US Marine Corps Major General Julie Nethercot visited Guyana from May 6th to 8th in what Washington says is a sign of its commitment to partnering with the GDF and significantly her directorate addresses matters such as deterring aggression and defeating threats.
Nethercot, the US Southern Command Strategy, Policy, and Plans Director met with Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chief of Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan to discuss ongoing security cooperation and security assistance initiatives to advance technology platforms. A statement yesterday from the US Embassy said this visit is her second to Guyana and “signifies the U.S. commitment to partnering with the GDF as it continues to increase its capabilities and expand its force”.
The visit will be seen here as part of a series of measures being taken by Washington to deter Venezuelan aggression over its claim to Guyana’s Essequibo. In the past year, Guyana has seen a series of high-level visits from the US State Department and the US Southern Command.
The statement from the US Embassy said that the Strategy, Policy, and Plans Directorate at US Southern Command oversees strategic planning, policy development and security cooperation coordination for Latin America and the Caribbean.
“The Directorate directly supports U.S. Southern Command’s goals and objectives in deterring aggression, defeating threats, rapidly responding to crises, and working with allies and partner nations to strengthen the region’s capacity to ensure a secure, free, and prosperous Western Hemisphere. MajGen Nethercot’s visit to Guyana underscores the continued importance and unwavering commitment the United States places on the U.S.-Guyana bilateral defense and security partnership”, the statement said.
The statement added that the US “continues to work closely with its partners around the world to strengthen alliances and partnerships by improving interoperability, deepening information-sharing and planning, and conducting complex joint and combined exercises”.
