Govt., Opposition still unmoved by cries of local fisherfolk, rice farmers- Glenn Lall — as industries continue to plummet
The Government of Guyana andpoliticaloppositioncontinueto turnablindeyetotheongoingcries oflocalfisherfolkandricefarmers, Publisher of the Kaieteur News, GlennLallhasstated.
According to Lall, the government and opposition are either “fishing for answers, or fishingforwhatcancometheirway from Exxon, because while they smileforthecamerasandsignnew oil projects, our fisherfolk can’t evenaffordtobuyka-kabelly(mud fish)toeat.”
During his radio programme airedon99.1/99.5FM.lastFriday, Lall addressed what he dubbed the “pure, cold, brutal betrayal to the core from both the PPP and the PNC,” of operators in the fishing andriceindustries.
“Call it what you want guys, shout how you feel, or suffer in silence Guyana—this is betrayal: Both know what is going on.They have read the reports. They have seenthenumbers.Theyhaveheard the cries And still they do nothing and say nothing Absolutelynothing.”
Regarding the fishing industry, Lall said every country, whose sector was affected by oil operations, has received compensation “Why not our people,Guyana?”
“How many times must we scream before somebody listens? Men and women, bawling their eyes out, because their entire livelihood has been shattered-not by nature, but by Exxon’s operationsoutthereinourwaters,” hetoldhisradioaudience.
Lall said boats are lining the
Publisherofthe Kaieteur News,GlennLall
riverbanks “like tombstones, parked up, rotting in the sun and rain, from Berbice to Essequibo, fromPomeroontoDemerara. Nets and engines packed away in storerooms like ornaments, while the fishermen and their families whooncedependedonthem,sitat home with empty pots, empty stomachs, and no compensation in sight.”
Herecalledthathewasrecently contacted by a woman who tearfully revealed that she pledged her home to the bank for a loan to buildtwofishingboatsforhersons. Today, three years later, she is saddledwithheavybankdebtsand no income, since there have been nofishingactivitiesforsometime.
“Imagine that.Amother on the edge of losing her family home to the bank—not because she was careless not because she mismanaged her money not becauseshesatdownandwaitedon the government, but because the leaders of this country have turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to the
cries of their own people. Their silenceislouderthanourcries. he questioned “Where is the solution to this crisis, where is the compensation-not only to that woman, but for all the others who are suffering that same fate across thisland?”
Meanwhile, bigger players in theindustry,whoseliveswerebuilt on the trade, have also lamented that the sector is dying.According to Lall, 90 percent of them are seekingawayout.
Onlylastweek,PritipaulSingh Investment reported that fish exports have dropped from 20 containers per month to two. Lall said those figures represent a 90 percentdeclineinexport.Hesaida company that only recently built a US$70 million seafood plant, is nowaskingwhatwillbecomeofits investment,loansandemployees.
“ExxonMobil drilling profits, while our fisherfolk drilling holes intheirpockets.ThisiswhatExxon and that oil has done to our once vibrant fishing industry And the govt.alongwiththeoppositionand ExxonMobil, pretending that what ishappeningtoourfisherfolkisnot that much of a big deal, and they have no duty to do anything,” Lall exclaimed.
He continued, “instead of real solutions,theyareofferingsilence, insteadofcarewithcompensation, they are holding press conferences filled with deceptive speeches and excuses. Plenty talk, no relief, plentyoil,butnojustice.Insteadof
fighting for justice and full compensation, our leaders sitting deafanddumb—yes,theysitsilent while ExxonMobil and their partners continue to rake out US billions—whilethepeoplewhofed this country for decades are left drowningindebtandsorrow
Turninghisattentiontotherice industry, Mr. Lall said like fishermen,ricefarmershavegiven up hope of any relief from the government.
He said the sector, which once fedtheCaribbeanandVenezuela,is now buried in its own fields. “The same rice that once pushed this economy, built cities, built homes, fed families, paid school fees, and created thousands of jobs from Berbice to Essequibo... it’s lying flatonitsback,onlifesupportatthe GeorgetownHospital…andnoreal doctor in this country can bring it back. Not even if they have five titles of doctorate behind their names like Bharat Jagdeo, can revivethericesector.”
He said farmers in Regions Two,Three,FiveandSixwilladmit thattheycannotsurvivethecurrent ticepricesasthemarketisunstable. “The government and opposition are missing in action. Fertiliser pricesskyhigh.Fuelpricechoking the breath out of us, spare parts expensive. Workers disappearing and the weather unpredictable and unbearable.
He said like fishermen, rice farmers are borrowing from banks and sinking in debt, hoping for a
Guyana rejects Maduro claims on Geneva Agreement interpretation
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has responded to claims by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, regarding the interpretation of the 1966GenevaAgreement.
In a letter sent to the United Nations Secretary-General on March 19, 2025, Maduro claimed that the “territorial issue of Essequibo,[which]hasbeendraggedintothe International Court of Justice without Venezuela’sconsent,[is]inopenviolationof the1966GenevaAgreement.”
However, the foreign ministry clarified that that interpretation had already been rejectedbytheInternationalCourtofJustice (ICJ) in a ruling issued on December 18, 2020.“Thefactisthisissuehasbeendecided by the world’s highest judicial authority, the InternationalCourtofJustice.Andithasbeen decided against Venezuela,” the statement read.
single good crop to pull them out the ‘black hole’ they find themselves in. “But that crop not coming, because this rice industry dying slowly, while the leaders watchingonlikeifallofthisgoing oninanothercountry Justlikethe fisherfolk, our rice farmers are facing a much harsher reality, a brutalreality.”
He pointed to a Berbice rice farmer who he said has three combines, six tractor-trailers among other things, who is facing theharshrealityofmountingdebts anddwindlinglivelihood.
Hesaidforyearshismachinery was used to cultivate his 350-acre rice field and sustain his family However, as the price of fuel, spares parts, and fertilisers skyrocketed,alongwiththelackof man-power and crumbling dams, he found himself struggling to covercoststoproducepaddy
“Inalast-ditchefforttoeasehis financialburden,hedecidedtosell out his assets, so he can sleep in peace after settling with the bank. Hesaid,Glenn,Ihavenochoicebut to sell them. He told me in frustration, these combines and tractors have been my lifeline, but nowitfeelsliketheonlywayoutof thismiseryistosellthem.”
He explained that the tractors and combines were advertised for sale at a reduced price, hoping someone would recognise their value. But days turned into weeks, weeksintomonths,monthsinto
Continued on page 6
The International Court of Justice
QuotingArticle IV(2) of theAgreement, the ministry noted that the parties agreed to refer the matter to the Secretary-General if negotiations failed, “If the means so chosen do not lead to a solution of the controversy, the said organ or, as the case may be, the Secretary-General of the United Nations shall choose another of the means stipulated in Article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations,andsoon,untilthecontroversyhas been resolved, or until all the means of peacefulsettlementtherecontemplatedhave beenexhausted.”
Following decades of unsuccessful mediation under the Good Offices Process, theUNSecretary-Generalconcludedin2018 that judicial settlement through the ICJ was the appropriate next step. Guyana then filed itscasewiththecourtonMarch29,2018.
In its 2020 judgment, the ICJ confirmed that it had jurisdiction to hear the case. The court found that Venezuela and Guyana
The ministry explained that the 1966 Geneva Agreement provided for diplomatic negotiationstoresolveVenezuela’schallenge tothe1899ArbitralAward,whichestablished theboundarybetweenthetwocountrieswith theEssequiboregionbeingpartofGuyana.It wasexplainedthatwhennegotiationsfailed, the agreement allowed for the dispute to be settled through other peaceful means, including judicial settlement, as determined bytheUNSecretary-General.
“mutually conferred upon the SecretaryGeneraloftheUnitedNationstheauthorityto choose the means of settlement of the controversy.”
It concluded, “It has jurisdiction to entertain the application filed by the Cooperative Republic of Guyana on 29th March, 2018, in so far as it concerns the validityoftheArbitralAwardof3rdOctober, 1899, and the related question of the definitive settlement of the land boundary dispute.”
Moreover, the ministry criticised the
Venezuelan Government for ignoring this judgment in its continued public statements.
“President Maduro and his government do not mention the court’s judgment on jurisdiction… when they claim that the Geneva Agreement provides only for diplomatic negotiations, not judicial settlement,”itwasnoted.
Further,theministryreiteratedGuyana’s commitment to the legal process and noted thatGuyanawillacceptthefinaljudgmentof the court. Oral hearings on the merits of the caseareexpectedinthefirsthalfof2026.
GhaleeKhanshootsex-lover dead,turnsgunonself
United States (US) drug trafficking convict, Ghalee Khan on Tuesday shot and killed his ex-girlfriend before shooting himself at thewoman’sWestDemerara home.
Reports are that the victim, 30-year-old Marissa Beete, an employee of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, was shot to her head at her Lot 706 RechtDoor-Zee, West Bank Demerarahome.
The shooting occurred between18:15and19:00hrs, policesaid.
Khan, a 47-year-old Security Personnel attached to the Integrated Security Service, is hospitalised in a seriouscondition,nursingan alleged self-inflicted gunshotwoundtothehead.
“Initial investigation revealed that the nowdeceased woman and the suspect shared a romantic relationship for the past two (2) years However, the relationship ended due to a misunderstanding (it is unclear what was the misunderstanding),” police saidinastatement.
Upstream OnlineExxonMobil has resumed exploration work in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, as the US supermajor has been focusing activity lately on drilling development wells foraseriesofprojectsdueto enter production in the next fewyears.
U.S. drug trafficking convict,
According to the statement,atabout16:15hrs Marissa was at home with her 62-year-old mother, Jennifer Vaughn, when she received a call from the suspect,whotoldherthathe wantedtospeakwithher Despite her mom rebuking her for doing so, Marissaopenedthedoorand invited the suspect into the house.
“The 62-year-old womanstatedthatshegotup and went to the back of the house, giving the suspect andherdaughterprivacy
Sometime after, the woman said she heard her daughtercallout‘Mommy’, followed by a loud explosion. Thewomansaid she immediately rushed to the living room, where she saw her daughter (Marissa) in a slouched-over position on the ground and what appearedtobebloodcoming fromherhead.”
