The United States has signalled renewed interest in Guyana’s bauxite reserves as part of a broader strategy to secure access to Latin American energy and minerals, a senior US official said on Friday.
Under Secretary for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg held talks with Guyanese President Irfaan Ali and other officials in the South American country, which is experiencing an oil boom after major discoveries in the past decade. Guyana’s geopolitical importance has grown amid the global energy crisis triggered by the Iran war.
Helberg said the US would look at the bauxite sector, where Chinese operator Bosai Minerals currently dominates. He also suggested that Washington could help Georgetown conduct high-tech surveys to identify other minerals for future development.
The visit comes as the Trump administration pushes to expand oil production in Venezuela following the US military invasion in January, and seeks cooperation with Brazil on critical minerals. Experts say Latin America is reversing a trend of declining energy production and is seen as a stable supply source.
Guyanese officials have argued that US firms have not been as aggressive as Chinese companies, which often offer financing and cater to labour needs for mega projects. Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud said Guyana wants value-added processing of bauxite and other products, and is interested in attracting US investors.
Analysts suggest the US is trying to avoid past mistakes that allowed China to gain a foothold in the region. Guyana is likely seeking to diversify trade relationships, but remains a strong US partner, said Jason Marczak of the Atlantic Council.
