Tag: secretary

 US looks to Guyana and Suriname as alternative energy suppliers

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to discuss the strengthening of security cooperation with Guyana and the country’s energy potential when he meets with the government on Thursday.

US envoy to Latin America Mauricio Calver-Caron stated that the senior official will address Guyana and Suriname’s energy potential as alternative sources of energy, particularly as substitutes for sanctioned Venezuelan crude, which some Caribbean nations continue to purchase to meet their energy needs.

President Donald Trump recently announced a 25 percent tariff on trade with any nation that buys Venezuelan oil. As a result, Guyana and Suriname are being positioned as alternative energy suppliers for the Caribbean.

“I think we have a great opportunity here. In terms of energy security, the Secretary’s focus on this trip to Guyana and Suriname is really about ensuring that these countries are no longer dependent. It’s about enabling Caribbean nations to move away from reliance on Venezuelan oil and the schemes and extortion that came with PetroCaribe,” the US envoy stated.

He explained that the Caribbean has a historic opportunity to enhance its energy security. The oil and gas sectors in Guyana and Suriname, combined with the revitalisation of Trinidad and Tobago’s energy industry, could provide a sustainable regional solution.

“And that’s where our focus should be—preventing a return to past troubles and the dependency on Venezuelan oil, which created numerous challenges for Caribbean nations.”

Regarding Guyana’s security, the envoy emphasised the potential for a greater security cooperation agreement between the two nations, especially in light of ongoing threats from Venezuela.

“I think there’s a significant opportunity for Guyana’s development and security, particularly given the threats posed by Venezuela,” he stated.

He also commended the region’s support for Guyana in defending its territorial sovereignty and reaffirmed that the United States is committed to ensuring Guyana has the security resources necessary to continue developing its energy industry, which in turn benefits its Caribbean partners.

Sarah Browne: Guyana significantly narrows gender inequality gap

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

Parliamentary Secretary, Sarah Browne, has indicated that Guyana has made significant strides in advocating for the rights of indigenous and young women, particularly in the areas of education, employment, and economic development.
She made the remarks while speaking at a high-level interactive dialogue titled ‘Beijing@30: A Dialogue with Youth Representatives’, hosted during the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women on 15th March.
Browne is the youngest Member of Parliament in Guyana and an advocate for indigenous and young women.
“Guyana has made significant strides in bridging the gender equality gap through its many progressive programmes and policies. Women and girls have access to free education up to the tertiary level and benefit from online scholarship programmes. Many women and girls in remote and rural areas now have access to the internet, opening avenues for education, employment, and increased access to information. There are increased employment opportunities for women, including in non-traditional sectors. Girls benefit from direct cash transfers for education, and cash transfers are made to mothers upon the birth of each child, which is further augmented by tax benefits for working parents,” she noted, also highlighting free healthcare.
Browne also emphasised that indigenous people play a pivotal role in forest preservation.
She noted that, in addition to budgetary allocations, 15 per cent of all earnings from carbon credits are transferred to indigenous villages through the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).
These funds, she said, support livelihood and economic projects in the areas of tourism and cultural preservation.
“This is the largest single, direct financial transfer to indigenous communities. Through its robust legal and regulatory framework, the government provides a range of interventions to protect and empower young women and girls. Countries flourish when they invest in their youth. In Guyana, more young women are involved in national and local decision-making. I am proud, as a young indigenous woman, to sit at the helm of leadership in my country. Today, I advocate for all women to be given the same opportunities that I have, and this will truly advance women’s equality and empowerment,” Browne said.