AGP Executive Report

Oil & Taxes: New reporting says Stabroek Block partners ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC left Guyana with about US$2.4B in unpaid taxes in 2025, raising fresh questions as the country also moves to borrow US$2.6B for the 2026 budget. Essequibo Diplomacy: Venezuela’s National Assembly deputy Pompeyo Torrealba says there can be “no solution” outside the Geneva Agreement, rejecting the ICJ’s unilateral case. Court Watch: The High Court ordered VP Bharrat Jagdeo to pay about $17M in damages and costs in the Charles Ceres defamation matter. Housing & Procurement: Forty-one contractors bid for Region 3 Police HQ (Leonora), while the Housing Ministry says it has engaged INTERPOL and the FBI to track contractor Omar Malik over Young Professional Homes. Water & Food Security: GWI will spend about $251M to drill wells at Houston and Garden of Eden, and the Regional Food Hub at Yarrowkabra is about half complete. UN Politics: President Ali announced Guyana will nominate Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett for UN Secretary-General. Justice Reform: A PACE-funded workshop trains police investigators and prosecutors to improve case handling and cut backlogs.

SOCU Convictions: Yuri Garcia Dominguez and Ateeka Ishmael were convicted and sentenced by Magistrate Sunil Scarce for running an unregistered Ponzi scheme that defrauded thousands of investors of hundreds of millions, with both jailed for a year and fined G$1M each. Firearms Seizure: Police seized 23 AK-47 rifles and 529 rounds of ammunition in Schoonard, West Bank Demerara, arresting a Venezuelan national after an intelligence-led stop. Domestic Violence Politics: WIN MP Deon La Cruz was granted $125,000 bail after assault and threatening behaviour charges; opposition figures are calling for accountability while investigations continue. Justice System Training: A PACE-funded workshop brought investigators and prosecutors together to improve case handling and reduce backlogs. Sex Offences Bill Row: Minister Gail Teixeira says the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill had year-long consultations, as critics dispute claims about the sex offenders registry’s “closed” model. Housing Contractor Probe: The Housing Ministry says it has engaged INTERPOL, the FBI and CARICOM IMPACS to pursue Omar Malik and DreamVu Homes over unfinished Young Professional Homes. International Spotlight: Guyana nominated Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett for UN Secretary-General. Security in the Region: US and Venezuela announced the killing of Tren de Aragua leader “Niño Guerrero” in a joint operation. Tourism Boost: Guyana recorded 40,149 visitor arrivals in May, up 20.6%, driven by Diamond Jubilee events.

UN Bid: President Ali announced Guyana will nominate Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett for UN Secretary-General, citing the country’s growing global role. Sex Offences Bill Fallout: Minister Gail Teixeira insists the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill had extensive consultation, as public pressure continues over the sex offender database provisions and the bill’s handling. Housing Accountability: The Housing Ministry says it has engaged INTERPOL, the FBI and CARICOM IMPACS to pursue contractor Omar Malik over unfinished Young Professional Homes. Oil & Power: ExxonMobil admitted it used Guyana’s oil to pay for the dormant gas pipeline to Wales, while Guyana’s fertiliser plans also draw Brazil’s interest. Crime & Courts: Former MoH drug bond attendant Terrence Williams was committed for High Court trial on money laundering; two convicted Ponzi operators (Yuri Garcia Dominguez and Ateeka Ishmael) were jailed and fined. Security: CANU arrested a Venezuelan with 23 AK-47 rifles and ammunition; police also charged a fisherman over ammunition possession. Governance & Services: VP Jagdeo’s Region Five outreach drew hundreds of complaints, and he assured pre-qualified small contractors of at least one job this year. Public Health: Health Minister Anthony says Guyana is nearing the end of the tunnel for targeted disease elimination efforts. Sports: Hockey’s Diamond Jubilee Cup opened with wins for GCC Elite and Old Fort.

