Rotary Club of Stabroek, Nextech promote peace through art P15
Guyana formally protests Venezuelan naval incursion into its EEZ
…says ship’s crew threatened FPSOs' workers
Police probing death of Region 9 motorcyclist
2 homeless after fire blazes through Wismar apartment
Migrant workers filling labour gaps – Hamilton …says Govt developing policy to govern
Illegal wildlife trade severely impacts local economy –research officer Guyana gets more World Bank funding for renewable energy projects
Police probing break-in at
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, March 4 – 20:30h-22:00h and Wednesday, March 5, 2025 –21:30h-23:00h. Trucks and heavy-duty vehicles are restricted from using the bridge on Wednesday, March 5 between 06:00h and 08:00h and on Thursday, March 6 between 06:30h and 09:30h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Tuesday, March 4 – 06:55h-08:25h and Wednesday, March 5, 2025 – 07:35h-09:05h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
France condemns Venezuela’s provocative actions towards Guyana
…as Veterans Legion & FITUG blast Venezuelan acts of intimidation
FParika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
East North-Easterly to Easterly between 2.68 metres and 5.36 metres.
High Tide: 07:27h and 19:56h reaching maximum heights of 2.75 metres and 2.58 metres.
Low Tide: 13:27h reaching a minimum height of 0.48 metre.
rance’s Ministry of External Affairs, the Guyana Veterans Legion, as well as the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) have come out in strong condemnation of recent actions by Venezuela, which they have noted are aimed at destabilising Guyana.
In a statement issued by France’s Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères (Ministry of Europe and External Affairs), they expressed concern over the March 1 incursion by a Venezuelan Coast Guard patrol ship in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) near the Stabroek
was signed at the Ministry of Finance to cover the manufacturing of the vessel, a comprehensive logistics package, and five years of maintenance of the product.
Additionally, the two countries have decided to write a new chapter by France opening an embassy in Georgetown this year. France will be the first EU (European Union) country with this level of diplomatic representation in Guyana.
Veterans
Meanwhile, the Guyana Veterans Legion in their statement noted that Saturday’s incursion into Guyana’s waters by a Venezuelan Navy vessel that
er patrol in the Cuyuni river, are sources of “grave concern”.
“These incidents do not
Block oil reservoir.
“France calls on Venezuela to respect Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, the principles of international law and the order issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on December 1, 2023, stating that it must refrain from any unilateral action liable to alter the situation that currently exists off the coast of Essequibo,” the French Ministry said.
France has been a staunch military partner of Guyana, expressing their willingness in December last to expand military cooperation with Guyana in technology and other areas, through a Joint Working Group that would discuss ways of going about expanding bilateral ties.
In addition to the vessel, France also intends to establish an embassy in Guyana next year. This was announced in a joint communique in March 2024, following a meeting between President Dr Irfaan Ali and France’s Europe and Foreign Affairs Minister Stéphane Séjourné at State House.
Last year, Guyana purchased an Ocean Patrol Vessel from French firm, OCEA S.A., to the tune of €39.5 million. An agreement
threatened ExxonMobil, in addition to the alleged attack by syndicatos on a Guyana Defense Force (GDF) riv-
appear to be random, but rather the beginning of another deliberate Venezuelan plan to destabilise and intim-
idate Guyana. They are in violation of our nation’s sovereignty,” the Legion said.
According to the legion, which is comprised of retired veterans of the GDF, they stand resolute in support of both the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, as well as the GDF. They went on to urge all Guyanese to be unified in the face of Venezuela’s actions.
“All 83,000 square miles and our Exclusive Economic Zone, belong to Guyana and it is our sovereign right to engage in business ventures for our country’s development, whenever and with whom we choose. We refuse to be intimidated,” the legion made pellucid.
FITUG
FITUG also issued a statement on Monday in which it expressed serious concern, as well as extended support to the Government of Guyana.
The Venezuela navy vessel in Guyana’s waters
French President Emmanuel Macron
Editor: Tusika Martin
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Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com
Changing mindsets & hearing loss
On Monday, Guyana joined the global community in observing World Hearing Day 2025 themed: “Changing Mindsets: Empower Yourself to Make Ear and Hearing Care a Reality for All”. This theme underscores the importance of awareness, education, and proactive measures to protect and preserve hearing health for individuals of all ages.
Hearing loss is a significant public health issue that affects millions worldwide, and Guyana is no exception. The Presidential Commission for the Prevention of NonCommunicable Diseases (NCDs), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH), the Permanent Mission of Guyana, and the Embassy of Guyana in Geneva, stands in solidarity with global efforts to highlight the urgency of ear and hearing care. It is imperative that we recognise hearing health as a crucial component of overall well-being and integrate it into our national healthcare strategy.
Since first observing World Hearing Day in 2007, Guyana has made commendable strides in improving ear and hearing care. The Government of Guyana (GoG) and the MoH have expanded access to hearing screenings, particularly among vulnerable populations such as newborns and schoolchildren.
One of the most notable advancements is the introduction of audiological screening for all newborns at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and regional hospitals. This early intervention is vital, as detecting hearing impairments in infancy allows for timely interventions that can significantly enhance a child's development and quality of life.
Additionally, the expansion of the hearing aid programme has provided crucial support for individuals diagnosed with disabling hearing loss. In 2023 alone, nearly 8000 schoolchildren were screened, and 1361 hearing aids were distributed—a testament to the Government's commitment to inclusive healthcare. The joint School Health Program by the MoH and the Ministry of Education further reinforces this commitment by ensuring that children with hearing or vision impairments receive the necessary assistive devices.
Despite these commendable efforts, significant challenges remain. One of the leading causes of hearing loss is prolonged exposure to loud noise, which is a prevalent issue in Guyana. From the blaring music in minibuses to excessive noise levels at bars and public events, environmental noise pollution remains a persistent problem. While interventions have been introduced, enforcement has been inconsistent. The authorities must implement noise regulations with greater vigilance to protect citizens from preventable hearing damage.
Moreover, while the GPHC has improved its scope of services for ear and hearing care, integration within primary and secondary healthcare facilities remains inadequate. More effort is needed to expand hearing care services to regional hospitals and to ensure that all children and individuals over 60 undergo routine hearing screenings. The reality is that over 60 per cent of ear and hearing conditions can be addressed at the primary care level, but this requires substantial investment in training healthcare professionals and expanding primary care infrastructure.
The global burden of hearing loss is projected to increase dramatically. By 2030, over 500 million people are expected to have disabling hearing loss requiring rehabilitation. Moreover, over one billion young people are at risk due to prolonged exposure to loud music and video gameplay. This is a stark reminder that our actions today will determine the hearing health of future generations.
The Presidential Commission for the Prevention of NCDs urges every Guyanese to participate in Government-led initiatives promoting good ear health. This means adopting safe listening habits, undergoing regular hearing checks, and supporting those who require hearing rehabilitation. It is imperative that we empower individuals to take control of their hearing health by providing accessible and affordable healthcare services.
Hearing is an essential sense that connects persons and enriches daily life. While Guyana has made progress in addressing hearing loss, more needs to be done to expand access, strengthen preventive measures, and enhance public awareness while addressing noise nuisance.
Why some in the Global South are not mourning the demise of USAID
By Patrick Gathara
United States President Donald Trump’s blitzkrieg campaign against the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has demolished the organisation described as the “world’s largest donor” and left aid workers scrambling to salvage the international development aid and humanitarian response system. Many have lamented the grave consequences of the US President’s unprecedented decision as well as moves by other countries, such as the United Kingdom, to cut aid.
In a LinkedIn post commenting on the situation, Luca Crudeli, who said he has been “immersed in development since 2003”, spoke of “the sense that the moral centre of our work is quietly slipping away” and “the uneasy realisation that development’s humanistic soul might be lost in a shuffle of contracts and strategic scorecards”.
But describing “development” as having a humanistic soul would be to many people in the Global South a contradiction in terms. That is not to say that many people who work in “development” are not decent, moral human beings genuinely interested in improving the welfare of others around the world. Nor is it to deny that the aid industry delivers crucial assistance that millions rely on to survive.
It is to say that the soul of “development” has always been much less humanistic than its proponents assert. In fact, the entire enterprise of aid has been a tool for geopolitical control, a means of pre-
serving, rather than eliminating, global inequality and the resource extraction that feeds it.
In recent days, following the demise of USAID, there has been growing openness about this reality – consciously or unconsciously.
For example, a statement issued by InterAction, which “unites and amplifies the voices of America’s leading humanitarian and development organisations”, made that quite clear. These organisations, it said before a hasty rewrite, “work tirelessly to save lives and advance US interests globally”. It added that the attack on USAID had suspended “programs that support America’s global leadership and creates dangerous vacuums that China and our adversaries will quickly fill”.
That doesn’t sound very humanistic, does it?
Marina Kobzeva, who has spent nearly two decades as an aid worker commented on how colleagues from the Global North and the Global South reacted differently to the statement. She described the former bemoaning it as “poor wording, … an honest mistake” while the latter expressed a sense of vindication: “Finally, they are showing their true colours.”
Western humanitarianism has not just lost its way. It has been intimately tied to Western colonialism from the start. For example, the 1884-1885 Berlin Conference, which set the stage for Europe’s conquest of Africa, was framed as a humanitarian event. And although the first humanitarian organisations were created to deal with the barbarous consequences of conflict in Europe
as post-World War II reconstruction projects wound down, many started playing an active role in the Global South, where they actively propped up imperial domination.
