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From cheaper, more reliable electricity to improved infrastructure, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips told residents of Region Nine (Upper Takutu- Upper Essequibo) that any promise made will be kept. 

The retired Army Chief, who is returning as the People’s Progressive Party Civic’s (PPP/C) Prime Ministerial candidate for the upcoming General and Regional Elections, addressed the residents gathered in Lethem for the party’s re-election rally on Sunday. 

And for him, their choice at the upcoming polls is clear. That is, PM Phillips said, the tried and trusted PPP/C. 

“We formed a government that stuck with you during good times and bad times,” the Prime Minister told the mammoth crowd gathered in Lethem. 

 He added, “We are a serious government. We are working overtime for the people, and we are ready to do it for five more years.” 

For Phillips, the promises kept in the region are personal. He had direct responsibility for several of the ventures. And he didn’t miss the opportunity to remind the Lethem crowd of the gains made. 

A total of 45 bridges were constructed, significantly enhancing access between Regions Nine and Ten. (Photo: Prime Minister Mark Phillips/Facebook)

“We commissioned 45 bridges, 45 brand-new concrete bridges,” he highlighted. 

Those bridges are part of the Linden to Lethem corridor, the mega roadway that cuts through Guyana’s rainforest and connects the coast to the hinterland and interior savannahs. Beyond these bridges, the upgrade of the Linden to Mabura Hill Road (which is part of the corridor)—stretching more than 75 miles—is racing ahead, marking a historic achievement in Guyana’s efforts to modernise infrastructure and connect the coast to the hinterland. 

Then, there’s electricity. The Prime Minister reminded the crowd that he commissioned two mini hydro projects: one in Moco Moco and another in Kumu. Cheaper, cleaner and more reliable electricity has been a serious focus of the PPP/C government and the Prime Minister boasted that these projects signal that promises have been delivered. 

So the PM affirmed. “Promises made were promises delivered.” 

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Outlining several major accomplishments of the PPP/C government in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) over the last five years, Regional Chairman Brian Allicock said on Sunday that Guyana has moved from promise to progress under President Irfaan Ali.

“In just five years, Guyana has moved from promise to progress. Rebounding from crises to the world’s fastest growing economy… which prioritizes inclusive development,” Allicock said at the PPP/C Region Nine rally, which was held in Lethem.

The Regional Chairman outlined several major undertakings by the government in the region, including the construction of nine new secondary schools and four new hospitals, including telemedicine, which are available to remote hinterland villages.

A cornerstone of the government’s infrastructure vision is the Linden to Mabura Highway Project, a transformative 121 km all-weather highway which is part of a broader strategy to ultimately link Georgetown with Lethem and the Brazilian border.

The massive crowd at Lethem, Region Nine (Photo: August 17, 2025)

Additionally, works are ongoing on a 72-mile hinterland road link between the North Rupununi and Monkey Mountain in Region eight (Potaro-Siparuni). When completed, the road will alleviate the high cost of transportation and long travel time for more than 15,000 residents.

Allicock also drew attention to the fact that even remote hinterland villages which did not have roads, now have concrete roads, while others are being upgraded.

“Under President Ali and the PPP/C, the transformation is undeniable. There are now more jobs, better infrastructure, stronger healthcare, free university and his One Guyana vision which unites citizens all across all regions of Guyana,” he stated.

The Regional Chairman spoke too of the expansion of agriculture in the region, in keeping with the government’s vision of promoting food security.

As he encouraged the thousands in attendance to vote for the PPP/C on September 1, he reminded them that the party has fulfilled the promises it had made to the Guyanese people in 2020.

“We are a party for the people, by the people and with the people. Every single promise we made to you, we have kept. We have seen five years of unprecedented progress. We are a nation in transformation, and we are securing a better future for all under President Ali and the PPP/C,” he stated.

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Former Chairman of the National Toshao Council (NTC), Joel Fredericks, is urging residents of Region Nine Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) to reject “force-ripe” leaders who are now “popping up and peddling lies.”