CARICOM Trade Talks in Georgetown: The 62nd COTED opened at the CARICOM Secretariat with Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett warning that energy-market and supply-chain shocks are pushing up fuel, food and fertiliser costs, threatening inflation and food security across the region. Sex Offences Bill Backlash: After public outcry, Government ordered the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill 2026 sent to a Parliamentary Special Select Committee, shifting away from a closed offender registry toward a public database. Education Anti-Bullying Push: The Ministry of Education says it collected 1,000+ recommendations for a new anti-bullying and anti-violence policy, including school clubs, peer advocates and stronger, standardised consequences. Development Bank Scrutiny: Critics are calling for the Guyana Development Bank Bill to go to a Special Select Committee, arguing the draft leaves key lending terms unclear. Oil and Energy Watch: Brazil’s vice minister says Brazil is looking to Guyana as a fertiliser source, while Goldman Sachs cut its 2027 Brent forecast to $80/bbl amid demand risks. Crime and Justice: Police identified the armed suspect shot during a Mandela Avenue supermarket robbery as 24-year-old Emmanuel Smith; the force also says many dismissed cases hinge on reluctant or missing witnesses. Health and Inclusion: First Lady Arya Ali announced Guyana’s first specialised autism school later this year, alongside reports of expanded robotic surgery services at GPHC.

Domestic Violence Arrest: WIN MP Deon La Cruz was arrested after police allege he assaulted his wife and a 4-year-old child in Moruca, North West District, with the child and woman reportedly injured; he remains in custody as investigations continue. CARICOM Trade Talks: CARICOM trade ministers opened the 62nd COTED meeting in Georgetown, with leaders warning that high fuel, food and fertiliser costs and supply-chain shocks are threatening inflation and food security across the region. Justice System Training: A PACE Justice Project workshop is underway to improve cooperation between police investigators and prosecutors, aiming to cut case delays and reduce backlogs. Sex Offences Registry Row: Consultation records from Linden and Georgetown reportedly contradict Human Services Minister Dr. Vindhya Persaud’s claims about support for a closed sex offenders register, renewing calls for full public release of reports. Oil Cleanup Fund Control: Government says it still has no say in the US$1B oil decommissioning/clean-up fund, which companies have already set aside. Crime & Courts: SOCU secured convictions for Ponzi scheme operators Yuri Garcia Dominguez and Ateeka Ishmael, while Devin Sears was freed of a drug trafficking charge after a no-case submission was upheld. Energy Project Update: Wales Gas-to-Energy timelines were pushed again, with one turbine expected by end-2026 and further commissioning into 2027.

Sex Offences Bill Backlash: President Irfaan Ali has ordered the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill sent to a Select Committee after public outrage over a proposed “closed” sex offenders registry, with VP Bharrat Jagdeo saying the Cabinet believes any register must be public. Child Protection Push: Opposition MP Amanza Walton-Desir is demanding hard data on what happened to 584 under-16 pregnancy cases referred to the Childcare and Protection Agency from 2020 to 2025, questioning whether prosecutions match the scale of referrals. Murder Cases in Court: A jury found Anil Sancharra and Vinod Gopaul guilty of the 2020 Henry cousins murders, while in the Zeelugt case, “Max” (Shaeed Mohammed) faces additional charges expected as the mother demands answers after the killing of 7-year-old Adriel Mohamed. Crime Update: Police say an armed robbery suspect was shot dead during an attempted robbery at a Mandela Avenue supermarket, and cannabis was found in a garbage heap at Mahdia with no arrest made. Local Development: Carifesta Avenue Road rehabilitation is progressing in phases, and new fire stations are set for Rosignol (Region 5) and Cumberland (Region 6). Air Cargo Boost: Cargojet Airways will start weekly non-scheduled cargo flights to Guyana for DHL Express from June 12.

