The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has lauded the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for its exemplary conduct during the September 1, 2025, general and regional elections. In a recent statement, the UNDP highlighted that GECOM, with technical assistance from UNDP Guyana and funding from the UK Government, orchestrated one of the most transparent, credible, and professionally managed elections in the nation’s modern history. This marks a significant milestone for Guyana, which has historically faced political unrest and controversies surrounding its electoral processes since its first free and fair elections in 1992. The UNDP emphasized the strategic advice provided by its Electoral Technical Support Team, which played a pivotal role in overcoming bottlenecks and ensuring the acceptance of election results. Despite recount challenges, the tabulation process was efficiently organized, with results announced promptly and accepted by all political parties. The UNDP also acknowledged the legal reforms enacted in 2022, which introduced groundbreaking technological advancements to enhance transparency. GECOM’s in-house statement of poll upload system, fortified with cybersecurity measures, ensured seamless result uploads even during website outages. An upgraded results tabulation application, praised for its clarity and user-friendliness, was deployed across 20 counting centers. The UNDP’s Information Technology Specialist underscored the critical role of technology in fostering credible, inclusive, and resilient elections. However, the European Union Election Observation Mission (EUEOM) noted concerns regarding GECOM’s appointment model, which risks inefficient decision-making and diminished public trust. The EUEOM also raised issues about potential voter manipulation, campaign financing, and the alleged misuse of state resources by the incumbent party.
标签： Guyana
圭亚那
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Guyanese man killed in Antigua during vehicular collision with horse
A tragic vehicular accident in Antigua has resulted in the death of a Guyanese man, Brenton Anthony Bristol, following a collision with a horse. The incident occurred late Thursday night near the Sir Wright F. George Police Training Academy in Antigua and Barbuda. According to police reports, the accident involved a silver Audi motor car and a brown horse, both of which sustained fatal injuries. The vehicle was reportedly traveling at a high speed along Friars Hill Road when it struck the horse, causing the driver to lose control momentarily. Both the driver and his passenger, Bristol, were injured in the crash. Bristol, a 40-year-old resident of Hodges Bay who had been living in Antigua since 2006, succumbed to his injuries shortly after the accident. The driver was transported to the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, where he was treated for head injuries and remains in stable condition. The Antigua and Barbuda Police Force is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident.
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US FAA cautions against flying in Venezuelan airspace
The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a critical security advisory, known as a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), urging civil aircraft operators to exercise extreme caution when navigating Venezuelan airspace. This warning, released on Friday, 21 November 2025, highlights heightened risks stemming from increased Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) interference and ongoing military exercises in the region, which commenced in September. Despite the advisory, several airlines continued their operations to and from Venezuela as of Saturday. U.S. operators are now mandated to provide the FAA with a 72-hour prior notice before entering Venezuelan airspace. This measure supplements an existing 2019 order that already prohibits U.S. airlines from conducting flights to or from Venezuela. The NOTAM specifically addresses the MAIQUETIA (SVZM) Flight Information Region (FIR), which encompasses Venezuelan territory and extends approximately 350 miles into the Caribbean Sea. It is important to note that FIRs are administrative divisions for air traffic control and do not align with national boundaries.
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Child dies, several hurt in minibus accident
A devastating minibus accident in east Berbice on Friday, November 21, 2025, resulted in the death of a child and left several others injured, including a teacher in critical condition. According to police reports, the incident occurred as the group was returning from a school sports event in Springlands. The driver, who was also a teacher, reportedly lost control of the vehicle, causing it to overturn. The child sustained severe injuries and tragically succumbed to them. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident, which has sent shockwaves through the local community. The injured victims are receiving medical attention, with the driver’s condition described as critical. This tragic event underscores the importance of road safety measures, particularly for school transportation.
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Guyana learning from Suriname how to eliminate malaria
In a significant step towards malaria eradication, a high-level delegation from Guyana, led by PAHO Director Dr. Kim Dickson and representatives from the Guyana Malaria Program, embarked on a knowledge-sharing mission to Suriname from November 19 to 21, 2025. The visit aimed to exchange strategies and lessons from Suriname’s successful elimination of malaria, which earned the country a malaria-free certification from the World Health Organization (WHO) on June 30, 2025—a first for the Amazon region. Suriname’s Communications Service highlighted the mission’s dual focus: supporting Guyana’s progress towards malaria elimination and preventing the reintroduction of the disease in Suriname. During the meeting, Suriname’s Health Minister, Misiekaba, emphasized the importance of regional collaboration, noting that Suriname’s achievement would be unsustainable without joint efforts across the Guiana Shield and Amazon region. He also pointed out the challenge of preventing malaria reintroduction due to cross-border population movements, while praising Guyana’s significant reduction in malaria cases since the previous year. The delegation engaged in a series of activities, including technical meetings with Suriname’s National Malaria Program and the Malaria Elimination Task Force, visits to malaria clinics in Paramaribo and near the Afobaka Dam, and a scheduled stop at a Medical Mission clinic to observe community-based prevention and treatment practices. Dr. Yafflo Ouattara, PAHO Director in Suriname, underscored the necessity of regional cooperation, stating that the exchange of knowledge and strategies would be crucial for maintaining Suriname’s malaria-free status and accelerating Guyana’s progress. This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in the fight against malaria in the Amazon region, with both nations committed to achieving a malaria-free future.