The aid industry, in effect, inherited colonialism’s “civilising mission”. Its do-gooder image papers over the extractive nature of the international system and attempts to ameliorate its worst excesses without actually challenging the system. If anything, the two are in a symbiotic relationship. The aid industry legitimises extractive global trade and governance systems, which in turn produce the outcomes that legitimise the existence of the aid agencies.
As a result, today, despite the proliferation of aid and development agencies, the racialised global order has barely budged, and deep inequality continues to characterise the relations between nations. A 1997 study by the US Congressional Budget Office found that foreign aid played, at best, a marginal role in promoting economic development and improving human welfare and could even “hinder development depending on the environment in which that aid is used and the conditions under which it is given”.
It is thus not surprising that as the aid sector finds itself on the brink, some of those it claims to help would not be entirely saddened to see its back. Heba Aly, a former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The New Humanitarian news agency, noted that at a recent meeting, “some activists from the Global South proved less wor-
ried about aid cuts than the donors were in the hope this would force their own leaders to take responsibility & stop depending on aid”.
This highlights how aid substitutes fundamental reform of both global and national systems of colonial extraction for charity.
The hollowing-out of Western aid will undoubtedly be tragic and painful. Some of the world’s most vulnerable people will suffer, and many will die. We must not lose sight of this in arguments about the righteousness or wickedness of aid in general. The fact is, we should address the world as it is, not as we wish it to be, and do all we can to ameliorate the impact.
That said, this is also an opportunity to begin to build a world without aid. “If this is the beginning of the end of aid,” Aly wrote, “we should focus on structural transformation.” That is the reform of global trade and financial systems that have seen the poorest pay for the lifestyles of the rich.
That does not mean it would be a Hobbesian world without solidarity. Rather, it would be one where charity is not allowed to be a cover for global injustice.
And the end of aid should also see the end of “development”, a pernicious ideology that assumes the “developed world”, whose prosperity is built on the ruination of other societies and of the planet, is an example worth emulating. We need to work for an order that truly embodies a humanistic soul. (Al Jazeera)
(Patrick Gathara is a Senior Editor for Inclusive Storytelling at The New Humanitarian)
Members of Padre Miguel samba school perform at the Sambadrome during Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, March 2 (Reuters/Ricardo Moraes photo)
2 homeless after fire engulfs Wismar apartment
Afire ravaged an apartment at Lot 525, Block 22, Wismar Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) on Monday morning, leaving two individuals homeless.
According to information received the fire erupted within the two-storey wooden and concrete structure at approximately 07:20h on Monday morning resulting in extensive damage. However, a swift response from the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) led to the blaze being quickly contained.
This publication understands that the two-storey structure was divided into four apartments. However, as a result of the inferno two persons identified as 56-yearold Celeina Tilaka Dharry and 38-year-old Shonette Douglas are currently counting their loses after the blaze gutted their section of the home, while the other apartments received minor damages. No injuries were record-
ed. The cause of the fire is currently unknown and investigations are ongoing.
France condemns...
According to FITUG, Venezuela’s actions have serious implications for international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which affirms Guyana’s rights over its waters and seabed.
“We would like to remind the international community of Guyana’s legitimate entitlement to explore, exploit, and manage its resources within its EEZ. It is our hope that Venezuela will acknowledge and respect Guyana’s sovereignty, refraining from actions that may exacerbate tensions and impede the peaceful resolution of this enduring dispute.”
“Furthermore, we encourage all trade unions, civil society organisations, and con-
cerned individuals to unite in support of the rights of the Guyanese populace concerning their natural resources,” FITUG explained.
Further, the union made it clear that it is committed to continuing to advocate for a peaceful resolution to the border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela at the ICJ, where the case currently resides.
“We appeal to Venezuela to honour the principles set forth by international law and to refrain from any further acts that may be perceived as aggressive. The people of Guyana are resilient and committed to their sovereignty and development, and FITUG remains dedicated to supporting these principles,” FITUG added.
Taxi driver nabbed with over 2lbs of ganja at Ogle airport
A27-year-old taxi driver was arrested at the Eugene Correia International Airport on Monday after being found in possession of several packages containing suspected marijuana.
At approximately 09:40h, two police officers on duty at Jag’s Aviation Hangar discovered Dequan Charles, a resident of Bagotstown Squatting Area, East Bank Demerara (EBD), carrying two boxes of Triskits crackers, a bag of Purina Dog Chow, and a bag of bird seeds. Upon inspection, the ranks found three transparent plastic parcels and two Ziploc bags labeled "Snowman" and "Lemonade" concealed within the items. The contents of the packages, which included leaves, seeds, and stems, are believed to be cannabis.
Charles was informed of the offence and was arrested. He allegedly told Police that someone by the name of "Akeem" had given him the packages and instructed him to send them on a Kamarang, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) flight.
Headquarters, Eve Leary, where the narcotics were weighed in his presence. The total weight amounted to 2.90 pounds (1.315 kilograms). He remains in custody pending charges.
Police probing death of Region 9 motorcyclist
Police are investigating a fatal incident that occurred on Monday morning between 01:00h and 04:00h on the Marudi Trail, which led to the death of 24-year-old motorcyclist, Devon Williams, from Aishalton Village, Deep South Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
According to preliminary reports, Williams was riding his motorcycle with his
girlfriend along the Marudi Trail at about 01:00h however, after dropping her off at her camp, he proceeded to pick up his stepson. During this journey, it is believed that Williams lost control of the motorcycle and fell onto the road, sustaining injuries to his head and body.
Around 04:00h, a public-spirited citizen found Williams and transported him to the Aishalton District Hospital where he
was treated and referred to the Lethem Regional Hospital for further medical care. However, at about 13:30h on Monday Williams arrived at Lethem Regional Hospital, where he was reexamined by a doctor. Despite efforts to treat his head injuries, he died while receiving medical attention. His body is at the Lethem Regional Hospital’s mortuary, awaiting a post-mortem examination.
TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2025
After his arrest, Charles was taken to Narcotics Branch at Criminal Investigations Department (CID)
The drug packages that were found at Ogle airport
Upper flat of the building being engulfed by flames
Firefighters containing the blaze
Page Foundation
(1) 0.75 is the same as (A)1/5 (B)2/3
(7) Comparing 14.05 and 14.5, what sign will make the statement true?
(5) Which ONE is NOT a factor of 12?
3
4
12 (6) Which ONE is a palindrome?
151
(8) Marc plays 6 games in a Cricket tournament for his club. The number of runs he scores in 4 of the games is listed in the table below. The number of runs he scores in Game 5 and Game 6 are not shown.
(i) What is the total number of runs scored by Marc for the first 4 games?
(ii) The total number of runs Marc scored in Games 1 to 4 and the runs he scored in Games 5 and 6 are in the ratio 6:7. How many runs did Marc score altogether in Games 5 and 6?
b) At Marc's club 3/8 of the total number 8 of members are females. There are 80 males in the club.
(i) What fraction of the total number of members are males? (ii) Calculate the total number of members in the club.
like to see a thunderstorm, A dunder storm, A blunder storm, I like to see it, black loudly at our little house
Guyana formally protests Venezuelan naval incursion into its EEZ
…says ship’s crew threatened FPSOs' workers
The Government of Guyana through the of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry has formally protested the Venezuelan Naval Vessel ABV Guaiqueiri PO11-IMO 469552 that sailed approximately 700 metres in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) near Prosperity Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel producing oil in the Stabroek Block.
According to the Government, “this latest action by the Government of Venezuela has done nothing but pose a threat to the peace, good order and security of the sovereign territory of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the stability of the Latin American and Caribbean region (LAC)” - noting that “Guyana views this maneuver as highly provocative and is concerned by the persistence of the Government of Venezuela in encroaching on Guyana’s land and maritime territory”.
At approximately 07:00h on Saturday, a Venezuelan naval ship entered Guyana’s waters and approached a tanker near the FPSO vessel producing oil in the Stabroek Block.
In a circulated recording, a radio broadcast exchange
between the Venezuelan vessel and the captain of the Liza Destiny FPSO, the Venezuelan officer could be heard asking a number of questions to the captain. While the captain answered some questions, he refused to answer other enquiries, such as how many people were on board. Additionally, the vessel was heard claiming that the waters were in dispute, despite the fact that the waters are well within
Guyana’s EEZ.
In a national broadcast on Saturday morning, President Dr Irfaan Ali strongly condemned the actions of the Venezuelan navy. Guyana promptly began informing international partners, including the CARICOM of Venezuela’s intrusion.
Guyana has since summoned Venezuelan Ambassador to Guyana, Carlos Amador Perez Silva on the matter. Guyana is also in the process of updat-
ing the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on these developments.
In the meantime, the Government of Guyana has reminded the Government of Venezuela of its international obligations under general international law, the United Nations (UN) Charter and the Order issued by the International Court of Justice on December 1, 2023 which states that pending a final decision in the case, the Bolivarian Republic
of Venezuela shall refrain from taking any action which would modify the situation that currently prevails in the territory in dispute, whereby the Co-operative Republic of Guyana administers and exercises control over that area; and both parties shall refrain from any action which might aggravate or extend the dispute before the Court or make it more difficult to resolve.”
The formal protest vividly outlines that “Guyana is the only State entitled to administer and exercise control over the Essequibo Region pending the final Judgment by the Court.
