New 2024 balance of payments data from the International Monetary Fund, compiled in the World Bank’s World Development Indicators, has laid bare the extraordinary economic reliance that most Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states place on travel service exports. Across 12 of the bloc’s 15 members that are included in the analysis, six economies see travel services — which measure all visitor spending within a nation’s borders — make up more than 80% of their total annual services exports. Topping the list is The Bahamas, where travel exports account for nearly 94% of all outbound services trade, followed closely by Saint Lucia at 90.1% and Grenada at 88.6%. Rounding out the group of highly dependent nations are Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, and Jamaica, all of which crossed the 80% threshold in 2024. Behind the leaders, other CARICOM members still recorded far higher shares than most global comparators: Saint Kitts and Nevis came in at 72.4%, Belize at 69.4%, and Dominica at 62.2%. Only three of the 12 surveyed nations posted travel export shares below 40%. These outliers are Haiti at 37.7%, Trinidad and Tobago at 34.7%, and Suriname at just 16.9%. Both Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname are established resource exporters, and their economies have developed other high-value service sectors that outpace travel in export volume. Experts stress that these percentages reflect the composition of national export sectors, not the absolute scale of the travel industry. A high share of travel in total services exports simply signals that no other service categories — including finance, transportation, and business services — generate export revenue at a similar level to tourism and visitor spending. When placed in a global context, the CARICOM average is dramatically out of step with international benchmarks. The global average share of travel services in total services exports sat at 19.8% in 2024, while the broader Latin America and Caribbean regional average was 41.5%. Even among global small states, which often lean more heavily on tourism than large economies, the average travel share is just 30.9% — less than half the share recorded in six CARICOM members. The current dataset excludes three CARICOM members due to gaps in recent reporting: Barbados has not submitted updated data since 2017, Guyana’s most recent figures are from 2023, and Montserrat is not included in the current round of statistical compilation.
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Ambrose, Fenton and Daley Named to Antigua and Barbuda Team for World U20 Championships
A new generation of Antigua and Barbuda’s track and field talent is set to compete on a global stage, with three rising young athletes earning a spot on the national roster for the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships, hosted in Eugene, Oregon, USA. The Antigua and Barbuda Athletic Association formally announced the official team this week, confirming that Kettia Ambrose, Tyra Fenton and Kasiya Daley will carry the nation’s flag at the biennial event, which is scheduled to run from August 5 to 9 at the University of Oregon’s iconic Hayward Field, a venue long renowned for hosting elite international track and field competitions.
Each athlete has been assigned their specific events for the upcoming championships. Ambrose, one of the nation’s most promising young female sprinters, will line up in both the women’s 200-metre and 400-metre races. Fenton will also compete in the women’s 200-metre event, bringing her own specialized speed and training to the starting line. On the men’s side, Daley will compete across two short-distance sprint events, the 100-metre and 200-metre races, aiming to post strong times against the world’s best under-20 competitors.
The young delegation will not travel without support: experienced coach Teddy Daley and team leader Jo-Ann Small will accompany the trio throughout the trip, providing on-the-ground training guidance, logistical support and strategic advice ahead of their races. As one of the world’s most prestigious gatherings for emerging track and field talent, the 2026 championships will draw hundreds of top junior athletes from every corner of the globe, giving young competitors a critical opportunity to gain international competition experience and showcase their skills ahead of potential senior-level careers.
In a statement marking the team announcement, the Antigua and Barbuda Athletic Association extended well wishes to the entire national delegation, wishing all three athletes strong performances, a safe journey to Oregon, and success as they step onto the international championship stage to represent their small Caribbean nation.
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Cuban President visits Havana Science and Technology Park
On July 24, 2026, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, who also serves as First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, conducted his third official visit to the Havana Science and Technology Park, marking a continued high-level priority for the country’s science, innovation and digital transformation agendas.
Founded in 2020, the park has matured into a fully functional innovation ecosystem that nurtures homegrown technology ventures, many of which began as small-scale startup projects launched by local university talent. During this visit, Díaz-Canel held in-depth discussions with executives and founding representatives of technology-focused micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) that were incubated within the park’s boundaries.
