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CARICOM leaders have reaffirmed that no elections were held by Venezuela in Guyana’s Essequibo region, despite Caracas’ claim of staging a “governor” and “legislative council” vote in the territory on May 25, 2025 — an action that directly defied an International Court of Justice (ICJ) order.

Meeting in Montego Bay, Jamaica, at the Forty-Ninth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government, regional leaders underscored their unwavering support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, calling Venezuela’s claims baseless and urging the South American neighbour to comply with international law.

In a clear message to Caracas, CARICOM urged the Venezuelan government to submit its Rejoinder — the final written argument in the ongoing border controversy case — by 11 August 2025, as ordered by the ICJ. The case concerns the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the land boundary between Guyana and Venezuela. Venezuela has long rejected the award and, in recent years, escalated its claims over Guyana’s oil-rich Essequibo region — about two-thirds of Guyana’s national territory.

Tensions intensified in late 2023 when Venezuela held a controversial referendum seeking domestic backing to annex Essequibo and later claimed to have created a new “Guayana Esequiba State.” The ICJ ruled in December 2023 that Venezuela must not take any action to alter Guyana’s control of the area while the case is before the Court.

Heads of Government reiterated that the ongoing ICJ proceedings remain the only legitimate and peaceful means to resolve the longstanding controversy. They warned against any acts or rhetoric that could inflame tensions in the Region and reaffirmed their commitment to upholding international law and the rules-based order.

Guyana, backed by CARICOM and other international partners including the Commonwealth and the Organisation of American States (OAS), maintains that the border is settled and that any attempts by Venezuela to unilaterally annex Essequibo are null and void.

The ICJ is expected to issue a final ruling in the coming years, which Guyana hopes will end the territorial controversy once and for all.

The post No Venezuelan elections held in Essequibo; CARICOM urges Caracas to respect ICJ process appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Guyana has announced that it will host the next INTERPOL Conference in 2026, a move welcomed by regional leaders as they strengthen ties with the world’s largest international police organisation to tackle growing organised crime across the Caribbean.

The announcement came during the recent engagement between Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and His Excellency Valdecy Urquiza, Secretary-General of INTERPOL. Secretary-General Urquiza shared that data collected from INTERPOL member countries confirms that the rise of sophisticated criminal networks, the expanding narcotics trade, and a surge in firearms trafficking are now among the most pressing security threats facing the Region.

The Heads of Government expressed deep appreciation for Secretary-General Urquiza’s presence and insights, acknowledging the vital role of international partnerships in responding to transnational crime. They welcomed the strengthened framework for cooperation through the renewed IMPACS/INTERPOL partnership, which secures the continued presence of INTERPOL’s Liaison Office in Barbados as a hub for coordination and intelligence sharing.

Recognising the need for greater regional capacity to address organised crime, CARICOM leaders requested further assistance from INTERPOL, especially in deploying advanced technology and monitoring systems to bolster border security.

The 2026 INTERPOL Conference in Guyana is expected to further cement this partnership, bringing global law enforcement experts to the country to shape strategies for dismantling organised criminal networks and tackling the flow of illegal guns and drugs into the Caribbean.

The post Guyana to host major INTERPOL conference in 2026  appeared first on News Room Guyana.

 

The upcoming Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit, to be hosted in Georgetown, Guyana from 23 to 25 July 2025, has received the full backing of CARICOM leaders as part of the Region’s stepped-up efforts to tackle the worsening climate crisis.

This commitment was reinforced during the Forty-Ninth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community held in Montego Bay, Jamaica, where leaders reaffirmed their united stance on climate resilience and sustainable development for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

The Heads of Government congratulated the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre on its 20th anniversary and recognised its crucial role in supporting Member States on climate action. However, they expressed concern about declining support from some developed countries for the unique challenges faced by SIDS, stressing that CARICOM negotiators must keep advocating forcefully for fair treatment under the global climate agenda.

Leaders called on major economies to urgently scale up their climate ambitions in line with the Paris Agreement’s Global Stocktake, and to fast-track action to keep the 1.5-degree target within reach. They also reiterated support for the Bridgetown Initiative and demanded reforms to the global financial architecture to ensure greater CARICOM representation and access to climate finance.

Rising insurance costs were flagged as a growing barrier to climate resilience and regional competitiveness, with leaders calling for a significant portion of the new US$300 billion climate finance target to be channelled through multilateral funds for adaptation and loss and damage in SIDS.

