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The Guyana Government took credible steps to “identify and punish officials” who committed human rights abuses, according to the United States Department of State 2024 Human Rights report.

The report, which was released on Wednesday, revealed that, “There were reports the government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings during the year.”

According to the U.S. government report, in July last year, police shot and killed Gordon Sancho. Police officials alleged Sancho shot at them, forcing them to return fire, which killed Sancho.

As it relates to disappearance and abduction, the report concluded that there were no reports of “enforced disappearances by or on behalf of government authorities.”

The report, however, did find cases of arbitrary arrest and unlawful detention, but noted that the government adhered to the provisions of the constitution, which allow citizens to challenge the lawfulness of their arrest or detention in court.

“Lengthy pretrial detention was a problem, due primarily to judicial inefficiency, staff shortages, and cumbersome legal procedures. Pretrial detainees accounted for 41 percent of the prison population. The average length of pretrial detention was three years for those awaiting trial at a Magistrates’ Court or the High Court. This often exceeded the maximum possible sentence for the crime for which individuals were charged,” the report noted.

Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department also found that there were no “credible reports” of the government hiring persons involved in torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

It was also reported that the government cooperated with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Organization for Migration, and other humanitarian organizations in providing protection and assistance to migrants and other populations in need of protection.

Additionally, the report highlighted that the government also respected the constitutional right of persons for freedom of expression, including the press and other media.

“Independent news media were active and expressed a wide variety of views. Some members of the media reported they faced discrimination and hostile personal verbal attacks in response to public inquiries,” the report noted.

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President Irfaan Ali has pledged that every river village in Region One will have a new farmers’ landing and wharf facility as part of a wider plan to boost livelihoods.

The project is set to begin before the end of this year and will be catered for in the next budget.

“We have issued instructions that this year and in the next budget, we will be building farmers’ landing and wharf facilities in every single one of the communities on the river,” President Ali announced on Wednesday while addressing residents at Waramuni, Region One.

As part of a plan to create jobs and expand opportunities in hinterland communities, President Ali said residents will also be asked to submit the names of young people with basic qualifications to be trained as nurses and soldiers, guaranteeing them jobs upon completion.

“We want you to give us the names of all the children with the basic qualification to be nurses.

“You give us the names, we will take them, train them, house them, give them a stipend, and we will guarantee them a job as a nurse,” the President said.

This nursing programme is scheduled to begin before September. A similar recruitment initiative will support youths who want to join the military, he said.

“Those who have a sound secondary education and want to become soldiers, give us their names and we will put them in the system,” President Ali said.

With more than 600 households across the targeted villages, President Ali further said the government will provide financial and technical support to each one. This includes the development of a cassava processing facility, with investments in tools and equipment to expand production.

“So, we are investing with you..in the tool and equipment to expand production… but more importantly, we don’t want you to go and sell, we will get the [Guyana] Marketing Corporation to come to that facility, take your product and pay you at a stable market price,” the President said.

He also addressed the issue of crab meat imports, noting that despite strong local demand, supermarkets are importing crab from abroad. To address this, the government is engaging with expertise from Indonesia.

“We are already talking with a team from Indonesia to come here and work with the farmers to do cage crab farming.

“So, we don’t have to wait for season alone, we can do it all year long,” President Ali said.

The initiative is expected to raise local crab production, ensure a steady supply and create new employment opportunities.

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A brilliant century from Shamar Apple and a five-wicket haul by pacer Micah Amsterdam stood out for Guyana in a hard-fought draw against the Windward Islands in their opening Regional Under-17 Two-Day tournament match in Trinidad and Tobago.

The match, played at the National Cricket Centre, was a riveting contest, with both sides vying for first-innings honours.

The Windward Islands, batting first, posted a challenging total of 281 for 9 before declaring.

Theo Edward anchored Their innings by an aggressive captain’s knock of 139 from just 133 balls. He found support from Tyler Venner (47) and Zach Thomas (27) to build a formidable score.

For Guyana, the bowling attack was spearheaded by the impressive Amsterdam, who claimed a well-deserved 5 for 58 from his 14.1 overs.

He was ably supported by spinner Gibran Yacoob, who finished with 3 for 49.

In response, Guyana fell just short of securing first-innings points, finishing on 264 all out.

Gibran Yacoob

Their innings were a testament to Apple’s courage and skill, as he blazed his way to a magnificent 123.

