In a landmark ruling on Friday, November 14, 2025, High Court Judge Gino Persaud declared that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) cannot legally impose additional taxes on luxury vehicles imported by businessman and politician Azruddin Mohamed. The case centered on a 2020 Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster and two 2021 Toyota Land Cruisers, for which the GRA had sought to claim GY$421,057,712 in additional taxes. Judge Persaud ruled that once goods are cleared and taxes paid, the GRA lacks the legislative authority to reassess taxes under the Customs Act or its Fifth Schedule. This decision was based on several local legal precedents cited by Mohamed’s legal team, led by attorneys Siand Dhurjon and Damien Da Silva. The judge also granted an order of Certiorari to quash the GRA’s tax impositions and its demand for the surrender of the vehicles. Additionally, the GRA was ordered to pay GY$750,000 in legal costs to Mohamed by December 31, 2025. The ruling highlighted the GRA’s repeated attempts to delay proceedings, including filing multiple affidavits and applications, which the judge deemed an abuse of the court’s process. The case underscores the limitations of post-clearance tax assessments and reinforces the legal protections for importers once taxes are settled.
标签： Guyana
圭亚那
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APNU to map strategy to tackle govt for info on Coursera’s contract with govt; Mc Donald says courses unsuitable for public servants
The opposition party A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has raised significant concerns regarding the Guyana government’s agreement with Coursera to provide upskilling courses for public servants. APNU’s parliamentarian Ganesh Mahipaul announced that a meeting of 12 parliamentarians would determine the best approach to address the issue, whether through a motion, parliamentary questions, or direct engagement with relevant ministries. Mahipaul emphasized that if the government seeks supplementary funding for Coursera, APNU will rigorously question the necessity and effectiveness of the programs. APNU’s statement highlighted the lack of transparency in the contract, including undisclosed costs, procurement methods, and data protection measures for public servants’ personal information. Minister of Public Service and Government Efficiency Zulfikar Ally has yet to respond to these allegations. APNU also criticized the government for adding another standalone program to an already fragmented training landscape, questioning how Coursera aligns with existing initiatives like the University of Guyana and the Guyana Online Academy (GOAL) scholarships. Shadow Education Minister Coretta Mc Donald argued that Coursera’s courses are inadequate for developing the necessary skills and values in Guyanese public servants, advocating instead for the reopening of the Bertram Collins College of the Public Service, which was closed in 2021. Mc Donald emphasized the need for a national institution that fosters professional development, integrity, and patriotism, qualities she believes Coursera cannot provide.
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APNU’s parliamentary leader secretive about PNCR membership, plays down party leadership prospects
Dr Terrence Campbell, the parliamentary leader of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), remained tight-lipped about his membership in the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) during a press conference on Friday. While confirming his affiliation with the PNCR’s Alberttown Group, Campbell declined to disclose the exact date he joined the party, citing it as an internal matter. He emphasized that his focus is on strengthening APNU as a robust opposition rather than pursuing leadership within the PNCR. Despite speculation about his potential candidacy for PNCR leadership, Campbell dismissed such notions, stating his vision is solely directed toward holding the government accountable. He also refuted suggestions that his reluctance to reveal his membership date was linked to fears of being perceived as a newcomer. Campbell, a prominent businessman, previously distanced himself from A New and United Guyana (ANUG) in 2019 following a boycott of his fast-food franchises by APNU+Alliance For Change supporters. He expressed unwavering commitment to PNCR’s ideals, affirming his dedication to the party’s goals and objectives.
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Ali warns gold miners of tough action for smuggling
President Irfaan Ali delivered a strong message to gold miners during his address at the opening of GUYEXPO 2025, held at the Sophia Exhibition Centre. He emphasized that the government would take severe action against those involved in gold smuggling, including shutting down their operations. Ali specifically targeted miners who benefit from government incentives but fail to comply with legal production declarations. ‘Those who are not compliant with the declaration, we are going to come after you hard and strong. We will find you, and you will lose your business,’ he stated. The President also commended the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) for supporting recent crackdowns on illegal mining activities in the Sand Hills and Toroparu areas. These operations, led by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and the Guyana Police Force, resulted in the detention of illegal miners and the dismantling of unauthorized shops. The GGDMA highlighted the need to curb activities like illegal mining, human trafficking, and drug sales, which have historically funded Venezuelan gangs, including the notorious Sindicato. Ali revealed that one smuggler alone caused a staggering GY$190 billion loss to Guyana’s economy, stressing the importance of tightening the system to prevent such leakages.
