U.S. aircraft in flyover of Georgetown

Sep 08, 2025 News

…as Pres. Ali celebrates re-election with cultural ceremony

Scenes of the Ali’s inauguration cultural show held at the Kingston Seawall Esplanade

Kaieteur News – Two U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier II aircraft took part in a closely coordinated flyover of Georgetown during President Irfaan Ali’s inauguration celebration.

President Irfaan Ali sitting with his family during the culture show

According to the United States Embassy here, the flyover symbolises Washington’s full solidarity with the people of Guyana as the two countries advance shared goals of peace, prosperity and regional security.

Following the formal part of his inauguration, a cultural show was held the Kingston Seawall Esplanade Georgetown, featuring among other things the flyover by the United States aircraft. The flyover was conducted in collaboration with the Government of Guyana and approval by the Guyana Defence Force. The inauguration ceremony brought together the president, his family, members of his party, and a large audience of supporters to mark the beginning of his new term.

Following the flyover, the cultural show commenced with a vibrant display of Guyana’s rich ethnic heritage. Performances included traditional dances by the Riverside Angels Indigenous Dancers, the National Dance Company with an African-themed piece by the Joro Dance Company, the Berbice Delights Dance Group, and a traditional Chinese lion dance performance. Musical acts also lit the stage, featuring local talents such as Carlvin Burnett, Sonia Singh, Mark Ferdinand, Soca Monarch Queen Diana Chapman, Adrian Dutchin, and many others.

The event saw notable appearances, including Prime Minister of St. Lucia, Philip Pierre; acting Prime Minister of Grenada, Lennox Andrews; former presidents, former prime minister of Guyana, Samuel Hinds; and U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot.

Speaking with Kaieteur News after the event, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand expressed optimism about the future of the education sector, especially given the ruling party’s increased majority in parliament. However, she emphasised the importance of a strong and effective opposition, stating, “I just want to say that the opposition has a role to play and they are extremely important for democracy. I would like to see a vibrant, constructive opposition. It’s a new opposition, I hope it’s not going to be the mediocrity we’ve met with, but instead a more substantive and constructive contribution to nation-building. That is what I would like to see, and that would be a beautiful day for this country.”

Pakuri Toshao Alvoro Simon also shared his hopes for the Indigenous communities across Guyana. Reflecting on the president’s past agenda and looking ahead, he stated, “I think the president agenda that he set out for the last five years, I think with this new five years, I think the Amerindian people from across the country can look forward to development that could exceed what they expect. I have no doubt that the president is going to ensure that the Amerindians communities around the country benefit from the best of the best services that the country has to offer and I can definitely see that,” he said.

Former prime minister, Samuel Hinds echoed these sentiments saying, “I expect that he will deliver on all that he has promised. We will continue to develop our people and our country. Most importantly, our people have to take responsibility in utilising all the infrastructure being put in place, so we can build a great nation.”

Guyanese singer Sonia Singh, who also performed at the inauguration, reflected on her growth as an artist in Guyana. She expressed modest expectations, saying, “I don’t expect anything; I just hope they continue what they were doing.”

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AV-8B Harrier II, flyover, Philip Pierre, President Irfaan Ali, Priya Manickchand, U.S. Marine Corps

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