Paramaribo: Suriname’s Foreign Minister Albert Ramdin announced on Friday that the country had summoned Guyana’s ambassador to register a formal protest against plans by Georgetown to construct an airstrip in the disputed Tigri Area, also known as the New River Triangle. Ramdin also raised concerns about Guyana’s reported plans to build a school within what Suriname considers its territory.
The Tigri Area has long been a contested region between the two neighboring countries. According to Ramdin, the presence of Guyanese activities in the area breaches agreements made in 1970 regarding the handling of the territorial dispute.
“The activities in the Tigri Area directly violate the agreements both countries committed to in the 1970 accord,” Ramdin said, underscoring Suriname’s stance on the issue.
Guyana’s Silence on the Matter
As of Friday, Guyana’s government had not issued any public response to Suriname’s claims or to requests for comment on the matter.
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Historical Dispute
The New River Triangle, or Tigri Area, spans approximately 15,600 square kilometers (6,000 square miles) and has been a point of contention between the two nations for decades. The dispute centers around sovereignty claims dating back to colonial times, with both countries asserting territorial rights.
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Potential Escalation
This latest diplomatic flare-up adds tension to the already complex relationship between the two South American nations. Both countries have engaged in periodic negotiations over the years to resolve the territorial dispute, but significant progress has remained elusive.
Ramdin reiterated Suriname’s commitment to safeguarding its territorial integrity, calling on Guyana to honor prior agreements and refrain from activities that could further inflame tensions.
