Condemnation grows over map at business conference showing New River Triangle is part of Suriname

Feb 11, 2025 News

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Kaieteur News-The Guyana Government and several local entities have condemned the use of a map at a conference in Suriname that incorporated the New River Triangle as part of that country.

“Every Guyanese, especially those of us who hold positions of leadership and influence in this country, should know with certainty and conviction what are the limits of our territory. The New River Triangle remains an integral and indivisible part of the territory of Guyana, because it was so determined by a process recognised as binding under international law,” Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud said. His response came following reports of the map that was used at

the International Business Conference in Suriname, which was hosted by the Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce and organised by Action Invest Caribbean Incorporated and Global Event Partners.

Persaud in a statement on his Facebook page explained that the starting point of the boundary between Guyana and Suriname was determined in 1936 when a joint British-Dutch-Brazilian Boundary Commission identified the source of the Kutari River on the watershed with Brazil, as the tri-junction point where the boundaries of Brazil, British Guiana and Suriname meet.

“A monument exists marking the tri-junction point, the southernmost point of the boundary between Guyana and Suriname. The Report of the tri-junction point was signed by Heads of the three Commissions to the following effect: The Mixed Commission, being satisfied that this is the only river which in any way answers to the Schomburgk’s description of the Kutari agreed that the boundary Surinam and British Guiana, as defined in the instructions issued to the Mixed Commission, should follow the left bank of its longest branch.”

According to the foreign secretary, the map of the tri-junction point was duly signed by the Brazilian, British and Dutch Boundary Commissioners in 1936. “Therefore, Guyana has always enjoyed continuous occupation of its internationally recognized and legally established territory. The New River Triangle has never been recognized nor administered as Surinamese territory and the appendage of a portion of Guyana’s territory to the map of Suriname neither creates nor establishes any legal rights to it. Further, the current mandate of the Joint Border Commission of Guyana and Suriname is to examine the historical records relating to the unresolved border issues between the two countries and make recommendations to the Foreign Ministers about how these issues may be resolved. The Commission does not have a mandate to revisit the established boundary.”

Also in a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said that the presence of representatives of the Government of Guyana at the Conference in no way signifies the condoning by the Government of Guyana of the use of a map that incorrectly represents the territory of Guyana. “The Government of Guyana was not consulted about the map prior to its distribution. Had it been consulted; it would have strongly objected. For the record, the internationally recognized map of Guyana confirms that the New River Triangle is part of the sovereign territory of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. This status is based on a binding legal process and international agreements, between and among the Governments of Brazil, Great Britain and The Netherlands in 1936. The boundary between Guyana and Suriname was determined in 1936 when a joint British-Dutch-Brazilian Boundary Commission identified the source of the Kutari River, on the watershed with Brazil, as the tri-junction point where the boundaries of Brazil, British Guiana and Suriname meet.”  “The Government of Guyana remains committed to fostering strong and cooperative relations with the Republic of Suriname, guided by principles of mutual respect and international law, and will continue to advance discussions through the mechanism established to address outstanding issues on the border between the two countries.

Opposition Member of Parliament and Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Amanza Walton-Desir in a statement said she has been following with concern the reports in relation to the matter and highlighted that Guyana’s Ambassador to Suriname Mr. Virjanand Depoo, as well as a large Guyanese contingent was present at the event. She highlighted that this incident follows closely on the heels of a non-Guyanese appearing at an international pageant in Bolivia representing “Guyana Esequiba”, yet there has been no statement by the ministry to provide clarity on the issue or the indicate whether a formal protest has been lodged. “To say that I am deeply disappointed with the quality of the organiser Mr. Vishnu Doerga’s response to the misrepresentation of Guyana’s territory at the Business Conference is an understatement. I have long since bemoaned the unacceptable quality of some of our representation overseas and this recent debacle does little to instill in the people of Guyana any degree of confidence in our diplomatic representation in Suriname,” she stressed.

Further, she said “the PPP Government continues to dole out Ambassadorial appoints to cronies, whilst ignoring qualified career diplomats, even deliberately sidelining them in some cases and continues to under invest in training a competent cadre of diplomats. The result is continued disrespect and embarrassment,” the shadow minister said. She is of the view that there is need for the ministry to establish a robust standard operating protocol, which would ensure that any territorial misrepresentation occurrences of Guyana will be met with immediate formal protests, at the level of the organizers of in this case, the International Business Conference as well as at the diplomatic level.  She stated that, “It is important that the Ali Administration understands this and operate accordingly.”

Adding its voice to the issue, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) strongly condemned the infringements on Guyana’s territorial integrity by way of publicised images that represent the New River Triangle as part of neighbouring Suriname at the conference. “The Chamber is deeply concerned by the use of these images as well as the failure to object to the use of these images. Silence in the face of this threat to Guyana’s sovereignty is viewed as an endorsement of same, which the Chamber views as inexcusable. The GCCI calls on fellow Business Support Organisations and other agencies that acted as supporting actors to the conference to reject these actions and refrain from supporting and justifying any activity that violates Guyana’s national boundaries.”

For its part, the Guyana Manufacturing & Services Association (GMSA) expressed “profound concern and condemnation of the recent dissemination of a map inaccurately depicting Guyana’s New River Triangle as part of Suriname.”

The GMSA dissociates itself from the dissemination of the map and any attempt to justify it. “The New River Triangle is an integral component of Guyana’s sovereign territory, a status solidified by the 1936 tri-junction point agreement, duly signed by the Brazilian, British, and Dutch Boundary Commissioners. Further, Guyana has always maintained uninterrupted occupation and administration of this region, reinforcing its internationally recognised and legally established borders,” the busine body said. “We urge all stakeholders—both regional and international—to respect the established treaties and international legal frameworks that uphold Guyana’s territorial sovereignty. Furthermore, we call on our partners to take proactive measures and ensure that such inaccuracies do not recur in future engagements,” the statement ended.

Back in January, during the budget debates, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd spoke about the vital role of diplomacy in fostering a stable environment for the development of critical industries, particularly the hydrocarbons sector. On Guyana’s relations with Suriname, Minister Todd highlighted ongoing efforts to address unresolved border issues through the accumulation and analysis of historical documents. Preparations are also underway for a meeting of the Guyana-Suriname Border Commission this year.

“We reaffirmed the commitment of our two countries to pursue the greed initiatives within the strategic dialog and Cooperation Platform, or the SDCP, several issues of mutual benefit to both sides were discussed, including the bridging of the Corentyne River,” he noted.  Notably, Minister Todd underscored the importance of keeping the public and diplomatic corps informed about Guyana’s border strategy. “The ministry will continue to employ several multimedia avenues to disseminate information on Guyana’s borders. In this regard, our diplomats, both at home and abroad, are continually briefed on the strategy of the government and the role they play in carrying out this strategy,” he said.

(Condemnation grows over map at business conference showing New River Triangle is part of Suriname)

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• Government of Guyana, incorrect representation, New River Triangle, territory, treaty

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