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See full statement below:

The Secretary-General is deeply alarmed by the recent escalation in Venezuela, culminating with today’s United States military action in the country, which has potential worrying implications for the region.

Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General

Independently of the situation in Venezuela, these developments constitute a dangerous precedent. The Secretary-General continues to emphasize the importance of full respect – by all – of international law, including the UN Charter. He’s deeply concerned that the rules of international law have not been respected. 

The Secretary-General calls on all actors in Venezuela to engage in inclusive dialogue, in full respect of human rights and the rule of law.

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United States President Donald Trump shared a photo of Venezuela’s leader, Nicolas Maduro, who is said to be on board the USS Iwo Jima, heading to New York.

The photo was shared on Trump’s Truth Social account around noon Saturday, hours after an early morning strike in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas.

The USS Iwo Jima facilitates extensive flight operations, allowing it to act as a mobile airbase at sea for U.S. Marine Corps aviation. It is a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, functioning like a small aircraft carrier with a large flight deck for various aircraft.

Maduro was captured swiftly after those strikes and is heading to New York, where he has been indicted in New York on drugs and weapons charges. US Attorney General Pam Bondi said Maduro will “face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts.”

Trump is set to host a press conference at noon.

Meanwhile, two sources told the BBC’s US news partner, CBS, that a US military vessel carrying Maduro is expected to land later today at New York Stewart airport.

It’s a public military international airport in Orange County, New York, located in the Hudson Valley, about 60 miles north of Manhattan.

The sources say he’s in custody of the US military and is expected to be turned over to federal authorities when he lands.

Maduro is expected to be arraigned in New York Federal court in the southern district of New York next week – possibly as early as Monday.

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The US President Donald Trump has said Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was captured from a location that was more of a fortress than a house.

“We were going to do this four days ago but the weather was not perfect,” Trump tells Fox News.

“The weather has to be perfect… all of a sudden it opened up and we said go,” he says.

He adds that, when they captured Maduro, he was “in a house that was more like a fortress than a house” with “solid steel all around”.

Trump says that the US is going to be “strongly involved” in Venezuela’s oil industry moving forward.

He adds that he spoke to Maduro “a week ago” and that he told him “you have to give up, you have to surrender”.

“We had to do something much more surgical, much more powerful”, Trump says. (BBC)

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US President Donald Trump tells Fox News he watched the overnight capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife “literally like I was watching a television show”.

“If you would’ve seen the speed, the violence, it was an amazing thing,” Trump says.

He praises his team as having done “an incredible job” and adds “there’s no other country on earth that could do such a manoeuvre”. (BBC)

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The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) has moved to significantly tighten oversight of the gold mining sector, announcing mandatory local bank account requirements and compulsory updates of personal records for all miners and stakeholders as part of a broader national push to clamp down on illegal activity, environmental abuse and gold smuggling.

In two notices issued on January 2, 2026, the Commission made it clear that, effective immediately, all miners and stakeholders must maintain a local bank account as a condition for the processing, access, issuance and renewal of mining permits and licences. Those who have not yet submitted their banking details to the GGMC are required to do so no later than January 31, 2026.

The Commission warned that non-compliance will directly affect the processing and renewal of licences and permits, underscoring that financial traceability is now a core component of regulatory compliance in the sector.

To ensure miners in hinterland regions are not excluded, the Ministry of Natural Resources will collaborate with the banking sector to conduct outreach exercises in Mahdia, Puruni and Matthew’s Ridge. During these exercises, authorised representatives of banking institutions will assist miners and other stakeholders to establish personal bank accounts. The GGMC said further notices will be issued outlining the specific dates and times for these engagements.

In a parallel move, the Commission has also directed all miners and stakeholders, including traders, to present themselves at GGMC offices to update their personal records by January 31, 2026. These records include mailing addresses, email addresses, telephone contact numbers and banking information. The GGMC stressed that the responsibility for ensuring that this information is accurate and up to date rests solely with the licence or permit holder.

Failure to comply with the record-updating requirement will result in the suspension of the relevant licences and/or permits, the Commission warned.

The latest directives come against the backdrop of a sweeping government-led review of the gold mining sector, which President Dr Irfaan Ali has confirmed will begin on January 5, 2026. During a year-end interview, the Head of State signalled that “strong decisions” are imminent as authorities intensify efforts to curb illegal mining, environmental destruction and under-declaration of gold.

