AGP Executive Report

Air Travel Cuts: Caribbean Airlines will slash regional service from June 1, ending flights to Dominica, St. Kitts and the Ogle–Suriname route, while reducing Martinique and Guadeloupe flights to twice weekly—part of a push to stop mounting losses and improve reliability; affected passengers are promised rebooking options, refunds, or future travel credit, and the airline says it’s working toward a codeshare to widen connections. Regional Diplomacy: Suriname’s outgoing COFCOR chair Denzil Douglas used the Paramaribo meeting to meet partners including Austria, the UAE, Japan and Singapore, while CARICOM’s Carla Barnett urged ministers to coordinate for a stronger regional voice amid global shifts. Crime as a Public Health Issue: CARICOM, the UN and UNDP launched a shared diagnostic and action framework to tackle crime and violence across the bloc through prevention-focused, multi-sector planning. Sports & Culture: Suriname’s MMA fighter Donegi Abena was involved in a headbutt controversy in PFL Brussels, and Deva Raja continues building a national classical music profile.

Caribbean Airlines Cuts Routes: Caribbean Airlines says it will slash service from June 1 to stop major losses, including withdrawing from Dominica and St Kitts, ending the non-stop Guyana–Suriname run, and reducing Martinique and Guadeloupe flights from four weekly to two. The minister cites sustained losses tied to the 2023 Eastern Caribbean expansion, with refunds or rebooking offered to affected passengers. Regional Security Push: CARICOM, the UN and UNDP have launched a CARICOM–UNDP diagnostic and action framework to treat crime and violence as a public health emergency, aiming for cross-sector prevention across health, education, justice and social protection. TTPS Wins Recognition: Trinidad and Tobago Police Service officers brought home top Caribbean policing awards at the ACCP conference in Suriname, including Top Crime Fighter and Top Community Policing Officer. Suriname Context: The airline changes directly affect regional links that connect Eastern Caribbean islands with northern South America, including Suriname.

Cost-of-Living Pressure: Vendors at Georgetown’s Stabroek Market say business is down sharply, with shoppers buying less as prices rise—some claim they’re now making only about half of what they used to. Aviation Cuts: Caribbean Airlines is trimming its network from June 1, pulling out of Dominica and St. Kitts, ending the non-stop Guyana–Suriname service, and reducing flights to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly—moves tied to sustained losses. Regional Diplomacy: CARICOM’s foreign ministers wrapped up COFCOR in Paramaribo, with Suriname’s Melvin Bouva taking the chair and calls for a more coordinated, people-focused foreign policy. Security Cooperation: CARICOM IMPACS and Crime Stoppers for the Caribbean signed an MoU to strengthen crime prevention and secure anonymous reporting. Market Watch: A Rotterdam–Amsterdam money-laundering case tied to a Surinamese food business led to arrests and cash seizures. Sports: T&T’s Teniel Campbell reports cycling wins for Campbell and Suriname’s Tachana Dalger in junior/elite track events.

Aviation Shake-Up: Caribbean Airlines will cut three Suriname routes starting June 1 (Dominica–Suriname, St. Kitts–Suriname, and Ogle, Guyana–Suriname) and trim Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice-weekly service, removing key nonstop links for business and diaspora travel. Regional Security: Guyana wrapped up Operation ZEUS Atlantic 2026, a multi-country effort to counter transnational organized crime, with partners including Suriname and Colombia. CARICOM Diplomacy: CARICOM’s COFCOR meeting in Paramaribo pushed for a more unified foreign policy voice, with Secretary-General Carla Barnett urging coordinated action amid global uncertainty; Suriname’s Melvin Bouva called for results that are people-centred. Crime Prevention Deal: CARICOM IMPACS and the Crime Stoppers Foundation formalised a MoU to strengthen secure, anonymous reporting and intelligence coordination. Money Laundering Case: A Rotterdam Surinamese-food shop and an Amsterdam travel office were linked to cash laundering, leading to arrests and thousands of euros seized. Local Infrastructure: Cheddi Jagan International’s control tower will be relocated to expand parking as traffic grows.

Oil & Accountability: Hess has billed Guyana US$34M for Stabroek Block exploration and “dry wells,” renewing the long-running fight over who carries the risk when companies drill and find nothing. Regional Aviation: Cheddi Jagan International’s control tower is set to move to the other side of the airfield to unlock more parking as traffic surges. CARICOM Diplomacy: St. Kitts and Nevis has handed over COFCOR chairmanship in Paramaribo, with Suriname’s Foreign Minister Melvin Bouva taking the lead for 2026–27. Tech & Telecom: Telesur selected Squire Technologies to advance BSS/OSS integration across its network, pushing deeper digital services in Suriname. Heritage in Crisis: Cultural emergency specialists are meeting in St. Maarten to strengthen how the region protects archives and heritage during disasters. Suriname Energy Watch: Staatsolie plans a new shallow offshore seismic survey to map near-shore oil and gas potential.

