The United States is positioning itself as a key partner for Guyana, with its Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau highlighting infrastructure development and security as two priority areas in the bilateral relationship.
“We’re very excited about partnering with Guyana, as it is taking advantage of its resources, both its natural resources and its human resources,” Landau said during a visit to Georgetown this week.
“Together, we can build stronger, safer and more prosperous countries.”
Over the last several years, Guyana has undergone rapid economic development largely due to its burgeoning oil and gas sector. Landau acknowledged that Guyana’s is among the world’s fastest-growing economies and said infrastructure development is needed to herald in future development. The US, he said, wants to help in this regard.
“We wanna see ports that allows good to come in, we wanna see roads to transport the goods throughout the country… (we’d like to see) more stores and stadiums and all of the things the people of Guyana want like housing,” the Deputy Secretary of State said.
Beyond infrastructure development. Landau said the US is interested in security partnerships. During his visit, a Memorandum of Understanding intended to enhance Guyana’s and the US’ existing Memorandum of Security Cooperation was inked. This builds on previous collaboration to counter narcotics trafficking and address wider security challenges.
“I think those of you in Guyana are aware that organized crime has been increasing in this area.
“.... “…it’s natural for us to want to work together to make sure that these criminal groups and these drug smugglers do not put down roots in Guyana and start sending drugs into this country that will destroy the beautiful families of Guyana and the social harmony that you have here,” he said.
Landau is one of several high-ranking US officials to visit Guyana over the past few years. Earlier this year, President Dr Irfaan Ali oined US President Donald Trump for the historic ‘Shield of the Americas’ Summit, which brought together leaders from across Latin America.
President Trump addressed the regional leaders, urging them to take military action against drug trafficking cartels and transnational organisations, which he said pose an “unacceptable threat” to the hemisphere’s security.
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