Guyana Times - Wednesday, March 19, 2025

No delays – Pres Ali rules out extension for new Demerara River bridge

…over 200 additional workers hired to advance project PM Gonsalves meets with Maduro as Venezuela's provocations threaten Guyana's sovereignty over Essequibo Govt suspends Aranaputa mining

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, March 19 –04:00h-05:30h and Thursday, March 20 – 20:30h-22:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, March 19 –06:30h-08:00h and Thursday, March 20 – 07:00h-08:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.

WEATHER TODAY

Sunny conditions are expected during the day, interrupted by thundery to light showers in the morning and early-afternoon hours, with partly cloudy skies at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to Easterly between 3.13 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 07:06h and 19:31h reaching maximum heights of 2.58 metres and 2.44 metres.

Low Tide: 13:05h reaching a minimum height of 0.63 metre.

No delays – Pres Ali rules out extension for new Demerara River Bridge …over 200

additional workers hired to advance project

resident Dr Irfaan Ali and team descended on the eastern side of the new Demerara River Bridge which will form a vital link between the East and West Banks of Demerara, for an impromptu visit, where he made it clear that no extensions will be granted to the contractors.

During his visit, the Head of State inspected the ongoing works and received an update from China Railway Construction International Limited (CRCCL), the contractor, on the measures they are implementing to ensure the project is completed within the timeframe- measures such as hiring over 200 more workers, including engineers, to expedite the work on the main spans for the bridge.

“This project is not being executed one day beyond the time. And (your) attitude and work ethics is what’s going to ensure this project completes on time,” President Ali informed the team on the ground, while examining the access road. He further urged that 24hour work shifts be implemented.

During an examination of some drainage works, the President was informed that some changes had been made. Upon being informed by the project manager that approval had not been received as yet from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), the President demanded that they get clarification on the matter by the close of day.

President Ali then climbed up on the bridge itself, where he was assured that the structure will be completed by the end of August 2025. He was presented with a view of the communities and adjoining roads. As a matter of fact, the President noted the several approaches to the bridge, ensuring that traffic congestion can be a thing of the past.

“Those are the kind of roads. Auxiliary roads off of the bridge. It’s gone to connect to the main roads. That’s why we built that

highway. The Haags Bosch highway that’s going all the way to Ogle. So, you have

US$260 million four-lane bridge across the Demerara River, which was shifted

meeting between a President Ali-led Government team and the contractor, a consortium led by China Railway Construction Corporation Limited (CRCCL). Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and Housing and Water Ministers Collin Croal and Susan Rodrigues, along with their technical teams, were part of the discussions.

Already, President Ali, in his New Year address to the nation, had committed to the new Demerara River Bridge being operational by the end of 2025. Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, during one of his weekly press conferences, had assured that the project cost has not increased.

Back in September 2024, Minister Edghill had reported that the Demerara River Bridge project was some 67.8 per cent complet-

four ways you can connect all the way to Ogle and same thing to go to Busbee Dam,”

President Ali noted.

It was announced in January of this year that the completion of the new

from a 2024 year-end deadline to March 2025, had been further extended by another five months in order to allow for the concrete works to be properly cured. This was the outcome of a

ed. While the bridge is being constructed by the CRCCL International-led joint venture construction, Italian firm Politecnica is providing supervisory services on the project.

President Dr Irfaan Ali during his inspection of the bridge

View of the surroundings from on top the bridge

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Marketing: 231-8064Accounts: 225-6707

Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Industrial Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown

Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Silence, inaction & irreparable loss

The tragic case of Zaila Sugrim’s murder at the hands of her ex-husband, Ryan Sugrim, is a sobering reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence. The recent sentencing of Sugrim to 24 years in prison brings a measure of justice, but it does not erase the pain and loss suffered by Zaila’s family. More importantly, it underscores the urgent need for collective action to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand, who was Zaila’s Attorney when she first escaped her abusive marriage, has made an impassioned appeal to women in abusive relationships and to families who may be enabling domestic violence. Her message is clear: silence and inaction can lead to irreparable loss. Domestic violence is not just a private matter – it is a societal crisis that demands immediate intervention.

Zaila Sugrim’s story is, heartbreakingly, not unique. Women across Guyana and the world continue to suffer at the hands of their abusers, often feeling trapped by fear, economic dependency, and psychological manipulation. Many victims believe that their abusers will change, that promises of reform will hold true. But as Manickchand so poignantly pointed out, abuse is a deep-seated issue that requires professional intervention. Without meaningful change, the cycle of violence continues, often escalating to lethal consequences.

The harrowing details of Zaila’s final moments highlight the calculated brutality that domestic violence can escalate into. After enduring years of abuse, she sought safety and legal protection. Yet, a simple act of visiting her children turned fatal. Her story serves as a chilling warning to all women who believe they can manage an abusive partner or safely return to a violent environment. The unfortunate truth is that domestic violence often ends in death.

Manickchand’s plea to families is especially significant. Too often, domestic violence is ignored or excused, with family members turning a blind eye or downplaying the severity of the abuse. Some parents, siblings, and friends may hope that the situation will resolve itself or that the abuser will reform on his own. But history and experience show otherwise.

Her stark warning is one that all families should heed: by failing to intervene, they risk not only the life of the victim, but also the future of the abuser. A man who is allowed to continue his violent ways unchallenged may one day find himself in prison for decades, just like Ryan Sugrim. Families must recognise their responsibility in stopping domestic violence, not just for the victim’s sake, but also to prevent the irreversible consequences for the perpetrator.

Domestic violence is not a private matter; it is a national crisis that requires a coordinated response. Government agencies, social services, law enforcement, and the judicial system all play crucial roles in ensuring that victims receive protection and that perpetrators are held accountable. But legal and institutional responses alone are not enough. Societal attitudes must shift. Too often, victims are blamed or pressured to stay in abusive relationships for the sake of their children or financial security. Cultural norms that tolerate or excuse abuse must be dismantled. Communities must actively support survivors, providing safe spaces, counselling, and economic opportunities to help them rebuild their lives. Public awareness campaigns must reinforce the message that domestic violence is unacceptable and that no one – regardless of their status, gender, or background, is above the law.

Manickchand’s words also serve as a direct appeal to women who are currently in abusive relationships. The belief that an abuser will change without professional intervention is a dangerous illusion. Women must prioritise their own safety and take decisive action to leave and stay away from violent partners. Seeking legal protection, finding shelter, and building support networks are essential steps towards securing a future free from abuse.

It is a painful truth that leaving an abusive relationship is not always easy. The emotional and psychological grip of an abuser can be as powerful as physical violence. But the risks of staying – injury, trauma, or even death – are far greater. Women must recognise their worth, their right to safety, and their right to live without fear.

Domestic violence is a scourge that thrives in silence and secrecy. It is time to break that silence.

Guyanese should not rely on sensationalised fiction, but on verified facts

Dear Editor,

The Ministry of Natural Resources takes this opportunity to address the latest fabrications published by Glenn Lall on March 16 headline “Disasters of the oil industry unfolding in Guyana.” Lall’s claims demonstrate a willful disregard for facts, as we will now outline.

Claim: The fishing sector has collapsed due to oil production

Lall claims that fishing in Guyana has collapsed, with fishermen unable to catch enough to cover costs, forcing the country to import fish.

Facts: Contrary to his claim, Guyana’s fishing industry expanded by 1% in 2024. While fish production faced minor contractions (-2.2%), marine shrimp production grew by 8.5%, and aquaculture production expanded by 13.7%, with brackish water shrimp production increasing by 19.1%. Government interventions are yielding results, with the fishing industry projected to grow 5.8% in 2025. The notion that fish is now an exclusive luxury is not supported by any credible data.

Claim: Guyana has become dependent on imported fruits and vegetables

Lall suggests that local produce is failing due to oil activities, causing Guyana to import essential crops.

Facts: The other crops sub-sector grew by 10.9% in 2024 and is projected to expand by 11.7% in 2025. Expansions were recorded across vegetables, fruits, root crops, beans, cereals, coconuts, and spices, largely due to increased acreage. In particular, corn and soya production skyrocketed by 154.8% and 129.2%, respectively, fueled by government-backed investments. The claim that Guyana is suffering from crop failure and excessive reliance on imports is entirely false.

Claim: The livestock sector has been devastated

Lall asserts that livestock, including chickens and ducks, are weak and sickly, supposedly due to oil industry impacts.

Facts: The livestock sector grew by 24.6% in 2024 and is expected to expand by 7.5% in 2025. Growth was observed across all livestock categories, including poultry (31%), pork (35.3%), beef (6.9%), eggs (7.6%), and milk (6.4%). Improved poultry health was driven by vaccinations and reduced mortality rates. Additionally, in

2025, Guyana will further strengthen the industry by:

* Constructing a feed pelletizer storage facility

* Completing a pig slaughtering and processing plant

* Establishing poultry zones for better biosecurity

Lall’s claims that Guyana’s livestock industry is failing are simply untrue.

Claim: Oil operations are causing infrastructure to collapse

Lall suggests that Guyana’s roads and bridges are failing due to overweight oil industry vehicles.

Facts: Oil revenues are financing critical infrastructure development, including the expansion of roads and bridges. While there have been cases of substandard work by some contractors, there is no logical correlation with the oil sector. Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has urged citizens to report poor-quality infrastructure, and corrective measures will be taken. The government remains committed to ensuring Guyana’s infrastructure is resilient and built to support economic growth, including demands from the oil and gas sector.

Claim: No accountability for oil revenues

Lall falsely claims that the government is spending oil money without accountability and that officials refuse to disclose spending details.

Facts: This is a deliberate misrepresentation. Every dollar of oil revenue is accounted for within the national budget, which is debated and approved in Parliament. Oil revenues are deposited into the Consolidated Fund, alongside other government revenues. Spending plans and budget estimates are publicly available, item by item.

Additionally, Lall’s claim that the Vice President said he “doesn’t have to tell the nation” how oil money is spent is a fabrication. The Vice President simply explained that because funds are pooled into the national budget, expenditures are not itemized by revenue source, but all spending is transparently recorded.

Claim: The Gas-toEnergy project is a “debt trap”

Lall claims the Gas-toEnergy project is an economic disaster, that documents are being hidden, and that Guyana is in the dark.

Kumerau Falls, also known as Kumarau Falls, cascades beautifully along the Kurupung River in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) (Guyana Tourism Authority photo)

Rejecting OGGN’s baseless aspersions; urging they do their homework

Dear Editor,

Attention was drawn to a letter published on Sunday, March 16, 2025 under authorship of members of the Oil and Gas Governance Network (OGGN) and captioned “Minister Teixeira must address UN concerns on Access to Information Act”.

The authors mentioned therein two unjustified claims, viz (i): that the Access to Information Act having been invoked to access tax information for ExxonMobil Guyana and its co-venturers, their failure to obtain same thereunder suggests that there are inadequacies of the Act, or some deliberate efforts to hide information; and (ii): that they are unable to access the oil companies’ tax certificates (from other referenced sources), suggesting that they have some degree

of legal right to obtain same.

It should be interesting to note that the information the aforementioned group is seeking is readily available and accessible within the public domain, vis-à-vis the oil companies’ financial statements, which can be obtained from the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority.

By law, companies operating in Guyana are required to file their annual tax returns with the Deeds and Commercial Registries.

For the avoidance of doubt, the information being sought concerns the tax certificate issued by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), which represents the oil companies’ share of taxes which is to be paid from Government’s share of profit oil in accordance with the Petroleum Agreement

(2016).

Although third parties shall not have access to taxpayers’ data from the GRA, in accordance with the law, insofar as it concerns the tax certificate issued by the GRA to the oil companies, or any other company for that matter, that notwithstanding, the tax information can be extracted from the companies’ financial statements.

Commonsensically, this group (OGGN), which is made up of seasoned attorneys, accountants and economists, ought to know that they can independently ascertain the tax information that they seek from the financial statements which can be obtained from the Deeds and Commercial Registries, as was previously mentioned.

Further, their attention is drawn to Section 15 of the Access to Information

Visa requirement forcing T&T to now accept CCJ

Dear Editor,

It took the visa requirement recently imposed on T&T for the former PM to call for the abolishment of the Privy Council and the

CCJ to be that country's final court of appeal. How convenient! With the CCJ located in the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, there is no need

for a visa, and no attendant fees are required.

Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

Guyanese should not rely...

Facts: The loan terms for the project are public and have been widely reported, including in Lall’s own newspaper. Guyana is being recognized internationally for its enviable debt-to-GDP ratio and is well-positioned to service its debts. The government has consistently outlined the Gas-to-Energy project’s economic benefits, which include:

* Significant reductions in electricity costs

* Lower emissions

* Improved energy security

The arbitration process involving a contractor is a normal contractual procedure and does not indicate failure. The government and the contractor remain committed to project completion, and allegations of secrecy are baseless.

Claim: Oil production in Guyana is causing extreme heat and tsunami risk

Lall claims that Guyana is unbearably hot due to flaring and that ExxonMobil has acknowledged a tsunami risk.