The dashing wicketkeeper-batsman’s 144-ball innings were a perfectly paced blend of watchful defense and explosive power-hitting, decorated with 13 fours and three sixes.

Apple found valuable partners in Adrian Hetmyer (43) and Richard Ramdeholl (31), both of whom helped to keep Guyana in the hunt.

The Windward Islands bowling attack was led by Desrond Mitchell (3-41) and Elran Glasgow (3-45).

With a slim lead, the Windward Islands came out to bat for their second innings and reached 84 for two before the match was called a draw.

Jorden Charles was unbeaten on 47, while Yacoob picked up both wickets for Guyana to finish with two for nine.

Guyana will now regroup for its second-round match against the hosts, Trinidad and Tobago, which begins on Saturday, August 16, at Queen’s Park Oval.

FULL SCORECARD: https://matchcentre.windiescricket.com/match/3c79bf52-4fca-48ea-8374-fb44dcf76358/scorecard

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Zion Hickerson showed a fighting spirit at the Ten-Pro Global Junior Tennis Tour in Paris, producing a spirited performance despite an untimely injury.

The Guyanese player endured a difficult start to the tournament, but rallied to compete in two high-intensity matches, showcasing his potential on the international stage.

Hickerson, who was competing against a strong field of nearly 300 mostly European athletes, sustained a mild case of runner’s knee during a training run the day before the event began. The injury hampered his movement and led to a 6-0, 6-0 loss in his opening match to Denmark’s Niels Christian Ulrik.

However, the 2.5-hour comeback victory against his Lithuanian opponent on the second day of competition, with a score of 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, showed Hickerson’s resilience. He followed that with another fiercely contested match against Dutchman Alexander Rak, narrowly losing 7-5, 7-5 in a two-hour battle. Hickerson had been leading 5-2 in the first set but was unable to hold on.

He will now focus on rest and recovery before heading to the UK for the Georgians Open and a camp at Crystal Palace Football Club.

Zion Hickerson’s participation was made possible with the support of: Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sports, Enet, Beacon Cafe, BK SuperMix, Demerara Mutual, Guyoil, Guywillship, Tri-Stone, MVP Sports, Smalta, C&L Construction, Bumper to Bumper Service, Mike’s Pharmacy, Shi-Oil, Fireside, and Jai Signs.

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A batch of 140 persons who successfully completed the Ministry of Health’s clinical and technical training programme graduated on Wednesday. These individuals were among the first trainees in Guyana to undergo training using the country’s telemedicine system.

Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony told the gathering at the Pegasus Suites Atlantic Conference Centre in Georgetown that the healthcare system is transforming to include digital technologies.

With this in mind, he urged the graduates to utilise the free learning opportunities offered by the government.

“In almost every sphere of medicine there are programmes that are there for you, pharmacy assistants, there are courses for you, the people in the lab, there are courses for you, now opportunities for learning has become very easy,” Dr. Anthony said.

The clinical and technical training programme comprised of individuals from the ten administrative regions as well as the Belize Defence Force.

Ashley Williams, a lieutenant from Belize who was trained in the rehabilitation programme. (Photo: News Room/ August 13, 2025)

Persons were trained in the Medex programme, pharmacy assistance programme, medical laboratory technician programme and the rehabilitation programme. They were awarded certificates of completion and associate degrees for the various courses.

Importantly, the hinterland graduates will provide vital services in their respective homestead areas upon their return. Medex services will be improved at the Mazaruni prison, Region Seven and Monkey Mountain, Region Eight. In Region Nine, for the first time, a Medex will be stationed at Karasabi, Sand Creek.

Kavika Moses, a resident from Region Nine, who completed the Medex programme. (Photo: News Room/ August 13, 2025)

Kavika Moses, one of the graduates hailing from a community in Region Nine, told the News Room that being away from family during the four-year programme was a challenge.

“It was a huge adjustment for me, in terms of being away from my family…a little bit emotional.

“It was four years,” she said.

Lieutenant Ashley Williams from Belize also participated in the programme.

“It’s very intense but very educational and hands-on. When I go back home, I will work along with the force hospital in Belize,” Williams said.

Guyana’s healthcare sector is being built out to provide services and support throughout the Caribbean and Central America regions.

High Commissioner of Belize to Guyana, Gale Miller Garnett; Chief Medical Officer, Dr Narine Singh and Director of Training and Education at the Health Ministry, Chandroutie Persaud-Bahadur, also attended the ceremony.

