Jagdeo welcomes U.S narcotics report as ‘positive’ recognition of Guyana’s progress

Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has described the latest International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) from the U.S. Department of State as a “positive” and encouraging assessment of Guyana’s efforts to combat drug trafficking and financial crimes.

Speaking on Thursday, Jagdeo said that despite some ongoing concerns about bias in such international evaluations, the 2025 report reflects genuine recognition of the country’s advances in counter-narcotics operations and law enforcement.

“I think it was a positive report,” he stated. “When you learn to read these reports, you’ll see they carry systemic bias and are often written by lazy people who cut and paste. But the truth is, this one shows the good work we’ve been doing.”

The report highlights Guyana’s deepening collaboration with the United States, particularly in drug interdiction. In 2024, joint operations between the Guyana Defence Force, the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU), and U.S. law enforcement led to two record-setting cocaine seizures.

One operation uncovered 4.4 metric tonnes of cocaine at a remote airstrip near the Venezuelan border, while another intercepted a semi-submersible vessel carrying 2.3 tonnes off the country’s coast. With a combined estimated street value of over US$195 million, the seizures mark a dramatic increase from previous years and signal what Jagdeo described as a “maturing and effective” law enforcement approach.

“These are the parts of the report you don’t often hear,” Jagdeo said. “But they show real progress.”

The Vice President also addressed the growing challenge of narcotics smuggling into Guyana via sea and air routes, noting that while some substances are legal in exporting countries, they remain banned locally. In response, he said the government has modernised its legal framework, enforced compliance, and taken decisive action when credible allegations of misconduct arise.

One such example was the high-profile investigation and prosecution of senior police official Calvin Brutus, which was cited by Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) assessors as a case study during their review of Guyana.

The U.S. report further endorses Guyana’s 2022–2026 National Drug Strategy Master Plan, which prioritises interdiction, public health, and legal reform. It also praises the launch of the National Defence Institute (NDI) in 2024—a move aimed at enhancing national and regional counter-narcotics capabilities.

International partners have increasingly applauded Guyana’s intensified crackdown on money laundering, a key pillar of its national strategy. According to the INCSR, the country’s efforts align closely with international obligations under the Vienna Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

Jagdeo emphasised that while the government remains aware of persistent challenges, Guyana’s trajectory is one of improvement and growing international credibility.