GUYANA will be host to yet another high-profile visit. The United States Department of State has announced that Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken will visit Guyana on July 6, after travelling to Trinidad and Tobago on July 5 to participate in the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting.
The visit comes at a time when Guyana is repositioning itself strategically as a major player on the international stage, especially in the areas of energy and food security. Guyana now has the lead role in advancing the food security agenda of the entire region. It has now joined the ranks of oil producing nations which is an added advantage on the global stage from an energy perspective.

The United States and Guyana shared strong bilateral relations. This relationship has deepened following failed attempt by the previous APNU+AFC regime to return itself to power in the March 2020 General and Regional elections through undemocratic means.
The United States played a key role in upholding the democratic process which was under threat by the then Granger administration. It will be recalled that it was no less a person than former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who called on Granger to respect the results of the democratic election and announced visa restrictions on individuals undermining democracy in the country.

Since then, the country has seen several high-profile visits to Guyana from several top officials including visits by two Secretaries of State, Mike Pompeo and Anthony Blinken. This will be the second visit to the country by a US Secretary of State since the PPP/C took office on August 2020 and is indicative of the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two nations. During his visit to the United States in September 2022, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali met with several leading officials of the State Department including Vice-President Kamala Harris.
This bond of friendship was emphasized by United States Ambassador to Guyana Sarah Lynch during a recent speech in which she spoke of the ‘enduring partnership’ between Guyana and the United States. According to the envoy, Guyana is clearly on a unique and amazing journey. The United States, she said, “has been and will continue to be on this journey with you. I could not be prouder of the enduring partnership between our two nations which I know will continue long past my tenure in Guyana.”

The fact is that Guyana and the United States share much in common.in terms of adherence of democratic values, open market and the rule of law. As noted by Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips the United States has become the standard bearer for democracy and good governance within the region, in this hemisphere. This friendship, he said, has resulted in a strong, reliable and strategic partnership which improved the socio-economic conditions in Guyana, impacting human resource development, capacity building, knowledge and skills transfer as well as fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

As pointed out by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, during a recent video message, Guyana is reaping substantial benefits from the several engagements with global leaders over the past three years. According to President Ali, ‘For the month of July, I received more than 50 direct requests from Heads of Government around the world. We’re going on our state visit to China. These are things we do to bring results for the country.’

These are no mean achievements which will further catapult this nation to greater heights. Indeed, since assuming office, he met with over 60 leaders across the globe, more than 50 executives from major multinational corporations, in addition to giving keynote addresses to more than 150 events.
Guyana is clearly enjoying the international spotlight and the visit by Secretary Blinken will no doubt be yet another shining moment in our expanding galaxy of friendly nations. President Ali and the PPP/C administration must be commended for raising the international profile of Guyana and for repositioning the country to take advantage of a new and changing global dispensation.