Legal Crossroads: A Rotterdam court convicted Taghi lawyer Inez Weski for prison communications but spared her jail return, cutting her sentence to 42 days after prosecutors shared confidential client material. Energy & Investment: Oando says buyers are shifting attention to West Africa as Middle East disruptions reshape oil risk, while Borr Drilling secured new jackup work tied to Suriname and Vietnam. Suriname Business Moves: Founders Metals reported high-grade gold hits from deep auger drilling at its Antino Gold Project in southeastern Suriname, and Staatsolie plans a new shallow offshore seismic survey. Regional Cooperation: Guyana loaned two high-capacity drainage pumps to flood-hit Suriname, and IFC is set to invest US$10m into a CARICOM resilience fund. Culture & Memory: Dutch PM Rob Jetten faced direct calls for slavery reparations during a Curaçao visit, as debate over Dutch colonial history keeps spilling across the Kingdom.

India-Netherlands Diplomacy: PM Narendra Modi’s five-nation tour is drawing attention from the diaspora, with the Netherlands stop spotlighting a push for deeper ties on energy security, semiconductors, innovation, defence and water management. Suriname Energy Moves: Offshore drilling and exploration keep rolling—Borr Drilling says it has secured new jackup work in Suriname, while Staatsolie plans a new shallow offshore seismic survey to map near-shore hydrocarbons. Mining Spotlight: Founders Metals reports high-grade gold hits from deep auger drilling at its Maria Geralda target in the Antino Gold Project, with the gold shoot “open at depth.” Regional Cooperation: Guyana has loaned Suriname two high-capacity drainage pumps after severe flooding, aiming for faster rainwater drainage. Caribbean Watch: Caribbean Week of Agriculture is set to kick off in Jamaica for its 20th edition, with a week-long programme starting late September.

CARICOM Diplomacy in Suriname: Foreign ministers from across the Caribbean are meeting in Suriname, with regional cooperation on the agenda. Dutch Slavery Reckoning: A new book argues the number of people enslaved in Dutch colonies was 5.3 million (far above the 600,000 figure used in official apologies), saying public memory has focused too narrowly on the Atlantic slave trade. Gold Push in Suriname: Founders Metals says deep auger drilling at its Maria Geralda target in the Antino Gold Project found a coherent high-grade gold shoot, including 30.0m at 4.64 g/t Au and 12.0m at 10.57 g/t Au, with the target still open at depth. Flood Relief: Guyana has loaned Suriname two high-capacity drainage pumps (31,000 gallons per minute each) to help drain floodwaters after heavy, persistent rain.

Flood Response: Guyana has loaned Suriname two high-capacity drainage pumps (31,000 gallons per minute each) after persistent rainfall triggered serious flooding, with the units transported across the Corentyne River on Monday to speed up drainage. Environment Under Pressure: A new report warns rainforest extraction is pushing the Amazon and other biomes toward breaking point as demands for critical minerals, biofuels, and pulp add to cattle ranching, monocrops, oil, and logging—highlighting roads and pollution from mining as major secondary harms. Energy & Finance: Staatsolie is set to commission a new seismic survey of Suriname’s shallow offshore area, while the IFC has signed a trade finance facility with Finabank to help Surinamese firms import inputs and expand exports. Regional Ties: Venezuela and Suriname continue a renewed cooperation push, including plans for air connectivity between Caracas–Paramaribo and Porlamar–Paramaribo.

Energy Markets Jolt: Iran-linked conflict is keeping oil and gas supply and transport under pressure, and even if fighting stops soon, analysts warn markets may take until 2027 to fully settle—meaning volatility could keep rewarding the bold but punishing the unprepared. Suriname Offshore Push: Staatsolie is set to commission a new seismic survey over Suriname’s shallow near-shore waters, from the coast to between offshore blocks 15, 52 and 58, to sharpen the country’s near-border hydrocarbons picture. Trade Finance Boost: The IFC has signed a trade finance facility with Finabank to help Surinamese firms import inputs, expand exports and reach global markets. Regional Diplomacy: Venezuela and Suriname are moving ahead with a renewed cooperation agenda, including plans to reactivate air connectivity between Caracas–Paramaribo and Porlamar–Paramaribo. Guyana-Suriname Links: Leaders also reiterated work on Corentyne River passage, fisheries and energy, with a three-month push to finalize key items.

Suriname Energy Push: Staatsolie is set to commission a new seismic survey across Suriname’s shallow near-shore waters—covering 52,400 sq km from the coast to between offshore blocks 15, 52 and 58—to map subsurface structures and sharpen oil-and-gas potential, with a limited environmental impact assessment planned first. Trade Finance Boost: The IFC has signed a trade finance facility with Finabank to help Surinamese firms import inputs, expand exports and reach global markets. Regional Diplomacy: In Caracas, Suriname’s foreign minister Melvin Bouva met President Delcy Rodríguez and outlined plans for new cooperation agreements, including energy, agriculture, fishing and tourism, while Venezuela’s foreign minister Yván Gil said a roadmap is being built for concrete progress and air connectivity. Business Deal Watch: IFC-backed financing also echoes a wider push for investment momentum, while older coverage shows Suriname’s ties with neighbours and partners moving from talks toward implementation. Jungle Reality: A Cork woman’s ordeal in Suriname’s jungle—stranded and needing emergency surgery—highlights how remote travel still carries serious risk.

