标签： Suriname

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has issued a stark warning that her nation is experiencing immediate repercussions from the United States’ military intervention in Venezuela. The escalating situation in Caracas has triggered significant aviation disruptions across the Caribbean region, resulting in canceled flights, stranded passengers, and mounting pressure on the island’s tourism and transportation infrastructure.

Addressing journalists at Ilaro Court, Mottley characterized the preceding 24 hours as ‘extremely challenging,’ noting that her government had to simultaneously manage national security concerns, aviation emergencies, and humanitarian issues amid rapidly evolving developments in Venezuela. The US operation, which reportedly resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife aboard a naval vessel, prompted immediate security and air traffic alerts throughout the Caribbean, triggering emergency consultations among regional leaders.

Thirteen scheduled flights to Barbados were canceled, affecting thousands of passengers including cruise travelers and customers of JetBlue, Delta, United Airlines, and KLM. The crisis has extended to Bridgetown’s port, where four cruise ships are currently docked with a fifth expected, creating logistical challenges due to limited berthing capacity. The Barbadian government has implemented measures to assist stranded travelers while coordinating with tourism and immigration authorities to manage the situation, though airspace has since reopened.

When questioned about Barbados’ position regarding the developing crisis, Mottley emphasized her country’s commitment to regional coordination through CARICOM and adherence to international law. ‘Let me be very clear: Venezuela is our friend, the United States of America is our friend. The Caribbean Community is the body with which we, as a matter of principle, align our foreign policy,’ the Prime Minister stated. She indicated Barbados would await additional information before taking collective action, refusing to ‘preempt or compromise the integrity of CARICOM’s consultation process.’

Mottley reiterated Barbados’ fundamental foreign policy principle: ‘Our principles are clear: small states can only survive within a rules-based international order. Anything that undermines that causes us grave concern, both in Barbados and throughout the region.’

Other Caribbean nations have expressed serious concerns about the situation. The CARICOM chair condemned the escalation and called for dialogue and peaceful solutions to prevent further regional destabilization. Colombia, which shares a border with Venezuela and hosts significant refugee populations, expressed apprehension about regional implications while emphasizing the importance of stability and security. Trinidad and Tobago, a key transportation hub, reported heightened readiness at airports and ports while expressing solidarity with affected passengers.

The Caribbean has endured years of impacts from the Venezuelan crisis, including migration flows and economic pressures, with these latest developments underscoring the critical need for enhanced regional cooperation.

Baitali NV has initiated another legal proceeding against the Republic of Suriname regarding the Van ‘t Hogerhuysstraat infrastructure project controversy. The company filed a petition requesting the court to compel the State, specifically the Ministry of Public Works, to enforce a previous judicial verdict that favored the construction firm.

The initial ruling by the cantonal court mandated that the tender process for infrastructure work on Van ‘t Hogerhuysstraat must be reevaluated and reopened for bidding. This judgment explicitly required that Baitali be granted the opportunity to participate in the renewed tender process.

According to company director Farsi Khudabuks, despite the judgment becoming irrevocable several months ago, the Surinamese government has failed to implement the court’s decision. “The verdict was pronounced with an execution deadline of two days, yet six months have elapsed without any action,” Khudabuks stated in an interview with Starnieuws. The company asserts that authorities have provided no clear explanation for this prolonged non-compliance.

The case took a complex turn when the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) initially threatened to withdraw project funding if the court ruling was implemented. However, Khudabuks revealed that the IDB later moderated its position during a high-level visit to Suriname. The bank’s president reportedly assured Suriname’s leadership that as a “law-abiding organization,” the IDB respects judicial decisions within member countries.

“This development removed any potential obstacles for the State to simply execute the court order,” Khudabuks emphasized. Despite this clarification, implementation remains stalled, prompting Baitali to seek judicial intervention once more.

In the renewed legal action, the company is petitioning to increase the imposed penalty from SRD 5,000 per day, arguing the current amount proves insufficient to motivate compliance. “Apparently this sum isn’t substantial enough to persuade the State to fulfill its legal obligations,” Khudabuks noted, while stressing that financial penalties serve as legal pressure mechanisms rather than primary solutions.

The director underscored that settlement negotiations are not being considered: “There exists a court verdict that must be executed. This isn’t a matter of negotiation or compromise—the rule of law must prevail.” The company anticipates a new court hearing shortly to address its enforcement petition.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung arrived in Beijing on Sunday for a pivotal four-day state visit, marking his first official trip to China since assuming office in June 2025. The carefully timed diplomatic mission unfolds against a backdrop of escalating regional tensions, particularly regarding Taiwan and the Korean Peninsula.

