Source :CNW
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Guyanese President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali held talks on Tuesday to strengthen bilateral security cooperation and discuss recent developments in the Western Hemisphere.
In a readout from the U.S. State Department, Secretary Rubio praised President Ali’s leadership and Guyana’s role as a regional security partner. “This was a great example of bilateral cooperation,” Rubio said.
“The United States remains committed to deepening security cooperation with Guyana to address shared challenges, including illicit narcotics and firearms trafficking, which threaten regional stability and economic resilience.” He added that both countries would continue working together to disrupt foreign terrorist organisations and transnational criminal networks while strengthening law enforcement capabilities and border security.
President Ali, in a separate statement attributed to his foreign secretary, said he and Secretary Rubio spoke on recent developments in Venezuela and other key issues in the Western Hemisphere. He expressed appreciation for the United States’ reaffirmed commitment, praised the leadership of both President Donald Trump and Secretary Rubio in upholding freedom, democracy, and regional security, and reiterated Guyana’s steadfast support for efforts to combat transnational crime.
“President Ali reiterated Guyana’s steadfast commitment to working with the United States – the region’s strategic and important security ally. The President re-emphasised Guyana’s support for every effort to combat transnational crime, including drugs and gold smuggling, and narco-terrorism. The President also reiterated Guyana’s respect for the rule of law, free and fair elections, upholding of democratic norms and the furtherance of peace and prosperity for all the people of the region,” the statement said.
Both leaders also committed to remain engaged on the issues discussed and other areas of mutual interest, with President Ali welcoming the U.S.’s continued support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.