Facts: There is no scientific basis for Lall’s claim that offshore oil production is responsible for heat fluctuations. Guyana, like the rest of the world, experiences seasonal temperature varia-

tions due to climate change and global weather patterns.

Regarding tsunamis, ExxonMobil’s Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) include disaster assessments, which is a standard practice. This does not mean that a tsunami poses a serious threat to Guyana. The likelihood of a tsunami impacting Guyana is extremely low, given its distance from seismic zones, which is an indicator of tsunami risk. Lall’s attempt to stir fear using out-of-context statements from the EIAs is deceptive.

Claim: Lack of ring-fencing has cost Guyana $20 billion

Lall claims Guyana has lost US$20 billion due to the absence of ring-fencing provisions in its oil agreements.

Facts: Ring-fencing is an accounting mechanism. Without it, oil companies can recover expenses across multiple projects, even before certain projects have started production. This defers revenue to Guyana but does not eliminate it. Lall’s claim of a US$20 billion loss for Guyana is pure fiction— there is no basis for this number.

Furthermore, Lall claims that Brazilian officials called Guyana a “cheap prostitute”

for its oil deal but provides no source, no quote, and no proof. If he had any credible evidence, he would publish it—he won’t, because it doesn’t exist.

Glenn Lall has made a practice of spreading falsehoods, often relying on unverified claims, misrepresentations, and outright fabrications. His only aim is to spread mischief and be sensational to sell newspapers. The article in question lacks credible sources, and even his own former employees have spoken out about his habit of pressuring journalists to support his misleading narratives.

The reality is that Guyana’s economy is growing, its agriculture and fisheries are expanding, its livestock industry is thriving, its infrastructure is improving, and its oil revenues are accounted for. Lall’s misleading narratives serve his own interests, not those of the Guyanese people.

The Ministry of Natural Resources urges all citizens to rely on verified facts rather than the sensationalized fiction Glenn Lall regularly publishes.

Sincerely, Ministry of Natural Resources

Act, which states that: “A person shall not apply under this Act for access to –(a) A document which contains information that is open to public access or an official website, is part of a public register or otherwise, in accordance with any other written law, where even that access is subject to a fee or other charge; (b) A document which contains information that is available for purchase by the public in accordance with arrangements made by a public authority; (c) A document that is avail-

able for public inspection in a registry maintained by the Registrar General, National Archives, Parliament or other public authority.”

As a result of this Act, as connectivity improved over the years, Government policy requires Government and state agencies to post information on their websites in a timely fashion, ensuring the public is well informed in accordance with the Act.

It should be noted that Guyana’s Access to Information Act was modelled on - and adopted

wholesale - the abovementioned section and others of its Canadian counterpart, before examination by a Parliamentary Special Select Committee and passage in the National Assembly. Against the foregoing, we wish to categorically reject the OGGN’s baseless aspersions; and we urge that, in the future, they do their homework thoroughly.

Sincerely,

Gail Teixeira, MP Minister

of Parliamentary

and Governance

Affairs

Recognising dedicated Police ranks for promotion in Region 3

Dear Editor, I write in full support of the critical issue of ensuring that long-serving and experienced junior ranks - from constable to the rank of sergeant - within the Guyana Police Force (GPF) are not overlooked for promotion.

The promotion process within the GPF must reflect fairness, merit, and recognition of police men and women who have dedicated years of service to protecting our communities.

Having served diligently for several years, many ranks in Region Three continue to gain invaluable experience in law enforcement while maintaining impeccable disciplinary records. Some of these ranks have upheld the highest standards of professionalism, and if there are no charges or infractions in their files, there should be no reason to withhold their wellearned promotions.

Promotion serves as a vital motivator for ranks of the GPF, who put their lives on the line daily to serve and protect. Junior ranks, in particular, look forward to career advancement as a form of encouragement to continue discharging their duties with diligence and commitment. If they feel neglected or see their hard work go unrecognized, morale will suffer, potentially impacting overall policing efforts in the region.

It is imperative that the authorities responsible for promotions take into account the contributions of these ranks, and ensure that those who meet the criteria are given due consideration. Not only would a fair and transparent system boost morale, but it would also strengthen community trust in the Police Force.

I urge the relevant stakeholders to prioritise this matter and ensure that promotions within the GPF are done equitably, acknowledging the dedication and commitment of ranks who have given years of honourable service to Guyana.

Moreover, recent training school graduates have been

promoted to corporal within six months, while those with over seven years of service remain constables. How can those unrecognised ranks be motivated to continue their proactive approach to duty?

The base of the organizational structure comprises constables whose diligent service and commitment warrant appropriate incentivization, particularly those with five years of unpromoted tenure.

Sincerely, Halim Khan, Head of the Region Three Private Sector Inc

Page Foundation

1. The total surface area of a square measuring 6 cm per side is

(A) 36 cm2

(B) 48 cm2

(C) 68 cm2

(D) 92 cm2

2. Pauline played in the park from 16:30h to 18:00h each day. How many hours did she play each week?

(A) 8.5 hours

(B) 14 hours

(C) 10.5 hours

(D) 12 hours

3. 1/1, 2/2, 3/3,_, 5/5

The missing fraction in the pattern is

(A) 4/2

(B) 4/4

(C) 4/5

(D) 3/2

4. The lowest common multiple below of 3, 6 and 9 is (A) 27

(B) 9

(C) 3

(D) 18

5. Which of the numbers below is a factor of 17?

(A) 1

(B) 3

(C) 5

(D) 10

6. A machine can print 200 sheets of pictures in 5 minutes. How many sheets of pictures can it print in one hour?

(A) 1 000

(B) 2 400

(C) 3 000

(D) 12 000

7.

The chart above shows the number of hours of studying Pitamber did a week before his big exam.

a) On which day of the week did Pitamber study the longest?

(b) What is the mode of the number of hours studying Pitamber did?

(c) On which day of the week did Pitamber do three times as much studying as he had done on Thursday?

(d) Calculate the mean number of hours of studying Pitamber did.

By ElizaBEth

Mary had a little bird, With feathers bright and yellow, Slender legs –upon my word, He was a pretty fellow! Sweetest notes he always sung, Which much delighted Mary; Often where his cage was hung, She sat to hear Canary. Crumbs of bread and dainty seeds, She carried to him daily, Seeking for the early weeds, She decked his palace gaily. This, my little readers, learn, And ever practice duly; Songs and smiles of love return, To friends who love you truly.

WORD SEARCH:

PM Gonsalves meets with Maduro as Venezuela's provocations threaten Guyana's sovereignty over Essequibo

St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves traveled to Venezuela to meet with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, in an effort to deescalate tensions being stoked by the Spanish-speaking nation over Guyana’s Essequibo territory which it unjustly claims.

It was only in December of 2023 that Guyana and Venezuela signed the Argyle agreement in St Vincent, overseen by Gonsalves himself. That agreement had prohibited both countries from acts that could escalate the border controversy over Essequibo. However, since then Venezuela has repeatedly breached its terms.

Gonsalves, who served as an interlocutor between Guyana and Venezuela to get the two countries to agree to peace, is once again step-

ping in to deescalate tensions. This time, he traveled to Venezuela, to meet with Maduro on Tuesday over the latter’s continued acts of provocation.

In a statement issued by the St Vincent Government, it was explained that Gonsalves traveled to Venezuela on Monday. Further, it was revealed that Gonsalves also spoke to Ali on Monday, presumably via phone, to urge calm and restraint.

“Dr Gonsalves also cautioned that an escalation into open conflict could devastate both nations economically and socially, and destabilised the entire Latin America and Caribbean region, potentially leaving us with a humanitarian and refugee crisis. He advised both parties to resolve the matter so it does not lead to any open conflict,” the statement said.

Venezuela has continuously made provocative actions and rhetoric against Guyana over its unjust claims for Guyana’s Essequibo region, indicating plans to hold elections on May 25, 2025, to appoint a Governor and other leaders for Guyana’s Essequibo region. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has since given the Venezuelan Government, until the end of March to explain its recent provocative actions.

This directive followed the Guyana Government’s request for the ICJ to block Venezuela’s attempt to hold the unlawful elections in the Essequibo region, which accounts for two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass. The Guyanese Government informed the ICJ that such actions by Venezuela “flagrantly violate” the provisional measures issued by the court in

No delays – Pres Ali rules...

The new bridge would land aback Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara (EBD), and at La Grange, West Bank Demerara (WBD). A massive 650-person workforce is working to advance the project. Of these, 120 are Guyanese while 85 are Venezuelan migrants.

The new bridge will be a fixed, 2.65-kilometre (km), four-lane, high-span, cable-stayed structure across the Demerara River, with the width of the driving surface being about 23.6 metres. It will feature a bicycle lane, and would bring to an end bridge closures for ve-

hicular traffic with a 50-metre fixed high span to cater for the free and uninterrupted flow of vessels.

The river would be dredged along a 13.5-kilometre stretch to accommodate large vessels. This new fixed high-span structure would replace the aged floating Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB), which has outlived its lifespan by several decades.

With a length of 1.25 miles (2.01km), the DHB is a strategic link between the East and West Banks of the Demerara River, facilitating the daily movement of thousands of vehicles, per-

sons and cargo.

Hence, the new bridge across the Demerara River is a critical component of the Government’s drive to expand and modernise Guyana’s transport infrastructure, and will address the challenges faced by users of the current bridge by providing safe, efficient and effective crossing.

Upon completion, it is also expected to lay the groundwork for other economic opportunities for Regions Three and Four, including agriculture development, tourism, construction, housing and commerce.

Guyana asked the court to order Venezuela to refrain from any acts within or affecting its sovereign territory, including the Essequibo region. Guyana informed the World Court that the planned Venezuelan elections would inevitably be preceded by preparatory acts, including acts within Guyana’s Essequibo region, affecting the Guyanese population and Guyana’s sovereignty over its territory.

This is the second time Guyana has sought provisional measures from the World Court, which is currently hearing the case to settle the decades-old border controversy between the two South American neighbours.

Guyana initiated the case

back in March 2018, asking the ICJ to affirm in a final and binding ruling that the 1899 Arbitral Award, which determined the international boundary with Venezuela, is legally valid.

Then, in February 17, 2025, six members of the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) came under attack by Venezuelan men on the border. The February 17 attack injured the six troops – all with gunshot wounds. Initial reports had indicated that some of the Venezuelan men died, after the soldiers returned fire.

On March 1, a Venezuelan naval vessel entered Guyana’s waters where ExxonMobil’s Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) ves-

sels are located, in an act of intimidation that has since been roundly condemned by Guyana and the international community.

Following the Venezuelan vessel’s incursion, the Guyana Government activated a series of responses, including the deployment of military resources offshore, engaging the international community and sending a formal protest note to Caracas.

Guyana reaffirmed that all activities authorised by its Government within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) fall entirely within the maritime area adjacent to its sovereign coastal territory, as defined by the Arbitral Award of 1899.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and St Vincent Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves at a previous meeting

President Dr Irfaan Ali and Maduro when they signed the Argyle Agreement in 2023 in St Vincent

December 2023.

“I am very, very sorry”

– man convicted of

ex-wife’s

murder tells Judge

…court rejects plea for leniency; jailed for 24 years

After nearly six years of legal proceedings, Ryan Sugrim was sentenced to 24 years in prison on Tuesday for the 2019 murder of his ex-wife, Zaila Sugrim. Justice Damone Younge handed down the sentence in the Demerara High Court.

Justice Younge started with a base sentence of 30 years. One year was deducted for mitigating factors, but seven years were added for aggravating circumstances, bringing the total to 36 years. The sentence was then reduced by one-third due to Sugrim’s guilty plea, lowering it to 24 years. After deducting the five years he had already spent on remand, Sugrim was left with 19 years to serve.

On May 11, 2019, Zaila visited Ryan’s home in La Union, West Coast Demerara, to see her children on their son’s birthday. What should have been a routine visit turned into a fatal encounter. According to Sugrim’s statement, an argument broke out when Zaila found suspicious numbers in his phone. He claimed that she grabbed his firearm, threatened to shoot him, and that during a struggle, the weapon discharged, hitting her in the face.

Instead of calling for medical assistance or reporting the incident, Sugrim took immediate steps to cover up the crime. That night, after ensuring his children were asleep, he dragged Zaila’s body to the back of his gas station, where he set it on fire using tires and kerosene. A neighbour noticed the fire and called the fire service, but Sugrim intervened, convincing the neighbor that it was just garbage being burned.

Once the fire subsided, he dug a shallow grave and buried Zaila’s remains in his yard. Over the next few days, he misled family members,

lied to his children about their mother’s whereabouts, and attempted to erase any traces of the crime.

By May 12, 2019, Zaila’s children and family grew increasingly concerned. It was Mother’s Day, and she had promised to spend it with her children. On May 13, police arrived at Sugrim’s home and conducted an initial search, but found nothing suspicious inside. However, a more thorough examination of the yard led to the discovery of fresh dirt and burned remains.

