US Secretary of State commends Pres Ali for his leadership as regional security partner

…discusses crackdown on drugs, transnational crime

United States (US) Secretary of State Marco Rubio has commended President Dr Irfaan Ali for his leadership as a regional security partner. According to a statement released by the US State Department, Secretary Rubio and President Ali spoke by telephone on Tuesday, focusing on further strengthening bilateral security cooperation between the two countries. Rubio praised President Ali for Guyana’s growing role in promoting stability across the hemisphere and reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to deepening security ties. “The Secretary reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to deepening security cooperation with Guyana to address shared challenges, including illicit narcotics and firearms trafficking, which threaten regional stability and economic resilience,” the US statement, attributed to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott, said.

Both leaders also underscored the importance of continued collaboration to disrupt foreign terrorist organisations and transnational criminal networks, while strengthening law enforcement capabilities and border security. Guyana’s Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud, in a separate statement, said the discussion also covered recent developments in Venezuela and other issues of importance in the Western Hemisphere. President Ali, according to Persaud, commended the leadership of US President Donald Trump and Secretary Rubio in reaffirming a shared commitment to freedom, democracy and regional security. The Head of State reiterated Guyana’s steadfast commitment to working closely with the US, which he described as “the region’s strategic and important security ally”.
“The President re-emphasised Guyana’s support for every effort to combat transnational crime, including drugs and gold smuggling, and narco-terrorism. The President also reiterated Guyana’s respect for the rule of law, free and fair elections, upholding of democratic norms and the furtherance of peace and prosperity for all the people of the region,” the statement said. President Ali welcomed Secretary Rubio’s reaffirmation of continued US support for and partnership with Guyana in defence of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Both leaders agreed to remain engaged on the matters discussed and other areas of mutual interest.

The high-level engagement comes against the backdrop of rapidly unfolding developments in Venezuela. On Saturday, President Ali assured Guyanese that the country’s security mechanisms were fully mobilised and actively monitoring the situation across the western border, following the US military forces capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, during an early-morning operation in Caracas. As news of the operation emerged, President Ali convened an emergency meeting of the Defence Board and the national security apparatus at State House in Georgetown. In attendance were senior security officials, including Chief of Defence Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Brigadier Omar Khan, Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, Chief Fire Officer Gregory Wickham and Director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), Colonel Sheldon Howell, along with regional commanders and other senior officers. Following the meeting, President Ali said Guyana’s security forces were fully mobilised in accordance with established security plans. He urged citizens to remain reassured that the Government was working to ensure their safety and security.

Later on, Saturday, President Ali also welcomed what he described as the leadership of the US President in reaffirming shared commitments to freedom, democracy and regional security amid Washington’s announcement that the US would oversee Venezuela during a transition period. As part of Guyana’s immediate response to the evolving situation, Prime Minister (PM) Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips travelled to Region One (Barima-Waini) to engage GDF troops and police ranks stationed along communities near the Venezuelan border. Guyana and the US have steadily strengthened bilateral ties over the years, particularly in the areas of security and defence. The US has been a strong ally in supporting Guyana’s sovereignty amid rising tensions with Venezuela in the border controversy.
Those ties were further reinforced during Secretary Rubio’s visit to Guyana in March 2025, which was part of a broader three-nation Caribbean diplomatic tour. During that visit, discussions centred on strengthening bilateral and regional cooperation, promoting energy security and economic ties and addressing shared challenges such as illegal migration, drug trafficking and transnational organised crime.