Carib Scope

标签： Suriname

苏里南

  • Nieuw ministerie, Olie Gas en Milieu investeert SRD 3,4 miljard in Staatsolie

    Nieuw ministerie, Olie Gas en Milieu investeert SRD 3,4 miljard in Staatsolie

    Suriname’s newly established Ministry of Oil, Gas and Environment has earmarked a massive SRD 3.393 billion for investments in state-owned energy giant Staatsolie in its 2026 fiscal budget, a figure that accounts for nearly the entire program budget allocated to the Directorate of Oil and Gas.

    A breakdown of the proposed 2026 budget shows the Directorate of Oil and Gas holds a total program budget of just over SRD 3.4 billion, with 99.8% of that allocation directed to the dedicated Staatsolie investment program. Budget documentation explains these capital injections are critical to maintaining and expanding the state oil company’s existing operations, with investments targeted at three core areas: onshore oil production expansion, upgrades to the national refinery, and broader development of Suriname’s energy sector. Ministry officials have explicitly clarified that this funding package is separate from the large-scale offshore GranMorgu project, which will advance through separate financing channels.

    While the overwhelming majority of the 2026 budget focuses on direct Staatsolie investments, the directorate has set aside modest, targeted allocations for sector-wide governance, regulatory development, and oversight. A total of SRD 1.51 million has been allocated to develop a local content policy, designed to help Surinamese domestic businesses and local workers capture a greater share of economic opportunities generated by the fast-growing oil and gas sector.

    Another SRD 1.35 million is budgeted for disaster preparedness and risk management for oil-related incidents. This funding will enable the government to update the National Oil Spill Response Plan, conduct emergency response drills, and carry out comprehensive risk assessments for all offshore energy operations.

    Additional smaller allocations will support the development of a national oil and gas policy framework, modernization of outdated petroleum legislation, strengthening of industry safety and environmental standards, and expanded sector transparency. As part of the transparency push, Suriname is working toward alignment with global open governance initiatives including the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

    The 2026 budget also formalizes the operational buildout of the new directorate itself. More than SRD 7 million is allocated for wages and salaries to fill new roles, while an additional SRD 7.8 million is reserved for operational goods and services. The budget outlines plans to staff multiple specialized departments to carry out the directorate’s core regulatory and development mandates.

    Taken together, the 2026 spending plan positions the newly created ministry to play a central role in guiding Suriname’s oil and gas sector development from its first full fiscal year of operation. At the same time, the extreme concentration of funding confirms that targeted investment in Staatsolie remains the overwhelming near-term priority for the country’s energy strategy.

  • VS valt Iran aan, Iran sluit Straat van Hormuz

    VS valt Iran aan, Iran sluit Straat van Hormuz

    A dangerous new spiral of conflict has erupted between the United States and Iran, after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered fresh strikes on multiple targets across Iranian territory, triggering immediate retaliatory missile attacks on American military bases in Bahrain and Kuwait and the full closure of the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz to all global shipping traffic.

    U.S. military officials confirmed the strikes were carried out Wednesday evening, framing the operation as a direct response to what they described as Iran’s unprovoked and ongoing acts of aggression. According to Iranian state media reports, blasts rocked multiple locations along the Strait of Hormuz, including Qeshm Island and the coastal cities of Bandar Abbas and Sirik. The southern Iranian city of Kargan was also hit in the attacks, leaving at least two people wounded.

    The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Iran’s elite military force, accused the U.S. of repeated violations of the April ceasefire agreement between the two nations. In response to the strikes, the IRGC announced the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed to all commercial and military shipping until further notice. The waterway is one of the world’s most vital chokepoints for global energy trade, meaning its closure blocks all passage, including for the oil tankers that carry roughly a fifth of the world’s daily crude oil supplies.

    The IRGC added that two oil tankers attempting to make an illegal crossing through the strait have already been hit. Beyond the closure, Iranian forces carried out targeted missile strikes on airports hosting U.S. personnel in both Bahrain and Kuwait to fulfill its retaliation commitment.

