Guyana’s economic transformation will see its bilateral defence partnership with the United States intensifying this year as the two nations strategise on plans for a futuristic modern defence system here.
This will also include training in a number of areas and visits from other US department heads throughout 2024.
US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Western Hemisphere, Daniel Erikson, today wraps up a visit to this country. He informed that in meetings he has held with top officials on defence, Washington has pledged support to assist in areas of especially training for cybersecurity vigilance and sharing of information to combat transnational crimes.
Erikson yesterday held an interview with representatives from the four daily newspapers here. He also had an interview with the Department of Public Information where he reiterated much of what was said in the interview with the print media.
“The United States has a very strong bilateral relationship with Guyana which includes the defence relationship. The first message is, that there is already a strong foundation for the US and Guyana to cooperate on defence security issues. At the same time, we recognise that Guyana is at a turning point in terms of economic development, and in terms of the regional role it is capable of playing. We want to make sure that our relationship with Guyana continues to meet the times, as the situation in Guyana continues to evolve,” Erikson said in response to questions posed by the Stabroek News on the broad terms of the defence partnership being discussed between Georgetown and Washington.
“My visit here, my first foreign trip for 2024, is intended to mainly obtain and advance the strong defence lines that we have with Guyana and will have a robust set of activities over the coming year which includes additional visits by training teams, increased information sharing high level discussions on a whole range of issues,” he added.
The US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense said that “Guyana is seeking to modernise its defence capabilities which will over time, imply additional purchases or assets it may require.”
Asked if discussions about arms purchases included additional marine vessels, aircraft, and ammunition, he replied that the two sides “are in conversations about what the scope of that element of capability should be.”
“One thing that is of great interest to us is ensuring that as Guyana looks to increase its defence capabilities, it does so through a plan that is strategic; that is nested in its overall defence institutions that are sustainable overtime. Looking forward I can see a time when Guyana does look to expand its maritime and other assets beyond what it has currently,” he added.
The visit by the senior US official comes in the aftermath of swingeing tensions in December with Venezuela over its referendum which sought the annexation of Guyana’s county of Essequibo. In recent months, Guyana has embarked on stepped up defence diplomacy in the face of the Venezuelan threat and this has seen a string of visits from the US and other nations. Tensions have eased since a meeting on December 14 in Argyle, St Vincent and the Grenadines where Venezuela promised to eschew force or the threat of use of force over the border controversy
Erikson said that up to the time of the interview, he had had some “really productive conversations” on Guyana’s defence needs and the steps the Guyana Defence Force is undertaking to modernise its defence capabilities.
“What is very clear is the desire to increase the main awareness of the Guyana Defence Force and I am looking forward to working with them in terms of deepening information sharing,” he said.
The two sides also discussed cybersecurity and some steps that can be taken in that area here, given that this is an area that will see increased attacks on security systems.
This year, a number of specialized training programmes will be seen across the board at the defence level, Erikson said, as he pointed to teams that had visited Guyana in 2023 while noting that this will continue in 2024.
And while the US is taking a keen interest in the border controversy with Venezuela, its primary focus is maintaining peace and stability in the region and strengthening its bilateral relationship with Guyana.
“We followed very closely the results of the meeting that took place in December in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The US supports continuation of respect for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We think it is important that we all see what the outcome is at the International Court of Justice, as it relates to this ongoing controversy. We are currently focused, however, on ensuring that the US and Guyana have a defence and robust relationship at the bilateral level.”
And when asked if the US was prepared to send its troops to defend Guyana’s territorial integrity should the situation with Venezuela escalate, Erikson said, “At this point, we see the border controversy has reached a period, thankfully, of relative de-escalation as the parties are seeking diplomatic outcomes rather than military outcomes. We think it is extremely important to maintain peace and stability throughout the western hemisphere… Looking forward, we really think this is most appropriately dealt with through diplomatic and international legal channels rather than military.”
The US is also not looking to establish a military base here to combat transnational or other crimes
“The United States views the challenges from transnational organisations as ones that are not just military challenges, but ones that are also legal and law enforcement challenges and therefore require a holistic government response working with our partners in the region. At this juncture we are not foreseeing any changes in terms of what our overall posture is in this region but we continue to assess the situation as it goes on.”
Throughout last year, the US and Guyana have had a number of collaborative defence training exercises, the last being in early December when the U.S Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) conducted flight operations here.
A release on that exercise had said that it builds upon routine engagement and operations to “enhance security partnership between the United States and Guyana, and to strengthen regional cooperation.”
In addition to this exercise, the release said that the USSOUTHCOM will continue its collaboration with the GDF in the areas of disaster preparedness, aerial and maritime security, and countering transnational criminal organisations.
“The US will continue its commitment as Guyana’s trusted security partner and promoting regional cooperation and interoperability,” the release stated.
