Carib Scope

标签： Guyana

圭亚那

  • CARICOM member states have lost tourism competitiveness- former CDB President

    CARICOM member states have lost tourism competitiveness- former CDB President

    A stark warning about the declining competitiveness of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) tourism sectors was issued by Professor Compton Bourne, former President of the Caribbean Development Bank. Speaking at a World Trade Centre Georgetown panel discussion on December 2, 2025, the renowned economist revealed that CARICOM member states are rapidly losing market share to non-CARICOM Caribbean destinations that offer superior infrastructure, more favorable tax regimes, and enhanced visitor experiences.

    Professor Bourne identified the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico as primary beneficiaries of this shift, noting these nations have dramatically expanded their tourism infrastructure through modernized hotels, improved transportation networks, and diversified tourism products emphasizing heritage attractions. Unlike CARICOM nations, these competitors have implemented significantly lower taxes and levies that directly impact stay-over visitors, creating substantial price advantages.

    The economist criticized CARICOM governments for prioritizing revenue collection over tourism sector growth, noting that intra-regional travel faces particularly heavy taxation. “The behavior of governments is like if the tourism demand is not price sensitive so that you can simply add taxes to the product and people will buy the same quantity. That is not so. They shift to other destinations,” Bourne stated, revealing he had previously delivered similar warnings to CARICOM Heads of Government.

    For emerging tourism destinations like Guyana, Professor Bourne recommended strategic positioning as a “product innovator” leveraging its unique biodiversity. He emphasized that success requires addressing critical infrastructure gaps including quality accommodations, efficient internal transportation, rest stops, and multilingual guides capable of serving non-English speaking visitors from South America and Latin America.

    Additionally, Bourne proposed developing virtual exports of entertainment and sports as lucrative alternatives to traditional tourism. He stressed that successful online delivery would require reliable technological infrastructure, strict adherence to scheduling, and high-quality production standards to compete effectively in digital marketplaces currently constrained by physical venue limitations.

  • Trio on charges for GY$4.4 million fraud

    Trio on charges for GY$4.4 million fraud

    Three Guyanese nationals have been formally charged in a significant fraud case involving GY$4.4 million (approximately US$21,000) allegedly obtained through deceptive practices and document forgery from a local entrepreneur. The accused individuals include Paul Watson, 49, from Old Road, Zeelugt; along with Parbattie “Paro” Sharma and Omar Rudolph, 55, both residents of Independence Street, La Grange. According to police authorities, the purported financial crimes occurred between September 2024 and May 2025, targeting a 43-year-old business owner from La Union Public Road. The defendants appeared before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrates’ Court, where they faced joint charges of obtaining money by false pretence plus four separate counts of forging official documents. While the accused did not enter pleas during the initial hearing, the court granted each defendant bail set at GY$300,000. The proceedings have been formally adjourned until February 17, 2026, allowing for further investigation and preparation of evidence in this developing financial crime case that has drawn attention to business security practices in the Demerara region.

  • Rupununi woman fined, jailed for online harassment

    Rupununi woman fined, jailed for online harassment

    In a landmark ruling underscoring the serious consequences of digital misconduct, a 34-year-old ambulance driver from Tabatinga, central Rupununi has been convicted under Guyana’s Cybercrime Act. Lorian Toney faced the Lethem Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, where she pleaded guilty to using computer systems to intentionally humiliate, harass, and inflict substantial emotional distress upon victim Maxine Hendricks.

    The Guyana Police Force confirmed that Magistrate Omadatt Chandan delivered a stringent sentence combining both financial and custodial penalties. Toney was ordered to pay a substantial fine of GY$1 million (Guyanese dollars) alongside a one-year prison term. This case represents one of the most significant enforcements of the country’s cybercrime legislation to date.

    According to official police statements, the investigation began following a formal complaint about targeted online harassment. Law enforcement authorities arrested Toney on September 25, 2025, after establishing evidence that she systematically used digital platforms to conduct a campaign of emotional abuse against Hendricks.

    The ruling demonstrates Guyana’s increasingly robust approach to combating digital harassment and protecting citizens from online victimization. Legal experts suggest this judgment could establish important precedents for future cybercrime prosecutions in the Caribbean nation, particularly regarding the appropriate sentencing thresholds for digital harassment offenses that cause demonstrable emotional harm to victims.

