Guyana calls for caution on growing US military presence in the Caribbean

Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Tuesday urged Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders to approach the increasing presence of United States naval assets in the region with “eyes wide open,” stressing the need for mature and open discussions on security matters affecting the Caribbean.

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The state-owned Department of Public Information (DPI) quoted Dr. Ali as saying that while some Caribbean leaders may view the U.S. military buildup positively, Guyana recognises that the situation requires careful examination.

“The zone of peace is not only about threats to borders. It’s also about threats that we are now seeing,” he said, highlighting concerns such as drug trafficking, illegal migration, and the use of international waterways for transhipment.

The U.S. has deployed an amphibious squadron to the southern Caribbean as part of President Donald Trump’s effort to tackle threats from Latin American drug cartels. A nuclear-powered attack submarine, additional P8 Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft, several destroyers, and a guided-missile cruiser have also been allocated to U.S. Southern Command for this mission.

Venezuela has responded to what it called “the threat posed by the United States,” deploying troops along its borders. Late last month, President Trump ordered the U.S. military to strike a boat allegedly carrying drugs in the Caribbean Sea off Venezuela, resulting in 11 deaths. Earlier this month, he told reporters from the Oval Office that he had strong evidence that the latest boat, in which three people were killed, was also carrying drugs.

The Trinidad and Tobago government has publicly supported the U.S. deployment of naval and military forces near Venezuelan waters as part of the crackdown on narcotrafficking.

In her address to the United Nations General Assembly last weekend, Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar noted that while some countries objected to the U.S. actions, Port of Spain wanted to remind the international community that:

“…unless forceful and aggressive actions are taken, these evil drug cartels will continue their societal destruction because they believe affected nations will always unreservedly subscribe to morals and ethics which they themselves blatantly flout.”

“That is why we willingly supported the international security alliance announced by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, involving the U.S. and several countries in South America to combat drug-trafficking in the hemisphere,” she said, adding that the notion of the Caribbean as a zone of peace has become a false ideal.

“The reality is stark—no such peace exists today,” she argued.

President Ali emphasised that Guyana has consistently promoted the region as a zone of peace, responding to threats with diplomacy and truth rather than hostility.

“Every single day, the Venezuelan government attacks me personally; attacks this country. They say the worst things about us. But we have never responded in a hostile way. We responded with facts and truth,” he said, underscoring his country’s commitment to measured and principled diplomacy.

The Guyana President also highlighted the importance of intelligence sharing and collaborative discussions among regional partners to fully understand the implications of military movements.

“What is needed is a meeting of minds. A meeting to share intelligence and to share information,” he said, “so a fuller understanding of what is at stake here for all of us.”

President Ali maintained that through open dialogue, transparency, and regional cooperation, Caribbean countries can collectively safeguard peace and stability while addressing emerging security challenges.