Suriname,officially the Republic of Suriname,is a sovereign state in northern South America. Situated slightly north of the equator within the tropics,over 90% of its territory is covered by rainforests,the highest proportion of forest cover in the world. Suriname is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north,French Guiana to the east,Guyana to the west,and Brazil to the south. It is the smallest country in South America by both population and territory,with around 612,985 inhabitants in an area of approximately 163,820 square kilometers. The capital and largest city is Paramaribo,home to roughly half the population.
As part of the foreign relations of Suriname,the country is a participant in numerous international organizations.
The early history of Suriname dates from 3000 BCE when Native Americans first inhabited the area. The Dutch acquired Suriname from the English,and European settlement in any numbers dates from the 17th century,when it was a plantation colony utilizing slavery for sugar cultivation. With abolition in the late 19th century,planters sought labor from China,Madeira,India,and Indonesia,which was also colonized by the Dutch. Dutch is Suriname's official language. Owing to its diverse population,it has also developed a creole language,Sranan Tongo.
DesiréDelano Bouterse is a Surinamese military officer,politician,convicted murderer and drug trafficker who served as President of Suriname from 2010 to 2020. From 1980 to 1987,he was Suriname's de facto leader after conducting a military coup and establishing a period of military rule. In 1987,Bouterse founded the National Democratic Party (NDP). On 25 May 2010,Bouterse's political alliance,the Megacombinatie,which included the NDP,won the parliamentary elections,and on 19 July 2010,Bouterse was elected as President of Suriname with 36 of 50 parliament votes. He was inaugurated on 12 August 2010.
Maria Elizabeth (Marie) Levens is a politician who held the post of Foreign Minister of Suriname for five years (2000–2005). On 16 July 2020,Levens became the Minister of Education,Science &Culture.
Jules Sedney was a Surinamese politician,and Prime Minister of Suriname from 20 November 1969 to 24 December 1973. In 1980,he became governor of the Central Bank of Suriname,but had to flee the country in 1983 after a dispute with Dési Bouterse. Sedney returned to Suriname in 1989.
Ronnie Brunswijk is a Surinamese politician,businessman,former rebel leader,footballer and convicted drug trafficker,who is serving as the current Vice President of Suriname.
Chandrikapersad "Chan" Santokhi is a Surinamese politician and former police officer who is the 9th president of Suriname,since 2020. After winning the 2020 elections,Santokhi was the sole nominee for president of Suriname. On 13 July,Santokhi was elected president by acclamation in an uncontested election. He was inaugurated on 16 July.
Subhas Chandra Mungra is a Surinamese diplomat and former Foreign Minister. He served as Ambassador to the US from 2011 until 2017,and served as Permanent Representative of Suriname on the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States.
Netherlands–Suriname relations refers to the current and historical relations between the Netherlands and Suriname. Both nations share historic ties and a common language (Dutch) and are members of the Dutch Language Union.
Guyana –Suriname relations are the bilateral relations between Guyana and Suriname. Suriname has an embassy in Georgetown. Guyana has an embassy in Paramaribo. The Courentyne River makes up most of the border between the two countries.
Mexico–Suriname relations are the diplomatic relations between Mexico and Suriname. Both nations are members of the Association of Caribbean States,Community of Latin American and Caribbean States,Organization of American States and the United Nations.
Winston Guno Lackin was a Surinamese politician. He was Minister of Foreign Affairs of Suriname in the cabinet of President Dési Bouterse between 13 August 2010 and 13 August 2015.
Michael Ashwin Satyandre Adhin is a Surinamese educator,politician,and was the Vice President of Suriname between 2015 and 2020. He is a member of the National Democratic Party. At the age of 35,he became the youngest vice president in the history of Suriname to lead the Council of Ministers. Adhin is a Hindu of Indian descent.
General elections were held in Suriname on 25 May 2020. The elections occurred concurrently with an economic crisis in Suriname,as well as the COVID-19 crisis.
The COVID-19 pandemic in Suriname was caused by Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The virus was confirmed to have reached Suriname on 13 March 2020. The case was a person who travelled from the Netherlands the previous week. On 3 April 2020,one person died. On 3 May 2020,all nine cases had recovered. On 18 May,an eleventh case was identified.
Mellisa Santokhi-Seenacherry is a Surinamese lawyer,who is currently the First Lady of Suriname.
Rajendre Khargi is a Surinamese journalist and diplomat. He has worked for the Nederlandse Omroep Stichting and Algemeen Nederlands Persbureau among others. He was an advisor and speechwriter for Chan Santokhi. Since 10 February 2021,he serves as Ambassador of Suriname to the Netherlands.
Diplomatic relations between Suriname and Venezuela were established in November 1975,shortly after the independence of Suriname. Suriname has an embassy in Caracas since 1976. Venezuela has an embassy in Paramaribo. As of 30 June 1978,there is no travel visa requirement between the two countries.
