NDP lawmaker Ebu Jones believes that Suriname should not allow Guyana’s protest to sway its position on the Tigri region. According to Jones, it is customary in diplomacy for countries to object when they disagree with a map or a particular position. “Guyana has every right to protest. But that does not change our position,” he said Thursday during the budget debate in the National Assembly.
Jonesresponded to the controversy surrounding a map displayed during the 2026 Suriname Energy, Oil & Gas Summit (SEOGS). On that map, the Tigri region—known in Guyana as the New River Triangle—was shown as part of Suriname. The issue drew criticism from Guyana and prompted questions in parliament.
According to Jones, Suriname’s position on the territory remains unchanged. “Tigri belongs to Suriname and will continue to belong to Suriname,” he emphasized. The lawmaker also referred to his time as ambassador to Guyana. He recounted that he himself had lodged a protest during an official meeting at the time, after what he believed to be an incorrect map of Suriname had been presented.
The issue was raised in parliament by VHP lawmaker Mahinder Jogi. He wanted to know from the government what concrete steps Suriname had taken after Guyana criticized the map used during SEOGS. According to Jogi, Guyana intends to raise the matter further through diplomatic channels.
In response, Vice President Gregory Rusland said that the government has taken note of statements made by various Guyanese private-sector organizations regarding the map. According to him, Suriname maintains its long-standing position regarding the border area in question.
At the same time, Russia emphasized that the government wishes to maintain good and constructive relations with Guyana. According to him, those relations must continue to be based on mutual respect, good neighborliness, and peaceful dialogue. The vice president stated that SEOGS is an international platform for investment, innovation, and regional cooperation in the energy sector, and is not intended as a forum for political or territorial disputes.
Russia acknowledged that maps depicting disputed border areas can lead to differing interpretations. In his view, such issues belong in the diplomatic arena. “Suriname attaches great importance to continued cooperation with Guyana in the areas of energy, trade, infrastructure, and regional development. This cooperation must be further expanded in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect,” Rusland said.
Minister Melvin Bouva of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, and Cooperation has also previously stated that Suriname’s position on Tigri is clear. According to him, action has been taken regarding Guyana.
According to OilNOW, Guyana’s Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, who was present at SEOGS in Suriname, stated that Guyana will lodge a formal protest against the map through diplomatic channels. The Guyanese ambassador to Suriname, Virjanand Depoo, is also reported to have indicated that a formal protest will be lodged. The reaction came after the Guyanese saw an “incorrect” map during a presentation at SEOGS.
Bharrat stated that the Guyanese ambassador had seen the map himself. According to him, this is not the first time such a map has been used, and Guyana believes the issue needs to be corrected. He said he could not say whether the map was displayed intentionally or unintentionally.
Several Guyanese private-sector organizations, including the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Private Sector Commission, have also rejected the map in question. According to these organizations, the repeated use of such maps could strain bilateral relations between Suriname and Guyana.
Following Russia’s response, Jogi stated that he agreed with the explanation regarding the good relations with Guyana. However, he noted that his question had not been fully answered. According to him, he primarily wanted to know what specific diplomatic steps Suriname itself had taken in response to the controversy that had arisen.
