President discusses security cooperation with US Admiral

Partnerships between the United States and the Guyana Defence Force to foster training and address security concerns that are common to both countries were central to discussions between President Donald Ramotar and US Southern Command, Miami Vice Admiral Joseph Kernan today.

President Donald Ramotar greets US Southern Command, Miami, Vice Admiral Joseph Kernan in the presence of US Ambassador to Guyana Brent Hardt

Vice Adm. Kernan who is second-in-command of one of 10 unified commands under the Department of Defence, met President Ramotar at the Office of the President in the company of a team that included US Ambassador to Guyana Brent Hardt.

Southern Command operates with a mandate to conduct military operations and security cooperation throughout Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, according to Vice Adm. Kernan.

President Donald Ramotar with Vice Admiral Joseph Kernan from the US Southern Command in Miami and a team that included US Ambassador to Guyana Brent Hardt

“Our intent is to sustain and maintain a strong relationship with Guyana, working within the region together with other nations and to address some of the security concerns that we have,” he said.

The Barack Obama inspired Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) partnership between the US and Caribbean nations of which Guyana is a member, focuses on maritime and aerial security cooperation, law enforcement capacity building, border/port security and firearms interdiction, justice sector reform and crime prevention and at-risk youth.

President Donald Ramotar in discussion with US Ambassador to Guyana Brent Hardt and a team from the US Military that included Vice Admiral Joseph Kernan

Its objectives were modified recently when the Guyana and the US Governments sealed agreements focused on deepening law enforcement, counternarcotics control, money laundering and financial crimes and data sharing on land, sea and air traffic.

The new approaches were welcomed even as the Guyana Government realised that crime fighting, particularly attempts to clamp down on the drug trade must be addressed through cooperation and not isolation.

In his recent address to officers of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) President Ramotar who is the country’s Commander in Chief, highlighted the importance of understanding the use of science and technology and how criminal masterminds are using these tools to their advantage.