Carib Scope

标签： Guyana

圭亚那

  • Masked bandits on motorcycle in late night East Coast Demerara robbery

    Masked bandits on motorcycle in late night East Coast Demerara robbery

    A late-night armed robbery on a public roadway in Guyana has left a local man stripped of his motorcycle and thousands of dollars in personal belongings, with law enforcement now launching a manhunt for the two masked perpetrators, authorities confirmed Sunday.

    The incident unfolded around 11 p.m. local time on Saturday, April 18, along the Melanie Damishana Public Road on East Coast Demerara, according to official statements from the Guyana Police Force released to media. The 43-year-old victim, a self-employed resident of Non Pariel, East Coast Demerara, told investigators he first noticed two individuals on motorcycles following him shortly after he passed the Lusignan traffic light while riding his own black XR motorcycle.

    When the victim turned onto Melanie Cinema Road, the two suspects — both clad in all-dark clothing and wearing face coverings to conceal their identities — pulled up alongside him and forced him and his motorcycle to the ground. In statements recorded by police, the victim said one of the attackers drew what looked like a handgun from his waistband and held the victim at gunpoint, while his accomplice stole multiple high-value items from the target.

    Stolen property includes the victim’s motorcycle, registered under plate number CR 6379, a silver men’s wedding band, a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra smartphone, and 60,000 Guyanese dollars in cash. Following the attack, the two suspects fled the scene heading south, leaving the victim unharmed but shaken.

    To advance their investigation, the Guyana Police Force announced Sunday that it will be reviewing nearby closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage to identify the attackers and track their movements after the robbery. As of Sunday afternoon, no arrests had been announced, and the investigation remains ongoing.

  • Construction worker stabbed to death during scuffle

    Construction worker stabbed to death during scuffle

    Guyana’s national police force has confirmed a fatal stabbing that claimed the life of a local construction worker over the weekend, leaving the community of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, reeling from an act of violence that erupted between casual drinking companions.

    The victim has been identified as 28-year-old Curtis Bengochea, a resident of Eight Street on Ivan Road in Soesdyke. According to official police statements released Sunday, April 19, the deadly confrontation unfolded around 10:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, April 18, just blocks from Bengochea’s home on First Street, Ivan Road.

    Witnesses told investigators that Bengochea, the unidentified attacker, and several other people had been gathering socially to drink alcohol when a verbal dispute broke out between the two men. The argument quickly escalated into physical violence, with the suspect reportedly grabbing a knife to assault Bengochea.

    The brawl spilled into a nearby drainage ditch, where the two men continued to struggle before other people at the gathering managed to separate them. By the time onlookers pulled Bengochea out of the drain, they spotted a deep puncture wound to the left side of his ribcage. The suspect immediately fled the scene on foot before law enforcement arrived, and remained at large as of the police update on Sunday.

    Bengochea was rushed to the Diamond Regional Hospital for emergency care, but attending doctors pronounced him dead upon arrival.

    Authorities have confirmed that investigations into the killing are still ongoing, with police working to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspect. No further details on the motive for the argument or the suspect’s identity have been released to the public as of the latest update.

  • Home Affairs Minister did not intervene in son’s road incident- Pres Ali

    Home Affairs Minister did not intervene in son’s road incident- Pres Ali

    As of April 19, 2026, a growing political controversy has emerged in Guyana following a recent road incident that saw a vehicle end up in the Vlissengen Road/Irvine Street trench, with opposition figures raising questions about potential undue influence by senior government officials.

    The core of the dispute centers on claims that Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond intervened in the official police investigation of the crash, after allegations emerged that the vehicle involved – a Guyana government-owned car – was being driven by Walrond’s adult son at the time of the accident. These concerns were formally raised by Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, triggering calls for full transparency from the government and law enforcement agencies.

