WASHINGTON, D.C.— House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Rick Crawford (AR-01) led a congressional delegation (CODEL) to Guyana, Suriname, and Barbados, joined by fellow House Intelligence Committee member, Congressman Ronny Jackson (TX-13). Guyana, Suriname, and Barbados are three of the 15 members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) treaty in the Western Hemisphere. Members of CARICOM have been targeted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and Russia and have been subjected to influence operations, predatory economic tactics, and unlawful extraction of natural resources. The purpose of the CODEL was for members to better understand the pervasive threat to the United States Western Hemisphere interests from China and Russia as they expand their influence and investments in the region.
The delegation was hosted at a series of high-level meetings with U.S. Embassy officials, industry, intelligence leaders, and CARICOM nation leaders. All the meetings focused on the need for strong partnerships between all Western Hemisphere countries to combat the growing influence of nefarious adversaries and ensure the stability and security of the Western Hemisphere.
“With each trip to CARICOM, it becomes more eye-opening the increasingly aggressive tactics the CCP is using to expand its presence in the Western Hemisphere,” said Chairman Crawford. “This region of the world, particularly off the coast of Guyana and Suriname, is important to oil and gas development and our adversaries see proximity as a strategic advantage. The CCP and Russia are working tirelessly to back these countries into a position where they are entirely financially dependent on them. The U.S. has an opportunity here to engage with our Western Hemisphere neighbors in a collective effort to secure our neighborhood from the persistent, malign encroachment from our adversaries.”
“I was honored to join Chairman Crawford’s delegation last week to conduct critical oversight of American interests in the Caribbean and South America,” said Congressman Jackson. “While I was impressed by the work of our intelligence community, it’s clear the Chinese Communist Party is rapidly expanding its corrupt influence in the region, fueling instability through manipulation and economic dependence while directly undermining America’s national security—we must meet this challenge head-on and defend our interests in the Western Hemisphere.”
The Members meet with the Suriname Minister of Defense, Krishna Mathoera
Chairman Crawford and Rep. Jackson underway on Suriname RSS Barracuda
Boarding flight to inspect narcotrafficker runway in the Suriname Jungle
Chairman Crawford meets with officers from Guyana’s Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU).
The Members prepare to board the Guyana Defense Force Defiant-class patrol vessel GDFS Shahoud (1039).
The vessel is seen below in a picture with USS Normandy during an exercise in March 2025.
USS Normandy and Guyana Defense Force Defiant-class patrol vessel GDFS Shahoud (1039) conduct an exercise in March 2025. (Photo Credit: U.S. Navy).
Meeting with Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali.
Chairman Crawford discusses regional security issues with President Mohamed Irfaan Ali.
The Members meet with CBP officials in one of the nation’s largest airports, Miami International Airport.