Sugrim claimed he had burned garbage and that his children wanted to plant a garden, but as police contin-

ued to dig, they unearthed human remains wrapped in cloth. Additional evidence found in his vehicle, including red stains resembling blood, further strengthened suspicions.

DNA testing later confirmed that the remains belonged to Zaila Sugrim. Sugrim was arrested and charged with murder.

No remorse During sentencing, prosecutor Muntaz Ali argued that Sugrim’s guilty plea did not equate to true remorse. “Remorse is not shown by simply pleading guilty,” Muntaz stated.

TURN TO PAGE 25

Splitting…

…(Maduro’s) hairs

Okay, your Eyewitness knows that Mad Maduro’s got quite a head of hair; but that doesn’t justify splitting hairs over how we should confront him in the multi-pronged war he’s waging against us. However, there’s one former Foreign Service flunkey who keeps going on and on and on, insisting we should continue to use “diplomacy as the first line of defence”! While he didn’t mention Pres Ali by name, he went after PNC’s Aubrey Norton and Gary Best for daring to mention that we should also beef up our military capabilities.

Pressie, of course, has been strengthening our Disciplined Forces for ALL the various theatres of war: land, sea, air – and that new one, space and cyberspace!! On land forces, he’s ordered that more troops be recruited and they continue to be trained by the very best around – the US Southern Command. Recollect all those joint training exercises in our jungles?? Well, if Mad Maduro is thinking of rolling over by land, he can’t do that across our southern border; he’ll have to pass through Brazilian territory to get to our Rupununi, and Lula’s already shown him the folly of THAT way. Brazilian troops are poised to kick their butts!!

So, it’s back up north, through the Cuyuni jungles, and this is where our Jungle Commandos have been training for decades in the Brazilian Jungle Warfare School!! We have the wherewithal to do what the Viet Congs did to the numerically superior American troops – whup their butts by waging guerilla warfare!! And all those Navy ships and Soviet jets the deskbound diplomatic flunkey enumerated?? Has he heard of drones in modern warfare?? Funny thing is he does, since he mentioned Ukraine holding off the Ruskies!! More spectacularly, look at the Yemenis: without a navy, enforcing a naval blockade!! Drones, baby, drones??

So, he doesn’t think our fellas can handle drones?? Well, what does he think those US Special Forces trainers have been doing?? Just showing us how to dig trenches and hide sharpened bamboos in them to impale the Venezuelans?? Well, they do that, but drone training is now old hat – just upping those dame-playing skills!!

Now, none of this means we would avoid diplomacy; but could the old diplomat tell us how effectively these multilateral guardians of the world order, that we’ll woo, do, as with good ole Rashleigh Jackson??

Point of the matter is that Pressy’s already gone beyond where any of the diplomat’s 70s heroes would’ve gone. He even allowed the fifth columnist Ralph Gonzalves to set up a face-to-face with Mad Maduro. How many seas must a white dove sail…Before she sleeps in the sand? The answer ain’t blowin’ in no wind – it’s staring in our faces.

We gotta do whatever it takes to stymie Mad Maduro!!

…peace offer

In a two-and-a-half-hour conversation with Russia’s Putin, Pres Trump did what few thought he could do: talk tough and get as much as he gave to Russia in his efforts to bring peace to the three-year Ukraine war. At this stage, the White House readout says it all: "Both leaders agreed this conflict needs to end with a lasting peace. They also stressed the need for improved bilateral relations between the United States and Russia. The blood and treasure that both Ukraine and Russia have been spending in this war would be better spent on the needs of their people.

"This conflict should never have started, and should have been ended long ago with sincere and good faith peace efforts. The leaders agreed that the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace. These negotiations will begin immediately in the Middle East."

…Cuba conundrum

As he’s said before, your Eyewitness doesn’t understand why so much ink’s being spilled over our stance on the US threat over the Cuban Medical Brigade. All we gotta show is no money goes to the Cuban Govt!!

Dead: Zaila Sugrim

Ryan Sugrim leaving the Georgetown High Court after his sentencing

Prosecution, defence lawyer clash over interrogation methods used on witness 2020 election fraud case

The cross-examination of election fraud case witness and Head of the Diaspora Unit, Rosalinda Rasul, by the defence continued on Tuesday. However, the session was interrupted several times by clashes between the prosecution and the defence over the methods used in the cross-examination.

Rasul was an election observer for American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham)Guyana, during the contentious events that followed the 2020 General and Regional elections. She was thus subjected to a stream of questions by Attorney-at-Law Eusi Anderson, who on behalf of the defence questioned the chain of custody of the Statements of Poll (SOP).

Specifically, Anderson questioned whether the observers were left unsupervised with these documents while at the Ashmins Building for the tabulation, implying that this is when they could have been altered. To this, Rasul pointed out that staff from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) were usually in the room too.

However, on the prosecution side Attorney-at-Law Latchmie Rahamat, objected over Anderson’s commentary between questions, describing them as aggressive. Rahamat and Anderson further butted heads after the Attorney made commentary to infer that Rasul was being coached on what to say.

Rahamat immediately raised objections and acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty ordered that Anderson’s comments be struck from the record. Anderson meanwhile went on to question Rasul’s work experience, the jobs she currently holds and even going so far as to ask her what her salary was.

The Chief Magistrate asked Rasul to exit the courtroom and the two sides then debated the merits of having the witness disclose her salary on a public forum, with the prosecution pointing out the obvious safety risk.

When Anderson attempted to ask Rasul questions pertaining to her Terms of Reference as an election observer, Kings Counsel Darshan Ramdhani objected to the defence’s at-

tempt to interrogate a witness on documents not entered into evidence. The court eventually adjourned for lunch, after which it resumed for the remainder of the afternoon during which Anderson resumed his line of questioning of Rasul.

On Monday, Rasul had been questioned by defence counsel about her role as an independent and neutral elec-

tion observer and the events that took place at the Ashmins building, which was the command centre.

Meanwhile, a date is yet to be determined for attorneys to visit the Ashmins building, where Rasul will identify and highlight areas referenced in her testimony. In their proposal for the site visit to be conducted on Friday March 21, 2025, the defence requested that no restrictions be placed on what can be admitted as evidence.

Nine persons are before the court in this case, which pertains to the March 2020 General and Regional Elections. They include former Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo; former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield and his former Deputy, Roxanne Myers. Also charged are former People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Chairperson Volda Lawrence; PNCR activist Carol Smith-Joseph; and

GECOM employees Sheffern February, Enrique Livan, Michelle Miller and Denise Babb-Cummings.

Together, these nine defendants confront 33 counts of election-related fraud, focused on alleged efforts to manipulate voting results. Initially overseen by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly, the trial began in July 2024, but was paused following her extended medical leave, which has resulted in the trial being reassigned to

McGusty. When the matter was called on December 8, 2024, the defence had pressed for a fresh start to the already delayed trial. On the other hand, the prosecution had argued that a restart of the case was completely unnecessary and that all the court needed to do was to recall the previous witnesses. Ultimately, however, McGusty had ordered a restart in the election fraud trial.

Magistrate

Former AmCham Guyana observer Rosalinda Rasul

Attorney-at-Law

Eusi Anderson

Ashmins Building

Govt suspends Aranaputa mining licence in North Rupununi

In a swift response to public outcry, the Natural Resources Ministry has suspended a controversial mining licence granted to Sol Nascente Inc for operations in Aranaputa, North Rupununi.

The decision follows strong objections from Regional Chairman Bryan Allicock, local communities, and environmental advocates who decried the lack of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) or Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA).

On Tuesday, Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat traveled to the region and met with concerned residents and officials before announcing the suspension.

Guyana Times understands that Allicock welcomed the decision but insisted that the suspension should be made permanent.

Objection

The signing of the mining deal between Sol Nascente and the Aranaputa Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) was witnessed by Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai and a legal officer from her Ministry. However, details on the nature of mining operations remained scarce, raising

further concerns among locals and environmental groups. Even media was not informed about the type of mining that Sol Nascente Incorporated will do.

Allicock, who refused to attend the signing ceremony earlier this month, accused the authorities of failing to consult affected residents. "No EIA or ESIA was done, and there was no consultation with the communities that will be affected. The residents are now finding out what was done after the fact. When they said they did extensive consultation, that was a lie,” Allicock told is quoted in another section of the media as saying.

Meanwhile, the non-profit organisation Visit Rupununi also criticised the agreement, arguing that large-scale mining is unsuitable for the region. In a statement, the Visit Rupununi was quoted saying it “holds a firm and unwavering position that mining of this nature has no place anywhere in the Rupununi Regardless of the outcome of any environmental or social assessments, we believe that mining near communities or inhabited areas will inevitably result in the destruction of lives, ecosystems and the region’s long-term prosperity.”

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat in Aranaputa, Region 9 on Tuesday

Local health system goes digital, as US$3.3M EHR deal signed

…persons can be fined $10M, jailed for leaking

The Health Ministry and RioMed Limited have officially signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Electronic Health Record (EHR) System, valued at US$3.3 million.

The system will integrate vital health information, including patients’ medical histories, diagnoses, medications, treatments, and test results.

RioMed Limited, a company registered in the United Kingdom (UK), has been awarded a contract to develop and implement an EHR System in Guyana. The duration of this contract will be 18 months, during which the system will be rolled out in an initial phase at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and its satellite clinics. Deliverables will be realised throughout the contract period.

The system will be available to all health facilities in Guyana, with over 400 health centres set to gain access to it. The software being implemented is a fully customisable solution, which means that the Ministry of Health can tailor it to suit their specific requirements.

The system is designed to integrate not only with the Health Ministry’s current systems but also with future ones.

Among its many objectives, the EHR system will aim to reduce waiting times at hospitals, improve overall national health outcomes, and enhance the management of all health facilities. This includes improving the management of personnel, inventory, and data.

Speaking during the signing of the memorandum event on Tuesday, Chief Executive

medical records

Officer (CEO) of GPHC, Robbie Rambarran, revealed that the implementation of this EHR system will enable health services to transition from traditional paper-based processes to streamlined digital solutions that empower clinicians, improve patient outcomes, and enhance the overall experience for everyone who entrusts them with their care.

He also added that this will aid in keeping patient

files easily accessible.

He further added that this system will allow patients to access their files at all clinics.

“With this EMR, it will be integrated at all clinics. If a patient visits different clinics, all the records will be integrated, and physicians will be able to see who is managing the patient.

“What happens at the various clinics currently is that, because we have a paper-based system, if a patient is going to different clinics, they have separate records. And the separate records, because of the paper-based system, are obviously not integrated…physicians may not know the full history, and sometimes patients would not give doctors their complete medical history. This can lead to prescriptions for drugs that may conflict with medications prescribed by another specialist.”

(From L-R) Project Coordinator of the Project Execution Unit, Vishraj Singh; Managing Director of RioMed Limited, Mario Mohammed; GPHC CEO Robbie Rambarran; Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony and IDB’s Country Rep, Lorena Salazar

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2025 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Domestic violence

“Do not defend it, do not protect it” –Manickchand to families of perpetrators …urges women to leave abusive relationships

Education Minister Priya Manickchand has made an appeal for women to leave abusive relationships and for families to stop enabling domestic violence, stressing that failing to act could lead to tragic consequences.

Her remarks come following the sentencing of Ryan Sugrim, who was handed a 24-year prison term on Tuesday in the High Court in Georgetown for the brutal murder of his ex-wife, Zaila Sugrim. Manickchand was present at the hearing since

lies who may turn a blind eye to domestic violence, Manickchand urged them to take action before it is too late. “If you know somebody, your son is being abusive, it’s your duty in his interest and in your interest, not in a woman’s interest, to stop him, or else this could be your son going to jail for a long, long, long time,” she warned.

She also spoke directly to women in abusive relationships, cautioning them against believing promises of change from their abusers.

“Anybody who’s sick enough to beat you up, lock you away from family, that is a disease. It is something sick in his head, and that doesn’t get cured because he says he will cure it,” she stated. “It doesn’t even get cured because he wants to. He has to go and get serious medical interventions and psychological interventions to be able to change, and if he’s not getting that, trust me, you could end up dead.”

“Do not defend it”

Manickchand empha-

she had been Zaila’s attorney when she first escaped from her abusive marriage.

After years of enduring severe abuse, Zaila finally left the relationship and sought help through legal and social services. However, in 2019, she returned to Sugrim’s home to celebrate one of their children’s birthday. It was there that he shot her in the head, burned her body, and buried her in a shallow grave outside his house, while their children were inside.

Manickchand in a video message, recounted the abuse Zaila had suffered, saying she had been “isolated from her family, locked up in the house, isolated from any other human beings, severely beaten, emotionally abused, [and] financially abused.” Despite escaping to a shelter and receiving support, she ultimately returned, a decision Manickchand described as part of the complex and painful reality of abusive relationships.

Addressing fami-

sised that domestic violence is not a private matter but a societal issue that requires collective action.

“Do not defend it, do not protect it, do not excuse it, do not enable people being violent or abusive in their homes,” she urged.

Using Zaila’s case as a tragic example, Manickchand reminded women of the dangers of staying in or returning to an abusive situation.

