St Kitts’ PM lauds Guyana’s innovative approach to crime-fighting, security

…bilateral ties, regional integration discussed in talks with Pres Ali

Prime Minister (PM) of St Kitts and Nevis and current Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Dr Terrance Drew, has said that his country, as well as the wider region, can learn from Guyana’s innovative approach to tackling crime and improving security across the country.
The St Kitts and Nevis leader made these remarks on Saturday following a visit to the National Command Centre in Georgetown, the nerve centre of Guyana’s intelligence and coordinated crime-fighting operations.
According to PM Drew, crime is not confined by borders. It is a regional challenge, complex and evolving – something which he pointed out requires modern, strategic, and collaborative responses.
“Seeing first-hand how Guyana integrates technology, intelligence, and inter-agency coordination to strengthen public safety was both insightful and instructive. There is much we can learn from each other. This engagement opens the door for deeper collaboration between Saint Kitts and Nevis and Guyana, and it also contributes to a broader CARICOM conversation on strengthening regional security frameworks,” he noted.
The PM went on to add, “As Chairman, I remain committed to ensuring that our cooperation goes beyond meetings and into meaningful, practical action for the safety and protection of our people.”
PM Drew is currently on a regional tour for a series of engagements with leaders across the Caribbean ahead of the 50th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, which will be held from February 24 to 27 in Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis.
Prior to visiting the National Command Centre, the St Kitts and Nevis leader met with President Dr Irfaan Ali at the State House in Georgetown on Saturday.

Meeting “fruitful”
During that high-level engagement, President Ali and PM Drew discussed a number of issues relating to CARICOM and the advancement of Guyana–St Kitts and Nevis relations.
According to the Office of the President in Georgetown, PM Drew called the meeting “fruitful” and said that the CARICOM Heads will continue to push the idea of “regional integration and togetherness”.
In a post on his Facebook page, PM Drew said, “In Guyana, I had a productive and forward-looking meeting with His Excellency Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and senior members of his government. Our discussions focused on deepening collaboration between Saint Kitts and Nevis and Guyana and the wider CARICOM.”
“As Chairman of CARICOM, I remain committed to strengthening these bilateral relationships, because when we work together, we build a stronger, more resilient Caribbean for our people. The future of our region depends on partnership, practical cooperation, and unity of purpose, and that is exactly what we are advancing.”
Also present during the meeting at State House in Georgetown were the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd; Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency, and Implementation, Zulfikar Ally; Chief of Defence Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Omar Khan; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Sharon Roopchand-Edwards; and Director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), Colonel Sheldon Howell.

Productive discussion
Meanwhile, PM Drew wrapped up the Guyana tour with a meeting with the CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr Carla Barnett, at the newly constructed CARICOM Residence in Georgetown.
He said, “We had a focused and productive discussion on preparations for the upcoming Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM. The work continues, strengthening regional unity, sharpening our priorities, and moving our community forward with purpose.”
The CARICOM Chair said his visits to the southern Caribbean utilised the support of the Regional Security System, reinforcing commitment to regional security cooperation and institutional partnership.
For his engagements in the northern Caribbean, Prime Minister Drew travelled on inter-Caribbean Airways, a regional airline with which, he says, his country continues to collaborate closely in strengthening air connectivity.

During this visit, PM Drew met with the airline’s Founder and Chairman, Lyndon Gardiner, and his executive team. The St Kitts and Nevis leader and his team also toured the airline’s facilities and held substantive discussions focused on expanding routes, increasing frequency, and deepening collaboration to improve connectivity across the region.
“These engagements reflect a deliberate strategy: supporting regional institutions, strengthening regional enterprises, and advancing practical solutions that bring our Caribbean closer together.”
“Enhanced connectivity is essential to trade, tourism, education, investment, and diplomacy. As we prepare for the CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting, we remain focused on building a more integrated, resilient, and connected Caribbean,” the CARICOM Chair stated in a social media post on Friday.