Carib Scope

标签： Suriname

苏里南

  • Bendes onder druk in Haïti, maar dreiging houdt aan

    Bendes onder druk in Haïti, maar dreiging houdt aan

    For months, armed, powerful criminal gangs have held swathes of Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince in a violent grip, extorting communities, carrying out mass kidnappings, and terrorizing civilians. A new United Nations expert report released this week finds that while coordinated anti-gang operations have managed to slow the gangs’ rapid territorial expansion across the capital, the overall security threat in the Western Hemisphere’s poorest nation remains as severe and unpredictable as ever.

    The report, published Tuesday by a panel of experts monitoring UN Security Council sanctions on Haiti, notes that stepped-up security operations, supported by drone strikes and local self-defense groups, have pushed gang factions back from several key areas in central Port-au-Prince. But the assessment warns that these hard-won gains remain deeply fragile and unevenly distributed across the city. Without sustained, coordinated pressure on criminal networks, the report cautions, all recent progress could be erased in a short period of time.

    Gangs currently control most of Port-au-Prince’s urban territory, and have become infamous for widespread systemic violence including routine murders, sexual assault, and mass kidnapping for ransom. In response to intensified security operations and targeted drone strikes, the report finds, gang leaders – the majority of whom remain at large – have adapted their behavior, becoming far more discreet to avoid targeting. Most have cut back on public appearances and halted active activity on social media to reduce their exposure to counter-gang operations.

    Increased pressure in central Port-au-Prince has also pushed many gang factions to relocate their core criminal operations to outlying rural and semi-urban areas on the capital’s periphery, where they face far less resistance from security forces and can continue illegal activity with minimal interference. This shift has forced Haitian security units to reposition their personnel and resources to respond to the new threat, weakening their ability to hold and stabilize territory that has already been reclaimed from gang control.

    Beyond shifting their operational hubs, gangs have tightened their grip on key infrastructure that touches nearly every Haitian household: remittance processing facilities, which handle the critical flow of money sent home by Haitians living abroad that makes up a large share of the country’s total household income. Criminal groups have also increasingly carried out extortion and kidnapping-for-ransom schemes while disguised as police officers, allowing them to operate with greater impunity and trick civilians into cooperating.

    The report also documents the staggering human cost of the year-long anti-gang campaign, which has been supported by private military contractors. Between March 2025 and January 2026 alone, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk recorded 5,519 total conflict-related deaths across Haiti, with at least 3,497 of those fatalities occurring during active anti-gang operations. Casualties have been reported on all sides, including both gang members and innocent civilian bystanders caught in the crossfire.

    Worryingly, the report adds, gangs have even turned the civilian harm from drone strikes and security operations to their advantage, leveraging public anger to consolidate local influence. Many gangs have provided financial aid to civilians who suffered property damage or lost family members during security operations, building local support and strengthening their social control over affected communities. The report also highlights a disturbing upward trend in the recruitment of child soldiers, who are deployed directly in frontline combat and used as human shields against security forces during operations.

  • Column: VAR, voedingsbodem voor manipulatie?

    Column: VAR, voedingsbodem voor manipulatie?

    For decades, major international football tournaments have been dogged by persistent rumors of third-party manipulation of match results. While high-profile scandals occasionally break that implicate players and match officials in match-fixing schemes, proving that final scores do not reflect on-pitch performance has long remained an enormous challenge. Many football fans accepted the disruptions and stoppages that came with the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, clinging to the promise that the technology would deliver greater fairness to the sport. Now, that optimism has been exposed as unfounded: far from leveling the playing field, VAR has actually opened a new door for premeditated manipulation of matches, argues Dutch sports commentator Mireille Hoepel.

    In recent years, the evolution of VAR’s role in elite football has turned the system into the single most decisive factor in match outcomes, allowing results to be shaped long before the final whistle blows. Particularly controversial decisions during recent UEFA Champions League quarter-finals have fueled claims of off-field direction: critics suggest hidden regulators are dictating when and how matches will be influenced to fit a pre-planned narrative.

    Contrary to the core principle laid out when VAR was introduced, that the on-field referee would retain final authority over all decisions, the traditional on-pitch official has been reduced to little more than a figurehead for the VAR team. It is now common for referees to make an initial on-site call that no infraction has occurred, only to be pressured into reviewing the incident on the sideline monitor and ultimately adopting the decision preferred by the VAR team. Hoepel argues it is long past time for on-field officials to reassert their authority and break free from the influence of VAR.