“The day before Zaila Sugrim was murdered, I bet you she would tell you, ‘No, that’s not going to be me,’” she said. “Because I’m out, I’ve gotten out. I’m now just visiting my kids.” But, she warned, “You can’t [think that way], because this is happening to women in relationships, not only in Guyana, but across the world.”

Manickchand stressed that while men should be held accountable for their actions, women must also take responsibility for their own safety.

“Once men are beating,

hitting, [or] abusing you in any way, you have to take responsibility for yourself and get out and stay out of that relationship,” she said.

During Tuesday’s hearing, Justice Damone Younge initially set a base sentence

of 30 years but added seven years for aggravating factors, including the attempt to destroy evidence and a history of domestic abuse. After deducting one year for mitigating circumstances and applying a one-third re-

duction for his guilty plea, the sentence was reduced to 24 years. With five years already served on remand, Sugrim will spend the next 19 years behind bars.

During sentencing, victim impact statements revealed the devastating toll the murder had on Zaila’s family. Prosecutors argued that Sugrim had shown no true remorse, and Justice Younge ruled that the nature of the crime warranted severe punishment.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand with the family of Zaila Sugrim on Tuesday at the High Court

Dead: Zaila Sugrim

Govt record 63% of women accessing social assistance programmes

Dr Cona Husbands, Manager of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Policy Unit within the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, announced

a 63 per cent increase in access to social assistance support in Guyana. This milestone comes ahead of the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

(BPfA). She attributed the increase to the proactive and well-crafted programmes implemented by the Guyana Government. Dr Husbands made this statement during the 69th

session of the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters.

“In Guyana, 63 per cent of women have increased access to social assistance

programmes because our Government has been creating proactive, gender-responsive programmes that are accessible and ensure that women and girls in rural areas receive the sup-

port they need in today’s world of overlapping crises. Especially in social protection, changes must be resilient and adaptable to meet the needs of women who are affected,” she said. She then lent her perspective on the COVID-19 pandemic, stating that while Guyanese were affected, the Government saw the need to fill the gap for those in need by providing them with funds to support their needs.

She called on the UN to ensure that social protection strategies are impactful. According to Dr Husbands, the Ministry swiftly responded by introducing emergency relief packages, including direct cash transfers and food assistance, to support vulnerable women and children. She emphasised the importance of flexible social protection services that can adapt to evolving needs and ensure continuous support.

“Key stakeholders, including the UN and Governments, must work together to ensure that social protection service systems are impactful. In Guyana, the Government is partnering with civil society organisations to conduct community outreach and awareness campaigns, ensuring that women and girls are aware of their right to social protection and how to access these services. The Government is also introducing measures to streamline service delivery and ensure that women in remote and rural areas are not excluded from critical support. An example is the direct cash transfer, which benefits all of our citizens.”

Manager of the Human Services and Social Security Ministry’s Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Policy Unit, Dr Cona Husbands

Ramsammy’s Ruminations

Elections 2025 are referendum on unity and One Guyana or polarisation

Make no mistake, Elections 2025 is a referendum on ONE GUYANA. Are we going to journey on the path of unity and ONE PEOPLE, ONE NATION, ONE DESTINY, or will we choose the Opposition’s divisiveness and racial division?

Unity has always been a dream for all decent Guyanese. The 1953 unity of the people, with Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham, has proven to be illusive. Cheddi never gave up on uniting our people; Forbes Burnham divided our people to gain power. This coming week, we will gather for the traditional Cheddi Jagan pilgrimage at Babu Jaan in Port Mourant. Cheddi’s dream, and his fight for unity among our people and for freedom and democracy, will be front and centre this weekend.

President Bharrat Jagdeo restored hope that Cheddi’s dream is alive. President Irfaan Ali has brought Guyana near the realization of the dream. The dream of, and aspiration for, One Guyana is not owned by any political party or individual. It is not a new goal being pushed by a politician; it is a national goal, aspiration and destination that has been in our psyche for decades. It is inscribed in ONE PEOPLE, ONE NATION, ONE DESTINY.

President Irfaan Ali is a formidable proponent of the dream. For him, the legacy of his presidency are the steps he and our country have taken to realize the dream left to us by our ancestors and those who framed the fight for freedom and democracy in our country. That the PNC finds ONE GUYANA on our new passport objectionable is evidence that Guyana has descended into tyranny and dictatorship, and provides self-evidentiary proof that the party has become totally clueless and totally devoid of any meaningful alternative to the PPP as elections 2025 stare at us.

Here is a challenge to the PNC and others: put your hands up if you are against unity, against us being ONE GUYANA. When President Irfaan Ali was sworn in, he promised to work diligently for ONE GUYANA. Testimony to the success of ONE GUYANA is the growing number of Guyanese rejecting alignment of race and political parties.

Elections 2025 are constitutionally scheduled to take place before December 1, 2025. President Irfaan Ali has reiterated that Elections 2025 would be held “not a day later than the constitutional deadline”, a view previously articulated by Guyana’s Vice President and PPP General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo.

Guyana’s 12th Parliament commenced sitting on September 1, 2020, almost one month after President Ali was sworn in. It therefore means that the Parliament must end no later than September 1, 2025 (exactly five years after it had commenced sessions). The Constitution provides that a period of no more than three months after this date the elections must be held. Both the President of Guyana and the GS of the PPP have been unequivocal that the elections will be held before the deadline. Elections 2020 were held almost 12 months past the deadline. The PNC is known for wantonly disregarding the Constitution. When the NoConfidence Motion was passed in Parliament on December 21st, 2018, elections became due by March 20th, 2019. The elections did not take place until March 2, 2020, just short of a year later. When the elections were eventually held, it was only after many legal challenges and the CCJ having to intervene to force the Government to hold elections.

Before 2020, the PNC was last in charge of the scheduled 1990 elections. Those elections were not held until October 1992, almost two years later. It is a PNC “thing”.

Even as Elections 2025 are scheduled to be held before December 1, 2025, there have been speculations. Some have accused the PPP of planning snap elections. Both President Ali and VP Jagdeo have dismissed the possibility of Elections 2025 being a snap election. At the end of the day, it is up to President Ali, whose responsibility will be to dissolve Parliament, and GS Jagdeo, who has responsibility for preparing the PPP for elections, to decide when before December 1st to call the elections.

It is a little jarring that, with elections scheduled within eight months, those who have been charged with elections crime related to the March 2, 2020 elections are still going through the sloth of Guyana’s judicial system.

That there was an organized conspiracy to rig Elections 2025 is not in dispute. An internationally-recognized tribunal had concluded that the conspiracy involved GECOM senior staff and senior members of the PNC-led APNU/AFC. International observers, led by the Carter Center, CARICOM, the Commonwealth, the EU, the UN, and the OAS have affirmed this conclusion in their reports on Elections 2020. Police investigations have led to charges. But the judiciary has not been in any hurry to deal with this matter. In the meanwhile, those who have been charged with serious conspiracy crimes are walking free in Guyana.

But even more jarring is that the “champions” of rigged elections and constitutional violations in Guyana are professing their love for democracy and freedom. This past week, the PNC has led a chorus of criticism, deeming the use of the term “ONE GUYANA” on Guyana’s new passport as evidence that Guyana has descended into tyranny and dictatorship. What “BS”!

Truth is that the Opposition fear ONE GUYANA is an antidote to their plan to spread division and hate as a vehicle for grabbing power. They fear that if ONE GUYANA takes a hold, they would not be able to spread their “slo’ fyah, mo’fyah” craziness. But ONE GUYANA has taken hold, and the Guyanese people have put their hands up to state, “We want ONE GUYANA.”

President Ali and the PPP have been resolute, and have put the question to the Guyanese people. We either prosper with ONE GUYANA or sink with the Opposition’s call for polarisation.

Equal opportunities, remuneration among challenges women face in O&G industry

As stakeholders continue to advocate and fight for women in society, particularly in working fields that were traditionally male dominated, advocates have recently highlighted some of the common challenges women have and continue to face in the Oil and Gas industry.

The fifth annual Women and Girls Summit was held last Thursday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC). Hosted by the Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the summit served as a platform for advocacy and action, calling on Government and society to continue pushing for policies that uplift women and girls.

The theme for this year’s event was "Dismantling Biases through Leadership & Mentorship." Featured on the panel was Vice President of El Dorado Offshore Sarona Samaroo who has more than 7 years of service at the company under her belt.

Samaroo was asked about the systematic barriers in her industry which hinder the advancement of women and girls.

In her response the executive highlighted that in the oil and gas industry women are often greeted with less compensation when compared to their male counterparts as well as less job opportunities

.“When I look at it systematically, there are three main areas that women often are hindered with when it comes to career progression or hiring. Number one being hiring, where sometimes in male-dominated sectors, the decision makers obviously are men, and there are boys clubs that exist in those companies where it's very difficult to penetrate, and they see women as emotional, they see women as weak, they see women as physically incapable of achieving what they could achieve.”

The Vice President added, “Apart from hiring, in terms of career progression, there are systematic hindrances in terms of compensation, where you talk about pay equity, where still at the forefront companies will post on social media, we have a team of women who lead this department…But is that voice taken seriously? Is that voice empowered to make a difference? Are those women empowered to be the best that they can be by paying them sufficiently, by paying them for what it's worth?”

Notably this year’s

Women and Girls Summit saw more than 100 women in attendance majority of which were young individuals.

However, to effectively combat the gender inequality plague, Samaroo stressed that more male participation is needed at events of a similar nature.

“The changes start with discussions like these and as much as I am happy to

see the audience filled with young and brilliant women, we need to bring those men who make those decisions to these conferences and these forums and have those hard-hitting conversations with them…So ladies and gentlemen, and I must commend the gentlemen who've made time to

show up today, we all have a part to play, but we can only accelerate the 134year gender gap if we work together to achieving that.”

Moreover, In Guyana's burgeoning oil and gas industry, women are increasingly breaking barriers and taking on leadership roles, with organisations like Women in Energy

(Guyana) and companies like ExxonMobil actively promoting their participation and empowerment.

A growing number of Guyanese women are entering the oil and gas sector, with some companies like ExxonMobil reporting that 52 per cent of their Guyanese employees are women.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy

El Dorado Vice President Offshore Sarona Samaroo

Guyana exploring trade, investment opportunities with northern Brazil

AGuyanese delegation has recently concluded a three-day trade mission in Northern Brazil, specifically Boa Vista, State of Roraima.

As part of ongoing efforts to improve cross border trade between the two countries, the trade mission sought to explore trade and investment opportunities with northern Brazil and expand collaboration in areas such as agroprocessing, manufacturing, construction, tourism, food distribution and port development.

On Monday, the Guyanese delegation – which consisted of officials from the Foreign Affairs Ministry; Public Works Ministry; Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry; Agriculture Ministry and the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) along with representatives from 30 local companies - met with the Governor of the State of Roraima, Antonio Denarium to exchange views on areas of interests of both sides and explore possible areas of cooperation.

The Governor of the State of Rorima indicated that the State is ready to expand trade and economic relations with Guyana and stressed that the State offers an excellent business environment for investment. In his presentation, the Governor outlined the progress made in the State of Roraima since his appointment in 2018 in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, poverty reduction, and job creation. He highlighted that the State’s

GDP grew by 25.8 per cent in the last four years and is projected to grow by 11 per cent this year.

This is due to an increase in the production of soya, corn, rice, cattle and fish. In addition to being the fastest growing State in Brazil, it has also experienced a rapid population growth over the years.

Meanwhile, Guyana’s Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud, who led the discussions on the Guyana side noted that while Guyana and Brazil have shared excellent political and diplomatic relations over the decades, the two countries have not been able to fully develop economic ties. In this regard, he expressed the wish of President Ali for the trade mission to examine new ways of deepening economic ties, particularly at the level of the private sector.

Update

The Foreign Secretary provided an update on the major infrastructure projects in Guyana including the LindenLethem Road, expansion of airports, and port development which would position Guyana as a logistical hub with enormous opportunities for Northern Brazil in terms of shipping at a reduced time and cost.

To increase trade in a mutually beneficial way, the Foreign Secretary noted the need for a review of the Partial Scope Agreement, the framework under which trade is conducted between the two countries. Additionally, the two sides are in active discussions towards the operational-

isation of the Guyana- Brazil International Road Transport Agreement (IRTA) which would see an increase in the movement of goods and people.

Further, the Foreign Secretary expressed gratitude to the people and Government of Brazil for their unwavering support of Guyana’s territory integrity and sovereignty and in standing with Guyana against Venezuela’s aggression.

Moreover, in his remarks at the private sector engagement, the Chief Investment Officer of Go-Invest, Dr Peter Ramsaroop described Guyana as an investor friendly environment, with strong investment policy framework and robust trade agreements aimed at facilitating trade. He also emphasised the importance of moving beyond Government-to-Government conversations and positioning the private sector as a driving force in the expansion of trade and investment between the two countries.