    President Irfaan Ali has publicly moved to clear Minister Walrond of the allegations of intervention. Speaking to Demerara Waves Online News, the head of state confirmed that the crash did involve one of Walrond’s grown children, but emphasized that the minister has given him personal assurance that she did not interfere at any stage of the police process. “The minister has spoken to me, informing me about this accident and has assured me that she has not gotten involved with the police or nothing on this matter,” Ali stated.

    Ali further noted that given the circulating accusations, the Guyana Police Force is the appropriate body to provide public clarification on the incident, and he pledged that the country’s Traffic Chief, Assistant Commissioner Mahendra Singh, would release details to address public uncertainty. However, as of the latest update, no official statement or clarification has been issued from Singh’s office.

    Notably, multiple attempts to seek comment directly from Minister Walrond, the Guyana Police Force’s Public Relations Department, and Assistant Commissioner Singh have gone unanswered. All enquiries sent to the relevant parties via calls and written messages have received no response, an unusual departure from standard government practice in the country.

    Ordinarily, Guyanese government institutions move quickly to refute claims from Opposition Leader Mohamed that they deem untrue, and the police force typically issues prompt updates or public statements on open investigations. The extended silence from all relevant authorities has done little to ease lingering questions about the circumstances of the crash and any potential political interference, keeping the controversy active in public discourse.

  • Artificial Intelligence one-minute analysis of X-Rays, other medical images now available

    Artificial Intelligence one-minute analysis of X-Rays, other medical images now available

    In a landmark development for Guyana’s public and private healthcare sectors, President Irfaan Ali announced two major upgrades to the country’s medical infrastructure during the official opening ceremony of the Optique Eye Hospital on 17 April 2026.

    First, the South American nation has rolled out an artificial intelligence-powered diagnostic tool capable of analyzing X-rays, CT scans and MRIs in just one minute, cutting down the long wait times that previously delayed care for thousands of patients. President Ali explained that the new AI system represents a critical investment in healthcare infrastructure that will transform clinical outcomes across the country. “Before, patients and providers would wait hours for scan results to be interpreted by specialists. Now, we can get a full, detailed analysis in just 60 seconds. That translates to faster clinical responses, better treatment outcomes and more impactful care for all patients,” the president stated.

    Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony confirmed to local outlet Demerara Waves Online News that the AI medical imaging platform is already operational at two public facilities: Enmore Hospital on East Coast Demerara and De Kinderen Hospital on West Coast Demerara. The government has formal plans to extend the technology to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and all other public coastal hospitals in the coming months. “Any facility with X-ray or CT scanning capabilities will receive this system, and we will integrate it for MRI analysis as we expand MRI access across the public health sector,” Dr Anthony added.

    The announcement coincided with the launch of Optique Eye Hospital, the first privately owned specialized eye care facility in Guyana, located on New Market Street in Georgetown. Built at a total cost of GY$1 billion, the project saw its capital expenditure significantly reduced through investment incentives offered by the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), part of the government’s push to attract private healthcare investment. Dhani A. Narine, CEO of Optique, credited public-private collaboration and financing support from Republic Bank for making the facility a reality, noting that “through alignment with the government’s development goals, we were able to deliver this complex project at a far more accessible cost.”

    The new hospital is dedicated to Dr. Shailendra Sugrim, one of Guyana’s most respected ophthalmologists whose decades of work have advanced eye care access across the country. Beyond serving local patients, the facility has launched a regional referral program aimed at building partnerships with Caribbean nations and the global Guyanese diaspora, to attract patients from across the Americas.

    Optique Eye Hospital offers a full suite of advanced ophthalmic surgical procedures, including cataract surgery, glaucoma treatment, orbit and oculoplastic surgery, corneal and pterygium surgery, and vitreoretinal surgery. All services are delivered in a modern, purpose-built facility with cutting-edge equipment and advanced operating theaters. The institution has committed to ongoing staff training, regular technology upgrades, rigorous quality monitoring, and community outreach initiatives including free eye screening campaigns to boost early detection of eye disease. Narine emphasized that the facility eliminates the need for Guyanese patients to travel abroad for life-saving sight care: “This project proves that with a supportive investment climate, strong partnerships and shared commitment, we can deliver highly complex subspecialty care locally at international standards. Our goal is to ensure no patient has to leave the country for safe, effective sight-saving treatment.”