    The idea that elite football matches can now be decided behind closed doors by VAR teams is nothing short of scandalous. Beyond stripping matches of their spontaneous, unpredictable energy that makes the sport beloved by millions, VAR now dictates to on-field referees on everything from whether a red card is justified to whether a goal should stand. Hoepel stresses that the entire role of VAR in top football is in urgent need of comprehensive review; without reform, the system will become fertile ground for match-fixing speculators, with devastating consequences for the sport.

    Football as a whole gains nothing when matches and tournaments become predictable pre-scripted events, decided not by brilliant team play or individual moments of genius, but by off-field decisions. With the FIFA World Cup rapidly approaching, there is no more urgent time to scale back VAR’s overreach and redefine its role to avoid negative disruption to match flow. The World Cup is meant to be a stage where emerging talents can showcase their skills to a global audience, even when that leads to the early elimination of pre-tournament favorites. This upcoming tournament must be a celebration of surprise and on-pitch talent, not a scripted production controlled by VAR.

  • Nerkust draagt leiding FOLS over aan Barron: Het is tijd voor de jonge generatie

    Nerkust draagt leiding FOLS over aan Barron: Het is tijd voor de jonge generatie

    Paramaribo, Suriname – April 16, 2026 – A historic leadership transition has taken place at the Federation of Organizations of Teachers in Suriname (FOLS), where long-serving president Marcellino Nerkust has officially handed over the gavel to newly elected leader Bernice Barron following the organization’s annual board election.

    Nerkust announced his decision not to seek re-election after more than two decades at the helm of the country’s leading teachers’ advocacy group, choosing to make way for a new generation of leadership after guiding FOLS since August 2005. His tenure officially concluded on April 15, 2026, with the election held at the COB training and conference center. Barron defeated a small field of other candidates to win a three-year term as FOLS president, serving through 2029.

    Though Nerkust had already been officially retired for five years, he said his choice to step down now comes as he has reached full pensionable age and completed what he considers a full contribution to Suriname’s teachers and education sector. “It is time now for the young generation to take the lead,” Nerkust said in remarks after the election.

    The leadership election proceeded smoothly, aligned with updated organizational bylaws that came into force earlier this year. Those bylaws, which were formally published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Suriname on February 7, 2025, outline direct in-office election of the FOLS presidency, a framework that guided this week’s vote.

    Looking back on his 21-year tenure, Nerkust reflected on a period marked by persistent challenges, but also counted a series of landmark wins for Suriname’s teaching community. During his leadership, FOLS secured the introduction of the FISO 1 and 2 salary adjustment schemes under the Venetiaan administration, and won a formal, legally recognized education allowance for teachers in December 2008. Under the Bouterse government, FOLS led successful advocacy for the revaluation of teachers’ professional status and pay.

    More recently, during the Santokhi administration, Nerkust guided FOLS through the formal publication of its updated organizational statutes, secured a new clothing allowance for all teachers, and led bargaining through the Ravaksur-PLUS collective negotiation framework that delivered tangible purchasing power improvements for education workers. Just before his departure, Nerkust also oversaw the delivery of a new priority policy wishlist to current Suriname President Jennifer Simons.

    Nerkust closed his remarks by saying he leaves the organization with his head held high, and expressed full confidence in FOLS’ future under Barron’s new leadership.

  • Doorbraak in gronddossier Mariënburg: uitvoering eindelijk in zicht

    Doorbraak in gronddossier Mariënburg: uitvoering eindelijk in zicht

    A new round of high-level talks has been launched in Suriname to finally deliver a structural, long-term solution to the long-running land rights crisis that has left hundreds of Mariënburg residents without formal legal ownership of their properties for decades.
    The meeting, held April 15, brought together Stanley Soeropawiro, Minister of Land and Forest Management, his senior staff, Bronto Somohardjo, chair of the Permanent Committee on Land Affairs of the National Assembly, and Carlo Jadnanansing, liquidator of Surinaamse Cultuur Maatschappij B.V. and a former notary. The core focus of the discussion was crafting a tangible resolution for local residents who have never held official land titles for their plots, a gap that has left them without basic legal security for their homes and property.
    Under the newly proposed roadmap, the first phase of the resolution process will see eligible residents issued a statement of willingness (bereidverklaring, BV), which will be followed by formal land lease allocation. Officials say this step-by-step process is designed to eventually deliver full, legally binding land rights security for affected residents.
    Talks are set to resume next week, with full implementation of the plan scheduled to begin by the end of May, following Jadnanansing’s return from travel.
    Somohardjo emphasized that the Mariënburg land crisis has dragged on for years, with residents repeatedly forced to advocate for action from authorities. As recently as April 2025, residents publicly raised alarms over their ongoing lack of legal land security, prompting officials to promise a new round of solutions. Just one month later, in May 2025, authorities announced the problem had been resolved and distributed documents to residents claiming to resolve the issue.
    “But let’s be honest: to this day, nothing has been solved. People were once again fooled with a worthless piece of paper,” Somohardjo said in blunt remarks following the new talks. He acknowledged that years of broken promises have eroded public trust, saying “I completely understand the frustration of the people. For many, faith that a real solution will ever come has all but disappeared. That is exactly why we want to show that things can be different: no more empty promises, no more meaningless paperwork, just a permanent, lasting solution that actually works.”

