🇬🇾 THE GUYANA BRIEF 🇬🇾
Your 5-Minute Wednesday News Circus
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 ⏱️ 6 min read
NOEM LANDS IN GUYANA. NO ONE KNOWS WHY.
Kristi Noem — fired as US Secretary of Homeland Security, dusted off, renamed “Special Envoy” — touched down in Guyana this week as part of something called the “Shield of the Americas.” The visit involves meetings with energy companies and conversations about security cooperation, which is Washington-speak for we want to keep an eye on your oil and make sure China doesn’t get any. President Ali confirmed that US-Guyana relations remain strong. Nobody confirmed that Kristi knows where Guyana is on a map.
Sources: Kaieteur News, Demerara Waves
EXXON WANTS 8TH AND 9TH OIL PROJECTS. GUYANA STILL WAITING ON ITS 50%.
ExxonMobil Guyana has officially applied for government approval to begin its 8th and 9th oil projects in the Stabroek Block. Meanwhile, Exxon has confirmed Guyana will finish paying off all costs for the first seven projects by year-end 2026. The good news: payout complete. The less good news: Exxon cannot say when Guyana will receive its full 50% profit share. Routledge smiled pleasantly and said something about global energy dynamics.
Sources: Kaieteur News, Demerara Waves
BERBICE GAS PIPELINE COULD COST US$2 BILLION. BUT DON’T WORRY.
The pipeline needed to bring natural gas onshore from the Berbice offshore project is being priced at approximately US$2 billion. ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge says the project needs “mega” infrastructure investment before it makes financial sense. President Ali, never one to be spooked by large numbers, said Guyana must build out its energy infrastructure aggressively or face global shocks. The infrastructure, presumably, will buffer against the shocks caused by building the infrastructure.
Sources: Kaieteur News, News Room Guyana
HIGH AND COWAN STREETS BRIDGE TO COST $233M TO REBUILD
The sunken High and Cowan Streets bridge — which made its feelings about heavy traffic quite clear — is estimated to cost $233 million Guyana dollars to repair. Engineers are working on a timeline. Motorists are working on alternate routes. Georgetown is working on its identity as a city that builds things near water and then acts surprised when they sink.
Source: Kaieteur News
WORLD BANK SAYS KEY REFORMS AXED FROM OIL GOVERNANCE PROGRAMME
A World Bank assessment has revealed that several critical components of Guyana’s oil governance reform programme have been quietly abandoned — including the communications strategy, fiscal management components, and key technical studies on natural resource management. The government has not issued a formal response. The government rarely does when the World Bank says something inconvenient.
Source: Kaieteur News
MOHAMEDS TAKE EXTRADITION FIGHT TO THE CCJ
Gold traders Azruddin Mohamed and his father Nazar “Shell” Mohamed have filed an appeal at the Caribbean Court of Justice, arguing that Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn played a politically motivated role in their extradition proceedings. The committal hearing was also adjourned this week after Azruddin was diagnosed with dengue. His lawyers say he is unwell. The prosecution says the case continues regardless. The wheelbarrows of cash from last week were not mentioned in court.
Sources: Demerara Waves, Kaieteur News
CARICOM SENDING HUMANITARIAN AID TO CUBA
After years of bold statements and careful inaction, CARICOM has announced it will dispatch humanitarian supplies to Cuba. Kaieteur News notes — with its characteristic restraint — that for “far too long, the Caribbean Community has spoken of solidarity without matching words with action.” A package is being assembled. Analysts are cautiously optimistic. Cuba remains unconvinced by press releases.
Source: Kaieteur News
HEALTH MINISTRY EXPANDING DIALYSIS ACCESS WITH SIX NEW CENTRES
The Ministry of Health has announced plans to build six new dialysis centres across Guyana, expanding access for patients in regions that currently lack treatment facilities. Region Three is already seeing increased demand, and the government says the expansion is part of a multi-year health infrastructure push. This is one of those stories that is genuinely good news and requires no jokes.
Sources: Kaieteur News, News Room Guyana
$100,000 CASH GRANT TO GO THROUGH BANKS
The government confirmed that the $100,000 cash grant announced in Budget 2026 will be distributed via the banking system. No wheelbarrows required.
Source: Guyana Chronicle
ANTI-CORRUPTION WORKSHOP OPENS AT US EMBASSY
The US Embassy and the British High Commission co-hosted a three-day anti-corruption workshop this week. Attendees included officials from multiple government agencies. Nobody at the workshop was asked about the World Bank’s reform findings from story number five.
Source: News Room Guyana
FLOODING WARNING ISSUED FOR NEXT SIX DAYS
The Hydrometeorological Service has issued a flood warning covering the next six days as unstable weather moves across the country. Residents in low-lying areas are advised to take precautions. Georgetown residents near High and Cowan Streets are advised to take extra precautions.
Source: News Room Guyana
BODY FOUND IN SOUTH TURKEYEN HOME; CORENTYNE FISHERMAN DEAD
Police are investigating the discovery of a decomposed body of an elderly man at a South Turkeyen residence. Separately, the body of a Corentyne fisherman has been found, shattering his family. The Guyana Police Force continues its investigations into both deaths.
Sources: Kaieteur News, Demerara Waves
That’s your Wednesday. Stay dry, stay safe, and remember: if Exxon doesn’t know when you’re getting paid, neither do we.
— The GDB