Basseterre, Saint Kitts, September 18, 2026: A contingent of soldiers from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) is in Saint Kitts and Nevis to commemorate the Federation’s 43rd Anniversary of Independence and further strengthen the longstanding relationship between the GDF and the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF).
Led by Lieutenant Darick Griffith, the visiting contingent arrived in the Federation on Wednesday, September 16, and will participate in the Ceremonial Independence Parade on Saturday, September 19. The Guyanese soldiers will march alongside local armed and unarmed units as part of the national celebrations.
Acting Commander of the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force, Major Kayode Sutton, welcomed the visiting troops, noting that their participation is an important development in the growing cooperation between the two defence forces.
According to Major Sutton, the engagement was facilitated by the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Non-Lethal Defence and Security Operations, which was signed in April 2025.
“To have the Guyana Defence Force contingent celebrating with us this year is really significant, and the relationship between Guyana and Saint Kitts and Nevis can only get stronger from here,” Major Sutton stated.
The presence of the GDF contingent has also generated considerable interest among the public, with visiting military personnel traditionally adding to the excitement surrounding the Independence Parade. The Guyanese troops participated in rehearsals on Thursday and integrated seamlessly with their counterparts from the SKNDF.
“That tells you how synchronised our training is because the drills that we do in Saint Kitts and Nevis are exactly the same drills that they do in Guyana,” said Major Sutton, noting that the visitors are looking forward to taking the field on Saturday at Warner Park at 6 p.m. “I am happy that we got the opportunity to have the contingent and we can expect more collaborations in the future.”
Beyond the ceremonial activities, the MOU establishes a framework for expanded cooperation between the GDF and SKNDF, including opportunities for joint training, personnel exchanges, technology transfer and mentorship.
The agreement also provides opportunities for collaboration with other national security agencies in Saint Kitts and Nevis, particularly those involved in law enforcement and border protection. The MOU was negotiated under the leadership of Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew.
During their stay in the Federation, the GDF soldiers will participate in routine engagements alongside SKNDF personnel before returning to Guyana next week.
The Federation is marking its 43rd Anniversary of Independence under the theme, “One People, One Vision, Endless Possibility, Independence 43.”
Source: SKNIS