Heads of Government further approved a Revised Regional Framework prepared by the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre to strengthen climate resilience across the Region. They also welcomed a landmark Advisory Opinion from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights that recognises the climate crisis as a threat to human rights, providing a legal basis for states to align climate action with their human rights obligations.

The Guyana summit is expected to build on this momentum, uniting stakeholders around biodiversity protection as a vital piece of the Region’s climate response.

The post Guyana’s Biodiversity Summit among key efforts in CARICOM’s push to tackle climate crisis appeared first on News Room Guyana.

A total of 67 contracts were signed by small contractors from Bartica, Region Seven, for the cleaning of drains, culverts, and road shoulders as part of ongoing efforts to mitigate flooding across the region.

The $132.5 million worth of desilting projects, signed on Friday, are expected to significantly impact the lives of the contractors, boost economic activity, and drive growth in the area.

At the signing ceremony, Adrian Bradford told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the income from his project will go a long way to help him build a home for his family.

“I want to thank the government for this help. As a young father of three with a young wife, we were recently awarded the lease for our land, so this will be a great help for us to actually start constructing our home. Development has already begun, and I can only hope for more,” Bradford said.

Ashanti King, a single mother of two who also supports two brothers, said the income from the initiative will help her to open her own business, and this will improve her financial situation.

“I’m currently working on a small business, and this is going to help me get it off the ground. I’m very grateful for this,” King said.

Another beneficiary, John Campbell, said the government’s previous works in his community, Mora Camp, inspired him to get involved in the initiative.

“Before receiving this award, I saw the work the government did in my community, and that alone gave me the confidence that real transformation is happening in Bartica. This initiative gives me more strength knowing the government is working for us and our town,” Campbell shared.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill announced that all of the awardees are first-time beneficiaries of the programme.

He encouraged the new contractors to carry out the works to the highest standard, stressing the importance of quality delivery.

“What we are doing here today is not just passing by and weeding a corner of a drain and moving on. Your involvement at this level means you are partners in development with the government, working to enhance and improve living standards,” the Minister emphasised.

To ensure the works are executed efficiently and to ease any financial burdens, the government is providing up to 50 per cent of the contract sum as a mobilisation advance.

“So, it means that when you get your money, you have enough money to pay the workmen,” Minister Edghill explained.

The funds will also cover the payment of trucks to remove and properly dispose of waste materials.

Strict penalties will be enforced if contractors dump waste on the shoulders of roads.

Meanwhile, this type of investment is not new to Region Seven; just last year, over 60 small contractors also benefited from similar works.

Minister Edghill reiterated the government’s commitment to providing economic opportunities to improve the lives of all Guyanese.

The post 67 Bartica contractors to execute $132.5M drainage, desilting projects appeared first on News Room Guyana.

First Son Zayd Ali has raised $9 million in his second-ever lemonade sale. The funds were immediately handed over to eight animal shelters and organisations.

The event was held this afternoon on the lawns of the State House, where hundreds of people gathered to enjoy an afternoon in the sun with several planned activities for the children.

During the presentation ceremony, Zayd thanked everyone who supported the sale.

“This is my lemonade stand and I really need money for the animals…thank you to everyone that supported,” the first son said with encouragement from his mother.

First Lady Arya Ali also spoke to those who had gathered for the presentation.

“I must commend our supporters, we have raised an amount of nine million dollars. We have eight animal organisations, so it worked out well, and we are willing to give each one of them a million dollars,” she said.

The animal welfare organisations will also receive cat and dog chow along with bags of rice to help support their cause.

“Today I am elated. I am so proud of Zayd. I’m so proud of everyone that came out today, and yes, we gave a voice to the voiceless,” Mrs Ali said.

She also encouraged the beneficiaries to continue the good work they have been doing.

“Continue to do the tremendous work you are doing, I know it’s not an easy job, but I want to say thank you, and you are doing amazing. You know you have my support 100%,” the first lady added.

The organisations that received a million dollars each were Hope for Animals, Tails of Hope, Rosewood Foundation, Ravina’s Rescue, Paws for Cause, Pawsome Oasis Inc., Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Furball and Friends Foundation Inc.

“It is a very good initiative, especially for me. I am glad for it, because Linden has a lot of strays and this donation will help me to offset some of the spray and neuter expenses…I am grateful for the opportunity,” said Anita Narine of Furball and Friends Foundation Inc. from Linden, as she spoke with DPI.