    This sharp escalation comes just 24 hours after Iranian forces shot down a U.S. Apache attack helicopter operating near the Strait of Hormuz, an incident that followed a series of tit-for-tat exchanges between the two countries. Both of the helicopter’s pilots were later rescued by U.S. forces with no fatalities reported from that incident.

    In public comments following the strikes, President Trump issued a stark warning to Iran, saying the U.S. would hit the country “very hard” if further retaliation continued. Trump claimed that ongoing negotiations for a comprehensive peace deal between Washington and Tehran have reached a dead end, insisting that Iran “will pay the price” for its continued resistance to U.S. demands. He went further to threaten additional strikes targeting Iranian energy infrastructure and key bridges if Tehran refuses to accept a U.S.-backed peace agreement.

    Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a forceful rejection of Trump’s threats, dismissing them as a clear sign of American desperation amid the escalating standoff. Pezeshkian stressed that Iran would remain steadfast in the face of all external pressure and aggression, backed by strong national unity and the expertise of its military and diplomatic institutions.

    Today, the overall security situation across the Persian Gulf region remains highly tense and deeply unpredictable. Given the Strait of Hormuz’s central role in global energy trade and international supply chains, the ongoing conflict carries far-reaching consequences for both global security and the world economy, with analysts warning of potential disruptions that could ripple across every major global market.

  • Soeropawiro: Burgers mogen niet de dupe worden van herziening grondconversie

    Soeropawiro: Burgers mogen niet de dupe worden van herziening grondconversie

    A decades-long effort to expand land ownership for everyday citizens hit a major legal snag recently, and now the Minister of Land and Forest Management (GBB), Stanley Soeropawiro, is moving to reassure the public that ordinary participants will not pay the price for government missteps. In an official statement responding to growing public debate over the country’s land conversion policy, which allows tenants to convert long-term land leaseholds into full private ownership, Soeropawiro made clear that protecting citizens who acted in good faith is the government’s top priority.

    The minister confirmed that the national administration has formally acknowledged serious unresolved legal questions surrounding key components of the previous iteration of the conversion program. Independent reviews of the policy found that multiple approved conversion processes failed to align with existing national land laws and regulatory frameworks. In response to these findings, the government has ordered a full policy overhaul and a case-by-case re-evaluation of all previously issued conversion approvals.

    Speaking exclusively to local outlet Starnieuws, Soeropawiro emphasized that residents who took advantage of the conversion scheme did so with the full expectation that the government program was legal and would deliver them long-term security for their land parcels. “That is exactly why this administration holds one core principle above all else: ordinary citizens must not be made victims of ambiguities or legal flaws in government land policy,” he said.

    For residents who have already completed required payments but have not finalized their conversion process, Soeropawiro announced that each case will undergo a thorough individual assessment. If a review finds that the conversion cannot legally proceed, or that an existing approval has lost its legal validity, the government will issue a full refund of all payments submitted by the applicant.

    The GBB underlined that the re-evaluation process is not designed to disadvantage residents who participated in the program. Instead, the overhaul aims to build a new land conversion framework that is legally sound, fully transparent, and equitable for all. Soeropawiro added that the end goal of the reform is to restore public confidence, ensuring that all citizens can count on the legal validity and long-term security of their property rights for years to come.

  • Column: Voetbalplezier

    Column: Voetbalplezier

    The 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup, the world’s biggest quadrennial football spectacle, officially gets underway today, marking an unprecedented milestone in the tournament’s 96-year history. For the first time ever, 48 nations will compete for football’s most coveted trophy – a 50% expansion from the previous 32-team format that has been in place since 1998.

    This expanded format brings far-reaching ripple effects across the globe. With more national teams qualifying for the final tournament, millions more fans are traveling to the host venues to cheer on their sides, while billions more across every continent are tuning in via television, radio, traditional media outlets and digital streaming platforms to follow their nations’ progress. More people than ever before have a personal connection to the tournament, whether a friend or family member competing on the pitch, or a local community tie to one of the participating federations. Also making history, this iteration is the first to be co-hosted by three countries – the United States, Mexico and Canada – meaning three separate national economies will directly reap the economic benefits of this massive global event, from increased tourism to infrastructure investment.