Sex Offences Bill U-turn: After public backlash over a “closed” sex offenders registry, President Irfaan Ali ordered the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill sent to a Special Select Committee, with Jagdeo saying any register must be public. Development Bank warning: Former ambassador Dr. C. Kenrick Hunte cautioned that the Guyana Development Bank Act 2026 could turn the bank into a welfare agency, pointing to provisions allowing loans “with or without collateral” and “with or without charging interest.” Labour unrest at Wales GTE: Bus drivers protested unpaid salaries at the Gas-to-Energy project in Wales, with workers saying they’ve gone months without pay. Crime and courts: A WIN MP, Deon La Cruz, was arrested over alleged domestic violence involving his wife and a four-year-old child; police also arrested four after “Curry” was beaten to death at Honey Camp Landing, and five were detained after an armed home invasion at Good Hope. Public safety and infrastructure: NPTAB awarded $329M for new fire stations in Regions 5 and 6, while police urged logging truck drivers through Linden to follow road safety measures. Business and connectivity: Cargojet Airways will start weekly non-scheduled cargo flights for DHL Express from June 12. Oil sector: ExxonMobil and the government are in advanced talks to appoint a neutral expert to resolve a US$214M cost recovery dispute.

Health System Crackdown: President Irfaan Ali warned regional health officers and hospital managers that bypassing Guyana’s new centralized medical supply system will mean immediate termination, as the state moves to make one procurement framework the only legal route for drugs and supplies. Zeelugt Murder Case: A 23-year-old man, “Max” Shaeed Mohammed, was charged with the murder of 7-year-old Adriel Mohamed and remanded to prison, with the matter set for July 20. Henry Boys Verdict: After six years, a Berbice jury found Anil Sanchara and Vinod Gopaul guilty of murdering cousins Isaiah and Joel Henry. GuySuCo Funding Firestorm: Former Finance Minister Winston Jordan slammed a fresh $3B GuySuCo bailout as another round of spending with “no realistic path to recovery.” Child Protection Data Doubts: Opposition MP Amanza Walton-Desir questioned whether state interventions for girls who became pregnant are working, citing gaps in outcome tracking. Cancer Care Push: The Lotus Cancer Initiative honoured 18 survivors at “Stories of Strength,” while highlighting ongoing gaps in awareness and access to treatment. Regional Trade Finance: CDB and IDB Invest signed a US$25M guarantee facility to boost trade financing across Caribbean markets. Agriculture Innovation Hub: Guyana and Brazil signed on to establish a regional agri-science and technology hub to scale tropical farming solutions. Energy Update: The Guyana National Control Centre (US$9M) for the Wales Gas-to-Energy project is on track for August 2026 operations.

Oil & Accountability: ExxonMobil and partners reported 2025 profits far outpacing Guyana’s take, with Exxon alone earning about US$6B before tax versus Guyana receiving about US$2.5B in oil revenue—sparking fresh questions about how benefits are shared. Exxon vs Government: Exxon is still contesting US$214M in questioned expenses from 1999–2017, with both sides yet to agree on a “sole expert” under the PSA, raising the prospect of ICC involvement. Energy Infrastructure: A US$9M Guyana National Control Centre at Wales Gas-to-Energy is progressing through testing and is expected to be fully operational by August 2026 to strengthen real-time power management. Crime & Justice: A 23-year-old farmer accused of killing 7-year-old Adriel Mohamed and stabbing his great-aunt was arraigned after confessing, and the case is moving forward in court. Sex Offences Registry: Human Services Minister Vindyha Persaud says the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill’s closed registry model is backed by public consultation, amid criticism over access. Agriculture Innovation: Guyana launched a Caribbean Sustainable Agriculture STI Hub with Brazil, EMBRAPA and IICA to scale tropical agri-tech and boost regional food security. Health: Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony says breast cancer screening is expanding beyond Georgetown, with plans for wider regional access and more early-detection efforts.