  • Patients’ digital info is secured- Health Minister

    Patients’ digital info is secured- Health Minister

    Guyana’s Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony has publicly guaranteed the security of citizens’ digitally stored health information, despite the nation’s 2023 Data Protection Act remaining unimplemented. The assurance came during Tuesday’s formal inauguration of the Guyana Digital Health Training Institute (GDHTI), where Anthony emphasized existing protective measures.

    “We have systems in place, we have protocols in place. We’ve done a number of regulations in collaboration with this team from Mount Sinai so health data follows these protocols. This information is not divulged to the general public, and we don’t want it to be because that’s how we will build trust with our patients,” Anthony stated in a press briefing.

    The Minister addressed growing concerns from opposition party APNU, which recently highlighted the absence of the data protection law’s commencement order. Anthony confirmed the Health Ministry’s advocacy for the legislation and expressed confidence that implementation would occur “shortly,” connecting the timeline to the new institute’s training progression and data collection processes.

    The digital health infrastructure gained significant momentum earlier this year through a $3.3 million partnership with UK-based RioMed Limited to establish a comprehensive electronic health records system. This network will enable seamless information sharing across public healthcare providers, potentially revolutionizing patient treatment efficiency. Under the pending legislation, unauthorized access to private patient information could result in substantial penalties—up to GY$20 million for individuals and GY$100 million for corporate entities.

  • Digital Health Institute launched, will train hundreds to deliver high-tech health care

    Digital Health Institute launched, will train hundreds to deliver high-tech health care

    Guyana has embarked on an ambitious digital healthcare transformation with the formal inauguration of the Guyana Digital Health Training Institute (GDHTI), a pioneering initiative designed to cultivate a new generation of health technology professionals. The $5 million project, unveiled on December 2, 2025, aims to train approximately 250 students over the next three years in critical digital health disciplines.

    The groundbreaking institute represents a collaborative effort between Guyana’s Ministry of Health and New York’s Mount Sinai Health System, with financial backing from the Greater Guyana Initiative—a GYD$20 billion sustainable development fund established by ExxonMobil and Hess. China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), holding a 25% stake in the Stabroek Block, contributed an additional $1.25 million to the project.

    Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony emphasized the institute’s role in addressing technical challenges within Guyana’s healthcare infrastructure. “These students will help resolve technical problems that hospitals currently face, directly improving our existing systems,” Dr. Anthony stated during the launch ceremony.

    Dr. Jeb Weisman, Director of Mount Sinai’s Arnhold Institute for Global Health, outlined the institute’s comprehensive mission to develop a digital health workforce capable of enhancing patient care, improving patient engagement, and advancing scientific research. “Our goals are to establish the Institute as an integral part of the Ministry of Health and build a robust skilled workforce of technicians, data scientists, trainers and support staff throughout the country,” Weisman explained.

    The training curriculum will focus on three primary domains: user support health, data science, and digital systems management. Dr. Rachel Vreeman, Executive Director of Mount Sinai’s Guyana Health Initiative, highlighted the program’s potential to create new career pathways and establish “a long-term pipeline of expertise rooted right here in Guyana.”

    ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge positioned the initiative as a regional leadership endeavor, noting that GDHTI would enable Guyana to “lead the way in the Caribbean in bringing digital systems and data management to bear to improve health outcomes.”

    The institute forms part of Guyana’s broader strategy to develop a connected, patient-centered, and data-driven healthcare network. Despite challenges with electricity connectivity affecting nearly 450 health facilities, the Ministry has been implementing solar power and alternative connectivity solutions. Currently, 81 centers across remote regions already provide telemedicine services, with plans to expand to 50 additional sites by early 2026.

  • Prime Minister Pierre relieved at general election victory

    Prime Minister Pierre relieved at general election victory

    CASTRIES, St. Lucia – In a decisive electoral outcome that defied regional political trends, the St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP) has secured a second consecutive five-year term in office. Prime Minister Phillip J. Pierre’s administration achieved a resounding victory in Monday’s general elections, which international observers characterized as peaceful and well-administered.