    For football fans around the world, daily routines are being upended to make time for matches: many rearrange work and personal schedules to catch their favorite stars in action, while casual viewers gather with friends and family to enjoy the communal excitement of the tournament. Even for those who do not follow football regularly, the World Cup’s cultural omnipresence makes it impossible to avoid. Global brands and retailers have seized on the tournament’s unparalleled popularity to drive sales, rolling out co-branded products, themed marketing campaigns and special promotions in nearly every country, even those whose teams failed to qualify for the final round. This widespread commercialization has led many observers to note that the World Cup is gradually shifting from a purely sporting competition to a massive global commercial enterprise.

    This year’s tournament also breaks new ground in fan engagement: it is the first World Cup that allows supporters across the planet to follow every moment of action in real time across a wide range of digital and social media platforms, with instant live updates, behind-the-scenes content and interactive fan discussions bringing the tournament closer to global audiences than ever before. Social media data from pre-tournament buildup shows that billions of fans around the world have been eagerly anticipating the kickoff, with World Cup fever reaching even nations that did not qualify. In Suriname, for example, hype for the tournament remains high despite the men’s national team missing out on the final round, and most local fans find the match kickoff times perfectly aligned with their daily schedules. The excitement does present one challenge for local communities though: the tournament’s opening coincides with the start of final secondary school exams, requiring young student fans to practice strong discipline to keep their studies as a top priority.

    While the 2026 World Cup is poised to deliver weeks of joy and sporting drama for global audiences, this expanded, multi-nation iteration is not without its growing challenges that could dampen the celebratory atmosphere if left unaddressed. In recent weeks, reports of planned public demonstrations have emerged in co-host Mexico, while the United States has boosted security deployments across its host venues to prevent potential civil unrest. To date, third co-host Canada has remained the least controversial of the three host nations, with no major security or political disruptions reported in the lead-up to kickoff.

  • IMF: Goudsector blijft achter ondanks economische groei

    IMF: Goudsector blijft achter ondanks economische groei

    In a newly released country assessment published Wednesday, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has drawn attention to a key imbalance in Suriname’s evolving economy: while the nation as a whole posted solid expansion in 2025, its historically critical gold sector has failed to meet performance projections, held back by systemic challenges including rampant illegal smuggling and weaker-than-expected output.

    The IMF’s analysis confirms that Suriname’s 2025 economic growth was driven almost entirely by segments outside the extractive mining industry. Non-commodity sectors, in particular, delivered robust expansion, clocking in at an estimated 4.4% year-over-year growth. This positive momentum from non-resource industries stands in sharp contrast to the gold sector, where production shortfalls and unrecorded outflow of gold revenues into the informal, unregulated economy have dragged down its overall contribution to national gross domestic product.

    For decades, the gold sector has occupied a central role in Suriname’s economic framework, serving as the country’s top source of export earnings and a key supplier of much-needed foreign exchange. When gold output and formal exports underperform, the ripple effects are immediately felt in public finances and the country’s balance of payments, creating unnecessary volatility that undermines broader economic stability, the IMF noted.

    To address these persistent gaps, the IMF emphasizes that targeted, urgent action is required from Suriname’s government. The international financial body calls for increased transparency across all levels of the gold supply chain, more aggressive enforcement to crack down on illegal activity, enhanced monitoring systems to track gold from extraction to export, and targeted investment to strengthen the institutional capacity of state agencies tasked with regulating the sector.

    Notwithstanding the gold sector’s disappointing performance, the IMF maintains an overall optimistic outlook for Suriname’s long-term economic trajectory. Upcoming development of the country’s offshore oil industry, paired with continued expansion of the non-resource sectors that drove 2025 growth, is expected to support solid economic expansion in the coming years.