ExxonMobil, in April 2022, encountered approximately 70 metres of hydrocarbon-bearing sandstonereservoirswiththe Barreleye-1 wildcat The well was drilled in 1170 metres of water and 32 kilometres southeast of the giantLizafield.
resourcesinthearea.
Thecompanyiscurrently producing about 650,000 barrels per day of oil in GuyanaviatheLizaDestiny, Liza Unity and Prosperity floating production, storage and offloading vessels at the LizaandPayarafields.
Three additional FPSOs —OneGuyana,ErreaWittu and Jaguar — have already been contracted to serve the Yellowtail, Uaru and Whiptail developments, respectively, in the Stabroek block.
Police said that at that time, Ghalee was seen standing with what appeared to be a gun over the victim’s head The 62-year-old womansaidsheranandheld on to the suspect, who fired another shot in an unknown direction Thesuspectpushed Vaughntothefloor,after Continuedonpage6
According to updated information provided by Guyana’s Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), ExxonMobil is currently drilling the Barreleye-2appraisalwell.
The Barreleye-2 campaign is taking place with the Stena Drilling drillshipStenaCarronandis due for completion in late July The well is situated about 186 kilometres from theGuyanesecoast.
ExxonMobil, which operates the Stabroek Block
witha45%stake,hasalready discovered more than 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent in recoverable
ExxonMobil is also seeking approval for its seventh and eighth projects Hammerhead and Longtail—thatareexpected toenteroperationinGuyana in2029and2030.
ExxonMobil Chief Executive Officer, Darren Woods (Photo: ANDREW MANGUM/ UPSTREAM)
Dead: Marissa Beete (Facebook photo)
Ghalee Khan
Kaieteur News
24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.
Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456
Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams
Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Fish catch
“When they started that oil exploration from 2015 to 2020, we had seen a slight decline, we are all apprehensive about this. We never thought it would have been to the extent where it is today, where from a production of 20M poundsto5Mpoundsannually.”
Prettipaul Singh, General Manager of Prettipaul Singh Investments (PSI), was the one speaking, more like groaning with the pain from where he finds himself today He is caught in the bind of a hard place, and looks to the government to run to the rescue. The fishing sector is hurtingbadly,andthecorrelationtoExxonMobil'soffshore oiloperationsispointedtoasbeingveryevident.
Fishing is like many other sectors. It has its seasons of high rewards, when the catch is abundant, and in between, there are the occasional dry patches. They are usually not prolonged. So, what is causing the extended interval of slight decline followed by a steep falloff in fish catch, a fallout that is consistently heading downward? What is differenttoday,inthelastfewyears,andisunlikeanyother factor known in Guyana? The timing could not be more revealing, and it is in the numbers, that grinding, so grim theyare.
From the beginning of this millennium, and for about a decade,fishcatchwasatrecord-breakinglevels,baskingin the encouragement of what GM Singh called “extensive exports.” Thenumbersofhiscompany,PSI,tellthestoryin irrefutable terms. In that first decade, PSI exports of the much-in-demand seabob (shrimp) soared: from 2 containers to 10, then to an amazing 20 per week. It was a multipleof10timesin10years,or1000percent. Thenthe declinestarted,confirmingthatthegoodtimesrarelylast.
From 2015 to 2020 was the first signal, with what Mr Singh, one of the largest presences in Guyana's fishing sector,calleda“slightdecline”,seen,butherecognizedthe warning bells and where the linkage was. When oil exploration took off, it took down the fishing sector to where it is today It is almost the reverse of this millennium'sfirstdecade. Currently,PSIhasgonefromits peak of 20M pounds annually to the bottom of 5M, which, when processed, reduced the exportable catch to 2.5M pounds. Byanystandards,itisamassivefalloff,enoughto putmostcompaniesoutofbusiness.
Theonlynewelementintheoffshoreenvironmentisoil production, and the breakneck speeds at which that has roared upward. A more rapid rate of daily production means that there are more chemicals and toxic substances that must be disposed of, which, along with hightemperature waste (produce) water, is not a healthy environment in which fish could exist and flourish. What companies like PSI have heard sounds like the death knell of Guyana's once-thriving fishing sector Like the much smallerlocaloperatorsinGuyana'sfishinglanes,Mr Singh notedthatalmostdoublethetimeisspentatsea,withresults that are dragging down his company And like the smaller fishers,heislookingtothegovernmentforhelp.
PSI had made a major investment of US$70M to enhance its facilities. Expansion built on the projection of anextendedrunofseabobandcompanyprofits. Oiltraffic, oil activity, and oil wastes pumped overboard are all believed to have done damage to the fragile fishing environment. Withnowatchfuleyesorrestraininghandon ExxonMobil's race to greater and greater profitability, Guyanese fisherfolk and all those who depend on them are paying a heavy price. This is not a development from yesterday, and we at this paper have been raising the alarm basedonthecriesofthosefeelingthepain,localfisherfolk, theirfamilies,workers,andcommunities. Theleastthatthe government could have done was to conduct a credible study and share its findings with citizens. When the government ducks from doing so, and plays games with a limited study led by the UN's FAO (Food andAgriculture), then the only conclusion that there could be is that the linkage between oil production and precipitous falloff in fishcatchhasitsmerits.
Rotating Presidency – Another scenario for consideration by coalition parties
Dear Editor, As the People's National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) and Alliance for Change (AFC) consult, deliberate and negotiate on the best leadership team and the best terms for the Coalition government, as well as the best model for the Presidential and Prime Ministerial candidates, I wouldliketofurtherpropose
thefollowing. I propose that the parties consider a rotating presidency Mr Aubrey Norton from the PNC/R could be the President for the first two years, while Mr. Nigel Hughes could be the Prime Minister, and then Mr. Nigel Hughes could be the President for the next two yearsandMr AubreyNorton
the Prime Minister In the final year, Mr. Aubrey Norton could be the President again and Mr Nigel Hughes the Prime Minister
The reason I suggested Mr Norton as the President in the final year is that the PNC/R may feel strongly about making the call for elections.
Another option could be
that Mr Aubrey Norton serve as President for the firsttwoandahalfyears,and Mr Nigel Hughes as the Prime Minister and Mr Nigel Hughes could serve as President for the second two and a half years and Mr Aubrey Norton could serve as Prime Minister or vice versa.
Sincerely, Audreyanna
Poor road works at De Hoop
Thomas
Dear Editor,
The government of Guyanamustbecommended for the work that is being done to improve the road network across the country, especially the farm-tomarketaccessroads.
TheDeHoopcommunity is one of the fortunate communities to benefit from this wonderful initiative
Sadly, however, two contractors who were awardeddifferentsectionsof the De Hoop Branch Road to rehabilitate have caused much dissatisfaction among thelocalpopulace.
It was quite evident that shoddy work was done by the first contractor who completed his section last year
On completion of the paving of the road, it was immediately noticeable that the entire section was very wavy, and as was expected, in less than two months, someareasstartedtosink.
W h e n t h e o t h e r contractor commenced work on the second section of the r o a d , e v e n t h o u g h apprehensive,residentswere hopeful that the work would be completed in a timely
manner and that the quality of work would be better than that done by the first contractor
Unfortunately, even though work would have started several months ago, not a lot has been achieved.
Infact,thiscontractordugup the old asphalt on the road, leaving it in a very rough state, covered in potholes, and has not done any further work since then. It is now a nightmare for residents to drive on this section of the road since it is causing severe damage to the suspension parts of their
vehicles. In addition, the residents are in the middle of the rice harvesting season and trucks have to transport paddyalongthisveryroadin itscurrentstate.
Given the foregoing, I amkindlyrequestingthatthe Honourable Minister of Public Works visit the De Hoop community and address this issue with the contractor, since the people are very angry and it could escalate to something more serious.
With regards. Yours sincerely, J. Panchu
Condemning the shooting of Ronaldo Peters by Sergeant Kendall in Linden
Dear Editor,
Regarding a shooting incident making the headlinesonsocial,printand electronic media outlets by a member of the Guyana Police Force in Linden, where 26-year-old Ronaldo Peters was shot, and later died, by Sergeant Kendall of theGuyanaPoliceForce,asa
resident of Linden, I am c a l l i n g f o r a f u l l investigationbytheOfficeof Professional Responsibility (OPR) of the Guyana Police Force into the conduct of the police, the residents and the family members of the now deadRonaldoPeters.
The misconduct by the said police is very serious
and warrants the attention of the OPR, no uniform, no identification, a black bus, no explanation prior to the incident; just drove up to the shop where the young man was socialising with his friends, shot him, then dragged and threw him in like an animal in the same bus that they arrived in. This
whole ordeal is viral across allsocialmediaplatforms.
A n o t h e r y o u n g Guyanese man has lost his life once again, another family in grief and mourning duetopolicemisconduct.
Yours truly, Lorenzo Joseph UWP Activists and Residents of Linden
PPP using our money against us, squandering it and channeling it to their friends, families, and favourites
Dear Editor, It appears to me that Guyana has slipped further downward! Over the past few days, like many Guyanese, I have witnessed dramatic events involving private business operators and agents from the State apparatus. From all angles, the PPP/C seems to believe that Guyana belongs exclusively to that political party, causing them to assume that Guyanese are theirs to control and that we must comply with their demands. This, in my view, iswrong,asnopoliticalparty ownsthepeopletotheextent of dictating or controlling theirlives.
Over the last 72 hours, I have had the opportunity to engagewithdifferentpeople, both in person and over the phone. All have expressed deep concern about the state of our nation and the treatment of individuals. It is worrying to see that the man who sits as President of this country is silent on these oppressive actions directed at citizens Instead, he remains on the periphery, watching helplessly and hopingforamiracle.Forthis to change, members of the PPP/C must be bold enough to tell Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo thathis timeis up andthathe should step back completely from politics and Jagan's
party,ashehasdestroyedit.
Many Guyanese are hurting in silence and are afraidtospeakoutduetofear of intimidation and victimization Many are hoping and praying for a change in government later in 2025. Guyanese should not have to endure harassment. They deserve to live peaceful lives without politicians dictating their everymove.
