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NO MARITIME RESCUE TRAINING FOR ALERT OFFICER – HGPTV – Guyana’s Nightly News and Entertainment Channel

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NO MARITIME RESCUE TRAINING FOR ALERT OFFICER – HGPTV – Guyana’s Nightly News and Entertainment Channel

HGP NIGHTLY NEWS – The officer who received and handled the MV Barima’s first distress signal on the night of the tragedy had no training in coordinating joint aviation and maritime search-and-rescue operations, the Commission of Inquiry heard on Wednesday.

Aeronautical Information Service Officer Tia Valenzuela testified that she was on duty when the distress system began constantly beeping at approximately 10:43 p.m. on July 18.

Questioned by Commissioner Rear Admiral Hayden Pritchard about her qualifications and handling of the emergency, Valenzuela acknowledged that she had not been trained in coordinating joint air and maritime search-and-rescue operations.

She nevertheless told the Commission that managing the alert “wasn’t hard,” but noted that she had multiple responsibilities to perform at the time.

Valenzuela also revealed that the communication tools available to her were limited to WhatsApp, telephone and email.

Despite those limitations, records presented to the Commission indicate that she began contacting maritime authorities within minutes.

At 10:51 p.m., Valenzuela sent the Barima’s location coordinates via WhatsApp to Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard operations. The message was acknowledged at 10:52 p.m.

She also contacted the Lighthouse and Coast Guard Officer-in-Charge, Commander Shamshudeen.

By 11:13 p.m., the Coast Guard informed her that a vessel was “heading out” to the location. At 11:14 p.m., she emailed the beacon’s HEX identification information, which Commander Shamshudeen formally acknowledged at 11:23 p.m.

The Commission also heard that the MV Barima’s emergency beacon was not registered.

Valenzuela said the missing registration information meant she could not immediately identify or contact the beacon’s owner or a representative when the signal was received.

She further revealed that of approximately 10 distress signals she has handled during her tenure, only one came from a properly registered beacon.

The Commission has since requested operating procedures, communication records and an after-action report as it examines how the Barima distress alert was handled and the wider emergency response that followed.

Photo: Guyana Chronicle.

    • Source: HGP Nightly News / HGPTV

    MV BARIMA SOS: DIRECTOR TOLD HOURS LATER – HGPTV – Guyana’s Nightly News and Entertainment Channel

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    MV BARIMA SOS: DIRECTOR TOLD HOURS LATER – HGPTV – Guyana’s Nightly News and Entertainment Channel

    HGP NIGHTLY NEWS – The first distress alert from the MV Barima was received at 10:43 p.m. on July 18, but the Director responsible for Air Navigation Services at the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority says he did not learn of the emergency until around 1 a.m. the following morning.

    Rickford Samaroo made the disclosure Wednesday while testifying before the Commission of Inquiry examining the deadly ferry disaster and the emergency response that followed.

    Samaroo told the Commission that he became aware of the incident after receiving a call from the GCAA’s Director General.

    He explained that staff were required to immediately notify him when distress alerts involving aircraft were received. However, no equivalent requirement existed for maritime vessels.

    Samaroo said staff subsequently informed him that the Maritime Administration Department, Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard and lighthouse were notified within five minutes of the initial alert.

    The Commission is now seeking documentation to examine exactly what happened between the first distress signal and the subsequent emergency response.

    Samaroo was asked to provide operating procedures, an after-action report and communication records covering the period from the first alert through the afternoon of July 19.

    The hearing also revealed that the MV Barima’s emergency beacon was not registered.

    Samaroo explained that registration would have linked the beacon’s unique identification code to critical information, including the vessel, its ownership and emergency contacts. That information was therefore not attached to the beacon through the registration system when the distress signal was received.

    Meanwhile, retired Acting Chancellor Carl Singh announced at the opening of Wednesday’s proceedings that he would represent Public Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill before the Commission.

