The United States Government will be injecting US$2 million to assist with Guyana’s air domain awareness that will help the country to track “drug flights”, U.S Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot has said.
Speaking during the Energy Perspective podcast, the Ambassador said the move is part of the broader security arrangement that the U.S has developed with Guyana to fight transnational crimes.
“So, we are going to contribute US$2M and the government of Guyana will contribute as well and together we will increase your air domain awareness, which means all those drug flights that we have seen increase over the last year, we are going to know exactly where they are coming from and where they are going and we will be able to—when we develop a little to be able to stop that, “ the Ambassador said.
Ambassador Theriot said once the programme is up and running, Guyana will no longer be an easy target or easy transit point for drug pushers.
The US envoy also revealed that the US is assisting with the development of the country’s maritime security awareness. She noted that a coastal radar system was given to the Guyana Defence Force and the GDF is now able to monitor all of the ships within a certain area of the Guyana coast.
“Everyone knows that we stand shoulder to shoulder with Guyana and we are so passionate about your territorial integrity and we support you on that 1000%, it’s incredibly important that people know that, because we are asked two questions by US companies interested in working here in Guyana that is political stability and security,” the Ambassador noted.
The US is also looking to partner with Guyana to work on its Cyber Security, noting that the country is becoming an attractive destination for cyber crimes.
“As Guyana is moving to build a data- centre, or maybe multiple data centres, that is definitely something that you are going to need. We are working very hard to increase our intelligence sharing with the Government of Guyana and it requires systems that are working on both sides,” she noted.
Beyond Security, she said the US will be working with Guyana to strengthen institutional capacity, as well as ensure a greater U.S private sector presence.
Source: News Source Guyana
