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(Al Jazeera) The United States-Israeli war with Iran continues to rage, as Washington pledges to send more troops and military assets to the Middle East and Tehran widens its retaliatory strikes across the region.

But on Thursday, top officials under US President Donald Trump shifted focus to another military front: Latin America.

Since taking office for a second term, Trump has indicated he plans to exert US dominance over the entire Western Hemisphere. His push for control has coincided with military operations against alleged criminal networks across the region.

At Thursday’s inaugural “Americas Counter Cartel Conference”, speakers such as White House security adviser Stephen Miller assured reporters that Latin America would remain a top military priority for the US, regardless of events in the Middle East.

“We are not going to cede an inch of territory in this hemisphere to our enemies or adversaries,” Miller said, adding the US was “using hard power, military power, lethal force, to protect and defend the American homeland”.

Miller further maintained there is no “criminal justice solution” to drug cartels, which he likened to armed groups like al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS).

Organised crime, he concluded, “can only be defeated with military power”.

Since Trump took office last year, his administration has applied what experts describe as a “global war on terror” approach to Latin America, including by labelling drug cartels “foreign terrorist organisations”.

Figures like Miller, a key architect behind Trump’s hardline immigration policies, have championed the president’s militaristic approach, even as critics warn it raises human rights and legal concerns.

Last September, for instance, the administration began striking alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean, in what rights groups have decried as extrajudicial killings.

And in early January, the US launched an extraordinary operation to abduct Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. It has since pursued a pressure campaign against Cuba designed to weaken its communist government.

Just this week, on Wednesday, the Pentagon announced it had launched joint operations with Ecuador’s military “against Designated Terrorist Organizations” in the South American country.

The announcement indicated a new front for US military actions in the region, which officials have said could include land operations.

But the broadening scope of Trump’s military involvement in Latin America, combined with the nascent war with Iran, has raised questions about the US’s ability to sustain such intense military activity.

Prepared to ‘go on offence alone’

The “Americas Counter Cartel Conference” came as Latin American leaders arrived in South Florida to attend a regional summit hosted by Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate.

Attendees included officials from the Trump-allied conservative governments in Argentina, Honduras and the Dominican Republic.

But despite support from several regional governments, Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth nevertheless told the audience that the US was “prepared to take on” Latin America’s cartels and “go on the offence alone, if necessary”.

“However, it is our preference — and it is the goal of this conference — that, in the interest of this neighbourhood, we all do it together,” Hegseth added.

The secretary also praised Trump’s take on the 1823 Monroe Doctrine, which sought to establish a US sphere of influence, separate from Europe, in the Western Hemisphere. Administration officials have dubbed Trump’s parallel approach the “Donroe doctrine”.

Hegseth framed the administration’s attacks on alleged drug-smuggling boats as a keystone of Trump’s effort to maintain regional influence.

The US military has carried out at least 44 aerial strikes on vessels in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in an estimated 150 known deaths.

The identities of the victims have not been released, with several family members saying fishermen and informal workers were among those targeted.

The Pentagon chief said the approach was meant to “establish deterrence”.

“If the consequence was simply to be arrested and then released, well, that’s a consequence they’d already priced in a long time ago,” Hegseth said.

He then pointed to a “few weeks” in February in which there were no strikes on alleged drug boats.

The pause in attacks, he said, was evidence of the strategy’s success. But that break notably came as the US surged assets to the Middle East.

Emphasis on ‘heritage’

Neither Hegseth nor Miller specifically referred to the war with Iran, but the pair touched on themes that have been present in the administration’s messaging on the war.

Trump, for example, said Iran’s government “waged war against civilisation itself”. There have been reports, meanwhile, that US military officials have referenced the biblical “end times” as a religious underpinning for the war.

Those remarks have reflected what critics consider Trump’s embrace of Christian nationalism and his view of the Americas as a European-derived “civilisation” threatened by outside forces.

At Thursday’s conference, Miller himself referenced violence in European history as justification for the modern-day military actions in Latin America.

