Guyana objects to inclusion of New River Triangle in Suriname’s map

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has registered its disapproval of the depiction of Guyana’s New River Triangle as Surinamese territory at the recently concluded International Business Conference (IBC) held in Paramaribo, Suriname.

In a statement, the ministry reaffirmed that Guyana does not condone the use of the erroneous map and reiterated the country’s position as the internationally recognised owner of the Region Six location.
“The ministry wishes to state 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 statement said.

It further highlighted that the Government of Guyana was not consulted about the map prior to its distribution at the conference, adding that there would have been “strong objections” had the matter been brought to its attention beforehand.
The ministry emphasized that the internationally recognized map of Guyana clearly indicates 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 established in 1936 between the Governments of Brazil, Great Britain, and The Netherlands.

“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.”

Additionally, a monument exists marking this tri-junction point, which serves as the southernmost point of the boundary between Guyana and Suriname. The ministry noted that the agreement fixing this tri-junction point was signed by the three heads of the Mixed Commission (one from each state) and specifies the boundaries to be respected.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry underscored Guyana’s respect for and acceptance of the agreed boundary, highlighting that the country has exercised sovereignty over and maintained continuous occupation of the territory, including the New River Triangle.

Meanwhile, the organizers of the IBC have disassociated themselves from the erroneous image. The Suriname-Guyana business group clarified that it does not engage in border discussions and explained that the incorrect map was part of a presentation by an invited speaker.

“The ministry wishes to state 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 statement said.

It further highlighted that the Government of Guyana was not consulted about the map prior to its distribution at the conference, adding that there would have been “strong objections” had the matter been brought to its attention beforehand.

The ministry emphasized that the internationally recognized map of Guyana clearly indicates 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 established in 1936 between the Governments of Brazil, Great Britain, and The Netherlands.

“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.”

Additionally, a monument exists marking this tri-junction point, which serves as the southernmost point of the boundary between Guyana and Suriname. The ministry noted that the agreement fixing this tri-junction point was signed by the three heads of the Mixed Commission (one from each state) and specifies the boundaries to be respected.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry underscored Guyana’s respect for and acceptance of the agreed boundary, highlighting that the country has exercised sovereignty over and maintained continuous occupation of the territory, including the New River Triangle.

Meanwhile, the organizers of the IBC have disassociated themselves from the erroneous image. The Suriname-Guyana business group clarified that it does not engage in border discussions and explained that the incorrect map was part of a presentation by an invited speaker.