U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Western Hemisphere, Daniel P. Erikson, concluded a two-day visit to Guyana, emphasizing the importance of robust interaction and engagement between the U.S. Department of Defense and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) in 2024.
The visit aimed to deepen collaboration in various areas, including cybersecurity, training, and information sharing.
Daniel Erikson highlighted the significance of understanding the challenges and opportunities faced by the Guyana Defence Force, particularly in terms of military modernization.
The planned interactions between the U.S. and Guyana involve specialized training teams, with some teams scheduled to travel to Guyana to collaborate with their counterparts.
The focus will be on sharing knowledge and information, contributing to the professional development of the Guyana Defence Force.
Cybersecurity emerged as a key area of collaboration, with Erikson emphasizing the need to counter cyber threats.
The U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense expressed the belief that the exchange of expertise in this domain would be beneficial for Guyana in addressing evolving challenges in the digital landscape.
Furthermore, Erikson highlighted the broader regional context, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the hemisphere as a zone of peace.
He underscored the collective effort required from partners to contribute to regional stability.
With Guyana holding a seat on the UN Security Council and assuming the Chairmanship of CARICOM, Erikson sees an opportunity for the U.S. and Guyana to collaborate through relevant multilateral agencies to ensure a peaceful and prosperous hemisphere.
The strengthened defense cooperation reflects a commitment to enhancing security capabilities, fostering information exchange, and addressing emerging challenges in the evolving geopolitical landscape.