US, Guyana agree to “expand” military cooperation

Last Updated on Tuesday, 9 December 2025, 23:25 by Writer

The United States (US) and Guyana on Tuesday signed an agreement to widen military cooperation, during a visit here by top officials of the US Department of War, President Irfaan Ali said.

“The two countries also signed a Statement of Intent to expand joint military cooperation with full respect for the sovereignty and laws of both countries,” he said in a statement on social media.

That document was signed after he met with US Senior Advisor to the Secretary of War, Patrick Weaver, and the Acting Assistant Secretary of War for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Joseph Humire at State House today.

Asked whether that means US troops would be stationed on Guyana’s land, seaspace and patrol the country’s airspace, he said the statement is part of an evolving process between Washington and its allies in South America and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to work on defence and security.

“The US government now is launching what they call the ‘Southern Spear’ of security where they are now coming up with a strategy for the Western Hemisphere and the US government is to invest more and pay attention more to the CARICOM and Western Hemisphere so basically the countries and allies in the region signalling their intention for more collaboration and cooperation,” he said.

Dr Ali said the document provides for “reinforcement” of long-term training and collaboration under existing regimes like the Shiprider Agreement that allows for US security personnel to chase, intercept and board drug trafficking vessels in Guyanese waters.

On the question of whether the Statement of Intent would lead to the signing of a defence treaty between the US and Guyana, the Guyanese leader said “this is evolving so in the coming months there will be greater discussions on more levels of cooperation and the integration of our work.”

Signing of the Statement of Intent came one day after Dr Ali reiterated Guyana’s commitment to work with its international allies in promoting peace, democracy and ridding the region of maligned actors involved in transnational crime in Guyana and the rest of the Caribbean.

“We in Guyana, as you’re aware, Prime Minister (of Grenada, Dickon Mitchell) consistently spoke about the abuse of our airspace and our waterways by all kinds of criminal elements, all kinds of illegitimate trade and we stand strong and steadfast in every action that will allow those illegitimate actors to continue to tarnish the reputation of our region and we have to do this in partnership if we are to have a region that is safe for our children 30, 40, 50 years from now,” he told a reception on Monday to mark the opening of Grenada’s Honorary Consulate in Guyana.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, National Security Advisor, Captain Gerry Gouveia, Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud, and Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan were also part of the meeting.