The United States has pledged sustained defence expertise, multidomain training and combined exercises for the Guyana Defence Force under a declaration signed with Guyana in Washington on Wednesday.

President Dr Irfaan Ali and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth signed the Joint Declaration for an Enhanced Defense Partnership at the Pentagon. The statement said the declaration builds on the multi-decade partnership between the two countries and is aimed at defending Guyana's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Under the declaration, the US Department of War will support Guyana's efforts to build a modern defence architecture. Cooperation will also strengthen Guyana's air-domain awareness, improving its ability to monitor, deter and respond to threats in and around its territory.

The declaration also aligns the two countries in confronting narcoterrorist organisations and narcotrafficking, building on their founding roles in the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition and the Shield of the Americas. The statement said the commitments show that Guyana and its partners are ready to deter state and non-state actors that threaten the peace and security of Guyana and the wider region.

The partnership between the two countries spans security, energy, trade and investment, the statement said.