U.S. Air Force Major General Evan L. Pettus, 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Commander, will visit Guyana from January 31 – February 2, the U.S. Embassy in Guyana said in a Feb. 1 release.
The embassy said, “12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) supports U.S. Southern Command to deter aggression, defeat threats, rapidly respond to crises, and work with allies and partner nations to build regional capacity to ensure a secure, free, and prosperous Western Hemisphere.”
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It said the U.S. is strongly committed to its bilateral security partnership with Guyana in support of regional stability.
As the Air Force component of U.S. Southern Command, the 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) conducts security cooperation and provides air, space, and cyberspace capabilities throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
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During his stay, Pettus is scheduled to meet with senior leaders in the government of Guyana, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), and the U.S. Embassy to discuss the U.S. defense partnership with Guyana. The embassy said Pettus plans to discuss air domain awareness and collaborate on advancing Guyana’s airspace awareness capacity to protect its national security and sovereignty.
The United States has made a strong show of its support for Guyana in the wake of provocations from Venezuela in late 2023.