Carib Scope

标签： Guyana

圭亚那

  • Gun, ammo found at Soesdyke-Linden Highway resort

    Gun, ammo found at Soesdyke-Linden Highway resort

    In a significant security discovery, a 9mm Glock 17 pistol accompanied by 17 rounds of matching ammunition was uncovered at a resort situated along Guyana’s Soesdyke-Linden Highway. The recovery occurred on Saturday evening at approximately 8:30 p.m. during standard security procedures.

    According to official reports from the Guyana Police Force, a 34-year-old security personnel employed at the resort identified the suspicious object while conducting routine perimeter inspections. The firearm was located adjacent to a minor drainage system along a concrete pathway within the compound’s premises.

    Demonstrating proper protocol adherence, the security guard immediately secured the suspected weapon and initiated contact with local law enforcement authorities. The recovered pistol and ammunition were subsequently transported to the Timehri Police Station for further forensic examination and investigation.

    This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding illegal weapons circulation within the region and underscores the critical role of vigilant security personnel in maintaining public safety. Police investigations continue to determine the origin of the firearm and potential connections to criminal activities.

  • Father, son arrested for arms, ammo

    Father, son arrested for arms, ammo

    Authorities in Guyana have apprehended a 53-year-old farmer and his two adult sons following the discovery of an unlicensed arsenal at their rural residence. The operation, conducted by the Guyana Police Force on March 7th, 2026, resulted in the seizure of multiple firearms and ammunition from the family’s property in Shea Village, South Rupununi.

    Law enforcement officials reported that the investigation led to the confiscation of two .22 caliber rifles, one 12-gauge double-barrel shotgun, and an airsoft rifle. Additionally, police recovered fourteen rounds of .22 ammunition and five 12-gauge cartridges during systematic searches of both the individuals and their premises.

    The suspects, aged 20, 22, and 53, voluntarily surrendered the weapons upon police contact and subsequently acknowledged their lack of proper firearm licensing documentation. Following initial questioning at the scene, the trio was transported to the Aishalton Police Station for processing before being transferred to the Lethem Police Station for further investigation.

    All confiscated items have been securely lodged as evidence pending comprehensive ballistic examination and formal charges. The case represents ongoing efforts by Guyanese authorities to combat illegal weapon possession in the country’s interior regions.

  • First GRA Commissioner-General, Edgar Heyligar dies

    First GRA Commissioner-General, Edgar Heyligar dies

    The Republic of Guyana is in mourning following the passing of Edgar Heyligar, the inaugural Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), who died on March 7, 2026, at the age of 86. The GRA confirmed the news through an official statement released by current Commissioner-General Godfrey Statia.

    Heyligar’s distinguished career in public service spanned decades, marked by his foundational role in shaping Guyana’s fiscal administration. After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in the United Kingdom, he returned to his homeland in the early 1970s and dedicated his professional life to strengthening the nation’s financial institutions.

    His significant contributions began well before the establishment of the GRA. In 1978, Heyligar was appointed Commissioner of Inland Revenue, where he pioneered systems and professional standards that would later form the blueprint for the modern revenue authority. When the GRA was formally established in 2000 as a milestone in modernizing Guyana’s revenue administration, Heyligar was appointed as its first Commissioner-General, serving until 2003.

    Under his leadership, the Authority initiated critical reforms in tax and customs administration, enhanced accountability measures, and established a professional institutional culture that continues to guide the organization today. His tenure laid the groundwork for effective revenue collection mechanisms that support national development.

    The GRA statement highlighted Heyligar’s widely respected professionalism, integrity, and commitment to public service. Many current officers within the Authority have benefited from the institutional framework established during his formative leadership years.

    The Governing Board, Commissioner-General, and staff of the GRA have extended their deepest condolences to his family, friends, and former colleagues. The nation recognizes his enduring legacy in building Guyana’s revenue administration system, which will remain an integral part of the organization’s institutional memory.

