Latest update April 1st, 2025 5:37 PM
Guyana and US sign pact to strengthen cooperation, address regional challenges
By Shania Williams
Kaieteur News- Guyana and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Thursday, aimed at deepening cooperation and addressing regional challenges.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd and United States Secretary Marco Rubio officially signing the MoU
The pact was signed by Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at State House. Rubio arrived in Guyana on Thursday to discuss economic and energy partnerships, regional security, and defence cooperation with President Irfaan Ali.
The MOU is designed to strengthen the partnership between the two countries in tackling challenges such as narcotics trafficking and transnational organised crime. The agreement also includes the sharing of information on synthetic drug detection, transnational crime investigations, prosecutions, and military-to-military cooperation.
During his address at the signing ceremony, President Ali emphasised the strong and enduring relationship between Guyana and the United States. “The United States is our trusted partner as we continue to build a stable, secure, and democratic society here. This visit has allowed us to consolidate our bilateral agenda, finding policies and outlining clear intentions in areas of security, trade, energy, investments, infrastructure, democracy, regional peace and stability, human capital, deployment, and development,” President Ali said.
He also outlined the scope of the MOU. “Our joint commitment in an enhanced partnership in combating transnational crime, inclusive of narcotics trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering, and all forms of smuggling, is reflected in the enhanced MOU signed today. We have reassured our partner that we will continue to ensure all international and local labour laws are adhered to in the hiring of regional and international labour,” President Ali added.
The President further expressed confidence in the MOU and the significance of Secretary Rubio’s visit. “I’m confident that the outcome of this visit has further aligned our policy agendas, shared commitments, and partnerships that will bring enormous benefits for our two countries and the region,” he said.
Meanwhile, Secretary Rubio also commended the partnership between the two nations, emphasising Guyana’s potential for transformation. “I hope you fully appreciate and understand that this is the most exciting place in the world to be right now because you have the opportunity at this moment to transform this country for generations. We want to be your partner in making that possible. We think it’s a mutual benefit to see that happen. Other countries are looking to improve and make progress, but his country has an opportunity to transform,” Rubio remarked. He also highlighted the benefits of the partnership, stating, “You have an opportunity to expand in a responsible way, agricultural production, not just for the needs of your population, but for the region, and to do it in a way that safeguards the beauty and the natural environment that’s pristine. You have an opportunity to expand in eco-tourism. I’m just touching on a few things, but there are opportunities before you, and that shared prosperity for your country will come as a result of that.”
(Guyana and US sign pact to strengthen cooperation, address regional challenges)
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Freedom of Information is a myth
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- I once thought Freedom of Information meant you could, well, access information freely.... more
The U.S. “Joining” the Commonwealth: an unreasonable expectation
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- Recent media stories have suggested that King Charles III could “invite” the United... more
Weekend Cartoon
