In a firm commitment to address the growing threat of illicit gold smuggling, President Irfaan Ali has assured the United States Government that his administration will allocate “enormous resources” to combat this issue, particularly in light of warnings regarding gold smuggling linked to Venezuela.
The President made this assurance during his address at the US Embassy’s Independence Day celebration on Friday evening, hosted at the residence of the US Ambassador.
President Ali emphasized the significance of the advisory received from the US, which highlighted the serious risks posed by gold smuggling operations emanating from Venezuela. “We have received that advisory today, and we want you to know that we are putting enormous resources into ensuring that the threat of illicit gold smuggling, which could empower undemocratic forces, is uprooted with our partnership,” he stated.
The President noted that the US, through its Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, has initiated several programs aimed at enhancing law enforcement and security cooperation not only with Guyana but also with other Caribbean nations.
The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in March 2025 during the visit of US Secretary of State is a significant step in solidifying this collaboration. “The MoU builds on our long-standing partnership and aims to deepen cooperation in areas such as counter narcotics, the fight against transnational organized crime, and strengthening security and defense cooperation,” President Ali explained.
US Ambassador Nicole Theriot echoed the President’s sentiments, highlighting that military and security cooperation between Guyana and the US has never been stronger. She pointed to the recent visit by Secretary Rubio as clear evidence of their mutual commitment to shared security objectives.
In conclusion, President Ali’s commitment to combatting illicit gold smuggling reflects a proactive approach to addressing regional security challenges, reinforcing the partnership between Guyana and the United States.
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