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President Dr. Irfaan Ali has challenged businessman Azruddin Mohamed to provide proof that he ever presented the true invoice of a Lamborghini Aventador to the Office of the President, dismissing claims that he authorised any tax waiver related to the luxury vehicle as “ridiculous”.

“The authority to waive taxes rests with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and its Commissioner General. At no time have I instructed the GRA on any tax matter regarding Mr Mohamed,” the President said in an invited comment to the News Room on Thursday. 

“I would definitely like Mr Mohamed to share any information in which he presented to me the true invoice of the vehicle which is now available to GRA. It is ridiculous for Mr Mohamed to suggest otherwise.”

Dr. Ali further clarified that while tax matters are frequently brought to the attention of the presidency, they are appropriately referred to the GRA, which operates independently in such matters.

“Any matter in relation to taxes – and many such matters are raised with the president – are sent to the GRA. In this instance, the GRA made it very clear to Mr Mohamed that they were investigating the true value of the vehicle and in the course of that investigation the true value of the vehicle is now established,” he added.

Mohamed made the claim outside the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, shortly after he was granted $500,000 bail. He had just pleaded not guilty to two criminal charges related to fraudulent declarations made to the GRA concerning the vehicle’s importation.

Azzurdin Mohamed at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court

The charges stem from an investigation that revealed major discrepancies in the declared value of the Lamborghini Aventador. Mohamed is accused of declaring the vehicle at just US$76,000 — a figure vastly lower than the US$695,000 indicated in original purchase documents now in the hands of authorities.

The evidence, submitted in a supplemental 78-page affidavit filed in the High Court last week, includes the original invoice obtained through the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) between Guyana and the United States.

GRA attorneys argue the under-declaration was no clerical error but a deliberate act of fraud intended to evade substantial taxes. A conviction could lead to fines ranging from $10,000 to three times the value of the evaded taxes, as well as imprisonment of up to three years.

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Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo labelled the May 25 Venezuelan elections for Guyana’s Essequibo region a huge failure, rejecting propaganda emanating from the Spanish-speaking nation.

The elections were for governor and other representatives of the Essequibo region, an area internationally recognised as Guyana’s. The elections were, however, held in Venezuela.

Jagdeo said no Guyanese went across to Venezuela to vote in these elections, and that a video, shared by Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodriguez and purporting that Guyanese were crossing the border to vote, was fake. Rodriguez’s video has since been debunked and rejected, as it was merely a video of passengers crossing the Demerara River, with the Stabroek Market in the background.

“Nobody crossed, it’s a rejection. Nobody wants to be part of Venezuela

“… The people of Guyana, they know, instinctively, genetically, that every bit of the 83,000 square miles of our territory belongs to us,” the Guyanese Vice President said at a party press conference on Thursday.

The Vice President also expressed his pride that Guyanese, particularly those living in border communities, stood tall and reaffirmed Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. However, he criticised the local opposition for withholding their support on a recent Parliamentary motion on reaffirming Guyana’s sovereignty over its internationally recognised territory.

Guyana maintains that Essequibo is an integral part of its sovereign territory, a position upheld by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in its December 2023 ruling. So it believes that the Venezuelan elections are a violation of the ICJ’s orders and international law.

 

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Assistant Commissioner of Police, Edgar Thomas, who was the Police Commander of Region Four in March 2020, on Thursday admitted that he destroyed his diary issued by the Police and which contained confidential information in relation to the March 2020 General and Regional elections.

Thomas made this revelation as he testified under oath before acting Chief Magistrate, Faith McGusty as the trial into the March 2020 electoral fraud continues.

During the 2020 elections, Thomas headed Police Division 4. This means he had responsibility for areas within the entire city of Georgetown, stretching all the way to the arch at Eccles, East Bank Demerara.

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Command Center was situated at the Ashmins Building in Georgetown. There, Thomas was responsible for external security.

Thursday’s hearing commenced with Thomas being crossed examined by defence attorney, Eusi Anderson.

During his hours-long cross examination, Thomas, among other things, admitted that he received information from the then Commissioner of Police Leslie James to ensure that the Command Center and all elections material were protected.

This, he said was documented in his personal diary which was issued to him by the Guyana Police Force.

Like many other organisations, the police force issues a diary to its ranks. The diary is used for the ranks’ personal use.

It is not for official use like a pocket book. So, this means Thomas can do what he wishes with it.

And so he did. Thomas told the court that in 2023, three years after the elections, he destroyed the diary since it contained “classified” information. He could not disclose any other details due to its confidentiality.