The aggressive behaviour by Venezuela’s naval warship on March 1, 2025 violates the Court’s prohibition on engaging in any action which might aggravate or extend the dispute”.
Venezuela is claiming more than two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass in the Essequibo region and a portion of its EEZ where more than 11 billion oil-equivalent barrels have been discovered over the past nine years.
In December last, Guyana submitted its final written reply to Venezuela’s counter-memorial, pointing out that the Spanishspeaking nation’s case is
without merit and that ultimately, the court will confirm the 1899 award as valid and legally binding. In the merits phase of the case, Guyana’s Memorial was submitted on April 8, 2023, and Venezuela’s CounterMemorial was made one year later on April 8, 2024. Now with Guyana’s Reply filed on December 9 as set out by the ICJ, Venezuela will have the opportunity to respond with its Rejoinder, due on August 8, 2025.
This recent intrusion follows many in the past, including the deployment of armoured personnel carriers, battle tanks, and patrol boats to Ankoko (the island through which the international boundary between Venezuela and Guyana passes, the eastern portion of which belongs to Guyana but was seized by Venezuela in 1966), and an exponential increase in the presence of Venezuelan troops along the border. Compounding this threat to Guyana, Venezuela constructed a bridge connecting the Venezuelan mainland to Guyana’s part of Ankoko Island. The completion of this bridge in December 2024, significantly bolsters Venezuela’s military capabilities, enhancing offensive strategies.
The Venezuelan vessel that approached Guyana’s assets within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ)
The mouse…
…wanting to roar
After Trump bitch-slapped Zelenskiy – who was either high on coke as numerous observers in the know swore, or forgot who he was dealing with – several NATO European nations rushed to offer him a shoulder or two to cry on!! They hurriedly convened a meeting in London offering ostentatious support – while some panned Trump. As a treat, PM Starmer arranged for King Charles to meet Zelenskiy – to boost his ego shattered after passing through the Trump-Vance meat grinder!! At the end of the conclave, host Starmer announced that the UK, Ukraine, France and some other (unnamed) nations would form a “coalition of the willing”. Germany was at the meeting so your eyewitness wonders why they weren’t mentioned!! Fear of being bitchslapped???
But what’s the coalition to do?? Well, come up with a “peace plan” that they’ll present to Trump. So, clearly with all their fat talk, they recognise they can’t do squat without having the US as their ultimate guarantor!! Starmer outlined three essentials for a peace deal they think would be acceptable to Trump: arming the Ukrainians to put them in a position of strength; including a European element to guarantee security; and providing a “US backstop”, to prevent Russian President Vladimir Putin from breaking his promises. Now right off the bat, your Eyewitness feels while the hot bodies at the conclave might be willing – their political will is weak!!
Let’s look at their goals. Whatever the exact figures and breakdown, between the US and the Europeans, it’s indisputable that Ukraine was armed to the teeth – and then some – even before Russia launched its “special military operation” – not war! – into Ukraine. Trump kept needling Zelenskiy during their Oval Office bout that it was he who sent Javelins to Ukraine – anti-tank weapons that ensured that every time one is fired, a tank is taken out!! And halted the Ruskies!!
So, exactly what weapons will Europe now supply that’re gonna turn the tide and “guarantee security”?? After all, they certainly won’t be sending European bodies – Ukrainians are expendable, thank you!! Nukes? Seeing as Ukraine was denuked back in the 1990s?? Do they wanna go down that road?? Didn’t think so!!
So on to the US backstop to contain Putin. And this is where they’re gonna hit a wall named Trump II. Trump has declared unambiguously that he’ll be sitting down with the Ruskies – more specifically Putin, mano a mano!! He clearly feels the Europeans have been playing the US since the end of WWII – but now it’s egregious, since the US doesn’t see Russia as a threat, with an ocean between them!! Trump’s gonna demand they fulfil their own Number 1 promise –which he knows ain’t gonna be done!!
The European mouse ain’t roaring!!
…called Caricom
Your Eyewitness noted Caricom’s anodyne announcement following Venezuela’s navy invasion of the waters in our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to confront the Exxon FPSO. He’s gonna quote from it to emphasise its vacuousness since it’ll be pretty difficult to lampoon it! “This provocative incident of 1 March 2025 initiated by Venezuela runs counter to the agreed commitment of CARICOM and CELAC to ensure the Caribbean region remains a Zone of Peace.” What has Caricom done to make this a reality vis-à-vis Venezuela’s unrelenting hostilities?? “It is critical that there be a peaceful resolution of the border controversy as is expected under the International Court of Justice, which already has conduct over the dispute.” So why is half of Caricom members of Venezuela’s ALBA?
“As was contemplated in the Argyle Declaration, a resolution of this controversy, remains entirely possible without any acts of provocation or aggression.” And what has Argyle convenor Ralphie Gonzalez done to remind his pal Mad Maduro to discourage aggressive actions??
Congratulations on rigged elections??
…called IWD
International Women’s Day’s gonna be celebrated next Saturday, along with the UN under the theme, “For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment.” So when will that “empowerment” deal with violence against women??
Illegal wildlife trade severely impacts local economy – research officer
As the illegal trade of wildlife continues to plague several countries across the globe, stakeholders in a bid to advocate against the illegal sale of wildlife recently delved into how these activities could severely impact Guyana’s thriving economy.
Wildlife trade is a common activity practiced across the
globe. In Guyana the Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission (GWCMC) is responsible for managing the trade of wildlife by issuing permits and licences for the import, export, re-export or introduction from the sea of any specimen of wildlife.
While this governing body is in place to manage the sus-
tainable use of the country’s wildlife resources, the illegal trade of wildlife has been an issue authority has been battling over the years. In fact, the illegal trade of wildlife has been identified as the 4th largest form of illicit trade in Guyana.
As part of WorldWildlifeDay celebrations on Monday, the
GWCMC in collaboration with the Private Sector Commission (PSC) hosted a webinar entitled "Illicit Wildlife Trade: Impacts, Challenges, Solutions.”
Delivering remarks was Research officer at GWCMC Johann Waldron who delved into how the illegal trade of wildlife impacts the country’s economy.
“So, what the illegal trade then facilitates is ignoring the lines or ignoring the taxes, ignoring the opportunities for employment in some instances, for example, of trappers and middlemen who are also taxpayers in many instances and the illegal trade or the illicit trade removes all of that revenue from the populace, as well as from the tax agen-
cies that are involved along the way. So, there are no licensing fees, there are no fees paid to, for example, GRA and as a result of that, there is economic loss, both at the higher level as well as at the level of persons that partake in the trade, such as the trappers themselves.”
Rotary Club of Stabroek, Nextech promote peace through art
The Rotary Club of Stabroek has once again hosted its Peace Poster Competition and its 2025 theme is “Coming Together for World Peace."
This annual initiative aligns with Rotary’s World Understanding Month, traditionally observed in February, and coincides with Rotary International’s 120th anniversary, celebrated on February 23, now designated as World Understanding and
Peace Day.
Now in its 11th year, the competition continues to promote goodwill and unity, encouraging young artists to express their visions of peace. The event was made possible through a collaboration with Nextech Inc, which co-sponsored and hosted the competition at its showroom.
Students aged 12 to 15 participated in the competition, visually interpreting the theme on 30 cm x 40 cm can-
vases within a two-hour timeframe. A panel of judges evaluated the submissions based on creativity, artistic quality, thematic expression, and the accompanying explanations provided by the young artists.
The top three winners were Angel Skeete of St Joseph High School secured first place; followed by Janae Smith, also of St Joseph High, in second place, and Dana Gobin of School of the Nations in third. Their ar-
tistic achievements were recognised with cash prizes of $20,000, $15,000, and $10,000 respectively to be used for a shopping spree at Nextech. Other participants were also acknowledged with $3,000 gift vouchers and additional tokens from Future Care Pharmacy.
CEO of Nextech, Rehman Majeed, expressed pride in supporting the initiative, emphasising the importance of instilling the values of peace in young minds. He affirmed Nextech’s continued support for the competition, recognising its role in fostering a culture of understanding and harmony among youths.
Rotary Club of Stabroek President, Marva Benjamin lauded the enthusiasm of the participants and encouraged them to embrace the principles of peace in their everyday lives. She underscored the im-
portance of initiatives like the Peace Poster Competition in shaping a more compassionate and harmonious society.
Through this competition, the Rotary Club of Stabroek
continues to inspire young minds to champion the ideals of peace, ensuring that the message of unity resonates within communities and beyond.
CEO of Nextech, Rehman Majeed and Rotary Club of Stabroek President, Marva Benjamin handing over the first prize to Angel Skeete of St Joseph High
Migrant workers filling labour gaps – Hamilton
…says Govt developing policy to govern influx
The Government is developing a comprehensive migrant labour policy to regulate the influx of skilled foreign workers as the country faces increasing demand across various sectors – including construction, hospitality, healthcare, and mining – which has surpassed local supply.
This was confirmed by Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton, who underscored the need to balance economic expansion with opportunities for local workers.
Highlighting the Home Affairs Ministry’s frequent processing of work permits for a steady influx of migrants, particularly from Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti, and other nations, Hamilton emphasised that while migrant labour is not a new phenomenon in Guyana, the current scale of demand necessitates well-structured policies to manage its impact effectively. This underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive migrant labour policy.
