Morning, Guyana. Friday, April 17. The sun is up, the traffic is already nonsense, and somewhere a government minister is already blaming the opposition for it. Here’s what happened while you were sleeping or pretending to sleep.

1. CANU Seizes $190M in Q1 — Says “We Are Really Cooking”

The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit has announced that it seized more than $190 million worth of drugs in the first three months of 2026. Officials called this “a strong start.” Critics called this “how much of the other $900 million got through.” CANU declined to answer. A separate CANU officer was photographed shaking hands with a miner in Bartica who was later arrested with ganja in a cupboard. Nobody has explained the photo yet.

Meanwhile, Prince Bagot — who CANU also arrested — got bail this week. Magistrate Rhondel granted it. Nobody is entirely sure why, including Prince Bagot.

2. Incomplete Building Collapses, One Dead

A two-storey structure under construction collapsed yesterday, killing one carpenter and injuring several others. The niece of the dead man told reporters, “It’s taking a toll on all of us.” The building’s owner was not available for comment. The contractor was not available for comment. The engineer who approved the plans has not been identified, because it is not clear that an engineer approved the plans.

The Ministry of Housing issued a statement saying they are “reviewing the circumstances.” This is the standard response. It will be reviewed again the next time this happens, which based on recent history will be sometime next month.

3. President Ali Braces Nation for Price Increases, Blames Iran

President Irfaan Ali told the country yesterday that cross-sector price increases are coming in the wake of the US-Iran War. Shoppers at Stabroek Market, who have been bracing for price increases since roughly 1966, said they appreciated the heads-up. One vendor noted that her rice prices already went up last month, two months before the US-Iran War started. Asked to explain, she said: “Things does go up. Don’t matter who fighting who.”

Oil prices actually fell 8% last week following the ceasefire, but somehow that has not translated into anything at the pump here. Analysts are investigating. The analysts are also government consultants. The investigation may take a while.

4. Masked Gunmen Rob Two Women in Diamond; Armed Bandits Hit Another Diamond Home

In a rare case of geographic consistency, Diamond Housing Scheme had not one but two armed incidents this week. Two women were robbed by masked gunmen in one incident; a separate armed bandit crew hit a home in a different incident. The Commissioner of Police issued a statement urging residents to “be vigilant.” Residents pointed out that they had already been vigilant, and that vigilance was what allowed them to see the gunmen. The Commissioner is reviewing this feedback.

5. CIOG Evicts Canteen Operator After TikTok Video About Cost of Living

The Central Islamic Organization of Guyana evicted a canteen operator from its premises this week after she posted a TikTok video criticizing the cost of living in Guyana. The canteen operator’s rice-and-curry plate had gone up from $800 to $1,200 in six months. She said so on TikTok. She was then no longer the canteen operator.

CIOG has not commented on whether the eviction was related to the TikTok, but confirmed that it was related to the TikTok. Supporters are organizing a boycott. The canteen operator is organizing a new canteen.

6. $604M Road Expansion “Advancing” Along Eastern Corridor

Officials said yesterday that the US$604 million road expansion project along Guyana’s eastern corridor is “advancing” and that works “will soon” begin. The road was announced in 2022. The road was re-announced in 2023. The road was re-re-announced in 2024. It is now being announced again in 2026, with the helpful addition of the phrase “will soon.”

Residents along the corridor said they had heard. Several said they had heard many times. One said her daughter had been born the year the road was first announced and was now in Grade 4.

7. Open Skies Agreement with Morocco, Because Why Not

Guyana and Morocco signed an Open Skies Air Services Agreement yesterday. The agreement permits flights between the two countries, once there are flights between the two countries, which there currently are not. The Minister of Works described the agreement as “forward-looking.” The Moroccan delegation described it as “signed.” Both descriptions are accurate.

8. Be! Payment Operator Shuts Down Without Warning; Police Reports Flooding In

Caripay Inc., a financial services company operating through the “Be!” payment app, shut down this week without warning. Users who had money in the app reported that the money is no longer in the app. Police are accepting reports. Lawyers are accepting retainers. The Be! app is currently showing a loading spinner that has been loading since Tuesday.

9. Chinese Acrobatic Troupe Arrives to Dazzle Nation

A world-renowned Chinese acrobatic troupe has arrived in Guyana to perform a series of shows at the National Cultural Centre. The troupe is known for balancing a human body on one finger. Government ministers have been invited to a private demonstration. Unconfirmed reports suggest several ministers asked if the troupe could teach them how to balance the national budget. The troupe declined.

10. Harvey Wins Guyana’s First Medal at South American Youth Games

Teenage boxer Ken Harvey delivered Guyana’s first medal of the South American Youth Games in Panama yesterday, advancing to the semifinals in his weight class. Archery Guyana also had two athletes advance to elimination rounds despite extreme heat conditions that caused other countries’ athletes to withdraw. Guyanese athletes, accustomed to extreme heat conditions at home, said the weather was “cool, actually.”

That’s the Brief. Stay vigilant. Keep your rice-and-curry receipts. And if the “Be!” app starts working again, do not put money in it.

— The Guyana Daily Brief