In his remarks following the meetings, the president highlighted the impressive track record of solutions the park has fostered, crediting the skilled talent pipeline cultivated by Cuba’s higher education system for these achievements. He called for deeper cross-sector integration between state-owned and non-state business entities, framing collaborative alliances as a critical driver to advance the nation’s research, development, and innovation (R&D&I) goals. He emphasized that these collective efforts must align with Cuba’s broader national development priorities, urging stakeholders to build greater public awareness of the impact of domestic innovation work.
Díaz-Canel also pressed attendees to leverage the full potential of the country’s recent economic and social policy reforms, singling out the information and communications technology (ICT) sector as an area with untapped transformative potential for the Cuban economy.
During the dialogue, the president received briefings on two standout technology MSMEs launched from the park. The first, Laberinto Tech, specializes in developing custom IT solutions for business operations and e-commerce initiatives. Yunior Almaguer, the company’s director and a recent graduate of the University of Computer Sciences, walked Díaz-Canel through the firm’s flagship fleet management system, built for leading Cuban tourism rental operators Transtur and Ecotur.
The second venture, Gemellux, focuses on data asset management, helping public and private organizations convert fragmented, unstructured data into actionable, high-value resources to inform strategic decision-making. Tatiana Delgado Fernández, Gemellux’s director, outlined the company’s ongoing partnerships across multiple key sectors, including the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources, tourism, and environmental management.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the visit, Rafael Torralbas Ezpeleta, president of the Havana Science and Technology Park, outlined the institution’s core mission: to support the founding and scalable growth of new technology-focused enterprises. Acknowledging the significant headwinds facing new ventures in Cuba’s current impacted economic and social landscape, Torralbas noted that every resource the park provides acts as critical support for early-stage startups to survive and expand.
The park currently delivers three tiers of support for incubated ventures: basic infrastructure services, core technological resources, and high-impact value-added assistance. Torralbas emphasized that value-added services, which cover everything from legal consultation and financial guidance to market access support and investor connections, are often the most critical for small growing companies. The park also leverages its growing global network to help domestic ventures access international market and partnership opportunities beyond Cuba’s borders.
As of the visit, the park hosts 40 technology-based startups at varying stages of the incubation process: some have advanced to fully operational, growing business status, while others remain in early nascent stages of development. This visit marks the third presidential inspection of the park, following trips in its founding year of 2020 and again in 2023, underlining the Cuban government’s consistent prioritization of science, innovation and digital transformation as core pillars of its national governance agenda.
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George makes world history for SVG in squash
For the small Caribbean nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a new chapter in national sports history has been written by 18-year-old squash player Jayden George, who has become the first athlete from the country to earn a spot at the World Squash Junior U19 Championships.
Organized by World Squash, the governing body for the sport officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee, this annual tournament brings together the most talented young squash players from across the globe. Notably, the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games will mark squash’s long-awaited debut as an official Olympic medal sport, adding extra significance to this year’s junior championship as a launchpad for future Olympic stars.
In an interview on the sidelines of the tournament, George shared that competing on this global stage carries a meaning that goes far beyond personal achievement. “Coming from a small Caribbean island, this is an incredible milestone for me. To be the first player from St. Vincent and the Grenadines to step onto this court and compete alongside the best young players in the world is an honor I can barely put into words,” he said.
Describing the atmosphere at the championships as electric, George noted that the depth of talent on display pushes him to grow as an athlete. “This is a life-changing opportunity. Getting to share the court with players like men’s top seed and defending champion Mohamad Zakaria, who currently ranks 7th on the global professional tour, and women’s number one seed Anahat Singh, is surreal. Watching their technique and competitive energy is just inspiring beyond belief,” he added, saying he is ecstatic just to have the chance to learn from the sport’s best rising stars.