    The Commission is examining the circumstances surrounding the MV Barima disaster, including the handling of distress alerts and the wider emergency response.

    The inquiry continues.

    • Source: HGP Nightly News / HGPTV

    Fire spreads to four buildings at Cummings Street and North Road

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    Fire spreads to four buildings at Cummings Street and North Road

    A fire has spread to four buildings at Cummings Street and North Road, Georgetown, behind Akbar Auto Sales, the Guyana Fire Service said in an update.

    Crews from Fire Service Headquarters and the Campbellville Fire Station are battling the blaze and working to protect nearby buildings.

    A water tender, a water bowser and an ambulance were dispatched from Headquarters under the command of Section Leader Kingston. A second water tender and crew, led by Section Leader Marcus, responded from Campbellville.

    Further details were not immediately available.

    Source: Kiskadee Watch

    Court Weighs Forde, Nandlall Arguments in Extradition Appeal

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    Court Weighs Forde, Nandlall Arguments in Extradition Appeal

    Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde and Senior Counsel Anil Nandlall, Attorney General, have advanced competing arguments over whether the country’s extradition arrangements adequately protect the constitutional rights of Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and his father, businessman Nazar Mohamed. The Court of Appeal must now determine whether the treaty provisions and diplomatic assurances relied upon by the Government satisfy Guyana’s constitutional requirements.

    At the centre of the challenge is a fundamental legal question: can an extradition treaty or diplomatic assurance satisfy the law if the protections it offers are alleged to fall short of Guyana’s constitutional requirements?

    Forde argues that the Government cannot rely on diplomatic assurances from the United States to overcome what he considers a deficiency in the extradition framework. Nandlall maintains that the existing treaty arrangements and Washington’s written assurances provide adequate protection against the Mohameds being transferred to a third country without Guyana’s consent.

    The Court of Appeal heard approximately three hours of submissions on Tuesday, October 13, before reserving its decision. Acting Chancellor Roxane George-Wiltshire indicated that the judges would need time to review more than 2,000 pages of documents and legal authorities. The court indicated that it could take up to one month to deliver its ruling, although no specific date was announced.

    Forde challenges the treaty safeguards

    Representing the Mohameds alongside attorney Damien DaSilva, Forde challenged the Government’s reliance on the 1931 extradition treaty between the United Kingdom and the United States, which Guyana inherited at independence.

    He argued that the treaty’s provisions governing custody and trial in the receiving country do not expressly address the subsequent transfer of an extradited person to another state.

    “We respectfully submit that Article 7 regulates custody and trial in the receiving state. It contains no words about surrender to a third state,” Forde argued.

    Forde also questioned whether assurances obtained from Washington in December 2025 could remedy the alleged deficiency, noting that they were issued after the Mohameds were taken into custody on October 31, 2025.

    The defence maintains that where the law requires protection against onward extradition, a subsequent diplomatic assurance cannot simply substitute for safeguards required by the applicable legal framework. The constitutional challenge also raises concerns about personal liberty, freedom of movement and protection of the law.

    Constitution versus treaty obligations

    The dispute brings constitutional supremacy into focus. Article 8 of Guyana’s Constitution establishes the Constitution as the supreme law and provides that any other law inconsistent with it is void to the extent of the inconsistency.

    That principle means that an international treaty cannot, merely by virtue of its existence, override constitutional requirements within Guyana’s domestic legal system. The court must nevertheless determine whether the treaty provisions and diplomatic assurances in this case actually conflict with any constitutionally protected right.

    Forde’s challenge places that question at the centre of the appeal: whether the safeguards relied upon by the Government adequately meet constitutional standards or whether the extradition framework fails to provide the protection required by law.

    Nandlall rejects the defence’s interpretation, arguing that the treaty and the United States’ written assurances provide sufficient protection. He said Washington had assured Guyana that the Mohameds would not be re-extradited to a third country for an offence committed before their extradition without the consent of Guyana’s Minister of Home Affairs.