The question we must ask is: How safe are G u y a n e s e i n t h e i r communities and private s p a c e s ? H o w w e r e individuals able to breach a gated community and carry out a wicked attack on the
property of an innocent citizen? Editor, have we lost our brotherly and sisterly love as a nation?This cannot be acceptable! The Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, inArticle 13, states, “The principal objective of the political system of the State is to establish an inclusive democracy by providing increasing opportunities for the participation of citizens and their organizations in the management and decisionmaking processes of the State.” Simply put, if individuals wish to get involvedinpolitics,they (Continue on page 5)
Govt. should employ eminently qualified engineering consultants to prepare plans for a port Project
Dear Editor,
In an April 06 article of KN, it was reported that "the Government through the Ministry of Public Works is
c u r r e n t l y s e e k i n g contractors to construct a modern Ferry stelling at Parika(theProject)".
It is not clear at this stage of development what the Project really is and hopes to
accomplishandcaterfor,but a Stage I listed in theArticle seems to entail concretedriven piles to support a refurbished deck with new superstructurefacilities.
The existing Parika Stelling has no area for land reclamation to facilitate any m e a n i n g f u l P r o j e c t expansion,aswasstated,and it would be costly to acquire
adjoining land to expand the stelling and create a regional hubfortransportation.
T h e r e f o r e , t h e
Government, at this juncture ofthecountry'sdevelopment, should employ eminently qualified engineering consultants to prepare plans for a port Project on the right bank of the Essequibo River, north or south of the existing
Parika Stelling, where a suitable location could be found for any meaningful portexpansion.
The site should have a deep enough channel to accommodate ocean going vessels, land to store containers, equipment, machinery, ample parking areas, etc. and a riverbank free of obstacles to drive
piles necessary for the new wharfage as this could be a major problem for the contractor who will be refurbishing the existing facility
The new port facilities should cater not only for ocean-going vessels but ferries and all types of river vesselsaswell.
This new port will
Essequiboregion.
The proposed project, nowundergoingpreparation, lacksmanyfacilities,suchas storage and parking areas, to enhance the efficiency of a modern transportation hub becauseofpoorplanning.
Yours truly,
Charles Sohan
PPP using our money against us, squandering it and...
From page 4 shouldnotbeharassed.
Our country continues to struggle politically, despite gaining independence over 58yearsago.
Why do some politicians believe they can govern forever?
E v e n t u a l l y , complacency will get the best of them. Growing up in a stable family setting, I recall my late grandmother sharing some of the experiences the country
facedinthe1960s. So, should I assume that with all that is unfolding today, Guyanese will be subjected to the same tactics asinthe1960s?
Whilesomeareboasting about joining the PPP/C for personal gain, many others are on the sidelines calling for the PPP/C to go Guyanese are complaining about not benefiting from
theiroilresources.
Since the return of the PPP/C inAugust 2020, they have used our money against us, squandering it and channeling it to their friends, families, and favorites
Despite the crisis in many sectors, the PPP/C believes that building hospitals will improve the livesofourpeople.
They think that constructing roads and bridges is enough to show progress.
Over the weekend, while moving around B o u r d a M a r k e t , I overheard customers complaining about the high cost of living and how nothing has changed for them, while those in government continue to live lavishly
I end by appealing to all Guyanese to remain vigilant and not beblinded bypolitics.
We all deserve to live
lives free from political interference Yours truly, Annette Ferguson, MP
have roundly condemned the shooting to death of two Lindeners between Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning and have urged that no effort be spared for a thorough investigation to be conducted andthoseresponsiblefacethe fullforceofthelaw
On Monday afternoon, police shot and killed 23year-old Ronald Peters and then on Tuesday, during a protest by Linden residents over the killing of the youth, another young man, Keon Dan Fogenay was gunned down by the lawmen Government has since said that the Regional Security System (RSS) will lead the investigations and that policemen involved in the killingsareunderclosearrest
In a statement, the PNCR/APNU, in extending heartfelt condolences to the families of Peters and Johnson, said they are deeply disturbed by the excessive and fatal use of force in these incidents
“Ronaldo was a young Guyanese with a promising future. His death is a painful reminderofthebrokennessin oursecuritysector onethat continues to fail our people under the dictates of the
PPP/C We emphasise our demand for greater accountability from the Government of Guyana We call for improved training, better oversight, and a renewed commitment to human rights in the conduct of law enforcement in Guyana How many more of Guyana'syouthmustbearthe b r u n t o f P P P / C incompetence? How many morelivesmustbelostbefore real change is made?” the PNCR/APNU said, adding that the blood of Guyana's sons and daughters must no longer be unnecessarily shed
“We stand with the people of Linden, and with every community calling out for justice ”
For their part, the Alliance For Change said in recent years, there have been multiple incidents in Guyana where police actions have resultedinthetragicdeathsof young people. “Take, for instance, on July 18, 2012, during peaceful protests in Linden, three lives were lost, Ron Somerset (18), Shemroy Bouyea(24),andAllanLewis (46), when police opened fire onunarmeddemonstrators.A CommissionofInquiryfound thepoliceresponsible.
On June 10, 2022, Quindon Bacchus (23) was fatally shot in Haslington
during a controversial police operation, sparking national outrage and widespread protests. Just a year later, on March 22, 2023, Randy Ronald Jerome (33) was killed by police in Wisroc, Linden, and Ronaldo Chapman (23) was wounded. Now, on Monday, April 7, 2025, we are once again plungedintomourning
Ronaldo Peters (23) was shot and killed by police under circumstances that reports suggest involved no threat, he was unarmed ”The
Govt., Opposition still unmoved by cries of...
From page 2 years, and still, no offer. the rice farmer further lowered the price, desperate for a buyer. Even at half its original value, no one came forward.
“His story is not just one farmer'spain,itisamirrorof the broader collapse of the rice sector in motion, where the unstable market price for
the paddy is now pushing many farmers to the brink. With no assistance in sight and no buyers for the equipment, his future is now uncertain.Despitehisefforts to keep the rice going, he is now faced with the harsh reality that his livelihood is slipping through the doors, and the tractors and combines he once depended
on, may soon become just another piece of scrap metal inhisyard.”
He continued, “and this Guyana is where we are. We hadachance,arealchanceto take our rice, process it, add value, package it, brand it, and sell it with pride across the region and the world.We couldhaveliftedthiscountry and our people with what we grow But what did our leadersdo?”
The Kaieteur News
p u b l i s h e r s a i d t h e government has allowed the industry to rot, leaving farmers behind and handed thespotlighttoExxonMobil. He said it has placed the country's hopes in the lap of the oil company and turned its back on the very people who fed the nation for generations.
Lindeners have taken to the streets to protest the killings of two young men between Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning
AFC said these repeated acts of lethal force raise deep concerns about the culture within our law enforcement agencies. “As Lindeners, as citizens, and as human beings, we are outraged. We demand transparent, independent investigations, and we call for an end to the impunity that follows these tragedies
The lives lost are not statistics; they are sons, brothers, friends, and futures stolen Lindenwillnotstandidly by These killings end now,” theAFCstatementended We demandjustice
A New and United Guyana said it is deeply saddenedbythetragiclossof
Peters' life, expressing heartfelt condolences to his familyandfriends
“To makemattersworse, the action of the police in question has led to demonstrations which have resulted in officers being hurt and, as reported, another fatality Once again, we are forced to confront the senselesstakingoflivesatthe handsofthelawenforcement agencies
The killing of a young man, without any justifiable cause, is both heartbreaking and unacceptable
The use of excessive force in this instance has left a community in mourning and raised serious concerns about the conduct of those sworn to
protect and serve The killing of Mr Peters mirrors those of Mr Orin Boston and Mr Quindon Bacchus, two of the more recent cases involving law enforcement agencies andforwhichfamiliesarestill seekingjustice,”ANUGsaid ANUG calls for an immediate, thorough, and impartial investigation into t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s surrounding these incidents and for those culpable to face thefullbruntofthelaw
“We continue to urge our law enforcement officers to act within the bounds of the law, as guided by their standard operating protocols
Given the plethora of such repeat incidents, we strongly advocateforbettertrainingin handling high-conflict situationsandfortheminimal useofdeadlyforcetoprevent furthertragedies
We unequivocally condemn the actions of the police officers involved in these fatalities and call on the relevant authorities to ensure thatjusticeisserved
We trust that the law will take its course, and that the memory of Ronaldo Peters will serve as a call for meaningful change,” ANUG stated. Finally, the party also called on all citizens to let cooler minds prevail and “for ustohonourourdepartedina more respectful and peaceful manner
Violence must never be theanswer,andwemustatall timesabidebythelaw Let
(Continue on page 24)
Ghalee Khan shoots ex-lover dead, turn...
From page 3 which he turned the gun and shot himself once in the head. Both Khan and Beete were taken to the West Demerara Hospital where thewomansuccumbedtoher injuries and Khan was transferred to a city hospital for treatment where he is currently undergoing surgery
“His condition is considered serious,” police saidwhilenotingthatBeete's body was checked for any marks of violence, and one bullet-like wound was seen aboveherrighteye.
The body was later
escorted to the Ezekiel Funeral Parlour, where it awaits a post-mortem examination.
Police said that they recovered the firearm, along with three (3) live rounds of ammunition at the scene of thecrime.
“The scene was checked for anything of evidential significance, and items were taken for forensic analysis. Several persons were questioned as investigations continue,” police said. In 2023, Khan, a businessman was re-sentenced to an 18month term some two years after he was sentenced to
nine years in prison for drug traffickingandskippingbail. After serving the 18-month sentence, he was deported to Guyana.
Khan and Danvor Griffith were in November 2008 jointly charged with drug trafficking and Khan was granted US$200,000 bail. However, he fled the United States and came to Guyana.
An arrest warrant was issued for him after he failed to appear in a New York court. While in Guyana, Khan established several businesses including a securityfirm.
Driver injured after crashing into light pole on Heroes Highway
Amanwasinjured after the vehicle he was driving collided with a light pole alongthe HeroesHighway, East Bank Demerara (EBD). The incident reportedly occurred between 08:30hrs and8:55hrsonTuesday
Reports indicate that a truck driver was moving at a fast rate and lost control while trying to avoid hitting alineof parkedtruckson the road.
