President Irfaan Ali believes the relationship between Guyana and the United States is built on shared values for the two countries and the region.

During an interview with CNN in Washington DC on Wednesday, the President was asked about the new wave of partnerships between Guyana and the US and whether it may be a way of the United States holding control over Guyana.

The President said the two countries have been working for the good of their citizens and the region, adding that said Guyana remains open to strengthening its relationship with the United States.

“I don’t see the U.S as trying to force us or trying to be a dominant force with Guyana. We have made it very clear that we are deeply interested in partnership, working together with the U.S, we see the U.S as an important ally of Guyana and the partnership that we built must be built on shared values, shared benefits and joint development and prosperity of our region,” the President stated.

On Wednesday, Guyana and the United States signed a Joint Declaration for an Enhanced Defense Partnership.

The declaration was signed at the Pentagon in Washington DC between President Irfaan Ali and US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth.

In a statement, the President’s office said the 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, as 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.

President Ali said if the development of the region is perused, and the advancement of the region with the US from a perspective of shared values and commitment is addressed, it will be sustainable in the long-term and beneficial for the United States, Guyana and the region.

“I can speak for Guyana, that is how we are perusing this relationship, we are a sovereign state, and we are working with the US as a partner in development, as a partner in security and that is how we see this,” the President said.

In the last few years, the United States and Guyana have signed a number of agreements in the area of energy and energy security and military cooperation.

“We have had excellent relationship with the U.S and that relationship is based on some shared values and shared priorities. So, I believe that from our perspective, we have entered into an agreement with ExxonMobil as a partner, and we have other exploration with global company. So, our investment in the sector is quite diversified from a global footprint,” the President said.

Guyana and the US have shared diplomatic relations for over 50 years.

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