In a strong call to action against the escalating threat of organized crime in the region, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has urged the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to adopt a more expansive role that extends beyond traditional border protection. His remarks came during the GDF’s Annual Officers’ Conference as he highlighted the increasing complexity of security threats facing the nation.
President Ali addressed the assembled officers, emphasizing their role as “guardians” of not only national security but also the country’s resources and continued development. “You operate in a hemisphere where security threats are fluid, layered, and increasingly complex,” he stated, underscoring the need for vigilance amid rising concerns.
The President pointed to the persistent challenges posed by transnational crime, including organized trafficking and cyber threats, warning that these issues have no pause. “Transnational criminal networks are regional threats that must be confronted and removed from our hemisphere because they endanger security, slow development, and erode the harmony of our country,” he asserted.
As Guyana expands its oil production within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), President Ali cautioned that the nation faces intensified threats from those with dubious historical claims to the territory. He also highlighted other concerns, noting, “Within our land, there is a threat to our gold and other minerals from illegal mining. Within our rich forest and biodiversity, there is a need to shield our wildlife from illicit trafficking, and in our airspace, we have to protect it from transnational criminals.”
In linking national defense to the safeguarding of national assets, President Ali emphasized the critical role the military must play in nation-building. “To protect national assets is an act of nation building, ensuring what belongs to Guyana is preserved and transformed into real improvement in the lives of our people,” he stated.
As the conversation around security evolves, President Ali’s address at the GDF underscores a pivotal shift towards a more proactive approach in confronting organized crime and securing the future of Guyana’s rich natural resources.