“We see force-ripe leaders popping up. Tell me something man, force-ripe thing good? Anything that is force ripe, good? No!

“They are force-ripe leaders peddling lies. So be aware of the force-ripe politicians, force-ripe leaders, Fredricks said in his address to a massive crowd of people at a PPP/C political rally in Lethem.

He lauded the leadership of the ruling PPP/C government, noting that it is a party with experienced leaders.

“In good leadership, any organisation, institution… it rises and falls on leadership. Under the PPP/C government, we have excelled and advanced in leadership.

“You don’t wake up a morning sudden suh from a dream and say you want to run a country….some of us, we don’t want to come through the door, we come through the window and the good book says when you come through the window, you are a thief,” the former Toshao said.

He warned Region Nine residents not to put their future at risk and to stick with the party that has a vision.

“Our decision we have to make on September 1 – a decision that will transform lives. The good book says, where there is no vision, the people perish. And under the PPP/C administration, there are visionary leaders.

“Gone are the days of visionless leaders. We had that time; we experienced it. That was then, this is now.”

He also encouraged residents to “change their mindset” and invest in businesses.

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United States-sanctioned businessman Nazar Mohamed has refused to give a direct answer to whether he visited the Venezuelan Embassy in Georgetown, instead accusing the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government of orchestrating a political smear campaign against his son, Azruddin Mohamed.

This is according to PPP General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, in response to Nazar’s comments published in Sunday’s edition of the Stabroek News.

Jagdeo told the press on Sunday, “Nazar Mohamed did not answer the yes-or-no question of whether he visited the Venezuelan Embassy.

“Instead, he engaged in semantics and deflection by shifting focus to what he described as a political smear campaign against his son. He frames the issue as allegations, as a tactic, by the PPP/C to discredit Azruddin Mohamed and his We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) movement, but gave no direct confirmation or denial about his visit to the Venezuelan Embassy.

“In fact he goes as far as telling the Stabroek News: ‘I’m not going to answer that’.”

Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Hugh Todd, last week revealed that the Venezuelan ambassador confirmed to the government that the Mohameds visited the embassy and applied for a visa.

Jagdeo later confirmed that there is video evidence of the Mohameds visiting the embassy and referenced the need for the authorities to express a more “deep-seated” connection between the US-sanctioned family and the Venezuelan government.

“So, to put it plainly: He did not say yes or no; he avoided the question. He does not address the factual question of whether he himself visited the Venezuelan Embassy,” Jagdeo contended.

Azruddin Mohamed, alongside his father, Nazar, and several of their businesses, were sanctioned by the United States Department of the Treasury last year.

Azruddin has launched a presidential bid with his We Invest in Nationhood party. He has been accused of having ties to the Nicolas Maduro government in Venezuela by US Congressmen.

Guyana has been locked in a border controversy with Venezuela and the International Court of Justice is currently considering the substantive merits of Guyana’s case to confirm the 1899 Arbitral Award as a full, final, and perfect settlement of the border dispute.

Venezuela recently rejoined the proceedings after boycotting earlier stages, a move Guyana has publicly welcomed.

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The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the United States Department of the Treasury says it will not direct any individual to conduct an activity that will undermine its internal policies and procedures, affirming the right of local banks to close the accounts of WIN candidates.

OFAC responded to queries from the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, led by businessman Azruddin Mohamed. The businessman, his father, Nazar Mohamed, and several of their businesses were sanctioned last year for alleged acts of corruption and gold smuggling.

In the queries, WIN representatives asked about the need to close the bank accounts of candidates of Azruddin’s party. In the full response now shared publicly by WIN, OFAC said there would be ramifications for individuals involved in any transactions with the sanctioned individual, but not for mere association.

In the letter responding to WIN, the US body said any implications of transacting with a political party led by an individual sanctioned by OFAC, or with members of such a political party, would depend on whether the sanctioned individual is involved in the transaction.

“Unless exempt or otherwise authorised by a general or specific license from OFAC, transactions with sanctioned persons by US persons are generally prohibited, and non-US persons could also face sanctions risk for certain activities involving sanctioned persons, such as providing material support to them,” it noted.