“Because the way the source of information come from I know it had to be classified.

“I am unable to tell the court the details of my classified information,” Thomas told the court.

Classified information in law enforcement means confidential.

For example, if a source divulged information, ranks are not allowed to reveal the source or details of any of the information provided.

Destruction of the diary, Thomas told the court is something he does periodically.

The defence forced heavily on Thomas credibility. Thomas is currently the Head of the Presidential Guard, a position he held since 2020.

One, which he told the court he is confident he is capable of holding and do so with “integrity and professionalism”.

Further, during cross examination by defence attorney, Nigel Hughes, Thomas said he didn’t tie the events of the 2020 elections to the destruction of his diary.

Nine individuals are currently before the court, charged with conspiring to manipulate the election results in favour of APNU+AFC, thereby seeking to deny victory to the PPP. Those charged include former government minister Volda Lawrence, former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, former Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, and former Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers, among others.

The controversy surrounding the March 2020 elections delayed the results for five months until PPP candidate Irfaan Ali was sworn in as president in August 2020.

The trial continues on Friday.

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General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, on Thursday said the party will spend the next few months campaigning on its track record in office.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali recently announced that Guyana’s General and Regional Elections will be held on September 1, 2025. Ahead of those elections, Jagdeo, of the governing PPP, said the PPP is ready for the elections and confident it has fulfilled promises made to Guyanese.

“We are going to campaign on our track record and what the PPP stewardship has meant to people

“We have consistently been the sole party that fought for people’s freedom, democracy, and to ensure that all Guyanese can prosper,” Jagdeo said at a party press conference on Thursday.

He added, “… the reason we are ready is because we have kept faith with the people.”

Jagdeo, who is also a former President and current Vice President, posited that the PPP is not a party of “underachievers” and said a list of the 2020 manifesto promises achieved and exceeded will be issued soon. He vowed that the PPP will continue to push for Guyana’s progress.

Meanwhile, Dr. Jagdeo also reminded the public that President Ali will return as the PPP’s Presidential Candidate. According to the Vice President, Dr. Ali is the “right person” leading the country.

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England racked up 400 to begin Harry Brook’s reign as captain with a comprehensive 238-run defeat of West Indies in the first one-day international at Edgbaston.

Brook, Ben Duckett and Joe Root all posted half-centuries, but the most impressive contribution came from Jacob Bethell, who struck 82 from 53 balls.

England’s 400-8 after being asked to bat was the sixth time they have reached 400 in an ODI, their highest total in three years and best against a Test-playing nation since they won the World Cup in 2019.

West Indies were ordinary with the ball and would have conceded plenty more had they not taken three superb catches.

The chase was a non-event, the second half of the game little more than a procession after Saqib Mahmood ran through the West Indies top order for 3-32.

The highlight was Brydon Carse’s spectacular catch at deep square leg to hold West Indies captain Shai Hope off Mahmood. The tourists were hustled out for 162 in 26.2 overs.

The lack of spectacle will matter little to England, who were desperate for any sort of victory after a wretched 18 months in white-ball cricket.

This ended a seven-match losing streak in ODIs and the series can be sealed with victory in Cardiff on Sunday. (BBC)

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President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali welcomed the massive DROMINC Asphalt Plant located along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, describing it as a gateway to deeper relations between Guyana and Colombia.

Created in 2024 in Guyana, DROMINC is a Colombian company that supplies asphalt mixture and stone aggregates, including the service of extension and compaction of the mixture. It is expected to serve Guyana’s booming construction sector with many infrastructure projects currently underway.

This massive plant was inaugurated by a simple ribbon cutting ceremony held on Wednesday evening. Attendees included President Ali, the Former President of Colombia, Ivan Duque and Chief Investment Officer from the Guyana Office for Investment, Dr Peter Ramsaroop among other representatives from DROMINC and the local private sector.

“Today is also about building relationship between two countries, because you can go back now and tell your private sector about your own experience, not about propaganda, not about …some perception, but –reality,” President Ali underscored in his remarks.  

Guyana’s head of state also recognised former President Duque’s consistent international advocacy and support for Guyana

Beyond just an asphalt plant, the president reemphasised that this single investment represents the opening up of doors and creating new opportunities for foreign investors, including Colombia.

He encouraged Colombian businesses to go beyond their traditional markets and consider regional expansion, particularly in precast materials, affordable construction solutions, and climate-resilient infrastructure.