    The Attorney General maintains that the assurance reinforces the existing treaty arrangements and that the defence has not adequately demonstrated a violation of specific constitutional rights. He characterised the challenge as highly academic and disconnected from the legal realities of the case.

    Ruling will shape next stage

    The appeal follows a February 2026 decision by Acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh, who struck down one provision of the Fugitive Offenders Act but found that protection against onward extradition was implicit in the treaty. The Mohameds subsequently challenged aspects of that ruling.

    The Court of Appeal’s decision will determine the constitutional issues before it, but will not itself decide whether the two men should ultimately be extradited to the United States.

    The extradition proceedings before Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman are scheduled to continue on October 21 and 22. However, the magistrate remains barred from delivering a final decision until the appellate court resolves the constitutional challenge.

    The United States is seeking the Mohameds’ extradition to face federal charges, including alleged wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering linked to their gold-trading business. The allegations have not been determined at trial.

    With more than 2,000 pages of submissions to consider, the Court of Appeal must now determine whether the treaty and diplomatic assurances satisfy the applicable legal requirements and whether the protections relied upon by the Government withstand the constitutional challenge. The judges have not indicated how they are likely to rule.

    Source: Village Voice News

    Mighty Sparrow to Receive State-Assisted Funeral on Friday

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    Mighty Sparrow to Receive State-Assisted Funeral on Friday

    Trinidad and Tobago will honour calypso icon Slinger Francisco, internationally known as the Mighty Sparrow, with a state-assisted funeral and celebration of life on Friday, October 16, as the Caribbean prepares to pay tribute to one of its most influential musical pioneers.

    The farewell will bring together family members, cultural practitioners, public officials and admirers to celebrate the life and legacy of the performer whose music carried Caribbean stories, struggles and humour to audiences around the world.

    Sparrow died in New York on September 27 at the age of 91. His remains were returned to Trinidad and Tobago on October 6, accompanied by his son, Cyril Sancho Francisco, and received at Piarco International Airport by Culture Minister Michelle Benjamin and other officials.

    Public viewing sessions are scheduled for Tuesday, October 13, at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts in San Fernando, and Wednesday, October 14, at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain. Both sessions run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., allowing members of the public to pay their respects.

    At the request of the Francisco family, mourners have been asked not to take photographs or record videos during the viewings.

    The main farewell programme on Friday will begin with a procession at 10 a.m. from Independence Square in Port of Spain. The procession will travel along Frederick Street before concluding at NAPA, where a tribute programme is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Members of the public are also expected to have an opportunity to watch the proceedings at the Grand Stand at Queen’s Park Savannah.

    The Government, through the Ministry of Culture and Community Development, is coordinating the arrangements with Sparrow’s family.

    Born in Grenada and raised in Trinidad from early childhood, Sparrow rose to become one of the most celebrated figures in calypso, earning the enduring title “Calypso King of the World.” His career spanned more than seven decades, during which he used sharp wit, infectious rhythms and incisive social commentary to address politics, race, love and everyday Caribbean life.

    His music helped take calypso beyond the region, establishing him as a defining voice of Caribbean identity and cultural expression. His contribution was recognised through numerous honours, including Trinidad and Tobago’s Order of the Republic in 2014.

    As the region prepares to say goodbye, Sparrow’s passing marks the loss of a towering cultural figure whose songs chronicled generations of Caribbean experience. His voice may have fallen silent, but his music and influence endure across the islands and throughout the global Caribbean diaspora.

    Source: Village Voice News

    Former Acting Chancellor Singh to Represent Edghill at MV Barima Inquiry

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    Former Acting Chancellor Singh to Represent Edghill at MV Barima Inquiry

    Former Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary Carl Singh will represent Public Works Minister Juan Edghill at the Commission of Inquiry into the MV Barima disaster, following public calls for the minister to step down over the deadly maritime tragedy.