However, OFAC also reaffirmed the ability of local banks to act based on their own due diligence.

“Please be advised that OFAC will not direct an entity to conduct activity that undermines its policies and procedures,” the body told the WIN representatives in the letter shared by the party.

The response from OFAC shared by WIN

WIN, in an early Sunday morning release, doubled down on earlier statements. It stated that the bank account closures were “unjustified and politically motivated.”

Joel Bhagwandin, a local financial analyst, disagreed with WIN’s statements and other reports.“Evidently, OFAC does not override the due diligence, risk assessment, or compliance standards of local banks. Guyanese banks, acting in accordance with their own risk frameworks and the law, were entirely justified in closing the accounts of members of the sanctioned political party,” he wrote on Facebook.

At least four local banks and one foreign bank have closed the accounts of WIN candidates over concerns about their association with the party leader. Banks were compelled to review their compliance measures in line with international banking regulations, particularly those mandated by Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) laws, which are designed to prevent the use of illicit funds.

The closures are for candidates of the party, whose names have been submitted to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) in keeping with election procedures. In financial regulation, such individuals are deemed “politically exposed persons” or PEP for short and attract enhanced due diligence.

Party representatives have threatened legal action against the banks since July. WIN also called for a boycott of the local banks and other associated businesses.

Some WIN candidates face bank account closures

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Department of the Treasury, on June 11, 2024, announced the imposition of sanctions against the Mohamed family, specifically targeting Nazar Mohamed, his son Azruddin Mohamed, and their businesses, namely Mohamed’s Enterprise, Hadi’s World, and Team Mohamed’s Racing. These sanctions were connected to gold smuggling and corruption. Former Permanent Secretary of the Home Affairs Ministry, Mae Thomas, was also sanctioned.

Because of these sanctions from the US body, the business licences the Mohameds had were rescinded, and their bank accounts were closed. Thomas faced similar ramifications.

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Colin Munro enjoyed a triumphant return to the Trinbago Knight Riders, scoring a record-breaking century in his first game back with the CPL team he had represented for seven years until 2022. He smashed 120 off 57 balls – no TKR batter has made more – to set up a total of 231, which paved the way to a 12-run victory over St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.

Munro, who has retired from international cricket but continues to be a force in T20 leagues the world over, made his first T20 century in four years, and celebrated it by tossing his bat and punching the air with both fists.

He was last seen in the CPL two years ago, playing for the St Lucia Kings, and practically matched the work he did in six games for them (172 runs) with just one innings here.

Munro was at his attacking best, hitting 14 fours and six sixes which constituted over 60% of TKR’s 33 boundaries. His opening partner Alex Hales gave him good support with 47 off 27 balls. The start they got – 77 runs in the powerplay, and the hundred up in 47 balls – allowed TKR to cruise to their third-highest total in the CPL.

Patriots made a good go of the chase, with Kyle Mayers and Andre Fletcher hammering 80 runs in less than eight overs. But once their partnership was broken, so was the rhythm of the chase. TKR used their spinners to good effect, with Akeal Hosein picking up 1 for 25 in his four overs, and Usman Tariq landing crucial blows, in particular breaking a rampaging first-wicket stand, and finishing with 4 for 33.

Patriots captain Jason Holder fought with 44 off 22 balls despite wickets falling around him. His side was left to score 43 runs off the last over, which eventually went for 30. Terrance Hinds started by giving a single to Dominic Drakes, before Naseem Shah hit a six. Five wides followed, and Hinds went off the field clutching his right side.

Munro replaced Hinds, and started with a beamer. Naseem then got 4, 6, 1, and Drakes finished with another six. Patriots nearly chased 232 down. (ESPNcricinfo) 

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Law enforcement and safety are being further strengthened with the commissioning of two new police stations in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

The police station in Kamarang, valued at $31.7 million, and in Imbaimadai, valued at over $39 million, are intended to boost hinterland policing efforts.