    The preliminary results indicate the SLP is positioned to surpass its previous 13-2 parliamentary majority from the 2021 elections. A visibly relieved Prime Minister Pierre, 71, addressed jubilant supporters, praising the maturity of St. Lucian democracy. “I would like to thank the people of St. Lucia for conducting what was a very decent election, an election free from violence,” Pierre stated, acknowledging the efforts of party members and constituency workers.

    The Prime Minister extended congratulations to United Workers Party (UWP) leader Allen Chastanet, who appears to be his party’s sole successful candidate. Pierre emphasized the importance of opposition in maintaining democratic traditions, despite the lopsided results.

    The election campaign was notably contentious, with the UWP focusing allegations of corruption and mismanagement against the government, particularly targeting the Citizenship by Investment program and Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire. These allegations were previously dismissed by the Caribbean Court of Justice earlier this year.

    Pierre criticized what he termed “misinformation and propaganda” that characterized opposition politics over the past four and a half years, expressing hope that such tactics would not return to St. Lucian politics. The Prime Minister indicated he would be sworn in later this week, with cabinet announcements expected next week.

    International observer missions from the Organization of American States and CARICOM monitored the polling process, which proceeded without significant incident.

  • Region 1 policeman arrested after video surfaces of man brandishing, shooting rifle, threatening to kill

    Region 1 policeman arrested after video surfaces of man brandishing, shooting rifle, threatening to kill

    A law enforcement officer from Guyana’s Region 1 (Barima-Waini) has been taken into custody following the emergence of a disturbing video depicting an armed individual threatening lethal violence in Port Kaituma. The Guyana Police Force confirmed Sunday that the officer was placed under close arrest to facilitate an internal investigation into the alarming incident.

    The controversial footage, which surfaced on social media platforms, shows a man dressed in civilian clothing brandishing an assault rifle on a public roadway. During the altercation, the individual discharged multiple rounds—including one shot fired while a peacemaker attempted to disarm him, and two additional shots while walking with the weapon. Two women were visible in the video attempting to de-escalate the situation.

    Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken has ordered the Office of Professional Responsibility to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The law enforcement agency emphasized that the video evidence would form a crucial component of the probe, which will determine appropriate disciplinary and criminal measures.

    The police force issued an official statement affirming its commitment to ‘maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and accountability.’ The statement came approximately one hour after Team Mohamed’s Facebook page published the viral video, though police did not explicitly acknowledge the social media post as their source.

    The incident has drawn political attention, with the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) political party calling for authorities to investigate what they describe as inadequate supervision of police personnel in Region One. The party’s social media caption accompanying the video demanded thorough investigation into these alleged police infractions.

  • Guyana gets portable high-tech rapid disease detection equipment

    Guyana gets portable high-tech rapid disease detection equipment

    In a landmark advancement for Caribbean public health infrastructure, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has formally transferred a cutting-edge portable PCR diagnostic system to Guyana’s National Public Health Reference Laboratory (NPHRL). The ceremonial handover, conducted on November 30, 2025, saw CARPHA Executive Director Dr. Lisa Indar present the sophisticated equipment to Guyana’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Narine Singh.

    Valued at approximately US$300,000, this revolutionary mobile laboratory technology represents a transformative investment in Guyana’s disease surveillance capabilities. The compact PCR platform delivers comprehensive diagnostic results within a remarkable two-hour window, dramatically accelerating the identification of priority pathogens including dengue, foodborne illnesses, norovirus, and leptospirosis.

    Designed for exceptional operational flexibility, the portable system can be rapidly deployed across diverse geographical regions, including remote and hinterland communities that traditionally faced challenges in accessing timely medical testing. This strategic mobility ensures equitable healthcare delivery while strengthening national resilience against both endemic diseases and emerging public health threats.

    Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony emphasized the critical importance of this technological enhancement, noting that ‘this advanced instrumentation will prove invaluable in generating timely results, substantially improving both the velocity and precision of our disease diagnostic processes.’

    The donation forms part of CARPHA’s broader regional initiative to modernize laboratory systems throughout the Caribbean. Dr. Indar highlighted the strategic significance of the equipment, stating that its rapid processing capabilities and portability will fundamentally improve outbreak response mechanisms, community protection measures, and ongoing epidemiological surveillance efforts.

