January 5, 2026 - TEMPO Networks

News Americas, Georgetown, Guyana, Jan. 6, 2026: Guyana’s High Court has refused an application by businessmen Nazar Mohamed and his son, leader of the WIN, political party and presumed opposition leader, Azruddin Mohamed, to halt ongoing extradition proceedings in the Magistrate’s Court while their constitutional challenge to the country’s extradition laws is determined.

FLASHBACK – Azruddin Mohamed stands with his lawyers outside the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court during his ongoing US extradition proceedings.

In a ruling delivered today, Acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh, found that the applicants failed to satisfy the high legal threshold required for an interim stay of the committal proceedings, which are currently before Judy Latchman. The extradition hearings are set to continue on Tuesday.

The extradition request was initiated by the United States Government under the 1931 Extradition Treaty between the United States of America and Great Britain. Following an Authority to Proceed issued by Guyana’s Minister of Home Affairs, the Mohameds were arrested on October 31, 2025, and later released on bail pending the outcome of the committal proceedings.

Before the Magistrate’s Court, the applicants challenged the constitutionality of the Fugitive Offenders (Amendment) Act 2009 and sought a referral of constitutional questions to the High Court. That application was rejected by Magistrate Latchman, who ruled that the issues raised were frivolous and vexatious. The Mohameds subsequently filed a Fixed Date Application in the High Court and requested a stay of the extradition process.

In refusing the stay, Chief Justice Singh stressed that the filing of constitutional proceedings does not automatically suspend parallel statutory processes. He noted that stays in extradition matters are “exceptional, not routine,” and outlined three guiding considerations: whether the constitutional challenge raises serious and arguable issues, whether irreparable prejudice would result if proceedings continue, and where the balance of convenience lies between private rights and the public interest.

Addressing the applicants’ arguments, the Court rejected claims that the 2009 amendments unlawfully permit the Minister to bypass judicial oversight. The Chief Justice ruled that the legislation allows the Minister only to determine whether extradition proceedings should commence, while the courts retain full authority over committal hearings. He found no evidence that the Minister had attempted to circumvent judicial scrutiny in this case.

The Court also dismissed arguments that the amendments improperly cure alleged deficiencies in the 1931 treaty, including the absence of an express safeguard against onward extradition to a third state. Chief Justice Singh observed that such protection may exist by implication within the treaty and, in any event, noted that the United States has provided written assurances that the Mohameds would not be extradited to a third country without Guyana’s consent.

On claims relating to access to justice, the Chief Justice found no merit in the contention that the amendments restrict judicial remedies. He pointed out that safeguards such as habeas corpus remain available should the applicants be committed for extradition.

The Court further held that no irreparable harm would arise from allowing the committal proceedings to continue, noting that extradition hearings are preliminary in nature and do not determine guilt or innocence. Chief Justice Singh emphasized that no surrender order is imminent and that the substantive constitutional challenge is scheduled to be heard next week.

Balancing the competing interests, the Chief Justice concluded that the public interest in upholding Guyana’s international obligations and preventing abuse of constitutional litigation outweighed the applicants’ request for interim relief. He cautioned that routinely granting stays in extradition cases could undermine confidence in the administration of justice.

The application for a stay was therefore refused, with costs awarded. The substantive constitutional challenge is scheduled to be heard on January 14, 2026.

By NAN Business Editor

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY: Caribbean remittances remain one of the most powerful – and often overlooked – economic forces shaping the Caribbean today. For millions of families across the region, money sent home by relatives abroad helps pay for food, housing, healthcare, education, and small business survival. At a national level, remittances stabilize economies, boost consumer spending, and act as a buffer during economic shocks.

Windel Pierre, 41, a Haitian cab driver, sends money back to Haiti from Miami, FL. (Photo by Peter Whoriskey /The Washington Post via Getty Images)

According to regional estimates from ‘Remittances-to-Latin-America-and-the-Caribbean-in-2025-Adaptations-in-a-Context-of-Uncertainty,’ by the IDB, Caribbean nations were projected to receive approximately US $20.9 billion in remittances in 2025, underscoring the scale and importance of diaspora support across the region.

Top Caribbean Remittance Recipients

Based on country-specific estimates and global remittance rankings compiled from international development and financial data, several Caribbean nations stand out as the region’s largest remittance recipients:

CountryEstimated Annual Remittances (USD)HaitiUS $4.9 billionJamaicaUS $3.6 billionDominican RepublicUS $11,973 billionTrinidad & TobagoUS $361 millionGuyanaUS $1.4 billionSuriname US $166 millionBelize US $173 million

These figures provide a relative snapshot of remittance inflows rather than precise totals, as reporting methods vary by country. However, they clearly illustrate how deeply Caribbean economies are tied to their global diasporas.

Why Remittances Matter Beyond The Dollar Amount

While total remittance volumes tell one story, their real economic impact becomes clearer when viewed as a share of GDP.

In smaller Caribbean economies, remittances account for a substantial portion of national income. In countries such as Haiti and Jamaica, remittances have historically exceeded 20 percent of GDP, making them among the most remittance-dependent economies in the Western Hemisphere.

This level of dependence means remittances do more than supplement incomes — they help sustain national economic stability.

A Critical Social Safety Net

For Caribbean households, remittances often function as a private social protection system, filling gaps where public services or employment opportunities fall short. Families commonly use remittance income to:

Cover basic living expenses

Pay school fees and education costs

Access healthcare and medications

Repair homes after storms or disasters

Support elderly relatives

In economies where formal job markets are limited or volatile, remittances help reduce poverty and smooth consumption during economic downturns.

Diaspora Ties Drive Regional Resilience

The Caribbean’s remittance flows are rooted in long-standing migration patterns, particularly to North America. The United States remains the largest source of remittances to the Caribbean, accounting for roughly half of all inflows, followed by Canada, which contributes more than 10 percent.

These financial connections reinforce enduring social, cultural, and economic ties between Caribbean nations and their diaspora communities abroad.

A Steady Outlook Despite Global Uncertainty

Recent analyses indicate that remittance growth in the Caribbean has been moderate but steady, even amid global economic uncertainty. As labor markets in the U.S. and Canada continue to stabilize, remittance inflows are expected to remain resilient, providing ongoing support to Caribbean households and economies.

Development economists note that while remittances alone cannot replace comprehensive economic reform, they remain a critical pillar of Caribbean economic survival and resilience.

Looking Ahead

As Caribbean governments pursue growth strategies – from tourism and energy to agriculture and technology – remittances will continue to play a stabilizing role. Policies that reduce transfer costs, expand financial inclusion, and encourage productive investment of remittance income could further amplify their positive impact.

For now, the numbers are clear: the Caribbean’s diaspora is not just connected emotionally – it is economically indispensable.

Guyana High Court Rejects Bid To Halt Extradition Proceedings Against Nazar And Azruddin Mohamed

Caribbean Remittances By Major Countries: A Lifeline Powering Economies Across The Region