Diaspora Celebrations: Over 10,000 people turned out for Guyana’s 60th Independence Diamond Jubilee in Brooklyn, New York, with a major street parade and Unity Concert drawing lawmakers and MPs across political lines. Public Finance Firestorm: Former Finance Minister Winston Jordan blasted the government’s $54.8B supplementary budget as “out of control,” saying Parliament has become a rubber stamp. Oil & Gas Update: ExxonMobil Guyana reported $982.4B in after-tax profit for 2025 and the government is reviewing Exxon’s request to ramp output at the One Guyana FPSO toward about 945,000 bpd. Procurement Watch: Auditor General findings flagged nearly $210M in contracts tied to procurement irregularities, including contract splitting by the Guyana Police Force and missing evaluation committee steps in Region Five. Child Protection Data Gap: A parliamentary response says 584 girls under 16 were referred to the CPA from 2020-2025, but the ministry can’t say how many gave birth. Health System Enforcement: President Ali warned health officials they’ll be dismissed for bypassing the medical procurement system. Crime: A breakthrough in the Zeelugt 7-year-old murder case saw a 23-year-old farmer arrested after an alleged confession. Sport: Jamaica Empress was confirmed as the fourth team in the expanded 2026 Women’s Caribbean Premier League in Barbados (Sept 5-17).

Women’s Cricket: Jamaica Empress has been named the fourth team in the expanded 2026 Women’s Caribbean Premier League, joining Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors and Trinbago Knight Riders. The tournament runs Sept. 5–17 in Barbados, with all matches at Kensington Oval, and a new format where the top team goes straight to the final while second and third meet in a playoff. Oil & Gas: Government is reviewing ExxonMobil’s request to ramp up Stabroek Block output by about 30,000 bpd, targeting roughly 945,000 bpd, with safety checks planned for the One Guyana FPSO. Health Governance: President Irfaan Ali warned health officials they’ll be dismissed if they bypass the new centralised medical supply system starting July 1, including tighter sign-offs for emergency purchases. Press Freedom: Former Stabroek News EIC Anand Persaud will lead the launch of Kiskadee Watch, a new free online daily newspaper on June 14, with a weekly print edition expected later this year. Crime/Courts: Two more men were remanded over an AK-47 rifles probe, as police continue investigations.

Local Crime: A 23-year-old farmer has confessed to the murder of 7-year-old Adriel Mohamed and the attempted murder of 72-year-old Halima Itwari in Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo, after police confronted him with CCTV and recovered the knife he identified. Infrastructure & Transport: The US$161M Soesdyke–Linden Highway project is about 90% complete, with drainage and electrical works progressing despite rain. Energy Transition: Guyana is set to expand public EV charging to 24 stations by year-end, adding 13 more. Sports & Youth: Anna Regina National Stadium is scheduled to be commissioned July 3, while President’s College defended its U15 Blue Water Girls title in Region Four. Business & Aviation: Xen Aviation has taken delivery of a Britten-Norman BN2T-4S Islander to boost domestic connectivity. Regional & Policy: TTMA launches a trade mission to Guyana and Suriname (June 8–14) to open new partnerships. Health: Martinique says it can supply Guyana with radioactive drugs for certain cancers. Mining & Economy: Critics question low mining land rental rates, with foreign large-scale licences reportedly paying as little as US$5 per acre annually.

Mining Costs: Guyana’s gold sector rental rates for foreign firms are as low as US$5 per acre annually, while locals pay US$3, with critics calling the terms “ridiculously low” for land tied to major mineral potential. Local Democracy: PNCR says the long delay in restoring the Local Government Commission is leaving municipalities and NDCs in “administrative paralysis,” unable to properly discipline staff and address misconduct. Infrastructure & Transport: The US$161M Soesdyke–Linden Highway is about 90% complete, with drainage and electrical works progressing; separately, Guyana is set to expand public EV charging to 24 stations by year-end. Health & Social Services: Education Minister Sonia Parag says a full report on alleged mistreatment of a special needs student has been submitted to the Teaching Service Commission, with disciplinary hearings expected within 10 days. Crime: Police say a suspect has confessed to the murder of a 7-year-old boy and injuring his great-grandmother in Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo. ICJ Tensions: Venezuela rejects Guyana’s comments on a possible ICJ ruling on Essequibo and says it will not recognize any decision.

