Guyana, U.S. sign pact to combat drugs, money laundering

Over the next three years, the Guyana government will be involved in collaborative efforts with the government of the United States of America, focused on projects aimed at tackling money laundering and the drug trade under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI).

Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues- Birkett and U. S. Chargé d’Affaires Thomas C. Pierce signed a Letter of Agreement on April 08th to establish certain projects under the initiative. The agreement covers two areas: law enforcement support, which is designed to enhance capability of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) to conduct counter-narcotics operations at Guyana’s ports of entry; and tracking money laundering, which will provide assistance to the Guyana Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and assist government entities to enforce anti- money laundering legislation.

This program is one element of a Guyana Initiative multinational effort to improve security in the Caribbean region. Guyana has partnered with the other nations of the Caribbean and the United States to combat the drug trade and other transnational crime that threatened regional security.

The CBSI Program also includes patrol/ interceptor boats, support equipment, command-and-control systems, radios, logistical and maintenance support, and training to increase maritime interdiction capability. There will also be support for building partnerships with local NGOs to provide rehabilitation for juvenile offenders and offer alternatives to violence; and training and increased access to microfinance for young entrepreneurs.

The Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) is a partnership between the United States of America and the nations of the Caribbean. It is designed to advance the security of citizens in the region. Through the CBSI, the United States of America and Caribbean nations have agreed to undertake cooperative efforts to reduce illicit trafficking, advance public safety and security, and promote social justice. The agreement signed on April 08th is part of a bigger program of assistance to the Caribbean region, which will include more than US$45 million in the first year. This Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) is a shared security partnership developed with Caribbean governments, and fulfils President Obama’s commitment to deepen regional security cooperation, made at the Fifth Summit of the Americas, held in Port of Spain, Trinidad in April 2009.