    President Ali framed the dual launches as a foundational step toward positioning Guyana as a leading destination for medical tourism in the Caribbean. “Guyana is already known for its natural beauty, vast energy potential and rapid economic growth. Now, we want to build a reputation for world-class, affordable healthcare. We want patients from across the Caribbean, the diaspora, North America and beyond to choose Guyana for high-quality modern medical care,” the president said. The facility’s leadership added that the hospital marks a major step forward in expanding equitable access to advanced eye care, improving quality of life for patients across the country living with a wide range of eye health conditions.

  • Two arrested with illegal guns, ammo-police

    Two arrested with illegal guns, ammo-police

    In a coordinated law enforcement operation carried out Thursday afternoon in the Berbice region of Guyana, two 23-year-old men have been taken into custody following the recovery of two illegal 9mm handguns and a single round of ammunition, authorities confirmed in an update published Friday. Guyanese law enforcement agencies reported that the seizure unfolded shortly after 4 p.m. in the Dukestown area of Corriverton, when agents from the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) were conducting patrols near the local seawall along the Corentyne River.

    During their observation of the area, CANU teams spotted a small wooden craft carrying four unidentified men on the river, while two additional men waited on the seawall shore, each holding a sealed black box. As soon as the uniformed law enforcement agents approached the pair and identified themselves as authorities, the two men immediately discarded their boxes and made an attempt to escape on foot. At the same time, the four men on the wooden boat accelerated the vessel and fled further up the Corentyne River, evading capture so far.

    Responding officers quickly pursued the two fleeing suspects on shore and successfully apprehended both within a short time frame. Investigators then opened the discarded boxes in the presence of the arrested men, revealing two unregistered 9mm ZORAKI pistols and one live round of ammunition matched to the weapons.

    The two suspects, a local businessman who resides in Dukestown and a day laborer from nearby Springlands, Corriverton, were transported to the Springlands Police Station to be processed. The seized firearms and ammunition have been placed into police custody as material evidence for the ongoing investigation. As of Friday afternoon’s official update, both men remain in detention, with law enforcement yet to announce formal charges. Investigations are still ongoing to determine the origin of the illegal weapons, their intended use, and the identities and whereabouts of the four men who escaped on the river.

  • Martinique can now become a CARICOM Associate member

    Martinique can now become a CARICOM Associate member

    On Friday, April 17, 2026, the French Embassy announced that France has finalized all domestic legislative steps to clear the path for Martinique and other French Caribbean territories to obtain associate membership in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

    The final green light came after France’s National Assembly voted on April 16 to approve the agreement to accede to CARICOM’s Protocol on Privileges and Immunities. This legislative milestone comes three months after the French Senate passed the measure in January 2026, allowing the full national authorization process to wrap up within the planned tight timeline. France’s top diplomats for Europe and foreign affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, and minister for overseas territories Naïma Moutchou jointly welcomed the National Assembly’s approval.

    Under the terms of a 2025 agreement signed in Bridgetown, Barbados, the Territorial Collectivity of Martinique will become an associate member of CARICOM, and the approval also opens the door for other French territorial collectivities in the Antilles-Guyana region — which include Guadeloupe, French Saint Martin, and French Guiana — to pursue the same associate member status.

    Diplomatic sources noted that navigating this membership process required careful alignment of three separate legal frameworks: French domestic law, European Union regulations, and CARICOM’s own internal rules. The French state has provided full backing to Martinique throughout this complex legal negotiation and approval process.

    With all domestic hurdles cleared, the agreement now unlocks tangible benefits for the participating territories. Once admitted, associate members will gain the right to participate in the work of CARICOM and its specialized agencies, access full, up-to-date information on regional policy and economic developments, and expand their operational capacity to address shared challenges in their immediate geographic neighborhood. This new participation will complement the existing engagement that French overseas communities already maintain in other regional Caribbean bodies, including the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and the Association of Caribbean States (ACS).