In an interview with this publication via telephone on Monday, the minister explained that as Guyana positions itself as a key player in the global energy and infrastructure sectors, maintaining a balance between local employment and migrant labour will be a critical challenge in the coming years.
“We have hundreds, maybe thousands of migrants in Guyana who have a work permit, and some of them from places who got to get visas, who have a visa and work permit to work in Guyana, who are recommended, who are given jobs by companies of all different types. Whether in tourism or hospitality, wheth-
er in construction, whether in manufacturing, they are here”.
“What is happening now in the case of Guyana, is that because of the great expansion of the country, the discussion is now centering on how you expand migrants coming to Guyana to work. Whether you allow them to work as per projects, in sectors like they do in the United States, where they have the farm project. So that is a conversation, and it's not a Guyana conversation, it's a CARICOM conversation,” the Minister said.
Discussions are ongoing at the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) level to create a regional framework for the movement of skilled workers among member states.
Hamilton explained that Guyana’s national policy on migrant labour will be informed by CARICOM’s regional discussions and best practices- an approach which seeks to create a structured and sustainable framework that benefits both the local workforce and economic development.
“At a level, CARICOM,
they're discussing about having established a roster of all the technical people in every jurisdiction, so we can loan technical people to our sister countries. Because you might have more engineers at one place, and Guyana might need engineers so that jurisdiction can lend us…And now that you have CARICOM discussing the matter, Guyana is waiting on that conversation and the recommendations and the proposals. And within that framework, we will establish our own procedure regarding the issue of migrant labor coming to Guyana,” Hamilton disclosed.
Despite concerns over job competition, Hamilton emphasised that Guyanese workers must seize available training opportunities to remain competitive.
Nevertheless, he reassured that government remains committed to prioritising local employment through training and regional collaboration, among others.
“We are doing several projects. So, the Oko West G-Mining project is just one. Wednesday, we will launch a project to train 20 Guyanese women, two from each region, as PV, solar panel technicians, and that maintenance person funded by the IDB. Another project will be launched to deal with regions 1,7 and 8 that will be funded by the Canadian, I think, $8.7 million Canadian dollars. That program will be launched at the Tosha Council Office on Wednesday. And we have done projects funded by IDB and we are, right now, doing projects, executing projects funded by Basic Needs Trust Fund, so that will continue,” he revealed.
FROM PAGE 14
Illegal wildlife trade severely...
Joining the discussion was representative from the Private Sector Commission Aretha Forde who highlighted that Guyana is a well know tourism destination due to its rare and exotic flora and fauna. On this point Forde explained that the illegal trade of wildlife in Guyana could also potentially weaken the country’s booming tourism sector.
“But it can have negative impacts for businesses as well, for those particularly that depend on tourism. Now imagine that you're a nature
resort, and you're selling the experience of, you know, being with wildlife and being at one with nature, and there's no wildlife around.”
She added, ““we’re trying to market Guyana and, you know, one of our members is really working assiduously with stakeholders to market Guyana as a nature paradise.”
Additionally, it was revealed that the overtrading of wildlife could lead to the destabilisation of various ecosystems.
Moreover, stakeholders
have made a call to action for the strengthening of wildlife trade laws with stricter penalties for breaches. They also called for more collaboration between law enforcement organizations and other stakeholders in a bid to combat the illegal trade crisis.
World Wildlife Day 2025
World Wildlife Day which is observed annually on March 3, is an international commemoration of the vast diversity of life on Earth and an appeal for the preservation of natural environments and endangered species. This day, which was established by the United Nations in 2013, underscores the significance of wildlife preservation and sustainable living for the benefit of future generations.
“Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet” is the theme of World Wildlife Day 2025. It highlights the urgent necessity for innovative financial solutions to support conservation projects, while simultaneously acknowledging the essential role of wildlife in the preservation of ecosystems, economies, and human well-being.
Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton
Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission Research Officer Johann Waldron
PNCR stalwart exposes mistreatment of women at Congress Place in resignation letter
Longstanding stal-
wart of the People’s National Congress/ Reform (PNCR), Amna Ally, has resigned and in the process called on party leader Aubrey Norton and those around him, to step down from their roles for the party’s future.
Ally, a former General Secretary of the PNC/R and former Minister of Social Cohesion under the previous A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Coalition Government, expressed her dissatisfaction with the party’s current leadership in her resignation letter. She high-
lighted several concerns, including the treatment of women within the party. Among them was Vanessa Kissoon, who resigned from the PNCR just days ago.
According to Ally, Kissoon, along with Linden Mayor Sharma Solomon and party elder Cheryl Sampson, faced verbal abuse at Congress Place during the National Congress of Women (NCW).
GBTI records $4B after-tax profit, attributes success to
digital-driven
strategies
“The continuous disregard for women who are the backbone of this great party has been overwhelming. As I am reminded of the “curse out” and shameful act meted out to prominent woman of Linden, Miss Vanessa Kissoon a former Member of Parliament, the Mayor of Linden Mr Sharma Solomon, and prominent elder of the PNC, Miss Cheryl Sampson in the presence of the Party General Secretary on the premises of Congress Place and amid an organised forum of the National Congress of Women,” Ally wrote in her letter.
…aims to roll out new financial products, expand digital services
The Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) has recorded $4 billion in after-tax profit for 2024, attributing this success to a year spent pursuing their digital and innovative strategies.
On Monday, GBTI revealed that the $4 billion after tax profit is a 31 per cent increase compared to the previous year. Additionally, their total assets of $249 billion reflected a 24 per cent growth. The bank was able to pay $32 per share in dividends, a 21 per cent increase, with a price of $1,440 per share and total dividend payout of $1.2 billion for 2024.
The bank noted that its growth in the bank’s assets reflected strategic investment decisions, operational efficiency and diversifying its loan portfolio. According to GBTI Chairman Robin Stoby in the statement, the bank’s sustained growth also reflects their focus on customers.
“GBTI’s sustained growth is a testament to our unwavering focus on financial strength, digital transformation, and customer-centric banking solutions. As Guyana’s economy continues to expand, GBTI remains committed to empowering individuals and businesses through innovative financial services,” Stoby was quoted saying.
The bank pointed out that during 2024, their success was fueled by a strategic push towards digital banking and innovation, which aligned with Guyana’s rapid economic expansion. According to the bank, they introduced new digital banking solutions.
Additionally, they have focused on enhancing customer experience and their access to finance. Further investments in Artificial Intelligence (AI)-
driven banking, cybersecurity, and mobile banking innovations further strengthened GBTI’s position in the financial sector. According to Stoby, the bank remains committed to enhancing customer experience.
“Digital transformation is not just a strategy—it is our commitment to ensuring seamless, efficient, and secure banking for our customers. Our advancements in AI, mobile banking, and customer-centric innovations position us as a forward-thinking financial institution,” Stoby said.
Moving forward, the bank outlined its long-term vision including upholding strong corporate governance, risk management, and ethical banking practices. According to the Bank, it has been able to reinforce its governance framework with comprehensive risk management policies, ensuring financial stability and resilience amid a rapidly evolving financial landscape.
“Beyond financial performance, GBTI remains deeply committed to corporate social responsibility (CSR). In
2024, the Bank expanded its community initiatives, focusing on; education & youth empowerment, environmental sustainability, social welfare and financial inclusion.
Through strategic partnerships, GBTI has positively impacted local communities, reinforcing its role as a trusted financial partner for national development.”
The bank also noted that with Guyana’s economy growing and thriving, particularly due to the extractive sectors, GBTI is well-positioned for future growth. According to GBTI, the Bank plans to introduce new financial products, expand its digital services, and strengthen customer relationships to meet the evolving needs of individuals and businesses.
“Our vision for 2025 is clear: to solidify GBTI’s position as a leader in the financial sector through continued innovation, strong governance, and sustainable banking practices. We are excited about the future and remain committed to delivering longterm value for our customers, employees, and stakeholders,” Stoby explained.
According to Ally, all of this was done without rebuke from the leadership of the party. She further noted that many senior females in the party have expressed disgust at how far the PNCR has sunk under Norton and went on to call for him and his supporters in the party executive, to resign and “save the party”.
“It hurts, but I cannot continue to support such a party under the current leadership Aubrey Compton Norton and his entire Executive. They should hang their heads in shame and resign. Finally, I wish to reiterate I cannot support a party which disrespect the role played by women who have always been the backbone of the PNCR, and call upon Aubrey Norton and the clique that surround him in the central executive to resign and save the party,” Ally explained.
“However, since that group now operate as if they own the party founded and
excellently led by Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, I have no hesitation, among deep hurt and regret, to tender my resignation and to call on all right-thinking women in the Party to stand up to this new tyrant.
Leadership must be given by Leaders not rascals, bullies, embezzlers and indiscipline persons.”
Internally
Efforts by this publication to contact Norton were futile but when contacted PNC/R
Chairman Shurwayne Holder insisted that the resignation was being handled within the party.
“There are internal matters in the party. Her resignation is of such. An internal matter for the party. We will deal with that internally. We don’t want to go making public statements based on a resignation,” Holder said.
It is not the first time Ally has publicly spoken out against Norton’s leadership. Last year during the party’s internal elections she said that Norton was not suited for leadership. She had accused Norton of being an undemocratic leader, who undermines the party structure and weakens the party’s Central Executive
Committee.
Only a few days ago, it was announced that Vanessa Kissoon, a longtime member of the PNCR and councillor on the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC), had also resigned from the party. Her resignation came months after she leveled allegations of sexual harassment against Norton.
