President Irfaan Ali of Guyana is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump on March 7 in Miami to discuss crucial issues related to regional security and other challenges facing the Caribbean.
The announcement was made by President Ali following a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during the 50th regular meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Government Conference in St. Kitts and Nevis on Wednesday.
During the briefing, President Ali highlighted the ongoing collaboration between the U.S. and Guyana on various matters, particularly regional security. “We have been working with the U.S. on a number of issues, one of which is regional security. Over the last couple of years, we have been engaging to strengthen our bilateral relationship in terms of security,” he stated. He confirmed his invitation to the upcoming meeting convened by President Trump centered on security matters and regional challenges.
When questioned about the exclusivity of the invitation to Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago as the only CARICOM members attending, Ali refrained from speculating on other attendees, affirming that “Guyana will be attending.”
Regarding the ongoing tensions between Guyana and Venezuela, President Ali echoed sentiments shared by fellow CARICOM leaders. He emphasized the leaders’ duty to safeguard their nations’ interests, stating, “Our inherent responsibility is to support each other whenever we come under threat from forces like Venezuela.”
Ali also expressed appreciation for the support from Trinidad and Tobago, particularly noting Prime Minister Kamla’s reaffirmation of assistance to Guyana amid Venezuela’s aggressive stance. He firmly asserted, “We will not sit by if any of our state or territorial integrity is threatened. We have a responsibility to support each other as outlined in the charter.”
As President Ali prepares for this critical discussion, the focus on regional security underscores the collaborative efforts within the Caribbean to address pressing geopolitical tensions.