  • Paus Leo roept Kameroen op tot strijd tegen corruptie en vrede in conflictgebieden

    Paus Leo roept Kameroen op tot strijd tegen corruptie en vrede in conflictgebieden

    On a 10-day apostolic tour across four African nations, Pope Leo XIV landed in Cameroon on Wednesday, delivering a forceful, unflinching address to the country’s long-ruling leadership that put urgent global and national issues front and center. Speaking directly to President Paul Biya – who has held presidential power since 1982 – Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute, and other top government officials shortly after arriving from Algeria, the Pope demanded urgent action to root out systemic corruption and resolve the decade-long separatist conflict plaguing Cameroon’s English-speaking regions.

  • RK-bisdom vraagt btw-vrijstelling voor restauratie historisch Paramaribo

    RK-bisdom vraagt btw-vrijstelling voor restauratie historisch Paramaribo

    On April 15, Bishop Karel Choennie held a high-stakes meeting with Suriname President Jennifer Simons focused squarely on protecting and preserving the iconic monumental buildings that define Paramaribo’s historic city center. At the core of the discussion was the urgent need for targeted financial assistance to make critical restoration work possible, with Choennie pushing for concrete policy changes including full value-added tax exemptions and relief from other levies for property owners.

    The talks covered both the specific ongoing restoration of the Poortgebouw located on Monseigneur Wulfinghstraat and the broader systemic challenges facing the upkeep of the nation’s irreplaceable cultural heritage. Choennie emphasized that preserving these historic landmarks is far more than a cultural mission — it is a significant financial burden that private owners cannot be expected to bear alone. As the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, which ranks as one of the largest private owners of historic real estate in Suriname, Choennie brought firsthand experience of these costs to the meeting.

    According to communications officials from the Suriname government, the bishop formally requested that the presidency implement immediate tax relief for active restoration projects. In response, President Simons confirmed that her administration is already developing a comprehensive master plan for the revitalization of Paramaribo’s downtown district. She noted that a special presidential commission tasked with evaluating policy solutions is expected to deliver its final findings within a two-week window. The commission’s recommendations will ultimately form the basis for new legislation or a presidential executive order that will formalize financial support structures for monumental property owners.

    Choennie reiterated that these historic buildings are the backbone of Paramaribo’s downtown identity, shaping the unique cultural character that draws residents and visitors alike. “If the government requires owners to keep these buildings in their original historic state, it must match that requirement with meaningful financial support,” the bishop stated during the meeting.

    The president’s proposed framework already includes two key support mechanisms: interest-free loans specifically for exterior facade repairs, and low-interest loans for more extensive interior and structural renovations. Choennie expressed clear support for this targeted approach, arguing that it creates tangible opportunities to make Paramaribo’s downtown a more attractive and welcoming public space. “A more beautiful, well-preserved city draws more visitors and investment,” he noted. “Our goal should be to turn the downtown core into a space where residents are eager to gather, walk, and relax.”

    Even as the plan moves forward, Choennie drew attention to the unique practical and financial hurdles that come with maintaining A-status monuments — the most historically significant and at-risk properties. The iconic wooden cathedral of Paramaribo, for example, faces exorbitant upkeep costs that far outstrip any potential revenue from commercial use. Structural constraints, elevated fire risk, and limited nearby parking all make it difficult to repurpose these historic spaces for profitable commercial activities.

    “The traditional wooden construction and original floor plans make it extremely challenging to install modern infrastructure that businesses require,” Choennie explained. “That inherently limits the revenue potential for owners, even when the building is structurally sound.”

    The bishop also highlighted the important work of private-sector and grassroots urban renewal initiatives, which have already purchased and restored dozens of at-risk historic properties across the downtown. Moving forward, he argued, sustained structural collaboration between the national government and private owners is the only way to stop further deterioration of Paramaribo’s historic core and secure its future for coming generations.

