named for the GSL, announced recently. Along with Forde, a strong line-up contains a couple of other big names added since the team’s standout 2024/25 Dream11 Super Smash campaign.
Doug Bracewell returns with an opportunity to play his first
off-spinning allrounder poised to play his first match for the Stags since he transferred to the Otago Volts in 2019.
Foxcroft said he was really looking forward to linking back up with old friends in the green of the Stags jersey again.
“Just like Otago’s got a special place in my heart, CS’s also got a special place in my heart,” said the 27-year-old.
He debuted for the Stags in all formats back in 2018/19 when he was a young, uncontracted rookie on the up, going on to be named the Stags’ Ford Trophy player of the season before heading south.
Recently he impressed for New Zealand A in Bangladesh (conditions that may not be a world away from those the team can expect in Guyana), and both Foxcroft and Bracewell are capped BLACKCAPS as well.
With Will Young, Ajaz Patel, Josh Clarkson, Blair Tickner, Dane Cleaver, Bruce, and overseas
player Forde all in the squad, it means nine of the 14-strong squad heading to Guyana pack international cricket experience.
Patel’s exciting return marks his successful rehabilitation from a serious knee injury and surgery last summer that saw him miss all the fun as the Stags roared through their title-winning T20 campaign.
The premier spinner now headlines a potent quartet of slow options, with fellow leftarmer and New Zealand A standout was Jayden Lennox, and the right-arm off-spinning all-rounders Foxcroft and Angus Schaw.
Premier League.
Foxcroft brings proven class and heft with the bat but also sports a T20 career best with the ball of 5/11 in the Super Smash for the Volts.
This isn’t his first rodeo in the green jersey. As a rookie in 2019, he top-scored in the Super Smash Grand Final to ensure the Stags won the trophy that year, and there is still a hill named after him on the Seddon Park embankment.
The prospect of Foxcroft recombining with the quality of Young and the explosive power of Bruce and Forde will be exciting for the team as they head off to unchartered territory to compete against four other T20 squads from around the world for a lucrative prize pool.
Forde joins Clarkson as the only players in the squad to have experienced Guyana conditions first-hand, the pair having played there in the Caribbean
Clarkson played for the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots late last year, while Barbados-born-andraised “Mustang” Forde has played for the St Lucia Kings since 2022 and brings valuable local intel.
The big right-armer has played 13 ODIs and six T20 Internationals for the West Indies, opening the attack. He impressed against the likes of England and Australia, and while his primary skillset is respectable right-arm pace, he hits a long ball down the order – amply demonstrated by his boundary-strewn world recordequalling half-century.
Forde will be an exciting watch alongside the established firepower and experience in the Central pace bowling ranks.
Tickner has stood up as the Stags’ Player of the Year for the past two seasons and has been putting in solid performances for Derbyshire in UK county cricket.
Two starts in Guyana would
meanwhile see Bracewell register the 100th T20 of his extensive overall career.
He is now the team’s third highest all-time T20 wickettaker with 75 victims, behind Tickner (111) and Seth Rance, who retired with 92.
His ability to lean back and smash the ball over the rope remains electrifying, and Bracewell has the distinction of becoming the only player to head away with the Stags to both of their overseas T20 tournaments.
He made his T20 debut in September 2010 as a youngster at the Champions League (in Durban, against the Chennai Super Kings) after the Stags had won the previous summer’s HRV Cup.
Along with pedigree seasoned performers, the Stags also have an exciting crop of emerging stars, with Will Clark, Toby Findlay and Curtis Heaphy all playing significant roles in winning the latest Dream11 Super Smash national title.
One Guyana King and Queen of the Sand Football
Heaphy’s class batting is supplemented by genuine wicketkeeping ability that also makes him a ready-made reserve gloveman for Cleaver. Some of the GSL squad will travel from the UK, where they have been playing over the offseason, while the New Zealandbased players will assemble for two training camps before flying to Guyana – reuniting there as a group in early July.
Pace bowler Brett Randell is unavailable as he continues to mend from the broken collarbone that ended his 2024/25 season prematurely. The Stags will open their GSL campaign against the Dubai Capitals on July 10 local time (July 11 NZT), followed by matches with the Guyana Amazon Warriors, Hobart Hurricanes and defending champion the Rangpur Riders. The action-packed round robin will determine which two teams make it through to the July 18 final (July 19 in New Zealand).