There were periods in European history throughout the 18th and 19th centuries during which “ruthless means were used to get rid of the people who were raping and murdering and defying established systems of order and justice,” Miller said.

He also echoed Trump’s allegation that Europe was facing “civilisational erasure” as a result of left-wing leadership and immigration.

“The reason why many Western countries are struggling today is they’ve forgotten the eternal truth and wisdoms they once followed,” Miller said.

Hegseth, meanwhile, described all the countries at Thursday’s meeting as “offsprings of Western civilisation”.

Representatives in attendance, he said, faced a test “whether our nations will be and remain Western nations with distinct characteristics, Christian nations under God, proud of our shared heritage with strong borders and prosperous people ruled not by violence and chaos but by law”.

He added that foreign “incursions” represent “existential questions” for the region, seemingly referencing the growing influence of China as an economic and political partner in the Americas.

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Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud has confirmed that a tribunal was commissioned to investigate the actions of the two Child Care and Protection Agency officers who were seen in a video dragging a school girl.

The officers has since been sent on administrative leave pending the outcome of the invesitgaiton.

“A tribunal has been constituted and the officers have provided reports so we are gathering all of that. That team or that committee of persons will listen to the officers and they will compile a report and that will be provided for subsequent action,” Dr Persaud told the News Room on Thursday.

The tribunal is expected to review the reports submitted by the officers and provide findings that will guide any further action by the ministry.

Providing an update on the investigation, Dr Persaud said the ministry moved swiftly after the video was brought to its attention.

“After the video was brought to the ministry’s attention there was immediate action because the ministry and the Child Care and Protection Agency believe that the rights of children must be protected,” the minister said, while adding that “children must be safe from harm and abuse.”

Dr. Persaud noted that the footage immediately raised several concerns within the ministry.

“That video raised a lot of red flags and questions for us and the immediate action involved the officers being sent on administrative leave,” she explained.

Given the seriousness of the incident, the Guyana Police Force has also been informed.

“Because of the seriousness of the incident the Guyana Police Force was informed,” Dr Persaud noted, while assuring that the ministry has taken steps to ensure all procedures and protocols are followed during the investigation.

Dr. Persaud also highlighted that the ministry has established protocols that must be strictly followed by officers of the Child Care and Protection Agency.

“I want to make it clear there are protocols that the ministry has… the Child Care and Protection Agency will have based on our legislation and our policy and these are things that should be followed stringently,” she stated, adding that officers receive continuous training.

She also referenced the ministry’s ‘Street Light’ programme, through which officers conduct daily outreach.

“The Street Light programme was started where officers go out every day, three times daily to ensure children are in school, not getting in trouble or being in circumstances where they can be at risk,” Dr Persaud said.

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See the full joint statement issued below: 

 

Joint Statement from Sexualities Women and Genders and SASOD Guyana

March 5, 2026

In a now widely publicised video on Facebook, Leader of the Opposition Azruddin Mohamed is seen and heard chastising “questionable persons, lesbians, bisexuals coming in the masjid and pray.” Mohamed lamented that “our leaders are not speaking out” about this. The Guyana Standard reported on it in an article titled “Mohamed warns about division, infiltration of lesbians in Muslim community” on March 4, 2026.

Sexualities Women and Genders (SWAG) and SASOD Guyana haven taken careful note of Mohamed’s remarks as these are his first public comments on sexual minorities since being elected as a Member of Parliament, and Leader of the Opposition. While both organisations respect religious freedom, Mohamed’s comments are divisive and discriminatory towards lesbian and bisexual people, in particular, who are followers of Islam. His remarks came at a time when religious observances of Ramadan, Lent and Vasant Vart intersected – a timely season to share a message of inclusion and respect for diversity in all its forms. Guyana’s diversity includes lesbians and bisexual people.

Guyanese lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA+) people come from all walks of life. Many subscribe to different faiths while others do not. SWAG’s Co-Chair Savannah Williams responded that “there are lesbians and bisexual people who are devout Muslims, whether Mr. Mohamed likes it or not.” She added that “it’s not Mohamed’s place to judge any Muslim or worshipper – he is not God or Allah.”