Reports of Kissoon’s allegations were first made public on social media by a PNCR supporter last year. According to Kissoon’s account, the incident occurred during an occasion when she was travelling in Norton’s vehicle.
She claimed that she was threatened and showed his firearm. In response, Norton had denied the allegations and said that he had never travelled alone with Kissoon. The party had subsequently said that the allegations would be probed by a ‘Council of Elders’ within the party.
On Friday last, however, General Secretary of the PNC/R, Sherwyn Benjamin bafflingly claimed that he had no knowledge of what came out of the investigation by the party women, elders and youth arms into allegations.
Police probing break-in at Housing Ministry’s Annex
Police are investigating a break-in at the Ministry of Housing Annex in Georgetown, which occurred between 20:00h on Sunday and 7:00h on Monday.
According to Police, despite the discovery of a ransacked office, no items have been reported missing or stolen and they are currently seeking a male suspect who was captured on CCTV footage entering and exiting the premises.
According to reports, a 22-year-old Office Assistant secured the building at 20:00h on Sunday evening and deposited the keys at the security area of the
Ministry’s Head Office on Brickdam. Upon retrieving the keys at 07:00h on Monday morning, the Office Assistant, was informed by a cleaner who had just arrived, that a door on the middle flat was open and the office had been ransacked. A review of CCTV footage revealed that at 00:22h, a man, dressed in a black jersey and green three-quarter pants, arrived at the premises on a blue BMX pedal cycle. He approached from the western side of Brickdam before turning north and stopping in front of the Housing Ministry’s Annex. The footage showed the suspect en-
tering a compound south of the Annex and re-emerging at 00:45h from the western side of the building. He was seen leaving the area with a black haversack and a white box, heading north on United Nations (UN) Place before turning east onto Coral Street, Georgetown. A subsequent inspection of the premises revealed an open casement window in the Information Technology (IT) room on the middle flat, though no visible signs of forced entry were found. Police said that they have conducted interviews with multiple individuals as investigations continue into the incident.
GBTI’s Chairman, Robin Stoby
PNCR stalwart Amna Ally
Opposition Leader and PNCR Leader Aubrey Norton
Former PNCR member Vanessa Kissoon
EPA, Police team up to tackle noise pollution
The Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) is currently in the process of sensitising officers of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) about noise pollution and its severe effects on citizens.
World Hearing Day is observed every year on March 3rd. The theme for World Hearing Day 2025 is "Changing Mindsets."
In line with this, the EPA is actively sensitising police officials through an ongoing project aimed at reducing noise pollution in Guyana.
Noise pollution in the country, such as loud music in minibuses and from community activities like bars, continues to be only partially addressed.
In a recent interview with this newscast, EPA Director Kemraj Parsram shared details about how the EPA is moving forward with this ongoing initiative.
According to Parsram, the initiative includes training to assess noise levels.
“The Guyana Police Force and the EPA are jointly addressing this issue, but primarily because the police force is more engaged with the public. They have direct contact with public transportation, as well as bars. They are being trained to assess noise levels and understand the requirements of the law, so they can enforce it at that level,” he explained.
He also added that the police are fully responsible
for how these noise pollution sensitisation plans will be rolled out.
“The police will determine how they do it, but we are sensitising them. We’re training the police in noise nuisance regulations and in the capacity to assess noise nuisance levels, decibel levels, and so on. This partnership is ongoing,” he stated.
Construction sector
As noise pollution continues to be a concern, particularly in the booming construction industry in Guyana, he explained that all large-scale construction projects must be permitted by the EPA.
“All construction projects of a certain scale must be permitted by the EPA. Once they are permitted, they are required to follow specific guidelines, and we conduct compliance checks. If any construction starts without our permit and we are not aware of it, we respond to public complaints, investigate, and take necessary action,” Parsram explained.
This year, the Presidential Commission for the Prevention of NonCommunicable Diseases (NCD) in Guyana, in collaboration with the Permanent Mission and Embassy of Guyana in Geneva, has teamed up with the Health Ministry to raise awareness among Guyanese about the importance of hearing and ear care.
While Guyana has had
interventions to address loud music in minibuses and from various community activities, such as from bars, these efforts have been only partially effective. The Presidential Commission for the Prevention of NCD urges authorities to implement the policies with greater vigilance.
As Presidential Commission for the Prevention of NCDs in Guyana join with other nations around the world to observe this important day, it is also joined by the Permanent Mission of Guyana and the Embassy of Guyana in Geneva, Switzerland.
The commission has invited individuals of all ages to empower themselves to ensure healthy ears and hearing for themselves and others. According to the commission, by encouraging individuals to recognise the importance of ear and hearing health, this year’s campaign aims to inspire them to change behaviour to protect their hearing from loud sounds and prevent hearing loss, check their hearing regularly, use hearing devices if needed, and support those living with hearing loss. Guyana first observed World Hearing Day in 2007.
Guyana continues to invest in increasing both the scope of services it provides in the public health sector and the quality of care.
In addition, Guyana continues to expand availability
and access to ensure that no one is left behind.
In a release from the Commission on Sunday, it revealed that their partners wish to commend the Government of Guyana and the MOH for expanding access to screening for hearing losses.
In particular, they commend the Government of Guyana and the Ministry of Health for implementing audiological screening for all newborn babies at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and other hospitals in Guyana, as well as for expanding the hearing aid programme for persons diagnosed with disabling hearing loss.
Additionally, the Commission recognised the joint School Health programme by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education which includes screening of all children for vision and hearing.
The screening programme in schools come with a guarantee that every child in need of glasses and hearing aid will be provided through the Government funding programme.
In 2023, the Ministry of Health screened almost 8,000 children in schools and provided 1,361 hearing aids for children.
One of the main causes of hearing loss is exposure to loud noise. This environmental factor has been a chronic problem in Guyana.
Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh also highlighted another recurring issue —
Not reporting
Only last month Traffic
Chief Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh told this publication that there is a reoccurring issue of loud music being played by minibus operators and people complain about it on social media instead of informing law enforcement. According to Singh, offenders often evade consequences by lowering the volume before police arrive.
“There are frequent complaints about excessive noise from public transportation. However, when officers respond to these reports, the situation has often changed by the time they arrive. In many cases, the music is either turned off completely or played at an acceptable level, making enforcement dif-
ficult. If individuals report these issues in real-time to the police rather than posting about them online, we would have a better chance of catching constant offenders,” he explained. He also emphasised that without official complaints from the public, the police have no solid basis for enforcement. However, with proper reports, authorities can take necessary action against non-compliant minibus drivers.
“To take action, we require verifiable evidence. When officers identify a breach of regulations, we follow a structured process. This includes seizing equipment and prosecuting offenders where necessary. However, if cases are only discussed on social media, we are unable to investigate properly or present substantial evidence in court,” Singh stressed.
Guyana gets more World Bank funding for renewable energy projects
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a transformative US$131.87 million initiative aimed at boosting energy efficiency and expanding renewable energy use across Grenada, Guyana, and St Lucia.
The Caribbean Efficient and Green Energy Buildings Project will address the region’s growing energy challenges by modernising infrastructure, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and strengthening resilience against climate-induced power disruptions. Specifically, the newly approved project will focus on two key areas: reducing energy consumption in public buildings and increasing the adoption of renewable energy solutions.
According to the World Bank, approximately 500 public buildings across the three nations will be retrofitted with energy-efficient technologies, with the goal of reducing energy consumption by at least 20 per cent. In addition, solar panel systems will be installed on public infrastructure, cutting costs and improving sustainability. These upgrades will not only deliver
economic savings but also enhance energy security by decreasing dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Further, to support longterm sustainability, the project will also help countries develop regulatory frameworks that encourage green energy investments. These regulations will include energy performance standards, net billing for solar power, and policies to integrate electric vehicles and charging stations. Standardising these policies across the participating countries is expected to drive economies of scale, leading to cost efficiencies and improved regional energy security.
The project is financed through multiple sources. The World Bank’s International Development Association is providing concessional financing of US$40 million to Grenada, US$30 million to Guyana, and US$30 million to Saint Lucia. Additional grants include US$3.3 million to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) for regional procurement efforts and US$0.7 million to the Caribbean. Centre for Renewable Energy and
Energy Efficiency for technical support.
The Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CREEE) will receive technical support. The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is contributing a US$1.791 million grant to Saint Lucia, while Grenada will receive an US$8.5 million loan from the Clean Technology Fund (CTF). Guyana is set to receive an $8.2 million loan and a $0.38 million grant from the Canada Clean Energy and Forest Climate Facility (CEFC)
Strengthening
The Caribbean region is highly dependent on imported petroleum, with imports accounting for 90 per cent of petroleum consumption—far exceeding the global average of 21 per cent. This reliance makes energy costs volatile and burdens economic growth. Compounding the issue, approximately 96 per cent of power generation in the region still relies on diesel-fired plants, many of which are aging. Moreover, natural disasters pose an ongoing risk, as demonstrated by the 6 per cent of Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) Grenada spent to restore its grid after Hurricane Ivan in 2004.
A vital aspect of the initiative is its emphasis on regional collaboration. The OECS and the Caribbean’s CREEE facilitate pooled procurement and provide technical assistance. This was disclosed by the World Bank Director for the Caribbean Lilia Burunciuc.