    Singh secured the Commission’s permission on Wednesday to appear on Edghill’s behalf when issues arise that require the minister’s representation. In explaining his involvement, the senior attorney pointed to the intense public criticism directed at Edghill and former Public Works Minister Deodat Indar after the vessel capsized.

    Both ministers faced demands for their resignations in the aftermath of the disaster, which raised serious questions about vessel safety, oversight and accountability.

    Singh told the commissioners that Edghill had a substantial interest in the inquiry and cited what he described as “trenchant criticisms” levelled against the two officials.

    He also alluded to what he called “some rather indecorous calls relating to their well-being and their continued service” in the Government of Guyana.

    The attorney, who said he has been admitted to practise law in Guyana since 1983, made clear that his involvement would be on an as-needed basis rather than requiring his presence throughout the proceedings.

    “I am here intending, with your leave, to represent when necessary or if necessary the Honourable Minister of Works, Mr. Juan Edghill,” Singh said.

    He subsequently asked the Commission to recognise that he might not attend every session or remain present for the questioning of every witness.

    “With no intention of discourtesy or disrespect being extended to the Commission, I don’t believe, given the context and the circumstances, that I would be required to be here on every day and for every witness,” he told the commissioners.

    Singh said he would attend “when necessary and when required.”

    The legal arrangement comes as the Commission examines the circumstances surrounding the sinking of the MV Barima on July 18, 2026. The vessel capsized while travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma in Region One, prompting a major search-and-rescue operation and public demands for answers.

    Built in 1939, the vessel’s age and reported concerns about its seaworthiness became central to questions surrounding the disaster. The tragedy also prompted scrutiny of passenger safety, regulatory oversight and the Government’s response.

    Edghill’s representation at the inquiry places his interests within the proceedings as commissioners examine the evidence and circumstances surrounding the sinking. However, Singh’s appearance does not itself establish responsibility or wrongdoing on the minister’s part.

    The inquiry’s findings will be important in determining what led to the disaster and whether any shortcomings in safety, oversight or emergency response contributed to the loss of life.

    Source: Village Voice News

    APNU Backs NIS Pensioners’ Fight for Arrears

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    APNU Backs NIS Pensioners’ Fight for Arrears

    By Mark DaCosta- A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has backed a High Court challenge accusing the National Insurance Board (NIB) of underpaying minimum-rate old-age pensioners, arguing that retirees must receive the benefits to which they are legally entitled.

    In a statement released on October 13, 2026, the opposition coalition called on the Government and the NIB to urgently review the claims, determine whether arrears are owed and ensure that any outstanding payments are settled.

    The court application was filed by Attorney-at-Law Christopher Ram, pensioner Kalicharan Heera, the Union of Agricultural and Allied Workers, the United Minibus Union and the Guyana Market Vendors Union. The applicants are asking the court to compel the NIB to comply with the statutory minimum pension requirements and pay arrears dating back to 2021.

    The dispute centres on Regulation 4(b) of the National Insurance Scheme Benefit Regulations, which the applicants interpret as requiring the minimum pension to be at least half the Public Service minimum wage.

    Under their calculation, the minimum pension should currently be $51,173 monthly, compared with the $43,075 reportedly being paid to affected pensioners. The alleged shortfall is $8,098 per month, which the applicants estimate could amount to approximately $510,300 for each pensioner who received the minimum rate throughout the period in question.

    These figures reflect the applicants’ claims and have not been determined by the court. APNU’s statement did not include a response from the NIB.

    The coalition said the issue had previously been raised in Parliament. In 2024, APNU parliamentarian Annette Ferguson moved a motion, seconded by Juretha Fernandes, seeking retroactive payments for minimum-rate pensioners for 2021 to 2023. The motion was disallowed by Speaker Manzoor Nadir.

    APNU said the court action now provides an avenue for the disputed pension entitlements to be examined.

    The coalition stressed that pension payments should be treated as legal obligations rather than discretionary assistance.