While swerving to avoid the parked trucks, the truck collided with the vehicle, which was traveling in anotherlane. Asaresult,the
vehicle was forcefully pushed into a nearby light pole. According to a video posted on Facebook, the injured man was seen lying
ontheground.
While details have not emerged on the specific injuries the driver sustained, he appeared to be conscious
butclearlyinpain.
On the scene, public spirited citizens and police officers were offering their support. The citizens, along with law enforcement, appeared to be assisting the injured driver, possibly providing first aid or ensuring the safety of the individual until further help arrived.
Meanwhile, the car involved in the accident was badlydamaged.
The damage was significant, with the entire center of the car folded in, suggestingasevereimpact.
The injured driver lying on the ground after the accident (screen grab from Zaheer Abbass Khan's Facebook page)
The vehicle’s condition after the accident (Zaheer Abbass Khan's Facebook page)
The truck that reportedly braced the vehicle into the light pole (Zaheer Abbass Khan's Facebook page)
The geography of pettiness
You have to admire the commitment Not to international diplomacy, mindyou,buttotheartofthe grudge.
Last Thursday, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, a man of formidable memory and seemingly boundless energy when it comes to old political quarrels, took to the podium not for a press conference, but what can only be described as a fullblown press tantrum. In the process, he let loose an outburst that almost led to a diplomatic incident. In fact, it could have almost led to diplomatic crockery being flung across the CARICOM dinnertable.
The cause of his outburst? AZMO Yes, AZMO, that political irritant whose mere movements seem to disrupt the Vice
President's circadian rhythm AZMO, who allegedly made the grave, world-altering decision to travel to Barbados Yes,
Barbados the island paradise with white sand, blue waters, a thriving tourism economy, and, at present,theChairmanshipof CARICOM.
But to hear Jagdeo tell it, Barbados might as well be a bus stop with a coconut tree. "You have to be really desperate," he said, in a tone that suggested AZMO had just announced plans to b a c k p a c k t h r o u g h Chernobyl, "to post your picture in Barbados to say 'look,Iamtravellingnow.'"
Ah yes, Barbados. The very same country that birthed Rihanna and rum, thathostedErrolBarrowand Owen Arthur, and now suffers the indignityof being
dismissed as a third-rate vacation spot because AZMOmight'vehadaflying fish sandwich on the boardwalk. One can only assume that Jagdeo prefers destinations that scream p o w e r a n d prestige perhaps Dubai, Davos, Paris or the Black Sea. One wonders, if Barbados is a “nothing” destination, what would makethecutonJagdeo'sList of Globally Significant Locations?
Of course, if AZMO had travelled to Paris, Jagdeo might'vequipped,“Youhave to be really desperate to pose in front of the EiffelTower I mean, what's it even doing there? It's just metal scaffolding.” It's not every day that a sitting Vice President accidentally insults a fellow CARICOM State while attempting to shade a domestic political rival That takes a rare combination of tunnel vision andfoot-in-mouthagility
Theproblemisn'tjustthe dig at Barbados. It's that this diplomaticoopsiecomesata time when the Caribbean actually needs solidarity, not snark.You see, while Jagdeo is out here throwing shade, t h e D o n a l d Tr u m p administration is throwing tariffs. Caribbean States are being economically squeezed like limes on a beach cocktail, and now is the time for strategic unity, not petty geography Meanwhile, in Guyana, we've now entered a zone where political rivalry has turned pathological. It's like watchingasoapoperawhere the main character refuses to exit the stage, even after the lightsgooffandtheaudience
Dem Boys Seh...
Dem boys seh Guyanese got energy, plentyenergy Butnotfuhoil.
Dewholetownlikedemcomeoutfuh Azmo last Saturday – man, woman, pickney, and even lil dog come out to stand beside de man. Dem come out not fuhmashupdelawbutfuhsaveit.People gatasenseofwhensomethingisrightand wheniswronganddemdoesstandbyyou whendemfeelyouarebeingwrongedand takenadvantageof.
Dat is why dem boys can't understand why de same thing nah happening with weoil.Wehdesamepassiondeh?Wehde chants and placards? Weh de whistle and vuvuzela? Nobody ain't even bring one potandspoonfuhknock!
Everybody deh fighting fuh AZMO but when Exxon and dem crew tekking outoillikeissugarwater,nobodyain'tseh “Aye!” Dem get sweet-mouth, and now demgetamnesia.
Dem boys seh if de oil was a lil piece of land, yuh woulda hear bare noise. But
leaves.And somehow, in his attempt to belittle AZMO, Jagdeo managed to belittle Barbados. Not a small feat. Notasmallfeatatall!
M e a n w h i l e , i n Bridgetown, a few brows were raised, some murmurs exchanged. Politicians, diplomats, and Bajans on the street—who likely weren't even tracking the AZMOJagdeo saga suddenly found themselves involved, thanks to one Vice President'sverbalspill.
And the reason has not been pleasant. It has led to some bad-mouthing on TikTok of both the Vice President and Guyana. And why do they always have to remind us about the blackouts?
One fellow said we get blackouts more often than weblink.It'satthispointyou wish someone in Freedom Househadgentlywhispered, “Sir, maybe let this one go. Just this once. Maybe talk about renewable energy Or mangoes Or literally anything that doesn't cause regionaldismay.”
Because the real issue isn't just what was said, it's the narrow-mindedness that comes with letting personal vendettas cloud national responsibility
When your obsession with a political rival is so c o n s u m i n g t h a t i t compromises diplomacy, you might want to take a sabbatical Or a cruise t o y o u g u e s s e d it—Barbados. They say the sea breeze there clears the mind.
Ultimately,there'satime and place for political jabs. But maybe, just maybe, not when the jab lands on the
chin of an entire CARICOM State. Not when regional unity is crucial. Not when you're supposed to be a statesman, not behaving like someone holding a grudge. So next time, Mr. Vice President, if you must insult someone, try keeping it withinborders.
Or better yet, take a break Book a flight
Destination: Humility And hey, Barbados is lovely this timeofyear
(The views expressed in this article are those of the a u t h o r a n d d o n o t necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Essequibo gold miner arrested in SOCU operation -large sums of cash, gold seized
The cash that was seized during the operations
In a concerted effort to combat gold smuggling and associated illegal activities, the Special Organised Crime Unit(SOCU)executedajoint intelligence-led operation on Tuesday at the premises of Essequibo businessman, MahindarNauthGhanesh
The operation resulted in the seizure of a significant amount of cash and gold, police said in a press release MahindarNauthGhaneshhas been under surveillance for
some time by both local and international partners and is suspectedofhavingextensive connections in illicit gold trading,policesaid
During the operation, SOCU said it successfully
currently in custody and is cooperating with ongoing investigations into gold smuggling and money laundering
“This action is part of a
Businessman Mahindar Nauth Ghanesh
comprehensive national strategy aimed at dismantling criminalnetworksinvolvedin gold smuggling and organised crime in Guyana TheSpecialOrganizedCrime U n i t r e a f f i r m s i t s commitment to investigating and prosecuting individuals engaged in gold smuggling and money laundering, while also safeguarding the integrity of Guyana's natural resources sector and ensuring that offenders are held accountable under the law,” thereleasestated
because it swimming deep down in de ocean, everybody acting like it don't exist. Yet every month dem waiting fuh lil cash grant and groaningwhendedollardonedesameday
One man seh he ain't protesting cause he don't understand de contract. Well hear this: if yuh neighbour digging up yuh backyard, carryingawayyuhgold,andleavingyuhwidde bill fuh clean up, do you need to understand more?
Dem boys seh is only in Guyana people does fight fuh court but not fuh food. Fuh AZMO, dem line up. Fuh de oil, dem lie down. Fuh de rule of law, dem ready to rumble. Fuh dem share of paradise? Silence like cemetery onSunday
Dem boys seh it look like people feel oil money is like breeze—blowing, but not fuh dem. So de politicians and de oil company dancing to de bank while we deh playing de foolindecorner
Come on people, de time fuh protest was yesterday Detimefuhyawndone. Talk half. Leff half.
DECEASED:
Amid an escalation of violenceinLindenfollowing the shooting to death of a young man on Monday by police and the subsequent killing of a protester, President Irfaan Ali has announced that he has requested the Regional Security System (RSS) to conduct a full investigation and he also held discussions with the relatives of the deceased and community leaders Ronaldo Peters, 23, was shot dead on Monday afternoon by a policeman who claimed that the youth waswantedforrapeandthat, in trying to arrest him, his firearmaccidentallywentoff
RSStoprobepolicekillings
...President meets relatives, community leaders
and shot him In the ensuing protest on Tuesday, another young man, Keon ‘Dan’ Fogenay,wasshotandkilled by policewho weretrying to beat back protesters “I have been fully briefed on the current situation in Linden The Commissioner has advisedmeontheimmediate actions taken: the police officers involved in the two incidentsarecurrentlyunder close arrest; a full investigation will be conducted with the support of the Regional Security System (RSS); every aspect of these incidents will be examined thoroughly and transparently, with external oversight,” Ali said in a statement.
The President added: “I will meet with the family members and community leaderstoensuretheirvoices are heard and their concerns fullytakenintoaccount Iam appealing to all residents to remain calm and allow the
independent investigation to be completed All actions required as a result of the findings from this investigation will be pursued to the fullest extent” The President later Tuesday evening met with the relatives
Police in an update said that gazetted police officers wereinjuredduringtheunrest, duringwhichranksdischarged roundsatthecrowdinaneffort tomitigatethesituation,where they were burning tires and destroying government infrastructure Additionally, police said as ranks engaged the protesters, they were greeted with missiles The statementadded,“Therounds discharged at the protesters caused the demise of a protester The ranks were placed under arrest, and the Office of Professional Responsibility has commenced investigations.