“This project aims to foster regional cooperation, allowing participating countries to benefit from shared platforms, resources and collaboration. By
working together, St Lucia, Grenada, and Guyana can address energy sector constraints and prepare for a sustainable, low-carbon future,” said Lilia Burunciuc, World Bank Director for the Caribbean. “The Caribbean stands to gain significant economic benefits from this project, including the creation of green jobs, lower electricity bills for citizens, and enhanced energy
ience.”
resil-
EPA Director Kemraj Parsram
loud music being played by minibus operators
Around the World OIL NEWS
OPEC+ to proceed with planned April oil output hike
OUS pauses military aid to Ukraine, says White House
The United States is pausing military aid to Ukraine days after US President Donald Trump clashed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in the Oval Office, a White House official confirmed on Monday.
uting to a solution. The pause will last until Trump determines the country's leaders demonstrate a good-faith commitment to peace, according to Bloomberg and Fox News reports.
Bloomberg reported that all US military equipment not currently in Ukraine would be paused, including weapons in transit on aircraft and ships or waiting in transit areas in Poland.
PEC+ has decided to proceed with a planned April oil output increase, the group said on Monday, a move that follows U.S. President Donald Trump renewing pressure on OPEC and Saudi Arabia to bring down prices.
The increase is the first since 2022 from OPEC+, which includes the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, plus Russia and other allies. Oil was trading 2% lower towards $71 a barrel at 1900 GMT.
Eight OPEC+ members that are making the group's most recent layer of output cuts held a virtual meeting on Monday and agreed to proceed with the April increase, OPEC said. The increase is 138,000 barrels per day according to Reuters calculations.
"This gradual increase may be paused or reversed subject to market conditions," OPEC said in a statement. "This flexibility will allow the group to continue to support oil market stability."
Oil has been trading in a range of $70-$82 a barrel in recent weeks in anticipation of major changes to U.S. sanctions on large oil producers Iran, Russia and Venezuela as well as U.S. tariffs on China that could reduce demand. Trump has renewed pressure on OPEC to bring down prices, which rallied to multimonth highs above $82 a barrel in January after Trump's predecessor Joe Biden slapped new sanctions on Russia.
Since then prices have fallen on hopes Trump would help clinch a peace deal in the war between Russia and Ukraine and boost Russian oil flows. However, his plans to cut Iran's oil exports to zero and the cancellation last week of a Chevron license to operate in Venezuela prevented prices from falling further.
The combination of those bullish and bearish factors made decision-making for April extremely complex, OPEC+ sources have said. They added that Trump's plans for global tariffs could complicate the outlook even further. (Excerpted from Reuters)
Israeli Police say 1 killed in Haifa bus station knife attack
An Israeli man has been killed and four other people have been wounded in what police say was a terrorist stabbing attack in the northern Israeli city of Haifa.
Police said an Israeli Druze man attacked civilians with a knife after getting off a bus at HaMifratz Central station. He was shot dead at the scene by a security guard.
The victim who died was named as Hassan Dahamsha, 70, from the predominantly Arab town of Kafr Kanna. Paramedics said three of the wounded - a 15-year-old boy, and a man and a woman in their 30s - were in a serious condition.
The attacker was from Shfaram, another mainly Arab town, and had recently returned from abroad, police said, without specifying a motive.
Israeli Druze leaders condemned the rare attack by a member of their community.
The Druze are an ethnic and religious group whose faith is an offshoot of Shia
Islam. About 150,000 live in Israel and the occupied Golan Heights, comprising about 1.5% of the population.
Witnesses and security officials said the perpetrator of Monday morning's attack travelled to Haifa on a bus from Shfaram, which is about 10km (6 miles) east of the city.
"A bus arrived, and someone got off with a knife, shouted 'Allahu Akbar' ['God is greatest' in Arabic], and started stabbing people indiscriminately," one woman told the Haaretz newspaper.
A security officer was cited as saying the attacker stabbed three people waiting at the station and then went to a security checkpoint, where he stabbed an elderly man before being shot dead by the guard.
A police spokesman said the attacker had been abroad for the past few months and had returned to Israel in February.
Israeli media named him as Yitro Shaheen, 20, and reported that he had German citizenship and had lived in Germany. (BBC)
The official said the US is pausing and reviewing aid to ensure it is contrib -
"This is not permanent termination of aid, it's a pause," Fox News quoted a Trump administration official as saying.
It added that Trump ordered Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to execute the pause.
The reports come hours
after Trump told reporters at the White House that he had not discussed suspending military aid to Ukraine, but added that Zelenskiy "should be more appreciative" of Washington's support Nearly three years into the war, Washington has committed billions of dollars in aid for Ukraine. (Reuters)
Immigrant parents remove teenage sons from UK over stabbing fears
Immigrant parents in the United Kingdom (UK), fearful of gang knife violence, are sending teenage sons back to their countries of origin, a community worker said Friday, after a boy sued his family for putting him in a Ghana boarding school.
The comments come a day after a judge ruled in fa-
vour of the parents of the boy who “tricked” him into going to Ghana to be educated because they did not want him to become “yet another black teenager stabbed to death in the streets of London”, their lawyer said.
Junior Smart, of the St Giles Trust whose work includes helping young people leave gangs, said far from
Markets sink as Trump confirms tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China
President Donald Trump has said he is moving forward with 25% tariffs on goods imported from Canada and Mexico into the US, adding that time had run out to reach a deal.
US stock markets sank in response to the measures, which he has threatened since earlier this year and said would now go into effect on Tuesday.
An additional 10% tariff on Chinese imports is also expected to come into force, leaving all three of America's top three trade partners facing significantly higher trade barriers than just a few weeks ago.
"No room left for Mexico or for Canada," Trump said at the White House on Monday. "The tariffs, you know, they're all set. They go into effect tomorrow."
Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly told reporters later on Monday: "Let's be clear, if Trump is imposing tariffs, we're ready."
She said Ottawa planned to impose retaliatory tariffs against US imports of $155bn (£122bn), with the first tranche of $30bn ready immediately to be levied on everyday goods like pasta, clothing and perfume.
Joly noted that Canada did not want a trade war, but would hit back if the US started one.
The foreign minister added that the tariffs were "an existential threat to us", with "thousands of jobs in Canada at stake".
Mexico and China have also said they will retaliate against the US tariffs, raising the prospect of a widening trade war.
Trump threatened to impose the tariffs, which are a tax added to a product when it enters a country - on Canada, Mexico and China in response to what he said was the unacceptable flow of illegal drugs and illegal immigrants into the US.
(Excerpted from BBC)
being an isolated case, the parents’ actions are actually “very common” because “no one wants their child to be killed”.
“I wouldn’t want to say they’ve kidnapped their children, they haven’t, [but] they have exercised parental authority,” he said.
He said parents, who began to see their once-polite and well-behaved sons carrying or getting interested in knives, appearing in grime music videos, and rowing with other gang members, were taking matters “into their own hands”.
Countries to which parents have been returning their children include Ghana, Romania, Jamaica, and Sierra Leone, Smart told AFP.
He said parents were resorting to such extreme measures, reasoning that “you [gang members] got to my son here, you’re not going to be able to get to him in Africa, Ghana, Romania or wherever”.
And they are telling their children, “Now, you’re not going to have your mobile phone, you’re not going to have access to the Internet, and you’re not going to be able to talk back to me because everyone where you’re going to talks to their parent with respect.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said last year knife crime in the UK had become a “national crisis”, following a spate of stabbings involving teenagers. (Excerpted from AFP)
US shutdown of HIV/ AIDS funding ‘could lead to 500,000 deaths in South Africa’
Sweeping notices of termination of funding have been received by organisations working with HIV and Aids across Africa, with dire predictions of a huge rise in deaths as a result.
After the US announced a permanent end to funding for HIV projects, services across the board have been affected, say doctors and programme managers, from projects helping orphans and pregnant women to those reaching transgender individuals and sex workers.
The cuts could result in 500,000 deaths over the next 10 years in South Africa, modelling suggests, while thousands of people are already set to lose their jobs in the coming days.
The US government has announced it will be cutting more than 90% of the contracts of its key development agency, USAid, and slashing $60bn (£48bn) of overseas aid spending.
The Guardian has heard that notices of termination have been sent to organisations in other countries in the region, including Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania and Zimbabwe, as well as with the joint United Nations programme UNAids.
The Elizabeth Glaser Paediatric Aids Foundation said it had received termination notices for three of its projects, which provide HIV treatment for more than 350,000 people in Lesotho, Eswatini and Tanzania. The figure includes more than 10,000 HIV-positive pregnant women, who must continue taking antiretroviral drugs to avoid passing the disease on to their babies.
Dr Lynne Mofenson, a senior adviser at the foundation, said the decision was “a death sentence for mothers and children”. (Excerpted from The Guardian)
President Donald Trump
SUDOKU
Make today about caring and sharing. Lift others up, and they will reciprocate. Choose peace and love over anger and discord. Look for alternatives that satisfy your soul and accommodate loved ones' wishes.
Envision what you want, develop a plan and execute your intentions. Turn your thoughts into something concrete and put a dent in your to-do list. Stop thinking about what you want, and begin your journey.
Tone down your plans to fit your budget and abilities. Gauge your time and effort carefully. Your success depends on accuracy, attention to detail and your ability to deliver.
Haste makes waste. Slow down, nurture what's important to you and change only what's necessary. Channel your energy and passion into something meaningful.