We call on Azruddin Mohamed to fulfill his constitutional obligations as the Leader of the Opposition. SASOD Guyana’s Chairperson Mishka Puran believes that “Mr. Mohamed’s first public remarks on LGBTQIA+ issues were a missed opportunity to share a message of unity, togetherness, compassion and respect when Guyana and the world need it.” She added that the Leader of the Opposition should clarify his and his party’s position on reforming Guyana’s laws to decriminalise same-sex intimacy and protect people from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression – which polls show a strong majority of Guyanese across the political spectrum support.

SASOD Guyana’s Managing Director Joel Simpson added that Mohamed’s comments in the masjid seem at odds with his party’s position as articulated by their General Secretary Odessa Primus at the LGBTQIA+ Elections Town Hall which was held on July 29, 2025. At that forum, the representative of We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) indicated her party’s support for the necessary law reforms and championed public education to improve social attitudes to LGBTQIA+ people in Guyana. “Mohamed could have called on his Muslim brothers and sisters to be more inclusive and welcome lesbian and bisexual Muslims to their masjids, but he chose to do the opposite. How is WIN championing education to change attitudes at one forum and preaching division and exclusion in the masjid,” Simpson questioned. “Mr. Mohamed cannot separate his personal, religious views on policy issues from his role as the Leader of the Opposition,” Simpson added.

SWAG and SASOD Guyana are committed to constructive dialogue and publicly call on the Leader of the Opposition Azruddin Mohamed and WIN’s leadership to engage both groups on how his office and party can support the public education and law reform that they advocated for at the 2025 Elections Town Hall. Electoral promises must be delivered.

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PRESS RELEASE || The Caribbean Football Union (CFU), through its Referees Committee and Secretariat, in collaboration with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), will host the ‘Give to Gain’ Course for Caribbean Women Referees from March 6-8, 2026, at the Guyana National Stadium.

The three-day capacity-building initiative is designed to empower, educate, and elevate female match officials across the Caribbean, bringing together referees on the FIFA International List alongside emerging officials from the host nation.

Introduced in 2025, the programme seeks to strengthen female match officials’ technical competence, professional identity and support networks, while positioning them for greater regional and international appointments.

Over the three days, participants will engage in a blend of theoretical instruction, physical training, personal development, and leadership activities aimed at enhancing both on-field performance and off-field influence.

The course will cover core refereeing competencies, including the laws of the game, positioning, match management, and the psychology of officiating. Sessions will also hone in on communication, leadership, branding, mentorship, wellness and empowerment.

‘Give to Gain’ builds on the success of the ‘Accelerate Action- Caribbean Match Officials Course’ hosted by the CFU in March 2025 in Antigua and Barbuda in partnership with the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA), with support from FIFA, Concacaf, and UN Women MCO–Caribbean.

That landmark initiative brought together 26 female match officials from across the region for elite-level technical training and personal development activities, including panel discussions, wellness sessions, workshops on professionalism and branding, and recognition of international appointees.

Wayne Forde, President of the GFF, said, “This programme is more than refereeing, it’s about empowering women to lead, excel and make their mark on Caribbean football. Th Guyana Football Federation is proud to support initiatives that open doors and build confidence for the next generation of female match officials.”

A total of 30 participants, 11 of which are officials representing Guyana, will take part in the three-day event, guided by instructional teams led by Amara Felix-Toussaint from Trinidad and Tobago; Kelesha Antoine and Mickel Branna-Challenger from Antigua and Barbuda; Guyanese Diane Ferreira-James now based in the Bahamas; Rohan Thobourne from Jamaica; and Natasha Lewis and Lenval Peart from Guyana, alongside facilitators from other countries.

The course, which coincides with International Women’s Day on March 8, specifically targets women on the FIFA International Refereeing List as well as promising emerging referees from the host country.

By addressing challenges unique to female officials and celebrating the achievements of Caribbean pioneers in officiating, the initiative aims to elevate performance standards, expand representation, and foster unity and collegiality among women in refereeing.