During initial consultations, the Brazilian side expressed interest in exploring collaboration in technological transfer, exchange programmes between the University of Guyana (UG) and the University of the State of Roraima in the field of engineering and agriculture, research, importation of fertilisers, improvement of air connectivity between Georgetown and development of a fibre optic cable between Guyana and Northern Brazil. On the other hand, the Guyana side expressed interest in increasing trade in construction materials, impor-

tation of soya bean, corn and grain for the Guyanese and Caribbean markets, port development, and market access.

In addition to the Governor, the Guyana team will meet with the Secretariat of Agriculture and the Director of Foreign Commerce, SEBRAE (Support Service for Micro and Small Enterprises), State Department of Tourism, Dry Port Authorities, Brazil- Guyana Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Industries of the State of Roraima.

Meanwhile, the trade mission is in keeping with a com-

mitment made during a meeting between President Dr Irfaan Ali, and President of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, held in Georgetown in February 2024. The two presidents had agreed to organise a trade mission to Brazil, comprising officials of the Government and the business sector of Guyana, with the aim of expanding trade and investment between the two countries.

Local companies from the construction, agriculture, livestock, port, transportation, tourism, food distribution and logistics industries were represented from Guyana.

Representatives from Guyana and Brazil engaging in discussions

More transparency on projects in education sector as Govt launches online data portal

Amid the Government’s educational infrastructure development push, which has seen a record number of schools being renovated and or constructed over the last four years, the Education Ministry in its bid to increase transparency on these projects has launched a new online data portal.

The new innovative online portal which was officially rolled out on

Tuesday will provide members of the public with critical information about the Ministry’s projects.

Named ‘Project Maps’, the new website will provide members of the public with pertinent information relating to the Ministry’s projects across Guyana.

Some of information persons will be able to access in relation to construction projects include: Name of school, name of contractor, contract sum,

procurement method and the date which the project commenced and is expected to be completed among others.

This info will be available for Nursery, Primary and Secondary schools as well as dormitories in all 10 regions.

During the launch event, Education Minister Priya Manickchand stressed that the new portal will play a crucial role in enhancing transparency

between the Ministry and the public.

“We've been building an enormous amount of schools, primary, nursery, secondary, dorms. Building, rebuilding, or extending significantly all across Guyana. And intermittently, you, your colleagues in the press, members of the public, parents, interested people call us to find out whether something is being built, when it's supposed to be fin -

ished, who's the contractor, and things that you should know, things that have been made public, but not been made public in one space.”

She added, “So what have we done for you today? Martina and Phil have worked with the buildings department to create for you a map of Guyana…That will show you exactly where every nursery, primary, secondary and dorms will be up -

loaded and perfected by tomorrow, is being built, rebuilt, or significantly extended.”

Moreover, apart from being informative, Head of Information Systems at the Education Ministry, Phil Mingo revealed that the new website will also be easy to use, by offering several unique features that will make locating projects and accessing information easy and convenient for users.

“If you don’t know where Region Nine is, there is a filter, so we can actually click on region and the map will adjust to show you only the institutions in region 9 and now we can click of any of the schools.”

The new portal can be accessed v5.education.gov. gy.

Meanwhile, the 2025 budget sets aside an impressive $36.2 billion for the construction and rehabilitation of educational facilities across Guyana. This allocation will facilitate widespread works on nursery, primary and secondary schools countrywide, contributing 20,000 additional spaces for students.

During the 2025 National Budget presentation, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance and Public Service, Dr Ashni Singh had revealed that this allocation builds on the $28.7 billion allocated in 2024, which successfully saw the completion, rehabilitation and expansion of several schools nationwide.

With a nearly $7.5 billion increase, the new budget will further improve and construct more learning environments for students.

Application displaying schools under construction or renovation across Guyana

‘‘Dream

Realised’’ initiative

Over 1700 house lots distributed at Moleson Creek

The Housing and Water Ministry continues to work to secure lands for residential purposes across the country, and on Tuesday, over 1700 house lots were distributed in Moleson Creek, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

During the Housing and Water Ministry’s ‘Dream Realised’ event in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) on Tuesday, Minister Collin Croal spoke of the challenges the Government faces in securing land for residential purposes, particularly in agricultural-heavy areas.

In the region, he explained, that there is a balance in setting aside land for residential development and agricultural projects.

Croal explained that, in

order to satisfy the demand for house lots, new areas have to be opened up, and these are oftentimes in underdeveloped locations.

“Government has competing interest for land use and here in Region Six, we have to take into consideration here being an agricultural region the competing interest for your cash crops, for livestock as well as the fact that we have consolidated an expanding for sugar.”

Nevertheless, Croal emphasised that the Ministry has been investing heavily in getting the infrastructure ready in communities where lands are being allocated.

In Region Six, land is available for distribution in two areas; one being at Moleson Creek.

“To go to Molson Creek, it used to look like you are going to some other island, but Moleson Creek itself will further expand not only because of housing but also because of what the Government’s inten-

tion and programme is; and that is for the alignment for the bridge that will connect us to Suriname. Therefore, Moleson Creek will have a hub. When we are doing development, it is not done in isolation – there is

a lot of planning that goes into place,” the Minister explained.

Last year, 1000 house lots were allocated at Moleson Creek, and on Tuesday, a further 1761 was distributed.

At the ‘Dream Realised’ event, 16 vouchers were given for cement and two for steel and cement.

The titles for two house lots were also handed over during the ceremony.

“The generation that is coming now, they want their own homes; they want to live separate and they may not be going back necessary working in the agriculture sector. That’s why we came up with the other area based on availability of land at Hogsty. Hogsty will cater for persons from Black Bush as well as close by where we will start up a new housing development.”

The contacts for the infrastructure for both Moleson Creek and Hogsty Housing Schemes were signed on Tuesday.

Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal distributing steel and cement vouchers

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2025 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

UG, Human Services Ministry launch course to empower social workers in remote areas

The Human Services and Social Security Ministry has teamed up with the University of Guyana (UG) to launch a new course for aspiring social workers in remote areas.

In celebration of World Social Work Day on Tuesday, Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud delivered a virtual speech at the University’s Social Work Day event at its Turkeyen Campus in the George Walcott Lecture Theatre.

There, she announced that the Ministry has collaborated with UG to roll out a new course for aspiring social workers from hinterland, rural and remote areas.

“In collaboration with the Social Work Department of the University of Guyana for

aspiring social workers in the hinterland, rural, and remote communities. This course has been developed by Ms Hopkinson and team and will provide those persons with the opportunities to study and work and to gain entry to diploma programmes at the University of Guyana.”

The Minister noted that this programme addresses the critical gaps in social work service provisions in underserved areas. According to Minister Persaud, there is a great need for skilled, passionate social workers and she encouraged students pursuing this career path to take the job seriously.

“As we continue to face unprecedented challenges in our world today, the need for skilled, passionate social workers has never been greater. We need you to be the next genera-

tion of leaders, innovators, and advocates who will ensure that no one is left behind and whose work ethics will embody the ethos, the ideals, and the principles of social work, where the client's well-being and welfare are paramount.”

Better salary

Notably, Persaud also acknowledged the need for social workers to be paid better.

“I will also continue to advocate for better wages and working conditions, and ongoing professional development to ensure that social workers are equipped to handle the complex needs of our society.”

Moreover, the Minister also revealed that works on the Social Work Bill which has been in the making for some two years are nearing completion.

“The Social Workers Bill is nearing completion and has benefited from input by Ms Hopkinson and team. I sincerely thank them. This legislation seeks to provide registration and licensure, and also to devel-

op a Social Work Council, which monitors, regulates, and maintains accountability of social workers among their other functions. The legislation also speaks to the nomenclature of social workers, identifying var-

ious categories of social work.”

The Social Work Bill aims to establish a legal framework for social work practice in Guyana, including provisions for licensing social workers.

Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud meeting with officers from the Childcare and Protection Agency’s Probation Office in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) on Tuesday (MHSSS photo)

‘‘Brother’’ sentenced to 23 years for murder

…victim’s daughter shares heartbreaking grief with court

After being found guilty of the 2018 murder of Taj Andrew Jarvis, 37-yearold Damian Bissoon, also known as “Damion Sardina” and “Brother,” was on Tuesday sentenced to 23 years in prison by Justice Damone Younge.

During the sentencing hearing at the High Court in Georgetown, Justice Younge set a starting sentence of 25 years but deducted three years for mitigating factors, while adding one year due to aggravating circumstances, resulting in a final sentence of 23 years.

On March 30, 2018, Jarvis and a friend were walking along Alexander Street, Kitty, Georgetown when they crossed Barr Street, Georgetown and were confronted by Bissoon. Bissoon demanded money from Jarvis before launching a violent attack, punching and fatally stabbing him. The victim, who was found with defensive wounds, was not the aggressor.

Bissoon fled the scene and remained on the run for nearly four years before surrendering to the

police in 2022. His initial trial in October 2024 ended in a mistrial, prompting a retrial in January 2025, during which a jury unanimously found him guilty.

Prosecutors Alvaro Ramotar and Muntaz Ali argued that the attack was senseless and unprovoked. They highlighted that even after stabbing Jarvis, Bissoon kicked him multiple times before fleeing without offering assistance. Witnesses identified Bissoon as the assailant, and forensic evidence supported the pros -

ecution’s case.

During the hearing on Tuesday, emotional victim impact statements were read in court. Jarvis’s 15-year-old daughter, through a family member, expressed her grief, stating that her father was her best friend. She shared that she had only known him for nine years and believed her life would be better if he were still alive. She revealed that she often cried and struggled to cope with the loss, and she witnessed her grandmother’s immense pain.

Jarvis’s sister on the other hand spoke of the devastation the family endured. She recounted how their once-close-knit family had been shattered, with holidays no longer holding the same joy. She revealed that her niece had attempted self-harm due to her father’s death and expressed her strong desire for the death penalty to be imposed. She also shared how she took it upon herself to search for her brother’s killer, believing that if she had been there that day, she would have tried to save him, even at the risk of injury.

Defence attorney Ronald Bostwick argued that compared to Jarvis’s life, Bissoon’s upbringing had been extremely difficult. According to a probation report, Bissoon grew up in a financially struggling household. His mother was the sole breadwinner, endured domestic violence, and faced hardships after his father left. He was unable to complete secondary school due to financial constraints.

During an interview, his mother described him

as a non-aggressive person and expressed sorrow over the situation. The probation report also indicated that Bissoon maintained his innocence, stating that he did not know Jarvis and had no prior altercations with him.

A separate probation report from the Guyana Prison Service noted that while Bissoon had not participated in any rehabilitative programs, he expressed an intention to engage in anger management and other training courses. Prison staff described him as respectful, quiet, and tidy, with no documented behavioral issues.

Bostwick emphasized that Bissoon had no prior convictions and had voluntarily returned to face the charges. He urged the court to consider his age and the possibility of him rehabilitating and becoming a positive member of society. When given a chance to speak, Bissoon offered his sympathies to Jarvis’s family and pleaded for leniency.

Prosecutor, Alvaro Ramotar, however, pressed for a severe sen -

tence, arguing that the murder was brutal and unjustifiable. He pointed out that Bissoon still refused to accept responsibility, despite witness testimonies identifying him as the perpetrator. He called for a strong sentence to serve as a deterrent for similar crimes.

Justice Younge, considering all factors, stated that Bissoon did not demonstrate genuine remorse. Consequently, she imposed a 23-year sentence.

With the case now concluded, Jarvis’s family expressed relief that justice had finally been served, though the pain of their loss remains immeasurable.

Sentenced: Damian Bissoon

Dead: Taj Andrew Jarvis

House lots scam accused on $150,000 bail

A28-year-old woman accused of defrauding multiple persons of millions of dollars

in a house lot scam has been granted bail.

Areefa Paul, of Lot 721 Plantation Best, West

Coast Demerara, appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on

“I am very, very sorry...

He further emphasized that the post-mortem report contradicted Sugrim’s claims about how the killing occurred.

Justice Younge also considered the probation report, which revealed a history of domestic abuse. It was noted that Sugrim had physically assaulted Zaila months before her death and that she had been trapped in an abusive relationship.

Victim impact statements from Zaila’s family further illustrated the deep emotional wounds inflicted by her murder. Her sister, Tricia Watson, detailed the lasting trauma faced by Zaila’s children, particularly her teenage son. She described how the boy, once full of life, had since spiraled into behavioral issues, even coming into conflict with the police. She emphasized how Zaila’s murder had left a void in their family that could never be filled.

FROM PAGE 8

Monday, where she was arraigned on two charges of obtaining money by false pretence.

She pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of $150,000—$75,000 on each charge.

Aggravating factors outweighed

Additionally, the probation report noted that there were allegations that Sugrim had attempted to escape from prison and he was found in possession of a cell phone while incarcerated, both of which were cited as further aggravating factors.

When given an opportunity to speak, Sugrim locked his eyes tightly as he spoke, maintaining that the killing was not premeditated. “I am very, very sorry. Please accept my apologies,” he said. He claimed that he, too, was grieving and that he had loved Zaila. “I would never do anything to cause her death deliberately,” he insisted, throwing himself “at the mercy of this court.”

