-as Guyana gets additional US$300,000 to fight crime, advance rule of law

By Feona Morrison

IN an era marked by transnational challenges and the crucial need for international cooperation, Guyana and the United States of America (USA) are continuing their strategic partnership which aims to combat crime and bolster the rule of law.

In order to do this, the two nations took part in a symbolic signing ceremony on Monday, wherein under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), Guyana will receive an increase of US$300,000 in funding from the US government.

Under the CBSI, the US Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) will partner with like-minded policymakers to deliver holistic, tailored, and strategic capacity-building programmes in Guyana and across the region to help disrupt organised crime and promote citizen security and criminal-justice institutional reforms.

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn in brief remarks at the signing ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation boardroom, stated that the US has been a “staunch supporter and partner” in Guyana’s efforts to combat drug trafficking.

Minister Benn stated that Guyana has achieved tremendous progress in the global war against drug trafficking, particularly this year.

He said that neighbouring nations in South America and the Caribbean region are negatively impacted by drug trafficking, while making references to the fight’s regional and international scope.

According to Minister Benn, transnational organised crimes such as money laundering and the smuggling of people and weapons are supported by the trafficking of drugs.

He emphasised that the fight against narco-trafficking is more than Guyana can manage on its own and he urged the country’s other international allies to join the US in this endeavour.

“We want to continue to influence our international partners in falling upon the need of the United States of America, in helping us continue the fight against narcotics trafficking. They are more than we can handle by ourselves alone,” Benn added.

Meanwhile, the US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, stated in her speech that friendship, cooperation, and respect for one another form the foundation of INL’s relationship with Guyana.

Above all, she stated that their shared dedication to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law is the foundation of their collaboration.

She said the additional funding is to help Guyana better combat crime, enhance the rule of law, and integrate effectively into the Regional Security System (RSS).

“This bilateral assistance is complemented by more than US$2.5 million in CBSI regional programming designed to promote regionalisation — because we all know regional problems require regional solutions,” Ambassador Theriot noted.

NEW AREAS OF COOPERATION

Additionally, the ambassador revealed a number of new areas of cooperation for the enhanced US aid to Guyana, emphasising the fact that crime and the trafficking of illegal drugs endanger not only the national security of both countries, but also threatens Guyana’s security, stability, and economy.

Considering this, she said: “That’s why I’m pleased to announce the US Embassy and INL will soon begin a capacity-building programme with the US DEA [Drug Enforcement Administration] to bolster Guyana’s counternarcotics capacity to address the large amounts of cocaine transiting the country and to help the GPF [Guyana Police Force] provide critical casualty and trauma care for officers and community members in rural environments.”

She said, too, that because sophisticated criminals and malign actors still use Guyana’s borders for illegal purposes, bolstering border security is crucial to the battle against transnational crime.

“That’s why I am pleased to announce the deployment of a technical FBI [Federal Bureau of Investigation] team to Guyana to partner with you as you upgrade your Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) at major ports throughout the country and ensure interoperability with US law enforcement,” Theriot continued.

Finally, she revealed that the United States will make a US$350,000 investment in Guyana under the “Better Police Readiness Programme” implemented by PADF [Pan American Development Foundation] to support the GPF’s implementation of its Strategic Management Plan.

“Specifically, we will work hand in hand with the GPF to improve [the] training academy curriculum, enhance the GPF’s strategic planning and management, bolster the GPF’s forensic and crime-scene investigation capabilities, and train the GPF on crisis communications, hostage negotiations, and best practices to engage vulnerable populations.”

According to Ambassador Theriot, the partnership will help pave the way for Guyana’s deeper integration into regional security cooperation; will support a more inclusive criminal justice system; and will further attract international investment as Guyana rapidly grows, transforms, and diversifies its economy.

Officials in attendance at the signing ceremony included Ambassador Elisabeth Harper, Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Ministry; Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary; Chief Magistrate (ag) Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus; Commissioner of Police (ag) Clifton Hicken, and Director of the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU), James Singh.