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President reassures cash grants, other promises will be fulfilled
President Irfaan Ali of Guyana has firmly dismissed allegations that his administration would fail to deliver on its promise of cash grants before Christmas. The accusations were leveled by Azruddin Mohamed, Leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) political party, who claimed that the President was poised to break his commitment. Speaking at the opening ceremony of GUYEXPO 2025 at the Sophia Exhibition Site, President Ali responded with a stern rebuke, emphasizing that his government was fully aware of its obligations and would fulfill them promptly and effectively. He stated, ‘You don’t need to remind us about our commitment whether it’s cash grant, incentives, subsidies. We know what our commitments are and we are going to deliver on every one of them faster, better, greater.’ Earlier on Thursday, Mr. Mohamed had taken to Facebook to demand that the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) honor its promises, referencing a statement made by President Ali on August 26, where he assured Guyanese of a ‘beautiful Christmas’ with cash grants. Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo had also reiterated on October 2 that all campaign promises would be fulfilled. However, Mr. Mohamed noted that no official announcement had been made regarding the cash grants. In his address, President Ali, without directly naming Mr. Mohamed, advised him to ‘find your place, stay in your lane,’ and cautioned against overstepping his bounds. The President also highlighted the importance of maintaining the integrity of Guyana’s economy, describing it as neither a ‘toy’ nor a means for exploitation. This comes as Mr. Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, face a U.S. extradition request related to an 11-count indictment for wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering tied to their gold trading business. The Mohameds were sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office for Foreign Assets Control in June 2024 for allegedly evading over $50 million in taxes on gold exports. President Ali further warned Guyanese citizens against being swayed by misleading social media content, stating, ‘If we continue to let simplistic messages infiltrate our brains, we can destroy all that we are building.’ The WIN party, which secured 16 of the 65 seats in the National Assembly, has emerged as Guyana’s largest parliamentary opposition party, surpassing the People’s National Congress Reform-led coalition.
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Guyana gov’t, U.S. company to build data centre at Wales
In a groundbreaking move to position Guyana as a leader in digital innovation, the Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and U.S.-based Cerebras Systems have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to construct a state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) data center in Wales, Guyana. The facility, with a capacity of up to 100MW, will be powered by Cerebras’ advanced CS-3 AI supercomputers and infrastructure, catering to international demand while fostering local economic growth and technological advancement. This initiative is a cornerstone of Guyana’s ambition to become an AI-first nation and a regional hub for digital transformation. The project will also include training programs, research initiatives, and partnerships with international universities to upskill Guyanese talent and ensure widespread community benefits. The data center, strategically located near the Gas-to-Energy plant, will anchor a broader vision for digital prosperity, including education hubs, startup incubators, and advanced research centers. The partnership has already attracted interest from global players in AI, cloud computing, and infrastructure, with additional collaborations under discussion. Guyana’s President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali emphasized that this project is a declaration of the nation’s ambition to lead in frontier technologies and empower its citizens to drive global innovation. Cerebras CEO Andrew Feldman highlighted that this collaboration is a key part of the company’s Cerebras for Nations initiative, aimed at helping governments accelerate their sovereign AI capabilities. EY Global Partner Jay Persaud, a member of the Guyanese diaspora, expressed excitement about the transformative potential of this partnership, which promises to inspire the next generation and catalyze economic diversification.
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DPP withdraws GRA ‘Lamborghini’ charges against Azruddin Mohamed
In a significant legal development, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Guyana has announced the discontinuation of tax evasion and false declaration charges against Azruddin Mohamed. The charges, which were related to the undervaluation of a Lamborghini luxury car imported from the United States in 2020, were dropped following a formal extradition request from the U.S. government. The DPP cited international comity, fairness, and legal appropriateness as key factors in the decision. The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) had initially filed the charges on May 15, 2025, alleging that Mohamed declared the car’s value at $75,300, while its actual worth was $695,000. The GRA’s case was bolstered by evidence from the U.S. Department of Justice, including an invoice and money transfer records. Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, are also facing an 11-count indictment in the U.S. for wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering. Both are currently contesting the extradition request.
