THE Donald Trump presidency is already creating political and economic waves in the international waters. These waves are creating ripples in several nations, both big and small, as they seek to come to terms with the new Trump dispensation.
President Trump, during the campaign stages, had made a number of bold promises including that of bringing an end to illegal immigration. It is no secret that millions of people have entered the country illegally, a trend that persisted throughout the decades but which picked up momentum under the previous Biden administration which, seemingly, was more sympathetic to the migrant cause.

With Trump now in the White House, there are already measures in place to deal decisively with illegal migration, the most dramatic of which was the forced deportation of a military plane load of illegal Colombian migrants.
The Colombian government initially refused to allow the return of the migrants, but quickly changed its position after the Trump administration threatened to impose punishing tariffs on Colombian exports to the United States.
It is no secret that millions of people have entered the United States illegally in search of a better life. A significant number of these migrants are from Latin America and the Caribbean. Guyana is no exception in this regard even though the number of illegal Guyanese migrants dwarfed in comparison to other countries such as Mexico and other neighbouring countries.

Every country is guided by its own national interests. Guyana’s national interests are closely aligned to that of the United States especially in terms of our national security and the continuing threats by Venezuela to two-thirds of Guyana’s territory which encompassed the entire Essequibo region.
It is in the above context that the recent talks between President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has to be situated. Particularly refreshing are the reassurances by the new Secretary of State of continuing support for Guyana “in face of bellicose actions by Venezuelan” and its ongoing threat to the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Relations between Guyana and the United States have deepened over the recent years and with the election to office of Donald Trump, those relations are expected to deepen further given the commonality of interests on fundamental issues such as democracy, respect for human rights, energy, and food security among others.

Guyana owes a debt to the United States for the role it played in defense of our democracy and its support for our national security. President Ali congratulated the new President on his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States and pledged Guyana’s readiness to work closely with the new administration to forge stronger ties.

The most recent talks between President Ali and newly-appointed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio holds out much promise for the enhancement of our shared national interests. President Ali has signaled Guyana’s interest to deal with the crisis of illegal migration and agreed to “jointly address this regional imperative and challenges.”

It will be recalled that Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo had only recently said that Guyanese deportees will not be denied entry to the country, a clear indication of Guyana’s openness on the issue.