Carib Scope

标签： Guyana

圭亚那

  • Families of Trinidadian men killed at sea file lawsuit against US government

    Families of Trinidadian men killed at sea file lawsuit against US government

    In a landmark legal challenge, the families of two Trinidadian nationals killed in a US military operation have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the United States government. The case, lodged in a Massachusetts federal court, centers on the October 14th missile strike that killed six individuals aboard a vessel in the Caribbean.

    The plaintiffs, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR), allege that the US government unlawfully targeted and killed Chad Joseph (26) and Rishi Samaroo (41) without justification. The lawsuit invokes both the Death on the High Seas Act and the Alien Tort Statute, seeking to establish legal accountability for what they characterize as extrajudicial killings.

    This legal action directly challenges the Trump administration’s justification that such military operations fall within the scope of an armed conflict against designated narcoterrorist organizations. The administration has previously asserted that drug cartels represent a non-international armed conflict scenario, thereby legitimizing the use of lethal force.

    However, the lawsuit contends there exists no such armed conflict, rendering the laws of war inapplicable. It further argues that the victims were not affiliated with drug cartels but were merely returning to Trinidad from Venezuela where they had been engaged in fishing and agricultural work.

    The case has drawn attention to the broader US military campaign in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, which has reportedly resulted in at least 125 fatalities since September. Notably, the Trinidad and Tobago government has expressed support for these operations, with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar previously endorsing violent measures against those involved in illegal drug trafficking.

    The plaintiffs seek punitive damages while emphasizing their primary goal of establishing legal accountability for what they describe as ‘lawless killings in cold blood.’

  • RUSAL returning to Guyana

    RUSAL returning to Guyana

    In a significant development for Guyana’s mining sector, Russian aluminum giant RUSAL has finalized arrangements to restart bauxite mining operations in the Upper Berbice region after a six-year absence prompted by a severe industrial dispute. The announcement came during Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh’s 2026 national budget presentation, where he revealed that the government had reached an agreement with the company “a few days ago” to commence preparatory works this year.

    Minister Singh stated that throughout 2026, the operator will progress work to restore all critical systems to enable safe and reliable production resumption. Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat corroborated the news, confirming to Demerara Waves Online News that the returning company is indeed RUSAL, which had previously withdrawn its machinery and equipment from Aroaima following violent labor unrest.

    The original dispute erupted when RUSAL dismissed over 100 workers after failing to obtain duty-free concessions on fuel, sparking strikes that escalated into boat blockades and property destruction. The Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GBG&WU) had initially advocated for RUSAL’s complete departure from Guyana rather than continued operation amid alleged workers’ rights violations.

    The company’s 2020 closure had ripple effects across the supply chain, including the withdrawal of German shipping firm Oldendorff, which had been responsible for transshipping bauxite to stockpile vessels near the Atlantic Ocean for loading onto international cargo ships. The return of RUSAL signals potential economic reactivation for the region’s mining-dependent communities, though it remains to be seen how labor relations will evolve following the previous contentious departure.

  • Speed governors, designated parking for trucks this year – finance minister

    Speed governors, designated parking for trucks this year – finance minister

    In a comprehensive move to enhance roadway safety, Guyana’s Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh unveiled a multi-faceted infrastructure initiative during Monday’s 2026 national budget address to the National Assembly. The centerpiece involves the procurement and installation of 8,000 speed governors on commercial trucks throughout the country, designed to mechanically restrict vehicle speeds and reduce accidents.

    The ambitious program extends beyond speed regulation to address persistent parking challenges. Minister Singh announced plans to construct dedicated parking facilities specifically for heavy-duty vehicles, with initial sites capable of accommodating over 390 trucks. This measure directly targets the longstanding issue of large vehicles parking along public roadways, which has contributed to traffic congestion and safety hazards.

    Complementing these physical interventions, the government will implement a sophisticated automated enforcement system. The integrated safe road intelligence network will utilize advanced camera technology and radar speed detection equipment to enable real-time offense identification and automated citation issuance. This technological approach represents a significant modernization of Guyana’s traffic management capabilities, moving from manual enforcement to continuous electronic monitoring.

    The coordinated strategy addresses both behavioral and infrastructural aspects of road safety, representing one of the most comprehensive transportation safety initiatives recently undertaken by the Guyanese government. The measures respond to growing concerns about commercial vehicle operations and their impact on public safety and traffic flow across the nation’s transportation network.

  • New tax regime for vehicles, outboard engines

    New tax regime for vehicles, outboard engines

    In a significant economic policy shift, Guyana’s Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh unveiled substantial tax reductions and eliminations across multiple vehicle categories and marine propulsion systems on Monday, January 26, 2026. The comprehensive fiscal reforms introduce a simplified tax structure for double-cab pickup trucks, with a flat levy of GY$2 million applied to models under 2,000 CC regardless of age, while units between 2,000 CC and 2,500 CC will attract a GY$3 million charge. The government has further eliminated Value Added Tax (VAT) on conventional vehicles below 1,500 CC that are less than four years old, extending similar VAT exemptions to hybrid vehicles under 2,000 CC. In a move to boost recreational and industrial mobility, all import duties and taxes have been abolished for All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) without usage restrictions. Additionally, marine operators will benefit from complete tax removal on outboard engines with capacities up to 150 Horsepower, signaling support for Guyana’s maritime and fishing industries. These measures represent a strategic recalibration of the nation’s fiscal policy aimed at stimulating transportation sectors and reducing operational costs for businesses and consumers alike.

