President and Commander-in-Chief Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth signed a Joint Declaration for an Enhanced Defense Partnership at The Pentagon in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. This declaration builds on Guyana’s multi-decade partnership with the United States and is critical to the continued defense of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. It reflects the strategic weight both countries place on the security of Guyana and the Western Hemisphere.
Through the declaration, the U.S. Department of War resolves to provide sustained defense expertise, multidomain training, and combined exercises with the Guyana Defence Force, supporting Guyana’s continued efforts to build a modern and strategic defense architecture. Cooperation will also strengthen Guyana’s air-domain awareness, enhancing its ability to monitor, deter, and respond to threats in and around its territory.
This declaration further aligns Guyana and the United States in confronting narcoterrorist organizations and narcotrafficking, building on both countries’ founding roles in the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition and the Shield of the Americas. Together, these commitments send a clear message that Guyana and its partners stand ready to deter malign state and non-state actors that threaten the peace and security of Guyana and the wider region.
The declaration marks the latest milestone in an ever-expanding strategic partnership between Guyana and the United States, one that spans security, energy, trade, and investment and has deepened significantly under the leadership of His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali. As Guyana’s role as a hemispheric leader expands, the partnership remains anchored in a shared commitment to the prosperity, security, and sovereignty of both peoples.
