US top ranking defense official visits Guyana to strengthen regional stability

…to meet Govt, GDF, Caricom leaders

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for the Western Hemisphere at the United States Department of Defense, Daniel P Erikson is currently visiting Guyana, as both nations further cement their partnership in support of regional stability.
In his capacity, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense is responsible for the US defence and security policy for the 34-nation region that encompasses Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South and Central America.
The US Embassy announced that the two-day visit from January 8-9 underscores the continued importance the United States places on Guyana bilateral defence and security partnership.
Erikson is scheduled to meet with the members of the Guyana Government, Guyana Defence Force (GDF), and Caribbean Community (Caricom) leaders to discuss the US defence and security partnership with Guyana and regional partners.
The Embassy added, “DASD Erikson’s visit to Guyana is his first trip overseas in 2024 and it signifies the importance of the bilateral defence and security partnership as the GDF continues to grow, in the short-term with robust military to military engagements, and in the long-term as the nation continues to modernise its defence institutions.”
Erikson previously served in the White House as Special Advisor to then Vice President Joe Biden, where he covered foreign affairs and national security issues in the Americas.
Prior to the White House, he served in the US Department of State as Senior Advisor for Congressional and Inter-Governmental Affairs and Senior Advisor for Western Hemisphere Affairs.
The United States said it will continue to work closely with its allies around the world to strengthen alliances and partnerships by improving interoperability, deepening information-sharing and planning and conducting complex joint and combined exercises.

Just a few weeks ago in December 2023, GDF Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Khan conveyed his deep appreciation for the enduring and multifaceted relationship between Guyana and the United States. He underscored the foundation of this robust partnership built upon shared values for over five decades.
Newly-accredited US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot used that opportunity to laud the existing military-to-military collaboration, describing it as an exemplary testament to the strong and positive relations between the two nations.
In recent years, the relationship between the US and Guyana has been bolstered on several fronts. Last July, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Guyana, where he met with President Dr Irfaan Ali and other senior Government officials to discuss a wide range of priority issues, including food and energy security, decarbonisation, climate resilience, regional migration, and building local capacity.
At that engagement, President Ali said Guyana welcomes the opportunity to further strengthen its relationship with the US as a strategic partner, particularly during its period of growth. He had also highlighted the countries’ shared values and their quests to strengthen the region.
In his remarks at the time, the US Secretary of State had said Guyana has been a very strong partner for his country, and has been a global leader. The two countries, he added, will continue to advance discussions and collaboration in areas for cooperation.
That high-level visit was the second by a US Secretary of State under the current People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government. Back in September 2020, shortly after the swearing in of the Irfaan Ali-led Administration, then US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had paid a visit to Guyana, during which he announced US$3 million for a “locally-led programme for citizens’ involvement in the Government”, and another US$1.5 million with which “the youth of Guyana will be involved in democracy as well”. These fundings were from USAID.
Pompeo had also announced the allocation of US$5 million to assist Venezuelans in Guyana who were forced to flee their country due to severe economic hardships and other political issues which have gripped the nation in recent years. (G12)