Guyana remains unwavering in respect for sovereignty, peaceful settlement of disputes – UN Envoy tells Security Council

Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, has reiterated the country’s steadfast commitment to the principles of non-intervention, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

Delivering a statement at the UN Security Council’s briefing on “Threats to International Peace and Security” on Friday, Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett emphasised that Guyana’s position on peace and regional stability remains “firm and unwavering”, even amid recent tensions and evolving developments in the Caribbean Sea.
Her remarks came as the Council discussed concerns raised by Venezuela over US operations in the region, which Washington has stated are aimed at combating illicit drug trafficking. Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett acknowledged the correspondence sent by Venezuela’s representatives to the Security Council and said Guyana has taken careful note of the expressed concerns.
She underscored that the Caribbean’s ongoing challenges with drug trafficking remain one of the most destabilising forces in the hemisphere, driving violence, undermining democratic institutions, and diverting resources away from crucial socio-economic development efforts.
“The illegal drug trade and its criminal networks have the capacity to undermine state institutions, threaten democracy, pervert the rule of law and destabilise economies,” the Ambassador stated.
Rodrigues-Birkett noted that despite persistent efforts to combat this scourge, transnational criminal organisations continue to evolve and expand their operations, exploiting weaknesses in governance and security systems. This, she said, places a heavy financial and social burden on small developing states.
She highlighted that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has placed the highest priority on deepening international cooperation to combat drug trafficking and related crimes. Guyana, she added, has strengthened its own domestic response by launching a National Early Warning System to detect and respond to new psychoactive substances and enhance the country’s public health and national security framework.
The Ambassador reaffirmed Guyana’s support for global and regional partnerships rooted in international law, which promote lawful and collective approaches to tackling drug trafficking and organised crime.
“We treasure the region’s designation as a ‘Zone of Peace.’ Our commitment to non-intervention, respect for sovereignty, and peaceful resolution of disputes remains unwavering,” she said.
“Guyana will continue to be a partner for peace,” she declared. “We are committed to working with all stakeholders to uphold the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and to ensure our region remains stable, secure, and prosperous.”

Joint pact
Back in March, Guyana and the US further strengthened security cooperation with the signing of a new agreement that also focuses on countering narcotics trafficking and transnational organised crime in the region.
This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at State House in Georgetown.
Secretary Rubio and his delegation had engaged in bilateral talks with the Guyana Government led by President Dr Irfaan Ali as part of a three-nation Caribbean tour that lasted for two days.
Under this newly inked security cooperation mechanism, Guyana and the United States will strengthen information sharing, synthetic drug detection, transnational organised crime investigations and prosecutions, and military-to-military cooperation.
In brief remarks at a joint press conference after the signing, President Ali affirmed that the US stood as Guyana’s trusted partner – a relationship that is rooted in shared values, mutual trust, and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law and the principles of international order.
“The United States is our trusted partner as we continue to build a stable, secure and democratic society here. This visit has allowed us to consolidate our bilateral agenda, defining policies and outlining clear intentions in areas of security, trade, energy, investments, infrastructure, democracy, regional peace and stability, human capital deployment and development,” he stated at the time.
President Ali further underscored that the joint commitment between the two countries to enhance collaboration in combating transnational crime also includes tackling narco- and human trafficking, money laundering, and all forms of smuggling.