–U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Landau says
THE United States has thrown its weight behind a vision of a “more secure” and “more prosperous” Caribbean, placing Guyana at the centre of Washington’s regional strategy as a key partner and emerging powerhouse.
During a visit to Georgetown, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said Guyana holds “huge strategic importance” for the United States and has “always been a leader in CARICOM”, underscoring the Ali administration’s growing influence within the region.
“Guyana has huge strategic importance. It’s always been a leader in CARICOM, and we’ve been working closely with Guyana and the Ali administration on numerous topics of mutual interest,” Landau said.
He stressed that Washington’s goal is to help build a Caribbean in which people and businesses feel confident to invest, tying that objective directly to Guyana’s rise and the deepening partnership between the two countries.
“We’re interested in having a more secure Caribbean region, a Caribbean region where people can, you know, invest more with more confidence and a region of greater prosperity and co-operation,” he said.
Landau’s comments had followed what he described as a “terrific meeting” with President Irfaan Ali, during which they discussed economic development, security co‑operation and Guyana’s role in shaping regional outcomes. He said the two sides were “very aligned” on a shared vision.
“We’re very aligned on a vision for prosperity that brings benefits to the people of both our countries, and it’s prosperity across the whole nation of Guyana,” he noted.
The Deputy Secretary framed Guyana as both a beneficiary and a driver of wider Caribbean progress, pointing to its economic performance and leadership within CARICOM as reasons for US engagement.
“We see Guyana as a key strategic partner, and really, I am here to signal that the United States is very eager to partner with Guyana,” Landau said adding: “We have really identified Guyana as one of the major up‑and‑coming countries of the world at this point in time. And again, we hope that we can be part of Guyana’s success story.”
That partnership, he indicated, spans both economic and security dimensions. On the economic front, Landau highlighted what he described as a “booming” economy and suggested Guyana may be “the fastest‑growing country in the world”, with energy resources providing a foundation for broader development across the country and the region.
He said the United States wants to support infrastructure and investment that will connect Guyana more effectively to its neighbours and to global markets, mentioning ports, roads, commercial facilities and housing as areas of interest.
At the same time, Landau linked Guyana’s regional role to shared security challenges, particularly organised crime and drug trafficking, which he said threaten families, social cohesion and investor confidence across the Caribbean.
“Organised crime has been increasing in this area. This is a tricky neighbourhood, and the United States faces the same security threats from these organised criminal groups as does Guyana,” he said.
“So, it’s natural for us to want to work together to make sure that these criminal groups and these drug smugglers do not put down roots in Guyana.”
Landau noted that tackling organised crime in Guyana would have positive spillover effects for the wider Caribbean, reinforcing stability and making the region more attractive to investors a core element of Washington’s stated aim of a “more secure, more prosperous Caribbean.”
The Deputy Secretary repeatedly linked US ambitions for the region to Guyana’s trajectory, casting the country as a pivotal state whose choices and successes will shape outcomes well beyond its borders.
“I’ve come to celebrate our partnership between our two countries, which is based on our common interests in so many areas,” he said adding, “The United States is here to say we want to be part of the story of Guyana’s future development and prosperity.”