 

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The Ministry of Public Works has finalised arrangements for the relocation of 59 vendors currently operating along the Railway Embankment at Buxton, East Coast Demerara, as part of ongoing works under the East Coast Demerara Road Expansion Project.

The decision was reached following a multi-stakeholder meeting on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, between Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill, vendors and other key stakeholders.

According to the ministry, construction will soon advance on a new vending tarmac that will accommodate the displaced vendors who currently operate along the alignment of the road expansion works.

The agreement was reached after consultations involving the Buxton–Foulis Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), representatives of the Buxton vendors, project consultant Beston Consulting Inc., and officials from the Ministry of Public Works.

During the engagement, Edghill assured vendors that the relocation exercise will not result in anyone losing their vending space.

He also outlined several amenities that will be provided at the new vending location, including washroom facilities and lighting to enhance security for vendors.

The ministry said the new tarmac will allow vendors to be relocated in an orderly manner, thereby clearing the roadway to allow contractors to continue works along the corridor.

The relocation forms part of preparations for the continued advancement of the East Coast Demerara Road Expansion Project.

Edghill and a technical team had previously engaged the vendors in November 2025 to outline the relocation plans and discuss how the process would unfold. Those consultations were aimed at ensuring vendors remain informed and able to continue their economic activities while construction progresses.

Works have already commenced at the new site, with contractor China Railway First Group (CRFG) clearing land along the Buxton Line Top next to the Buxton-Foulis NDC where the new vending tarmac will be constructed.

The ministry said the location was identified through collaboration with the Neighbourhood Democratic Council and the Regional Democratic Council to ensure a suitable and accessible space for vendors.

The East Coast Demerara Road Expansion Project is one of the government’s major infrastructure initiatives aimed at improving traffic flow, reducing congestion and enhancing road safety for thousands of commuters who use the corridor daily.

The ministry said it remains committed to ensuring a smooth transition for vendors and minimising disruption to their livelihoods. Further engagements with vendors are expected as the project progresses and the new vending area nears completion.

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In keeping with the commitments made by President Irfaan Ali, Tambaqui aquaculture activities have now commenced at Bonasika Creek as part of the expanding aquaculture development initiative.

Two farmers in the community have recently received feed and Tambaqui fingerlings and have begun pond rearing activities, with first harvests projected for June 2026. An additional five farmers are scheduled to receive feed and fingerlings in the coming weeks, to commence production, further strengthening aquaculture development in the area.

This expansion forms part of President Ali’s aquaculture diversification efforts, aimed at diversifying income opportunities, enhancing food security, and stimulating sustainable economic growth within riverine and hinterland communities. The initiative also led to the introduction of cage aquaculture, the expansion of brackish water shrimp production, and the development of Vannamei prawn farming in Guyana.

The cage-culture project was first launched at Mashabo in August 2023, and since 2024, the community has been regularly harvesting Tambaqui from the cages established there. The most recent harvest, conducted on January 21, 2026, yielded 76 heads of Tambaqui with an average weight of 5.3 pounds, producing a total of 403 pounds of fish. These consistent harvests have generated income for participating residents and have contributed directly to strengthening village economies. Recognizing the project’s success and growing demand, two additional cages were installed in Mashabo in 2025, further expanding production capacity.

Agriculture Minister, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha, said the continued harvests and geographic expansion of the initiative demonstrate the soundness of the President’s vision. He noted that when the project was conceptualized, the objective was not only to increase fish production, but to empower communities with sustainable livelihoods and improve national food security. According to the Minister, the steady results at Mashabo and Capoey Lake, as well as the introduction of pond rearing in communities like Bonasika Creek, show that the government’s aquaculture development efforts are delivering measurable benefits to families and strengthening economic resilience at the community level.

In 2025, Tambaqui rearing commenced in Bethany and Rockstone, while aquaculture cages have been installed in an additional ten communities, where production is expected to begin in early 2026. As these communities prepare for stocking and production cycles, the initiative is poised to further increase freshwater fish output and income-generation opportunities across multiple regions.

