As the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis prepares to mark its 43rd anniversary of independence, a special contingent of soldiers from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has arrived in Basseterre to take part in the milestone celebrations, marking another step forward in deepening bilateral security cooperation between the two Caribbean nations.
Led by Lieutenant Darick Griffith, the GDF contingent touched down in Saint Kitts on September 16, 2026, and has since been preparing alongside their local counterparts for the main ceremonial Independence Parade scheduled for September 19. During the parade, the visiting troops will march alongside armed and unarmed units of the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF) in a show of regional solidarity.
Major Kayode Sutton, Acting Commander of the SKNDF, extended a warm official welcome to the GDF delegation. He highlighted that the upcoming joint participation in the parade is made possible by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) focused on Non-Lethal Defence and Security Cooperation, which was signed between the two defense forces in April 2025. This agreement laid the groundwork for expanded collaborative engagements between the two military institutions.
“Having the Guyana Defence Force join us for this year’s independence celebrations is a truly meaningful moment,” Major Sutton shared in a statement. “The relationship between Guyana and Saint Kitts and Nevis will only emerge stronger from this exchange.”
Public anticipation for the parade has been building, with local residents traditionally showing great enthusiasm for the participation of visiting military contingents in the annual celebrations. Rehearsals held at Warner Park on Thursday demonstrated just how well integrated the GDF contingent has become with their local counterparts.
“The seamless coordination we saw during rehearsals shows just how aligned our training programs are,” Major Sutton explained. “The drill procedures we follow here in Saint Kitts and Nevis are identical to those used by the GDF in Guyana.” He added that the visiting contingent is eager to take the parade route at 6 p.m. on Saturday at Warner Park, and that he looks forward to a high-profile, successful ceremony.
The MOU, which was negotiated under the leadership of Saint Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, opens the door to a wide range of collaborative activities beyond ceremonial parades. These include joint training exercises, personnel exchange programs, technology sharing, mentorship initiatives, and other capacity-building efforts. In addition to the defense forces, other Saint Kitts and Nevis national security agencies, including law enforcement units and border protection teams, will also benefit from the cooperation framework established by the agreement.
During their stay in the Federation, GDF soldiers will take part in a series of routine joint engagements with SKNDF personnel before returning to Guyana early next week. This year’s 43rd Independence Anniversary celebrations are being held under the unifying theme “One People, One Vision, Endless Possibility, Independence 43.”