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Information (DPI) also spoke with some of the patrons at the event who were happy to support such a worthy cause.

“It is a great idea of his because I didn’t think anyone had come up with something like this, which is good…the timing, doing it is great because school is closed and the kids could get to come out and take part in whatever activities. There are a lot of activities going on here too, which is good,” said Natasha Alli, who came out with her family.

Aasfa Mohabir also attended the event with her son.

“I think it is a fabulous initiative by the first son of Guyana, and all proceeds, as you know, go to helping animals. I think that’s a phenomenal initiative because pets mean so much to kids, and I am happy to be here and support and drink some lemonade,” she told DPI.

The post Zayd’s lemonade sale raises $9 million for animal welfare appeared first on News Room Guyana.

After both suffering defeats in their first game of the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League, Guyana Amazon Warriors faced off with Central Stags at Guyana National Stadium, Providence, with the home side chalking up their first win by an emphatic 66 runs.

Stags captain Tom Bruce won the toss and inserted the home side, but despite early success it wasn’t long before he may have been ruing his decision.

Matthew Forde provided the early breakthrough when he had opener Johnson Charles neatly caught behind after which Blair Tickner cleaned up Moeen Ali to have the home side in early trouble. Then came the Warriors fight back with the bat.

Eventual Player-of-the-Match Rahmanullah Gurbaz anchored the innings from the top of the order for the Warriors with an impressive 58 from 47 balls, which included three fours and two sixes.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (right) and Jewel Andrew of Guyana Amazon Warriors run between the wickets during the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League T20 match between Central Stags v Guyana Amazon Warriors at Providence Stadium on July 11, 2025 in Georgetown, Guyana. (Photo by Ashley Allen – GSLT20/Global Super League via Getty Images)

A partnership of 84 runs between Gurbaz and Jewel Andrew proved the decisive one of the match.

Andrew, the 18-year-old West Indian batter- of whom none other than Shai Hope recently said “The world will be amazed by his talent”- struck a classy 45 off just 29 balls before a being run out by Forde.

A total of 158-6 for the Warriors felt like a par total, but with only three Stags players reaching double figures in a stuttering innings that saw wickets fall regularly, it turned out to be more than enough to get the home side their first victory of the tournament.

Veteran South African spinner Imran Tahir was the pick of the Warriors bowlers with 4-23, but it was a team performance with ball in hand as Dwaine Pretorious impressed with 3-18 and David Wiese chipped in with 2-13.

They rattled through the Stags batting card and consign them to 92 all out and a hefty defeat that sent them to the root of the table and the Warriors to the top as the GSL gets into full swing. (GSL)

The post Tahir, Pretorius bowl Warriors to massive win after Gurbaz, Andrew star with bat appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Activists of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) have filed an official Police complaint after an incident in which supporters of the recently launched WIN party, led by businessman Azruddin Mohamed, were seen pulling PPP flags from a vehicle and throwing them on the ground, which was caught on video.

Guyana’s main elections law, the Representation of the People Act, addresses disorderly conduct at political meetings. It states that anyone who “acts or incites any other person to act in a disorderly manner for the purpose of preventing the transaction of business for which the meeting was called together shall be guilty of an illegal practice.”

The confrontation, which occurred in the presence of Mohamed — who is the WIN party’s presidential candidate — is being described by PPP activists as a “direct provocation and bullyism as seen by associates similar to encounter with GRA”. The supporters are seen in video removing the flags from the vehicle and discarding them on the roadside, while Mohamed was standing nearby.

Mohamed reportedly encouraged his supporters to prevent the PPP activists from carrying out their political work.

The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) recently reminded all political leaders of their duty to set a tone of respect, restraint, and unity before, during, and after the elections. Among other things, it urged political leaders to consistently call on their supporters to refrain from acts of provocation, intimidation, or hostility towards others.

The PPP activists have also filed a complaint with the ERC.

The post PPP activists file Police report after WIN supporters remove party flags in front of Azruddin Mohamed appeared first on News Room Guyana.

The Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) said five persons were arrested after ranks found five parcels of cocaine in motor cars at Turkeyen.

CANU, in a release, said an intelligence-led operation was conducted on Wednesday in the vicinity of Turkeyen. Two motor cars were intercepted, and several parcels containing a “whitish powdery substance suspected to be cocaine” were found.

