The Growing Influence Of Guyana In The Caribbean: From The Dominican Republic To Haiti

By Keith Bernard

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. May 18, 2026: In the evolving landscape of Caribbean geopolitics, Guyana is emerging as one of the region’s most influential states. Fueled by one of the world’s fastest-growing oil economies, the country is building strategic partnerships that reflect both economic ambition and regional responsibility. Nowhere is this more evident than in Guyana’s rapidly expanding relationship with the Dominican Republic and its humanitarian-driven engagement with Haiti.

These two relationships reveal a changing Caribbean order – one increasingly shaped by economic pragmatism, energy security, and geopolitical influence. The relationship between Guyana and the Dominican Republic has accelerated dramatically since 2023. Although the two countries maintained diplomatic ties for decades, cooperation remained limited until Guyana’s oil boom transformed the country into a major regional economic player.

That changed with the appointment of the Dominican Republic’s first resident ambassador to Guyana and the signing of multiple bilateral agreements covering energy, agriculture, infrastructure, tourism, security, and trade. These agreements quickly evolved from diplomatic gestures into concrete economic initiatives.

One of the clearest signs of growing cooperation was the establishment of chambers of commerce in both Georgetown and Santo Domingo in 2024. These institutions were designed to promote bilateral investment and deepen private-sector collaboration between the two economies.

Connectivity also improved significantly with the launch of direct flights between Georgetown and Santo Domingo by Sky High Dominicana. The new route strengthened tourism, trade, and business travel, making economic integration far easier than in previous years.

Trade between the two countries has since increased substantially. Dominican Ambassador Ernesto Torres-Pereyra described the relationship as having “basically no limit,” reflecting growing optimism about future economic opportunities.

Energy remains the centerpiece of the partnership. Guyana’s massive offshore oil discoveries have attracted regional and international interest, and the Dominican Republic is positioning itself as a key partner in the emerging petroleum economy. At the 2025 Guyana Energy Conference, Dominican President Luis Abinader announced ongoing agreements connected to the Berbice oil block. For the Dominican Republic – the Caribbean’s largest economy – Guyana represents both an energy supplier and a model for economic transformation through natural resources.

For Guyana, the Dominican Republic offers technical expertise, a large consumer market, investment capital, and growing geopolitical influence. The partnership demonstrates how Caribbean nations are increasingly forming alliances based on shared economic interests rather than traditional regional structures alone.

Agriculture has also become an important pillar of cooperation. In 2025, the two countries signed a major agreement for large-scale coffee and cocoa cultivation in Guyana’s Region One. The initiative is expected to generate thousands of tonnes of cocoa production while creating employment and investment opportunities for local communities.

In contrast, Guyana’s relationship with Haiti is rooted less in economics and more in regional responsibility and humanitarian concern. Haiti has been a full member of CARICOM since 2002, yet years of political instability and violence have severely limited opportunities for economic cooperation. Since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, Haiti has faced escalating gang violence, state collapse, and a worsening humanitarian crisis.

As CARICOM Chair and a member of the United Nations Security Council, Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali has taken a leading diplomatic role in efforts to stabilize Haiti. In February 2024, Guyana hosted the 46th CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting in Georgetown, where the Haiti crisis dominated discussions. President Ali coordinated meetings with international partners, including the United States, Canada, France, and the United Nations, to support a political transition and restore constitutional governance in Haiti.

Guyana also supported CARICOM-led negotiations that encouraged commitments toward future elections and transitional governance structures. In March 2024, President Ali joined regional and international leaders in Jamaica to announce plans for a transitional presidential council aimed at stabilizing Haiti.

Despite these efforts, the limitations facing CARICOM are significant. Caribbean states, including Guyana, lack the military and financial resources necessary to resolve Haiti’s crisis independently. Their role has therefore focused largely on diplomacy, humanitarian advocacy, and international coordination. The contrast between Guyana’s relationships with the Dominican Republic and Haiti reflects a broader transformation in Caribbean diplomacy.

With the Dominican Republic, Guyana sees economic opportunity, investment, and strategic growth. With Haiti, it sees a moral and regional obligation grounded in Caribbean solidarity and stability. Together, these relationships highlight Guyana’s emergence as a regional power balancing economic ambition with diplomatic leadership. As oil wealth continues reshaping the country’s influence, Guyana is redefining its role not only within CARICOM but across the wider Caribbean basin.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Keith Bernard is a Guyanese-born, NYC-based analyst and a frequent contributor to News Americas.