President Lee was greeted with full ceremonial honors upon his afternoon arrival, with plans to engage in comprehensive discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping—their second high-level meeting within two months. In pre-departure remarks recorded at Seoul’s Blue House for China’s state broadcaster CCTV, Lee emphasized the critical importance of Sino-South Korean relations while reaffirming Seoul’s adherence to the ‘One-China’ policy regarding Taiwan. He characterized President Xi as “a genuinely reliable neighbor” and stressed that healthy bilateral relations must be founded on mutual respect.

The visit occurs amid heightened military posturing in the region. Recent provocations include Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s November statement suggesting potential military intervention if China acts against Taiwan, which prompted Beijing to conduct large-scale military exercises around the island last week. Simultaneously, China’s Foreign Ministry accused Taiwan’s government of pursuing independence with U.S. support, leading to Chinese sanctions against twenty American defense companies in December.

President Lee navigates a delicate balancing act, maintaining that South Korea’s military alliance with the United States need not deteriorate relations with China or lead to confrontation. He acknowledged that previous misunderstandings have hampered bilateral cooperation and expressed his intention to use this visit to bridge differences and elevate collaborative efforts.

The agenda extends beyond bilateral matters to include critical discussions about North Korea’s nuclear program. Seoul and Washington have repeatedly urged China—Pyongyang’s traditional ally—to leverage its influence to bring North Korea back to negotiation tables and facilitate denuclearization. These talks gained additional urgency as North Korea test-launched multiple ballistic missiles toward the sea on Sunday, demonstrating military capabilities ahead of an upcoming party congress.

President Lee’s schedule includes meetings with National People’s Congress Chairman Zhao Leji and Premier Li Qiang, where officials anticipate in-depth conversations on security and economic cooperation. South Korean National Security Advisor Wi Sung-lac emphasized that the administration seeks concrete outcomes that will directly benefit citizens of both nations.

This diplomatic engagement represents South Korea’s strategic effort to carve out political space within East Asia’s complex geopolitical landscape, where tensions between major powers continue to intensify. The outcomes of these discussions may significantly influence regional power dynamics and stability in the coming months.

In a dramatic turn of events, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was apprehended during an early morning US military operation in Caracas on Saturday, marking a stunning conclusion to his controversial leadership that witnessed Venezuela’s descent into economic collapse and democratic erosion.

The operation, announced via social media by US President Donald Trump, resulted in Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores being taken into custody. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed their whereabouts remained unknown shortly after the operation. US Attorney General Pam Bondi stated both would face trial on American soil for serious charges including drug trafficking and corruption.

Maduro’s capture represents the culmination of mounting US pressure across multiple fronts. The Venezuelan leader had spent his final months in power anticipating military intervention aimed at dismantling the socialist revolution initiated by his mentor Hugo Chávez in 1999. Throughout his presidency, Maduro consistently portrayed the United States as Venezuela’s primary antagonist, resisting efforts by both Democratic and Republican administrations to restore democratic norms.

Maduro’s extraordinary political journey began over four decades ago. After receiving ideological training in Cuba in 1986—his only formal education beyond high school—he returned to Caracas as a bus driver for the metro system, quickly rising through union ranks. By the 1990s, intelligence agencies identified him as a left-wing radical with close Cuban ties.

His political ascent accelerated when he joined Chávez’s movement following the latter’s presidential pardon after a failed military coup. Maduro progressed through party ranks, serving six years in parliament before becoming National Assembly president. He additionally held the foreign ministry portfolio for six years and briefly served as vice president.

Chávez formally anointed Maduro as his political heir during his final address before dying in 2013. Though the choice surprised many, Chávez’s substantial electoral capital secured Maduro a narrow victory and his first term. However, he never achieved his predecessor’s popularity levels.

Maduro’s presidency became characterized by profound socio-political and economic crisis. Millions were plunged into poverty, over 7.7 million Venezuelans fled the country, and thousands of government opponents faced imprisonment and frequent torture—sometimes allegedly ordered by Maduro himself. Critical voices were systematically purged from state institutions.

The crisis erupted during his first year with protests resulting in 43 deaths and numerous arrests. In 2015, Maduro’s party lost parliamentary control after sixteen years, prompting him to establish a pro-government constituent assembly in 2017 to sideline opposition. This triggered months of protests with over 100 fatalities and thousands injured. Maduro survived an assassination attempt involving explosives detonated during a military parade in 2018.

The US-led capture operation signifies the lowest point of Maduro’s rule, forming part of broader American strategy to end socialist governance and reestablish influence in Venezuela. The arrest has provoked strong global reactions, with US allies applauding the action while other nations warn against escalation and emphasize peaceful, lawful transition needs.

Regional countries are closely monitoring developments given the ongoing humanitarian crisis and refugee flows. Venezuela’s political and economic situation remains extremely fragile, with recovery expected to require years amid significant stability and security challenges. The international community now faces the complex task of facilitating Venezuela’s transition toward democratic and economic recovery while respecting human rights and sovereignty.