George’s journey to the junior world championships has been 11 years in the making. He first picked up a squash racket at age 6, after his mother searched for a sport that would fit his energetic personality. He tried a range of popular activities including football, tennis and swimming before discovering that squash was where his passion lay. Since then, he has stuck to a rigorous training routine, putting in hours of practice six days a week, with only Sundays reserved for rest. “All the early mornings, long training sessions and sacrifices to get here added up, but every bit of it was worth it,” George said.
Beyond his own personal ambition to one day compete full-time on the professional squash tour, George has his sights set on growing the sport back in his home country. “My biggest hope is that this breakthrough will shine a brighter spotlight on squash in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Right now, we need more funding to develop young talent and build better facilities, and I want this moment to open more people’s eyes to how exciting and accessible this sport can be,” he explained.
He also noted that momentum for squash has already been building at home: his sister has been creating vlog content about the sport, which has already drawn new audiences and interest in the Caribbean nation. With his historic appearance at the junior world championships, that momentum is only expected to grow in the coming years.
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Starnieuws gouddossier 1: Actie tegen Chinese werknemers Sarakreek slechts deel van thriller
A high-profile joint police and military operation targeting 16 Chinese employees at a Surinamese gold concession has pulled back the curtain on a bitter, years-long simmering conflict over control of one of the country’s large-scale mining assets. The July 14 operation, which made international headlines over claims of an unauthorized armed Chinese presence, is far more complex than initial public reports suggest, according to senior management at Sarakreek Resource Corporation – the Canadian-founded concession holder that partners with China Mega Suriname Mining Investment Company on the 22,500-hectare project. In an exclusive interview with local outlet Starnieuws, the firm’s leadership painted a full picture of a dispute stretching back to 2022, marked by legal battles against the Surinamese state, unregulated encroachment by illegal gold miners, and allegations of behind-the-scenes political influence shaping the crisis.
Sarakreek management emphasized that the Chinese employees at the site are legally employed by the joint venture between the firm and its Chinese mining partner. A majority of the workers already hold valid residency and work permits, while the remaining applicants are in the final stages of administrative processing, a status the company says it fully disclosed to authorities early in the investigation. The firm also confirmed it holds a legal license to possess firearms for security purposes on the concession – a standard arrangement for major mining concession holders across Suriname’s gold sector. It did acknowledge, however, that the armed new employees who arrived in Suriname only on July 7 and 9 had not yet completed official weapons registration, and that the team deployed firearms out of urgent necessity amid the site’s steadily worsening security crisis. The company also admitted that gunfire discharged during an on-site training exercise at its base camp was an avoidable safety lapse, adding that the decision to conduct training there was incorrect in hindsight.
The July 14 raid marks only the latest escalation of a conflict that has unfolded gradually over half a decade. After Sarakreek scaled back mining operations several years ago to prepare for a major expansion restart, the concession’s massive size and limited on-site presence created an opening for large groups of unlicensed illegal gold miners to occupy large swathes of the territory. The company says it has long documented ties between these encroaching miners and influential political figures connected to Suriname’s ruling coalition. In one documented incident, an illegal miner openly told police he had secured permission to mine on the concession after paying a bribe to a relative of ABOP party leader Ronnie Brunswijk, one of Suriname’s most powerful political figures.
The root of the formal dispute dates back to 2022, when Sarakreek submitted an application to renew its expiring mining concession rights. Though the firm filed the application well ahead of the expiration deadline, the Ministry of Natural Resources rejected the request, claiming the company was in conflict with local Indigenous and riverine communities. Sarakreek refutes this claim, noting its concession territory sits 27 kilometers from the nearest permanent village, and that multiple negotiation sessions with community representatives were held with Ministry officials in attendance. The company says local demands escalated over time, ultimately requiring a $100,000 compensation payment and the transfer of half of the company’s concession rights to local stakeholders. When no agreement could be reached on the non-negotiable demands, the dispute moved to Suriname’s courts. The judiciary ruled in Sarakreek’s favor, ordering the state to extend the concession and imposing daily coercive fines for non-compliance.
