标签： Guyana

Guyana’s Attorney General Anil Nandlall announced on Thursday a sweeping modernization initiative for the nation’s justice system, with particular focus on establishing a formal regulatory framework for jury operations—a system currently operating without statutory foundation.

Speaking at a ceremony marking the delivery of US$400,000 in information technology equipment to key justice institutions, Nandlall revealed ongoing discussions with Chancellor of the Judiciary Roxane George-Wiltshire to develop comprehensive jury regulations. “The Chancellor and I are discussing some type of framework to regulate juries and the way juries function,” Nandlall stated, acknowledging that Guyana currently operates without the formal jury systems common in other jurisdictions.

The technology transfer, facilitated through the Partnership of the Caribbean and the European Union (PACE) Justice Project, will bolster the capabilities of multiple agencies including the judiciary, Director of Public Prosecutions’ Chambers, Guyana Police Force, and forensic services. Chancellor George-Wiltshire confirmed that eight additional Liberty court recording systems would join recently acquired equipment, bringing the total to 18 courtrooms equipped with modern recording technology. “These systems will definitely enhance court efficiency. A modern judiciary requires clear and reliable systems to ensure a secure official record of court proceedings,” she emphasized.

Nandlall identified critical gaps in Guyana’s current jury system, noting the absence of standardized procedures for juror oaths, protection mechanisms, exemption protocols, transportation expenses, and overnight sequestration arrangements. He further highlighted that dozens of new companies and agencies remain excluded from the jury pool, necessitating comprehensive reform.

Beyond jury reform, the Attorney General outlined additional legislative modernization efforts, including plans to replace the 1893 Evidence Act inherited from British colonial rule—legislation he described as “clearly out of sync with modern realities.” Additional initiatives include legislation enabling judge-alone trials, completion of an Alternative Sentencing Bill, and review of the Summary Jurisdiction Offences Act to eliminate outdated provisions. “We don’t necessarily have to wait for the judiciary to strike them down as unconstitutional or as outmoded. We can aggressively and proactively do that,” Nandlall asserted, indicating planned tabling of relevant legislation in the National Assembly.

Guyana’s political landscape erupted in controversy as two major opposition parties vehemently condemned the government’s clandestine negotiations with the Trump administration regarding the settlement of third-country nationals from the United States.

The We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) and Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) issued separate statements on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, castigating President Irfaan Ali’s administration for engaging in talks about accepting deportees or refugees without parliamentary oversight or national consultation. Both parties characterized the negotiations as a fundamental breach of democratic principles and national sovereignty.

FGM denounced the potential agreement as a ‘direct affront to the sovereignty of the Guyanese people,’ particularly given the absence of a functioning Parliament to provide legislative scrutiny. The party emphasized that any policy substantially altering Guyana’s demographic composition or imposing new social responsibilities must undergo rigorous parliamentary debate and national consultation.

Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud confirmed on January 5 that ‘productive discussions’ were underway with the US to establish a ‘framework of understanding’ consistent with Guyana’s national priorities while supporting US objectives. This initiative forms part of the Trump administration’s broader strategy to relocate unwanted migrants, with several Caribbean nations including Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and Belize having already signed similar agreements.

The opposition parties raised multifaceted concerns spanning security, economic, and social dimensions. FGM challenged the government to disclose the agreement’s contents publicly, subject it to parliamentary debate, and conduct comprehensive security and economic impact assessments. Critical questions emerged regarding the verification systems for migrant backgrounds, administrative oversight mechanisms, and the potential strain on Guyana’s already stretched infrastructure.

WIN explicitly rejected supporting any agreement until the government provides full disclosure, ensures parliamentary oversight, and presents a clear plan prioritizing Guyanese citizens’ well-being. The party highlighted the existing pressure from over 100,000 Venezuelan migrants on hospitals, schools, housing, and essential services, questioning how additional influxes would be managed.

Both opposition groups demanded transparency regarding financial contributions from the US, long-term integration plans, housing arrangements, and the potential diversion of resources from Guyanese citizens already facing challenges in accessing land and affordable homes. The parties insisted that any demographic transformation affecting the nation’s future stability and security must not be decided through secretive negotiations without clear disclosure to the Guyanese people.

Guyana’s Minister of Trade, Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues, has publicly refuted corruption allegations regarding her acquisition of a Florida property, asserting that the purchase was legitimately financed through mortgage arrangements and rental income. The allegations were initially raised by Azruddin Mohamed, the United States-sanctioned leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party.

In a detailed Facebook post on Tuesday, Rodrigues acknowledged ownership of one Florida property at 8601 NW 46th Ct. Lauderhill through a company in which she holds shares, while dismissing claims of owning three additional properties. She presented an annual tax and interest statement indicating an outstanding mortgage principal of US$378,000 as of December 31, 2024, though she did not confirm Mohamed’s claim that the property was purchased for US$540,000 in March 2024.

The minister explained that the property was acquired with financing from AD Mortgage, a U.S. financial institution, and is currently rented out with the income servicing the mortgage obligations. Rodrigues emphasized that all her overseas assets have been properly declared to Guyana’s Integrity Commission, and she complies with enhanced banking requirements as a Politically Exposed Person.

The political opposition, including the 12-seat APNU coalition and the 16-seat WIN party, has seized on the allegations, demanding Rodrigues’ resignation and independent investigations into ministers’ wealth accumulation. WIN specifically questioned the effectiveness of anti-money laundering laws when senior officials can acquire luxury properties without consequence.

