President Dr Irfaan Ali has voiced Guyana’s strong backing for the United States’ intensified fight against drug cartels and transnational criminal networks, following the introduction of a new regional security alliance aimed at combating organised crime across the Western Hemisphere.
Speaking during an interview with Fox News on the sidelines of the newly launched “Shield of the Americas” summit in Doral, Florida, President Ali emphasised that Guyana remains firmly committed to coordinated international efforts to dismantle narcotics trafficking networks that have long troubled the region.
The summit, hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump, brought together leaders from over 17 countries across the Americas. During the gathering, the participating nations signed a declaration establishing a new cooperative security framework aimed at strengthening efforts against drug cartels, narco-terrorist groups, and other transnational criminal organisations operating throughout the hemisphere.
President Trump held a meeting with several Latin American and Caribbean leaders, including representatives from Guyana, to develop strategies aimed at dismantling the powerful criminal networks responsible for drug trafficking, violence, and corruption across the region.
The newly established coalition will prioritise intelligence-sharing, joint military cooperation, and coordinated law enforcement operations aimed at disrupting and ultimately dismantling cartel activity. The United States described the alliance as a partnership among its “strongest like-minded allies” committed to safeguarding freedom, security, and prosperity across the Americas.
According to the declaration signed at the summit, the coalition will also work together to counter foreign interference in the region, combat criminal and narco-terrorist organisations, and tackle challenges related to illegal and large-scale migration.
During his interview, President Ali observed that the issue of drug trafficking through Caribbean and South American territories is not recent. Instead, he clarified that it has been a longstanding challenge, exposing regional borders and airspace to organised criminal networks for decades.
We fully agree that the activities of drug cartels operating within our region must be tackled,” President Ali stated. “There have been many public concerns over the years regarding the use of our airspace and exclusive economic zones by traffickers. This is not something that suddenly appeared — it is a long-standing issue.”
He explained that transnational criminal networks have damaged the reputations of countries in the region and posed significant security challenges for governments seeking to strengthen their economies and institutions.
“This history has exposed our borders to criminal networks and has sadly tarnished the region with drug trafficking,” President Ali said. “We therefore support strong and decisive action against drug cartels and narco-terrorist organisations.”
The Guyanese leader stated that the new approach proposed by the United States is a direct attempt to tackle a challenge that has affected many countries across the hemisphere.
President Trump, addressing the gathering of regional leaders, stated that the agreement signifies a united effort to combat criminal organisations responsible for trafficking drugs, weapons, and violence across the Americas.
“The heart of our agreement is a commitment to utilise the full power of our militaries to dismantle the cartels and terrorist networks once and for all,” President Trump said. “These criminal organisations have caused violence, fear, and instability across many communities in our hemisphere.”
He urged participating nations to work closely with the United States by sharing intelligence and pinpointing cartel groups’ locations and activities.
“We have extraordinary capabilities and resources,” Trump said. “If you help us identify where these organisations operate, we will work together to dismantle them.”
The U.S. President also warned that many cartels have developed sophisticated weaponry and operational capabilities that now pose significant threats to national security across multiple countries.
“These brutal organisations impose their will through violence, extortion, bribery and drug trafficking,” he said. “They are a cancer within our hemisphere, and together we must ensure that they are eradicated.”
President Trump emphasised that regional leaders share a common interest in strengthening the rule of law and safeguarding their societies from organised crime.
He also mentioned that deeper military cooperation among partner nations would be a vital part of the new coalition’s strategy, emphasising that U.S. forces have already been collaborating closely with many countries across the Americas on counternarcotics operations.
The alliance is expected to enhance intelligence sharing, joint training exercises, and operational coordination between the United States and its partners in the coming months.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio commended the initiative and emphasised the strong relationships between the United States and participating countries.
“These leaders are more than allies—they are friends of the United States,” Rubio said. “They have consistently worked with us to promote stability and prosperity in our region, and we are grateful for that cooperation.”
Rubio added that the partnership shows the advantages of strong alliances with the United States, emphasising that collaboration offers mutual support and opportunities.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stressed that the new coalition would focus on concrete actions rather than symbolic gestures.
“This initiative is about more than meetings and statements,” Hegseth said. “It is about coordinated operations, shared intelligence, and taking the fight directly to criminal organisations that threaten our hemisphere.”
He observed that countries across the Americas share not only geographical proximity but also cultural and historical ties, making collective security efforts essential.
“We share this hemisphere, and we share many values,” he said. “With strong leadership and cooperation, we will take the offensive against the cartels and ensure that they no longer threaten our communities.”
Guyana’s involvement in the coalition aligns with the country’s wider commitment to fighting narcotics trafficking and enhancing security cooperation with international partners.
According to the United States Department of State’s 2025 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Guyana has demonstrated a strong commitment to confronting drug trafficking through cooperation with regional and international agencies.
The report emphasised the participation of multiple government ministries—including the Ministries of Home Affairs, Education, Health, Human Services and Social Security—in Guyana’s national response to drug-related crime.
It also mentioned the establishment of the National Defence Institute in September 2024, aimed at enhancing national security expertise through partnerships with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and with defence institutions in the United States.
Furthermore, joint operations between Guyanese authorities and U.S. law enforcement agencies led to significant drug seizures in 2024. These included over four tonnes of cocaine found at an illegal airstrip near the Venezuelan border, as well as the interception of a semi-submersible vessel off Guyana’s coast carrying approximately 2.3 tonnes of cocaine.
The report further clarified that Guyana’s National Drug Strategy 2022–2026 outlines the country’s comprehensive plan to combat drug trafficking. The strategy highlights interdiction, prevention programmes, treatment services, and efforts to address money laundering related to the narcotics trade.
With the launch of the Shield of the Americas initiative, regional leaders are signalling a renewed commitment to tackling the criminal networks that have long threatened security and development across the hemisphere.