Suriname Sends Protest Note to Guyana Over Disputed Area

PARAMARIBO, Suriname – Suriname’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business, and International Cooperation, Albert Ramdin, on Friday, sent a protest note to the government of Guyana following reports that the neighboring country wants to develop in the disputed border area between the two countries.

Disputed Border Area

Camp Tigri or Camp Jaguar is a military camp and airstrip located in the Tigri Area, which is disputed between Suriname and Guyana.

Protest Note

Ramdin on Friday summoned the Guyanese ambassador Virjanand Depoo to hand him a protest note.

Border Dispute History

In 1969, three years after its independence, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) seized control of the disputed region when Suriname was still a constituent state of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

On August 19, 1969, border skirmishes occurred between Guyanese forces and Surinamese militias at Camp Tigri, which Guyana subsequently conquered. On 18 March 1970, Eric Williams, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, offered to mediate the conflict. In November 1970, the Surinamese and Guyanese governments agreed in Trinidad and Tobago to withdraw their military forces from the Triangle. Guyana has not held upon this agreement and continues to occupy the New River Triangle.

Recent Developments

According to Guyana’s president, Irfaan Ali, his administration will harden the airstrip in the Tigri area at the so-called ‘Camp Jaguar.’

Ramdin expressed concern “about the public announcements made to perform acts on Surinamese territory without permission from the government of Suriname.”

Conclusion

The border dispute between Suriname and Guyana remains a contentious issue, with both sides unable to reach a mutually agreeable solution. The recent protest note sent by Suriname’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business, and International Cooperation, Albert Ramdin, highlights the ongoing tensions between the two countries.

FAQs

* What is the disputed border area between Suriname and Guyana?
The disputed border area is known as the Tigri Area, which is forested in the Southwest region of Suriname.
* What is the history of the border dispute?
The border dispute dates back to 1969, when the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) seized control of the disputed region when Suriname was still a constituent state of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
* What are the recent developments in the border dispute?
According to Guyana’s president, Irfaan Ali, his administration will harden the airstrip in the Tigri area at the so-called ‘Camp Jaguar.’