    The CARICOM accession push forms a core part of France’s long-term strategic policy focused on deepening regional integration for its overseas territories. That policy objective was first formally laid out at the 2023 Interministerial Committee for Overseas Territories (CIOM), and was reaffirmed at the 2025 CIOM meeting, with the overarching goal of boosting the economic growth, climate and economic resilience, and regional influence of France’s American overseas holdings.

    The French Embassy emphasized that Paris will continue to collaborate closely with its overseas territorial communities to advance regional integration efforts, delivering tangible benefits to both the wider Caribbean region and the French residents of these overseas territories.

  • IMF resumes dealings with Venezuela

    IMF resumes dealings with Venezuela

    Washington DC, April 17, 2026 – In a significant shift for the international financial body’s engagement with Caracas, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has formally announced that the institution has resumed formal financial dealings with the Venezuelan government led by acting President Delcy Rodríguez.

    The policy reversal comes seven years after the IMF suspended all interactions with the South American nation back in March 2019, when the organization paused engagements amid overlapping international disputes over government recognition.

    According to IMF statements, the decision to lift the suspension was not made unilaterally. The move reflects the collective position of IMF member states that hold a majority of the institution’s total voting power, and aligns with the fund’s long-standing procedural practices for member engagement.

    Venezuela has held continuous membership in the IMF since joining the global financial body in December 1946, decades before the 2019 recognition dispute disrupted all formal financial ties between Caracas and the institution. The resumption of dealings opens a new chapter in Venezuela’s relationship with the global financial community, after years of diplomatic and economic isolation for the country.

  • Mohameds hire Florida lawyer, objects to US Ambassador’s comments on case

    Mohameds hire Florida lawyer, objects to US Ambassador’s comments on case

    A high-stakes extradition battle centered on two Guyanese billionaire businessmen has taken a new turn this week, as the pair accused of multiple financial crimes by U.S. prosecutors have retained a prominent Florida-based international lawyer to defend their interests.

    Nazar “Shell” Mohamed and his son Azruddin Mohamed have been fighting U.S. extradition since an 11-count indictment charging them with wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering was unsealed in October 2025. This week marked the first confirmation that the pair has brought on a U.S.-based legal representative: Peter A. Quinter, an international law specialist and shareholder at the prominent Florida firm Gunster.

    For months, the Mohameds have focused their efforts on opposing extradition in Guyanese courts, with Azruddin Mohamed confirming to Demerara Waves Online News back in March 2026 that the legal team would not address the U.S. indictment until domestic proceedings are resolved. “We want to get this case here sorted out first and then we’ll think about that one over there,” he told the outlet at the time, adding that negotiations over U.S. legal representation had been ongoing for weeks.

    As of Wednesday, Quinter had not yet entered an official appearance in the U.S. court system for the case, but he has already moved to push back against recent public comments from U.S. Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot. In a formal letter dated April 17, 2026, Quinter objected to remarks Theriot made during a recent interview on the SOURCES platform, arguing that a sitting U.S. ambassador should not comment on or attempt to influence active judicial proceedings in a host country.

    Last month, Theriot publicly defended the U.S. government’s extradition request, saying the decision to pursue the Mohameds was rooted in solid, irrefutable evidence. “We do it because we have hard, unequivocal evidence against a person. Why would we take on a case we don’t think we’re going to win? That’s just a waste of the US taxpayers’ money. So we firmly believe that they’re guilty of the crimes that they’re being indicted for,” she stated.

    Quinter countered that Theriot’s public declaration of the pair’s guilt violates both the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights. He reminded the ambassador that the Vienna Convention requires diplomatic mission heads to respect the domestic laws and judicial processes of their host country, noting that the extradition challenge is currently active before Guyana’s courts.

