Co-operative Republic on South America's Caribbean edge
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has released a report on the deaths of 31 sloths from Guyana and Peru during shipments linked to Sloth World in Orlando. The facility has renamed to Sloth World Inc. after a stop-work order and is under investigation for care and permit issues. The animals faced cold exposure and other health problems, raising concerns about oversight of tourist attractions centering on sloths.
The Essequibo region pin worn by Venezuela’s Rodríguez has intensified tensions with Guyana, drawing warnings from Caricom and highlighting the ongoing ICJ case. The gesture is seen as provoking Venezuela’s territorial claim, while Caribbean leaders discuss energy and trade ties amid regional friction.
The International Court of Justice is holding hearings over the Essequibo region, a border area disputed by Guyana and Venezuela. The 1899 arbitration largely favored Guyana, while Venezuela argues the 1966 Geneva agreement nullifies that ruling. Venezuela’s acting president is attending proceedings; a final judgment is expected months away.
Interim President Delcy Rodríguez has defended Venezuela’s sovereignty at The Hague while new U.S. commentary from Donald Trump has reignited talk of making Venezuela the 51st state. Venezuelan officials say Essequibo negotiations continue, and regional tensions are rising as OPEC-style energy interests intertwine with international diplomacy.
SoftBank has announced a €75bn plan to build AI data centres in northern France and to develop up to 5GW of capacity by 2031. Governments and companies are tightening domestic energy plans in response, prompting talks on interconnectors, local refineries and nuclear or modular-reactor options to meet the data centres’ huge electricity demand.
Rwandan and Congolese officials remain locked in a dispute over commitments under a Washington-brokered peace deal, with UN experts noting M23 remains active and minerals continue to flow from conflict zones. Western governments have stepped up sanctions, and the ICJ case against Rwanda has widened the international response.
A ferry disaster off Guyana’s coast has prompted a large-scale search and rescue operation. The MV Barima capsized near Iron Punt while traveling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma. Authorities say 67 people have survived; many remain missing. The government is leading the response, with life jackets and lifeboats in use and investigations into possible wrongdoing underway.
The MV Barima capsized near Guyana, killing dozens and leaving many more missing. Officials have expanded the search as rescuers race to locate survivors amid incomplete passenger manifests and alleged crew misconduct.
A passenger ferry off Guyana’s Essequibo coast has capsized after taking on water. Officials say 76 of about 179 aboard have survived, while 53 bodies have been recovered and divers continue search for dozens more. Survivors describe a chaotic sinking and overloaded vessel.