Members of the Regional Security System (RSS) will
lead an independent investigation Policevehicles were also vandalised and damagedintheprocess” Meanwhile, in a statement, the Ministry of HomeAffairs also called for calmandassuredresidentsof Wismar, Linden of a full investigation into the shooting incidents The Ministry said it was extremely concerned about the ongoing unrest “We recogniseandregretthedeep pain and concern which this incidenthascausedwithinthe community, and we extend our sympathies to the family and loved ones of Mr Peters duringthisdifficulttime,”the Ministrysaid
“The Ministry wishes to assure all residents that the matter is being treated with the utmost seriousness The officer involved is currently under close arrest at the TacticalServicesUnit(TSU), andtheOfficeofProfessional Responsibility (OPR) has
independent investigation
All necessary protocols are being duly followed The Honourable Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Robeson Benn,isurgingallresidentsto remaincalmandpeaceful
In his appeal, Minister Bennstated,“Iamcallingon citizens not to allow this
to degenerate into lawlessness or chaos We must not lose sight of our responsibility to
communities Letusallowthe dueprocessoflawtotakeits course, and refrain from actions which pose serious riskstopublicsafety”
While we acknowledge therightofcitizenstoexpress their grief and demand accountability, we appeal for thistobedoneinalawfuland constructive manner The blockingofroads,lightingof tires, and other acts of disorder only serve to endanger lives and further
DECEASED: Keon ‘Dan’Fogenay
escalate tensions in the community Minister Benn is also calling on community leaders, civil society representatives, and all residents of Linden to work togetherinmaintainingpeace andorder,astheinvestigation proceeds The Ministry said toothatitremainscommitted to transparency, justice, and theruleoflaw
“We will continue to provide updates as the investigation progresses Let us come together in this moment, not with violence, but with unity, dignity, and a sharedcommitmenttojustice and peace,” the statement concluded
Ronaldo Peters
GECOM’s Legal Officer’s contract not renewed following arguments in residency case
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Tuesday voted against the renewal of its legal officer, KurtDaSilva’scontract.
The three governmentnominated commissioners, ClementRohee,SaseGunraj and Manoj Narayan voted against the renewal of DaSilva’s contract Their vote was supported by Chairperson of GECOM, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh while the Oppositionnominated commissioners Vincent Alexander, Charles Corbin and Desmond
Trotman walked out of the meeting.
DaSilva was appointed the Commission’s Legal Officerin2022.Hiscontract recentlycametoanendanda request for renewal was put to the Commission
Tuesday’s meeting followed a March 21, 2025 statement by the GECOM’s Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Vishnu Persaud, criticising DaSilva’s submissions in a court case challenging the commissiontoadoptabetter voterverificationprocess. The case, filed by
People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) member Carol Smith-Joseph, sought judicial review of the voter
, particularly the need for verification of the addresses provided by registrants Smith-Joseph had argued that checks of some addresses revealed empty lotsorabandonedhomes.
DaSilva who appeared before Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George, contended that the verification issue cannot be addressed, in the manner suggested by Joseph
asthatsuggestioneffectively reimposes a residency requirement for Guyanese citizensforGeneralElections even though the Court has expresslysaidthatthiswould beunconstitutional
DaSilva had suggested thatwhileGECOMisnotin agreement with Joseph’s contention on the issue of verification, he does see a need for there to be a separate list of electors for Regional and General Elections. DaSilva posited thatthechangemustbetothe statutoryprovisiontoensure
that the provisions governingtheconductofthe elections comply first with theConstitution.
Assuch,itwouldnowbe necessary for ballots for General Elections and Regional Elections to be printedseparately
The attorney’s statement to the court did not find favour with the CEO who denouncedthesubmission.
Legal Officer, Kurt
Following Tuesday’s vote,Alexander and the two otheropposition-nominated commissioners expressed disappointment with the decision labelling Justice Singh’s actions as “inconsistentandunfair”. “Justice Claudette Singh submissionisonethat Continuedonpage22
GECOM
DaSilva
Lindeners and their leaders have expressed outrage over the killings of two young men at the hands of police and have ramped up protest actions in the miningtownastheydemand justice.
Scenes of protesters
b l o c k i n g t h e Mackenzie/Wismar Bridge and the subsequent shooting to death of one of the protesters, Keon Dan
Fogenay, rekindled
memories of similar demonstrations back in 2012, which resulted in the killingofthreeLindeners.
Member of Parliament Devin Sears, in a statement, saidasarepresentativeofthe people and a son of Linden, “I am deeply troubled and heartbroken by the recent events that have shaken our community The fatal shooting of Ronaldo Peters and the subsequent death of Wismar resident, Dan,
duringaprotestforjusticeon Tuesday, April 8, are tragedies that demand not onlyourcollectivemourning but immediate and transparentaction.”
He said these incidents have left families grieving and an entire community searchingforanswers.
“Assuch,Iamcallingfor full transparency and accountability in all investigations related to the death of Ronaldo Peters and the events that led to the tragic loss of Dan The people of Linden deserve to know the truth, and justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done,” Searssaid.
“Our community has a proud legacy of standing up in the face of injustice, and todayisnodifferent.Wewill not accept silence or inaction I am therefore urging the relevant authoritiestoensureaswift, impartial, and thorough investigation into both incidents All parties involved must be held accountableundertheruleof law, and the processes must be made open to public scrutiny At this moment,
morethanever,thepeopleof Lindenneedreassurancethat theirlivesmatter,thatjustice is not selective, and that the rightsofeverycitizenwillbe upheld, no matter their status. I am calling on the Government, the Guyana PoliceForce,theMinistryof Home Affairs, and the Human Rights Commission to intervene and act with urgency To the families affected,Ioffermysincerest condolences. I stand with you, and I commit to using every platform available to me to advocate for truth, fairness, and justice in your name. Let us remain united, vigilant, and peaceful as we demand the justice our
community so rightly deserves,” Sears said in his statement.
Another Region 10 MP, JermaineFigueira,said:“On behalf of the people of Linden,wewantjustice.We call for an immediate, independentinvestigationof this incident, the transfer of Police Kendall, the arrest of the police officers directly involved, and an audience with the Head of State. We demand swift justice and a justresolutiontothismatter This is unacceptable and must be addressed immediately One life is too much; another youth under thiscommander’swatchwill notbeaccepted.”
Speaking directly to Lindeners, Figueira said: “As residents, we are justified in our anger at the senseless murder of two of our youth. I call on us all to be equally responsible and lawful in our actions. We shouldnotengageinactions that destroy our own infrastructure (bridge) and thepropertyofanyone.This bridgeisnotjustasymbolof resistance;itisimportantfor people to access work, school, their homes, and to receive important services, including healthcare (ambulances),fireenginesin theeventofafire,andmuch more.”
Adding his voice in condemning the killings, Deputy Mayor of Linden, Dominique Blair, said the killing of the men is deeply distressing “My heartfelt condolences go out to Ronaldo’s family, friends, and all who are affected by this loss. As Deputy Mayor of Linden, I stand in solidarity with our residents in calling for a full and transparent investigation. A life has been lost under circumstances that demand clarity, accountability, and
justice. We must ensure that allrelevantfactsarebrought to light through an impartial process that respects the rights of everyone involved. The relationship between law enforcement and the publicisbuiltontrust.When that trust is compromised, it is our duty to advocate for transparencyandjusticeina responsibleandconstructive manner,” Blair said He noted that Linden is a community known for its resilienceandunity
“Inthistimeofgrief,we must come together to support one another and push for the answers our towndeserves.Letushonour Ronaldo’s memory by committingtotruth,healing, andthepreventionoffurther tragedies. I will continue to advocate for the people of Linden and ensure that your voices are heard as we navigatethisdifficulttime
The mining town of Linden, Region 10 descended into chaos on Tuesday morning, hours after 23-year-old Ronaldo Peters was shot dead by a member of the Guyana PoliceForce(GPF).
The residents of Linden have dubbed the shooting death a murder even as the policeofficerresponsiblefor Peters’death claims that his gun accidentally went off. The police’s claim was disputed by surveillance footage, which showed him runningbehindPeterswitha gun.Shortlyafter,thepolice officerwasseenfetchingthe injuredmanbyhisclothes.
As the video footage circulated, residents of the mining town and more specifically the community of Peters were angered. The situation quickly sparked protests, which descended into chaos, resulting in the death of another youth identified as 32-year-old Keon Fogenay, also known as“Dan”,afatheroffour,the youngest being around 3 yearsold.
Roads were blocked bringing motor vehicular
traffic in the town to a standstill. Several protestors and police officers were injured in violent clashes.
The protest began at Half MileWismar,Linden,where Peters was killed, but stretched across the Wismar Bridge. Rubber pellets were fired along with tear gas as Lindeners blocked the Bridge with burning tyres. Some protestors say live rounds were also fired into the crowd - one of them killingFogenay.
One protester alleged that the rank who killed Fogenay during the protest was firing tear gas at the angry crowd, but reportedly stopped what he was doing and pulled out his service weapon and shot the young man who was a neighbour and close friend of the Peters. Protestors reportedly recoveredthespentshellsas evidence Meanwhile, speaking with Kaieteur News, Fogenay’s brother, “Ronel” (only name given), saidthatFogenaywaskilled 15 minutes after arriving from Georgetown. “He was notevenattheprotest,hedid justpassingthrough,”Ronel claimed while recounting that he was operating a taxi
whenheheardthatsomeone was shot at the protests. At the time, he did not know it was his brother, but only later found out when he decidedto“goandseewhois thevictim.”
Fogenay, according to his relatives, was shot in the head. A cellphone recorded videoofpersonsrushinghim to the hospital showed him bleeding from a wound aroundthelefteye.Newsof hisdeathtriggeredviolence, with protestors attacking policeofficers,forcingthem intoretreat.
Police officers were caught on video running from protestors as they hurled bottles, bricks and othermissilesatthem.When
Newsarrived,there was some calm but burning debris, spent shells from the rubber pellets, broken gas bottles,andcannistersoftear gaslitteredtheroadways.
There was no flow of trafficuptopresstime.