Resolve issues in a civil fashion. If you want to be an honorable leader, act like one. Treat everyone, even your rivals, with dignity. Tact will be necessary.
A change of scenery will help you put your life in perspective. Distance yourself from uncertainty, aggravation and temptation; you'll recognize the best path forward.
Live, learn, love and explore what life has to offer. Socializing, sharing information and meeting new people will lead to personal growth, positive change and opportunities.
Put your best foot forward, and you'll dazzle everyone. Change is within reach if you follow your passion. Get the ball rolling by sharing your innovative ideas and plans.
Think before you act. Take everyone and everything into account before you make a move. Don't spend money on things you don't need or can't afford. Salt away some cash if you can.
Make changes to your living space that can help you save money. Updating your home, downsizing to make your life easier and exploring other possibilities will pay off.
Spend more time learning about something you want to pursue. Choose a healthy lifestyle that will protect you from injury or illness. Be ready to do something interesting.
Simplify your life. If someone asks for too much, say no; if offered too little, ask for more. Upfront communication is your best path forward. It's up to you to dictate what's next.
ARCHIE
It was not quite a happy homecoming for UP Warriorz, who got a thrashing from Gujarat Giants at the Ekana Stadium and slipped from third to last place on the points table. In the first Women's Premier League (WPL) match in Lucknow, Beth Mooney put on a batting exhibition to help Giants to 186 for 5, the third-highest total this season. She provided a reminder of why she is the number-one-ranked T20 International batter in the International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings, and helped Giants vault from fifth place to second. In reply, Warriorz went down with a whimper, losing by a massive 81 runs. They lost two wickets in the first over, four inside the powerplay and were 48 for 6 – only one batter in the top six scored in double-digits –before Chinelle Henry's 14ball 28 helped them cross 100. They were eventually
in a 101-run second-wicket partnership with Harleen Deol. She hit 17 fours in her innings, the second-most in an innings in the WPL. Thanks to the mammoth
pered the straight boundary for 49 runs in the arc between long-on and long-off. At one point it looked like she would hit the first century of the WPL, but she got to face only five balls at the death (overs 17-20) and finished unbeaten on 96.
Thanks to her middle-overs assault, Giants scored 104 runs in the 10 overs from seven to 16, only the fourth time they scored over 100 in that phase in the WPL.
Deol supports, Dottin entertains
win, Giants' net run rate shot up to 0.357 from -0.450 and they are now placed only behind Delhi Capitals, their six points taking them level with Mumbai Indians, It looked like this was not Mooney's season.
Heading into the contest, she had tallied only 84 in five innings, averaging a mere 16.80. Since Giants don't have a spare wicketkeeper in the squad, she continued to be backed. She started slow, being 23 off 21 when the powerplay ended, helped by a couple of fours
But it was after the field restrictions ended that Mooney truly came into her own. She used her feet against both Sophie Ecclestone and Deepti, and used the pace of Henry and Kranti Goud. Whenever Warriorz had mid-off and mid-on up and bowled length, she used her feet to access the area down the ground and pep-
Women's Premier League
Mooney, Dottin, Kanwar hand Giants massive win to jump to 2nd
next over. She attempted an ungainly reverse sweep and was trapped lbw by Ecclestone for an eight-ball 17. Warriorz closed out the innings well thereon, giving away just 16 in the last two overs, but that was not enough.
Warriorz and their wounded batting line-up
Having not played Chamari Athapaththu in all five games she was available for before leaving for national duty, Warriorz swiftly handed a debut to Georgia Voll, the replacement. Voll had found massive success while opening in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), but Warriorz persisted with Kiran Navgire and Harris as their openers with Voll at number three. Navgire poked at an outswinger from Dottin without moving her feet and was caught by a diving Litchfield at slip for a golden duck on the second ball of the chase. Three balls later, Voll went for a wild drive away from the body, only for the ball to swerve in and hit the top of middle. And just like that, Dottin had put Giants on course for a win.
From the other end, Kashvee Gautam found
Going with the trend in WPL 2025, Warriorz opted to bowl on a mixed-soil surface that had a decent covering of grass and tasted success in the opening over. Henry's outswing had the out-of-form Dayalan Hemalatha caught behind for 2. It was her fourth single-digit score in five outings this season.
Deol, at number three, got going with an aerial sweep off Grace Harris over square leg. But the highlight of her innings was her footwork against the quicks. She creamed Henry through wide mid-off to end the third over and then repeated the treatment against Goud after the powerplay ended. She enjoyed the ball coming onto the bat – Phoebe Litchfield later called the Ekana the "best batting conditions" – and stroked her way to a 32-ball 45. She missed one when she made room to hit Ecclestone over the off side and was bowled, thus ending the century stand.
After a 44-run stand between Mooney and Ashleigh Gardner set Giants up for a strong finish, Deandra Dottin got going with a four off Goud in the 17th over and then hit Ecclestone for a six and a four in the
massive swing and success, after Vrinda Dinesh shaped to scoop, but was beaten by the inward curve. Deepti, who later said they felt the target was chaseable, also fell cheaply, nicking Meghna Singh behind. Harris kept running out of partners before missing the scoop off Tanuja Kanwar and Warriorz were 48 for 6 at the halfway mark.
aaa SCOREBOARD
Gujarat Giants Women (20 ovs maximum)
Beth Mooney †not out 96
Dayalan Hemalatha c †Chetry
b Henry 2
Harleen Deol
b Ecclestone 45
Ashleigh Gardner (c)c Ecclestone
b Goud 11
Deandra Dottin lbw
b Ecclestone 17
Phoebe Litchfield c Sehrawat
b Sharma 8
Bharti Fulmali not out 2
Extras (lb 2, nb 1, w 2) 5
Total 20 Ov (RR: 9.30) 186/5
Did not bat: Kashvee Gautam, Tanuja Kanwar, Meghna Singh, Priya Mishra
Fall of wickets: 1-3 (Dayalan
Hemalatha, 0.6 ov), 2-104
(Harleen Deol, 12.2 ov), 3-148 (Ashleigh Gardner, 16.2 ov), 4-169 (Deandra Dottin, 17.5 ov), 5-178 (Phoebe Litchfield, 18.6 ov) • DRS
O-M-R-W
Bowling
Chinelle Henry 4-0-31-1
Grace Harris 4-0-36-0
Deepti Sharma 4-0-37-1
Kranti Goud 4-0-46-1
Sophie Ecclestone
UP Warriorz Women
4-0-34-2
(T: 187 runs from 20 ovs)
Grace Harris lbw
b Kanwar 25
Kiran Navgire c Litchfield
b Dottin 0
Georgia Voll
b Dottin 0
Dinesh Vrinda
b Gautam 1
Deepti Sharma (c)c †Mooney
b Meghna Singh 6
Shweta Sehrawat c Litchfield b Gardner 5
Uma Chetry †c Kanwar b Gautam 17
Chinelle Henry c Litchfield b Kanwar 28
Sophie Ecclestone
b Kanwar 14
Gouher Sultana c †Mooney
b Gautam 0
Kranti Goud not out 0
Extras (b 1, w 8) 9
Total 17.1 Ov (RR: 6.11) 105
Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Kiran Navgire, 0.2 ov), 2-2 (Georgia Voll, 0.5 ov), 3-13 (Dinesh Vrinda, 3.1 ov), 4-25 (Deepti Sharma, 4.6 ov), 5-36 (Shweta Sehrawat, 7.4 ov), 6-48 (Grace Harris, 9.6 ov), 7-83 (Chinelle Henry, 13.4 ov), 8-105 (Uma Chetry, 16.3 ov), 9-105 (Gouher Sultana, 16.4 ov), 10-105 (Sophie Ecclestone, 17.1 ov) •
DRS
Bowling O-M-R-W
Deandra Dottin 3-0-14-2
Kashvee Gautam 3-0-11-3
Meghna Singh
Henry struck a few lusty blows down the order and was one of only four Warriorz batters to enter double digits. But it was largely a flutter before the fire extinguished. (ESPNcricinfo)
Beth Mooney found her silken touch
Kashvee Gautam celebrates an early wicket
Tanuja Kanwar had a beaming smile after removing Grace Harris
Deandra Dottin shows Kiran Navgire where to go after dimissing her
“Ali is the man for the job” – Singh
…discusses necessary CWI governance reform
Re-elected Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) President Bissoondyal Singh has big plans for governance reform and leadership of cricket in the Caribbean region, a topic on which he has been extremely vocal in the past few months.
As such, addressing a major move for cricket recently, Singh highlighted that Guyana’s President, Dr Irfaan Ali is best suited for the chairmanship of Caricom’s Sub-committee on Cricket.
“We’re very, very excited and to me, it’s the best person to be the Chairman on that Sub-Committee at Caricom. This is a man who understands what is required to be done,” Singh assured.
Alongside Barbadian Cricket Association (BCA) President Conde Riley, Singh has been vocal about recent moves in governance reform made by Cricket West Indies (CWI).
As such, opining that boardroom decisions directly affect the game, Singh assured that he would not allow a power struggle for leadership occur at the CWI
level as it did in Guyana a few years ago.
The GCB President explained, “You’re right to say that we’re serious on governance, because we had a 10- year battle in Guyana to bring some stability and integrity and transparency to this great game and we’re not going to go to a higher level and allow anything of the same sort to happen without being vocal. And it’s important for us to see, look the Champions Trophy is going on currently and West indies is not participating, that’s a sad situation.