    “They are not acts of charity or government favours,” APNU said, describing pension payments as “entitlements protected by law.”

    It added that retirees facing rising living costs should receive “every dollar to which they are legally entitled.”

    The coalition also questioned the contrast between Guyana’s expanding oil revenues and the financial circumstances of elderly citizens, arguing that economic growth must translate into tangible benefits for vulnerable groups.

    “Good governance cannot be measured solely by the construction of roads, bridges and buildings,” the statement said.

    APNU maintained that the National Insurance Scheme was established to protect contributors and beneficiaries and should not frustrate legitimate claims. It called for an urgent examination of the alleged shortfalls, payment of any arrears found to be due, and safeguards to prevent future underpayments.

    The coalition also urged the Government to ensure that the necessary funding is provided in the national budget.

    “Economic growth without social justice is incomplete development,” APNU declared, warning against “prosperity without fairness.”

    The coalition concluded that senior citizens deserve more than expressions of appreciation and that Guyana has a duty to honour its obligations to them.

    The legal dispute remains unresolved. The High Court will have to determine whether the applicants’ interpretation of the regulations is correct and, if so, what payments may be owed by the NIB.

    Source: Village Voice News

    JAMAICA | Opposition Calls for Full Disclosure of TCN MOU – 22 Deportees Landed Tuesday

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    JAMAICA | Opposition Calls for Full Disclosure of TCN MOU – 22 Deportees Landed Tuesday

    Twenty-two foreign deportees — not one of them Jamaican — touched down at Norman Manley on Tuesday, sent here by the United States under an agreement Parliament has never seen. The Opposition says that is the scandal — and the Government says Washington won’t let it show the document.

    By Calvin Brown (WiredJA) Mid-afternoon Tuesday, 22 foreign nationals — all adults, seven of them women — stepped off a flight from the United States at Norman Manley International Airport, were processed swiftly and driven away under police escort to a location no one would name. The media was kept at a distance. The passenger manifest stayed under wraps. Local sources told the Associated Press the group was largely South American.

    Let there be no confusion: these are not Jamaicans being sent home. They are citizens of other countries whom Washington wants out of America, routed through Kingston because the United States has chosen not to fly them directly to their own homelands. Jamaica is not their destination. It is their waiting room.

    It was the opening act of the deportee transit arrangement Kingston signed with the Trump regime in June. And it unfolded exactly as the People’s National Party had warned: in public view, but out of public sight.

    ‘Policy by press release’

    In a statement issued Tuesday, the PNP demanded that the Government table the full memorandum of understanding (MOU) in Parliament and make a ministerial statement immediately, calling it disgraceful that the first flight had been announced in a “perfunctory manner” while the agreement itself remained under lock and key.

    “The Government is asking Jamaicans to accept a security arrangement they have not been allowed to see,” said Fitz Jackson, MP, Opposition Spokesperson on National Security. “We have not been told where these individuals will be housed, under what security conditions, or who will be responsible for monitoring them.”

    Jackson’s list of unanswered questions runs long: the operating procedures, the legal liability Jamaica assumes, what happens if a receiving country refuses to take someone back, and who covers security, health and logistics if — as promised — Jamaica pays nothing. He wants the Government to define what, precisely, it means by “transit”, and to disclose who is coming, batch by batch.

    “It is not transparency. It is policy by press release.”— Senator Donna Scott-Mottley

    Senator Donna Scott-Mottley, the Opposition’s foreign affairs spokesperson, was blunter still. Announcing a cap of 25 persons per fortnight and a suspension trigger of 10 asylum applications without showing Jamaicans the legal text, she said, is “policy by press release, and that is unacceptable on a matter of this magnitude.”

    The Government’s case

    The Holness administration insists the deal was built with guardrails. In a joint release on Monday, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and National Security said operating procedures had been finalised with Washington to ensure the arrangement runs in a “safe, orderly and lawful manner.” The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has been engaged to support the foreign deportees while they are on the island and to move them on to their home countries or elsewhere.

