The key facts
- The agreement was signed by Pete Hegseth and Mohamed Irfaan Ali at the Pentagon
- The document provides for expanded joint training and defense partnership
- The parties declared their intention to deepen cooperation in the Caribbean region
Signing of the agreement at the Pentagon
The United States and Guyana signed a new defense agreement aimed at strengthening military cooperation, expanding joint training, and countering security threats in the Caribbean region. The ceremony took place at the Pentagon on Wednesday: on the US side, the document was signed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and on the Guyanese side by President Mohamed Irfaan Ali. According to the Pentagon's statement, the agreement establishes an expanded defense partnership between the two countries.
Statements from the parties
Hegseth praised Ali's regional leadership, noting that Guyana plays an important role in strengthening cooperation with partners in the Caribbean. According to the Pentagon, he said: 'We are just beginning this project, and your investments have inspired us with confidence,' adding that he hoped American investments had also inspired confidence in the Guyanese side, its security forces, and military, and called the joint declaration 'landmark,' heralding a deepening of defense cooperation within the partnership in all areas.
Guyana's position
President Ali welcomed the agreement, expressing readiness to deepen cooperation with Washington and describing the deal as an opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties. 'This is an era of action; this is an era of leadership; this is an era of dominance and commitment, and we are very pleased to be part of this partnership,' he said, adding: 'We look forward to working with you more closely.'
