US military base in Guyana not being discussed – Ali

Last Updated on Monday, 23 March 2026, 23:54 by Writer

President Irfaan Ali on Monday said the establishment of a United States (US) military base in Guyana was not being discussed, but talks about an integrated security system with several countries were underway.

“We are not discussing those matters but as I said, our partnership is strong and our partnership includes training, technology, transfer of knowledge, integration of assets and this is something- not only Guyana- but many countries in the region are part of it,” he told Demerara Waves Online News.

Instead of a military base here, the Guyanese leader emphasised that his country was part of a military and security partnership that includes the US, Brazil and Colombia.

Dr Ali also said the US and Guyana were holding engagements about acquiring an expensive system that would help this South American country address the use of its airspace by drug-laden planes, and violation of its seaspace.

“We are now working on building out a system. We’re working with the US and other partners on how we can build out an integrated system. These systems are not inexpensive. They are very expensive but to see how we can form a partnership in building a system that can address that and address the abuse of our Exclusive Economic Zone,” he said.

Concerning his participation in the Shield of the Americas Summit hosted by American President, Donald Trump in Florida, he said the focus was on an “integrated approach” to crime fighting with the US and all countries in the region.

He said that would be done through a common platform for infrastructure integration and intelligence sharing as part of a “strong, resilient network” to fight transnational crime including drug trafficking.

Guyana and the US have over the past 10 years forged closer security and military cooperation to fend off Venezuelan aggression, especially under the Nicolás Maduro-led administration, over that western nation’s claim to the biodiverse and mineral-rich Essequibo Region.