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If the ICC does decide that a two-tier system is best for the World Test Championship (WTC), West Indies could well be one of the teams outside the top tier – they were eighth out of nine teams in each of the three editions so far and have lost each of their three Tests in the ongoing cycle, to Australia.

It’s a possibility the stakeholders in West Indies cricket are wary of – Clive Lloyd is worried about “being in that group for a hundred years” – and they are hoping to have a say in it, as Cricket West Indies (CWI) chief executive Chris Dehring put it.

“All of that we have a role to play [in], we have a seat at the table at the ICC,” Dehring said at a press conference after the CWI’s emergency meeting in Trinidad on Sunday and Monday, organised in the aftermath of their 27 all out at Sabina Park against Australia.

“We have to just stay abreast as close as possible to all the changes that could happen, position ourselves, hedging our bets so to speak, to make sure we are in there as West Indies cricket no matter which way the wind blows and try to take advantage of it.”

The ICC last month formed a working group, led by former New Zealand batter Roger Twose, to look into, among other things, improving the WTC ahead of the 2025-2027 cycle.

A two-tier system was among the most significant topics discussed at the ICC annual conference in July. Twose, New Zealand Cricket’s (NZC) representative on the ICC Board, is expected to make recommendations to the board.

A two-tier WTC has been debated for more than 15 years, with the ICC showing its willingness to consider the idea as far back as 2009, though Full Members have been split on the issue for various reasons.

Lloyd, one of the former cricketers – along with Brian Lara, Viv Richards and others – who were invited to be part of the meeting, pointed his finger at the share of the ICC pie that the member boards are given, saying that West Indies, as the top team in the 1970s and 1980s, and a force even in the 1990s, deserved consideration despite their falling standards.

“We have to look at what’s happening at the ICC with the shareout of the money. India, Australia and England get 180 million and West Indies will get 80 million like Bangladesh and Afghanistan, and we are just two years out of being in that group for 100 years,” Lloyd said. “To me, it’s not right. We have to stand up. We have to go to the ICC and ask for special dispensation. Because when we were in the ascendancy, and we were playing so well, everyone wanted to play with us.

“We were playing Australia very often, with England very often, and when we went to Pakistan or India, getting millions of people [to the grounds]. We need to get a better share of the pie, because we were the cash cows for a long time. And we need to get some of that. I am hoping the board follows up on that recommendation where we can be adequately given the money that is needed.” (ESPNcricinfo) 

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Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Sonia Parag has underscored the vital role markets play in fostering both economic growth and social cohesion in communities.

Speaking during a recent episode of the Starting Point Podcast, the minister highlighted that the government, through her ministry have been rehabilitating certain markets and, in some cases, building new ones.  Among the major projects in the pipeline are upgrades to Bourda and Stabroek markets in Georgetown.

Already, two rounds of consultations have been held with vendors about plans for development at the Bourda Market. Parag said funds will be allocated in the 2026 budget for the rehabilitation of the facility. The proposal includes a two-storey structure to maximize space and accommodate more vendors.

“Where you have less space you have to creatively use that space to have more persons be included,” Minister Parag said as she stressed the need for robust consultations, noting that market development is vastly different from housing projects.

At the Stabroek Market, the government has already completed the renovation of 30 washrooms. Attention is now turning to the roof, which has long been a problem. A comprehensive redesign for the entire area is being developed in collaboration with the King’s Foundation.

The King’s Foundation will play a key role in restoring green spaces and preserving Guyana’s historic buildings.

“We can have places such as Stabroek [Market] rework it, but also maintain and preserve its historical features. One, it becomes an economics hub and, two, it becomes a place where families feel safe,” Parag said.

She explained that the transformation at the markets will have to be done in a way that does not disrupt vendors plying their trade.

The government’s vision for the markets aligns with Guyana’s broader sustainable urban development agenda. The market revitalisation plans are expected to unfold over the next five years.

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Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has unveiled plans to transform the East Coast of Demerara and surrounding regions, with major investments in water, electricity, and road infrastructure.

Speaking at a public meeting in Mahaica on Tuesday night, Jagdeo outlined several projects set to be rolled out if the PPP/C is re-elected at the September 1 general and regional elections.

One such initiative is the construction of a large water treatment plant at Hope, similar to the Shelter Belt facility in Georgetown; the plant will treat surface water currently discharged into the Atlantic Ocean.

