In a bold move to modernise its security infrastructure, Guyana officially launched the National Defence Institute (NDI) in September 2024, with a mandate to advance the country’s defence and counter-narcotics expertise through regional and international partnerships.
The U.S believes this development complements Guyana’s continued implementation of its 2022–2026 National Drug Strategy Master Plan, which highlights interdiction, public health, and legal reform as central pillars of its national anti-narcotics response
The NDI was established through cooperation with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the United States Department of Defense, providing a platform for training law enforcement and military personnel in intelligence operations, maritime security, and aerial surveillance.
In its 2025 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, the U.S State Department noted that this was strategically timed ahead of national elections in 2025.
The launch is seen as a cornerstone of the government’s commitment to national security reform and international cooperation.
The NDI will also support joint efforts under the Regional Security System (RSS), of which Guyana became a member in 2022, although observers note that formal collaboration on anti-drug missions within the RSS remains a work in progress.
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