His attorney, Dexter Smart, argued for leniency, highlighting that Sugrim had no prior convictions, pleaded guilty, and had already served five years on remand. Smart described Sugrim as a businessman with an education and a history of community involvement. He also pointed out that his children and mother still visited him in prison, stating, “his children already lost one parent. Don’t let them lose another.”

Mohamed Haniff, Zaila’s brother, also spoke about the devastation their family endured. In his statement, he expressed the profound pain of losing his sister in such a brutal manner. He recounted how their elderly mother had been left in a state of grief and despair, struggling to comprehend the tragic loss.

Despite the defense’s appeal for a reduced sentence, Justice Younge ruled that the aggravating factors far outweighed the mitigating ones. She emphasized the severity of the crime, the premeditated nature of the cover-up, and the irreparable harm inflicted on Zaila’s family, especially her children.

She also stated that it was life that was life that was lost, the location of the wound, and the circumstances under which this crime was committed all point to the gravity of this offense.

She also noted that the crime was committed on the couple’s son’s birthday, adding to the emotional distress faced by the children. The court rejected Sugrim’s plea for leniency, concluding that his actions demonstrated a clear disregard for human life.

With the sentencing finalized, Ryan Sugrim will serve the next 19 years behind bars.

Dexter Todd and Dexter Smartt represented the accused, while Muntaz Ali, State Counsel II, and Alvaro Ramoutar appeared on behalf of the state.

Paul was arrested last Thursday after one of her alleged victims spotted her at the Housing Ministry and alerted Police. According to police reports, Paul allegedly posed as an employee of the ministry and convinced three individuals to hand over a total of $4.8 million, promising to secure house lots for them.

Investigators revealed that Paul first made contact with her victims on Facebook before meeting them in person. The first

Charged: Areefa Paul

victim, a 33-year-old hairdresser from Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara (ECD), allegedly paid her $1.6 million between November and December 2024 for a house lot at Montrose, ECD. The second victim, a 23-year-old wom -

an from Sophia, Greater Georgetown reportedly handed over $600,000 on July 18, 2024, after being promised a lot in the Young Professional Scheme at Le Ressouvenir, ECD. The third victim, a 49-year-old goldsmith from Sophia, allegedly paid Paul $2.6 million between January and September 2024 for a house lot at Le Ressouvenir, ECD.

The virtual complainants realised that they had been scammed when they failed to receive the promised house lots.

Following her court appearance on Monday, Paul was granted bail as police continue their investigations into the matter. Her next court appearance is April 14.

Caribbean leaders seek clarity as US mulls sweeping travel bans

Leaders from across the Caribbean are seeking clarity after a draft of a US Government list of over 40 countries which could face sweeping travel restrictions was made public, a move which could mark the latest in President Donald Trump’s crackdown on migration.

US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce disavowed the list on Monday, but stipulated “there is a review through the President’s executive order for us to look at the nature of what’s going on to keep America safer and dealing with the issue of visas and who’s allowed into the country”.

President Trump’s administration has vowed mass deportations of migrants in the US illegally. Half of the countries on the list in circulation are African, while seven more are located around the Caribbean.

The small island nations of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia were also listed in the draft for partial travel suspensions if their respective governments do not address unspecified “deficiencies” within 60 days.

Leaders from those nations have responded saying they have received no com-

Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said he was making the necessary enquiries

munication from the United States on the potential ban, nor on concerns raised about their governance.

In a Saturday letter seen by Reuters, Antigua and Barbuda’s embassy in Washington expressed its “deep concern” and requested the US clarify the potential travel bans and “details of any ‘deficiencies’ perceived by agencies of the United States so that they may be promptly discussed and remedied.”

“A review is not a ban,” its Ambassador to the United States, Ronald Sanders, told Reuters. “A review can lead to satisfaction as much as anything else.”

Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said he was making the necessary enquiries, while Saint Kitts and Nevis said it “has maintained consistent and open dialogue” with the US and would provide updates should it receive any official communication.

According to the list, Haiti – which is facing a devastating gang conflict that has forced over one million from their homes and which the United Nations has warned is being fuelled by guns shipped from Florida – would be subject to partial suspensions, including for students and tourists.

The US government last month decided to speed up the expiration of deportation protections and work permits for 521,000 Haitians covered by a temporary programme by some six months.

Meanwhile, Cuba and Venezuela would face a complete visa suspension. Both leftist-run countries have tense relations with the Trump Administration and are facing deep economic crises that have caused many to seek migration to the United States.

The Cuban, Venezuelan and Haitian Governments did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment. (Reuters)

More sanctions on Venezuela if it doesn’t accept repatriated citizens – US

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday threatened to impose additional sanctions on Venezuela if the country does not accept its citizens who are repatriated from the United States.

“Unless the Maduro regime accepts a consistent flow of deportation flights, without further excuses or

delays, the US will impose new, severe, and escalating sanctions,” Rubio said in a post on X.

The Venezuelan Communications Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

President Nicolás Maduro and his Government have always rejected sanctions by the United States and oth-

ers, saying they are illegitimate measures that amount to an “economic war” designed to cripple Venezuela.

Maduro and his allies have cheered what they say is the country’s resilience despite the measures, though they have historically blamed some economic hardships and shortages on sanctions. (Reuters)

Local health system goes digital...

This will enable better communication and a more integrated, multidisciplinary approach to managing patients.”

Meanwhile, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony revealed that strict measures will be put in place for those found breaching the system.

“We have also started working on new legislation regarding data security. We went to Parliament, and new legislation on data security was passed. Now that we are storing people’s data in an electronic format, there is a risk of breaches—although not easily done, some may attempt to breach the system. If there is a breach, we want to ensure that those responsible face suitable punishment. If an individual is caught breaching the system,

the starting fine is 20 million Guyana dollars. If a corporate entity is responsible, the starting fine is 100 million.”

He also added that the health ministry aims to ensure the system is accessible to everyone on their mobile phones.

“One of the things we want to do with this system is ensure that every citizen has a unique identifier. With this identifier, when they come to the public health system, they can access their health records quickly. Right now, despite our best efforts with manual records, we still face challenges such as misplaced files. This leads to patients sometimes waiting for hours. We want to eliminate this. In the future, we envision a system where citizens can use a smartphone app to make ap-

pointments with their doctor. When they arrive, their records will be accessible with a simple swipe. If they need medication, it will be prescribed, and they can easily pick it up at the pharmacy.”

In August 2023, the Data Protection (Amendment) Bill 2023 was passed in the National Assembly to protect the privacy of personal data. The Act contains stiff penalties for any breaches by data controllers—the individuals who determine the manner and purpose for which personal data is processed.

Additionally, it is a criminal offence for such officers to operate without being registered or without nominating a representative, with a fine of $10 million- or two-months’ imprisonment.

Bolsonaro’s son leaves Congress role in Brazil to build support in the US

Eduardo Bolsonaro, a son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, said on Tuesday he will take leave from his role as congressman to live in the United States and seek to build international support for his father and their political group.

During a 10-minute video published on his YouTube channel, Eduardo said he will take a temporary leave from his role in Congress to focus on developing international support to fight what he called persecution against the Bolsonaro family and their allies and supporters.

Eduardo, one of Jair

Bolsonaro five children, has played the role of the family’s foreign emissary, appearing at US gun shows and conservative political conferences.

In the video, the Congressman said he has been already in the United States since late February for pre-scheduled travel, without providing details of his location. He told CNN Brasil later on Tuesday he plans to file for political asylum.

Congressman Bolsonaro has boosted his campaign abroad since his father was barred from running for office until 2030 and had his passport taken in February 2024 on the order of Brazil’s

top court. Last month, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s Workers Party asked for the younger Bolsonaro’s passport to be seized, but Brazil Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes rejected the request on Tuesday. Congressman Bolsonaro said in the video he would seek punishment for officials, including Moraes who oversees investigations against his father. He also wants to build support for a pardon for the participants of January 8 riots, when Government buildings were ransacked days after President Lula’s 2023 inauguration. (Excerpt from Reuters)

At least 12 dead in

Honduras plane crash

At least 12 persons have been killed after a plane crashed off the Caribbean coast of Honduras on Monday evening, officials said.

The aircraft – operated by Honduran airline Lanhsa – crashed into the sea within a minute of take-off from the island of Roatán.

The Honduran national police and fire department separately said five people had been rescued, while one person is yet to be found.

The cause of the crash is not yet known, but Roatán’s mayor told local media it was not because of the weather, which was normal. The Honduran Civil Aeronautics Agency said an investigation was under way.

The Jetstream 32 aircraft had taken off from the island’s Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport at 18:18h local time (00:18 GMT on Tuesday), and was bound for Golosón International Airport in La Ceiba on the Honduran mainland.

Civil aviation official Carlos Padilla said, quoted by AFP news agency, that

the plane “made a sharp turn to the right of the runway and fell into the water”.

In a statement on social media, the Government expressed “solidarity” with the families of the victims.

“The Government of Honduras deeply regrets the tragic accident in Roatán and joins in the national mourning,” it added.

Following the crash, Honduran President Xiomara Castro “immedi-

ately activated” the country’s emergency committee, comprising all emergency services including the military, police, fire department, Red Cross and the Ministry of Health. Writing on X, she said the committee team was “working tirelessly” to provide assistance.

“May God protect people’s lives,” Castro added.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Trinidad PM calls election for April 28

Trinidad & Tobago

Prime Minister Stuart Young has declared April 28 as the date for the general election in the twin-island republic.

Young, who was sworn into office on Monday, said that he has advised President Christine Kangaloo to dissolve Parliament as of midnight on Tuesday. Nomination Day is April 4. The People’s National Movement (PNM) Tobago

Council said is “ready like Freddie” for the general election on April 28.

PNM Tobago Council political leader Ancil Dennis, on March 18, said the main aim is to retain the two Tobago seats.

Speaking with Newsday, Dennis said the PNM is the only party that has launched its 41 candidates to the public, including the two for Tobago.

“Therefore, our campaign is going to be a very

potent one and we look forward to meeting the PDP (Progressive Democratic Patriots) and the Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s partners in Tobago calling themselves the TPP (Tobago People’s Party), in this campaign and on election day,” he said.

The TPP, despite only naming one candidate so far, said it is ready for the general election. (Excerpts from Jamaica Observer and Trinidad Newsday)

According to local media reports, among the dead was wellknown Honduran musician Aurelio Martinez Suazo

Around the world

OOIL NEWS

Oil prices ease as Ukraine peace talks offset Middle East instability worries

il prices eased about one per cent on Tuesday as US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed moves to end the three-yearold war in Ukraine, which could result in a possible easing of sanctions on Russian fuel exports.

Putin agreed to Trump's proposal that Russia and Ukraine cease attacking each other's energy infrastructure for 30 days.

Brent futures fell 51 cents, or 0.7 per cent, to settle at US$70.56 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 68 cents, or 1.0 per cent, to settle at US$66.90.

Even if the US and Russia work out a ceasefire in Ukraine, some analysts said it will likely take a long while before Russian energy exports increase in a significant way.

Russia produced about 9.2 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude in 2024, down from a recent high of 9.8 million bpd in 2022 and a record 10.6 million bpd in 2016, according to US Energy Information Administration (EIA) data going back to 1997.

In addition to a possible boost to global oil supplies from Russia, economic worries related to Trump's trade tariffs also weighed on crude prices.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) warned that US tariffs would reduce economic growth in the US, Canada and Mexico, and weigh on global energy demand.

In the world's biggest economy, US single-family homebuilding rebounded sharply in February amid a thaw in winter weather, but rising construction costs from tariffs and labour shortages threaten the recovery.

"Recession is increasingly seen as likely and tariffs have taken over as the number one threat to the economy, with numerous types of tariffs to several different countries scheduled to hit the tape on April 2," Bob Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho, said in a report.

Analysts at energy analytics firm Wood Mackenzie projected Brent prices would average US$73 per barrel in 2025, down US$7 per barrel from 2024 due to US tariff policies and OPEC+ plans to boost output.

Earlier this month, OPEC+, which includes the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies like Russia, decided to proceed with a planned oil output increase in April.

Middle East tensions

Earlier in the day, crude futures hit a two-week high on worries Middle East instability could reduce oil supplies, and hopes economic stimulus plans in China and Germany could boost demand for the fuel in two of the world's biggest economies.

In Yemen, Trump vowed to continue the US assault on the Iran-backed Houthis unless the group ends attacks on ships in the Red Sea.

Trump said he would hold Iran responsible for any Houthi attacks. If the US acts against Iran, or the Houthis act against other Arab producers, global oil supplies could decline.

Iran, an OPEC member, produced about 3.3 million bpd of crude in 2024, according to the US EIA. Analysts at JP Morgan said in a recent note that despite existing sanctions, current Iranian crude exports have remained relatively stable at around 1.7 million bpd, surpassing 2023 and 2024 levels.

Elsewhere in the Middle East, Israeli air strikes in Gaza killed over 400 persons, Palestinian health authorities said, as attacks ended a weeks-long standoff over extending a ceasefire that halted fighting in January.

