THE United States Government stands ready to assist Guyana in going after drug traffickers and money launderers as well as to assist in the prosecution, imprisonment and dismantling of their networks and forfeiture of their assets. 

This commitment was reaffirmed by the US Charge d’Affaires, Bryan Hunt, on Tuesday while addressing a gathering at the official residence of the US Ambassador during a reception in honour of visiting United States Southern Command General, John F. Kelly, who is responsible for US military operations in Latin America and the Caribbean and arrived in Guyana on Tuesday for a two-day official visit.
CBSI GOALS
Hunt said that the US Southern Command’s role in this part of the world is designed to assist in increased capacity to address the many joint challenges of nations, including combating narcotics, weapon smuggling and human trafficking under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI).

The CBSI goals, Hunt reminded, include the reduction of trafficking in narcotics, weapons and persons. In addition, it aims at the reduction of crime and violence while increasing social justice.
ONGOING PARTNERSHIPS
The US Charge d’Affaires pointed out, however, that achieving these goals is far more complex and requires ongoing partnership and coordination at all levels between the Governments of the United States and Guyana in seeking to disrupt and dismantle well established and well financed criminal organisations.
In addition, capacity building of Guyana’s security forces is a very critical but not sufficient element in achieving the goals outlined under the CBSI. Moreover, the efforts of the security forces must be complemented by a robust programme of investigative and prosecutorial activities which result in the successful conviction and imprisonment of criminal elements.
Further there must be collaborative efforts which should be undertaken to seize the financial assets of criminal organisations and dismantle their sophisticated money laundering networks, Hunt told the gathering.
COMPLIMENTS ON SOCU
To this end, Guyana was complimented for its efforts which seem to be moving in that direction with the establishment of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) which the Government of Guyana is working to bring on stream.
Hunt said that the US Government stands ready to work with the Government of Guyana and other international partners to ensure that the soon to be operational unit receives the necessary training and assistance to operate effectively.