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GEORGETOWN, Guyana – President Irfaan Ali Tuesday urged Caribbean Community (Caricom) leaders 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 state-owned Department of Public Information (DPI) quoted Ali as saying that while some Caribbean leaders may view the US military build-up positively, Guyana recognises that the situation requires careful examination.

“The zone of peace is not only about threats to borders. It’s also about threats that we are now seeing,” he said, noting concerns such as drug trafficking, illegal migration, and the use of international waterways for transhipment.