GDF, Brazilian armed forces advance southern border security at 29th regional exchange

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) continues to enhance its strategic partnership with Brazil following the recently concluded 29th Regional Military Exchange between the GDF and the Brazilian Armed Forces was held in Boa Vista, Brazil.
Captain (CG) Vernon Burnett, MSM, and Commander of the 1st Jungle Infantry Brigade of the Brazilian Army, Brigadier General Roberto Pereira Angrizani, co-chaired the meeting.
The bilateral engagement brought together military representatives from both nations, all committed to strengthening defence cooperation along the shared frontier.
This annual forum enables both forces to align operational priorities and coordinate critical security measures along Guyana’s southern border. During the exchange, discussions focused on tackling pressing cross-border issues, including illicit trafficking, illegal mining, and transnational criminal networks.

By sharing operational information and evaluating common border challenges, both delegations advanced their defence diplomacy, sharpened joint situational awareness, and reinforced the long-standing professional relationship between the two militaries.
Through continued dialogue and active collaboration, the GDF remains committed to safeguarding our Guyana’s borders and maintaining regional peace and stability.
This comes several months after members of the GDF completed an intensive jungle life training programme conducted by the Brazilian Army’s First Jungle Infantry Brigade in Boa Vista, Brazil.

The five-day training had formed part of the XXIX Regional Military Exchange Meeting (RRIM), an initiative aimed at enhancing operational cooperation and strengthening the capabilities of both armed forces through the exchange of knowledge and professional expertise.
Under the arrangement, Brazil hosted the first phase of the programme during the first semester of 2026, while the GDF is expected to host the reciprocal training later this year.
Training included combat shooting, navigation, immediate action drills, communications in jungle operations, explosives, tactical emergency medical care, military planning and briefing procedures, together with demonstrations of operational equipment and techniques employed by the Brazilian Army.
The training was designed to enhance individual and collective proficiency while promoting interoperability between the two defence forces.