Final group stage matches set for this Saturday as quarter-final stage takes shape
The final night of the group stage for the third edition of the One Guyana King and Queen of the Sand Football championships is set for this Saturday in the Bauxite Mining Town of Linden at the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Linden office ground.
With some of the teams
already assured of a place in the knockout stage/quarter finals, others will be seeking to cement their spots by the end of Saturday night. In queens’ action, the GDF, with one game to play, is top of Group A with a perfect record of two wins from as many matches, followed by Hururu with 4 points from their full quota
of three matches.
Over in group B, like the GDF, Iconic Ballers are perfect after three matches with 9 points and have sealed their place in the knockout round. Defending champions Speightland, with a game in hand, are on 3 points and are assured of a place in the next round barring a disastrous display in their final group game.
Over in the king’s segment of play, leading the groups so far, in group A: Hard Knocks and One Syde have already qualified. Group B: Spaniards and Young Gunners; Group C: LA Ballers and Team Minerals; and Group D: Bomberz and YMCA.
Last weekend, rivalry continued with a total of ten (10) matches played whilst the organisers awarded three walkovers. Following are the full results.
Results – Friday, June 13
Queen Fearless 7 v Rockstone 0
Rhennita Romalho 3rd, 7th, 8th, 10th, 15th, 16th
Roshell Brutus 15th
King
YMCA 3 v Rockstone 0
Jamal Bentick 8th
Ryan Noel 19th
Kevin Gittens 26th
LA Ballers 9 v Swan 2
Andre Mayers 5th, 12th, 26th
Mickel Jeffers 14th, 29th, 30th
Own Goal 24th
Jashawn Moore 25th
Marcus Tudor 27th
Mark Loncke 6th, 20th (Swan)
Goal IQ 5 v Hardball Management 2
Donovan Francis 5th, 29th
Jamal Haynes 18th
Shane Haynes 22nd
Trevon Archibald 26th
Marcus Forde 23rd (Hardball Management)
Deon Barkoye 27th (Hardball Management)
Team Minerals got a walkover from Fearless
Hard Knocks 4 v HH Ballers 2
Deon Charter 3rd, 5th, 11th
Omar Williams 9th
Emmanuel Atkinson 24th (HH Ballers)
Anthony Layne 2nd (HH Ballers)
Saturday, June 14
Queen Avocado Ballers 2 v Circuitville 2
Alejandro Henrito 12th, 15th
Euclin Ashby 6th (Circuitville)
Pheany Rose 22nd (Circuitville)
King
Hard Knocks 11 v Avocado Ballers 3
Carlos Escobar 6th, 7th
Omar Brewley 7th, 8th, 27th
Omar Williams 23rd, 24th, 28th
Colwin Drakes 26th, 27th, 29th
Deon Charter 3rd, 15th (Avocado Ballers)
Angel Hines 14th (Avocado Ballers)
Swan FC gained a walkover from Fearless
Lil Ballers 3 v UDK Ballers 2
Rashawn Pitte 8th
Barack John 13th
Anthowne Guillaume 26th
Jamal White 4th (UDK Ballers)
Kenneth Jones 11th (UDK Ballers)
Bombers were awarded a walkover from Hardball Management
Young Gunners 2 v Spaniards 2
Selwyn Barnes 7th, 24th
Shane Luckie 2nd (Spaniards)
Gerry Burnette 28th (Spaniards)
New Zealand’s Central Stags have confirmed their squad
Lil Ballers
…concert to feature Popcaan, Machel Montano, Ravi B
An extended race card and a blockbuster international entertainment line-up are just some of the highlights for this year’s anticipated staging of the 17th Guyana Cup, powered by Banks Beer.
A perk of the corresponding date and anniversary, this year’s event is being dubbed the Gold edition.
Billed for Sunday, August 17, at the Rising Sun Turf Club, West Coast Berbice (WCB), this year’s event will see 11 races, beginning at 11:00 hrs sharp.
Chairman of the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee (JJTRC), Nasrudeen Mohamed Jr, gave some insight into the new races and the increased prize purse during Tuesday morning’s launch at Banks DIH’s Thirst Park.
“This year we have two new races that we recorded, which will be the juvenile race that’s open to imported horses. Due to the large influx of racehorses in the country, we’ve seen a lot of younger horses that came in from the US. So, we had to design a race to suit the younger horses; that’ll be a two-year-old race. We also have a three-year-old, which is the derby that’s open to Brazilian and West Indian-bred horses,” Mohamed Jr informed.