  • Time for “status quo”change in Cuba- Irfaan Ali

    Time for “status quo”change in Cuba- Irfaan Ali

    In a significant foreign policy declaration, Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali has publicly advocated for a fundamental transformation of Cuba’s political system towards democracy and freedom. Speaking on Fox News from Florida on Saturday, March 7, 2026, President Ali asserted that the current political status quo in Cuba cannot persist indefinitely.

    ‘The consensus is clear that the existing situation cannot remain unchanged,’ stated Dr. Ali during his television appearance. ‘We recognize the necessity for modification and acknowledge that implementation will require time.’ The Guyanese leader emphasized that any transition must ultimately benefit the Cuban population through improved living conditions, strengthened rule of law, and greater democratic freedoms.

    President Ali’s remarks coincided with his participation in the Shield of the Americas Summit, where he joined U.S. President Donald Trump and numerous Latin American and Caribbean leaders in signing a proclamation targeting cartel criminal operations.

    This diplomatic positioning occurs against the backdrop of shifting regional alliances, as several Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nations gradually disengage from Cuba’s Medical Brigade program. This disengagement follows U.S. warnings last year about potential visa revocations for government officials and their families from participating countries. American authorities have characterized Cuba’s medical deployment program as a form of forced labor comparable to human trafficking.

    The Caribbean bloc, acknowledging its complex relationships with both Cuba and the United States, recently concluded its February summit in St. Kitts with a commitment to participate in initiatives benefiting the Cuban people while maintaining regional stability.

    Jamaica’s recent termination of its medical cooperation agreement with Cuba has drawn strong criticism from Havana, which accused the Jamaican government of succumbing to U.S. pressure. The Cuban Foreign Ministry maintained that this decision would deprive Jamaicans of quality healthcare and reaffirmed Cuba’s ‘unwavering commitment to the Jamaican people.’

    Meanwhile, Guyana has quietly restructured its engagement with Cuban healthcare professionals by dismantling the Medical Brigade program framework and opting instead for direct employment arrangements.

  • Professor Mohamed winds down as UG Vice Chancellor

    Professor Mohamed winds down as UG Vice Chancellor

    The University of Guyana (UG) has initiated a comprehensive international search for a new Vice Chancellor as Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin prepares to conclude her groundbreaking six-year tenure. The institution’s first female Vice Chancellor, appointed in June 2020, has publicly endorsed the recruitment process while encouraging qualified candidates to apply for the position.

    UG’s governing Council has established April 17, 2026, as the application deadline, seeking a transformational academic leader capable of positioning the university as a center of research excellence and regional influence. The advertisement emphasizes the need for someone who can navigate Guyana’s rapidly evolving economic landscape, characterized by unprecedented energy production growth, infrastructure modernization, and increasing global engagement.

    The ideal candidate should possess experience within Caribbean regional contexts or developing country environments, though distinguished international academics are also encouraged to apply. The incoming Vice Chancellor will be expected to strengthen governance clarity, enhance accountability, and support strategic reforms aligned with the university’s statutory mandate.

    Professor Mohamed-Martin’s departure follows recent high-level appointments at UG, including Dr. Randy Persaud as Pro-Chancellor and Guyana-born diplomat Sir Ronald Sanders as Chancellor. Her distinguished 19-year career at the institution included serving as Chair of the Transitional Management Committee, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Philanthropy, Alumni and Civic Engagement, and Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences.

    The university emphasizes its critical role in supporting Guyana’s economic transformation through advanced human capital development, expanded research capacity, and strengthened innovation ecosystems. This leadership transition occurs during one of the most dynamic periods of economic growth and structural transformation in the Caribbean and Latin American region.

  • Renewed calls for modern copyright legislation

    Renewed calls for modern copyright legislation

    Artists and creators in Guyana are intensifying their campaign for comprehensive copyright legislation reform, arguing that the country’s current 1956 British Copyright Act fails to protect intellectual property in the digital age. The movement gained momentum during a panel discussion titled “The Orange Economy: Women, Creativity & Inclusive Economic Power,” organized by Merundoi Inc and the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association as part of 2026 International Women’s Day events.