    Even so, the IMF issued a critical warning: Suriname must not rely exclusively on future oil revenues to secure its economic future. To deliver sustainable long-term growth and consistent, stable public revenue streams, existing core sectors including gold must be better regulated and managed, the fund stressed.

    In its concluding remarks, the IMF reiterated that the performance of the gold sector will remain a decisive factor for Suriname’s economic stability over the next several years, particularly as the country prepares for the launch of full-scale offshore oil production slated to begin in 2028.

  • Regering werkt aan onderwijsplan richting 2035

    Regering werkt aan onderwijsplan richting 2035

    In closing remarks delivered Wednesday at the 2026 National Education Congress held at Paramaribo’s iconic Hotel Torarica, Suriname Vice President Gregory Rusland announced a landmark government initiative to develop a long-term national education framework that will guide the sector’s strategic direction through 2035.

    Rusland emphasized that education must be repositioned at the heart of the country’s national development agenda, moving away from the outdated framing of education as an isolated government portfolio. “Education must become the core engine driving our national growth,” the vice president stated, stressing that sustained economic expansion, meaningful poverty reduction, and broad societal progress simply cannot be achieved without a robust, future-ready education system that adapts to evolving global and local needs.

    Over the three-day gathering, education researchers, senior policy officials, and civil society representatives gathered to examine pressing systemic challenges facing the nation’s education sector and co-design potential reform pathways. Rusland confirmed that insights and recommendations from the congress will form the foundational base for the long-term national education vision, a framework intended to outlast individual government terms and secure cross-administration continuity for long-term reform.

    Looking at near-term priorities through 2029, Rusland outlined six key focus areas: closing persistent learning gaps that have left marginalized students behind, addressing the widespread teacher shortage across the country, boosting professional recognition and motivation for educators, upgrading aging and inadequate school infrastructure, and expanding equitable access to education services for communities in the country’s interior regions.

    A further core priority is strengthening alignment between education outcomes and labor market demand. To that end, the vice president highlighted vocational training, technical education, and entrepreneurship skills development as central pillars of the country’s future education strategy. He added that lasting education reform can only succeed if educators are positioned as central leaders in the change process, calling for improved working conditions for teachers, greater educator participation in policy design, and broader societal recognition of the teaching profession.

    Rusland also reiterated the government’s commitment to building a far more inclusive education system that guarantees all children equal opportunity to develop their unique talents, regardless of background or geographic location. In his final address, he urged all stakeholders to move beyond rhetorical commitment and paper reports, urging that the congress’s recommendations be translated into tangible policy actions and implementable public programs. “Real change happens when ideas turn into policy, policy turns into programs, programs turn into action, and action turns into measurable results that improve lives,” Rusland said.

  • Derde helft WK 2026: de opvallendste cijfers van WK 2026

    Derde helft WK 2026: de opvallendste cijfers van WK 2026

    The 2026 FIFA World Cup, the most ambitious iteration of men’s football’s flagship global tournament, is set to kick off this Thursday after years of planning, qualifying campaigns and pre-tournament warm-up matches, as 48 of the world’s best national teams prepare to compete for the sport’s most coveted prize.

    Breaking multiple records before a single ball is even kicked, the 2026 edition marks a historic first for the competition: for the first time in World Cup history, matches will be hosted across three nations – Canada, Mexico and the United States. The expanded format, which grew from the 32-team bracket used for the past four tournaments, will see 104 matches played across 16 host cities, with a total prize pool that also hits an all-time high. While FIFA projects that the tournament will break the 1994 World Cup’s 3.5 million spectator record – an edition also hosted by the U.S. – slow ticket sales have raised questions about lower-than-expected public interest so far.

    As fans across the globe count down to kickoff, we’ve compiled the most notable historical and 2026-specific statistics to set the stage for the month-long spectacle.