Guyana Cup.”
Once again, the beverage giant Banks Beer will be the title sponsor of the Guyana Cup, as Banks Beer Brand Manager Brian Choo-Hen spoke to the cultural significance the Guyana Cup has now attained.
Guyana’s cultural fabric,” Choo-Hen shared.
This year’s entertainment to follow the feature race will see three international acts, as told by Operations Manager Andre Rochford. Rochford revealed, “This year marks the 17th running of the Guyana Cup, which, luckily for our benefit, fell on the 17th of August, so it’s actually our golden year. We have an exciting display of horse race and entertainment that ends with a huge stage show with Popcaan and his full band, Machel Montano and his full band, as well as Ravi B and his full band.”
“It was quite a challenge to acquire the services of these entertainers because they are heavily booked worldwide. They actually sell stadiums out all over UK and Europe, and to have Popcaan here after 6 years was definitely a task for management,” Rochford later added.
Also confirmed is defending champion Olympic Kremlin's participation in this year’s Guyana Cup feature race.
The JJTRC Chairman went on to reveal, “Guyana Cup, we’ve increased the purse overall for the entire day; it’s now over $50M Guyana dollars. The feature race, we have a $20M purse, which will see ten million dollars first prize in the
“Banks Beer is extremely proud and excited to collaborate with the organisers for the Guyana Cup and Concert. This year marks the 17th edition of the Guyana Cup, and we at Banks and specifically the Banks Beer brand have enjoyed every moment of this journey. This event is now part of
Mohamed Jr responded to enquiries stating, “Of course, Olympic Kremlin will be back. He has an automatic entry into the Guyana Cup. With the large influx of horses, we will be doing a points system that will be released this week for horses to be able to run in the feature event.”
More attractions to the Guyana Cup event include a ‘Banks Village’, road shows and the assurance of better parking provisions this time around.
South Africa Women maul West Indies to claim ODI series
AWednesday and Saturday last.
The hosts won the toss on Tuesday morning and opted to bowl first, allowing the Proteas Women to seize control of the contest with a competitive score of 278-6 in 45.5 overs.
Tazmin Brits led the onslaught for the visitors with a century (101 in 91 deliveries), laced with 8 fours and 4 sixes. Fellow opener Laura Wolvaardt also got a half-century (75 in 76 balls) for a 184-run first wicket stand that frustrated the hosts.
When Afy Fletcher finally broke the stand, the West Indies were able to loosen up the reins with three wickets in close succession.
Nondumiso Shangase and Sune Luus both went cheaply, but Marizanne Kapp steadied the ship once again for the Proteas, hitting an unbeaten 34 in 42 balls. A few other small contributions at the end got South Africa well past the 250-run mark.
Afy Fletcher finished with 3-53 from 10 overs. Several more rain interruptions to follow saw West Indies’ target being revised to 298 needed in 45 overs through the Duckworth/Lewis/Stern (DLS) method and further to 288 in 39 overs.
The chase was a rocky one for the hosts, who, at one point, found it difficult to get to double figures. The entire top four – Hayley Matthews (8), Qiana Joseph (1), Zaida James (1) and Chinelle Henry (1) – were all unable to get past ten, with Guyanese
wicketkeeper/batter Shemaine Campbelle breaking the jinx with a 29-ball 12.
However, the duo of Aaliyah Alleyne and Jahzara Claxton saved the Maroon Women from absolute embarrass ment, combining for a 65run partnership. Alleyne got to a hard-fought 32 in 49 balls, con sisting of a single boundary, before the partnership was bro ken by Masabata Klaas. Claxton, on the other hand, missed out on bring ing up her maiden ODI half-century, falling 7 runs short of the milestone.
The West Indies’ wom - en were eventually routed for 121 in 27.5 overs.
Masabata Klaas was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 4-25 in 6 overs. Both Nonkululeko Mlaba and Annerie Dercksen picked up 2 wickets apiece.
The teams will now shift their attention to the shorter format, the first game of which will bowl off at 14:00 hrs on Friday, June 20, at the same venue.
Tazmin Brits slammed a century (Photo credit: Cricket South Africa)
South Africa’s bowlers steamrolled over West Indies’ batters (Photo credit: Cricket South Africa)
From left: GT Beer Brand Manager Dwain Bristol, Banks Beer Brand Manager Brian ChooHen, JJTRC Chairman Nasrudeen Mohamed Jr and Operations Manager Andre Rochford