  • Rusland belooft verdere olievoorzieningen aan Cuba na eerste levering

    Rusland belooft verdere olievoorzieningen aan Cuba na eerste levering

    Two weeks after dispatching a 700,000-barrel crude oil tanker to the Caribbean island nation, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has publicly reaffirmed Moscow’s long-term commitment to delivering critical energy support to Cuba, a longstanding ally. The announcement, made Wednesday at the conclusion of Lavrov’s two-day visit to China, comes as Cuba grapples with a severe energy crisis triggered by shifts in regional oil supply chains and escalating U.S. pressure.

    The crisis unfolded in early January, when U.S. authorities arrested Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during an international visit, prompting Washington to cut off all oil exports from Venezuela – Cuba’s most important traditional energy supplier. With domestic production covering less than one-third of the island’s 11 million residents’ energy needs, Cuba immediately plunged into acute fuel shortages that threatened critical public services and daily life.

    The Trump administration has ramped up pressure on third-party countries to halt oil shipments to Cuba, threatening steep punitive tariffs on any nation that defies U.S. sanctions. Earlier this year, the U.S. granted a one-off exemption for Russian oil deliveries to Cuba on humanitarian grounds, but even that limited exception pushed other major suppliers to cut ties: Mexico, once a key oil provider to the island, has already suspended all shipments to avoid U.S. retaliation.

    Lavrov confirmed that the first Russian tanker, carrying 100,000 metric tons of crude oil equal to approximately 700,000 barrels, has already arrived at Cuba’s Matanzas Bay, with cargo volumes projected to meet Cuba’s energy needs for roughly two months. “I have no doubt that we will continue this assistance, and I also expect China will maintain its participation in this cooperation,” Lavrov told reporters, declining to comment on whether the U.S. would approve future Russian shipments on a case-by-case basis, as the Trump administration has announced it will do.

    In a sharp rebuke of Washington’s regional policy, Lavrov also expressed hope that the U.S. would abandon its current hardline approach in the Caribbean, which he compared to the era of historical colonial intervention. “We hope the U.S. will not return to the times of colonial wars,” he said, highlighting growing pushback against unilateral U.S. sanctions among Russia and other global powers that maintain ties with Havana.

  • Overheid en traditionele leiders in gesprek over bosbeheer en klimaatgelden

    Overheid en traditionele leiders in gesprek over bosbeheer en klimaatgelden

    On April 15, the government of Suriname kicked off a landmark two-day dialogue with leaders of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, centered on advancing sustainable forest management, inclusive community participation, and expanded access to global climate finance. The gathering, called the Gran Krutu, marks a defining milestone in integrating local Indigenous communities into national conservation and development policy shaping, a move that recognizes the critical role these communities play as stewards of Suriname’s globally significant forest ecosystems.

    Hosted jointly by Suriname’s Ministry of Oil, Gas and Environment (OGM) and the Ministry of Regional Development, the dialogue is structured around two core goals: first, to share clear, accessible information aligned with the lived realities of Indigenous and Tribal communities, and second, to co-develop foundational policy frameworks that are both fully participatory and respectful of Indigenous cultural traditions.

    Suriname holds a unique global position as a High Forest Low Deforestation nation, meaning it retains nearly all of its old-growth forest cover while maintaining extremely low rates of deforestation. This status positions the country to access significant international climate finance, including results-based payments for forest conservation — a key priority highlighted throughout the dialogue. The opening ceremony of the gathering was led by Suriname’s Vice President Gregory Rusland.

    Speaking at the event, Minister of Regional Development Miquella Huur emphasized the urgent need to support local communities, particularly smallholder farmers, in aligning three interconnected goals: strengthening national food security, advancing long-term environmental sustainability, and protecting Suriname’s forest landscapes. “Full participation and genuine ownership by Indigenous and Tribal Peoples is non-negotiable for sustainable development across their traditional territories,” Huur noted.

    For his part, OGM Minister Patrick Brunings reinforced the critical importance of responsible forest stewardship and the active inclusion of Indigenous communities at every stage of policy development. Brunings also confirmed that a portion of revenues generated from Suriname’s oil and gas sector will be allocated to advance sustainable development initiatives aligned with the national development roadmap, known as the Suriname 3.0 vision.

    The first day of the dialogue featured technical presentations on a range of key topics, including the structure of global climate finance, the UN-backed REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) framework, and the mechanics of results-based conservation payments. Organizers also set aside dedicated time for traditional Indigenous leaders to share their on-the-ground insights, traditional knowledge, and priority concerns directly with government representatives.

