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President Irfaan Ali, addressing the nation after being sworn in as head of state for another five year term on Sunday (CMC Photo)
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – United States aircraft were involved in a low pass flyover of Georgetown, the capital, as President Irfaan Ali was being sworn into office on Sunday for a second consecutive five-year term.
The US Embassy here in a short statement said that the fly pass was done in collaboration with the Guyana Defence Force (DGF) and “reflects the strength of U.S. air power, our partnership with Guyana, and our continued support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
Washington also said that it was looking “forward to continuing to work with the government of Guyana to further strengthen the bilateral ties between our two countries.
“Our commitment to Guyana’s continued growth and development remains strong and unwavering. We commend the Organization of American States (OAS) and other international observers for their impartial monitoring and thorough analysis, which have been instrumental in promoting transparency and accountability in this election,” the US said.
The United States has increased its military presence near Venezuela in recent days, saying that the move is part of Washington’s crackdown on nacro- trafficking.
Guyana and Venezuela have a long-standing border dispute over the Essequibo region, which is controlled by Guyana as part of its six regions. Venezuela’s claim to the Essequibo region is based on the 1899 Arbitral Award, which it describes as being void.
In March 2024, Venezuela passed a law that designates Essequibo as a new state of Venezuela, governed from the city of Tumeremo.
The Joint Declaration of Argyle for Dialogue and Peace between Guyana and Venezuela said that the two countries agreed that “any controversies” between them will be resolved in accordance with international law, including the Geneva Agreement dated February 17, 1966.
The Joint Declaration issued following talks in Kingstown, St. Vincent in December 2023 between President Ali and President Nicolas Maduro over the disputed Essequibo region, also indicated that the two countries agreed that “any controversies” between them will be resolved in accordance with international law, including the Geneva Agreement dated February 17, 1966.
The border dispute is before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
During his address after taking his oath of office on the lawn of the official Presidential residence, President Ali, while he never made mention of Venezuela during the 33-minute address, said, “we seek peace with all our neighbours and defend our sovereignty with a quiet confidence in the law and a steady strength of unity.
“Just as efficiency, integrity, and service must define how government works at home, so must collaboration and cooperation define how we engage abroad.
“I remain committed to engaging our international partners in ways that safeguard Guyana’s sovereignty and advance our national interests. We will strengthen cooperation where it brings tangible benefits to our people, while ensuring that our resources and opportunities are managed to secure prosperity for this and future generations,” he told the ceremony.
He said his administration will work towards keeping the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country that “is situated on the shoulder of South America…safe,” adding “that means building the strongest and most modern defence ecosystem in our history, one that shields us from every threat to our sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“At the same time, we will deepen partnerships with friendly nations, strengthen ties of security cooperation, and continue to repose our faith in the rule of international law, including the peaceful settlement of disputes.”
Ali said improving national security also means modernising and strengthening the police, prison, and fire services by giving them the tools, training, and resources to serve with greater efficiency, professionalism, and trust.
“In this way, Guyana will stand strong, stable, and secure,” he said, adding that the country’s commitment to the regional integration process is steady, practical, and visionary.
“We’ll deepen the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, advancing full free movement, mutual recognition of skills and qualifications, a truly single investment space, and a seamless payment system across our region.
“In CARICOM, our purpose is practical and people-centred: to make this single market work for ordinary families with cheaper energy, faster payment and roaming, recognisable skills across borders, and scholarship and apprenticeships that open doors for youth.
“We will champion regional energy security and competitiveness, leveraging Guyana’s resources and know-how, partnering with our neighbours to lower cost, expand manufacturing and build resilient, cleaner energy systems that power jobs and industry across the Caribbean.”
Ali is also promising to accelerate food security and logistics, modernising agriculture and agro-processing, opening new shipping and air links, and driving down the region’s import bill so Caribbean tables are fed by Caribbean farms.
“We’ll strengthen collective resilience through disaster risk financing, shared emergency response, and joint action on climate adaptation, because when the sea rises or the winds rage, we stand or fall together,” he told the ceremony.
“We will deepen economic ties with our neighbours, expanding trade, investment, infrastructure, and knowledge exchange, so growth at home strengthens the wider Latin American and Caribbean community, and prosperity across the region creates new opportunities for every Guyanese.”
