标签： Suriname

In a significant policy shift, Suriname’s government has announced stricter criteria for land allocation, as revealed by President Jennifer Simons during the first round of the General Political Considerations (APB) in the National Assembly on Thursday. The President emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive revision of the land allocation policy to ensure transparency and accountability in land use.

Simons highlighted that the government must ensure land is utilized for its designated purposes, whether for industrial activities, housing, agriculture, or social projects. She acknowledged that past practices often allocated land with the hope of productive use, but these expectations frequently fell short. To address this, the government is drafting legislative amendments, set to take effect in 2026, which will clearly define permissible land uses and enforce stricter compliance measures.

Under the new framework, applicants will be required to demonstrate their readiness to execute proposed projects. Simons stressed that land allocated for business ventures must come with binding obligations. If no tangible results are achieved within two to three years, the land rights will be automatically revoked.

The President also pointed out Suriname’s unique regional position, noting the country’s vast unused agricultural lands despite its abundant available land. She argued that utilizing previously allocated agricultural areas could boost agro-production without encroaching on forests.

However, the Ministry of Land Policy and Forest Management (GBB) faces significant administrative challenges, including illegal land allocations and prolonged delays in processing applications. Simons underscored the necessity of a thorough policy overhaul to address these systemic issues and ensure efficient land management.

Suriname and Chile have taken a significant step forward in their bilateral relations with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on structured consultations. The agreement was inked on Monday by Suriname’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business, and International Cooperation (BIS), Melvin Bouva, and his Chilean counterpart, Alberto van Klaveren Stork, representing the Republic of Chile. The signing ceremony took place in Santa Marta, Colombia, during the fourth Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) with the European Union (EU).

The MoU aims to deepen political and economic ties between the two nations, fostering a framework for ongoing dialogue and collaboration. The consultations will cover a wide range of topics, including political, economic, commercial, and cultural issues, as well as regional and international developments. This structured approach is expected to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation across multiple sectors.

According to Suriname’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the agreement provides a robust foundation for advancing the country’s economic diplomacy agenda. Suriname and Chile have maintained diplomatic relations since May 7, 1977, and this latest development marks a renewed commitment to strengthening their partnership. The MoU underscores the importance of multilateral engagement and regional cooperation in addressing shared challenges and opportunities.

Former Surinamese Minister Rishma Kuldipsingh has vehemently refuted allegations made by NDP parliamentarians Rabin Parmessar and Rosselli Cotino, labeling their statements as false and misleading. The accusations, presented in parliament, suggested that Kuldipsingh received double salaries during her tenure as Minister of Economic Affairs. She asserts that these claims were deliberately fabricated to undermine her integrity. Kuldipsingh felt compelled to respond, as her name was brought up in parliament without formal agenda or discussion, seemingly with the intent to tarnish her reputation. She emphasized that she proactively halted her official salary upon leaving the ministry, sending two official letters—first to the Minister of Economic Affairs and then to the ministry’s director. Due to bureaucratic delays, it took over three months for the administrative process to be completed, during which payments were mistakenly deposited into her account. Kuldipsingh clarified that she voluntarily returned these amounts in full, stating, ‘All evidence of this is in my possession, and I am sharing it with the public.’ She provided official correspondence to substantiate her claims. The former minister criticized the NDP parliamentarians’ actions as ‘a low point for parliament,’ arguing that such behavior erodes public trust in the institution. Kuldipsingh reaffirmed her commitment to integrity during her tenure, vowing never to act against the interests of Suriname or its citizens. She called on DNA Chairman Ashwin Adhin to correct the misinformation and ensure that parliament members adhere to established norms and conventions.

The USS Gerald R. Ford, the United States’ most advanced aircraft carrier, is set to arrive in waters off the coast of Venezuela within days, marking a rare display of American military power in Latin America. This deployment, the first of its kind in generations, has sparked widespread speculation and concern across the region. While experts are divided on whether the carrier will launch combat missions against Venezuelan targets, its presence is widely interpreted as a strategic move to pressure authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro. Some analysts suggest the carrier’s primary role is to patrol the Caribbean and support anti-drug operations, but its sheer size and capabilities send a strong message. Elizabeth Dickinson, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, noted, ‘This is a clear demonstration of U.S. military might in Latin America, raising concerns not just in Venezuela but across the region.’ The deployment is part of the Trump administration’s broader campaign in South America, officially framed as an anti-drug operation. However, critics argue that the move is more about exerting political pressure on Caracas than combating drug trafficking. Bryan Clark, a former naval officer and defense analyst, emphasized that the Trump administration would not deploy the carrier without the intent to use it, suggesting potential military action if Maduro does not step down. Meanwhile, the Venezuelan government has responded with a massive mobilization of troops and civilians, preparing for potential U.S. aggression. The situation has also drawn criticism from regional leaders and human rights organizations, with Colombia temporarily halting intelligence sharing with the U.S. In contrast, Mexico has strengthened its cooperation with the U.S. in combating drug trafficking. As the USS Gerald R. Ford enters the Caribbean, analysts warn that its prolonged presence could have significant global implications.

In a recurring pattern, the Surinamese government has once again shifted blame onto journalists for miscommunication, rather than addressing its own messaging errors. The latest incident involves Vice President Gregory Rusland, who, while acting as interim president, engaged in discussions with representatives from the Chinese mining company Chinalco. Following these talks, the Directorate of Public Communication issued an official statement titled ‘Resumption of Talks with Chinalco,’ which detailed plans for renewed negotiations aimed at securing a better agreement for Suriname. This statement was subsequently disseminated by the Suriname Communication Service (CDS) under the headline ‘Government Re-enters Negotiations with Chinalco.’

However, upon her return from Brazil, President Jennifer Simons publicly contradicted the statement, asserting that no negotiations were taking place with Chinalco and that no bauxite would be exported. She emphasized that ‘the government consists of the president, the vice president, and the Council of Ministers,’ indirectly rebuking Rusland. This contradiction has left journalists and media outlets in a difficult position, as they had reported based on official government communications.

The opposition has seized upon this incident, suggesting a lack of unity within the government. The core question remains: what truly transpired? The original statement from the Directorate of Public Communication implies that Rusland either acted independently, driven by his ego as interim president, or that his office fabricated the information. Both scenarios are equally troubling. Despite the viral spread of the government’s statement, Rusland did not refute it before Simons’ remarks.

Yet, the media bore the brunt of the blame. Rusland denied any negotiations, and Simons accused journalists of ‘writing something incorrect.’ However, the fault lies not with the media but with the vice president’s office, which released the misleading information. Journalists merely reported based on official sources.

This is not the first instance where politicians have made politically inconvenient statements only to later blame the press. While journalists are not infallible, it is detrimental to democracy when those in power systematically shift the blame for their communication failures onto the media. True credibility comes from acknowledging mistakes, not denying or distorting them. A healthy democracy requires a mature relationship between the government and the press, built on mutual respect rather than distrust and blame.