Guyana and United States sign enhanced defense partnership

Guyana Defence Force Pete Hegseth Irfaan Ali defense partnership narcotrafficking

Guyana and the United States have signed a Joint Declaration for an Enhanced Defense Partnership at the Pentagon. The agreement, signed by President Irfaan Ali and U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, aims to strengthen Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity through increased military cooperation.

Under the pact, the U.S. Department of War will provide specialized defense expertise, multidomain training, and combined exercises for the Guyana Defence Force. The partnership focuses on enhancing air-domain awareness and improving the ability to monitor and respond to threats. A key component involves joint efforts to confront narco-terrorist organizations and combat narcotrafficking, building on existing frameworks like the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition and the Shield of the Americas.

President Ali emphasized that the partnership is grounded in mutual respect and shared regional prosperity. He noted that the cooperation is vital for maintaining stability in the face of regional security challenges, including the ongoing border controversy with Venezuela regarding the Essequibo region.

Entities

Guyana Defence Force · Irfaan Ali · Pentagon · Pete Hegseth · United States Department of War

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] President Ali stated that Guyana is working with the U.S. as a partner and is a sovereign state. dpi.gov.gy · ncnguyana.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The agreement aims to strengthen Guyana’s air-domain awareness to monitor and respond to threats. www.cananews.com · petroleumag.com
[● 5 SOURCES] President Irfaan Ali and U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth signed the Joint Declaration for an Enhanced Defense Partnership at the Pentagon. www.cananews.com · guyanagraphic.com · jamaicainquirer.com · petroleumag.com · justthenews.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Guyana is seeking a peaceful resolution to the border controversy with Venezuela through the International Court of Justice. dpi.gov.gy · petroleumag.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The U.S. military campaign in the Caribbean has resulted in at least 238 deaths in strikes on alleged drug-trafficking vessels since September 2025. jamaicainquirer.com · dominicanrepublicpost.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The government is working to maximize benefits from the existing Production Sharing Agreement with ExxonMobil. dpi.gov.gy · ncnguyana.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The partnership includes cooperation to confront narco-terrorist organizations and narcotrafficking. www.cananews.com · petroleumag.com · justthenews.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The U.S. Department of War will provide defense expertise, multidomain training, and combined exercises to the Guyana Defence Force. www.cananews.com · petroleumag.com · justthenews.com