    The ministries’ commitments are four: no cost to the Jamaican taxpayer, no one with criminal antecedents, a maximum of 25 people every two weeks, and suspension of the programme if 10 deportees apply to stay through asylum or other humanitarian processes.

    National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang has argued that Jamaica retains the right to refuse anyone at any time, and that either side can walk away without lengthy notice. He has also cited a roughly 94 per cent onward-return rate in countries running similar programmes.

    On Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith said on X that the agreement was negotiated “with protection of Jamaica and the Jamaican people in mind.” She maintained that there is nothing prejudicial in it — but conceded that the United States has not agreed to its publication.

    Whose secret is it?

    That concession is the crux of the matter. Kingston says, in effect, that it would show the document if it could. Washington says no. The result is a sovereign Parliament being briefed by press statement on an agreement covering its own territory — on terms set by another government.

    Jamaica is not alone in this. Dr Chang has pointed to Costa Rica, Panama, Belize, St Kitts and Antigua as fellow participants, though Antigua’s Prime Minister said this week that his country’s arrangement is still being worked out. Further afield, the Trump regime’s third-country removals have reached Liberia, Eswatini and Paraguay, and the US Supreme Court is set to weigh their legality.

    The unease is not confined to Gordon House. Bishop Alvin Bailey, who leads a local evangelical alliance, has asked why the US cannot simply send these individuals straight home, and has said openly that he does not trust the Government’s account. Opposition Leader Mark Golding has repeatedly challenged the administration to say what Jamaica actually gains.

    The PNP is careful to say it supports safe and orderly migration and values the partnership with the United States. Its quarrel is with process, not principle. The Government’s assurances may all prove sound. But on Tuesday, 22 non-Jamaicans arrived on Jamaican soil under rules that Jamaica’s elected representatives have never been allowed to read.

    If the schedule holds, another batch of other nations’ deportees could land within a fortnight. The question now is whether Parliament sees the MOU before it does.

    Source: Village Voice News

    Burke Questions Police Account of Incident Involving Opposition Leader

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    Burke Questions Police Account of Incident Involving Opposition Leader

    Guyanese-American activist Rickford Burke, President of the Caribbean Guyanese Institute for Democracy (CGID), has questioned the credibility of the Guyana Police Force’s account of a reported shooting incident involving Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed outside the home of Special Branch head Prem Narine, urging United States officials to treat information supplied by Guyanese authorities with caution.

    Burke stressed that he is neither a political supporter of Mohamed nor of his party, We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), and said his concerns stem from his allegations of police misconduct rather than any political allegiance to the Opposition Leader.

    He made the remarks today during a Facebook livestream following the incident in Kitty, Georgetown, which resulted in Mohamed and two other men being arrested.

    Burke alleged that the Guyana Police Force had a history of planting and fabricating evidence and providing misleading information to US authorities. He did not present supporting evidence for those broad allegations during the portion of the livestream provided.

    “I know for sure that the Guyana Police Force plants evidence, fabricates evidence, and passes on misleading, mendacious, deliberately falsified information to the United States government,” Burke said.

    He urged United States officials not to accept police or government accounts without scrutiny, particularly where information could influence proceedings involving Mohamed and his family.

    The incident occurred on October 12 near Narine’s residence on Barr Street. According to the police account, Narine saw a black Toyota Allion travelling slowly along the street and returning to the area. He reportedly heard what appeared to be a gunshot and fired several rounds from his service weapon towards the vehicle.

    Police subsequently intercepted the car and arrested Mohamed, Mario Mohamed and Eugene Thorne. Investigators said a .32 Taurus pistol without a serial number, three live rounds and spent shells were recovered. The firearm and ammunition were lodged for ballistic testing, while CCTV footage was expected to be reviewed.

    Mohamed and his attorney, Siand Dhurjon, have disputed the police account. They allege that no firearm was found during an initial search of the vehicle and question how a gun was subsequently discovered beneath the accelerator at the Kitty Police Station. Those claims have not been independently established.

