–to advance discussions on defence, security partnership

THE US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Defense (DASD) for the Western Hemisphere at the US Department of Defense, Daniel P. Erikson will be in Guyana from January 8 – 9.

According to a press release from the US Embassy, DASD Erikson is responsible for US defense and security policy for the 34-nation region that encompasses Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South and Central America.
His visit to Guyana underscores the continued importance the United States places on the US-Guyana bilateral defense and security partnership in support of regional stability.

DASD Erikson is scheduled to meet with the Government of Guyana, Guyana Defence Force (GDF), and Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders to discuss the US defense and security partnership with Guyana and regional partners.

“DASD Erikson’s visit to Guyana is his first trip overseas in 2024, and it signifies the importance of the bilateral defense and security partnership, as the GDF continues to grow, in the short-term with robust military-to-military engagements, and in the long-term as the nation continues to modernise its defense institutions,” the US Embassy said.

Further, the embassy said: “The United States continues to work closely with its allies around the world to strengthen alliances and partnerships by improving interoperability, deepening information-sharing and planning, and conducting complex joint and combined exercises.”

Daniel P. Erikson is the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Western Hemisphere at the US Department of Defense. In this capacity, he serves in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and is responsible for US defense and security policy for the thirty-four nation region that encompasses Canada, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America.

Mr. Erikson served as the Western Hemisphere policy lead for the Biden-Harris Transition. He previously served in the White House as special advisor to then-Vice President Joe Biden, where he covered foreign affairs and national security issues in the Americas.

Prior to the White House, he served in the US Department of State as senior advisor for Congressional and Inter-Governmental Affairs and senior advisor for Western Hemisphere Affairs.

In 2017, he received the State Department’s Superior Honor Award for his diplomatic contributions to US-Latin American relations, including the advancement of bipartisan policies to support security and development in Central America and Colombia.