Despite the court victory, the security situation on the ground continued to deteriorate. In October 2025, Sarakreek formally notified the Ministry of Natural Resources in writing that illegal miners were actively blocking all preparations to restart full mining operations. On June 26, a police inspection team visited the concession to review the Chinese workers’ residency, work authorization and weapons compliance, accompanied by a reconnaissance team from Suriname’s border surveillance operation. Sarakreek says it fully cooperated with the inspection and submitted all requested documentation to police within three business days, and no additional information requests were received between June 29 and the July 14 raid.
Tensions boiled over on July 13, when a verbal clash broke out between Chinese employees and a group of illegal miners occupying the concession. Within hours, clips claiming an unauthorized “Chinese army” was operating in the area spread rapidly across Surinamese social media. The miners involved openly claimed that a single phone call to Brunswijk would be enough to force the Chinese team off the land. Just 24 hours later, two helicopters carrying joint police-military units landed at the concession’s base camp to launch the raid. During a brief FaceTime call between Sarakreek management and the regional police commander, the commander confirmed the operation was investigating compliance with immigration and firearms law – before the call was abruptly cut off by a bystander shouting in Sranan that 15 people would be taken away for processing and three would remain to guard the camp.
Sarakreek describes the raid itself as chaotic and abusive. As police searched the camp, illegal miners were allowed to remain on site to observe the operation and heckle the Chinese staff. All 16 employees were forced to lie on the ground in humiliating conditions, and two sleeping workers were dragged out of their bunks. Management also alleges that one Chinese worker was beaten in the head by a local resident while being transported to the extraction helicopter, knocking him unconscious. Footage circulated on social media showed Brunswijk pointing at the unconscious worker tied to the back of an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), but the clips do not show the prior assault, according to the company. All 16 workers were released from custody by the Public Prosecution Service the following day.
After security forces withdrew from the camp, Sarakreek conducted an inventory and found more than $8,800 in cash, 45,000 Surinamese dollars, fuel, legally held firearms, work clothing, other company equipment and four ATVs had gone missing. The company filed a formal theft report with police in Brokopondo, and two of the ATVs were later returned. Sarakreek says the return offer came that same evening through a Chinese intermediary, who requested the company allow two of Brunswijk’s security staff to drop off the vehicles. The firm rejected the offer, noting that a formal police report had already been filed and it expects a full official investigation into the missing property.
Brunswijk’s presence at the scene of the raid has raised additional questions for Sarakreek’s leadership. Social media clips showed local bystanders cheering and thanking Brunswijk for leading the operation against the Chinese workers, with the footage published publicly by ABOP Member of Parliament Geneviévre Jordan. Suriname’s Minister of Justice and Police Harish Monorath has denied Brunswijk commanded the operation, stating it was led by the regional police commander for central Suriname as a joint police-military mission, and Brunswijk only alerted authorities after receiving reports of armed Chinese men in the area.
For Sarakreek, however, the incident is far more than an isolated check of immigration and firearms compliance. The company says the raid must be understood as the latest turn in a years-long battle over control of the concession, driven by illegal encroachment, competing political and economic interests, and a dispute that has already been settled in court but remains unresolved on the ground. “The public has only heard part of the story,” Sarakreek management told Starnieuws.
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The Pace Is Set – Antigua Carnival 2026 Officially Comes Alive
The countdown to one of the Caribbean’s most iconic summer celebrations has reached a new milestone, with the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission (ABFC) hailing the overwhelming success of the official pre-launch events for the 2026 Antigua Carnival.
Over successive evenings in the lead-up to the main festival, Carnival City emerged as a hub of electrifying energy, showcasing extraordinary artistic talent and creative expression from across the islands. Attendees flocked to the venue to experience world-class live entertainment, vivid traditional cultural performances, and an immersive, joyful atmosphere that has long earned Antigua Carnival the nickname of “the Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival.”
The main 2026 Antigua Carnival program is set to kick off officially on Saturday, July 25, 2025, and festival organizers say the glowing reception of the pre-events has set a promising, enthusiastic tone for the full celebrations. This year’s lead-up activities hold extra significance, as they pave the way for 2026’s milestone 70th anniversary of the iconic festival.
