Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Guyanese President Irfaan Ali to discuss bilateral relations between the United States and Guyana. President Ali expressed his appreciation for Secretary Rubio's visit, noting Rubio's longstanding support for Guyana. "Secretary Rubio, let me again welcome you to Guyana," Ali said. He highlighted Rubio's commitment to matters pertinent to Guyana, particularly security, peace, and democracy.
Secretary Rubio reciprocated the warm sentiments, expressing enthusiasm for Guyana's potential. He remarked, "It’s sure exciting to be here, and I’ll say this in a broader setting later, but I think this is one of the most exciting places to be in the world right now because of the extraordinary transformational opportunity." Rubio underscored the United States' desire to build a partnership with Guyana, emphasizing mutually beneficial cooperation in security, investment, and trade.
Rubio touched on the opportunities for Guyana's citizens, stressing the importance of creating an environment where they can thrive without leaving the country. "I think every country wants to be a place where their citizens feel like their children: when they grow up, they can stay – not move," he stated.
Addressing security concerns, Rubio acknowledged Guyana's sovereignty challenges, hoping to bolster these through concrete actions. He emphasized the significance of American companies engaging with Guyana in compliance with its laws.
Secretary Rubio expressed eagerness to enhance the relationship between the two nations, noting the visits from other U.S. cabinet members. Reflecting on his visit, Rubio shared, "It’s one of the trips I’ve wanted to do, and when I knew I was going to get this new role, I decided I was. And now here I am nine weeks in, by the way."
The meeting took place in a cordial atmosphere, with both leaders looking forward to further interactions and strengthened relations.