According to the President, a key focus of the assessment will be linking mercury purchases to actual gold declarations. He cautioned that miners who hold land and have registered dredges but fail to declare production will face severe consequences, including the repossession of mining lands.

“There is no sense they destroy the environment and it’s not being used,” the President said, emphasising that environmental protection and lawful production must go hand in hand.

In recent weeks, government agencies and mining associations have repeatedly reminded miners that all gold must be sold to the Guyana Gold Board or authorised licensed dealers, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen oversight and accountability across the sector.

Last year, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo also highlighted the need to reinforce the gold exportation system, increase penalties and close regulatory gaps that allow gold smuggling to thrive. He noted that improved coordination among state agencies has already helped authorities identify new smuggling tactics.

These efforts include the work of a high-level task force comprising the Attorney-General, the Minister of Finance, the Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority, the Head of the Financial Intelligence Unit, the Governor of the Bank of Guyana and representatives of the Guyana Gold Board. The task force has identified weaknesses in existing regulations and has begun tightening enforcement mechanisms.

Together, the GGMC’s new compliance requirements and the government’s wider sectoral review signal a decisive shift towards stricter regulation, improved traceability and greater accountability in Guyana’s gold mining industry, as authorities seek to protect national revenues, preserve the environment and root out illegal practices.

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Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, says Budget 2026 will be presented within a clear policy framework already laid out in the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) 2025 manifesto, reflecting extensive public consultation and President Irfaan Ali’s vision for national transformation.

During a recent interview with the National Communications Network (NCN), Dr. Singh explained that the approach to Budget 2026 is rooted in priorities identified long before the formal budget process began. Those priorities, he said, emerged from wide-ranging consultations with citizens across Guyana during the preparation of the party’s manifesto.

He pointed to President Ali’s recent national address, describing it as both exciting and inspiring, and noted that the upcoming budget will translate that vision into concrete programmes and projects.

According to Dr. Singh, the President’s vision centres on economic transformation, the modernisation of social services, empowerment of citizens, the expansion of technology and the digital agenda, and the creation of a truly modern Guyana where people can live, work, earn, save, invest and retire comfortably.

“That vision was articulated in a very comprehensive manner,” the Senior Minister said, adding that Budget 2026 will provide the operational detail needed to turn those goals into reality.

He explained that while the manifesto sets out the broad policy direction, the budget is the mechanism through which plans are converted into actionable initiatives.

“The budget goes into more detail, because it is the basis on which those plans are translated into actual projects and programmes that will be implemented,” Dr. Singh noted. He said work on Budget 2026 is already well advanced and the government is looking forward to taking it to the National Assembly to begin implementation.

Dr. Singh also reminded that the manifesto, which will guide the budget, was shaped directly by public input. Citizens were invited to submit suggestions through calls, messages, WhatsApp and email, and many of those proposals were incorporated into the final document.

“Our policy priorities as a government are reflective of the priorities and preferences of the people whom we serve,” he said, adding that much of the “heavy lifting” for the budget was done even before the new term of office began through sustained public engagement.

He recalled that the manifesto process was deliberately opened to the nation, allowing stakeholders and ordinary citizens alike to influence the direction of government policy.

President Ali, in his most recent address to the nation, said Guyanese can expect continued rapid and large-scale transformation driven by the government’s ambitious five-year manifesto. That plan includes further diversification of the economy, major infrastructure expansion and upgrades, and a range of initiatives aimed at ensuring a high quality of life for all citizens.

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See full statement from the GRA below:

The Guyana Revenue Authority is presently investigating several employees who may have aided and abetted Mr. Azruddin Mohamed in the transfer of several motor vehicles between November 27, 2025, and December 5, 2025, in breach of both regulations associated with the transfer of motor vehicles and AML regulations.

A perusal of the Authority’s records reveal that the identical employees were responsible for the off-premises examination of the vehicles, lodgement, approval of the transfer documents, and the dispatch and receipt of payment to effect the said transfers, with many of the transferees residing at similar addresses in Republic Park and Atlantic Gardens, and Hill Top, Timehri, East Bank Demerara. So far, investigations have revealed eleven such transfers, including luxury vehicles.

All participants in these illegal activities will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, with arrests expected shortly. Investigations are ongoing, and the Authority’s international partners have been apprised.

