From January 8-9, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Mr. Daniel Erikson, visited Guyana. He met with Guyana's national security leaders including President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Mark Phillips, National Security Advisor Gerry Gouveia, and Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force Brigadier General Omar Khan. In these meetings, DASD Erikson underscored the Department's commitment to strengthening U.S.-Guyana defense cooperation. He reaffirmed the United States' unwavering support for Guyana's sovereignty and the U.S. government's support for a peaceful resolution of the dispute regarding the land boundary between Venezuela and Guyana that respects Guyana's territorial integrity. DASD Erikson also highlighted Guyana's growing international leadership role, including its terms as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
On January 9, DASD Erikson met with Secretary-General Carla Barnett of CARICOM to discuss the Department's substantial engagement in the Caribbean to address regional defense and security challenges. He discussed the Department's initiatives to promote climate resilience, deepen security cooperation, and address insecurity in Haiti. He underscored the importance of continued partnership and collaboration to strengthen U.S.-Caribbean mechanisms to improve regional security.
On January 10, DASD Erikson visited Suriname. He had meetings with President Chandrikapersad Santokhi, Foreign Minister Albert Ramdin, Minister of Defense Krishnakoemari Mathoera, and Commander of Suriname's Armed Forces Colonel Werner Kioe A Sen. DASD Erikson discussed the U.S.-Suriname defense partnership and efforts to deepen and expand cooperation, based on a foundation of shared values, democratic institutions, and mutual support. He welcomed Suriname's reaffirmation of its commitment to information sharing agreements to address illicit trafficking and integrate Suriname into regional security coordination mechanisms.
