Joint security agenda strengthened in expanded Guyana-US defence ties

…as Guyana’s president meets US Deputy Assistant Secretary of War

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Monday held talks with United States Deputy Assistant Secretary of War Joseph Humire at State House, reaffirming Guyana’s commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty while deepening strategic defense cooperation with the United States.
Accompanied by US Ambassador Nicole Theriot and a delegation of senior officials, Humire engaged in wide-ranging discussions with the Guyanese Head of State and his national security team, including Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud, National Security Advisor Captain Gerry Gouveia, Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Omar Khan, and Colonel Sheldon Howell, Head of the National Intelligence and Security Agency.
Speaking with reporters on the sidelines of the swearing in of Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo on Monday, President Ali described the engagement as a continuation of Guyana’s long-standing defense collaboration with the United States.
“The meeting with the US is a continuation of our cooperation on defense and security. So, it’s nothing new,” President Ali explained. “We have had ongoing cooperation, and the cooperation has been expanded with the US in terms of our national security, our defense, and to have greater collaboration.”
According to him, the talks focused on reinforcing joint efforts to address transnational threats including drug trafficking, human trafficking, and smuggling. The two sides also explored opportunities to expand U.S.-supported training programs, with a particular emphasis on building capacity through in-country training for the Guyana Defence Force and security agencies.
Ali underscored that both nations share a commitment to regional peace and stability.

“We have committed ourselves to working with all our partners, including the U.S., on ensuring we do our part in fighting transnational crime… we support our partners as they support us in fighting these illicit activities,” he said.
The United States and Guyana are advancing their security partnership as both nations work together to strengthen territorial integrity, combat illicit narcotics trafficking, and confront key national security challenges.
The collaboration comes at a time when regional security dynamics are rapidly evolving, with threats such as transnational crime, narco-trafficking, and territorial disputes placing increased demands on small States. The US has consistently positioned itself as a partner in strengthening Guyana’s defence capabilities, offering technical support, training, and operational cooperation.

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.