DROMINC is a company that supplies asphalt mixture and stone aggregates, including the service of extension and compaction of the mixture, serving the construction sector of Guyana

DROMINC is a company that supplies asphalt mixture and stone aggregates, including the service of extension and compaction of the mixture, serving the construction sector of Guyana

The president also suggested positioning Guyana as a hub for rapid disaster response in the Caribbean, calling for more research and development to support this vision, from Colombian investors and others alike.

Speaking on this specifically, he said, “I want to encourage you to work in your field, yes …but what about the next market? … How do we get affordable concrete blocks made in Guyana in every single market within the region, the Caribbean region?  How do we get precast tiles in every single market in the Caribbean?”

The head of state also urged investors to consider how they can integrate with local services to minimise costs and increase operational efficiency, as the local capacity has been built over the past years.

Looking back, President Ali noted that Guyana likely was not part of Colombia’s initial expansion plans– yet it has become a global story of transformation.

This is not by accident, but is, “driven by a multi-dimensional approach to national development and global positioning. And in that multi-dimensional approach, we are building a country to address all the global challenges that we face,” the president pointed out, noting that this includes food, energy and climate security and enhancing interregional trade.

He pointed to the Linden-Soesdyke Highway as an example of Guyana’s infrastructural transformation. Previously seen as just a route out of Georgetown, it has now become a core development corridor.  The government is reconstructing the highway and billions of Guyanese dollars are being invested in diverse sectors along it, including agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and urbanisation.

Other ambitious initiatives such as the Linden to Lethem Road, the new Corentyne River Bridge, and major infrastructure connecting Region Seven’s communities were highlighted. Looking ahead, President Ali said the government evisions bringing in three million annual visitors, leveraging the services and infrastructure being built. This includes expansion at the international airport and the creation of a robust ecosystem for tourism, investment, and innovation, among others.

Meanwhile, Member of the executive board of directors of DROMINC, DROMOS Pavimentos and Incominerias, Rafael Reyes,  recalled the group’s initial visit to Guyana, which he said opened their eyes to new possibilities.

That experience, he informed the audience, not only revealed investment potential, but a deeper opportunity to contribute to the country’s growth.

“We are not here for a one-time opportunity. Rather, it is a demonstration of our confidence in President Irfaan Ali’s national vision. Under his leadership, Guyana has achieved extraordinary results,” he expressed.

Additional scene from the inauguration ceremony on Wednesday evening

Additional scene from the inauguration ceremony on Wednesday evening

Additional scene from the inauguration ceremony on Wednesday evening

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Attorney General Anil Nandlall  is leading Guyana’s delegation to the 60th Plenary of the Caribbean Financial Action  Task  Force  (CFATF),  taking  place  in Trinidad  and  Tobago  from  May 25–30, 2025.

The CFATF Plenary, held biannually, brings together member states to discuss key issues related to anti-money laundering, countering the financing of terrorism, and counter-proliferation financing (AML/CFT/CPF). The sessions include both Working  Group  and Plenary Meetings and are aimed at fostering international cooperation and compliance with global financial standards. The current Chair of the CFATF is the Hon. Fayval Williams, Minister of Finance and Public Service of Jamaica.

Guyana’s delegation includes:

●  Dr. Gobind Ganga, Governor of the Bank of Guyana

●  Mr. Matthew Langevine, Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit

●  Mr.  Navindra  Datt  Prashad,  Deputy  Commissioner,  Guyana  Revenue Authority

●  Deputy  Commissioner  of  Police  Fazil  Karimbaksh,  Head of the Special Organised Crime Unit

●  Mr. Rommel St. Hill, AML/CFT Officer, Ministry of Legal Affairs

●  Mr.  Jimmy  Reece,  Deputy  Commissioner,  Guyana  Geology  and  Mines Commission

●  Mrs. Diana O’Brien and Ms. Natasha Backer, Assistant Directors of Public Prosecutions

●  Ms. Alanna Lall, General Counsel, Guyana Securities Council

●  Mr. Victor Herbert, Compliance Officer, Gaming Authority and

●  Mr. Visal Satram, Legal Officer, Ministry of Natural Resources

In  his  address  to  the  Plenary,  the  Hon.  Attorney  General  emphasized  the importance of enhancing training for the main stakeholders in the AML/CFT/CPF framework.

In particular, he highlighted that judicial training is key for there to be strong legislative enforcement and high conviction rates. He stressed that the legislation is sui generis, and by its nature, invasive and even draconian when compared with ordinary criminal legislation.