Protestors stood nearbysome of them injured but remained dedicated to keeping the road blocked TheytoldKaieteurNewsthat they do not trust the justice systemandthepolice’sword “We want to see them in handcuffs We ain’t want hear deh pon close arrest” Speaking with the media at the scene, Linden Mayor Sharma Solomon said, “ There is no way a second youngmanshouldhavebeen shotwithliverounds”
“It is most unfortunate that this is the de-escalating ability of the Guyana Police…to further escalate the matter,” Solomon said. Solomon condemned the killing of both men, describing the killing of Peters as murder “We using language‘causewenotbeing reckless,wesawwhatwesaw andwhatwesawwasacrime
An unarmed man was running and was murdered,” hetoldthemedia He alleged that two officers involved in the killings are returning officers to Linden. “Who was Kendell (the officer accused of killing Peters)? He left because of those behaviourandattitude.Why did he return?” Solomon rhetorically asked while adding, “Mr Pilgrim, who shot the second young man… now we know their names,washerein2012and did this same bridge work. Hewasherein2012,andhe waspartofthatcrew.”
Meanwhile, the Police Force, in a statement issued earlier Tuesday, stated that “Policedischargedroundsat the crowd in an effort to mitigate the situation where they were burning tires and destroying government infrastructure.” The Force continued, “Additionally, as the police engaged to protesters,theyweregreeted withmissiles”beforeadding that one of the rounds discharged in retaliation caused the demise of a
protester “The ranks were placed under arrest and the Office of Professional Responsibility has commenced investigations,” policesaid.
Further,thePoliceForce disclosed that members of the Regional Security System (RSS) will lead an independent investigation into the killings. President Irfaan Ali also confirmed thattheRSSwillbeassisting the investigation and promised to meet family members “Do not be instigated to destroy public or private property and infrastructure. Such actions are both unhelpful and unlawful,” he later stated as he urged, “Let good sense prevail Allow the investigation to run its course and bring clarity to thesituation.”
OnTuesdayevening,the President visited the relatives of the deceased at the West Watooka Guest House Businessmen, Azruddin Mohamed, Glenn Lall and members of the opposition also visited Lindenandcalledforpeace.
Kaieteur
...protestors,policeinjuredduringstand-off
Dead: Keon Fogenay
Deputy Mayor, Dominique Blair
Chairman of Region 10, Deron Adams
Region 10 MP, Devin Sears
Region 10 MP, Jermaine Figueira
GECOM will be ready in September – Charles Corbin
Th e G u y a n a
E l e c t i o n s
Commission (GECOM) will be ready to host the 2025 General and Regional Elections by late September, Oppositionnominated commissioner
CharlesCorbindisclosedon Tuesday Last month, President IrfaanAlisaidelectionswill be held by year-end while noting that his government will not be going a day beyond its constitutional mandate.
Speaking to reporters
outside the Guyana
Elections Commission
(GECOM) office in
Kingston, Georgetown, CorbinsaidtheCommission was required to produce a work plan outlining the earliest possible date for elections.
“Atourrequest,thereisa request to produce a work plan which will give an indication of the earliest possible date, in accordance with the secretariat’s independent considerations, thatwewillbeabletodeliver suchanelection,”hestated.
Corbin added, “That planhasbeensubmitted,but
GECOM Commissioner Charles Corbin
we have not had the opportunity to discuss it. However, it does indicate that late September will be theearliestpossibledate.”
HestatedthatGECOM’s
primary review of the content indicates that this timeline is feasible and it is in keeping with normal electionrequirements,thatit isusuallycalledbetweenthe first of September and the firstofDecember
The commissioner said that,providingthePresident doesnotcallelectionsbefore GECOM’s estimated timeframe, mid to late September remains a realistictimeframe.
“The secretariat has already indicated that it is not feasible to deliver elections before late
September,”Corbinstated. He also highlighted the internal processes required before elections can take place.
“There are internal requirements regarding the amount of time that should lapse between nomination day and election day,”
Corbinexplained.
“ B a s e d o n o u r experience, there are procedures between the extraction of a Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) and the delivery of a Revised List of Electors (RLE), as well as the time it takes to
post it. When you consider thesefactors,thereareother issuestiedtobothlegislation andpracticaloccurrences.”
Corbinfurthernotedthat parties contesting the electionneedtohaveaccess tothelistofelectorsinorder to gather nominators and candidates before nominationday
“While this is not legislated, it is a consideration that GECOM will have to address, ensuringthatcontestantsare given sufficient time to comply with the legislative requirements,”hesaid.
Attorney Nigel Hughes, witness made to wait hours to give statement to Wismar police
Attorney Nigel Hughes said he was made to wait hours with an eyewitness to give a statement at Wismar Police Station.
OnTuesday,AFC leader and prominent attorney Nigel Hughes condemned theactionsoftheranksatthe Wismar Police Station, Linden who took hours to take an eyewitness account fromaresident.Hughesand the witness were forced to wait hours at the police station to give a statement about a shooting death that tookplaceearlierintheday T h e a t t o r n e y accompanied the witness, who said he saw a police
officer draw his gun and shoot 32-year-old Keon Fogenay, also known as ‘Dan,’intheeye,killinghim.
At the station, Hughes saidtheranksrefusedtotake thestatement.
“We have been out here for an hour and a half after having notified the commander of the region that we have an eyewitness who saw a police officer dressedinkhakishootatthe public today I have indicated to the commander thatIhaveaneyewitnessand that he is prepared to give a statementtonight.”
Hughes said the commanderindicatedthathe would send an officer from the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR). “He is yet to arrive, and I rather suspectthatthepoliceexpect ustogettired.Iwillbehere with this witness for as long as it takes the police to
recordacrimeagainstoneof their own,” he said on a live Facebookpost.
Accompanying Hughes also were Member of ParliamentDevonSearsand RDC Chairman Mark Goring.
A massive protest eruptedTuesday morning in
the mining town over the brutal killing of 21-year-old Ronaldo Peters. The protest took a tragic turn when another man was shot in the eye and killed during a standoff between ranks and residents at the Wismar Bridge. Peters was reportedly
shot Monday evening and dumped in a minibus by a police sergeant dressed in plainclothes.
Meanwhile, Fogenay was shot when police openedfireattheprotesters. He was taken to the Linden Hospital, where he was pronounceddead.
President Ali denies Jagdeo blackmailed Mohammed out of political race
President Irfaan Ali has denied claims by sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed that Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and Attorney General Anil Nandlall attempted to blackmail him into abandoning any political aspirationshemayhaveforthe 2025 General and Regional Elections.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Local Content Summit held at the Marriott Hotel on Tuesday, President Ali dismissed the claims
“Absolute nonsense He can say anything,” the Presidentchided
The President referenced thesanctionsagainstthefather and son duo by the United States Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in June 2024, and their businesses over allegations of tax evasion,
corruption, and gold s m u g g l i n g F o r m e r Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour Mae Thomas was also sanctioned
for misusing her position to grant government contracts and other benefits to the businessmen.
“He said that he didn't evadetaxes,theUSsanctioned him for that Let's be fair This hesaid,shesaid theUShas sanctionedhim,theUSsaidhe has evaded tax, what do you believe?
Pressed on whether there was any truth to the claim of blackmail, President Ali responded, “Never We would never involve in blackmail, blackmail for what? For what?”
He said the People's Progressive Party (PPP) has doneitsworkanddeliveredon its promises, so it is confident of being re-elected at the upcomingelections
“We are going to win this election because we have worked, we have delivered, and people love what we're doing Wearegoingtowinthis election because we stayed truetothetrustthatthepeople placed in us when we went to poll Wearegoing to win this
President Irfaan Ali during the interview with reporters at the event on Tuesday
election because we have fulfilled our manifesto, we are going to win this election, the people have trusted us and we have delivered,”hesaid.
President Ali continued, “We are not going to win this electionbecausewearelazyor because we are undemocratic, we are not going to win this election because we tried to steal the elections, we are going to win this election because we did what was right. We worked hard, we wererelentless.”
Further,Aliacknowledged the political atmosphere but made it clear that his focus remainsongovernance
“I'm aware of all the nasty plots I'mawareofallthesinful plots that are around but that doesn't bother me I am not goingtofocusonallthisnoise My focus is on the people of thiscountry,”hesaid
LastSaturday,theGuyana RevenueAuthority(GRA)and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) attempted to seize the businessman's luxury vehicles That plan was halted after supporters of Team Mohameds surrounded his premises in protest Subsequently, a High Court judgment granted a temporary injunction, preventing GRA from seizingthevehicles.
Itwasduringthattimethat Azzuradin Mohamed alleged that both Jagdeo and Nandlall hadcontactedhimandwarned him to renounce any political a m b i t i o n s o r f a c e repercussions, including the seizureofhisvehicles
Guyanese businessman, Azruddin Mohamed
For his part, Mohammed said the matter was politically driven,tiedtofearshemayrun for office at the upcoming elections “They said they cometoseizethevehicles,soI don'tknowallofasuddenyou come to seize the vehicles They should have seized the first day they arrived in the country.”
He had stated that he would be making public statementsinthenearfutureto show that government officials were aware of the vehiclesevenbeforetheywere imported
“But before I released the post on Facebook, what Bharrat is talking about that's a lie The reason I released that post is because a monthpriortothat,Jagdeoand Nandlall told me that they are comingtoseizethevehiclesifI don't release a statement that I'm not running for office. So,thisispolitical.”
According to Mohamed, “We already moved to the court, that's why I want to know how GRA arrive here this morning, cause the matter isbeingaddressedveryshortly through the legal system We already sent all the emails to GRA showing them that we have moved to the court, so I don't know if they want to bully me now for the vehicles.”
He insisted that he has evidence proving the vehicles were legally approved “We are not giving up the vehicles because the vehicles were approved, everything went through the legal process at GRA So, why seize the vehiclesnow,4yearsafter?”
Two bandits shot dead during attack on Chinese supermarket on Hadfield Street
Two bandits were shot dead and another escaped Tuesday night during a robbery attempt at a Chinese supermarket on Hadfield Street,Georgetown.
Dead are: Orwin Garraway, 22 of East RuimveldtHousingScheme, Georgetown and Tyrese Adams of Pineapple Street, E a s t R u i m v e l d t , Georgetown.