ICJ Essequibo Row: Venezuela has rejected Guyana’s comments about a possible ICJ ruling, saying it never consented to the court’s jurisdiction and will not recognize any decision, insisting the dispute should be handled under the 1966 Geneva Agreement. Crime: Police arrested a suspect in the killing of 7-year-old Adriel Aftab Mohamed and the attempted murder of his 72-year-old great-grandmother in Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo; the child was found with a throat slash and a knife was recovered. Energy & Power Costs: Government says it is still negotiating with the Turkish powership operator after a demanded rate increase, warning the dispute could cost taxpayers millions annually while the Wales gas-to-energy project remains delayed. Local Democracy: APNU alleges the government is undermining elected local authorities by creating parallel structures, including handpicked Community Development Councils. Sex Offences Law: A Sexual Offences Amendment Bill proposes a national sex offender database and penalties for insiders who leak registry information. Transport & Skills: The Soesdyke-Linden Highway project is about 90% complete, and Guyana graduated 22 renewable-energy technicians plus 11 GDF Grade Three Medical Assistants. Clean Transport: Plans are on track for 24 public EV charging stations by year-end.

Karpowership Power Deal: The government has finally addressed Karpowership contract renewal talks, saying negotiations are ongoing to secure the “best possible rate” as grid-stability fears linger ahead of the June 1 deadline. Anti-Corruption Debate: In Parliament, Minister Gail Teixeira pushed back on using Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, arguing it’s perception-based and not proof of corruption. Pensioners’ Relief: GPL will start crediting the $30,000 monthly electricity subsidy for eligible pensioners from the June 2026 billing cycle, with support delivered via post-paid credits or pre-paid wallet deposits. Brutal Crime in Zeelugt: Police arrested a suspected perpetrator after a home invasion in East Bank Essequibo left 7-year-old Adriel Aftab Mohamed dead and his 72-year-old great-aunt seriously injured. Justice Demand in Sophia: A candlelight vigil for Jukeem Scipio turned into a public push for answers over the police operation that left him shot. Sports & Events: Concacaf confirmed Guyana will play in League B of the 2026/27 Nations League; rain postponed the New Amsterdam inter-secondary girls’ cricket T10 to September; and the National Seniors/Youth/Junior track meet is set for June 26–28. Health Innovation: Guyana-linked robotic cardiac telesurgery between Georgetown and India was reported as a world record for distance.

Oil & Economy: Guyana received about US$761M in oil revenue in Q1 2026, with the government also tabling a $54.889B supplementary request in Parliament—highlighting extra funding including $19B more for the Gas-to-Energy project. Energy & Governance: InterEnergy says it has a roadmap to modernise the GPL grid through 2030, while APNU renewed calls for powership contract transparency and a real long-term energy plan. Border & Sovereignty: PM Mark Phillips told the National Assembly Guyana will respect Venezuela’s sovereignty but demand full compliance once the ICJ border ruling is delivered (expected Nov 2026–Jan 2027). Parliament Watch: After a long hiatus, the Committee of Selection finally constituted 13 parliamentary committees. Education: The Education Ministry sent an investigation file to the TSC after a video of alleged mistreatment of a student at the David Rose Special Education Needs School. Crime: A 7-year-old boy was found dead with his throat slashed in Zeelugt during a home invasion that also left his great-grandmother injured. Sports & Media: ENet secured exclusive FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast rights in Guyana; GFF confirmed Bryan Joseph as Technical Director; Slingerz FC drew SWA Sharks in the CFU Club Shield opener.