Hon. Dwayne George, Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Sports and Creative Industries, offered high praise for the ABFC and every contributor that turned the ARG venue into a premium Carnival City. He highlighted the dramatic upgrades to the space this year, noting that the commission has raised the bar for festival organization. “I am incredibly proud of the transformation of ARG into a first-class Carnival City. This year, the Commission has truly levelled up. I have great anticipation for what’s to come next year as we celebrate the 70th anniversary,” George stated.
Acknowledging the overwhelmingly positive public feedback received for the pre-events, George added: “Everything sounded great, looked spectacular, and the atmosphere is exceptional. I have seen the major transformation and appreciate every single person who made it happen.”
When asked about the main festival events he is most excited for, George shared a lighthearted, enthusiastic preview. He highlighted the highly anticipated Rhythm Court Vibes event scheduled for Monday, where he is eager to join local residents and visitors in enjoying local cuisine, top-tier live music, and the authentic communal spirit of Antigua Carnival. He even issued a playful public challenge: calling out local personality Gassi Dread to meet him for a game of dominoes at the festival grounds.
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At UN, CARICOM requests the renewal of the GSF’s mandate in Haiti
As Haiti moves forward with preparations for long-awaited democratic elections, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has formally petitioned the United Nations Security Council to extend the mandate of the multinational Gang Suppression Force (GSF), currently deployed to curb gang violence across the crisis-stricken nation.
Addressing the Security Council in a statement delivered by a Jamaican diplomatic representative, CARICOM emphasized that the GSF is far from reaching its full operational capacity. As of the latest update, less than 20 percent of the force’s planned total personnel have been deployed, and its current mandate is set to expire at the end of September 2026. Renewing the mandate, the regional bloc argued, is an indispensable safeguard to prevent a catastrophic collapse of security, which would open the door to widespread instability and state fragmentation.
First established under UN Security Council Resolution 2793, the GSF is a multinational security mission designed to reach a full strength of 5,550 uniformed personnel. Its core mandate is to disarm and neutralize the powerful armed gangs that have controlled large swathes of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, for years. Operating in close coordination with the Haitian National Police, the force works to secure critical state infrastructure and protect civilian populations from targeted violence and mass displacement. The mission was created to replace the earlier Kenya-led Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM), which was hampered by small troop numbers and chronic underfunding that left it unable to address the scope of Haiti’s security crisis.
In its address, CARICOM acknowledged that incremental signs of progress have emerged on the ground in recent months, but warned that the overall security and humanitarian situation remains precarious. The bloc reaffirmed its deep concern over the ongoing multidimensional crisis that has crippled state institutions and left millions of Haitians in need of emergency assistance. It specifically highlighted the disproportionate impact of the crisis on Haiti’s most vulnerable groups, including women, girls and young people, who face heightened risks of gender-based violence, displacement and lack of access to basic services.
CARICOM also commended the Haitian government’s ongoing efforts to lay the institutional and security groundwork for free, fair and peaceful elections, in partnership with regional and international stakeholders including the United Nations, the Organization of American States (OAS) and CARICOM itself. Despite the significant challenges facing the country, the bloc stressed that holding timely democratic elections remains a top priority for restoring stability, and reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to supporting Haiti’s long-term goal of consolidated democratic governance and constitutional order.
Beyond security, CARICOM noted that regional leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding humanitarian assistance to meet the ongoing acute needs of the Haitian people, even amid the modest improvements recorded in some areas. The bloc called for accelerated international stabilization efforts, including a sharp increase in global humanitarian funding and a push to speed up the full deployment of the GSF to all high-risk areas. It also urged global financial institutions and the wider international financial community to deepen engagement with the Haitian government and local stakeholders to build a foundation for long-term stability.
“Haiti deserves a future of peace, prosperity and democratic governance, a future deserving of every citizen in every country,” the statement concluded.