IFC Deal: The International Finance Corporation has signed a trade finance facility with Suriname’s Finabank to help local firms import inputs, grow exports, and reach global markets. Health & Safety: A Cork woman’s ordeal in Suriname’s jungle has resurfaced after she was stranded far from civilisation and needed emergency surgery. Green Push: A wider push for cleaner drug manufacturing standards is expected to improve public health, with Suriname named among countries following the approach. Regional Diplomacy: Venezuela and Suriname continue building a cooperation roadmap, including fisheries, agriculture, tourism, energy, and plans for air connectivity. Ongoing Watch: Earlier this week, Suriname-linked and Guyana-linked suspects accused in a cocaine case pleaded not guilty, keeping the cross-border investigation in focus.

Soil-Saving Quest: A 65-year-old Surinamese-linked adventurer, Sousan Samadani, says she went “100%” after a Save Soil video warned that most of the world’s soil could be degraded by 2050—then spent three months campaigning across Europe and beyond, including Suriname and Guyana. Clean-Up Push: A major clean-up is on the way after concerns about carcinogens tied to drug-making. Regional Diplomacy: In Caracas, Suriname’s FM Melvin Bouva met Venezuela’s Delcy Rodríguez and Yván Gil to map cooperation in energy, agriculture, fishing, tourism, and transport—while Venezuela also floated renewed air links Caracas–Paramaribo and Porlamar–Paramaribo. Border & Crime Watch: In the Corentyne area, two men accused in a cocaine case (one Surinamese) pleaded not guilty and were remanded. Diaspora Moves: India extended OCI benefits for Surinamese-Hindustani families from the 4th to the 6th generation.

India-Netherlands Momentum: PM Narendra Modi says his Netherlands visit “added new momentum” to ties, upgrading cooperation with Rob Jetten into a strategic partnership spanning defence, semiconductors, water management and sustainability. Suriname-Venezuela Cooperation: In Caracas, Suriname’s FM Melvin Bouva met President (E) Delcy Rodríguez and Foreign Minister Yván Gil, with both sides mapping next steps for energy, fisheries, agriculture, tourism and air connectivity. Regional Diplomacy: Suriname and Guyana leaders also pushed forward on Corentyne River access, fisheries and the Corentyne River Bridge, aiming to finalize issues within a three-month framework. Finance Watch: CIBC Caribbean reported “record-setting” 2025 dealmaking across the region, including a major US$1.6bn financing for Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname. Sports Spotlight: Panama’s World Cup 2026 return is in focus, while Suriname international Joel Piroe’s future at Leeds is being discussed amid transfer chatter.

Guyana Investment Push: Guyana’s Office of the Prime Minister received 78 bids from investors interested in Wales, West Bank Demerara energy projects—39 for the Guyana Ammonia and Urea Plant and 39 for the Guyana Gas Bottling and Logistics Company—signaling a fast-moving push to bring new players into the sector. Venezuela–Suriname Diplomacy: In Caracas, President (E) Delcy Rodríguez ratified a renewed cooperation agenda with Suriname, while Foreign Minister Melvin Bouva’s visit set up a roadmap for agreements across energy, agriculture, fishing, tourism, and transport, including plans to reactivate air connectivity to Paramaribo. Regional Ties on the Corentyne: Guyana and Suriname leaders also kept focus on the Corentyne River—fisheries, trade access, and the Corentyne River Bridge—with a three-month framework to finalize key matters. GDF Milestone: Guyana’s Defence Force marked 50 years since Officer Cadet Course No. 6, notable for training women and men together to the same standards. Climate Funding Prep: Caribbean countries, including Suriname, are gearing up for a US$250M loss-and-damage grant window after a Barbados workshop helped governments prepare “bankable” proposals.

Venezuela–Suriname Diplomacy: Suriname’s Foreign Minister Melvin Bouva met Venezuela’s President (E) Delcy Rodríguez in Caracas, with both sides mapping a joint plan for fisheries, agriculture, tourism, energy, and maritime and air links—plus work toward reactivating commercial flights Caracas–Paramaribo and Porlamar–Paramaribo. Regional Borders & Trade: In parallel, Guyana and Suriname leaders pushed talks on the Corentyne River, fisheries, energy, and the Corentyne River Bridge, aiming to wrap key items in a three-month framework. Courtroom Update: Two men arrested with 45.6kg of cocaine—one Guyanese, one Surinamese—pleaded not guilty and were remanded pending disclosure. Climate Resilience: The Caribbean Development Bank backed Suriname with an EU-funded grant to strengthen flood early warning systems, upgrading monitoring and emergency response. Global Context: UN-linked reporting warns of worsening hunger risks as climate disruptions and conflict pressures stack up.