American Airlines suspends flights to Guyana amid COVID-19 concerns

American Airlines on Saturday announced that with effect from Monday, March 16, 2020, it will be suspending all flights in and out of Guyana. The airline stated that it will recommence operations on May 6. A statement issued by the airline related that the flights that were already scheduled for March 16 will operate as scheduled, while the suspension will take effect afterwards. It was further announced that the airline will be waiving all change of date fees for those passengers already booked on its service. “This suspension will last…

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CARICOM could still play a role in mediating Guyana’s ongoing fiasco

– Sir Shridath Ramphal At a time when it matters the most, Guyana is being denied the opportunity for global respect along with regional and international approval owing to the ongoing fiasco in relation to the March 2 General and Regional Elections. This was related by longstanding statesman and local voice of reason, Sir Shridath Ramphal when he issued a statement on Wednesday. “In the darkness of disagreement, Caricom’s helpful intervention in trying to resolve the general elections process at the request of both President Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat…

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US Embassy announces suspension of routine visa services in Guyana

The following statement was issued by the United States Embassy in Georgetown, Guyana, on Monday evening, announcing the suspension of routine visa services: On March 14, the Department of State authorized the departure from any diplomatic or consular post in the world of US personnel and family members who have been medically determined to be at higher risk of a poor outcome if exposed to COVID-19. Many areas throughout the world are now taking action that may limit traveler mobility, including quarantines, flight cancellations, and border restrictions. Even countries, jurisdictions,…

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‘Guyana’s future is bright only if it remains democratic’ – US Senator

The pressure continues to mount on the coalition Government and President David Granger to keep Guyana’s democracy alive as another United States Senator joined the calls for the Government to adhere to democratic principles. In a statement via his social media account, United States Senator, Rick Scott addressed the situation in Guyana. Scott noted that the will of Guyanese, expressed in the votes they cast, is paramount. “Guyanese authorities must respect the will of their citizens and the courts. Stealing elections will result in nothing but isolation. Guyana’s future is…

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Norway withholds climate aid to Guyana ‘until legitimate gov’t in place’

Norway has put the brakes on the release of NOK 393 million (US$36.2M) climate aid to Guyana in light of the current political situation following the March 2, General and Regional Elections. Development Today, an independent online journal specialising in political, business and environmental issues, reported that the Climate Ministry in Oslo made this statement on Friday. ““No further decisions will be made on…planning or spending” of this money until a legitimate government is in place,” Development Today reported. In December 2019, Government had announced that the remaining payments under…

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Guyana partially shuts down airports amid corona virus threat

…outbound, cargo, medivac flights allowed In a bid to reduce the spread of the coronavirus in Guyana, the Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has partially shut down the country’s two main airports, Cheddi Jagan International and Eugene F Correira International. This announcement was made by Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Egbert Field during a press conference by the ministerial task force on Tuesday. The task force was activated last week when Guyana recorded its first case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). “The Civil Aviation Authority in order…

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World Court postpones hearing of Guyana-Venezuela border case

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has postponed the long-anticipated hearing of the Guyana/Venezuela border dispute case that was scheduled for March 23, 2020, citing the worldwide crisis of the coronavirus. According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ICJ has communicated to Guyana that the oral proceedings that were scheduled to begin on March 23 have been postponed until a new date can be set. “In the case concerning the Arbitral Award of 3 October 1899 (Guyana V. Venezuela), the International Court of Justice has informed…

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Defiant Mingo flouts Court order

…bent on using ‘fake’ spreadsheet instead of SOPs …CARICOM Chair says attempts to stall process against the spirit of CJ’s ruling More drama unfolded on Thursday at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Command Centre in Georgetown, resulting in Chairperson Justice Claudette Singh, suspending the tabulation of the Statements of Poll (SOPs) for District Four (Demerara-Mahaica), not long after it had restarted, to seek clarity on Chief Justice Roxane George’s ruling. In a clear act of defiance, Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, started the process after 11:00 hrs as ordered by Justice…

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President Granger’s shielding of Jordan from facing jail time unlawful – High Court Judge

High Court Judge, Justice Naresh Harnanan on Tuesday ruled that President David Granger’s intervention to save Finance Minister Winston Jordan from serving jailtime over an unpaid court judgement was unlawful and arbitrary. In June 2019, Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry had granted a judgement of US$2.2 million to Trinidad-based construction company Dipcon, but Jordan refused to pay the sum and as such was found in contempt. However, as jailtime hung over his head, he was pardoned by the President who intervened. On Tuesday, Justice Harnanan stated that the President’s intervention enabled and…

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Global oil price plunges

…falls below break-even price It has only been a few months since Guyana started producing oil, and already global events have sent the price for oil plummeting to unprecedented depths on the world stage, although a Norwegian research company expects Guyana to remain untouched by production restrictions. As of Monday, oil was trading at US$34 per barrel – a steep drop as it was only a day ago being traded at US$48. Brent crude was being traded at US$66 per barrel when Guyana first started oil production in December 2019.…

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