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Barthley Named Young Benna Boys Captain for Concacaf U-20 Championship
As the 2026 Concacaf Under-20 Championship prepares to kick off in Mexico this summer, the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) has announced its leadership group for the national under-20 squad, the Young Benna Boys. The official announcement, made Wednesday, confirmed that 18-year-old midfielder Dajari Barthley will take on the role of team captain, with Purdue University Fort Wayne goalkeeper Tegan Gumbs stepping in as vice captain.
Barthley, an emerging talent with deep roots in Antigua and Barbuda’s football ecosystem, brings a unique mix of domestic and international training experience to the captaincy. A former student at Antigua’s Baptist Academy, he currently continues his athletic and academic development at Bede’s Senior School in the United Kingdom. His consistent standout performance in recent years has already earned him national recognition: he was nominated for the prestigious Antigua and Barbuda Junior Sportsman of the Year award in both 2024 and 2025, and he has already logged training time with the country’s senior men’s national team, giving him valuable exposure to high-level competitive play.
Young Benna Boys head coach Shyan explained that the selection process for captain was far from straightforward, with the technical management team evaluating multiple candidates through a series of practice matches. Every contender got the chance to lead the squad in these test fixtures, allowing the coaching staff to closely monitor their on-pitch communication, decision-making under pressure, and ability to unify the team. After extensive observations and one-on-one conversations with each candidate, the management group landed on Barthley. “The final choice was not an easy one,” Shyan noted. “We had different guys captain the practice games, we monitored them and spoke to them. In the end, the management group was impressed with how Dajari handled the responsibilities. He is well respected by his teammates.”
As vice captain, Gumbs brings a stellar track record of performance from the qualifying stage to the squad. Born in Chicago, the goalkeeper was instrumental in securing Antigua and Barbuda’s spot in the final 12-team championship, notching four consecutive clean sheets across four qualifying wins held in Costa Rica. His defensive reliability will be a critical asset for the Young Benna Boys as they face off against some of North and Central America’s top under-20 talent.
For Antigua and Barbuda, the 2026 Concacaf Under-20 Championship carries extra regional significance: it is the only nation from the Eastern Caribbean to qualify for the final tournament. The team will get its campaign underway on July 24, when it faces tournament hosts Mexico at Puebla’s iconic Estadio Cuauhtémoc. Following the opening match, the Young Benna Boys will return to the pitch to take on Guatemala on July 27, before wrapping up their group stage play against Costa Rica on July 30.
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Civil society activists mull constitutional case against police arrest during MV Barima vigil
On the evening of July 22, 2026, five female civil society activists attended a government-organized vigil at Georgetown’s Kingston Seawall, gathered to honor victims of the deadly MV Barima ferry disaster. What began as a peaceful demonstration demanding government accountability has now escalated into a planned constitutional challenge against the Guyanese state, after three members of the group were arrested, detained, and allegedly assaulted by local law enforcement.
The activists had positioned themselves on the periphery of the official event, holding silent signs calling for the resignation and criminal prosecution of Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, whom they hold responsible for the preventable tragedy. Throughout the vigil, the group maintained orderly conduct, never disrupting proceedings, blocking access, or harassing other attendees. According to their official joint statement, no event participant raised any complaints about their presence for the first hour of the gathering. When the group moved to stand behind a large event banner, however, officers from the Guyana Police Force approached and ordered them to leave the location. When the activists asked to be told which law they had violated, police were unable to cite any specific regulation.
Choosing to avoid disrupting the vigil, the activists began returning to their original peripheral position, but police escalated the confrontation, arresting Sherlina Nageer, Salima Bacchus-Hinds, and Romola Lucas. Officers claimed the women held “illegal signs” and had not obtained official permission to protest, forcibly dragging Nageer to the Brickdam Police Station at Eve Leary. The three detainees were processed and released that night on their own recognizance, with a summons to return the next morning to meet with the regional police commander. The following day, police dropped all pending charges and extended an apology to the activists – but the group has rejected the gesture as insufficient and insincere.