Subsequently, five persons were arrested and taken to CANU headquarters along with the suspected narcotics. When tested, the substances were found to be cocaine, amounting to 16.784 kilogrammes.

CANU said investigations are ongoing.

The post Five persons arrested after cocaine bust  appeared first on News Room Guyana.

See below the full statement issued by the Guyana Police Force in response to a statement issued by the Hughes, Fields and Stoby law firm: 

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) wishes to respond to a statement earlier today by Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes, in which he contends that Magistrate Judy Latchman, who is presiding in the ongoing court matter of the Police vs. Marlon DaSilva, for the murder of Kenesha Vaughn, had ordered that all the evidence that the prosecution intends to rely on must be provided to the court and the defence by the 12th May 2025.

In a statement on his personal Facebook page, Hughes said the Magistrate’s directions were communicated to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) on the 30th of April 2025 by way of a letter from his firm, Hughes, Fields and Stoby.

Kenesha Vaughn case: Nigel Hughes’ law firm ready to prosecute but says Police causing delays

However, his erroneous contention is that after the directions of Magistrate Latchman, “the Guyana Police Force still had not provided Hughes Fields and Stoby with all of the evidence and sought to provide additional statements as late as the 26th June 2025, a date long after the date on which statements were ordered to be provided by the Magistrate”.

However, a Senior State Counsel at the DPP Chambers related to the police that a request was made by Hughes on the 30th of April, 2025, was complied with, and the requested documents were obtained by Hughes’ Law Office on the 9th of May, 2025, THREE days ahead of the date set by the Magistrate.

This fact is in stark contrast to the misleading contention by Nigel Hughes. Therefore, Hughes has blatantly attempted to mislead the public by stating that he sought additional statements as late as 26th June 2025.

In addition, reports are that just yesterday, one of Hughes’ associates contacted a police witness at the court and informed the rank that she would seek an adjournment since her senior was not going to be present in court.

The Guyana Police Force wishes to reiterate that, in the ongoing ‘trial’ of the Police vs. Marlon DaSilva, for the murder of Kenesha Vaughn, the matter is NOT being prosecuted by the Police.

In fact, Hughes applied to the Director of Public Prosecutions and was granted a Fiat to appear for the Prosecution. Therefore, Hughes and his associates have had sole conduct of the prosecution of this matter since the 17th day of March 2025.

The GPF will raise this issue with the DPP to have the Fiat revoked since the private prosecutor has clearly demonstrated an inability to successfully move the prosecution forward.

Finally, for the capital offence of murder, this state of affairs is unacceptable.

The post Guyana Police Force responds to Hughes, Fields & Stoby statement  appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Dr Asha Kissoon, who defied her political partners and refused to vacate her seat in the National Assembly, has said she has no apologies for what she did.

Her decision, she explained, was driven by being stonewalled and berated by those who were supposed to support her. Refusing to be a puppet, she said she fought for her place in the National Assembly and kept it, arguing that to hand it over would have been dangerous.

“I need to remind people that this is politics, not church,” she told the News Room on Friday.

Dr Asha Kissoon offers ‘no comment’ after accused of blocking seat in Parliament

She said her decision has since been justified, as her replacement would have come from ANUG, which has now teamed up with Azruddin Mohamed, who, along with his father and their businesses, has been sanctioned by the United States.

Dr Kissoon stressed that she was not paid, coerced, or asked by the ruling PPP to hold on to her seat, reasoning that with a majority, the PPP did not rely on her vote for anything.

Dr Kissoon’s TNM party, together with the LJP and ANUG, had contested the 2020 general elections as one; when the election results showed their combined votes only secured them a single seat, they agreed to rotate it.

LJP’s Lennox Shuman went first, and next it was ANUG’s turn. But it was ANUG that decided to let TNM go next, and Dr Kissoon took up the seat and served as Deputy Speaker.

The parties had agreed that any contributions in the National Assembly would be collectively decided.

However, Kissoon said that once she entered the National Assembly, she did not receive the promised support. She said she would submit motions, bills and other information but received no feedback.

So when it came time to vote on issues in the National Assembly, she went ahead. She said the first time she did so, she was rebuked and told she didn’t have permission to vote.

Dr Kissoon said that was the turning point when she decided it was in the country’s best interest to remain in the seat.

So, Dr Kissoon said, she decided to play the game — and would do it all over again.

“I have accepted that I broke the agreement, but I am okay with the decision I made.”

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