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President Ali brushes aside use of cash grant recipients’ personal data for electioneering
President Irfaan Ali has firmly rejected claims that his People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) exploited personal data from cash grant recipients for election campaigning. The allegations stem from a report by the European Union Election Observation Mission (EUEOM), which highlighted concerns over the misuse of government-held data during the September 1 general and regional elections. In a Facebook Live commentary, President Ali acknowledged that all political parties, not just the incumbent, had made personalized calls to beneficiaries. However, he neither confirmed nor denied his party’s involvement in using the data for soliciting votes. The EUEOM report emphasized the need to operationalize the 2023 Data Protection Act to prevent such practices in the future, citing politically motivated doxing and misuse of personal data for electoral gains. President Ali also criticized the report for its perceived bias and lack of analysis, arguing that it primarily reflected complaints from opposition parties. He defended his government’s campaign focus on delivering past promises, such as infrastructure projects and subsidies, and called for a fair evaluation of the report’s narratives. Additionally, he mentioned that election campaign financing reforms would be addressed through the Constitutional Reform process, which the EUEOM report allegedly overlooked.
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CH&PA orders halt to construction of Mae’s School after works were finished – owner
In a controversial turn of events, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) has issued a ‘cease and desist’ order to Mae’s School owner David Sugrim, demanding an immediate halt to all construction activities on Farnum Ground in Subryanville, Georgetown. However, Sugrim claims he never received the letter and asserts that the construction of the prefabricated structure was completed months before the October 6, 2025, date of the notice. ‘By the time the letter reached, we had already finished our work,’ Sugrim stated in an interview with Demerara Waves Online News. The CH&PA, in a notice signed by Secretary Rajesh Ramgolam, accused Sugrim of engaging in ‘unauthorised, unlawful, and illegal construction activities’ in violation of the Town and Country Planning Act. The Authority emphasized that no planning permission had been granted for the development, nor had any application been submitted. Despite the threat of legal action, Sugrim maintains that he has adhered to an agreement with the Georgetown City Council to vacate the playground once the new school building is constructed. Education Minister Sonia Parag also confirmed that neither her ministry nor the local government had approved the construction on Farnum Ground. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between private educational institutions and regulatory authorities in Guyana.
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No permission granted for prefab Mae’s School on Farnum Ground – Parag
Education Minister Sonia Parag has clarified that no official permission was granted for the construction of a prefabricated school on Farnum Ground in Subryanville. Speaking at a multi-sectoral consultation on school bullying, Parag emphasized that neither her current role as Education Minister nor her previous position as Local Government Minister authorized the project. The issue arose after veteran educator Bonita Bone-Harris raised concerns about the takeover of a section of Farnum Ground by the new owner of Mae’s School, which erected the prefab structure following a fire that destroyed its original building earlier this year. Bone-Harris criticized the authorities for disregarding residents’ concerns, labeling the approach as ‘bullyism’ and citing violations of building codes. Despite acknowledging the lack of permission, the Mayor and City Council allowed the structure to remain operational until early next year. Community representatives, including lawyers, have repeatedly written to various authorities highlighting legal infractions but have yet to pursue court action. The school owner has indicated plans to construct a new building and restore Farnum Ground. Meanwhile, the forum addressed broader issues of bullying, with Bone-Harris urging attention to bullying in homes and schools, including by teachers. The event concluded with plans to establish a multi-sectoral task force, an online reporting platform, and the use of the Human Services’ anti-bullying policy. Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond encouraged the use of the Guyana Police Force’s Cyber Crime Unit to combat cyberbullying.
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Firearm, suspected marijuana found
In a significant law enforcement operation, authorities in Guyana uncovered a cache of illegal items during a raid at a residence in Cromarty Farm, Corentyne, East Berbice. The Guyana Police Force reported the discovery of a .32 caliber firearm, ammunition, and suspected marijuana on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. The search, conducted by senior officers, led to the arrest of two individuals: a 43-year-old farmer and his 55-year-old partner, who works part-time. The firearm and one round of ammunition were found concealed under a mattress in a bedroom. Additionally, two more rounds of ammunition and small transparent Ziplock bags containing eight grams of leaves, seeds, and stems believed to be cannabis were discovered in another part of the house. Ballistic experts are set to examine the firearm to confirm its specifications. This operation highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat illegal activities in the region.
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Global EITI board asked to intervene in impasse over local civil society representation
The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), a global anti-corruption watchdog, has been called upon to intervene in a growing dispute over the selection of civil society representatives in Guyana’s local EITI chapter, GYEITI. The controversy centers on allegations that the Guyana government is exerting undue influence over the process, undermining the independence required by EITI standards. Policy Forum Guyana (PFG), alongside EITI chapters from Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, and Australia, has formally requested the EITI Board to issue a public statement condemning the government’s actions. The Board is set to meet this week in Armenia. The civil society groups argue that the government’s approach violates the EITI Standard 2023, which mandates the independence of all sectors involved in the Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG). The Ministry of Natural Resources has been accused of monopolizing the selection process, despite already controlling the GYEITI Secretariat’s financial, staffing, and communications decisions. Earlier this year, the ministry appointed Dr. Ivor English as the convenor of civil society organizations, a move criticized by PFG and other groups. The organizations are demanding a return to compliance with EITI standards, including the reconvening of previous MSG co-chairs to oversee the selection process. They also recommend an early validation of Guyana’s adherence to EITI requirements. The dispute highlights broader concerns about the government’s influence over civil society and its commitment to transparency in the extractive industries.