GUYANA’s intensifying partnership with the United States on security co-operation marks a critical step forward for a country whose rapid economic growth has made it both a regional leader and an increasingly attractive target for sophisticated criminal networks.
The recent high-level engagement between Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, and senior representatives of US law-enforcement agencies, including the FBI, the US Department of Justice, and the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, underscores a reality that Guyana can no longer afford to ignore: modern threats demand modern alliances.
At Monday’s meeting, both sides examined ways to expand operational collaboration, improve investigative depth, and strengthen the interoperability of Guyanese and US agencies.
These discussions go far beyond diplomatic niceties. They speak to a shared recognition that organised crime, money laundering and corruption remain among the most significant destabilising forces in the region.
For Guyana, a country now managing unprecedented oil wealth, expanding financial flows, and a rising global profile, the risks are even more pronounced.
The United States, for its part, has long viewed Guyana as a strategic partner in the Caribbean, particularly in the areas of security, democratic governance and financial transparency.
Washington’s support for Guyana’s democratic process in 2020, followed by expanded military and economic co-operation, laid the foundation for even deeper collaboration.
Enhanced security ties are a natural next step, especially as transnational criminal enterprises use the Caribbean as both a corridor and a safe haven.
The presence of the FBI, DOJ and INL at the discussions signals the seriousness of the moment.
These agencies bring decades of experience in tackling financial crimes, cyber-enabled criminal networks, narcotics trafficking, human trafficking and public corruption.
Their expertise, combined with Guyana’s renewed commitment to strengthening the rule of law, offers a powerful platform for real progress.
Attorney General Nandlall has repeatedly emphasised that fortifying Guyana’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) architecture is not merely a legal obligation, it is an existential safeguard.
As the country’s economy accelerates, so, too, does the incentive for criminal actors to exploit gaps in oversight, regulation and enforcement.

Strengthened intelligence-sharing, enhanced investigative training and expanded technical assistance are no longer optional tools; they are essential components of a modern justice system.

This collaboration is also a clear signal to those who may seek to undermine Guyana’s institutions.
The government’s embrace of international standards, combined with robust partnerships, is a warning that Guyana will not be a playground for illicit finance, political manipulation or transnational crime.
But co-operation alone is not enough. The government must ensure that increased capacity is matched by internal transparency, institutional independence and meaningful accountability.
Strengthening laws, modernising systems, and upgrading technology must go hand in hand with protecting prosecutors, investigators and regulators from undue influence.
Guyana stands at a defining moment. With unprecedented opportunity comes heightened responsibility.
The renewed US–Guyana security partnership offers a chance not only to reinforce national security but to safeguard the country’s democratic and economic gains for generations to come.
If Guyana is to fully realise the promise of its future, then rooting out corruption, dismantling criminal networks and fortifying the justice system must remain national priorities.
Monday’s engagement is a step in the right direction, and the country should continue to move boldly forward.