    Burke challenges Narine’s credibility

    During the livestream, Burke questioned where Narine was positioned when he allegedly observed the vehicle and whether other cars were in the vicinity.

    “Where was he? Where in the house was he? Was he on the road? Was he in the yard? Was he upstairs, downstairs, back window, side window?” Burke asked, challenging the details of the officer’s account.

    Burke also attacked Narine’s professional record, alleging that the senior officer had previously engaged in misconduct and had been involved in incidents in which individuals were wrongly accused. Those allegations were not independently verified in the material provided.

    He further questioned Narine’s credibility by referring to his testimony in the extradition proceedings involving Mohamed and his father, businessman Nazar Mohamed. During those hearings, Narine faced defence questions over discrepancies between his sworn statement and courtroom testimony about how extradition documents were received, the destruction of three notebooks containing potentially relevant information, and omissions from his written account of an alleged statement by Nazar Mohamed.

    Narine attributed some discrepancies to errors or omissions and defended the destruction of the notebooks. The defence challenged his credibility, but the reported proceedings did not establish a judicial finding that he committed perjury.

    The Government has described the latest incident as serious, highlighting Narine’s role as a witness in the extradition case and saying the US Department of Justice had been informed.

    Burke’s comments add to competing public accounts of the incident. The circumstances surrounding the reported gunfire, the discovery of the firearm and the conduct of those involved remain matters for investigators to establish through evidence and due process.

    Source: Village Voice News

    Press Release: Guyana selected to host prestigious USTOA Sustainability Summit in 2027

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    Press Release: Guyana selected to host prestigious USTOA Sustainability Summit in 2027
    October 14, 2026

    – International tourism leaders to gather in Guyana from March 7–10, 2027, highlighting the country’s growing leadership in sustainable tourism and its emergence as a premier nature and adventure destination.

    The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, is pleased to announce that Guyana has been selected to host the 2027 Sustainability is Responsibility (SIR) Summit of the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA), scheduled for March 7–10, 2027.

    The selection represents a significant achievement for Guyana’s tourism sector, placing the country at the centre of an important international conversation on responsible tourism while creating a valuable opportunity to showcase its natural and cultural heritage to influential representatives of the North American travel industry.

    Guyana secured the hosting opportunity following a competitive international bid process, during which its proposal was recognised for its creativity, vision and commitment to sustainability. The successful bid reflects growing international recognition of Guyana’s approach to tourism development, which places considerable emphasis on environmental conservation, community participation and the preservation of the country’s rich cultural and natural heritage.

    Organised annually by USTOA, the Sustainability is Responsibility Summit brings together representatives of leading tour operators, travel companies and tourism organisations to examine challenges and opportunities surrounding sustainable tourism. Through interactive discussions, educational sessions and practical experiences, participants collaborate on strategies that can help shape a more responsible future for the global travel industry.

    Previous editions of the summit have been hosted in destinations including Norway, Singapore, Valencia in Spain, and Anchorage, Alaska. Guyana will now join this distinguished group of international destinations, further strengthening its position as an emerging leader in sustainable tourism.

    Showcasing Guyana to International Tourism Leaders

    Unlike traditional conferences held entirely within meeting facilities, the 2027 summit will immerse participants in Guyana’s tourism experiences, allowing them to explore firsthand the country’s approach to sustainable tourism development.

    The programme will begin in Georgetown before moving to Baganara Island Resort on the Essequibo River, where participants will engage in educational sessions, collaborative discussions and experiential activities highlighting the relationship between tourism, the natural environment and local communities.

    The summit is also expected to include a visit to the iconic Kaieteur Falls, one of Guyana’s most celebrated natural attractions, providing delegates with an opportunity to experience the country’s exceptional biodiversity and protected landscapes.