    ### Historical Standings and Records
    When it comes to all-time World Cup titles, no nation has dominated the competition quite like Brazil. The South American powerhouse has claimed five world championships (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002) and remains the only country to have qualified for every iteration of the tournament since its launch in 1930. Across its history, Brazil has reached seven finals and 11 semi-finals. Germany and Italy trail Brazil with four titles apiece, though Italy will be absent from the 2026 tournament, marking the third consecutive World Cup the Azzurri have failed to qualify. Only Germany remains in contention to add another title to its trophy case this year.

    Individually, Brazilian legend Pelé holds the record for the most World Cup titles won by a player, claiming gold three times in 1958, 1962 and 1970. Two of his 1958 and 1962 teammates, Bellini and Castilho, share two titles, while former Brazil captain Cafu also won two titles in 1994 and 2002.

    For all-time tournament scoring, Germany’s Miroslav Klose sits atop the leaderboard with 16 goals across 24 matches over four World Cup appearances. He is followed by Brazil’s Ronaldo (15 goals), Germany’s Gerd Müller (14), France’s Just Fontaine (13), Argentina’s Lionel Messi (13), France’s Kylian Mbappé (12) and Pelé (12). The record for most goals scored in a single tournament belongs to Just Fontaine, who netted 13 goals across just six matches at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.

    ### 2026 Tournament Specifics
    For the 2026 edition, the records for the youngest and oldest competing players are already notable. Mexico’s Gilberto Mora will be just 17 years and 240 days old when the tournament kicks off on June 11, making him the youngest player in this year’s field. Mora made his senior national team debut at just 16 years old, and is one of 22 players under the age of 20 competing in this year’s tournament. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Scotland’s goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who will make his World Cup debut at 43 years and 162 days old, is the oldest player in the 2026 field. The all-time record for oldest World Cup player remains with Egypt’s Essam El Hadary, who played at the 2018 World Cup at 45 years old.

    Seven players aged 40 or older are competing in 2026, including Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (41), Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa (40), Germany’s Manuel Neuer (40) and Croatia’s Luka Modrić (40). Ronaldo also holds another notable 2026 distinction: with an estimated net worth of $1.4 billion according to Forbes, he is the wealthiest player in the tournament, and the first professional footballer to reach the billion-dollar milestone, thanks to lucrative endorsement deals and his contract with Saudi club Al-Nassr.

    This year’s tournament also sees four nations make their World Cup debut: Cape Verde, Uzbekistan, Jordan and Curaçao. This marks the highest number of first-time qualifiers since the 2006 World Cup. In total, 891 players across all squads will be competing in their first World Cup. Among these debuting nations, Curaçao stands out as the smallest country to ever qualify for the World Cup, with a total population of just 158,000.

    When it comes to squad age demographics, Ivory Coast boasts the youngest average squad age at 25.48 years, while Colombia has the oldest at 29.98 years. Six nations – Cape Verde, DR Congo, Ivory Coast, Curaçao, Senegal and Uruguay – have selected squads made up entirely of players plying their trade at foreign clubs, while Qatar and Saudi Arabia sit on the opposite end of the spectrum: 25 of their 26 squad members play in domestic leagues.

    Argentina’s Lionel Messi holds the record for the most World Cup appearances by any player, with 26 matches across five tournaments between 2006 and 2022. He is closely followed by Germany’s Lothar Matthäus (25 appearances) and Miroslav Klose (24 appearances).

    In terms of club representation, England’s Manchester City has more players at the 2026 World Cup than any other club, with 19 representatives. They are followed by Bayern Munich (18), Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal (16 each), FC Barcelona (15), and Manchester United, Crystal Palace, Atlético Madrid and Al Hilal (12 each). In total, players from 71 national associations across all continents are competing, with Europe contributing 35, Asia 14, South America 8, North and Central America 7, Africa 6 and Oceania 1.

    The 2026 World Cup’s total prize pool also hits a new record of $727 million, far surpassing the $440 million total offered at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The tournament champions will take home $50 million, compared to the $42 million received by 2022 champions Argentina. Even the lowest-ranked finishing teams will receive a minimum of $10.5 million each.

