NEW PRESIDENT IN GUYANA NAMES CABINET MEMBERS—05/23/15
David Granger, Guyana’s new president, has named 27 ministers of his cabinet following the victory of his Opposition coalition in the general election. Several ministries were offered to the Alliance for Change party, but plan to retain immigration and energy sectors within his control as they are essential elements for the nation’s future. The announcement was made shortly after Exxon Mobil Corporation disclosed that it had found a “significant” oil discovery off the coast of Guyana. Grander is also creating a special minister of citizenship to look into allegations that government officials sold passports and citizenship to foreigner.

CARIBBEAN IS “SIGNIFICANT” TO INTERNATIONAL INTERNET GOVERNANCE—05/24/15
An official of the organization that provides oversight of all Internet addresses is characterizing the Caribbean region as “significant” for global Internet governance. According to Rodrigo de la Parra, vice president for the Caribbean and Latin America at ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), the geopolitics of the Caribbean make it strategically important to Internet regulation in the global arena.

IN BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS, 42 CANDIDATES NOMINATED FOR GENERAL ELECTIONS—05/25/15
Forty-two candidates in the British Virgin Island (BVI) have been named to compete in the 2015 general election. The elections will be held on June 8, 2015. Thirteen candidates are from the ruling National Democratic Party and the major opposition party, the Virgin Islands Party. Five nominations were from the People’s Empowerment Party, and three were from the people’s Progressive Coalition.

IN SURINAME, BOUTERSE WINS GENERAL ELETION—05/26/15
The National Democratic Party (NDP) and President Desi Bouterse won the general elections in Suriname. The NDP won 27 of 51 seats in the nation’s parliament, while a coalition of six parties known as V7, won 17 seats. Five seats were allocated to the Alternative Combination of former guerilla Ronnie Brunswick. According to Ramon Abrahams of the NDP, attributed the win to the party’s social program and determination of its supporters.

PRESIDENT OF GUYANA SEEKS TO RESTORE HERITAGE SITES IN GEORGETOWN—05/27/15
Newly elected President of Guyana David A. Granger has appointed Larry London as the lead coordinator in restoring heritage sites around the city of Georgetown. A retired colonel, London has recently restored the city’s Independence Arch, which is located on Brickdam near the Square of the Revolution. The arch was a gift from the Demerara Bauxite Company Ltd. in 1966. London’s restoration had to address some 20 years of neglect, but it was finished days before the nation’s 49th anniversary of independence. London believes it is important to clean up the area around the arch and praised corporations in Guyana for their support in refurbishing the site.

WARNER OFFERED BAIL, BUT REMAINS IN JAIL—05/28/15
Austin Jack Warner, former vice president of FIFA, was arrested and offered bail of US$400,000 following his appearance in magistrate court to face a request from the United States for extradition on a number of charges in a court in New York. Warner was ordered to surrender his travel documents and is scheduled to appear in court July 9, 2015. He remains in jail as his bail could not be processed. Loretta Lynch, U.S. Attorney General, has charged FIFA officials with “rampant, systemic, and deep-rooted” corruption, both in the U.S. and overseas. The charges stem from allegations of bribes and kickbacks involving the sport of soccer.