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Guyanese legal scholar and human rights advocate, Justice Christopher Arif Bulkan, was on Wednesday sworn in as a Judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), becoming the third Guyanese to serve on the court in its 20-year history.

He took his oath of office before President Dr Irfaan Ali at his Shiv Chnaderpaul Drive, Georgetown office on Wednesday in the presence of CCJ President, Justice Winston Anderson.

Delivering remarks at the ceremony, Justice Anderson lauded Justice Bulkan’s distinguished career and his deep-rooted commitment to justice and equality.

“Attorney, academic, author, international law expert, advocate and judge; these are just a few of the many distinguished roles of which Dr Arif Bulkan is known and respected throughout the legal profession,” Justice Anderson said.

Guyanese legal scholar and human rights advocate, Justice Christopher Arif Bulkan (fifth from right) was on Wednesday sworn in as a Judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)

He added that Bulkan’s record reflects “a deep commitment and unwavering dedication to social justice, equality and the rule of law.”

“These attributes, alongside his wisdom, depth of knowledge and wealth of experience, will serve him in good stead as he embarks in service at the highest judicial level in our region,” Justice Anderson said.

The CCJ President noted that Justice Bulkan’s extensive work in the areas of human rights, indigenous rights and environmental law has earned him respect across the region.

In his remarks, Justice Bulkan described his appointment as “deeply meaningful,” not because of personal accomplishment, but because of what the CCJ represents in the region’s journey of decolonisation and integration.

Guyanese legal scholar and human rights advocate, Justice Christopher Arif Bulkan (right) was on Wednesday sworn in as a Judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)

“For me it is a deep honour to be joining this court. At the same time, the journey towards full independence is not over,” he said.

Justice Bulkan highlighted that the CCJ has remained steadfast in upholding democratic values and the rule of law.

“The CCJ has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the promotion of human rights. It has been expansive in its interpretative techniques, paying attention to history and context and maintaining regard for international norms,” he said.

Calling on Caribbean nations yet to accede fully to the CCJ to do so, Justice Bulkan said the court’s regional significance goes beyond its judicial functions.

“Accession to the CCJ is thus a regional imperative not just for the practical benefits though that’s important but also because of what it means for our self-determination in the region.

“As the court continues to fashion a true Caribbean jurisprudence mindful of our shared values and responsive to our needs, hopefully the day will soon come when there will be complete accession by all,” Justice Bulkan said.

He pledged to carry out his duties with the highest standards of professionalism.

“Be assured that I am committed to performing my functions with competence, efficiency and unwavering integrity,” Justice Bulkan affirmed.

Delivering the feature address, President Dr. Irfaan Ali hailed Justice Bulkan’s appointment as both a personal triumph and a national honour.

Guyanese legal scholar and human rights advocate, Justice Christopher Arif Bulkan, was on Wednesday sworn in as a Judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)

“Guyana celebrates Justice Bulkan today. We are certain that he will bring to the court the same clarity of thought, depth of analysis and balance of judgment that have characterized his distinguished career,” he said.

President Ali reaffirmed Guyana’s support for the CCJ as a symbol of Caribbean unity and independence.

“The CCJ stands as one of the finest achievements of the Caribbean Community. It represents a proud creation of our collective decision, designed and built to serve the needs of our own society.

“The CCJ is more than a court. It is a declaration of confidence in ourselves. It symbolizes the maturity of our independence and the depth of our capacity to administer justice according to our own laws,” President Ali said.

This month marks 35 years since Justice Bulkan was called to the bar. He is the third Guyanese to be serve as a Judge at the region’s highest court.

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President Dr. Irfaan Ali has urged all Caribbean nations to accept the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as their final appellate court, declaring that true regional sovereignty can only be achieved when every CARICOM member entrusts its highest judicial authority to the court.

Speaking at the swearing-in of Justice Arif Bulkan as a CCJ judge, President Ali said the CCJ represents the highest expression of judicial independence and regional integrity.

“Guyana is proud to be among the earliest states to embrace the court and to place our full confidence in its judgments.

“We look forward to the day when all members of the Caribbean Community will overcome the constitutional, legislative, and political hurdles that still stand in the way of fully embracing the Caribbean Court of Justice as their final court.

“That day must come, and it must come sooner rather than later, for it will mark the completion of a journey that began with independence itself. When every member state entrusts its highest judicial authority to the CCJ, we will at last release the full promise of Caribbean sovereignty,” Dr. Ali said.

President Ali described the CCJ as a protector of justice, noting that it belongs to every citizen of the region and to every island and mainland territory that contributed to its creation.

“It reminds us that justice in the Caribbean does not flow from a distant metropole but from within the Caribbean itself—from our own conscience and commitment to fairness,” Dr Ali said.

He emphasized that once every member state entrusts its highest judicial authority to the CCJ, the full promise of Caribbean sovereignty will be realized.

“Justice dispensed by the region, grounded in Caribbean values and guided by the collective wisdom of the community,” he said.

