Chris Ram
On 31 January 2026, carried a story that exposes how surreptitiously Exxon seeks to draw every drop of blood – sorry, oil – from Guyana. The report once again brings the issue of force majeure sharply into focus. Force majeure is a contractual mechanism intended to grant additional time where performance has been genuinely and…
Introduction Out of what is widely acknowledged as a blatant violation of international law, the entry of United States forces into Venezuela has produced one piece of good news for Guyana. Whatever the legal controversy surrounding that intervention, its practical effect has been to neutralise Venezuela’s capacity to pursue its fanciful claim to the entire…
Deportees, Trump and the price of oil The Government of Guyana has announced that it has agreed to accept foreign deportees from the United States – persons who are not Guyanese nationals. The announcement was made calmly, almost casually – by one of the “family” – as if it were a routine domestic arrangement. There…
Every Man, Woman and Child in Guyana Must Become Oil-Minded – Column 172 – October 23, 2025 Routledge deserves to go! Introduction Last week’s column described a statement made by Alistair Routledge, President of Exxon’s local subsidiary, as “blatantly misleading.” As I begin today’s column, let me quote another statement he made at the same…
Every Man, Woman and Child in Guyana Must Become Oil-Minded (Column 171) Introduction Readers will recall Column # 170 dealing with the request by three U.S. senators to ExxonMobil seeking information on the company’s tax arrangements under the 2016 Petroleum Agreement. Their direct concern is whether the U.S. treasury is subsidising Exxon’s operations in Guyana…
Introduction This column takes up from last week’s discussion on the September 23 letter from US Senators Whitehouse, Van Hollen and Merkley to Exxon’s Chairman, Darren Woods on tax credits claimed in his company’s tax returns in the USA. As a reminder, that letter arose out of some sterling efforts and representation by OGGN, a…
Every Man, Woman and Child must become oil minded – Column no. 169 Introduction Like some of my fellow commentators, I wanted to give the Ali Administration some space following the September 1 elections. In the campaign season leading up to the elections, candidate Ali promised to fix the problems plaguing the embarrassing and gross…
Every Man, Woman and Child must become oil minded – Column 168 Petroleum and gas and supporting services make up 94% of the Mining and Quarrying sector which in turn makes up 70% of Guyana’s economy. Since 2021, it has been primarily responsible for the spectacular growth that has earned Guyana the distinction of fastest…
2025 Manifestos – This time it is the PPP/C’s Record on the Line By Christopher Ram On August 22, 2025 @ 2:01 am In The Road To First Oil | Every Man, Woman and Child in Guyana Must Become Oil-Minded – Column 167 Introduction The electorate in 2020 punished APNU+AFC for the lopsided 2016 Petroleum…
Part I: When Business Disputes Expose Underground Networks Introduction The leak of an explosive March 25, 2025, interview between businessman Azeem ‘Junior’ Baksh of Gold Target Imports and intrepid journalist Travis Chase has triggered more than just a public clash between wealthy businessmen. Baksh detailed what he described as a “harrowing” gold importation scheme, claiming…