US oil inventories

US oil inventory data from the American Petroleum Institute (API) trade group was due on Tuesday and the US EIA today.

Analysts forecast energy firms added about 0.9 million barrels of oil to US stockpiles during the week ended March 14. That compares with a decrease of 2.0 million barrels during the same week last year and an average build of 1.6 million barrels over the past five years (2020-2024). (Reuters)

Putin agrees to 30-day halt on energy facility strikes, but no full Ukraine ceasefire

Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on Tuesday to stop attacking Ukrainian energy facilities temporarily, but declined to endorse a full 30-day ceasefire that President Donald Trump hoped would be the first step toward a permanent peace deal.

Ukraine said it would support the scaled-back agreement, which would require both countries to hold off firing on each other's energy infrastructure for about a month. Experts said Putin avoided making significant concessions in what could be a play for time as Russian troops advance in eastern Ukraine.

The White House said talks aimed at a broader peace plan would begin immediately, following a lengthy call between Trump and Putin on Tuesday.

after speaking with Trump, the Kremlin said. But he raised concerns that a temporary ceasefire might allow Ukraine to rearm and mobilise more soldiers, and doubled down on his demand that any resolution required an end to all military and intelligence assistance to Ukraine, according to a Kremlin statement.

Trump told Fox News aid to Ukraine did not come up in the conversation.

It was unclear whether Ukraine would be involved in those talks, which will take place in the Middle East and cover a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea

as well as a more complete ceasefire and a permanent peace deal.

Putin ordered the Russian military to stop attacks against energy sites

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said his country would support the proposal to stop strikes on energy facilities and infrastructure for 30 days. He said Russia launched more than 40 drones late on Tuesday, hitting a hospital in Sumy and other areas, including the Kyiv region that surrounds the Ukrainian capital. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Trump releases JFK assassination documents

US President Donald Trump released material related to the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy on Tuesday, seeking to honour his campaign promise to provide more transparency about the shock event in Texas.

An initial tranche of

electronic copies of papers flooded into the National Archives website, with a total of more than 80,000 expected to be published after Justice Department lawyers spent hours scouring them.

The digital documents included PDFs of memos, including one with the heading "secret" that was a typed

NASA astronauts Butch and Suni return to Earth after drawn-out mission in space

March 18, 2025 in a still image from video (NASA TV/Handout via Reuters)

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams returned to Earth in a SpaceX capsule on Tuesday with a soft splashdown off Florida's coast, nine months after their faulty Boeing Starliner craft upended what was to be a week-long stay on the International Space Station (ISS).

Their return caps a protracted space mission that was fraught with uncertainty and technical troubles and turned a rare instance of NASA's contingency planning – and the latest fail-

ures of Starliner – into a global spectacle. Wilmore and Williams, two veteran NASA astronauts and retired US Navy test pilots, had launched into space as Starliner's first crew in June for what was expected to be an eight-day test mission. But issues with Starliner's propulsion system led to cascading delays to their return home, culminating in a NASA decision to have them take a SpaceX craft back this year as part of the agency's crew rotation schedule. (Excerpt from Reuters)

account with handwritten notes of a 1964 interview by a Warren Commission researcher who questioned Lee Wigren, a CIA employee, about inconsistencies in material provided to the commission by the State Department and the CIA about marriages between Soviet women and American men.

The documents also included references to various conspiracy theories suggesting that Kennedy assassin Lee Harvey Oswald left the Soviet Union in 1962 intent on assassinating the popular young president.

Other documents played down Oswald’s Soviet connection. One dated November 1991 cited a report from an American professor named EB Smith who reported he had talked in Moscow about Oswald with KGB official “Slava” Nikonov, who said he had reviewed five thick files about the assassin to determine if he had been a KGB agent.

“Nikonov is now confident that Oswald was at no time an agent controlled by the KGB,” Smith reported.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Israel warns more to come as airstrikes kill over 400 in Gaza after 2 months of truce

Israeli airstrikes pounded Gaza and killed more than 400 persons on Tuesday, Palestinian health authorities said, shattering nearly two months of relative calm since a ceasefire began, as Israel warned the onslaught was "just the beginning".

Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas accused each other of breaching the truce. It had broadly held since January and offered respite from war for the 2.3 million inhabitants of Gaza, which has been reduced to rubble.

Hamas, which still holds 59 of the 250 or so hostages Israel says the group seized in its October 7, 2023 attack, accused Israel of jeopardising efforts by mediators to negotiate a permanent deal to end the fighting, but the group made no threat of retaliation.

Israeli Prime Minister

Benjamin Netanyahu said he ordered strikes because Hamas had rejected proposals to secure a ceasefire extension.

Netanyahu called on Gazans to get out of harm's way and move to safer areas, blaming every civilian casualty on Hamas.

"From now on, Israel will act against Hamas with increasing force. And from now on, negotiations will only take place under fire," he said, speaking from the Kirya army base in Tel Aviv.

"Hamas has already felt the blow of our arm in the last 24 hours. And I want to assure you: This is just the beginning."

The strikes hit houses and tent encampments from the north to the south of the Gaza Strip. Witnesses said an Israeli plane fired missiles into Gaza City late on Tuesday. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Servicemen of 24th Mechanised Brigade named after King Danylo of the Ukrainian Armed Forces fire a 120-mm mortar towards Russian troops at a frontline amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the town of Chasiv Yar in Donetsk region, Ukraine, March 16, 2025 (Oleg Petrasiuk/Press Service of the 24th King Danylo Separate Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces/Handout via Reuters)

Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams and two other astronauts descend in the Crew Dragon spacecraft to their splashdown, following their return to earth from the International Space Station off the coast of Florida, US,

Surround yourself with people who complement your skills. Knowing your attributes and applying your energy to what you are good at will show your ability to lead the way.

Stay focused on finishing what you start. The less interference, the better; sit in an isolated corner and do your thing. Put the bulldozer away and let your subtleness prevail.

Live and learn. Research will help you decipher what's best and put you in a leadership position. Take charge, but refrain from making others feel deflated by your choices.

Don't fear change; embrace new beginnings and enjoy asking questions and keeping up with all the latest technology. Interactions will bring you closer to the people that can help you get ahead.

Be a good listener, figure out what's best for you and rule out any proposal that doesn't fit your lifestyle or direction. Change is only worthwhile if it helps you reach your goal.

Count your pennies and rule out purchases you cannot afford. Going into debt for the wrong reasons will lead to stress. Focus on cost-efficient changes at home. Call in an expert if needed.

A chipper attitude will draw attention and interest regarding your achievements. Now is not the time to hesitate; it's the time to engage, get things done and take a bow.

Strut your stuff, put your best foot forward and make your initiative known. A social or networking event will give you the platform to recruit the best of the best.

Emotions will be close to the surface. It's time to be upfront. Show where your loyalty lies and take responsibility for the opportunities you desire. Build the future that excites you.

Mix business with pleasure, and you'll gain ground. How you make others feel will determine who helps you. Don't deny yourself the chance to take the road less traveled.

You know the rules and have the power to bring about change. Put a plan in place and share what you want to do with the people who matter to you. Focus on financial growth, love and nurturing meaningful relationships.

Take a break, release yourself from responsibilities and give yourself a chance to rejuvenate. Allow yourself some "me time," and it will put a positive spin on your outlook.

Pakistan Tour of New Zealand 2025: T20I Series, Game 2 of 5…

New Zealand win rain-shortened game

…through combined efforts of Allen, Seifert, bowlers

New Zealand's powerful powerplay performances with both ball and bat have comfortably dispatched Pakistan in the second T20I in Dunedin and given the hosts a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20I series.

Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears and Ish Sodhi pinned Pakistan early to cripple their batting efforts, forcing the visitors to make only 135 in the 15-overs-a-side contest, after which openers Tim Seifert (45 off 22 balls) and Finn Allen (38 from 16) killed the chase by adding 66 in just 28 deliveries.

Salman Agha's 46 and economical spells from Khushdil Shah and Haris Rauf were the positives from the Pakistan camp; but, overall, they were outplayed by the hosts, although the gulf between the two sides was less than in the first T20I.

The teams now move to Auckland with the visitors one defeat away from losing the series.

Sodhi compliments

NZ's new-ball effort

After New Zealand stand-in captain Michael Bracewell had opted to bowl, Duffy's rising delivery had opener Hasan Nawaz miscuing a shot to backward point in the first over itself. Sears then dismissed an aggres sive Mohammad Haris

for 11, when he slashed the bowler to deep third. Agha, Pakistan's captain, then counterattacked to give the visitors' innings some impetus, but Bracewell's introduction of Sodhi crippled them. Irfan Khan's leading edge off Sodhi saw him holing out at backward point, and, two balls later, Khushdil was walking back after being trapped in front of the stumps by the wristspinner.

Agha's 28-ball 46 threatened New Zealand in the middle overs, but when he fell in the tenth over to Sears in his second spell, Pakistan lost steam. However, Shadab Khan's 14ball 26 and Shaheen Shah

ers used the surface well. We were pretty happy with the score at half-time."

Allen, Seifert bash Pakistan around On one of the fastest-scoring T20I grounds, a required run rate of nine per over wasn't daunting. But Afridi's maiden over

ball-by-ball data is available) - the openers looked in a hurry to finish the game.

Seifert, however, fell in the fifth over, even as he looked set for a rapid half-century. He miscued Ali's slower ball to midon, but his 22-ball 45 had made the chase elementary. Allen then smashed left-arm

the world's best players, and it helps you to know your game. As a player, you're definitely learning and getting better", he said.

That start allowed New Zealand's middle order to take their time, although Mark Chapman and Neesham fell for single-digit scores.

Rauf, playing instead of spinner Abrar Ahmed, picked off Daryll Mitchell and Neesham in quick suc cession, but Mitchell Hay's unbeaten 16-ball 21 and Bracewell's winning bound ary took the hosts home with 11 balls to spare.

"The ground was small, and we wanted to attack their bowlers from one end with the wind," Bracewell said about the batting perfor mance. "But the openers went big from both

ends (smiles). We're pretty happy with where things are at overall."

more to do," Agha told the broadcasters. "We batted better, but we need to finish our batting better. Bowling was decent, but we need to be more consistent. We need to understand and adjust to the bounce. After the powerplay, we bowled well. We bowled well in patches, (but) at the same time, we need to be more consistent in powerplay bowling."

(ESPNCricinfo)

Afridi's 14-ball 22 added some late impetus to lift the visitors to 135 for 9 in 15

James Neesham, playing his first T20I in nine months, finished with 2 for 26, both wickets coming in the "The guys bowling into the wind bowled particularly well," Bracewell said after the game. "I think when the wicket's been under covers for a day or so, and offering extra bounce, our bowl-

to Seifert meant Pakistan started well.

Playing in Dunedin for the first time since his record-breaking innings of 16 sixes against Pakistan in January 2024, Allen kickstarted the chase by launching three sixes off Mohammad Ali's back-of-alength deliveries in the second over. Seifert went one better in the third, smashing Afridi for four sixes in the arc between extra cover and deep square leg. With seven sixes in the first three overs - the second-most in that phase of any T20I (where

seamer Jahandad Khan for consecutive sixes in the seventh over, before falling lbw next ball. His 16-ball 38 left New Zealand at 88 for 2 in seven overs, needing just another 48 from as many balls.

"After the first over (maiden), thought it was a tricky chase; but then Finn and I combined well," Seifert, the Player of the Match, who returned to the T20I squad ahead of this series, said after the game.

"As a Kiwi, playing for the nation is great, and it's fun to be back with the boys. You're playing with

Pakistan captain Agha said the team’s own pow erplay performances were a letdown.

"It was a bet ter game than last game; lots of posi tives, but few things

James Neesham 3-0-26-2 Ish Sodhi

(c) c Chapman

b Sears 46

Irfan Khan c Sears

b Sodhi 11 Khushdil Shah c †Hay b Sodhi 2

Shadab Khan c Mitchell

b Duffy 26

Abdul Samad c Mitchell

b Neesham 11

Jahandad Khan c Foulkes

b Neesham 0 Shaheen Shah Afridi not out 22

Haris Rauf run out (Bracewell/Neesham) 1

Extras (lb 3, w 2) 5

Total 15 Ov (RR: 9.00, 79 Mins) 135/9

Did not bat: Mohammad Ali Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Hasan Nawaz, 0.4 ov), 2-19 (Mohammad Haris, 3.1 ov), 3-50 (Irfan Khan, 6.4 ov), 4-52 (Khushdil Shah, 6.6 ov), 5-76 (Salman Agha, 9.2 ov), 6-110 (Shadab Khan, 11.5 ov), 7-111 (Jahandad Khan, 12.2 ov), 8-114 (Abdul Samad, 12.6 ov), 9-135 (Haris Rauf, 14.6 ov) Bowling O-M-R-W Jacob Duffy 3-0-20-2

Zakary Foulkes 3-0-32-0 Ben Sears 3-0-23-2

New Zealand are two up in the T20I series

Salman Agha counterattacked amid the fall of Pakistan wickets

Tim Seifert bashed a 22-ball 45 before falling

Finn Allen smashed

Maloney Pacers set sights on FIBA

3x3 World

Tour qualifiers in Guyana

…20 teams from 16 countries register for One Guyana 3x3 Quest

Maloney Pacers, one of the most experienced basketball squads in the Caribbean, will represent Trinidad and Tobago at the One Guyana 3x3 Quest, where they will be among 20 teams from 16 countries competing for a chance to qualify for the FIBA 3x3 World Tour in Edmonton, Canada.