‘This  legislative  reality  is  not  yet fully appreciated by those charged with the responsibility  of  interpreting  and  applying  it.  Not  surprisingly,  almost  every country in the Caribbean suffers from the identified deficiency of a low conviction rate coupled with grave difficulty in securing appropriate orders under the legislation. So one may have strong investigations and robust prosecutions, but fail to secure the desired results, because of a tribunal’s approach, interpretation and application of the relevant legislation.

One  way  to  address  this  problem,  is  a  structured  and  centrally  orchestrated training programme across the Caribbean, that involves perhaps the guidance of judges  from  jurisdictions  that  have high frequency of convictions, such as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and the United States,’ the Attorney General said.

A highlight of the 60th Plenary is the discussion of mutual evaluations for Curaçao and Sint Maarten. Notably, Mrs. Diana O’Brien, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Guyana, was appointed by the CFATF to serve as a Legal Assessor for the mutual evaluation of Curaçao. This marks a significant milestone, as these are the final two jurisdictions to be evaluated under the Fourth Round of Assessments. The Plenary will also review follow-up reports from Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Guyana is slated to report on its progress at the 61st CFATF Plenary, scheduled to be held in Barbados in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Additionally, Guyana was formally recognized at the recent CFATF Risk Trends and  Methods  Group  (CRTMG)  for  its contributions to the project on “Money Laundering Vulnerabilities in the Financial Arrangements of Non-Traditional Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs).”

The initiative, on behalf of Guyana, was led by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), represented by Mrs. Rajni Boodhoo Moore. The final report from this project will be published on the CFATF website.

The Fifth Round of Mutual Evaluations will begin in 2026, with Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica scheduled for assessment.

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Two drivers are among four persons injured following an accident on the Canje Bridge in East Canje, Berbice on Wednesday morning.

According to information reaching the News Room, the incident occurred around 6:30 hrs and involved two motor vehicles: a car with the license plate PAC, driven by 18-year-old Jerome King of Lot 723 Fort Ordinance Housing Scheme, and another car with the license plate PWW, driven by 48-year-old Ganesh Singh of Lot 617 Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice.

Singh’s vehicle had two passengers: Babita Ramcham, a 48-year-old resident of No. 73 Village, Corentyne, and Dhanwantie Somra, a 26-year-old female from No. 72 Village, Corentyne.

It is alleged that the two cars were traveling in the opposite directions. While in the process of overtaking, one of the vehicles collided head-on with the oncoming car.

After the two vehicles collided, the occupants were safely extracted while conscious, thanks to the efforts of Emergency Medical Technician personnel and public-spirited citizens. They were then transported to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, where they received medical attention from the doctor on duty.

Dhanwantie was treated for cuts and bruises and subsequently discharged. Babita was treated and admitted with a fractured right leg.

Jerome received treatment for a fractured right leg and left shoulder, while Ganesh was treated for a fractured right hand. Both Jerome and Ganesh were admitted to the hospital, and their conditions are currently stable.

Investigations into the accident are ongoing.

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West Indies didn’t qualify for the last two ICC 50-over tournaments- the 2023 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy- but it is arguable whether that was any more embarrassing than the dismal campaigns England put together in India and Pakistan.

With another failure at the T20 World Cup sandwiched in between, it did not require much deliberation for Jos Buttler to step down after less than three years as captain.

His successor was picked from a very short shortlist, but while there is little doubt that Harry Brook has the minerals for captaincy, the question for England is whether a first-choice all-formats player can succeed in the job given the current schedule?

With a calendar that includes series against West Indies (ODI and T20I), India (Tests), South Africa (ODI and T20I), Ireland (ODI), New Zealand (ODI and T20I), Australia (Test) and Sri Lanka (ODI and T20I) before he can even begin to think about the 2026 T20 World Cup in February, the odds are that something will have to give.

Even Brook himself picked the Ashes as his priority when unveiled last month.

But, for now, England have made a show of giving their ODI rebuild the attention it deserves by calling back Buttler, Jacob Bethell and Will Jacks from the IPL, despite their teams’ involvement in the tournament’s pointy end.

West Indies, by contrast, have allowed Romario Shepherd and Sherfane Rutherford to stay in India, even with potentially vital ranking points (which will determine World Cup qualification) at stake.

West Indies currently sit ninth in the ICC rankings, three points behind England and five points ahead of Bangladesh, with the top eight aside from co-hosts South Africa (sixth) and Zimbabwe (11th) going straight to the World Cup rather than having to fight through a qualifying event.