To support this expansion, significant upgrades have been undertaken at the Anna Regina Fish Culture Station in Region Two throughout 2025, with additional improvements scheduled for 2026. Recent enhancements include an improved water supply system, upgraded aeration, and additional tanks. These upgrades have enabled the station to grow small Tambaqui fingerlings to stocking size for aquaculture cages at Mashabo, Capoey Lake, Bethany, and Lake Mainstay, as well as farmers’ ponds across the region. Tilapia fingerling production has also commenced at the facility, allowing farmers in the region to access improved stock locally.

The upgraded facility has also strengthened training and technical support services in the region. Recently, students from the Guyana School of Agriculture’s Essequibo Campus visited the station, gaining first-hand exposure to modern aquaculture practices without traveling significant distances. Further upgrades are planned for 2026 to enhance service delivery and ensure that the expanding aquaculture sector continues to receive strong technical backing.

While speaking on the recent development, Minister Mustapha noted that the initiative represents a long-term investment in community development. He stated that each harvest translates into direct income for families, improved access to protein for households, and stronger village economies, adding that the government remains committed to expanding cage aquaculture across Guyana as part of its broader strategy to advance food security, diversify rural livelihoods, and build a resilient and sustainable agriculture sector.

Minister Mustapha also disclosed that the ministry will soon establish an aquaculture station in Bartica similar to the upgraded Anna Regina Fish Culture Station.

“This station will consist of tanks, a water filtration system, a back-up generator, pumps, and aeration systems. It is expected to be operationalized before the end of May, and will facilitate the supply of fingerlings for cage aquaculture projects in the nearby Communities of River’s View, Falls Mouth, Itabali, and Kartabo, as well as a Pond Aquaculture Project in the Batavia Community,” the minister explained.

He said that, in addition to the 3,000 persons who are set to benefit, the facility will also be used to facilitate practical and theoretical training activities for students in the area. The establishment of a similar facility is planned in Lethem.

With cage culture production now underway at Bethany and pond rearing commencing in Bonasika Creek, and additional communities set to begin operations in early 2026, the government’s aquaculture development initiative continues to fulfill the vision set out by President Ali of creating sustainable economic opportunities while strengthening Guyana’s aquaculture industry.

[Press Release]

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Prompt response by firefighters on Wednesday afternoon helped contain a fire at a building within the New Amsterdam Psychiatric Hospital compound.

The Berbice Divisional Fire Officer, Clive McDonald informed reporters at the scene that the New Amsterdam Fire Station received a call about the incident around 17:05 hours. He said firefighters quickly deployed two tenders and sprang into action.

“When the crew arrived they observed heavy smoke and flames was coming from the building. Immediately an offensive approach was taken to stop and suppress the fire from spreading, ” he stated

McDonald clarified that the building had been vacant for some time and had previously housed patients of the psychiatric facility. The structure, made of wood and concrete, was currently unoccupied.

Thanks to the firefighters’ quick response, only a portion of the building suffered damage. McDonald noted that they did not face any significant challenges while battling the flames.

While an investigation is in progress, initial findings suggest that the fire was caused by electrical issues.

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The mother of the two children who tragically drowned during Phagwah celebrations at Enterprise, East Coast Demerara on Tuesday is pushing back against claims of neglect and has detailed her recount of what unfolded on the day of the tragedy.

In an emotional interview with the News Room, Tesha De Courte said she is deeply hurt by public commentary suggesting she left her children without proper supervision.

“I just lost two children and the neighbourhood can testify I am not a mother that does neglect my children,” she said.

According to De Courte, celebrating Phagwah with the children and the extended family is an annual tradition. On the morning of the incident, she said relatives had gathered at the children’s grandmother’s house, which is situated close by.

“Everyone was there playing Phagwah,” Tesha said.

She recounted that her son, Jadon, had asked to go to his cousin’s house nearby to play. Afterwards, she said Tianna, her twin sister and other cousins were still playing Phagwah.

After feeling cold, the girls went home to change their clothes before heading back to their grandmother’s house.

When they saw Jadon at his cousin’s home, they also asked to go over.

De Courte said no one realised when the children later moved toward a nearby playground.