    As the world prepares for a month of world-class football, the 2026 World Cup is already shaping up to deliver unmatched drama, passion, and unforgettable moments that will define the next chapter of global football. The wait is almost over – the biggest World Cup in history is finally upon us.

  • OAS-topman Ramdin betreurt vertrek van kabinetschef Jessurun na intrekking visum

    OAS-topman Ramdin betreurt vertrek van kabinetschef Jessurun na intrekking visum

    On June 10, the Organization of American States (OAS) announced the resignation of Xaviera Jessurun, senior advisor and chief of staff to OAS Secretary-General Albert Ramdin, a development that followed the unexpected revocation of her working visa. In an official statement provided to regional media outlet Starnieuws, Ramdin confirmed he received Jessurun’s resignation notice with deep regret, noting that the visa issue that forced her departure stemmed from circumstances entirely outside of Jessurun’s control.
    Ramdin emphasized that he fully respects Jessurun’s decision to step down. In her formal resignation letter, Jessurun stated that her exit from the post is in the best interest of the Organization of American States, allowing the institution to continue its critical regional work without disruption.
    The OAS chief went on to praise Jessurun’s tenure, highlighting the meaningful, lasting contributions she made to both the secretariat’s daily operations and the OAS’s broader institutional mission. Ramdin specifically commended Jessurun for the exceptional distinction, unwavering professionalism, and consistent dedication she brought to her role throughout her time in office. He closed his statement by extending his sincere gratitude for her committed service, and wished Jessurun great success and resilience in all her future professional and personal endeavors.

  • President en deskundigen vragen aandacht voor verborgen geweld tegen kinderen

    President en deskundigen vragen aandacht voor verborgen geweld tegen kinderen

    On June 10, during a dedicated theme day hosted by the Surinamese foundation Stichting Projekta, top national leaders and academic experts drew urgent public attention to the pervasive, underrecognized crisis of violence against children, much of which occurs behind closed doors in family homes.

    Suriname President Jennifer Simons took the stage to emphasize that many forms of harm inflicted on children fly under the radar, escaping detection and intervention from communities and authorities. Contrary to common public perception, she explained, violence against children extends far beyond the obvious cases of physical or sexual abuse. Insults, repeated humiliation, constant belittlement, and other patterns of psychological abuse can leave lifelong emotional and developmental scars on young victims, she noted.

    Simons also pointed to the growing threat of bullying and cyberbullying, which has evolved beyond the boundaries of school classrooms. With the rise of social media, abusive behavior can now follow children into their own homes 24 hours a day, amplifying its damaging impact. “Too many adults fail to grasp the long-term harm that words and thoughtless behavior can inflict on a developing child,” Simons said, adding that many harmful practices are still incorrectly normalized as acceptable parts of childhood or parenting across Surinamese society.

    Leading sociologist Julia Terborg reinforced the president’s remarks, sharing key findings from recent research that confirm the majority of all violence against children occurs within the domestic sphere. This harm is not limited to direct abuse; children who witness intimate partner violence between adult household members also suffer severe, lasting trauma, she explained. Terborg stressed that research conclusions on this issue remain highly relevant today, and in some key areas, the situation has actually worsened in recent years.

    One particularly persistent problem she highlighted is the use of violent discipline in childrearing. “What starts as a so-called corrective slap can quickly escalate into severe, life-altering abuse,” Terborg warned. She called for wider adoption of non-violent parenting strategies across the country, alongside expanded support systems to help parents struggling with caregiving stress.

    Terborg also linked rising risks of domestic violence against children to broader economic pressures. Financial instability and persistent social stress create heightened tension within households, which significantly increases the likelihood that children will experience abuse, she explained. Ahead of the upcoming national budget debate, the sociologist urged Suriname’s policymakers to elevate child protection to a top priority on the national policy agenda.