“It has to do with what
we do inside the boardroom; it projects on the field. What the Barbados Cricket Association and the Guyana Cricket Board have been fighting for all the time, we don’t need to see cosmetic changes in governance, you need to have governance changes that affect what is going on within the boundary and not beyond the boundary. Anything that’s happening beyond the boundary and doesn’t affect things within the boundary is a waste of time. And so, we’re not going to participate in any exercise of futility,” Singh passionately expressed.
Touching on Guyana’s lack of international fixtures for 2025, the GCB boss made a call for rotation of CWI’s presidency and a clear development plan.
He highlighted, “As it relates to the fixtures, how you put games in the different territories, you know Guyana has no games in 2025 and in 2026, you have three which is only three female games. We’re yet to understand how they arrive at these fixtures, but you can see in other territories,
for example in Windwards, Windwards has 32 playing days between 2025 and 2027. How do you arrive at that with Guyana 3?
“We were made to understand that India is coming to Guyana in 2027 and now we’re hearing that the system change, you have to bid for it. Why aren’t other territories bidding for it? And that’s why the rotation of presidency is important, so you have a continuity going on with what management is set to happen.
“And then you need to have a massive cricket development plan. A medium-, short- and long-term plan,” Singh suggested.
Revisiting President Ali’s appointment, Singh suggested ways in which Caricom can get involved in CWI’s management, noting that Guyana’s Head of State was already 10 steps ahead.
“Similarly, when I got into office, we put together a five-year strategic plan and tabled it with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. You need to have a strategic plan and table it with Caricom. You need to have some-
body from Caricom, appoint a technocrat on the West Indies board and look into the reconstruction of school cricket and infrastructure, grounds and so on,” the GCB President highlighted.
Singh further opined, “Guyana has gone far ahead with our President launching five new stadiums and hundreds of grounds being fixed across Guyana. So, we’re a bit in front, that’s why I said President Ali knows what is required to be done and this has to
be done throughout the Caribbean.
“We have to do it seriously, not just have these cosmetic changes that you have the tenure of office for the Vice President and President moving from two years to three years with three consecutive terms. I don’t know how that will fix anything on the field.” Singh was unanimously re-elected as GCB President last Saturday and will serve another fouryear term.
for Fruta Conquerors
Former Elite League
champions Fruta Conquerors had to settle for a mid-table finish in the last season of the Elite League in 2024. Viewed in the context of the competition, however, it was a commendable performance from a young team who had earlier lost some of their upcoming stars to bigger clubs.
Nonetheless, the upcoming seventh season of the League will be met with fresh enthusiasm from the Tucville-based unit.
As he detailed their intense pre-season preparations, Head Coach Sampson Gilbert noted that he was satisfied with their progress.
“We’re looking forward to perform adequately in this season seven; we got a lot of new and young players in the group. We’ve been preparing for about six weeks, we did seven pre-season games so far, we won five, drew one and lost one. We participated in the Mash Cup tournament as a pre-season tournament; we won three of those games of the four,” the renowned Fruta Conquerors
Head Coach exclusively told Guyana Times Sport
He added, “I’m quite satisfied with the progress we’re making in terms of the learning and application of our game model and the philosophy of the team. Players are turning out to the session and the level of application is great.”
As such, Gilbert went on to divulge some key aspects of the team’s preparations with the mantra “intent, intensity and tenacity” being of utmost importance.
He disclosed, “There is three areas of application that we’re focused on: That is our intent, our intensity and the tenacity in which we apply and so, I think the players, they understand what is required and we’re working assiduously to supplement each other and to actually complement the programme by supporting all the different areas in terms of our physical preparation, our technical/ tactical application and also our psychological awareness, because awareness psycho-
logically, it lends support to the whole game preparation in terms of our tactical and positional awareness.
“We’re working hard to be psychologically prepared to work under pressure and apply all the various aspects of the game.”
Quizzed further about their priority areas for this year’s competition, Gilbert admitted that the team could have seen better results in Season Six with better application of principles. Thus, he expressed hopes to improve their professionalism.
“I think professionalism is the area that we need to embrace, obviously professionalism is not just being paid, but how you apply what you learn, and so by being able to apply the principles with intent, intensity and with a mindset of tenacity where you’re going in, playing consistently and you’re trying to be individually and collectively consistent,” Gilbert explained.
He went on to reason, “Last season we had some good results and then we had some results that could’ve been better had we played and applied what we wanted to apply better. So, we’re looking at how we prepare the players psychologically and mentally for the pressure that is to come in season seven.”
The Fruta Conquerors Gaffer went on to share his philosophy for fielding the best of his players, rather than looking to fill specific spots.
The Head Coach revealed, “Generally, we look at players in every area, at defence, at midfield, at forward and specifically, there is no particular area that we want to look at and say we have spots, fill them. The best 25 players that’s going to perform in pre-season, they are the 25 players that are going to be in this squad for season seven.”
“If you were in the squad before or if you’re new to the
squad, you have a chance based on your understanding of the philosophy, based on your application, your intent, intensity and the tenacity. So, everybody that’s training and preparing have a chance to be in the squad based on how you apply what is required,” he further stated.
As disclosed by Gilbert, this season Fruta Conquerors will be taking the Elite League one game at a time.
“So, although we have a young team; we have the ability to do well and we will take the League game by game. We’re preparing for that, the pre-season preparation is mirroring what we expect in the League and although the players are young, that is not something that we want to focus [on]. The experience of the players will come based on their preparation,” he confidently shared with this publication. The Elite League is scheduled to get underway on Sunday, March 9, 2025.
A look at Fruta Conquerors’ preparation for the upcoming Elite League season seven
Recently re-elected GCB President Bissoondyal Singh
President Dr Irfaan Ali was recently appointed Chairman of Caricom’s Sub-committee on Cricket
Sampson Gilbert directs his troops during a training session
In a commanding display of skill, determination, and national pride, Guyana emerged as the overall champions of the 2025 Caribbean Boxing Championship in St Lucia, which concluded on Sunday.
The Guyanese amassed 35 points, finishing ahead of the 2019 champions, Trinidad and Tobago (28 points), and host nation S. Lucia (21 points).
This year’s championship marked the return of the premier regional boxing event after a fouryear hiatus, and Guyana’s pugilists made sure their presence was felt.
The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) sent its largest-ever contingent to the tournament, comprising 16 elite and emerging fighters, and they delivered on the promise of regional dominance by securing nine gold, three silver, and two bronze medals.
The elite competition was packed with high-stakes bouts, and none was more anticipated than the 57kg contest featuring Guyana’s Keevin Allicock.
The former Commonwealth Youth Games silver medallist and Olympian (Tokyo) extended his unbeaten streak at the Caribbean Championship, getting a hard-fought split-decision victory over Trinidad and Tobago’s Anthony Joseph.
the tournament over the years.
Another standout performance came from Abiola Jackman, who was named Best Female Boxer of the tournament.
Having previously won in 2017, 2018, and 2019, Allicock once again proved why he remains one of the Region’s top fighters. At the championship, Allicock was also recognised for his contribution to
She clinched victory over Trinidad’s Angel George in the 80kg class, while her sister, Alesha Jackman, made quick work of Antigua and Barbuda’s Chantel Johnson, forcing the referee to stop their 75kg contest just 44 seconds into the first round.
In the 75kg division, Desmond Amsterdam claimed a massive split decision victory over Trinidadian Olympian Arron Prince.
Colin Lewis also delivered a dominant display in the 67kg category, overwhelming St Lucia’s Justice Surage to win on points.
However, not all the results went in Guyana’s favour.
Joel Williamson (63.5kg) fell short against Trinidad and Tobago’s Donnell Phillips, while Emmanuel Pompey (92kg) suffered a split-decision defeat at the hands of Trinidadian heavyweight Nigel
The future of Guyanese boxing looks bright, as the country’s youth and junior fighters delivered outstanding performances.
In the youth division, Terron Wintz was named Best Youth Boxer after his dominant showing against St Lucia’s Denzel Stephens in the 67kg contest.
Wintz forced the referee to stop the fight two minutes and 36
seconds into the second round, cementing his reputation as one to watch in the years ahead.
Joshua Tamberran (57kg) won on points over Guadeloupe’s Noah Pakiry, while Semion Haymer (63kg) outboxed Trinidad and Tobago’s Darnell Sinaswee to win on points.
Among the juniors, Kenyon Britton (50kg) put on an impressive display, defeating Guadeloupe’s Davino Carty on points. However, Ken Harvey faced a tough battle in the 60kg bout, losing on points to St Lucia’s Alex Nachan.
Guyana’s overall win resulted from individual brilliance, meticulous preparation, and strategic guidance from a seasoned coaching staff.
National Coach Lennox Daniels, alongside Cuban trainer Francisco Roldan and assistants Clifton Moore and Jeff Roberts, played a crucial role in shaping the team’s success.
The team returned to Guyana yesterday where they met with GBA President Steve Ninvalle and National Sports Commission Vice Chairperson Cristy Campbell.
Best Elite Boxer Keevin Allicock leads the Guyanese team through the boarding bridge where they were met with a hero’s welcome
Team Manager Seon Bristol shows off Guyana’s trophy for the overall win
Best Female Boxer Abiola Jackman displays her accolades
Best Youth Boxer Terron Wintz
The successful Guyanese boxing team flanked by officials upon their return to Guyana