Court of Appeal sides with Exxon and EPA on financial assurance
The Court of Appeal has ruled in favour of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited and the Environmental Protection Agency, overturning the 2023 High Court judgment delivered by Justice Sandil Kissoon that had imposed stricter financial-assurance requirements under Exxon’s offshore petroleum environmental permit. Civil-society groups that backed the original challenge have signalled an appeal to the CCJ. Source: News Room, May 15, 2026.
‘Sandy in, Dwight John out’ as President sacks several REOs
President Irfaan Ali has dismissed several Regional Executive Officers in a Cabinet shake-up, with Dwight John removed and replaced by Sandy in a region-wide reshuffle Kaieteur News describes as the broadest REO clear-out of this term. Vice President Jagdeo has not yet publicly explained the criteria. Source: Kaieteur News, May 14, 2026.
US Under Secretary signals Washington wants Guyana bauxite
US Under Secretary for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg, on a Georgetown visit this week, said the United States is now eyeing Guyanese bauxite and floated a joint mineral and tech “working group” to fast-track investment. Helberg also said Washington is “monitoring Venezuela’s ICJ position closely” as closing arguments wrapped in The Hague. Source: Kaieteur News, May 14, 2026; Guyana Chronicle, May 14, 2026.
UNDP report puts Guyana atop regional brain-drain list
A UNDP 2026 development report places Guyana ahead of several crisis-hit nations on its brain-drain index — a finding that has stunned policymakers given the country’s oil-fuelled growth narrative. The same report flags violence, overcrowding and inequality as the main third-form dropout drivers. Source: Kaieteur News, May 13–14, 2026.
PM Phillips to CARICOM critics: ‘Expel us if you want’
Prime Minister Mark Phillips has stood firm in a CARICOM dispute over an unspecified regional matter, telling colleagues to “expel us if you want” rather than soften Georgetown’s position. The remarks came alongside renewed government messaging on the 300 MW Wales Gas-to-Energy project, which Phillips says remains on track for first power in 2026. Source: Kaieteur News, May 14, 2026; Guyana Chronicle, May 14, 2026.