    She argued that sustained, long-term investment is critical: meaningful progress requires expanded resources for prevention programs, targeted support for at-risk families, and ongoing public awareness campaigns to reduce the normalization of abuse. This national theme day built on the outcomes of a landmark national study on violence against children, conducted earlier by Anton de Kom University of Suriname with partnership and support from UNICEF.

  • PAHO: Lage belastingen remmen strijd tegen suiker en alcohol

    PAHO: Lage belastingen remmen strijd tegen suiker en alcohol

    Two new studies released by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) have delivered a stark warning: current excise taxes on alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverages across the Americas are far too low to meaningfully reduce consumption and prevent the spread of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), even as the region registers some of the highest per-capita consumption rates of these products globally.

    The PAHO analysis finds that across the region, average tax burdens on common alcoholic beverages fall well below global benchmarks. Beer carries an average tax rate of just 25.5 percent of retail price, compared to a global average of 29.4 percent. For distilled spirits, the regional average tax rate sits at 31.5 percent, while the global average reaches 38.7 percent. For sugar-sweetened beverages, the average regional tax amounts to only 17.1 percent of retail price, slightly below the global average of 17.8 percent. To compound this issue, one-third of all countries and territories in the Americas impose no special tax on sugary drinks at all.

    This policy gap comes at a particularly worrying time for public health in the region, especially across Latin America and the Caribbean, where consumption of both sugary beverages and alcohol already outpaces most of the world. On average, adults in the region consume 7.8 servings of sugary drinks per week, nearly three times the global average of 2.7 servings.

    High, sustained consumption of these products is directly linked to a sharp rise in severe, life-altering chronic health conditions across the Americas. Data shows 67.5 percent of adults in the region are currently overweight or living with obesity, and elevated consumption of sugary drinks and alcohol also drives higher rates of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, multiple forms of cancer, liver disease, and other chronic NCDs. Excessive alcohol use is additionally associated with higher rates of accidental injuries and interpersonal violence in communities across the region.

    Despite the widespread under-implementation of effective health taxes, the reports also highlight encouraging progress across a small but growing number of regional states. Barbados has introduced new targeted taxes on unhealthy products, Colombia recently enacted reforms to raise existing health tax rates, and Dominica has increased excise duties across tobacco, alcohol, and sugar-sweetened beverages. These early actions, PAHO notes, demonstrate that governments in the region are already taking steps to better protect public health for their populations.

    PAHO emphasizes that well-designed health taxes deliver two core public benefits: they reduce consumer demand for harmful products by raising prices, and they generate dedicated public revenue that can be reinvested into strengthening public health systems and expanding social support programs. Research also shows that effective taxation can delay the onset of alcohol use among adolescents and cut overall consumption of sugary drinks across all age groups.

    Still, significant barriers remain for most countries in the region. Many keep tax rates artificially low, limit the scope of products covered by existing taxes, or fail to update rates regularly to account for inflation that erodes their impact over time. In addition, many common high-sugar products such as sweetened dairy drinks and commercial fruit juices are often excluded from taxation entirely, creating a loophole that pushes consumers to shift their consumption to these unregulated unhealthy alternatives.

    Dr. Anselm Hennis, Director of PAHO’s Department of Noncommunicable Diseases, explained the core gap facing regional policymakers: “In many countries, the existing taxes are not designed in line with international best practices, and they are too low to meaningfully change consumption behavior or reduce overall population health risks.”

    To address these gaps, PAHO is urging all member states to strengthen their health tax frameworks by implementing more structured tax systems, raising rates to impactful levels, expanding coverage to include all sugary and alcoholic products, and adding regular inflation adjustments to maintain policy effectiveness over time. The organization also notes that strong enforcement and ongoing monitoring are required to maximize the impact of these taxes on reducing harmful consumption.

    “PAHO continues to provide technical support to member states as they implement health taxes, a proven intervention to reduce risk factors and protect population health,” Hennis added.

    The two reports were first presented in May during a public webinar co-hosted by PAHO and Johns Hopkins University, and they contribute to ongoing global efforts to monitor fiscal policies that align with core public health goals around the world.