    The attorney also emphasized that the Mohameds, along with their company Mohamed’s Enterprise and all linked personnel facing prosecution in Guyana, are guaranteed the right to a fair trial under international human rights law. He specifically cited Article 7 of the Universal Declaration, which enshrines equality before the law and equal protection for all, and Article 10, which guarantees every person the right to a full, fair public hearing before an independent, impartial tribunal when facing criminal charges.

  • Child Care and Protection Agency, police rescue mother, children at Puruni Landing

    Child Care and Protection Agency, police rescue mother, children at Puruni Landing

    On Wednesday, April 16, 2026, Guyana Police Force released new details of an intervention triggered by a viral social media post that has brought a 29-year-old woman and her four young children into the care of regional child welfare authorities.

    The operation unfolded after authorities received widespread public attention via social media content flagging the unaddressed situation of the woman and her children at Puruni Landing, located in Guyana’s Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). Acting on the public tip, joint teams composed of police officers and staff from the national Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) mobilized to locate the group, making first contact with the family at approximately 8 p.m. local time on Tuesday, April 14.

    Following the initial contact, authorities escorted the entire family to Bartica Regional Hospital to complete mandatory medical screenings, a step mandated to confirm the children’s physical and overall well-being. In an official statement, police confirmed that on the morning of Wednesday, April 15, follow-up checks were conducted at the facility by attending physicians, with the results revealing that all four children are in good health with no reported injuries or acute medical concerns.

    As of the latest update, the mother and all four children remain at Bartica Regional Hospital under routine observation, as authorities arrange transportation to take them to Georgetown, the nation’s capital, for a more comprehensive assessment by CCPA specialists focused on long-term welfare planning. The coordinated response to the social media alert highlights the growing role of public digital outreach in prompting official action on child welfare cases across Guyana, with agencies moving quickly to prioritize the safety and health of the affected children.

  • CARICOM’s controversy over S-G’s appointment now centres on invitation to “Heads”

    CARICOM’s controversy over S-G’s appointment now centres on invitation to “Heads”

    A weeks-long political controversy has fractured the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM), pitting regional power Trinidad and Tobago against the bloc’s leadership and Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett over her controversial second-term reappointment, with demands for transparency and a high-profile call for Barnett’s resignation escalating tensions. The dispute first ignited on March 26, 2026, when CARICOM Chairman and St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew announced that a required majority of CARICOM Heads of Government had approved extending Barnett’s tenure starting in August 2026. But the conflict has since pivoted to a heated dispute over conflicting accounts of whether Barnett barred foreign ministers from attending the closed-door February 26, 2026 heads of government retreat where the reappointment was finalized.

    Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar added a new twist to the saga this Wednesday, calling out Chairman Drew’s official statement for deliberately omitting the allegation that Barnett blocked the Caribbean nation’s foreign minister from attending the retreat. Persad-Bissessar publicly shared a screenshot of a February 25, 2026 WhatsApp message from Barnett that read: “Chairman PM Drew has indicated that today will be a Heads only retreat. Notwithstanding any indication otherwise, he would like it to remain Heads only. He apologises for any inconvenience.” Barnett directed attending foreign ministers to remain for a separate Community Council meeting to advance preliminary work on agenda items that would later be sent to heads for final approval.

    In an April 9, 2026 letter to Chairman Drew, Trinidad and Tobago’s Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Minister Sean Sobers, who led his country’s delegation in the absence of Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar, wrote that he interpreted the message as an uninvitation to the heads-only retreat. Sobers added that Trinidad and Tobago’s CARICOM director contacted CARICOM Chef de Cabinet Janice Miller, who confirmed the authenticity of Barnett’s WhatsApp instruction. He also noted that Community Council Chairman Dr. Denzil, St. Kitts and Nevis’ foreign minister, had explicitly told the council the February 26 event was restricted to sitting heads of government.

    A senior anonymous CARICOM official pushed back on this account to Demerara Waves Online News, denying that Sobers was ever disinvited. The official clarified that when a head of government cannot attend a retreat, the serving foreign minister serves as head of delegation — not a head of government — and argued that a seasoned lawyer and foreign minister like Sobers should have understood the regional bloc’s standard diplomatic protocols. The official accused Sobers of intentionally misleading the public to fuel controversy.

