Suriname expels group of illegal Mennonites

A group of 63 Mennonites was expelled from Suriname after engaging in illegal deforestation. They had been living in the country since 2024 without a residence permit and aimed to establish large-scale agricultural projects. President Jennifer Simons opposed their activities, emphasizing the need to protect the Amazon rainforest. After ignoring eviction notices, the police and military intervened to remove them. The Mennonites, who prefer isolation and traditional lifestyles, have been linked to increasing deforestation in Latin America. Despite their expulsion, hundreds of Mennonites remain in Suriname, with their status uncertain.