They were commissioned by Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn and Permanent Secretary Andre Ally, who were joined by Deputy Commissioner ‘Operations’ Errol Watts and Commander of Regional Police Division #7, Dion Moore.

The new stations form part of the government’s ongoing efforts to modernise police accommodations and operational spaces while improving service delivery.

Officials at the commissioning ceremony for the new police station in Imbaimadai, Region Seven (Photo: Ministry of Home Affairs)

During the commissioning, Minister Benn underscored the administration’s commitment to creating modern and well-equipped police facilities countrywide that meet the operational and welfare needs of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

He emphasised that improved infrastructure is critical not only for the effective prevention and investigation of crime but also for building trust between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve.

Meanwhile, both stations were designed not only to address structural needs but also to provide police officers with the resources necessary to carry out their duties effectively.

Each facility is outfitted with a range of modern amenities.

These include an enquiries section, male and female juvenile lockups, a Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and a witness and identification parade room.

Additionally, both stations feature improved living quarters for officers.

These new stations are expected to boost operational efficiency, improve working conditions for police ranks, and enhance public confidence in law enforcement within the region.

They will also complement the recently commissioned Eteringbang Police Station and Police Headquarters located in Bartica.

The recently commissioned police station at Eteringbang, Region Seven (Photo: Ministry of Home Affairs)

(Article extracted and modified from the Department of Public Information)

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Karima Gore continued his superb form in CPL 2025, scoring his second consecutive half-century to guide Antigua and Barbuda Falcons to a commanding six-wicket victory over Barbados Royals on Saturday. Chasing 152, Falcons rode on Gore’s unbeaten 64 to claim their first points of the tournament in front of a home crowd.

After a disappointing loss against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in their season opener – despite Gore’s 61 – Falcons bounced back with a disciplined all-round performance.

Winning the toss and opting to field, the Falcons bowlers kept Royals in check for most of the innings. Quinton de Kock provided a brisk start with a fluent 57, and captain Rovman Powell added a late flourish with a powerful unbeaten 51 off just 24 balls to take Royals to 151 for 6. Jayden Seales was the pick of the bowlers for Falcons, returning 2 for 15 in an economical spell.

In response, Falcons lost a couple of early wickets, but Gore held the innings together. Batting at No. 3, he anchored the chase, rotating strike effectively and finding the boundary when needed. He scored 39 off his first 41 balls, and by the end of the 16th over, Falcons still needed 45 off 24.

Gore then accelerated, smashing 19 runs off his next six deliveries – including two consecutive sixes off Eathan Bosch in the 18th over – to ease the pressure. Eventually, it came down to six off the final over, and Gore sealed the chase with two balls to spare.

Royals will be left ruing their missed opportunities in the field. Several dropped catches and missed run-out chances allowed Falcons and Gore to flourish. The fielding lapses not only released pressure but also gave Gore at least two reprieves, which he capitalised on to steer the game in Falcons’ favour.

Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican and offspinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman conceded just 43 runs from their eight overs combined and picked up a wicket each, but it wasn’t enough to contain Falcons. (ESPNcicinfo) 

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The national U-14 girls team has started its Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Challenge Series campaign on the perfect note, securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Antigua and Barbuda at the Ato Boldon Stadium on Saturday.

The young Lady Jags wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, with forward Lehiana Bengamin netting the opener just 10 minutes into the match.

The early goal set the tone for a dynamic performance from the Guyanese side. Thais Charles, a defender, then doubled the lead with a clinical finish in the 29th minute, giving Guyana a commanding 2-0 cushion heading into the break.

While Antigua and Barbuda managed to pull one goal back, the Junior Lady Jags’ defense held firm to close out the 2-1 win.

The victory gave Guyana three crucial points in Group C, putting it in a strong position to advance to the Tier II semifinals.

The team’s journey continues on Sunday with a clash against Turks and Caicos.

A win would put Guyana in an even stronger position in the four-team group, which also includes Anguilla and the Cayman Islands.

According to the tournament format, the three group winners from Tier II will automatically advance to the semifinals. The final spot will be awarded to the best second-place team across all groups.

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