GUYANA-Brazil eager to provide security support to countries of the Guiana Shield

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC—Brazil said Monday it is prepared to assist in providing security for Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana, the other countries in the Guiana Shield, as they continue to deepen relations through the Guiana Shield Strategic Dialogue.

The representatives of the countries are here for a round of talks this week, and the Brazilian military attaché, Colonel Josi Cruz, said even though Brazil is just an observer to the current tripartite engagement, it is keen on being a full partner.

“I know there were more than 1,200 fires in Guyana, and in Roraima, Brazil, there were more than 4,000 fires. This is an excellent example of how problems don’t respect borders,” Colonel Cruz said, emphasizing the need for cooperation among the countries.

He said Brazil and Guyana have been sharing satellite images to deal with the fires. A Brazilian team has also been providing support in Guyana for weeks. Colonel Cruz said Brazil is prepared to send an aircraft to Guyana if necessary.

Suriname’s Minister of Defence, Krishna Mathoera, spoke of the importance of cooperation in the future.

Guyana’s Prime Minister, retired Brigadier Mark Phillips, said the dialogue must help guide partnerships in the region.

“The Guiana Shield Strategic Dialogue must, therefore, continue to play a crucial role in fostering understanding, building relationships, and promoting cooperation among our countries to address the complex challenges before us and help us achieve common objectives.

“Protection and the integrity of our respective territories are among those common objectives. Coordination and a coordinated approach to transnational crimes are other objectives,” he said.

In 2021, stakeholders from Guyana, Suriname, and France gathered for the first round of talks in Cayenne, French Guiana. The talks focused on defense and security, and a joint security master plan was included.

Since then, the countries have been working together to counter common threats across the shield, such as transnational crime, deforestation, climate change disasters, and trafficking.