Suriname intensifies enforcement against illegal interior activities

Suriname’s Minister of Land Policy and Forest Management, Stanley Soeropawiro, has announced intensified enforcement against illegal activities in the country’s interior. The government is taking action against individuals and groups operating without proper documentation, specifically targeting unauthorized logging and small-scale mining. Following investigations into reports of heavy machinery being used for illegal logging, the government issued eviction notices to several groups. The two-week grace period for these individuals to vacate the areas has expired, and further measures to remove them are being implemented.

Concerns have also been raised regarding large-scale deforestation in the Tigri region, a territory subject to a long-standing dispute between Suriname and Guyana. Soeropawiro reported that significant amounts of timber are being removed from the area, which is currently under Guyanese control. The Surinamese government remains reliant on satellite imagery and investigations due to limited physical presence and capacity in the disputed zone.

Additionally, the government is contesting an $86 million damage claim from Braganza Marketing Group. The group is involved in the settlement of Mennonites from Belize and Mexico in the Surinamese interior. While the group claims their activities are legal, Soeropawiro maintains that the parties failed to meet necessary conditions, such as conducting required environmental impact studies before commencing operations.