WHILE affirming strong ties with the United States of America (USA) and expansion of security and capacity-building partnerships, President Dr Irfaan Ali has affirmed that discussions have not focused on the establishment of a US military base here.
The President made these remarks on the sidelines of the launch of the Revised Laws of Guyana, while engaging the media, on Monday.
“We are not discussing those matters, but as I said, our partnership is strong, and our partnership includes training, technology, transfer of knowledge, integration of assets,” he said, noting that this is common among nations seeking to bolster its security capabilities.
While highlighting the broad security partnership Guyana and the US shares, the Head of State said: “Our military and security partnership has a long list with the US.”
The engagement held with the US was on building out a system to address and monitor the use of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the President said, noting that these types of infrastructure can be costly.
He added that Guyana also has partnerships with other nations to build its capacity, including with Brazil and Colombia, noting “So we’ll continue those partnerships that enhance our capability and capacity and that builds our ability to respond effectively to business.”
Last year December, senior officials from the United States Department of War reinforced Washington’s commitment to deepening security co-operation with Georgetown and supporting stability across the Caribbean and South America.
Discussions centred on strengthening bilateral defence co-operation, safeguarding Guyana’s territorial integrity, and expanding joint efforts to confront transnational threats.
According to a US Embassy statement, the visit formed part of the United States’ broader efforts to bolster regional partnerships at a time of increasing geopolitical tension and heightened security challenges in the hemisphere.
Earlier this year, President Ali and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, reaffirmed their nations’ deepening security partnership as both leaders committed to enhancing co-operation to counter transnational crime, protect regional stability and safeguard Guyana’s sovereignty.
According to a statement issued by the US Department of State and attributed to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott, Secretary Rubio spoke with President Ali to discuss strengthening bilateral security co-operation, commending the Guyanese Head of State for his leadership as a regional security partner and for Guyana’s expanding role in promoting stability across the Western Hemisphere.
Both leaders committed to maintaining close engagement on the issues discussed, as well as other areas of mutual interest, signalling continued momentum in Guyana–US relations anchored in security co-operation, democratic governance, and regional stability.
The United States and Guyana have steadily expanded defence co-operation in recent years through joint training exercises, intelligence collaboration, and maritime security operations.
Washington has positioned Georgetown as a key strategic partner in ensuring stability in the Caribbean Basin and countering illicit networks that operate across borders.
Guyana’s rapidly growing economy and its rising geopolitical importance, driven by the global attention on its oil sector and its role in hemispheric security, have further strengthened bilateral ties.
Source: Guyana Chronicle