US General in Guyana Progressing talks on a Defence Partnership

By Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#Guyana, July 27, 2023 – General Laura Richardson, the commander of the United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) is on a visit in Georgetown Guyana currently and she is engaging in talks around the US defense partnership with the country and its Caribbean Community (CARICOM) counterparts.

Richardson’s visit to the island is in line with Guyana’s hosting of “Tradewinds,” which is a multinational exercise aimed to improve the region’s security capabilities.  Tradewinds is focused on fortifying partnerships among participating defense and public security forces, fostering international cooperation, and promoting human rights.

In continuation, the commander’s agenda includes meetings with key officials of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), and CARICOM.  The officials include Brigadier Omar Khan, Chief of Staff of the GDF, and Dr. Carla Barnett, CARICOM Secretary-General, and Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch. This is according to a statement from the US Embassy.

Richardson will also observe events of the Tradewinds exercise as well as actively participate in its closing ceremony. Tradewinds 2023 started on July 15th and will end on the 28th.

As pointed out in the embassy statement, the security partnership between the United States and Guyana has been perennial and this visit is an indication of the continuation of that relationship. The partnership is characterized by strong collaboration between SOUTHCOM and the GDF, with a focus area concerned with disaster preparedness, humanitarian assistance, maritime security, human rights, professional development, and the integration of women in peace, defense, and public security missions; with countering transnational criminal organizations as an additional desired goal for the joint effort.

Richardson’s visit to the country is the second; she first visited in August 202