Sixty years of independence
Guyana marks sixty years since lowering the Union Jack at Queen Elizabeth Park on the night of May 25, 1966. President Irfaan Ali leads commemorations in Georgetown, with the formal flag-raising ceremony at the National Park and address to the nation broadcast from State House. The anniversary lands at an inflection point: oil revenues now dominate national accounts, debt-to-GDP remains moderate, and the country’s external profile is the strongest it has been since independence. Coverage in the local press has been heavy with retrospectives on the night Lieutenant Desmond Roberts first raised the Golden Arrowhead, alongside debate over whether the economic gains of the past six years have reached ordinary Guyanese households.
(Source: Kaieteur News, May 24-25, 2026)
Ten AK-47 rifles seized in Berbice
Police in Region Six recovered ten AK-47 assault rifles in a coordinated operation, the largest single firearms seizure in recent memory. Investigators have not yet disclosed the suspected origin of the weapons or whether arrests have been made. The find raises immediate questions about cross-border smuggling routes between Suriname, Venezuela, and the Corentyne. Officials are expected to brief on the operation in the coming days.
(Source: Kaieteur News, May 25, 2026)
Caribbean Airlines suspends Ogle-Paramaribo route
Caribbean Airlines has cut its direct service between Eugene F. Correia International Airport (Ogle) and Johan Adolf Pengel International in Paramaribo. The carrier cited insufficient demand on the corridor, which had been a key short-hop connector for cross-border business and family travel between the two countries. Travelers will now route through Trinidad or Curaçao, adding hours and cost. The cut comes as regional aviation continues to consolidate around hub-and-spoke patterns.
(Source: Kaieteur News, May 25, 2026)
Region Four gets new REO
A newly appointed Regional Executive Officer takes charge in Region Four, the country’s most populous and politically sensitive region. The new REO pledged people-centred and accountable leadership in initial remarks, promising regular community engagement and faster delivery on infrastructure complaints. Region Four covers Georgetown and the East Coast Demerara corridor.
(Source: Kaieteur News, May 25, 2026)
$10 million co-financing facility opens for small business
A new co-financing initiative allowing small businesses to access up to $10 million GYD has been launched, structured as matched funding between government and participating commercial banks. The facility targets businesses with three or more employees and existing operating cash flow, with particular focus on agro-processing, light manufacturing, and services to the energy sector. Application details and qualifying criteria are being released through the Small Business Bureau.
(Source: Kaieteur News, May 25, 2026)