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Vice President and PPP/C General Secretary Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo clarified on Thursday that the government remains committed to monetising Guyana’s associated natural gas, despite recent statements by ExxonMobil’s Chief, Alistair Routledge, suggesting that converting the gas into liquefied natural gas (LNG) is “not a priority.”

Jagdeo emphasised that the government’s focus has always been on ensuring the most feasible and beneficial use of the gas to generate revenue and economic benefits for Guyanese. “Anything that would make the project feasible will be a priority for us and bring a revenue stream to the country,” he said.

Jagdeo noted that the government is seeking private partners to work in a tripartite arrangement with ExxonMobil, aiming to ensure that all associated gas is utilised efficiently. “We want to make sure that the gas is utilised by Exxon. If they don’t want to move forward with the project, then we will explore other contractors who are interested,” he said.

He underscored that LNG remains one of the very feasible options, particularly through floating infrastructure, which could accelerate the monetisation process. “I hope Exxon does not believe that we are putting this on the back burner. We are serious about this project, and we have taken no option off the table,” he said.

Jagdeo emphasised that the government’s approach prioritises projects that deliver the greatest returns to the country while justifying private investment. “Returns that monetise the gas and benefit our people will always be a priority for us,” he said, directly challenging Routledge’s recent remarks.

The clarification signals that Guyana intends to move aggressively on gas monetisation initiatives as part of its broader energy and economic strategy.

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Girls were first admitted into Queen’s College in 1975 and have since transformed it into a beacon of opportunities. On Thursday, the school commenced its 50 years of girls’ excellence, celebrating those who came and those yet to come.

The weekend-long celebrations, orchestrated by the school’s Old Students’ Association, kicked off with an exhibition recognising the women who attended the school and their achievements.

During the launch, the students’ talents were also displayed, with current students holding a march past, dancing, singing, and performing spoken word. In the auditorium at the College’s Camp Street Campus, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development and alumna Priya Manickchand, in her featured remarks, emphasised the importance of girls having equal opportunities to those of boys – something that was accomplished when co-education was introduced.

A march past by current girls of Queen’s College. (Photo: News Room)

“To make educational facilities co-educational was the beginning of a revolution that saw gain for our girls here at Queen’s, for our girls all over Guyana, and that has seen the perpetuation of that gain,” Manickchand said.

Notably, the minister pointed out that the girls brought a competitive nature, forcing boys to “be better” and compete academically. Prior to this, the opportunities offered to girls were limited, and societal expectations of what each gender should be taught differed.

Minister of Home Affairs, Oneidge Walrond, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand and Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud were joined by other alumnae for the commencement of the 50 years of Girls at QC celebrations. (NewsRoom)

Importantly, the girls were admitted into the all-boys school at a time when intermixing of boys and girls at educational institutions was not normalised and was even concerning. Manickchand charged the students with understanding their role in Guyana’s progression.

“I’d like to see a college that trains girls and boys who grow into women and men who understand that with great privilege, and the great privilege of attending this college, comes a great duty to be responsible socially, politically, and in every other sense,” the minister said.

Girls who make up the school’s alumni have assumed roles in leadership across every field, including politics and science. The school has held the mantle for top achievers, with many elevating to occupy leadership roles.

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Vice President and PPP/C General Secretary Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday dismissed claims that the government is delaying the convening of Parliament to prevent Azruddin Mohamed from being sworn in as opposition leader.

Speaking at a press conference at Freedom House, Dr. Jagdeo said the government will convene Parliament within the constitutionally mandated time. “It has nothing to do with whether Mr. Mohammed is elected as opposition leader,” he clarified.

Jagdeo criticised what he described as misleading narratives circulated by the opposition and some media outlets regarding Mohammed’s status. He noted that the Constitution only recognises an opposition leader once Parliament votes to confirm the position. “In Parliament or not, there is no ‘opposition leader-elect’ until that vote takes place,” he said.

He also suggested that the opposition’s public focus on Mohammed stems from attempts to evade legal accountability. Jagdeo pointed to international scrutiny, citing a reward of US$50 million for the arrest or capture of a neighbouring head of state, to underscore that parliamentary positions do not confer immunity.

Turning to government priorities, Jagdeo stressed that once Parliament convenes, the PPP/C will pursue the agenda presented during the election campaign, which he said reflects the mandate of the Guyanese people.

“The agenda is not subject to negotiation,” he said, outlining commitments to education, healthcare, support for pensioners and persons with disabilities, affordable housing, improved security, better-paying jobs, and economic growth beyond Region Four.

“The people voted on this mandate. Now it is how we implement it in a transparent and lawful manner,” Jagdeo said, adding that the government will move forward without seeking approval from civil society or media outlets.

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Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo announced on Thursday that the government is moving aggressively to implement its housing policy, with plans to construct 40,000 housing units by 2030. Speaking at a press conference at Freedom House, Jagdeo emphasised the scale of the task and the need for high-quality construction.

“To reach 40,000 units over five years, that’s about 8,000 units per year—over 20 houses per day,” he said. “This requires a different level of planning, execution, and quality control. We cannot continue to accept substandard work that leaves houses cracking or incomplete.”

