2023 brought a warning letter and a new compact
On 9 March 2023, outgoing President Panuelo accused China of bribery and “political warfare” in a 13-page letter.11 Al Jazeera He floated switching recognition to Taiwan. Beijing called the claims “smears,” and his successor did not make the switch.
Congress elected Chuuk’s Wesley Simina as the tenth president on 11 May 2023.22 gov.fm Simina had been Chuuk’s governor from 2005 to 2011 and Speaker from 2015. On 23 May 2023, FSM and US officials signed the Compact III agreements in Palikir.33 gov.fm
2024–2025 saw slow money and a midterm election
The US enacted Compact III funding in March 2024, but FY2024 money arrived only at year’s end.44 GAO-26-107778 FSM audits ran 183 to 547 days late. In August 2025 Interior warned it could withhold funds, and a new FSM financial system launched that October.
The 4 March 2025 midterm filled 10 of 14 seats, all with independents.55 Wikipedia, 2025 election The 24th Congress kept Pohnpei’s Esmond Moses as Speaker and made Chuuk’s Julio Marar Floor Leader.66 Congress of the FSM
Former president Urusemal died in September 2025 and Foreign Secretary Lorin Robert in November.77 Wikipedia, 2025 in the FSM Congress confirmed Ricky F. Cantero as Secretary of Foreign Affairs in May 2026.88 Congress of the FSM
In March 2025, US Defense Secretary Hegseth announced $400 million to upgrade Yap’s airport for military use.99 Asia Matters for America The source puts total Yap military spending at both “at least” and “up to” $2 billion. The East Micronesia Cable landed on Kosrae around September 2025, linking it to Pohnpei.1010 SubTel Forum
2026 brought a typhoon, a base dispute and a Japan summit
Super Typhoon Sinlaku hit Chuuk on 9–12 April 2026, affecting over 34,000 people and displacing about 4,200.1111 ReliefWeb, PHT SitRep 1 Reported Sinlaku deaths range from 5 to 7. OCHA’s first count was 7, WHO’s 5 plus one missing, and PINA’s 4 in Chuuk.1212 ReliefWeb; WHO; PINA
The final toll is unconfirmed. Congress extended the Chuuk emergency to 16 September 2026.1313 Congress of the FSM
On 29 June 2026, Admiral Paparo wrote to Simina that the FSM’s $1.3 billion compensation demand for the Yap site was unreasonable.1414 PINA, from The Diplomat He said the command would look at other locations.
In a 3 August letter to Yap Governor Francis Itimai, Simina acknowledged a “possible setback”.1515 PINA, from The Diplomat After a 10 August meeting, the release headline said both sides reaffirmed cooperation on the Yap project; its text records only Simina’s reaffirmation.1616 gov.fm
UNESCO kept Nan Madol on its danger list in 2026, seeking a plan rooted in Pohnpeian living traditions.1717 UNESCO Decision 48 COM 7A.25 In September, Simina signed for an ADB North Pacific office and joined leaders restoring the Peace Corps.1818 gov.fm news He met Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo on 23 October 2026.1919 Kantei; MOFA
What comes next
The next general election is due in March 2027, when the at-large seats return to the ballot. Congress should then choose a president around 11 May 2027, when Palik’s term ends.2020 Wikipedia, VP of the FSM UNESCO’s next Nan Madol report is due by 1 February 2027.