U.S. companies in Guyana to build, not extract and leave – Ambassador Theriot

Jul 04, 2026 News

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(Kaieteur News) – United States (U.S.) Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot said Thursday that American companies are not in Guyana simply to extract the country’s resources and leave, declaring that the bilateral relationship has reached an unprecedented peak defined by permanent security integration and sustainable economic investment.

Speaking at a gala reception celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence held at Four Points by Sheraton hotel, Ambassador Theriot drew a contrast between American corporate engagement and that of other foreign actors operating in the region.

“U.S. companies are not just here to extract and leave like some other countries,” Ambassador Theriot stated, anchoring Washington’s commitment to Guyana’s long-term developmental framework.

The Ambassador further highlighted that American corporate presence in the rapid expansion of Guyana’s energy and infrastructure sectors is designed around sustainability, local capacity building, and institutional investment. In her remarks, she highlighted specific examples of bilateral success, noting that the diplomatic and economic teams have been quietly “carving the foundation for what can only be a remarkable future ahead” for both nations.

Taking the podium immediately after, President Ali strongly echoed the Ambassador’s sentiments, framing the relationship as a foundational alliance of “conviction rather than convenience” that has matured over 60 years of Guyana’s independence.

Moving beyond ‘Cooperation’ to an intertwined defence

In his address, President Ali rejected the standard diplomatic language of bilateral “cooperation,” insisting that escalating regional security challenges demand a more permanent, seamless defence architecture between Georgetown and Washington.

“Our security alliance is not only aligned,” President Ali declared. “The task before us is to make it intertwine seamlessly… because we have a duty to protect the children of tomorrow, to protect the economy of tomorrow, and to protect this region.”

The President revealed that Guyana’s National Defence Institute has tightly integrated its operational philosophies, priorities, and strategic planning platforms with U.S. military institutions. He cited specific intelligence regarding persistent efforts by transnational criminal syndicates, large-scale narco-traffickers, and localised terrorist cells attempting to establish a foothold within the region as the primary catalyst for the deepened alliance.

Defensive mandate and territorial sovereignty

The heavy emphasis on defensive integration comes as Guyana continues to manage immense economic growth from its offshore oil production while navigating regional geopolitical sensitivities. President Ali explicitly stated that the security integration harbours no aggressive intent. “We harbour no ambitions beyond our borders, and we seek no domination over others,” Ali noted. The administration’s absolute priority remains ensuring that Guyana’s national inheritance is “developed for the benefit of Guyanese, free from external coercion or intimidation.”

Drawing a direct historical line to the Declaration of Independence signed in 1776, Ali emphasised that legitimate governance rests solely on the collective will of the governed, stating that no external power holds the moral authority to dictate to a sovereign people.

President Ali also used the platform to take aim at the political opposition and commentators who remain critical of the State’s rapid infrastructural and economic transition.

“In Guyana today, we are accustomed to seeing people walk on examples and still criticise,” President Ali said, gesturing to the newly constructed U.S.-branded hotel hosting the evening’s event. “We are accustomed to seeing people standing between a beautiful building and one under construction but refuse to show the beauty on their left-hand side.”

The President highlighted several structural overhauls funded or technically supported by U.S. entities, including a sweeping reorganisation of the national emergency medical infrastructure engineered by the Mount Sinai Health System and Northwell Health.

The Head-of-State credited Ambassador Theriot and her diplomatic team for working “relentlessly behind cameras, behind the noise, quietly” to build mutual trust. He then called for a joint round of applause for the uniformed service members of both the Guyana Defence Force and the U.S. Armed Forces before proposing a formal toast to the enduring nature of bilateral self-determination.

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• extract, Four Points by Sheraton hotel, U.S. and Guyana, United States Ambassador to Guyana

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