The U.S. Department of State, through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, has made an additional US$300,000 available to Guyana under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative to combat a number of security challenges, including the trafficking of narcotics.
At a signing ceremony this morning at Ramphal House, U.S Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot said the provision of the additional US$300,000 on the existing Letter of Agreement, will help Guyana better combat crime, enhance the rule of law, and integrate effectively into the Regional Security System.
The bilateral assistance is complimented by more than US$2.5 million in Caribbean Basin Security Initiative’s regional programming which is designed to promote regionalization.
The additional funding paves the way for at least three new areas of partnership, including a capacity-building programme with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.
“First, crime and illicit narcotics trafficking threaten Guyana’s security, stability, and economy and pose a direct threat to the national security of both our countries. That’s why I’m pleased to announce the U.S. Embassy and INL will soon begin a capacity-building program with the U.S. DEA to bolster Guyana’s counternarcotics capacity to address the large amounts of cocaine transiting the country and to help the GPF provide critical casualty and trauma care for officers and community members in rural environments,” the U.S. Ambassador announced.
Additionally, with the aim of strengthening border security to combat transnational crime, the U.S will be deploying a technical FBI team to Guyana to upgrade the country’s Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS), particularly at major ports throughout the country, and to ensure interoperability with U.S. law enforcement.
The U.S also intends to make a US$350,000 investment in Guyana under the “Better Police Readiness Programme.”
“The United States will make a $350,000 investment in Guyana under the “Better Police Readiness Program” implemented by PADF to support the GPF’s implementation of its Strategic Management Plan. Specifically, we will work hand-in-hand with the GPF to improve training academy curriculum, enhance the GPF’s strategic planning and management, bolster the GPF’s forensic and crime scene investigation capabilities, and train the GPF on crisis communications, hostage negotiations, and best practices to engage vulnerable populations,” Ambassador Theriot explained.
She reasoned that the increased partnership will help to pave the way for Guyana’s deeper integration into regional security cooperation and will support a more inclusive criminal justice system.
Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, who signed the agreement with the U.S envoy, said Guyana is pleased with the support which forms part of the global fight to combat trafficking of narcotics, guns and ammunition.
He said the U.S. has been a staunch supporter and partner to Guyana in this fight.
“We are aware, and we have been working at stemming the flow, with particular success this year for sure, in relation to narcotics trafficking. We want to point out the regional and global nature of this fight because the neighbouring countries both in the Caribbean Region and South America, all are suffering from the negative effects of narcotics trafficking, the trafficking in firearms which supports the trade, and the crime and violence which results as a result of narcotic trafficking; not to mention the question of money laundering and moving on to other questions, people smuggling, people trafficking, all the issues of organized transnational crimes which hinge upon narcotic trafficking,” the Home Affair Minister said.
Minister Benn urged the country’s other international partners to follow in the footsteps of the US and lend support to the fight against narco-trafficking, noting that it is more than the country can handle alone.
Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretaruy, Ambassador Elisabeth Harper; Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings; Acting Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken; and Director of the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU), James Singh were among the officials present at the signing ceremony this morning.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login