Guyana Prez Irfaan Ali meets commander of US Southern Command, four-star General Laura J Richardson

Guyana: Dr Irfaan Ali and a high-level Government team engaged in discussions with the commander of the United States Southern Command, four-star General Laura J Richardson, at the Office of the President on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive this afternoon.

General Richardson, who assumed duties as SOUTHCOM’s commander ten months ago, is in Guyana on a two-day visit to meet with the Government and defence leaders of the country.

The American delegation was led by US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch and featured Civilian Deputy to the Commander, Foreign Policy Advisor, Ambassador Jean Manes; Senior Enlisted Leader, Command Sergeant Major Benjamin Jones, and the Commander of the Florida Army National Guard, General John Haas.

The Attorney General as well as Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall; the Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn; Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Godfrey Bess and Commissioner of Police (ag), Clifton Hicken, were the ministries who represented the government.

After the meeting, General Richardson was presented with a painting titled, ‘In Flight’ by a talented local artist— Dillon Craig, which featured a harpy eagle soaring over Kaieteur Falls.

On the same day, Dr Irfaan Ali was appraised of the operations and ongoing projects of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) during a courtesy visit from several representatives this afternoon at the Office of the President.

The visiting team included its Regional Director for Central America, North America and the Caribbean, Michele Klein-Solomon; Senior Regional Programme Coordinator for the Western Hemisphere, Andrea Dabizzi and National Project Coordinator for the Caribbean, Eraina Yaw. United Nations Resident Coordinator Yesim Oruc accompanied the IOM delegation.

The group also highlighted ways in which government can support them. To this end, the President emphasised the shared interests of the respective bodies.

“I believe we share the same goals and aspirations to see the best possible environment in which migrants are catered for, and their fundamental rights are respected,” President Ali affirmed.

Anil Nandlall, Attorney General and the Minister of Legal Affairs; Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira and Director of Projects at the Office of the President, Marcia Nadir-Sharma, were also at the meeting.