    The Guyanese Health Ministry expressed profound appreciation for CARPHA’s continued partnership, acknowledging that this collaboration substantially bolsters national and regional health security frameworks. This technological advancement positions Guyana more effectively to safeguard population health, accelerate clinical decision-making, and reinforce integrated disease monitoring systems across the Caribbean region.

  • St. Lucians vote for a new government on Monday

    St. Lucians vote for a new government on Monday

    Citizens of St. Lucia are heading to the polls on Monday, December 1st, in a crucial general election that will determine the political trajectory of this Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nation. The electoral contest presents a direct confrontation between Prime Minister Phillip J. Pierre’s incumbent St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP) and the main opposition United Workers Party (UWP), led by former Prime Minister Allen Chastanet.

    Prime Minister Pierre, 71, called the election nearly a year before the constitutional deadline, expressing confidence that the SLP will maintain or even surpass its current majority of 13 seats secured in the July 2021 elections. In his final appeal to voters on social media, Pierre emphasized continued progress under his administration, invoking spiritual guidance with references to Psalm 33:12: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”

    Opposition leader Chastanet, 65, seeks to reverse his party’s previous electoral defeat, campaigning on a platform of hope and change. Addressing supporters at his party’s final rally in Choiseul, Chastanet positioned the UWP within a broader regional trend, noting recent victories by “yellow” parties across the Caribbean, including in Trinidad and Tobago and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

    The electoral landscape features 44 nominated candidates alongside eight independents, with political observers noting particularly competitive races in constituencies where government ministers Richard Frederick and Stephenson King are seeking reelection as independents after previously winning as UWP members before aligning with the SLP.

    The St. Lucia Electoral Department reports approximately 180,000 registered voters for this election, with Chief Elections Officer Herman St. Helen noting a significant surge in registrations following the November 9th election announcement, particularly among young voters. The Department maintains full preparedness to ensure a free and fair electoral process, including addressing allegations of corruption through legal channels when necessary.

    International observer missions from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organization of American States (OAS) will monitor the electoral process, underscoring its regional significance. The outcome will determine whether St. Lucia continues its current development path or embraces a new political direction for the next five years.

  • APNU accuses gov’t of politically motivated withholding of population count, finance minister to seek update from Stats Bureau

    APNU accuses gov’t of politically motivated withholding of population count, finance minister to seek update from Stats Bureau

    Guyana’s political landscape is embroiled in controversy as the opposition coalition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has launched serious allegations against the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) administration. APNU claims the government is deliberately suppressing the results of the 2022 national population and housing census to secure political advantages in upcoming local elections.

    The opposition party, holding 12 parliamentary seats, asserts that the Irfaan Ali-led administration is engaging in ‘institutional corruption’ by withholding taxpayer-funded census data that cost approximately GY$2 billion. APNU Chairman Aubrey Norton emphasized that accurate population figures are essential for political planning, strategic decision-making, and maintaining a fair democratic process.

    According to unofficial estimates, Guyana’s population has grown significantly from 746,955 in 2012 to approximately 812,000 in 2022. This growth includes substantial immigration, with Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud noting nearly 100,000 persons of Venezuelan ancestry currently in Guyana, alongside increasing numbers of Cubans, Indians, Bangladeshis, and Trinidad and Tobago nationals.

    The absence of official census data has created planning challenges for businesses, NGOs, civil society organizations, and international institutions that rely on current demographic information. APNU warns this opacity undermines transparency, weakens institutional credibility, and erodes public trust in government institutions.

    Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, who previously acknowledged the census’s importance for policy-making and public investment decisions, recently stated he would seek an update from the Bureau of Statistics. ‘This is very high on my agenda for discussion with the Chief Statistician because I, too, would like to see it… because we, as a government, would like it to be concluded and issued very soon,’ Dr. Singh commented earlier this month.

    APNU has demanded immediate publication of the 2022 census report, a transparent breakdown of census expenditures, stronger institutional safeguards for future censuses, and a detailed explanation for the delays with a clear timetable for completion. The enumeration process began on September 15, 2022, following Guyana’s standard ten-year national cycle, with field workers returning to various areas in August 2023 to ensure comprehensive household coverage.