Last month, the government of Guyana and SEACOP held a successful National Steering Committee meeting, aimed at discussing maritime security matters and at laying the groundwork for strategic advancements in this domain.
Convened by the newly appointed focal point for Guyana and Head of Customs Anti- Narcotic Unit (CANU), James G Singh, the meeting came following a discussion between SEACOP representatives and Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn. Highlighting the importance of bolstering training efforts, particularly in intelligence training, he expressed the country’s desire to enhance its enforcement and interdiction capabilities. Minister Benn also mentioned the need for greater assistance in improving container search procedures, reflecting his government’s commitment to combating illicit activities and ensuring the security of international trade.
Key discussion points centered around:
🌊 The need for improved internal communications among local heads, enhanced intelligence training
🌊 The necessity for additional equipment to strengthen Guyana’s fight against organised crime at sea.
🌊 And the possibility of establishing a specialised Coast Guard team to respond efficiently to JMCU callouts and provide support.
The NSC highlighted recent achievements showcasing Guyana’s leading engagement in the Caribbean region. “Guyana’s exceptional support and responsiveness to information provided via the SEACOP network, even though they were not a participating country during Operation Caribe, showcases their true commitment to regional security,” noted SEACOP Project Director Dominique Bucas, who added “Guyana has been a strategic partner of SEACOP over the years. As a matter of fact, Guyana stands out as the only Caribbean country involved in the Trig intelligence group created by SEACOP across Africa/Latin America/Caribbean”.
Several recent events were also brought to light, including the first use of instructors trained under the “Train the Trainers” SEACOP programme during Exercise Tradewinds. Guyana deployed a MIU instructor trained by SEACOP in May 2022 in Barbados, during the exercise (LINK).
Additionally, Guyana’s hosting of a SEACOP/Container Control Programme joint event in December 2022 focused on training on profiling and searching containers demonstrated their proactive involvement in upholding law enforcement capacities in combating maritime organised crime.