Bilateral ODI engagements are often seen as context-free, but there is real jeopardy for England- who have never missed out on the World Cup- if they don’t improve on a grim recent record that reads three series wins (one of them against Ireland) in their last 11 going back to mid-2022.

Brook, at least, is well rested, with just one appearance for Yorkshire and last week’s three-day Test against Zimbabwe since the Champions Trophy in March (he is, of course, banned from the IPL after pulling out at late notice, but we won’t get into those weeds).

Even with Jofra Archer and Mark Wood out injured, he will still be able to call on a trio of 2019 World Cup winners, with Buttler continuing in the ranks, Joe Root ready to anchor the top order and Adil Rashid undisputed as England’s all-time leading white-ball spinner.

In fact, the revolution has been far from bloody, with Liam Livingstone and Phil Salt the main casualties following three defeats from three at the Champions Trophy.

Brydon Carse is fit to restate his case, so too Bethell after being injured on the tour of India, while Jacks, Jamie Smith, Matthew Potts, Jamie Overton and Tom Hartley are all backed to keep learning the ropes in a format that quickly disappears from sight in between ICC events.

Smith, who endured a tough time at No.3 last time out, is set to open alongside Duckett, in a further show of England’s belief in his immense potential.

West Indies, as ever, will hope to disrupt England’s plans – as they did at home in 2023-24 and 2024-25, on both occasions winning the ODI encounters.

A heavy defeat against Ireland last week was a reminder of some of their weaknesses, but they responded by piling up scores of 352-8 and 385-7.

In Shai Hope (11th) and Gudakesh Motie (sixth) they have the highest-ranked batter and bowler on either side, and in Daren Sammy a coach who will squeeze every last drop out of the players at his disposal as they too seek an escape from the doldrums in 50-over cricket.

Playing XIs

West Indies are missing the services of Shepherd and Rutherford until the conclusion of their IPL involvement, who were replaced by Jediah Blades and Shimron Hetmyer respectively.

Jewel Andrew is the other spare batter, while it will likely come down to a choice between Shamar Joseph’s pace and Jayden Seales’ accuracy to complete the attack.

West Indies: (possible) 1 Brandon King, 2 Evin Lewis, 3 Keacy Carty, 4 Shai Hope (capt & wk), 5 Amir Jangoo, 6 Justin Greaves, 7 Roston Chase, 8 Matthew Forde, 9 Alzarri Joseph, 10 Gudakesh Motie, 11 Shamar Joseph/Jayden Seales

England: 1 Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, 3 Joe Root, 4 Harry Brook (capt), 5 Jos Buttler (wk), 6 Jacob Bethell, 7 Will Jacks, 8 Jamie Overton, 9 Brydon Carse, 10 Adil Rashid, 11 Saqib Mahmood (ESPNcricinfo)

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The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) will launch its Referee and Judges seminar today (May 29) from 09:00h at the Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis Gym in Albouystown, conducted by James Beckles, an International Boxing Association (IBA) Three-Star Referee and Judge.

Beckles will lead the certification process as part of the GBA’s ongoing efforts to elevate the standards of boxing officiating in Guyana, coming at a time when amateur boxing is experiencing a remarkable resurgence in the sport, particularly in its youth and junior divisions.

An Olympic and World Boxing Referees Instructor and Evaluator, Beckles most recently served as Chief Instructor and the top Evaluator for officiating at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, further highlighting the calibre of expertise he brings to this initiative.

The certification course will blend theoretical instruction with practical application.

Participants will get the opportunity to put their training to the test during a national boxing tournament hosted by the GBA from May 31 to June 1.

The tournament will double as a live assessment platform, with Beckles evaluating the performance of aspiring referees, judges, and technical officials.

Guyana’s emergence on the international boxing stage continues to gain momentum.

Most recently, Abiola Jackman made history by becoming the first Guyanese boxer to win gold at the AMBC Elite Championships.

Currently, Guyana is represented by one IBA Three-Star coach, Sebert Blake, following the passing of the revered Terrence Poole (MS), who also held the elite distinction.

“Our boxers deserve the best possible support system, and that includes having competent, certified officials in their corner,” GBA president Steve Ninvalle stated.

According to Ninvalle, the seminar reflects on the GBA’s commitment to ensuring that every jab, hook, and decision in the ring is governed with fairness, professionalism and world-class expertise.

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