    The two-day gathering is backed by a coalition of international partners, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Green Climate Fund, with additional technical and financial support from the Suriname Foundation for Forest Management and Forest Control. All participation by Indigenous and Tribal Peoples is being carried out in full adherence to the principle of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC), a global standard for ensuring Indigenous communities have full autonomy to engage with or decline government projects and policies affecting their lands.

  • Vakbond EBS vraagt ingrijpen president in conflict met directie

    Vakbond EBS vraagt ingrijpen president in conflict met directie

    On Tuesday, April 15, the Suriname Energy Workers’ Union (Ogem Werknemers Organisatie Suriname, OWOS) — the registered labor body representing employees of state-owned utility N.V. Energiebedrijven Suriname (EBS) — brought its long-running internal conflict with EBS management to the desk of Suriname President Jennifer Simons during a formal meeting at the Presidential Cabinet.

    The labor dispute recently escalated to a temporary work stoppage, making it a pressing priority for the union leadership to escalate the issue to the highest level of national government. OWOS Chairman Marciano Hellings emphasized that the ongoing tensions at the utility have reached a critical stage, demanding rapid intervention to restore stability to the organization, according to official statements from Suriname’s Communication Service.

    In response to the union’s appeal, the Presidential Cabinet has committed to facilitating structured dialogue between the union bargaining team and EBS executive leadership. President Simons announced she will conduct a thorough review of the dispute in the coming days before inviting both parties to sit down for direct negotiations. Her core goal for the mediation process is to de-escalate tensions and ensure the utility can continue its core operations without further disruption.

    Hellings voiced confidence in the president’s ability to mediate a fair resolution to the standoff. He noted that Simons has acknowledged the severity of the unrest at EBS and has given a formal commitment that she will not allow the crisis to drag on unresolved.

    Beyond the immediate labor conflict, Hellings underscored the critical strategic role EBS plays in both Suriname’s social fabric and broader national economy. With major new development projects on the horizon in Suriname’s fast-growing oil and gas sector, Hellings said EBS stands to capture significant new opportunities to expand its operations and contribute more to national growth — but those gains are only achievable with stable internal governance and a clear long-term strategy.

    “Everything hinges on strategic leadership, a transparent shared vision, and a concrete multi-year development plan,” Hellings said. “If that foundational structure is in place and organizational policy receives consistent support from all stakeholders, EBS can get back on a strong positive trajectory.”

  • GranMorgu-project bereikt nieuwe fase met aankomst eerste offshore apparatuur

    GranMorgu-project bereikt nieuwe fase met aankomst eerste offshore apparatuur

    Suriname’s flagship large-scale offshore energy development, the GranMorgu oil project, has officially moved into its active execution phase following the arrival of its first batch of critical subsea equipment, project leaders confirmed in mid-April 2026.

    The specialized components, part of the project’s Long BaseLine (LBL) positioning system, were delivered to Paramaribo’s Dr. Jules Sedney Port by the end of March 2026. The LBL system is an advanced underwater navigation technology that allows work vessels and installation equipment to pinpoint their exact location on the seabed using acoustic signals transmitted between transponders placed on the ocean floor. This precision technology is widely recognized as essential for accurate installation of offshore energy infrastructure, particularly in deepwater operating environments where small positioning errors can lead to costly project delays and safety risks.

    Artur Nunes da Silva, General Manager of TotalEnergies EP Suriname, noted that this delivery marks a clear transition from years of pre-construction planning to tangible offshore construction work. The on-site installation of the LBL equipment is scheduled to begin in June 2026, representing the first official offshore installation phase of the entire GranMorgu project.

    All offshore construction activities are being carried out in partnership with leading international contractors, including major energy infrastructure firm Saipem. Project stakeholders have emphasized that safety and operational efficiency are top priorities throughout all phases of development, with all work aligned to strict global industry safety and environmental standards.

    Located approximately 150 kilometers off Suriname’s coastline, GranMorgu stands as the country’s first large-scale offshore oil development, built on the back of the earlier Sapakara and Krabdagu oil discoveries. The project will center on a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit with a planned production capacity of 220,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Recoverable oil reserves at the GranMorgu field are estimated at more than 750 million barrels.

    Backed by a total investment of roughly $10.5 billion, the GranMorgu project is expected to deliver transformative benefits to Suriname’s national economy, driving new job creation, supporting the growth of local supporting industries, and expanding government revenue streams. First commercial oil production from the project is on track to launch in 2028, according to current development timelines.