Guyana’s President, Dr Irfaan Ali urged Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders on Tuesday to approach the growing presence of United States naval assets in the Caribbean with “eyes wide open”, emphasising the need for mature and open discussions on security matters affecting the region. The United States has ordered an amphibious squadron to the southern Caribbean as part of President Donald Trump’s effort to address threats from Latin American drug cartels. Venezuela has since responded to what it termed “the threat posed by the United States” and has itself marshalled its troops along its borders. President Ali said that Guyana has consistently promoted the region as a zone of peace and has responded to threats with diplomacy and truth rather than hostility. The Guyana President emphasised the importance of intelligence sharing and collaborative discussions among regional partners to understand fully the implications of military movements.