  • APNU backpedals and boycotts vote for Azruddin Mohamed but he was still elected Opposition Leader

    APNU backpedals and boycotts vote for Azruddin Mohamed but he was still elected Opposition Leader

    In a dramatic parliamentary session on Monday, Azruddin Mohamed was elected as Guyana’s Opposition Leader despite a boycott by the 12-seat A Partnership for National Unity (APNU). The election proceeded with Mohamed’s We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party leveraging its 16-seat majority, supplemented by a crucial vote from the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM).

    APNU parliamentary leader Dr. Terrence Campbell justified the walkout, stating his bloc exited once nominations closed with Mohamed as the sole candidate. ‘There was one nomination for the position of Leader of the Opposition. Nominations were closed and, as we’ve said, there is no need for a vote so we left the Assembly,’ Campbell explained. Despite the boycott, he expressed hope for improved future collaboration between APNU and WIN.

    The election occurred under the shadow of US sanctions against Mohamed, who faces indictment by a US Grand Jury for alleged financial crimes including mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering related to his gold trading business. House Speaker Manzoor Nadir convened the meeting following international pressure to complete democratic processes after last September’s elections.

    FGM Leader Amanza Walton-Desir, whose single vote contributed to Mohamed’s election, suggested APNU’s absence could be interpreted as abstention. Meanwhile, Mohamed acknowledged his new role doesn’t grant immunity from extradition but vowed to combat corruption by the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic administration.

    The development sets the stage for potential electoral reforms, with APNU indicating willingness to collaborate on implementing digitalized biometrics for future elections. Questions remain about WIN’s representation on the seven-member Guyana Elections Commission now that it assumes main opposition status.

  • Teenagers arrested for Windsor Forest assault, police ask victim to contact police

    Teenagers arrested for Windsor Forest assault, police ask victim to contact police

    Authorities in Guyana have taken three male teenagers into custody following a violent assault captured on video and widely circulated on social media. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon at approximately 2 PM in First Lady Park, Windsor Forest, located on the West Coast Demerara.

    According to the Guyana Police Force, their investigation progressed rapidly after identifying the getaway vehicle involved in the attack. Police traced the car, bearing license plate PGG 6502, to a residence in Zeelugt on the East Bank Essequibo. There, officers made contact with the vehicle’s 17-year-old driver, who subsequently assisted authorities in locating two additional suspects.

    The apprehended individuals include the 17-year-old driver from Zeelugt, an 18-year-old also residing in Zeelugt, and a 16-year-old from Uitvlugt on the West Coast Demerara. All three suspects, along with the vehicle used in the alleged crime, were transported to the Leonora Police Station for processing and further interrogation.

    Disturbing footage shared on Facebook depicts three males physically assaulting another individual at the park location. The video evidence shows one assailant retrieving what appears to be a knife from his waistband as he returns to collect footwear near the victim. Audible protests from bystanders can be heard in the background, urging the perpetrators to cease their attack on the victim.

    Law enforcement officials are now urgently requesting that the victim or anyone with additional information regarding this assault come forward and contact their nearest police station to assist with the ongoing investigation.

  • Shipping industry not passing on increased charges to importers – Shipping Association

    Shipping industry not passing on increased charges to importers – Shipping Association

    The Shipping Association of Guyana (SAG) has publicly refuted allegations from the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) regarding unmet meeting requests, while simultaneously revealing that maritime operators are absorbing significant operational cost increases without passing them to importers.

    SAG President Komal Singh addressed the situation Sunday, explaining that shipping lines and wharf operators face mounting challenges with substantial financial implications. These include port congestion causing cargo offloading delays and extended processing times for US dollar wire transfers from local agents.

    ‘All additional costs incurred cannot be passed to anyone since they already collect freight from customers,’ Singh told Demerara Waves Online News, noting that shipping companies bear these growing financial burdens independently.

    The association characterized GCCI’s claims of ignored meeting requests as ‘reckless and ill-informed.’ Official correspondence reveals that SAG responded to GCCI’s November 26, 2025 letter proposing two December meeting dates and expressing willingness to accommodate alternative dates. According to SAG, no response was ever received from the chamber.

    Despite these tensions, SAG highlighted successful collaboration with Trinidad and Tobago authorities to reduce shipping delays at Port of Spain, where vessels now experience improved loading slot availability.

    The association reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue, announcing plans to extend another formal meeting invitation to GCCI in hopes of fostering constructive engagement rather than public disputes.