The escalating crisis in Venezuela represents not an isolated incident but the most visible manifestation of a comprehensive geopolitical repositioning by the United States across the Western Hemisphere. This strategic shift, formalized in the December 2025 National Security Strategy under the ‘America First’ doctrine, demonstrates a calculated integration of energy interests, governance influence, and regional power projection.

Venezuela has transitioned from sovereign nation to geopolitical testing ground following a unilateral US military intervention that resulted in the capture and extradition of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife to New York. Conducted without Congressional authorization or UN Security Council mandate, the operation has drawn international condemnation while revealing Washington’s broader ambitions. President Donald Trump has explicitly stated that military action constitutes merely the initial phase, with plans for direct involvement in Venezuela’s governance and development of its oil resources by American corporations—effectively establishing elements of externally imposed administration.

International legal experts warn these actions violate fundamental principles of the UN Charter regarding prohibitions on force, non-interference in domestic affairs, and self-determination rights.

Venezuela’s strategic significance stems from possessing the world’s largest proven reserves of heavy crude oil—a resource particularly suited to US refinery infrastructure despite years of sanctions and economic decline. This explains why American discourse encompasses not merely resource extraction but complete governance restructuring, positioning Venezuela as a demonstration case for how far the US will go to secure strategic energy interests.

Neighboring Guyana exemplifies alternative approach within the same framework. As the world’s fastest-growing oil producer—approaching one million barrels daily under predominantly US corporate leadership—Guyana maintains formal sovereignty while becoming deeply integrated into American economic and security arrangements. Though Venezuelan claims over oil-rich Essequibo remain unresolved, Washington views Guyana as proof that energy development can occur within its strategic framework without overt confrontation.

Suriname emerges as the next strategic focal point, poised to commence large-scale offshore oil production within the same geographic corridor. Recent replacement of the US ambassador to Suriname—part of broader diplomatic reshuffling affecting 29 nations—signals heightened American interest in the country’s future direction, with embassies increasingly functioning as strategic hubs connecting economic, security, and political interests.

Regional bodies including the Organization of American States (OAS) and Caribbean Community (CARICOM), alongside Surinamese President Jennifer Simons, advocate counterbalancing power politics with normative frameworks emphasizing de-escalation, international law, constitutional order, and regional stability. For smaller nations, this represents not merely diplomatic rhetoric but essential self-protection in an era where resources increasingly drive geopolitical maneuvers.

The Venezuela crisis demonstrates that energy has transcended economic status to become geopolitical currency attracting influence that seeks administrative control. Resource-rich nations consequently face heightened vulnerability when institutions, oversight mechanisms, and regional solidarity remain underdeveloped. As Suriname contemplates its oil future, it must consider not merely production partnerships but institutional strengthening to preserve governance autonomy amid great power competition.

The Organization of American States (OAS) is intensifying diplomatic efforts to address Venezuela’s rapidly deteriorating political situation. Secretary General Albert Ramdin confirmed the regional body is closely monitoring developments and has engaged in high-level consultations with multiple member state governments.

Ramdin revealed that while there is widespread concern across the Western Hemisphere regarding Venezuela’s crisis, OAS member states maintain divergent perspectives on appropriate responses. The secretary general emphasized that his office prioritizes facilitating a peaceful resolution that respects international law and the Inter-American legal framework. Fundamental principles include peaceful dispute resolution, human rights protection, and safeguarding civilian infrastructure.

The OAS leadership asserts that Venezuela’s political future must reflect popular will through good governance practices. Ramdin stressed that existing institutional arrangements, particularly constitutional order, provide essential foundations for stability. He noted that sustainable stability and democratic legitimacy can only emerge through peaceful means, inclusive dialogue, and strengthened institutions.

Preparing for coordinated regional action, Ramdin announced the convening of an OAS Permanent Council meeting. This gathering will enable member states to openly discuss recent developments and consider collective next steps. The secretary general confirmed the OAS secretariat stands ready to support de-escalation initiatives aimed at achieving a peaceful, democratic solution serving Venezuelan citizens’ interests.

Ramdin issued a direct appeal to all Venezuelan stakeholders, urging unified and constructive participation in preserving peace, rule of law, and democratic coexistence.

In an unprecedented military operation marking the most aggressive U.S. regime change action since the 2003 Iraq invasion, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was forcibly removed from power and transported to American soil on January 3, 2026. The dramatic nighttime arrest culminated with Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores landing at Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, New York, approximately 97 kilometers northwest of New York City.

Video footage captured the moment a aircraft carrying the Venezuelan leader touched down at the airbase, followed by FBI personnel in full tactical gear boarding the vessel. Major news networks including CNN, Fox News, and MS Now confirmed Maduro’s identity among those disembarking from the plane.