    In an April 12, 2024 statement, Chairman Drew released evidence of a second unpublicized WhatsApp message sent by Barnett to him at 10:55 p.m. on February 25, hours after the first message. That message read: “Chairman. TT Foreign Minister Sobers called me to ask if he should come to retreat in the absence of his PM. I indicated that other Heads who have left may be represented by their FMs. He also indicated he gets seasick, so he’s not looking forward to the boat ride. So we may not have TT represented tomorrow.” The CARICOM source explained that both messages must be read together: the first restriction only applied to foreign ministers whose heads of government were already in attendance at the retreat.

    CARICOM’s official photo release from the retreat shows 10 heads of government from full independent CARICOM member states in attendance, alongside non-voting representatives from British dependent associate member territories. Full members Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Haiti, Montserrat, and Trinidad and Tobago were absent from the official gathering.

    Persad-Bissessar has demanded full documentary evidence from Chairman Drew to confirm the legitimacy of Barnett’s reappointment, including meeting agendas, full attendee lists, official minutes from the February 26 retreat, all performance appraisals for the incumbent secretary-general, all formal communications calling for secretary-general nominee submissions, proof that all member states and their authorized representatives received proper invitations, clarification of why the heads-only restriction was omitted from the March 2, 2026 summary of confirmed decisions, and official documentation proving the reappointment vote was properly circulated by the chairman or the CARICOM Secretariat.

    “Surely there must be timestamped minutes, performance appraisals etc. Even village councils and sports clubs document their meetings far less an organization over half a century old,” Persad-Bissessar said, adding that she has yet to receive any of the requested materials.

    Trinidad and Tobago has taken drastic action over the stalled transparency request: both Persad-Bissessar and Sobers have refused to participate in future CARICOM meetings until the documents are released, and the nation boycotted a recent virtual CARICOM summit last week. A senior CARICOM source has argued that the dispute should be resolved during an in-person summit, not via back-and-forth correspondence, a position Trinidad and Tobago has rejected.

    Drew has defended the reappointment process, noting that the decision was taken under the retreat’s “financing and governance of the community” agenda item, in full compliance with Article 24 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. He also said that prior to the public announcement, officials attempted to contact all absent heads to share the outcome, but multiple attempts to reach Persad-Bissessar via email and phone failed. Ultimately, Chairman Drew spoke directly to Sobers about the decision, though he has not shared details of that private discussion.

    Persad-Bissessar has lashed out at what she calls a culture of cronyism at the CARICOM Secretariat, accusing officials of hiring political allies, party affiliates, and family members of regional politicians to maintain an “old boys club order.” She vowed to continue public pressure for accountability until the full truth is revealed and institutional reforms are implemented. “Therefore this matter will continue to be ruthlessly and relentlessly publicly escalated and prosecuted until persons are held accountable for their odious actions and proper reforms are made to the organization to ensure fairness, accountability, effective management and non interference in the domestic politics of CARICOM members,” she said Wednesday.

    The growing rift has led to outside calls for Barnett to step down. Earlier this week, Antigua and Barbuda’s veteran ambassador to the United States and Organization of American States, Sir Ronald Sanders, publicly urged the secretary-general to resign on principle to avoid derailing Caribbean regional integration. Speaking to state-owned ABS Television, Sanders argued: “If I were the Secretary General of CARICOM and I’m being quite serious here and this had occurred I would have resigned and I would have resigned because I would have said I must not stand in the way of Caribbean integration and the movement forward. It is clear that one senior government and Prime Minister is not in favour of Barnett’s appointment and as a result she should consider stepping down. Why am I still there? Because it is clear that I will never enjoy her support and why therefore would I put myself in a situation in which I am now the cause of the rift. If I were Carla Barnett, I would resign now on principle because [Persad-Bissessar] will not attend the meeting if Carla Barnett is at that meeting, neither will her foreign minister.”