  • Integrity Commission law should allow summary declaration of public officials’ assets- APNU’s Campbell

    Integrity Commission law should allow summary declaration of public officials’ assets- APNU’s Campbell

    In a significant push for governmental transparency, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) parliamentary leader Dr. Terrence Campbell has demanded urgent amendments to Guyana’s Integrity Commission Act. Speaking over the weekend, Campbell advocated for legislative reforms that would mandate the public disclosure of summarized asset declarations from elected officials and other public servants.

    Campbell proposed that Guyana emulate Jamaica’s model, where summaries of asset declarations from the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader are routinely published in the Official Gazette. This approach would extend scrutiny beyond the Integrity Commission, police, and government ministers to include media outlets and civil society organizations, creating a multi-layered accountability system.

    The APNU leader’s recommendations emerge amidst growing controversy surrounding asset declarations of several government figures. Opposition party We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) recently raised questions about properties owned by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, Tourism Minister Susan Rodrigues, and former Central Housing and Planning Authority CEO Sherwyn Greaves. All three officials have categorically denied any wrongdoing.

    Campbell criticized the current Integrity Commission as ‘toothless,’ contrasting it with what he described as the more proactive Ethnic Relations Commission. He expressed disappointment that the Commission remained silent on whether it would investigate the circulating allegations, suggesting it should have immediately assured the public of its intent to examine the claims thoroughly.

    The existing legislation imposes severe penalties for unauthorized disclosure of declaration information, with violators facing fines of GY$25,000 and up to two months imprisonment. Meanwhile, public officials who fail to submit their declarations risk even stiffer penalties: fines of GY$25,000 and imprisonment ranging from six months to one year, plus additional daily fines of GY$10,000 for continued non-compliance.

    This political confrontation occurs against a backdrop of mutual accusations between major parties. The ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) has frequently accused APNU parliamentarians of neglecting their declaration obligations, while Campbell alleges the PPPC has ‘captured’ constitutional agencies through strategic appointments of top officials.

  • Afro-Guyanese spiritual leader, Jamaican-American die in Mabura trail crash

    Afro-Guyanese spiritual leader, Jamaican-American die in Mabura trail crash

    A devastating traffic collision on Guyana’s Linden-Mabura trail has claimed the lives of three individuals, including a respected Afro-Guyanese spiritual leader and an elderly Jamaican-American woman. The fatal incident occurred Thursday night at approximately 9:30 PM on the recently asphalted roadway.

    According to official statements from the Guyana Police Force, the victims have been identified as Andrew Irvine, a prominent spiritual leader of the Yoruba Ifa House of Samaria; Patricia Woodley, an 81-year-old Jamaican-American national; and Marcus Berley, a 32-year-old resident of One Mile, Wismar who was operating the vehicle.

    Preliminary investigation findings indicate that hire car HD 6751 was traveling westward at high velocity along the southern lane when it collided with the rear section of a stationary trailer combination (motor lorry GJJ 4000 with trailer TSS 4613). The commercial vehicle had been legally parked along the roadside facing westward at the time of impact.

    The force of the collision resulted in critical injuries to all three occupants of the hire car. Emergency responders transported the victims to Linden Hospital Complex where medical personnel pronounced them deceased upon arrival. The driver of the parked lorry, a 36-year-old man from Craig, East Bank Demerara, has been taken into police custody and is cooperating with ongoing investigations into the circumstances surrounding the tragic accident.

  • Court of Appeal to clear backlog of over 2,000 appeals, applications; avoid future prolonged delays

    Court of Appeal to clear backlog of over 2,000 appeals, applications; avoid future prolonged delays

    In a landmark move to address systemic delays in its judicial system, Guyana’s Court of Appeal has initiated a comprehensive program to resolve more than 2,000 pending appeals and applications, some dating back three decades. The initiative, mandated by Chancellor of the Judiciary Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire, represents one of the most significant judicial reforms in recent memory.

    The court has established three specialized panels to handle the massive backlog, with each panel assigned 70 cases in the initial phase. This structured approach includes 21 civil appeals, 20 criminal appeals, and 29 applications for leave to appeal across each panel. The first hearings are scheduled to commence on February 10, 12, and 13, 2026, marking a decisive step toward judicial efficiency.

    To ensure maximum transparency and participation, the court will issue hearing notices through multiple channels: mailed to recorded addresses of litigants and attorneys, published in national newspapers, and posted on both the Court’s official website and Facebook page under ‘Hearing Lists’.

    The court administration emphasized that this backlog reduction exercise specifically targets cases filed between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 2024. Notably, all applications for leave to appeal and extensions filed before 2021 have already been cleared from the system. Moving forward, newly filed applications in 2026 will receive immediate assignment to prevent future accumulation.

    In an official statement, the judiciary acknowledged the legitimate concerns of those awaiting resolution of long-pending matters and reaffirmed its commitment to ‘timely, fair and transparent administration of justice.’ The court further stressed that this would be a court-driven process guided by robust case management principles, with expectations that all legal representatives come fully prepared to facilitate efficient dispositions.