Maloney Pacers are expected to face fierce competition from teams representing Ecuador, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Switzerland, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, the USA, the Cayman Islands, Grenada, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, and Suriname.

The One Guyana 3x3 Quest marks the first time an English-speaking Caribbean nation is hosting a 3x3 Quest event with World Tour implications, and some of the world’s best 3x3 talent would be heading to Guyana to par-

Trinidad and Tobago’s top-ranked 3x3 player Tyrese Fields would be joining forces with history-makers Moriba De Freitas, Chike Augustine and Ahkeel Boyd to contest the tournament, set for April 5–6 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Homestretch Avenue in Georgetown.

West

ticipate. The Trinidadian ballers are no strangers to this level of competition, De Freitas, Augustine and Boyd having made history at the 2023 Pan American Games, where they finished in third place to pick up the first-ever podium finish by an Englishspeaking Caribbean team since 3x3 was added to the Pan Am Games in 2019.

While Fields wasn’t part of that historic run in Santiago Chile, his 3x3 resume speaks for itself. He joined Augustine, Boyd and De Freitas at the Central American and Caribbean Games, where they showcased their chemistry on

Indies Breakout League…

Protected players confirmed

…Sinclair, Anderson, Savory, Latif headline Guyana’s picks

The six franchise teams competing in the highly-anticipated West Indies Breakout League have officially confirmed their seven protected players ahead of the upcoming player draft.

As per tournament regulations, each team is allowed to protect seven cricketers, with a maximum of three players aged between 27 and 29. The remaining seven players per squad will be selected during the draft, and they must all be 26 years old or younger. Recognizing their importance to the T20 game, CWI has also mandated that one of the protected seven players must be a leg spinner.

To maintain the league’s focus on emerging talent, all players must also have limited professional experience, defined as having played fewer than 40 List A T20 matches, and fewer than 10 International T20s.

The 2025 West Indies Breakout League would take place from April 25 to May 10, and feature 17 matches, all hosted at the prestigious Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad.

Below is the list of protected players for each franchise, with the current ages of each player bracketed:

Guyana Rainforest Rangers

Nial Smith (29)

Kemol Savory (28)

Ronaldo Alimohamed (26)

Kevin Sinclair (25)

Ashmead Nedd (24)

Kevlon Anderson (24)

Riyad Latiff (17)

Trinidad & Tobago

Legions

Kamil Pooran (28)

Amir Jangoo (27)

Jyd Goolie (27)

Crystian Thurton (24)

Navin Bidaisee (24)

Mikkel Govia (23)

Joshua James (23)

Leeward Islands

Thunder

Jeremiah Louis (28)

Keacy Carty (27)

Kofi James (27)

Karima Gore (26)

Mikyle Louis (24)

Micah McKenzie (18)

Windward Islands Infernos

Darel Cyrus (28)

Shadrack Descarte (27)

Shamar Springer (27)

Alick Athanaze (26)

Dillon Douglas (26)

Teddy Bishop (22)

Ackeem Auguste (21)

Barbados Pelicans

Leniko Boucher (27)

Kadeem Alleyne (24)

Joshua Bishop (24)

Nyeem Young (24)

Shaqkere Parris (21)

Kevin Wickham (21)

Zishan Motara (18)

the court. The quartet have also represented Trinidad and Tobago at the FIBA AmeriCup 3x3 in 2022, 2023, and 2024, among other notable international tournaments; and their fourth-place finish at the 2022 AmeriCup in Miami set another milestone, making them the first

English-speaking Caribbean team to crack the top four at the tournament.

Widely regarded as Trinidad and Tobago’s top four 3x3 players, these ballers are key members of Maloney Pacers - a club led by legendary coach Christopher Jackson, who

Jagans’ Schools Windball Competition continues at National Gymnasium

has praised the Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) for organizing a much-needed event in the region. Confident in his squad’s ability, Jackson is eager to see his team match talent against familiar foes from Central America, having battled many of them in past tournaments; and he believes Maloney Pacers have what it takes to book their ticket to their first-ever FIBA 3x3 World Touran achievement that would be monumental for Trinidad and Tobago.

Jamaica Titans

Deethmar Anderson (29)

Leroy Lugg (28)

Ramaal Lewis (28)

Jeavor Royal (26)

Kirk McKenzie (24)

Jordan Johnson (19)

Tamarie Redwood (18)

About the West Indies Breakout League

The West Indies Breakout League is a premier T20 cricket tournament designed to spotlight emerging talent from across the Caribbean. The league will feature teams representing the six territorial boards that comprise Cricket West Indies: Barbados Pelicans, Guyana Rainforest Rangers, Jamaica Titans, Leeward Islands Thunder, Trinidad & Tobago Legions and the Windward Islands Infernos.

Players eligible to participate must be under 30 years old, or, at the start of the tournament, have played fewer than 40 List A T20 matches and fewer than 10 international T20s, ensuring a focus on developing new talent.

Each team is closely affiliated with a Caribbean Premier League (CPL) franchise, providing players with an opportunity to showcase their skills on a larger stage and progress their cricketing careers.

Continuation of the Cheddi Jagan Memorial Schoolboys Windball Cricket Competition, sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS) and the National Sports Commission (NSC), and played at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue in Georgetown, has seen Saint Stanislaus College playing against New Central High in the first game.

Taking first strike, Saint Stanislaus College made a total of 93-1, with Nitin Bhowandat, who batted extremely well, making an unbeaten 52 (6x6), and Aaron Persaud contributing 29.

In reply, New Central High chased down the score with relative ease, reaching 99-0 off 4.1 overs. Peter Khan contributed 68 (6x10) and Keron Edwards contributed 23, as the standouts.

In the game involving Saint Rose’s High and Tucville Secondary, Saint Rose’s batted first and posted an impressive total of 101-2. Joshua Sharma’s 33 and Noel Madramootoo’s 23 were the key contributors.

In reply, Tucville could manage only 86 for 1.

In the Janet Jagan Memorial Windball Cricket Competition, also sponsored by the MCYS and the NSC, the New Central High, batting first against Saint Rose’s High, produced a competitive score of 86-1, with Sarafina James making 38 and national windball player Aaliyah De Freitas making 28. Saint Rose High were restricted to 73-3, with Bianca Munisar top-scoring with 24. Bowling for New Central High, S. James – on a hattrick during the course of the game - took 2-9.

(L-R) Tyrese Fields, Chike Augustine, Ahkeel Boyd and Moriba DeFreitas at FIBA AmeriCup 2024 in Puerto Rico

The girls of New Central High batting

Kevlon Anderson is among Guyana’s picks

17-year-old Riyad Latif is Guyana’s youngest pick

Guyana’s Under-21 Women’s Hockey Team came away with a historic bronze-medal finish in the recently concluded Pan American Hockey Federation’s

Women clinch bronze at PAHF Junior Challenge

ond time in this year’s competition.

(PAHF) Junior Challenge 2025 in Barbados, having fought their way into the third- place match on Sunday, March 16, and going on to needle Trinidad and Tobago 1-0 for the sec-

Gold Cup Qualifiers

2025…

After a solid showing from both sides in the first three quarters of the encounter, Guyana’s Captain Sarah Klautky, capitalising on a penalty corner in the fourth quarter, found the back of the net with 8 minutes and 36 seconds remaining.

Prior to the placement

Golden Jaguars boast ‘mixture of experience and youth’

Guyana’s senior men’s national football team, the Golden Jaguars, will this Friday embark on the first of two games that would lead to securing a spot in the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Playing their home fixture against Guatemala in Barbados, the Golden Jaguars jetted off to the Land of the Flying Fish last Sunday, and got their preparation going the following day.

Interim Head Coach Wayne Dover, noting that the 24-man squad comprises a mixture of experience and youth, and that spirits are

high in the camp, has said, “The team that we selected for the matchup against Guatemala has been composed with experience and youths, and we have spent time plays and performances. Hence, we arrived with this squad for these two games to come.”

Dover added, “Well, the team spirit is high. The guys are very confident in themselves. We’re trying to motivate them also to be as confident as they should be, and fear no one. We all know that the field is flat, the ball is round, it’s 11 vs 11, and that gives us a good chance to win football games like any other country.”

As the Golden Jaguars seek to use this week to again acquaint themselves with the conditions that obtain in

Barbados, Dover divulged what some of their training sessions would entail.

“We want to concentrate every day on defensive organization, to stop the flow of goals being scored against us; and in doing so, we’ll want to build the confidence in the players by informing them how good they are, and for them to believe in themselves and give themselves a good chance to get these results that is important for the forward movements of the team,” he explained.

He also highlighted improving goal-scoring opportunities among a few necessities for obtaining a positive result when he opined, “A few of the key areas is for us to get closer to the ball once we’re out of possession. Stay compact, play collective as a team, defend

collective as a team, win our one-on-one battles; and in doing so, in the transition, given the fact that we’re a team, we play quickly to break their line of press, get behind them to score our chances, and I hope that we can improve on our goalscoring,” he detailed.

“We saw, the last time when we played them, we create tons of chances and only take one. This time around, we also spent time working on our finishing, so that when we create those chances, we can convert and come out with a positive result,” he said.

The Golden Jaguars will take on Guatemala on Friday from 21:00hrs, after which they will move to Guatemala to take on the hosts on Tuesday, March 25. The squad reads: Goalkeepers: Quillan Roberts, Kai McKenzie-Lyle and Akel Clarke; Defenders: Liam Gordon, Romaine Brackenridge, Leo Lovell, Jalen Jones, Colin Nelson, Reiss Greenidge, Jeremy Garrett and Curtez Kellman; Midfielders: Elliot Bonds, Nathan Moriah-Welch, Maliq Cadogan, Stephen DukeMcKenna, Nathan Ferguson and Daniel Wilson; and Forwards: Omari Glasgow, Kelsey Benjamin, Osaze De Rosario, Enoch George, Liam Butts, Morgan Ferrier and Isaiah Jones.

matches, Guyana had finished 3rd on the table, their only losses coming against Mexico and against Puerto Rico, who sat first and second respectively. Championship game of the tournament was also won by Mexico, who defeated Puerto Rico 3-2.

Unfortunately, Guyana was not able to secure a place at the upcoming Junior Pan American Games in Asuncion, Paraguay, in August, having not made it into the top two.

As such, Mexico and

Puerto Rico would join hosts Paraguay, and Argentina, Canada, Chile, USA and Uruguay as the 8 teams in the competition.

The Guyana U21 Male Team finished 5th in their competition; behind Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, Venezuela and Barbados respectively.

Guyana’s Men downed Guatemala 3-0 on Sunday

to secure the fifth position. Shaquon Favorite netted a brace, while Yonnick Norton added Guyana’s third goal. In the first-place match, Trinidad and Tobago dominated Brazil 3-1; but both teams would advance to the Junior Pan Am Games, which would run from August 9th to 22nd, 2025.

Reliance Hustlers benefit from over $500,000 in sports gear from First Lady

First Lady Arya Ali, continuing her drive to champion youth and community development, has donated more than $500,000 in sports gear to the Reliance Hustlers Sports Club on the Essequibo Coast.

The donation handed over to representatives of the club last Saturday at State House in Anna Regina, Region Two, included a range of essential cricket gear, such as bats, batting pads, helmets, gloves and balls. These items would significantly enhance the club’s training programme, providing young athletes with the necessary resources to develop their skills and excel in the sport.

During the handing over, the First Lady reiterated the importance of investing in community sports teams, and emphasised that initiatives such as this play a vital role in shaping well-rounded individuals, fostering discipline, and instilling teamwork among youths.

She noted that sports

not only contribute to individual physical and mental well-being, but also serve as a catalyst for community and national development by uniting people and creating opportunities for young talents to thrive.

Expressing gratitude for the donation, representatives of the Reliance Hustlers Sports Club highlighted that it would go a long way in supporting their sports programme for youth development, and noted

that access to quality sports equipment would enable aspiring young cricketers to train more effectively and participate in competitive tournaments with the correct gear.

The First Lady's ongoing commitment to youth and sports development aligns with national efforts to promote grassroots participation in athletics, recognizing sports as a tool for empowerment and positive social change.

A look at the Golden Jaguars’ preparation in Barbados thus far

First Ali Arya Ali presented a quantity of sports gear to Reliance Hustlers Sports Club valued in excess of $500,000

Guyana’s men (red) defeated Guatemala to secure a fifth-place finish

Another look at the third-place battle between Guyana (black and white) and Trinidad and Tobago