The bandits stormed the establishment and held up two of the cashiers However, they faced stiff resistance from the Chinese staff before the security guard of the supermarket confronted them. He shot one of them as he attempted to escape through the door and fired several shots on another just as he was released by one of the cashiers who had held on to him. During this time, the third bandit bolted out of the supermarket.Policesaidthat they are investigating the matter
In recent times, bandits have targeted Chinese supermarkets across the country and have for most escaped. Reports issued by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and reported by Kaieteur News revealed that between October 2024 and March 2025, seven armed robberies took place at Chinese-owned businesses across Guyana, resulting in thetheftofmillions. These incidents, which have primarily occurred in Georgetown and East Bank Demerara (EBD), indicate a rising trend of violent crime targeting the Chinese businesses, although most of the supermarkets are outfitted with CCTV cameras and armed security guards. The robberies have mostly been concentrated in areas like South Ruimveldt, C u m m i n g
The scene outside of the Chinese supermarket on Hadfield Street, Tuesday night
Two masked men, arriving on a motorcycle, held a security guard at gunpoint before demanding the cash from the businesswoman They escaped from the scene.
Diamond. The first major robbery in this series took placeonOctober21,2024,at Chao Hui Supermarket in Providence, EBD where a Chinese businesswoman was robbed of $200,000.
On October 25, 2024,An Sheng Supermarket on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway was targeted by armed robbers who stole $500,000, $150,000 in phone cards, and three bottles of Hennessy One suspect, Jason Howard, was arrested, but two accomplices remain
atlarge.
In South Ruimveldt, a robbery occurred on December 1, 2024, at Kang Chinese Supermarket. Two gunmen disarmed the security guard and stole an undisclosed amount of cash. They fled the scene on a motorcycle, and the investigation is ongoing Soesdyke, another area that has seen repeated robberies, wasthesiteofanarmedheist on December 18, 2024, at C&H Supermarket Two gunmen threatened staff and
customers, stealing cash and valuables Orlando Scott, one of the suspects, confessedafterhisarrest,but thesecondaccompliceisstill atlarge.
The most recent robbery occurredonMarch29,2025, at Great Diamond, EBD, where two armed robbers targeted Qing Yi Cue and Xian Cheng Xie, Chinese nationals running a supermarket. The suspects made off with over $1.1 million, including $200,000 inphonecardsandaniPhone 12 Pro Max. The robbers forced the security guard to the ground before stealing the valuables and fleeing on foot. Investigations into this incident are ongoing, and CCTV footage is being reviewed.
The total amount stolen across the seven incidents exceeds $2 million, and while some suspects have been arrested, investigations are still ongoing in all cases. Police are working to identify and apprehend the remainingsuspects.
On December 31, 2024, a Chinese-owned restaurant in Sophia was targeted, resulting in a 21-year-old bandit being shot dead by a security guard One accomplice was captured, and a third suspect escaped. The trend continued into the new year, with a robbery on February 10, 2025, at Titan Supermarket in Cummings Lodge, where two armed robbers stole $30,000 in cash, during which Robert Massiah, a security guard, wasshot.
Opposition parties roundly condemn police over killings in...
Frompage6
usbeourbrother'skeeperand remember that whenever the dust is settled, we must continuetoliveinharmonyas OnePeople,OneNationwith OneDestiny.” TheAssemblyforLibertyand Prosperity (ALP) movement, led by Simona Broomes, also
strongly condemned what it describedas“excessiveuseof force by the Guyana Police Force (GPF). ” Peters, who wasfatallyshotbyaSergeant on April 7, 2025, is yet another painful reminder of the unchecked excessive force that ranks of the GPF have been repeatedly
d e m o n
e d w h e n interactingwithcivilians.The ALP is also outraged at the callous statement issued by theGPFclaimingtheofficer's service pistol “went off” duringanattempttoarrestMr. Peters
Despite video evidence of what actually occurred, the
G P F o f f e r e d n o accountability, no comfort to the grieving family." The ALP said the GPF has once againinsultedtheintelligence of the Guyanese public and perpetuate the culture of impunity with which some members of its rank operate “Petersnowjoinsalonglistof
Guyanese men who lost their lives to the excessive force employed by the GPF. Repeated calls for justice for these men continue to fall on deaf ears. The ALP movement mourns the life lost and extends its sincerest condolences to the family, friends and extended
communityofMr Peters Our movement reinforced what has been the demands of all Guyaneseandcallsforpolice reform and justice for Mr. Peters.TheALPwill not stop until the police serve the people like they should and notendangerthem,”theparty stated
Confident Matthews eyes World Cup spot as Windies gear up for Scotland opener
SportsMax - West Indies captain Hayley Matthews is brimming with confidenceaheadoftheICC Women’sCricketWorldCup Qualifier 2025, as she declaredbeliefthatherteam has what it takes not only to top the tournament but to book their spot at the global showpiece later this year in
India.The Caribbean side is set to open their campaign againstScotlandonTuesday at 11:30pm Jamaica time, andMatthewssaysthesquad isfullylockedinandfocused onthetaskahead.
“As we head into the World Cup Qualifiers, we knowwe’vepreparedwellfor this moment The team
environment feels like a family, and we’ve all been enjoying ourselves out on the park,”Matthewssaid.
“We trust our skills and each other and are staying focused on playing our best cricket without any distractions Winningthisisa biggoalforusasateam,and we’reconfidentinourchances
toperformatahighlevel,”she added.TheWindiesareamong six teams vying for the final twospotsattheICCWomen’s CricketWorldCup2025.The lineup features a mix of familiar names and rising contenders,allwiththeireyes set on India Alongside the West Indies and Scotland are hosts Pakistan, Bangladesh, Ireland,andThailand
Wednesday April 09, 2025
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
Itwillbeasthoughyou'reina newandhopefulworldtoday, Aries. The people you meet willbecordialandcaring,and the future will seem like a bright,attractiveplacetolive.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
Because you tend to brood over everything right now, Taurus,adaylikethiscan'tbe anythingbutbeneficial. Ithasbeendifficultforyouto find satisfaction within the realm of the known world lately
GEMINI(May21–June20)
Therearedayswhenyoufeel wonderfulwithoutbeingable to attribute the feeling to any real event. Of course, your rationalmindwillsearchfora reasonforyourhappiness.
CANCER(June21–July22)
If you're in the arts or sciences, Cancer, sudden inspirationcouldcauseyouto startorcontinueaprojectthat meansalottoyou.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
You will probably be perfectly in tune with the day ahead, Leo. Of course, it's temptingtorunawayfromthe reality and hardships of the moment. But at other times, w h e n y o u ' r e s o compassionate and find it easytolisten.
VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)
Don't try to control what happenstoday,Virgo,because you won't be able to fathom what'sgoingon.Howcouldit be otherwise when collective currents are interfering with yourlife.
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
This kind of strange day doesn't come around often, Libra. It will seem as though you no longer know what you want. Do you have a yen to takeofffortheothersideofthe globe? People won't understandyou.
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)
Do other countries represent realopeningsforyou?Thisisa question that you will soon have to answer This may be true, but it may also be an illusion that gives you a simplistic explanation for the dissatisfactionyoufeelnowin yourprofessionallife.
SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)
You're going to think this is a strange period It isn't, Sagittarius. It's just that today won't be like others. Look around and you will see that people are either depressed or trying to keep up a good façade.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
Today, Capricorn, you might get the chance to take a trip around the world to visit fabulous palaces and experienceatimelesslove,and all-getthis-totallyfree!
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb.
18You will float today, Aquarius. You won't talk, you will be sleepy, and your mood won'tbethebest.OK,perfect! Getbackintoyournovel,take several siestas, and do as little aspossible.
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)You'recertainlyinastrange mood today, Pisces True, things have been going smoothlyforthepastfewdays butbecarefulnottobefooled.
Despite the stiff competition, the West Indies, semi-finalistsinthelastWorld Cup and winners of two previous qualifiers (2003, 2011),enterwithastrongcore andrenewedbelief Evenwith Deandra Dottin sidelined through injury, the return of veterans Stafanie Taylor and ChinelleHenry,alongsidespin duo Afy Fletcher and Karishma Ramharack, boosts their arsenal Another top contender,Pakistan,playinga WorldCupQualifieronhome soil for the first time, will be led by Fatima Sana, who guided the team during last year’s ICC Women’s T20 WorldCup Afteratoughrun of ODI series defeats to England, West Indies, and New Zealand, the hosts are hungryforredemption
“Leading my country in this prestigious event on home soil is a great honour The team is excited to play with a positive mindset and give our best to secure a place in the World Cup,” Sana said Bangladesh, buoyed by a maiden ODI win in the Caribbean and recent series victories over Ireland and Pakistan, are also brimming with optimism Captain Nigar Sultana Joty believes batting-friendly surfaces in Pakistan will play to their strengths.“Ifourbattingunit can post good totals, we know our bowlers will back usup,”Jotysaid.
Meanwhile, Ireland returns to the tournament they first won in 2001, hoping to recapture past gloryundertheleadershipof Gaby Lewis. Their squad
b l e n d s y o u t h a n d experience,withthelikesof teenage talent Kia McCartney and rising star Amy Hunter, the youngestever century-maker in ODI cricket. “This tournament will test the depth of our squad,”saidcoachEdJoyce, who is managing a side affectedbyrecentinjuries.
Scotland, fresh off their historic appearance at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, are seeking their firsteverqualificationforthe50over format. Led by the Bryce sisters—Kathryn and Sarah—the team is banking on momentum and lessons learned from recent experiences.“We’velearned a lot over the last year We believe we can get through these qualifiers,” coach CraigWallacestated. Roundingoutthepackis Thailand, led by Naruemol Chaiwai, who are pushing for a World Cup debut Despite their underdog status, they bring pedigree from previous T20 World Cupqualificationcampaigns and strong recent form in T20 tri- and quadrangular series.