    Veteran theater producer Gem Madhoo-Nascimento emphasized the urgent need for modernization, stating that the existing framework represents a significant problem requiring immediate government attention. She revealed that creative professionals routinely have their works broadcast and used commercially without receiving appropriate compensation. “A lot of the musicians and creative people, their works are being used and played on the air and they’re not getting a penny for it,” Madhoo-Nascimento explained.

    The World Trade Centre Georgetown has already conducted a thorough review of the current legislation, analyzing implications for Guyana’s creative economy and submitting formal recommendations to the government. Despite this preparatory work and campaign promises from the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) to enact copyright and intellectual property legislation, the matter remains absent from the government’s current legislative agenda.

    Young singer-songwriter and radio presenter Omaiah Hall provided a personal perspective, describing how she encountered advertisements featuring her own music while on air—a stark illustration of the compensation gap. Hall argued that weak copyright protection actively discourages artistic production, as creators see little financial incentive to develop new works when their existing creations generate revenue for others without compensation.

    The political opposition has taken action, with the People’s National Congress Reform-led A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) tabling a parliamentary motion demanding copyright law reform. However, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall previously indicated Guyana’s preference to await a model Caribbean Community (CARICOM) copyright and intellectual property bill, potentially delaying domestic action.

    Cultural figures are now calling for government ministers responsible for culture and sports to better understand the creative industry’s specific needs and challenges, highlighting the economic potential of properly regulated intellectual property rights for Guyana’s developing creative sector.

  • Optique Hospital, Trinidad Eye Hospital, GPHC team up to conduct complex retinal surgery to save child’s only seeing eye

    Optique Hospital, Trinidad Eye Hospital, GPHC team up to conduct complex retinal surgery to save child’s only seeing eye

    In an unprecedented display of regional medical cooperation, a team of ophthalmologists from Guyana and Trinidad has successfully performed a highly complex retinal detachment surgery on a 13-year-old patient in Georgetown, potentially preventing irreversible blindness in the child’s only functional eye.

    The surgical intervention, conducted this week at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), represented a landmark achievement for advanced ophthalmological care in the Caribbean region. The patient presented with severe retinal detachment requiring immediate intervention—a procedure typically necessitating international referral due to its technical complexity and specialized equipment requirements.

    Dr. Ronnie Bhola, Consultant Vitreous and Retina Surgeon from Trinidad Eye Hospital, led the surgical team in collaboration with local specialists from Optique Eye Hospital and GPHC. The surgery ranks among the most demanding procedures in vitreoretinal ophthalmology, requiring precision instrumentation and advanced surgical expertise.

    Remarkably, the collaborative initiative eliminated the substantial financial burden typically associated with such procedures. While comparable surgeries abroad frequently exceed US$50,000 in surgical costs alone—excluding travel and accommodation expenses—this procedure was fully funded through the partnership between the participating institutions, ensuring zero financial obligation for the patient’s family.

    This case signifies a strategic advancement in developing sustainable subspecialty ophthalmic services within Guyana and the wider Caribbean region. The collaboration demonstrates how regional expertise integration with local infrastructure can deliver world-class medical care without necessitating international travel.

    The successful outcome reflects positively on Guyana’s healthcare investment climate and the potential for continued medical advancement through regional partnerships. Optique Eye Hospital, scheduled to open soon at 350 New Market Street in Georgetown, aims to further expand access to advanced ophthalmological services, potentially transforming Guyana into a regional hub for specialized eye care.

  • Guyana to join US-led anti-narco-terrorism coalition

    Guyana to join US-led anti-narco-terrorism coalition

    In a significant move to bolster regional security cooperation, Guyana has officially committed to joining a United States-led multinational coalition against narco-terrorism. The announcement came from Prime Minister Mark Phillips during the inaugural Americas Counter Cartel Conference held at U.S. Southern Command headquarters in Doral, Florida on Thursday.

