The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has significantly bolstered its aviation capabilities with the acquisition of two state-of-the-art Bell helicopters, the Bell 429 Global Ranger and the Bell 407. Announced by Chief-of-Defence Staff Brigadier Omar Khan on Sunday, November 23, 2025, these helicopters are set to arrive in Guyana by mid-next week. Manufactured in 2025 by Bell Textron Inc., these aircraft represent a substantial investment, with the Bell 429 costing up to US$10.2 million and the Bell 407 priced at a maximum of US$3.2 million, according to online publications. The helicopters, currently bearing US registration markings, will soon be re-registered under the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). The Bell 429, a nine-seater with dual engines, is versatile, serving executive transport, air ambulance, and rapid public safety response roles. Similarly, the Bell 407 is equipped for public safety missions, including fire safety, crew transport, and emergency services. This acquisition follows a tragic incident in December 2023, when a Bell 412Epi helicopter crashed during a military mission, resulting in the loss of five lives, including veteran pilot Michael Charles. The government has yet to release the crash report, underscoring the importance of this new investment in enhancing the GDF’s operational safety and efficiency.
标签： Guyana
圭亚那
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US, GDF in joint exercise offshore Guyana; GDF participates in Conference of American Armies
The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the United States have deepened their military collaboration through a series of joint exercises and participation in regional security forums. On November 22, the GDF’s patrol vessel, GDFS Shahoud, conducted a passing exercise (PASSEX) with the US Navy’s guided-missile destroyer, USS Winston S. Churchill, off Guyana’s eastern coast. This exercise aimed to enhance interoperability, communication, and tactical readiness between the two maritime forces, reinforcing their commitment to combating illicit drug trafficking in the Caribbean. The US military emphasized that these operations align with the US Southern Command’s mission and the American president’s priorities to disrupt drug trafficking and protect national security. The GDF highlighted the success of the PASSEX as a testament to the growing security partnership between Guyana and the United States. Separately, Colonel Kenlloyd Roberts, representing the GDF, attended the 36th Cycle of the Conference of American Armies (CAA) in Mexico City. During the conference, Colonel Roberts underscored the importance of regional solidarity and cooperation in addressing emerging security threats. The CAA, supported by the US Army South, serves as a platform for senior military leaders across the Western Hemisphere to discuss shared security concerns and opportunities for collaboration. Colonel Roberts’ participation reinforced Guyana’s commitment to regional security and its strategic partnerships within the Americas.
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Digital ID card registration legal though laws not yet in effect – PM Phillips
Prime Minister Mark Phillips has confirmed that the registration of public servants for digital identification cards remains legal, despite the Digital Identity Card Act and the Data Protection Act not yet being enforced. Speaking to Demerara Waves Online News on Saturday, Phillips emphasized, ‘Everything that’s being done is legal.’ He acknowledged that the commencement orders for these laws, approved by the National Assembly and assented by President Irfaan Ali in August 2023, are pending issuance but assured that they would be implemented soon. ‘We’re going to do it very soon. There are a couple of things that we need to put in place,’ he stated. The Digital Identity Card Act mandates that the Digital Identity Card Registry be overseen by the Data Protection Commissioner, who holds exclusive authority to issue the cards. However, former House Speaker and Attorney-at-law Raphael Trotman noted that without a commencement order, the legislation remains inoperable. ‘If an Act explicitly states that a commencing order has to be issued, and it has not been, then it is inoperable,’ Trotman explained. He added that a subsequent commencement order could validate prior actions. Currently, President Irfaan Ali has already received his digital ID card, though the Data Protection Act remains inactive, leaving no office or commissioner to enforce data confidentiality laws. Several public service agencies, including the ministries of health and education, have instructed their staff to register for the cards when visited by officials from the Prime Minister’s office.
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Suriname, Guyana in energy cooperation says outgoing Ambassador
Suriname and Guyana are deepening their collaboration across multiple sectors, particularly in energy, as highlighted by Suriname’s outgoing Ambassador to Guyana, Liselle Blankendal. Speaking at a reception marking Suriname’s 50th independence anniversary and 50 years of diplomatic relations with Guyana, Ambassador Blankendal emphasized the progress in joint efforts spanning oil and gas, renewable energy, and electricity interconnection. These initiatives aim to foster sustainable growth and resilience in both nations. The two countries are also exploring shared benefits from a natural gas field straddling their border, though differing production-sharing agreements remain a challenge. Looking ahead, Blankendal underscored the potential for leveraging natural and renewable resources to drive green innovation and inclusive prosperity. Beyond energy, bilateral trade has seen significant growth, and tourism cooperation has advanced with a memorandum of understanding signed in July 2025. This agreement paves the way for joint promotion, sustainable travel, and cultural exchanges, positioning Guyana and Suriname as a unique and unspoiled tourism destination. Guyana’s Prime Minister, Mark Phillips, praised the partnership as a model for regional integration, highlighting achievements in energy, infrastructure, trade, and security. As Blankendal concluded her diplomatic tenure, she expressed deep affection for Guyana, vowing to return and continue fostering ties. Her legacy includes co-founding the Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce and her long-standing commitment to Rotary initiatives.
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UNDP gives GECOM high marks for 2025 elections conduct
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.
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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.