This treated water will then be supplied across the East Coast of Demerara and potentially to Region Five residents.

Vice President and General Secretary of the incumbent People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo

To address persistent power outages, the Vice President also revealed a major overhaul of the electricity transmission system. Presently, power is transmitted from Georgetown to Berbice using roadside land posts. These posts, Jagdeo explained, are vulnerable to accidents.

“Every time a vehicle hit one of those and we have more vehicles – we are importing 40,000 vehicles per year – and if one of the vehicles hit a post, a whole line of people get black out all the way to Berbice,” Jagdeo said.

And so, the government plans to move transmission lines onto steel towers running from Georgetown to Berbice. This, Jagdeo said, will significantly reduce outages and improve grid reliability.

In the transportation sector, the East Coast corridor is set for extensive road expansion; projects are already underway with the construction of the four-lane railway embankment road.

“There will be another road cut from the Ogle bypass road coming up the East Coast. We would have several lanes going into Georgetown, four lanes on the railway embankment, another four lanes, we would have to upgrade the remaining part on the main road and then maybe another two lanes coming down the back, so people can move faster,” the Vice President explained.

He also spoke of plans to upgrade the remaining sections of the East Coast main road.

He further promised citizens better homes, more safety living conditions, more leisure activities as well as earning more income and more direct help from the government to the less fortunate.

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Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo raised concerns Tuesday night over the frequent visits by Presidential hopeful Azruddin Mohamed and his family to the Venezuelan Embassy in Georgetown.

The family, who has been sanctioned by the United States, also applied for visas to enter Venezuela.

His remarks came just hours after Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd revealed that he had cause to summon Venezuela’s Ambassador to Guyana, Carlos Amador Perez Silva, to explain the visits.

Minister Todd made the disclosure during an interview with the Department of Public Information on Tuesday while providing an update on the border case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Todd described the matter as “a serious concern” given Caracas’ ongoing threats to Guyana’s sovereignty and recent statements by members of the United States Congress linking the Mohameds to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and alleged smuggling activities.

While the Mohameds’ deny any linkages to Maduro, the Vice President on Tuesday night said there is ‘evidence of him’ going to the Venezuelan Embassy.

“…the Venezuelan Ambassador, when summoned by Minister Todd, he said, ‘oh they just applied for a visa’, which maybe more than an application for a visa; it is a more deep-seated connection we have to explore that link,” Jagdeo stated while speaking at a public meeting in Mahaica, East Coast Demerara on Tuesday.

Azruddin Mohamed, in a statement issued on the Team Mohamed’s Facebook page, denied visiting the Venezuelan Embassy. He also denied applying for a visa to travel to Venezuela.

Meanwhile, Minister Todd said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs views the situation as particularly troubling given that Guyana is gearing up for the September 1 general and regional elections.

“We cannot rule out any attempt by Venezuela to interfere in our elections,” he warned.

Azruddin, sanctioned by the U.S Department of Treasury, has formed his political party – WIN – and will be contesting the September 1st elections.

However, Todd said the frequency of these visits fits a “pattern” that aligns with concerns raised internationally.

The Foreign Minister pointed to a series of what he termed “unfriendly acts” by Venezuela in recent years—some amounting to acts of aggression—as part of an evolving strategy to undermine Guyana’s territorial integrity.

The ICJ 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.

Todd emphasised that while Guyana remains committed to good neighbourly relations, the government is closely monitoring any activity that could compromise its sovereignty or democratic processes.

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Education Minister Priya Manickchand has announced that the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) will release the results for the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) and Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) on Friday, August 15.

Speaking on Wednesday, Manickchand expressed cautious optimism about Guyana’s performance, particularly in Mathematics, a subject that posed significant challenges across the region last year.

“We are going to be announcing the CXC results on Friday, the 15th of August… my fingers are crossed that we have done better,” Manickchand said.

Manickchand noted that the Caribbean recorded “very poor” results in Mathematics in 2024.

In response, CXC is expected to roll out a regional programme aimed at improving performance in the subject.

However, she emphasised that Guyana had already taken independent steps to address the issue before the regional intervention.

According to Manickchand, all students sitting the exams were provided with scientific calculators, graph books, past papers, and in-class monitoring as part of a new national strategy.

“So we are really looking forward to those results and we believe we will see better Math results,” Manickchand said.

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