WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 21, 2026 — Guyana’s 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 on Wednesday, marking a significant expansion of military and security cooperation between Guyana and the United States.
The declaration strengthens a partnership spanning several decades and reinforces both countries’ commitment to safeguarding Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while advancing security and stability across the Western Hemisphere.
Under the agreement, the U.S. Department of War will provide sustained defense expertise, multidomain training and combined military exercises with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), supporting Guyana’s efforts to develop a modern and strategic defense architecture.
The partnership will also strengthen Guyana’s air-domain awareness, enhancing the country’s ability to monitor its airspace, deter potential threats and respond effectively to security challenges within and around its territory.
The declaration reflects the strategic importance both governments attach to Guyana’s security, particularly as the country continues to expand its economic and geopolitical role in the hemisphere.
A major component of the agreement focuses on combating narcoterrorist organizations and narcotrafficking networks that threaten regional peace and stability.
This cooperation builds on Guyana’s and the United States’ founding roles in the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition and the Shield of the Americas, reinforcing their commitment to coordinated action against transnational criminal organizations.
The declaration also sends a strong signal of both countries’ readiness to deter malign state and non-state actors whose activities threaten Guyana’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and the security of the wider region.
Wednesday’s signing represents the latest milestone in an expanding strategic relationship between Georgetown and Washington, encompassing defense and security cooperation, energy, trade and investment.
The bilateral partnership has deepened significantly under President Ali’s leadership, with both countries placing increasing emphasis on strengthening economic ties, defense capabilities and regional security cooperation.
As Guyana assumes a more prominent role in hemispheric affairs, the enhanced defense partnership underscores a shared commitment to protecting national sovereignty, promoting regional stability and advancing the security and prosperity of the Guyanese and American peoples.