US to provide US$2M for Guyana air surveillance, unmanned systems

The United States (US) is set to provide US$2 million to Guyana to strengthen air domain awareness and unmanned aerial system capabilities, as Georgetown and Washington deepen security cooperation, with US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau saying the two countries share common interests in combating organised crime and drug trafficking.

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday witnessed the signing of an enhanced Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) intended to strengthen the existing Security Cooperation MoU between Guyana and the US.

The agreement was signed at the Office of the President by Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd and Landau, who is in Guyana as part of a regional visit to Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana from August 9 to 12.

According to the US Embassy in Guyana, the US$2 million initiative will support the development of Guyana’s capacity for air domain awareness and unmanned aerial systems.

In an interview on Tuesday evening, Landau said the security cooperation was driven by shared concerns over organised crime and drug trafficking.

“We have many common interests in fighting organised crime and stopping drug flows in this region,” Landau said.

He said the US and Guyana face similar security threats from organised criminal groups, making cooperation between the two countries important.

“This is a tricky neighbourhood, and the United States faces the same security threats from these organised criminal groups as does Guyana, and so it’s natural for us to want to work together,” he said.

Landau said the countries want to ensure that criminal groups and drug smugglers do not establish themselves in Guyana.

The latest agreement builds on a series of US-Guyana security initiatives. In March 2025, the two countries signed the original Security Cooperation MoU, establishing a framework for expanded collaboration.

In March 2026, during a visit by then-US Special Envoy Kristi Noem, Guyana and the US announced plans to collaborate on drone monitoring to strengthen surveillance of Guyana’s airspace and Exclusive Economic Zone.

In July 2026, the Guyana Defence Force and the Florida National Guard held a Subject Matter Expert Exchange focused on operational drone concepts, further advancing technical cooperation in the area.

Landau said the security agreement was one of two main areas discussed during his meeting with President Ali, the other being economic cooperation.

“I think the two areas that we focused on today [Tuesday] with President Ali are the economic area,” he said, adding that Guyana needs infrastructure to support further economic growth.

He pointed to Guyana’s energy resources and said the US wants to work with the country to leverage those resources for broader economic development.

“We want to see ports that allow goods to come in, roads that allow those goods to be transported throughout the country and the region,” Landau said.

He also identified housing and other infrastructure as areas where the two countries could cooperate.

Landau’s visit comes against the backdrop of growing US-Guyana economic engagement, including Washington’s recent announcement of a US$150 million investment linked to Guyana’s bauxite industry.

The investment includes an US$85.5 million equity contribution through the US Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment programme, alongside US$64.5 million in private-sector co-investment.

The funds are expected to support the acquisition and expansion of the First Bauxite mine in Guyana, the development of calcination facilities and a follow-on brown-fused alumina facility in the US.

Washington has described the project as part of efforts to establish a secure, vertically integrated supply chain for refractory-grade bauxite, a material used in defence and industrial applications.

Landau’s visit also follows discussions last month in Washington between US officials and a Guyanese Government delegation led by Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance Dr Ashni Singh. Those discussions focused on opportunities for US Private Sector investment in Guyana, including mining, energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and housing.

“Booming” economy

During Tuesday evening’s interview, Landau described Guyana’s economy as “booming”, and said he believed the country was the fastest-growing in the world.

He said the US wanted to be part of Guyana’s future development and prosperity, while noting that discussions with President Ali covered projects and development across the country, including Berbice, Lethem and the Demerara region.

“I think together we can build stronger, safer, and more prosperous countries,” Landau said.

He also described Guyana as a key strategic partner for the US, pointing to its leadership role in CARICOM and the countries’ cooperation on several areas of mutual interest.

“We see Guyana as a key strategic partner,” Landau said, adding that Washington was eager to partner with Guyana and hoped to be part of the country’s “success story”.

Also present for Tuesday’s signing were US Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot, Senior Minister Dr Ashni Singh, Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat, Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud, and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sharon Roopchand-Edwards.