The Revenue Authority pleads with the general public to report any illicit or unlawful activities on telephone number 227-6060, Extensions 3201, 3204, 3205, 3206, 3211, 3212, or 3408. All information provided will be dealt with in strict confidentiality and such persons may be rewarded in accordance with the provisions of the Customs Act, Chapter 82:01.

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As fighters for the upcoming “Pro/Am Showdown” sat down to sign their contracts, they were met with immediate signing bonuses—a move designed to shatter the traditional “amateur-pay” culture and elevate the professional standards of the sport in Guyana.

The contract signing was held on Friday at the Windjammer International Hotel.

The card, a collaborative effort between Bris-O Promotions, the newly-formed Caribbean Boxing Organisation (CBO), the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC), and the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), is now officially set for January 24, 2026.

Initially slated for the traditional Boxing Night slot in December, the event was repositioned to ensure that fighter availability wouldn’t compromise its quality.

For Seon Bristol, head of Bris-O Promotions, the delay has turned into a strategic advantage.

“One of the things we want to ensure is that our fighters are supported through their training camps,” Bristol noted during the signing ceremony.

“The rescheduled date has allowed us to plan an even better event where our fighters can emerge victorious.”

Joshua Abdool, Vice-President of the GBBC, echoed that sentiment, describing the lineup as a “fantastic card” that bridges the gap between local talent and international opposition.

The January 24 card at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall is set to be one of the most diverse in recent memory, featuring pugilists from seven different Caribbean nations.

While the previous schedule highlighted Dominican Republic opposition, the final confirmed lineup features a fascinating mix of regional rivalries

“We are looking to elevate the professional standards,” Bristol added. “This is how you build champions.”

The Full Card: January 24, 2026

• Keevin Allicock (Guy) vs Samuel Greene (Sur) – Featherweight
• Desmond Amsterdam (Guy) vs Edmond Declou (Guy) – Super Middleweight
• Rasheed Williams (Bah) vs Nico Yeyo (Jam) – Welterweight
• Quincy Gomes (Guy) vs Charles Cox (Bar) – Super Middleweight
• Damar Haslam (Jam) vs Joel Williamson (Guy) – Welterweight
• Rickenson Henry (Gre) vs Tyreece Tait (Bar) – Middleweight
• Delon Charles (Guy) vs Jamal Eastman (Guy) – Welterweight

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Tourism is expected to give a significant boost to Guyana’s economy in 2026, and according to the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), rum tours and the annual Rupununi Ranchers Rodeo are high on the agenda.

Speaking to the News Room on Wednesday, THAG President Mitra Rajkumar said several accommodation operators have already reported being fully booked for the April extravaganza.

“Rodeo is huge and going to be even bigger in 2026. Rooms are already booked out,” Rajkumar said.

Adding to the calendar of annual events, the Tapas Wine Event and Restaurant Week will also be major highlights. He noted that the Tapas event will be held earlier in the year, instead of its usual timing in the fourth quarter, though the exact date is yet to be confirmed.

President of THAG, Mitra Rajkumar during his interview with the News Room. (Photo: News Room)

Each year, tourists seek fun excursions, often travelling to hinterland regions where eco-tourism products dominate. This year, Rajkumar said more focus will be placed on a much-anticipated activity: rum tours.

THAG has engaged local rum producers to facilitate more rum tours in 2026. Additionally, Banks DIH Ltd will launch a new beer plant this year, sparking further interest among beer enthusiasts. Both Banks beer and El Dorado rums, a Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) product, are well-recognised beverages, and Rajkumar said their production can be better showcased for tourism.

“People will be able to come in and see how Banks beer is made. DDL already has tours, but we want to expand them. These are huge tourism draws, and in 2026 we will work even harder with our partners,” he said.

Rajkumar added that safety measures at these facilities will be prioritised to ensure all tours are conducted securely.

Reflecting on 2025, he said hotel operators are “smiling all the way to the bank” thanks to a calendar of events that tourists eagerly anticipate.

Guyana’s hosting of Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and Global Super League (GSL) games has also created a niche market for cricket lovers, who plan vacations around the matches and explore the country during a single trip. This demand has led many hoteliers to expand operations and construct new hotels to accommodate the influx of travellers.

“As it is now, whenever we have these events, we run out of rooms. That’s why more facilities are coming on board, and they are already reporting high occupancy levels. We have struggled to keep occupancy above 50 per cent, but that has improved significantly—and 2026 is looking even better,” he said.

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