Describing what she believes happened, she said Tianna went to fill water and slipped into a trench behind a pump station.

Jadon jumped behind her to render assistance but he too drowned.

“Tianna had a water gun which we bought for them, so like they were playing in a pool of water in the ground and the water finish… is children, no safety measure is there to prevent them from going there. So like Tianna went there to put her gun to draw some water and she slip.

“Jadon saw her fighting and he took off his clothes and jumped in the trench to save her,” Tesha explained to the News Room.

She explained that Tianna held onto Jadon while their cousins and Tianna’s twin sister tried to help pull them out.

The other children then ran to alert the adults gathered at the grandmother’s home. Several persons attempted rescue efforts but were unsuccessful.

“Their uncle went down to the water, he had to jump up back to catch his breathe because it was too deep. Somebody else go, when they go they bought up my daughter then they bought up my son,” she said.

Emergency Medical Technicians were summoned, but the children were pronounced dead.

As speculation continues, De Courte is pleading with the public to stop spreading what she says are false narratives about her parenting.

“I cannot understand why is it the public is going with thing, which they did not know. People desist from spreading rumours,” she said.

She emphasised that her children had a routine and were not accustomed to roaming far.

“My children go three places, when they leave school, they come home, they go by they grandmother, they play with their cousin… If they fed up they come and play in the yard or they go by my cousin… they go into the ballfield and they play, that’s a regular thing,” Tesha further related.

Now mourning the loss of two of her seven children, De Courte said her final moments with them remain vivid — buying Tianna a snack she had asked for and sleeping beside Jadon before he woke up that morning.

Investigations are ongoing and post-mortem examinations are expected to be conducted soon.

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After a 70-year-old man and a 22-year-old pregnant woman jumped to their deaths from their wards at the Georgetown Public Hospital recently, stricter measures to keep patients safe have been put in place, according to Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony.

The tragedies occurred in January and February, and Dr. Anthony said the installation of new, more secure windows is part of the immediate actions being taken to prevent any recurrences.

Dr. Anthony said that when the first such tragedy struck in January, he asked that all the windows be replaced with ones that comply with fire safety guidelines but still prevent patients from climbing through them easily. The installation of new windows was not complete when the second tragedy struck in February, so temporary barriers are being installed.

“We are very sorry for the loss of the patients, and we are trying to do our best to prevent anything from happening in the future. I think by barring the windows now, and eventually changing out all the windows, it would solve that problem,” Dr Anthony told the News Room.

Aside from the windows, Dr. Anthony said repairs are ongoing in the psychiatric ward. Patients there, some of whom are on suicide watch like the patients who died recently, have been relocated to another part of the hospital with stricter monitoring.

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Guyanese-born Ronley Floyd Bynoe has been extradited to the United States where he will face several fraud-related charges, according to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

In a statement, the DPP’s Chambers said Bynoe was extradited from Guyana to the United States on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

Bynoe had been on remand at the Georgetown Camp Street Prison pending the extradition process. He was removed from the prison around 21:00 hrs on Tuesday night and escorted under security to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), where he was handed over to two US Marshals.

He was then placed on an American Airlines flight bound for the United States at approximately 01:30 hrs.

According to the DPP’s Chambers, Bynoe is wanted in the United States for misuse of a Social Security number, aggravated identity theft, and bank fraud.

A criminal indictment was filed against him in September 2023 in the District Court of the Northern District of Ohio, where he is expected to stand trial before a grand jury.

Authorities said an arrest warrant had been issued in the United States but could not initially be executed because Bynoe had fled the country. Investigations later revealed that he had travelled to Guyana.

In November 2025, the United States government formally requested Bynoe’s extradition through the Guyana Ministry of Home Affairs, which subsequently sought legal advice from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

On February 16, 2026, Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond issued an Authority to Proceed with the extradition under the Fugitive Offenders Act.

Bynoe was later arrested by local police on February 18, 2026, and taken before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court the following day.

During the hearing, he was informed of the extradition request made by US authorities and consented to be extradited without court proceedings to face the charges in the United States.

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