Jagdeo warned local contractors that the government expects timely delivery and durable construction, urging them to form partnerships with international firms where necessary to handle the large-scale project. “Local firms would be best served if they could come together in larger groups and explore international collaborations to ensure they can meet the demands of this programme,” he said.

The Vice President outlined plans to modernise construction methods, including prefabricated materials and environmentally friendly, certified building supplies, to speed up construction while maintaining quality standards. He said factories may be established to produce materials for on-site assembly, ensuring efficiency and durability.

Jagdeo also highlighted complementary measures to support home ownership and upgrades for individuals not participating in the government housing programme, noting ongoing discussions with communities on grant or financing models.

The housing initiative forms part of the PPP/C’s broader agenda to expand economic development, improve living standards, and provide affordable housing across Guyana. Jagdeo said conceptual planning and proposals are currently being reviewed, with the goal of aggressively launching the programme next year.

“This is a large-scale task that requires careful planning, execution, and financial capacity. We are committed to delivering on our promises, and we want to see homes built that families can rely on for decades,” he said.

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Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo announced on Thursday that the government will implement stronger regulations to curb the negative effects of gambling at the community level.

Speaking at a press conference at Freedom House, Jagdeo highlighted the social and economic consequences of widespread gambling, particularly online platforms. “Gambling has blossomed and created a series of negative problems in our communities—breaking up families and creating hardship for many single parents,” he said.

He explained that the liberal policies and taxation framework that allowed gambling to expand, originally intended to support hotel revenue streams, have contributed to the current situation. “When we started this, it was at hotels to stimulate revenue for tourism. But now there are hundreds of gambling outlets in villages across the country, and it’s creating a major social problem,” he said.

Jagdeo said the government plans to aggressively regulate gambling activities, while ensuring that legal operations remain appropriately taxed. He stressed the need to address the financial impact on families. “If people are selling out or starving their children to gamble, how can we expect them to build homes or secure a future? We have to change this mindset,” he said.

The Vice President noted that President Mohamed Irfaan Ali has met personally with families affected by gambling-related hardships. Religious organisations have also raised concerns, prompting the government to commit to immediate reforms.

“Expect changes. We are not going to allow this to continue,” Jagdeo said, signalling that community-level gambling will face stricter oversight and enforcement in the coming months.

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Vice President and PPP/C General Secretary Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo announced on Thursday that the government will increase online advertising of public contracts and pursue reforms to make procurement more efficient, transparent and accessible to all Guyanese.

Jagdeo said the PPP/C identified procurement as a priority issue during the election campaign and is actively implementing changes. “We want procurement to be fairer, to include more small contractors, deliver better quality work, and operate through a transparent system of tendering,” he said.

A key initiative, he explained, will be the launch of a government procurement website next year. The platform will publish all contract opportunities across the country, enabling citizens to access information directly from their phones, rather than relying solely on newspaper advertisements, which cost the Treasury nearly $800 million in 2024 alone.

“The advertisement will remain on the site for the entire duration of the tender period. People can now check procurement opportunities wherever they live, including Amerindian communities,” Jagdeo said.

He added that the government will also use online media outlets more extensively to carry contract advertisements, recognising that these platforms often reach more people than traditional newspapers. “This is a more democratic system and a more efficient use of government funds,” he said, while anticipating complaints from some traditional media outlets.

Jagdeo emphasised that the reforms align with President Irfaan Ali’s inaugural address, focusing on transparency, accessibility, and greater efficiency in government operations.

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Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and President Dr Irfaan Ali on Wednesday affirmed Guyana’s support for regional and international efforts to dismantle transnational crime networks and safeguard peace.

President Ali, speaking during the graduation of a new batch of Guyana Defence Force recruits, said Guyana will “support every action and embrace every partnership to cripple transnational crime and the illicit drug trade that threatens Guyana and the region.”

Since September, the United States has intensified operations targeting drug trafficking in the Caribbean. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that U.S. forces struck another vessel off the coast of Venezuela, killing six people. He described the vessel as belonging to “narcoterrorists” and claimed it was engaged in drug trafficking. This marks the fifth strike since September, bringing the reported death toll to 27. However, the U.S. has not provided evidence or details about the vessels or those on board.

President Ali also reaffirmed that Guyana holds no animosity toward the Venezuelan people, noting that many Venezuelans have been welcomed to Guyana’s shores in search of a better life.
He reiterated that the border controversy “is not born out of hatred” but firmly stated that Guyana “will not compromise our sovereignty. We condemn the attacks against our citizens and military using the Cuyuni, and we will not tolerate it.”

He further pledged to defend Guyana’s territorial space in partnership with allies who stand for freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. President Ali stressed that Guyana’s commitment to sovereignty and peace extends beyond its borders and advocated for a Caribbean and Latin America free from threats.

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[BBC] – President Donald Trump has confirmed reports he authorised the CIA to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela – and said he was considering strikes targeting drug cartels there.

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