GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – The president of Guyana, Irfaan Ali, has sought to assure the United States that his country is ready to guarantee America’s energy security.
He made the statement as members of the Congressional House Ways and Means Committee are here, laying the groundwork to displace China as a preferred business partner in Latin America and the Caribbean.
“I even asked the Congressional delegation to ensure that Guyana and the U.S. can advance the strategic partnership formally on energy security for the United States and Guyana and climate security and food security,” he said.
Following a meeting with Ali, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee Chairman, Jason Smith issued a statement in which he said that the Biden administration aims to lead the way in developing, extracting, and selling Guyanese oil and that this increased production has the potential to greatly benefit both the U.S. and Guyana and help thwart China’s attempts to achieve energy dominance.
“China also is participating in Guyana’s oil production. America must be committed to out-competing China worldwide while strengthening key American supply chains, increasing U.S. production of affordable energy resources, and improving partnerships with allies in the Western Hemisphere and beyond. Our delegation’s meetings have shown how U.S. bilateral relationships in the region benefit American workers and provide a much-needed alternative to countries that might otherwise orient their economies toward China,” he said.
In their meetings with the Congressional delegation, the government of Guyana and opposition members discussed relations with China and Venezuela. Chinese companies have, over the decades, won major infrastructural contracts and provided multimillion-dollar loans.
Ali referred to the United States as a “trusted partner” and said Guyana is open to more American investors.
“Guyana is and will continue to be an important strategic partner of the United States. The opportunities here are open to all and the United States and your private sector. We want greater participation from the U.S. private sector and the U.S. here in Guyana. There is no second-guessing this agenda. This is a clear strategy of the government.”
Concerning climate change, Ali offered to provide “global” leadership in the area of climate services by teaming up with the U.S. at the next global climate summit, the Conference of the Parties.
“We want the U.S. to be a part of this. We want the US to be a strategic partner with us on the environment because we understand the importance of this relationship,” he said.
Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador to Guyana Sarah-Ann Lynch lauded the Guyana government for modernizing the country.
“We applaud the government of Guyana for the strides it has taken to make this country so attractive to investors. They have been excellent partners in energy, agri-business, and security. They are taking bold leaps to transform the financial, education, health, and tourism sectors,” she said.
The United States delegation comprised the House Committee on Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith and other members Terri Sewell, Carol Miller, Michelle Fischbach, Beth Van Duyne, and Mike Carey as Kelly Armstrong of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
and then 