Kares Engineering renews title sponsorship of One GuyanaT10Tapeball Blast
The electrifying
K a r e s O n e
Guyana T10
TapeballBlastissettoignite grounds again in 2025, with Kares Engineering Inc reaffirming its unwavering commitment as the title
sponsor for a third consecutiveyear Overtheweekend,Kares Engineering solidified its
continued support for the popular tournament organized by FL Sport, signaling its belief in its growthandimpact. Natasha Persaud, General Manager of the Kares Group of Companies, expressed immensesatisfactionwiththe tournament’s trajectory over the past two editions She enthusiasticallyanticipatedan
evenlargerscalein2025,with the number of participating teams projected to exceed 32.
“We are happy to see the impact this tournament has made and the connection it hasdevelopedwithfansalike, andweforesee2025willbea success,” Persaud stated John Ramsingh, Director of FLSport,expressedprofound
gratitude for Kares Engineering’s enduring partnership and emphasised their integral role in the tournament’s success “Kares has never said no; they have only asked how bigcanwego?Andwehave answered that call from our title sponsor and the government on expansion this season,” Ramsingh noted.
Looking ahead to the 2025 edition, Ramsingh outlined ambitious plans to expand the tournament to at least72teams.
Theformatisenvisioned to include various zonal competitions,culminatingin a national championship clash between the zone winners.
Whilethepreciseformat and venues are still under discussion, Ramsingh confirmed the commitment to increased participation beyond Region Four, promisingmoreteams,more m a t c h e s , a n d a
corresponding increase in prizemoney
The tournament’s first phase is tentatively scheduledforlateJune,with the highly anticipated national finals carded for early August Definitive detailsregardingtheformat, schedule, and prize money will be announced in the comingdays.
Registration will also commence in the coming days,andplayerscanfollow the tournament’s social
mediapages.
Titans All-Stars are currently the defending champions, while Eccles All-Stars etched their name in history as the winners of the inaugural edition in 2023.
Beyond the crucial partnership with the government, the private sector significantly rewards the participating teams, further elevating the tournament’s prestige and appeal.
Natasha Persaud (right), General Manager for Kares Group of Companies, and one of the organisers of the tournament, Romario Samaroo.
Joshi is the new National 2025 Women’s Chess Champion
In a dazzling display of skill and strategy, fourteenyear-old Aditi Joshi has emerged unbeaten as the new National Women’s Chess Champion, making her one of the youngest females to hold the title in
Guyana Her stellar performance in the tournament, held from March 22nd to April 4th, 2025, at the David Rose Special School, earned her eightwinsandonedraw WCM Joshi is not just any chess player; she is one ofGuyana’sbrightestyoung minds, who proudly represented her country at the last Chess Olympiad in Hungary Her performance there earned her the prestigious title of Woman Candidate Master (WCM). Joshi is Guyana’s highestrated active female chess player, a testament to her dedication and exceptional talentinthegame.
T h e W o m e n ’ s Championship tournament sawfiercecompetition,with participants showcasing their best moves and strategies.
Fifteen-year-old Ciel Clement finished in second place with 6 5 points
Clement, who also represented Guyana at last year’s Chess Olympiad, demonstrated her prowess and potential throughout the tournament.
Seasoned player Aniyah
Couchman made a commendable return to chess after taking a break to
focus on her studies Couchman finished third with 6 points, proving her strategic acumen and experienceremainedsharp.
Treskole Archibald, another Olympiad team member, secured the fourth position with 5 points Archibald’s performance was consistent and noteworthy, adding to the competitive spirit of the tournament.
In fifth place was onetime women’s champion WCM Sasha Shariff, who also finished with 5 points. Shariff’s experience and skills were evident as she competed fiercely against her peers Two-time defending champion WCM JessicaCallenderfinishedin sixth place with 4 points. Despite not securing the top spot this year, Callender’s participation added a significant challenge to the young players in the tournament.
KataleyaSam,lastyear’s r u n n e r - u p j u n i o r sportswomanoftheyearand the youngest player finished in seventh place with 3.5 points Sam, the current Under-12 Girls Chess Champion, continues to impress with her growing skillsasshedefeatedShariff in round two and secured draws with Clement, Archibald, and Callender Sam will be sure to earn her much-deserved ELO rating points.
Italy Ton-Chung, who took a year’s break for
Players in deep concentration during the recent action.
studies, finished in eighth place with 3 points. Her return to the chessboard enforces her determination andstrategicthinkingskills.
Angelin Yhap and Lusianna Farlot finished in ninth and tenth places, respectively, with 2 and 1.5 points. Their participation added to the diversity and competitiveness of the tournament The 2025 National Women’s Chess Championship proved to be a remarkable event, offering a compelling display of the players’talentsandstrategic prowess. Joshi’s victory is a significant milestone in her chess career and sets a high standard for future competitions. Each player brought unique strengths to thetournament,makingitan unforgettable event in local women’schess.a
The Guyana Chess Federation expresses thanks to the tournament sponsor, Diamond Fire and General Insurance Company for supporting the National W o m e n ’ s C h e s s Championships for 2025 Our sincere thanks go to the David Rose Special School forgenerouslyprovidingthe venue and to Mr John Lee, the esteemed FIDE Arbiter, whose expertise ensured the smoothconductofthegames and enabled their live broadcast.
G u y a n a C h e s s Federation President Anand Raghunauth noted that this marks the second time a fourteen-year-old has won
theNationalWomen’sChess Championship in Guyana, expressing his satisfaction that young players are activelypursuingtheirgoals and dreams. Pooja Lam was the youngest female to win thetitlein2022.Raghunauth noted that this tournament
will act as a qualifier for the upcoming CARICOM Classic Chess Team tournament in July 2025 which will be hosted in Guyana.
The GCF congratulates WCM Joshi on her outstanding achievement as
wellasalltheparticipantsof t h e c h a m p i o n s h i p tournament. Prizes will be awarded at the end of the year at a prize giving ceremony after the remaining championship tournaments have been completed.
Windsor Estates reigns supreme at AmCham Golf Classic
Record turnout highlights growing appeal of annual tournament
The Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) came alive on Saturday morning as AmCham Guyana hosted its much-anticipated Second Annual Golf Tournament. The better-ball stableford tournament saw a recordbreaking 26 teams and 106 players take to the prestigious and scenic course on the East Coast of Demerara.
The 2025 edition of the tournamentsawasignificant increase in participation compared to last year’s event, which featured 20 teams and 80 players. The growth is a testament to the tournament’s rising popularity and the strengthening relationship between the American Chamber of Commerce Guyana (AmCham Guyana) and the local business and sportingcommunity
President of AmCham, DavindraKissoon,said,“We areextremelygratefulforthe record-breaking turnout we
had The corporate
community reacted positively to this initiative. Mostofthemajorcompanies inGuyanaareinfullsupport of this networking opportunity AmCham has seensignificantgrowth,with atotalof225members.With this being only the second edition,weareseeinglotsof synergy with the local
businesscommunityandthe American business community.”
The fiercely contested tournament ended with Windsor Estates (Rakesh Harry,BridgeHarry,Jaipaul Suknanan, and Raja Ram Seeram) claiming the top spot as overall champions, finishing with 22 points.
K&S Construction (Kishun Bacchus, Fazil Hannif, Kaylean Tiware, and Vishranauth Seecharran) also scored 22 points, but hadtosettleforsecondplace
after losing on a countback a tie-breaking methodusedingolf.Century Tamara Logistics Services (Kevin Budhram, Navin Khanai, Robin Tiwari, and SheldonDavis)securedthird placewithaclose21points. The competition also featured exciting individual contests:
% Longest Drive (Hole #5): Richard Haniff (Mohamed’sTeam)
% Closest to the Pin (Hole #8): Matt Sharf (ExxonMobilTeam)
%LongestPutt:Roberto Secchetti(SBMTeam)
Inathrillinghighlightof the event,Vishnu Seecharan and Bridgelall Harry were each awarded round-trip airline tickets to Houston, generously sponsored by AmericanAirlines.
LGC President Anasha
Ally delivered remarks duringtheawardsceremony, expressing her gratitude to AmCham Guyana and the many corporate entities that continue to support golf developmentinthecountry
“It is truly an honour to host the second edition of this prestigious tournament. The Lusignan Golf Club is proud to partner with AmCham Guyana in creating opportunities for camaraderie, competition, a n d c o m m u n i t y development through golf,” said PresidentAlly “We are extremely grateful for the continued support and the overwhelming participation this year It reflects not only the growing appeal of the sportbutalsothestrengthof collaboration between the private sector and sporting institutions.”
She also took the opportunitytocommendthe groundsteamandvolunteers formaintainingthecoursein pristine condition and creating a professional and welcoming environment for playersandguestsalike.
Setagainstabackdropof lush fairways and perfectly maintained greens, the LusignanGolfCoursestands as Guyana’s premier golf destination Its 9-hole layout, featuring 18 tee boxes, caters to both seasoned golfers and
beginners,makingitanideal
competition and corporate networking. AmCham Guyana,
lished in 2018, continues to play a pivotal role in promoting American investment and facilitating trade between Guyana and the United States. Through
tournament,theorganization
commitment to corporate social responsibility and community engagement, fosteringstrongertieswithin
ecosystem.
The event concluded withacelebratoryreception,
where players and sponsors mingled and reflected on a day of sportsmanship, strategy,andsuccess.
As the Lusignan Golf Club continues to host events of international standards, the growing interestingolfisapromising sign for the sport’s future in Guyana.
A victorious Windsor Estates held back 26 teams to claim the top prize.
2025 GCB Female T20 inter-county tournament... Berbice ease past Demerara in low-scoring match
It was a stroll to victory for the
Berbice women who destroyed Demerara by 8 wickets yesterday when action in the GCB senior T20 inter-county tournament continued at the LBI Ground
In a low-scoring affair, Berbice easily handed their opponents a huge loss, bowling Demerara out for 48 runs after a collective rout by the Ancient County bowlers as no player got into double digits
National spinner Plaffinna Millington snared 3-11,whileTeaIssacs(3-17) and veteran all-rounder Shamaine Campbelle (2-8). The Berbice ladies then made light work of the total, guiding the ship to 52-2inthe8over National player and opener Katana Mentore struck a pair of fours to finish 21 off 17, while
Realanna Grimmond hit a four and a six to end on 12* off7withCampbellescoring 8 not out to see home the game. A brave effort from national spinner Niya
