HGP Nightly News – President Irfaan Ali has warned that Guyana and the United States must guard their relationship against any force that seeks to damage the partnership the two countries have been building.
Speaking at the United States Embassy’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence, Ali said the relationship between Guyana and the U.S. was not automatic. It was built through trust, friendship, mutual respect, and years of effort.
He said the partnership “came through hard work” and “a complete rehabilitation of understanding each other.”
Ali told those gathered that both nations must protect the relationship “against every element that seeks or attempts to destroy what we are building.”
The President said the partnership reflects the principle of self-determination found in the United States Declaration of Independence, and he described current Guyana-U.S. relations as the strongest in history.
He said Guyana looks forward to deepening security cooperation with the United States, but made it clear that the objective is peace, not aggression.
“The cooperation is not sought for aggressive purposes. We harbor no ambitions beyond our borders, and we seek no domination over others,” Ali said.
Instead, he said the partnership is meant to protect Guyana’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and natural resources from “external coercion or intimidation.”
Ali said Guyana wants peace, stability, and development for its people, while remaining a good neighbour, a responsible global citizen, and a reliable partner in times of need.
He also described Guyana’s diplomacy as simple and based on clear principles.
“Our diplomacy is simple. It is not complex. It is not complicated,” he said.
According to the President, countries that share Guyana’s geographic space can trust Guyana to stand with them where international law, democracy, and the rule of law are respected.
Ali said the United States has proven itself to be a trusted partner, and he expressed confidence that cooperation will continue to grow in security, investment, healthcare, and development.
“Tonight, I declare the prosperity of our relationship. I declare the respect of our relationship, and I declare the honor of our relationship. We are your friends. We are your partners,” Ali said.