    Additional optional pre- and post-summit programmes are being developed to encourage participants to explore more of Guyana, including its interior regions and community-based tourism experiences.

    These activities will allow international tourism professionals to discover Guyana’s offerings firsthand and gain greater insight into opportunities for incorporating the destination into their travel programmes.

    A Major Opportunity for Guyana’s Tourism Industry

    The summit represents more than an international gathering. It is a strategic opportunity to build relationships with influential tourism businesses, increase destination awareness and encourage the development of new tourism partnerships.

    USTOA’s membership includes some of the most established and influential tour operators serving the North American travel market. Bringing representatives of these companies to Guyana provides an important platform for demonstrating the country’s readiness to welcome international visitors while highlighting opportunities for responsible tourism growth.

    The summit is also expected to create opportunities for local tourism businesses, including accommodation providers, tour operators, transportation companies, guides and community-based tourism enterprises, while showcasing the important role these stakeholders play in Guyana’s tourism economy.

    Speaking on this opportunity, Hon. Susan Rodrigues, Minister of Tourism, Industry & Commerce expressed that:

    “Guyana has made a deliberate decision to develop tourism around the very things that make our country distinctive: our extraordinary natural environment, our cultural diversity and the people who keep our traditions and communities alive. Hosting the 2027 USTOA Sustainability is Responsibility Summit gives us the opportunity to show international tour operators how these assets translate into tourism experiences, business opportunities and livelihoods for Guyanese. Importantly, this is an opportunity to strengthen Guyana’s presence in the North American travel market and build direct relationships with the companies that can bring more visitors to our shores. As we expand the sector, we remain focused on ensuring that tourism creates lasting economic value for our people while protecting the natural and cultural heritage that makes Guyana worth discovering.”

    Kamrul Baksh, Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, said:

    “Hosting the 2027 USTOA Sustainability is Responsibility Summit is an important milestone for Guyana and a strong endorsement of the direction in which our tourism industry is developing. We have consistently promoted a model of tourism that protects our natural environment, celebrates our cultural heritage and creates meaningful opportunities for communities across the country. This summit will allow us to demonstrate that commitment to some of the most influential voices in the North American travel industry. It is also an opportunity to build lasting partnerships that can support the continued growth of tourism in Guyana, while ensuring that the benefits of that growth reach our people and communities.”

    Strengthening Guyana’s International Position

    Guyana has increasingly attracted international attention for its vast rainforests, remarkable biodiversity, distinctive cultural heritage and expanding range of nature, adventure and community-led tourism experiences.

    The country’s tourism development strategy recognises the value of its natural resources and emphasises responsible growth, community involvement and long-term sustainability.

    Hosting the USTOA SIR Summit will offer Guyana an important opportunity to present these commitments to an international audience of tourism decision-makers, while exchanging knowledge and best practices with organisations actively working to advance responsible tourism around the world.

    The summit will be delivered through a partnership between USTOA and the Guyana Tourism Authority, with the support of local tourism stakeholders and industry partners.

    Further details on the programme and associated tourism experiences will be announced in the coming months.

    About the Guyana Tourism Authority

    The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) is a semi-autonomous governmental organisation responsible for developing and promoting sustainable tourism in Guyana through collaboration with sister agencies and the tourism private sector in order to maximise local socio-economic and conservation outcomes and improve the travellers’ experience. The GTA is focused on Guyana becoming recognised locally and internationally as a premier destination for protecting its natural and cultural heritage, providing authentic experiences, and maximising local socio-economic benefits.

    About USTOA

    The United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) is a professional association representing leading tour operators and travel industry partners. Its Sustainability is Responsibility (SIR) initiative brings members together to advance responsible tourism through education, collaboration, shared learning and practical industry action.

    For more information about the 2027 USTOA Sustainability is Responsibility Summit, visit: https://ustoa.com/events/sir-guyana-2027/   Or contact David DiGregorio at CornerSun Destination Marketing at [email protected]

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    Source: Department of Public Information (DPI)

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