标签： Suriname

Rodrigo Paz has officially assumed the presidency of Bolivia, marking a significant shift in the nation’s political landscape after nearly 20 years of governance by the Movement for Socialism (MAS) party. The 58-year-old conservative business advocate and son of a former president was sworn in during a ceremony at the Plurinational Legislative Assembly in La Paz, Bolivia, on Saturday. His inauguration was met with applause from attendees, signaling hope for a new direction.

In his inaugural address, Paz emphasized a commitment to ‘God, family, and homeland,’ and declared that Bolivia is now open to the world after two decades of leftist rule. He pledged to address the country’s severe economic crisis, which includes annual inflation exceeding 20%, chronic fuel shortages, and a depletion of foreign currency reserves. The outgoing administration of Luis Arce had exhausted nearly all reserves to sustain fuel subsidies, leaving Paz with a daunting task.

Paz, a Christian Democrat, campaigned on a platform of ‘capitalism for all,’ promising economic reforms centered on decentralization, lower taxes, fiscal discipline, and continued social spending. However, economists have expressed skepticism about the feasibility of simultaneously stabilizing the economy and maintaining social programs.

In a bold move, Paz also vowed to restore ties with the United States and collaborate with international security organizations, including the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, which was expelled by former President Evo Morales in 2008. ‘Never again a Bolivia isolated by failed ideologies or turning its back on the world,’ Paz declared during the ceremony, attended by delegations from over 70 countries and local dignitaries.

Paz’s presidency signals a departure from the state-centric economic model of the MAS era, which thrived during the early 2000s commodity boom but later faltered due to declining natural gas exports and unsustainable subsidies. His administration faces the challenge of navigating Bolivia’s worst economic crisis in 40 years while balancing the demands of reform and social welfare.

Suriname’s President Jennifer Simons has firmly denied reports of government negotiations with Chinese multinational Chinalco regarding the mining and export of bauxite from West Suriname. Speaking at a press conference upon her return to the country, Simons emphasized that no agreements or discussions are underway, and Suriname will not export bauxite from the region under any circumstances. She acknowledged that Vice President Gregory Rusland had been approached by Chinalco and engaged in a single conversation but clarified that this did not represent official government negotiations. ‘The government consists of the president, vice president, and the Council of Ministers,’ Simons stated. ‘One member having a conversation does not equate to government negotiations.’

Simons highlighted the need for Suriname to make deliberate choices in utilizing its natural resources to foster development. The country is rich in gold, bauxite, and other resources but is internationally committed to preserving at least 90% of its forest area. ‘If the world expects us to uphold this commitment, they must compensate us for forest conservation,’ she asserted. ‘Only then can we make a fair assessment.’

The president noted that revenues from the oil sector could alleviate economic pressure on other resources. ‘Oil discoveries may slightly slow deforestation, as we anticipate income from this sector,’ she explained. However, Simons warned against overburdening the economy, stating, ‘A country with just 600,000 inhabitants cannot tackle everything simultaneously. Overextension risks economic overheating and new challenges.’

Addressing the issue of Mennonite communities seeking agricultural land, Simons firmly opposed deforestation for large-scale farming. ‘Clearing tropical rainforest for agriculture is not my approach,’ she declared. She also reiterated that all land allocations over the past five years were unlawful. ‘They were issued illegally. I’ve said this for years, and now the Audit Office has confirmed it,’ she said. Simons emphasized that officials had failed to adhere to legal requirements, citing Article 13 of the Anti-Corruption Act, which nullifies unlawfully issued allocations. The government has temporarily halted land allocations pending a review of past transactions.