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GPHC successfully completes 28 joint replacement surgeries
The Orthopaedic Department at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has marked a significant achievement by successfully completing 28 joint replacement surgeries during a concentrated three-day initiative. This remarkable feat, which took place from November 7th to 10th, 2025, underscores the department’s growing expertise and efficiency in delivering high-quality orthopaedic care. The surgeries, comprising 18 knee replacements and 10 hip replacements, provided life-changing relief to 22 female and 6 male patients, all of whom have since been discharged. Led by Dr. Kaaleshwar Ramcharran, the dedicated team of orthopaedic surgeons, anesthetists, physiotherapists, nurses, and operating theatre staff surpassed their initial target of 27 procedures, demonstrating exceptional teamwork and commitment. Joint replacement surgeries are among the most transformative medical interventions, offering renewed mobility and quality of life to individuals suffering from severe joint pain or disability. In private institutions, such procedures can cost approximately GY$2.5 million per surgery, highlighting the immense value of GPHC’s initiative to its beneficiaries. The hospital’s management praised the orthopaedic team for their unwavering dedication and compassionate care, emphasizing their role in advancing surgical services, improving patient outcomes, and reducing waiting times for essential procedures. This achievement reflects GPHC’s ongoing investment in enhancing healthcare infrastructure and delivering world-class medical services to the people of Guyana.
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Guyana among Amazon countries hoping to raise US$1 billion for infrastructure projects
In a landmark initiative, seven Amazonian countries—Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Suriname—have joined forces to establish the Amazonia Forever Facility for Cities and Resilient Infrastructure. This regional alliance, formalized through a joint declaration on November 11, 2025, aims to mobilize over $1 billion to bolster investments in water security, clean energy, and resilient urban infrastructure. The initiative is spearheaded by the Amazonia Network of Ministers of Finance and Planning, with robust support from the Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group) and backing from multilateral climate funds, bilateral donors, and local leaders. The facility will employ innovative financial mechanisms, including blended financing, performance-based concessionality schemes, and credit-substitution guarantees, while providing technical assistance for infrastructure projects in urban and peri-urban areas. Brazil’s Planning and Budget Minister, Simone Tebet, emphasized the dual focus on forest preservation and urban development, highlighting that over 70% of the Amazonian population resides in cities facing critical gaps in water, sanitation, energy, and mobility. IDB Group President Ilan Goldfajn underscored the initiative’s role in fostering livelihoods and protecting the 60 million people who call the Amazon home. The facility has already garnered significant international support, with Denmark, Norway, and Sweden committing $800 million for clean-energy projects, and the Green Climate Fund and Climate Investment Funds contributing $162 million and $215 million, respectively, for resilient infrastructure and clean energy access. Additionally, the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation has pledged 6 million euros to enhance water and sanitation efforts in the region.
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TotalEnergies to shoot 3D seismic survey in Guyana shallow water block
TotalEnergies, in collaboration with a consortium including Qatar Energy and Petronas, has announced a significant investment of at least $20 million to conduct a 3D seismic survey in the S4 shallow water block offshore Guyana. The project, set to commence in late 2026, will span approximately 1,800 square kilometers and is expected to last at least six months. This initiative follows the signing of a five-year petroleum exploration agreement with the Guyanese government, marking a pivotal step in the region’s oil and gas exploration efforts.
Daniel Larranaga, TotalEnergies’ Vice President of Exploration in the Americas, emphasized the potential impact of the survey, stating that it could lead to significant discoveries and further exploration activities. The S4 block, located off the coast of Demerara, has been a focal point for TotalEnergies since its initial exploration efforts 35 years ago. Larranaga expressed optimism about the block’s geological prospects, noting that while it differs from deep-water plays, it holds considerable potential.
The consortium is awaiting final contractual arrangements and permits, which Larranaga anticipates will be expedited compared to industry standards. The selection of the company to conduct the seismic study remains undecided. Additionally, the project will be integrated with TotalEnergies’ ongoing offshore operations in Suriname’s GranMorgu production facility, currently under construction.
In line with local content provisions, the consortium has committed to engaging in social projects and hiring local contractors and personnel. The agreement also includes a $15 million signature bonus, exceeding the stipulated $10 million, which will be directly deposited into Guyana’s Natural Resources Fund. Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat highlighted the transparency of the agreement, which will be publicly accessible on the ministry’s website.
Guyana, currently producing over 900,000 barrels of oil per day, continues to attract significant investment in its burgeoning oil and gas sector, positioning itself as a key player in the global energy market.