    Prime Minister Phillips, a retired Brigadier and former Head of the Guyana Defence Force, declared Guyana’s endorsement of the Joint Security Declaration adopted at the conference. “Guyana welcomes the adoption of the Joint Security Declaration of this Conference and looks forward to joining the coalition to combat narco-terrorism,” stated Phillips, emphasizing his nation’s commitment to hemispheric security partnerships.

    The high-level gathering brought together defense and security leaders from across the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, with U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth hosting the proceedings. This conference sets the stage for Saturday’s planned meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump, Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali, Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, and several other Western Hemisphere leaders.

    Phillips highlighted the particular vulnerability of Guyana to transnational criminal networks due to its strategic location along crucial maritime and regional transit corridors. “These threats demand coordinated intelligence sharing, enhanced operational cooperation, and strengthened defense capabilities across the hemisphere,” he explained, noting that cartels and criminal gangs increasingly threaten regional peace, undermine rule of law, weaken institutions, and jeopardize democratic stability.

    The Prime Minister characterized the U.S.-Guyana relationship as “a strong and expanding strategic partnership built on mutual trust and robust defence and security cooperation.” This collaboration has previously included capacity building initiatives, joint military exercises, and technical engagements focused on combating narco-trafficking and other transnational crimes.

    Phillips concluded with a vision for regional cooperation that respects national sovereignty: “Through deeper cooperation and partnership, we can ensure that our hemisphere remains safe, secure, and a Zone of Peace.”

  • Petition on Cuba sent to president, foreign affairs minister

    Petition on Cuba sent to president, foreign affairs minister

    A coalition of 146 Guyanese organizations and prominent individuals delivered a forceful petition to President Irfaan Ali and Foreign Minister Hugh Todd on Thursday, demanding immediate action against United States policies targeting Cuba. The petition specifically calls for Guyana to condemn the U.S. fuel embargo against Cuba and reverse its decision to terminate the nearly 50-year-old Cuban Medical Brigade program.

    The document, endorsed by 11 organizations and 135 citizens, characterizes the U.S. fuel restrictions as ‘immoral, illegal and barbaric,’ warning they constitute a ‘man-made humanitarian crisis’ approaching genocide. Signatories argue that preventing Cuba from accessing petroleum products cripples essential services including medical care, food production, electricity generation, and water systems.

    Beyond medical cooperation, petitioners urged resistance to U.S. pressure to end scholarship programs enabling Guyanese students—currently 45—to pursue medical studies in Cuba. They framed Cuba’s punishment as retaliation for exercising sovereignty and self-determination, noting the country poses no threat to the United States or other nations.

    Gerald Perreira, leader of the Organisation of Victory of the People party who delivered the petition, questioned U.S. reliability as an ally during subsequent remarks. He referenced historical context where the U.S. allegedly encouraged Venezuelan aggression against Guyana during the Burnham administration, contrasting it with current geopolitical alignments. Perreira expressed skepticism about Venezuelan invasion capabilities due to military hardware deterioration from embargoes and challenging border terrain.

    The petition concludes with a challenge to Guyana’s sovereignty claims, stating: ‘If Guyana is a sovereign and independent nation, as is so often claimed by our Government, then there can be no rationale for joining this shameful and barbaric attempt to destroy Cuba.’ Signatories included late former WPA co-leader Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine among other notable figures.

  • Guyanese stranded in Dubai due to Israel-US strikes on Iran; gov’t says assistance being provided

    Guyanese stranded in Dubai due to Israel-US strikes on Iran; gov’t says assistance being provided

    A group of at least ten Guyanese citizens find themselves stranded in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), following a dramatic escalation of military conflict in the Persian Gulf. The individuals, who had traveled to Dubai on February 26th to attend a wedding, were scheduled to depart on March 3rd but became trapped after the region was plunged into turmoil by retaliatory airstrikes initiated by Iran.