The operation, which involved explosive disturbances rocking Venezuela’s capital in the early hours of Saturday, resulted in Maduro and Flores being transported via U.S. warship to face conspiracy to commit narcoterrorism charges at Manhattan’s federal courthouse. Legal experts note this extraordinary action surpasses even the most notable historical precedents of U.S. interventions against autocratic regimes in Panama and Iraq.

President Donald Trump declared following the operation that the United States would temporarily “govern” Venezuela and leverage the nation’s substantial oil reserves for international sale. The Trump administration justified the military intervention—along with previous lethal attacks on vessels in the Caribbean Sea—as necessary measures to combat dangerous drug trafficking networks.

The bold maneuver raises significant legal and diplomatic questions regarding the legitimacy of U.S. actions within its broader campaign against the South American nation, potentially setting new precedents for international power projection and regime change tactics.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has issued a forceful condemnation of United States military operations in Venezuela, characterizing the actions as acts of “state terrorism” during a mass demonstration outside the U.S. Embassy in Havana. The address came in response to recent U.S. operations that resulted in the detention of Venezuelan leadership.

Addressing thousands of assembled citizens, Díaz-Canel asserted that the military aggression represents ‘a shocking violation of international law norms’ directed against ‘a peaceful nation that poses no threat to the United States.’ The condemnation highlights escalating tensions in Caribbean geopolitical relations.

The development carries significant economic implications for Cuba, which depends on Venezuela for approximately 30% of its already constrained oil imports. This energy partnership has been maintained through an exchange program that stations thousands of Cuban medical professionals within the South American nation.

Energy analysts warn that disruption to Venezuelan oil supplies could deliver a catastrophic blow to Cuba’s fragile electrical grid and energy infrastructure. Simultaneously, thousands of Cuban families expressed concern about relatives working in Venezuela, though the Cuban Health Ministry stated via Twitter that these personnel remain ‘well protected.’

In a contrasting statement to the New York Post, U.S. President Donald Trump indicated no plans for additional military action against Cuba, stating: ‘No, Cuba will fall on its own. Cuba is doing very poorly.’ Trump further emphasized Cuba’s historical dependence on Venezuelan support, suggesting this relationship ‘didn’t work out too well in this case.’

The diplomatic confrontation unfolds against Cuba’s severe six-year economic crisis, which officials report has triggered at least a 15% economic contraction. The nation continues to grapple with critical shortages of basic goods, hyperinflation, collapsing public services, and widespread power outages. Cuban authorities attribute these challenges primarily to intensified U.S. sanctions implemented during the Trump administration, which compounded the decades-long comprehensive trade embargo.

In an unprecedented diplomatic maneuver, the United States has recalled thirty ambassadors, including 29 career diplomats and its envoy to Suriname, signaling a dramatic shift in Western Hemisphere policy. This mass recall—the largest simultaneous withdrawal of diplomatic personnel in American history—stems directly from President Donald Trump’s newly implemented National Security Strategy (NSS) published in December 2025.

The 30-page NSS document, crafted under Trump’s direct supervision, introduces what it terms the ‘Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine’ on its fifteenth page. This policy marks a modern revival of the 1823 Monroe Doctrine originally articulated by President James Monroe, which sought to limit European colonization and intervention in the Americas while asserting U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere.

The updated doctrine emphasizes restoring American security interests through commercial diplomacy and discouraging partnerships with nations outside the hemisphere. It prioritizes combating illegal migration, dismantling drug trafficking networks, enhancing maritime stability, and supporting governments that align with U.S. objectives.

Most significantly, the NSS legitimizes expanded U.S. military presence in the region through four key provisions: appropriate coast guard and maritime deployments to combat drug trafficking and illegal migration, and control of crucial routes during crises. Current reports indicate over 10,000 U.S. troops are now deployed across the Caribbean region.

This policy has manifested dramatically in Venezuela, where since November 2025, U.S. military aircraft have conducted operations that Caracas has denounced at the United Nations as violations of national sovereignty. The situation escalated on January 3, 2026, with targeted U.S. airstrikes on Venezuelan territory and the reported capture of President Maduro, whom American authorities accuse of involvement in international drug trafficking.

The developments raise profound questions about sovereignty and interventionism, echoing historical U.S. military actions in the Dominican Republic (1965) and Nicaragua (1983). With the U.S. likely to veto any UN Security Council action, the international community faces limited options to address what many consider unlawful sovereignty violations.

For Caribbean nations like Suriname, the new doctrine presents both challenges and opportunities. Regional cohesion through organizations like CARICOM becomes increasingly vital, while commercial diplomacy divorced from military objectives could offer benefits if aligned with national trade strategies. As the hemisphere navigates this new diplomatic landscape, nations must balance engagement with sovereignty in what appears to be a return to great power politics in America’s backyard.