Nageer, speaking publicly after the incident, described the apology as conditional and dismissive, noting senior officers offered it only on the basis of “if you think you deserve an apology.” For the activists, a formal apology does not address the core harm of arbitrary detention and constitutional rights violations. “The assault and rights violation are real, actual serious things, and saying you’re ‘sorry and just get out of my office’ does not match the scale of what happened,” Nageer told Demerara Waves Online News.
The group is currently seeking legal counsel to file a constitutional challenge at the Guyana High Court, aiming to set a legal precedent that prevents law enforcement from violating citizens’ fundamental rights to peaceful assembly in the future. If the suit moves forward, its core goal will be to legally bar police from arbitrary arrests and forced removals of peaceful protestors from public gatherings. The activists emphasize that Guyana’s constitution explicitly protects the right to peaceful assembly, association, and demonstration under Article 147, which states that “no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his or her freedom of assembly, association and freedom to demonstrate peacefully.”
Alongside the planned constitutional lawsuit, the group has submitted an official complaint to the Guyana Police Force’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), which confirmed that OPR representatives received them well during an initial meeting this week.
In their joint statement, the activists characterized the verbal harassment, physical abuse, and arbitrary detention of the three women as a clear case of state overreach and abuse of power that threatens the constitutional rights of all Guyanese citizens. They have rejected attempts to intimidate them into silence, calling on all Guyanese to speak out against the gradual erosion of constitutional and human rights by government and law enforcement officials, and to join their demand for full and lasting accountability.
Beyond the confrontation with police, the group has reaffirmed their core demands related to the MV Barima disaster: they continue to call for Edghill’s resignation and full criminal accountability, an independent and transparent public investigation into the tragedy, and a complete overhaul of Guyana’s coastal and inland public transportation systems. The activists argue that the ferry disaster was entirely preventable, caused by systemic failures including inadequate oversight, ignored safety protocols, failure to complete necessary port infrastructure, and delays in commissioning modern, safe ferry vessels. “Persons must not suffer and die because they are unable to afford a plane ticket, because systems lack oversight, protocols are ignored, stellings not built, and more modern ferries not commissioned in a timely manner,” their statement read.
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Reyme slaat alarm over vervuiling Marowijnerivier
A20 parliamentary faction leader Steven Reyme has publicly called on the Surinamese government to prioritize an immediate response to widespread pollution and potentially unregulated gold mining operations taking place in and along the Marowijne River, a critical transboundary waterway that supports local communities on both sides of the Suriname-France border.
Speaking before the National Assembly of Suriname earlier this week, Reyme revealed that he had completed an on-site inspection of the river basin just one day prior to his address, where he witnessed what he described as completely unacceptable environmental practices. During his visit, he directly observed one active gold mining operation dumping all of its processing waste directly into the Marowijne River with no form of treatment or containment, he confirmed.
Reyme has issued a stark warning that these unregulated mining activities carry severe long-term risks for both the river’s fragile ecosystem and the hundreds of local residents who rely on the waterway for drinking water, fishing, agriculture, and daily livelihoods. Without prompt intervention, he argues, the contamination could irreparably damage the region’s natural resources and threaten public health for communities along the river.
The A20 faction leader added that he has received multiple credible reports that several uninhabited islands within the Marowijne River have been seized and occupied by mining interests. While Reyme could not immediately confirm whether these seizures are legal or unauthorized, he emphasized that the government has an obligation to launch a full investigation into the status of these land claims and any related mining activity.
Crucially, Reyme noted that the environmental threats facing the Marowijne River are not limited to the Surinamese side of the border. Mining operations on the opposite French Guiana side of the boundary are also carrying out activities that pose significant harm to the river and surrounding habitats, he said.
In closing, Reyme stressed the urgent need for swift government intervention, calling on authorities to launch a full formal inquiry into the scale of mining activity in the border region, confirm which operations are operating with legal authorization, and introduce clear, enforceable oversight frameworks for gold mining and environmental protection across the entire transboundary Marowijne River basin.