Rodrigues countered that Mohamed’s allegations represent a ‘desperate narrative’ and highlighted the irony of corruption accusations coming from someone facing extradition proceedings to the United States for alleged mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering related to gold trading activities.

The minister also addressed additional properties mentioned by Mohamed, denying ownership of a residence at 946 Herstelling and clarifying that her partner owns the land dating to 2016. Similarly, she refuted claims of owning a Georgetown gas station, explaining that her partner operates the business on property owned by Shell Antilles and Guianas Limited since 1962.

In a significant diplomatic engagement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio commended Guyanese President Irfaan Ali for his assertive leadership in regional security matters during their Tuesday morning discussion. The high-level conversation, confirmed by Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott, highlighted Guyana’s expanding role as a crucial security partner in the Western Hemisphere.

The dialogue occurred against the backdrop of escalating regional tensions, specifically referencing recent US military operations in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro on narco-terrorism charges. Secretary Rubio utilized the opportunity to reinforce Washington’s commitment to enhancing security collaboration with Guyana, focusing particularly on combating transnational criminal networks, illicit narcotics trafficking, and firearms smuggling that threaten regional stability.

Both leaders emphasized the critical need for continued cooperation in disrupting foreign terrorist organizations while simultaneously strengthening law enforcement capabilities and border security infrastructure. President Ali received reassurances regarding US support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity—a pointed reference to ongoing Venezuelan claims over Guyana’s Essequibo Region.

Guyana’s Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud confirmed the discussions extended to recent Venezuelan developments and broader hemispheric concerns. President Ali acknowledged US leadership under President Trump and Secretary Rubio, reiterating Guyana’s unwavering commitment to democratic principles, rule of law, and free elections. The Guyanese leader further emphasized his nation’s dedication to collaborative efforts against transnational crimes including drug trafficking, gold smuggling, and narco-terrorism.

The diplomatic exchange builds upon the expanded military cooperation agreement signed between the two nations in December 2025, though specific details remain classified. Facing persistent Venezuelan territorial claims, Guyana has strategically strengthened defense partnerships with the United States, Britain, and France as protective measures against potential military aggression.

Guyana has entered into substantive diplomatic negotiations with the United States concerning the potential acceptance of third-country nationals currently residing in American territory, Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud confirmed on Monday, January 5, 2026.

The South American nation is actively developing a framework of understanding aligned with its national priorities while supporting U.S. objectives regarding migration management. “Guyana and the USA have been in productive discussions on a framework of understanding which is consistent with our national priorities and needs and supportive of the USA objectives,” Persaud stated in an exclusive interview with Demerara Waves Online News.

This development follows similar agreements recently confirmed by Caribbean neighbors Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica. The U.S. initiative, first proposed to Caribbean nations and other allied countries in early 2025, seeks international cooperation in addressing complex migration scenarios where individuals cannot be returned to their countries of origin.

According to Caribbean Media Corporation reports, Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerritt announced his country’s formal agreement with the U.S., emphasizing stringent security provisions. “In our discussions with the State Department there has been careful deliberation of the need to avoid receiving violent individuals or individuals who will compromise the security of Dominica,” Skerritt clarified during a press conference.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne indicated his nation would accept approximately ten carefully screened non-criminal refugees possessing skills in local demand. The arrangement maintains full discretionary power for the Caribbean nation to accept or reject any recommended individuals, with the U.S. providing comprehensive biometric data and criminal background information.

The United States has extended similar invitations to over 100 countries worldwide, seeking to distribute the responsibility for refugee and deportee cases more equitably across the international community. Several Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states have already participated in this multilateral initiative.

The scheduled extradition proceedings against Guyanese billionaire gold dealers Nazar ‘Shell’ Mohamed and his son Azruddin Mohamed face potential postponement following their legal team’s announcement to appeal a High Court ruling. The development emerged hours after Chief Justice Navindra Singh declined to stay the magistrate’s hearing set for January 6-8, 2026.

Lead attorney Roysdale Forde confirmed his intention to file an appeal with the Full Court of the High Court, seeking to suspend the extradition process pending resolution of two constitutional challenges. ‘We disagree with the decision respectfully and we will be filing an appeal to the Full Court and we will be seeking a stay of the proceedings at the level of the Full Court,’ Forde told journalists outside the Georgetown courtroom.

The legal battle centers on dual constitutional matters: challenges to several provisions of the Fugitive Offenders Act and allegations of ‘explicit political bias’ in the extradition authorization by Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond against Azruddin Mohamed, who leads the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) political party.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall maintained that the judicial process should proceed as scheduled, emphasizing that existing legal frameworks provide adequate avenues for post-committal challenges. He warned that if Magistrate Judy Latchman rules against the Mohameds, both individuals would be immediately taken into custody despite their current GY$150,000 bail status.

The United States seeks their extradition to face trial in Florida’s federal court on charges including mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering related to their gold trading operations, allegedly resulting in millions lost in tax revenue for Guyana.

Justice Singh, in his ruling, determined that suspending the extradition process would constitute ‘a drastic remedy’ given that constitutional issues could be addressed without halting the proceedings. He noted the absence of demonstrated ‘immediate and irreversible harm’ and emphasized the public interest in honoring international extradition obligations.

The Chief Justice scheduled January 14, 2026, for preliminary hearings on the constitutional challenges, setting the stage for a protracted legal battle that Forde acknowledged ‘will be a long, arduous process’ likely reaching the Caribbean Court of Justice.