Suriname; Venezuela and Suriname Enter a New Phase of Economic and Trade Relations; Suriname, the South American Country Being Strangled by China Through Debt and Military Patrols.

Friday, September 18, 2026. Suriname: Diversity, Opportunity and One of South America’s Most Unique Countries Over the years, my work has given me the opportunity to travel to some interesting places, and Suriname certainly stands out as one of the more unusual countries I have visited. Getting there from Panama was always part of the adventure. Look at a map and Suriname doesn’t seem particularly far away, yet there is no simple direct flight between Panama City and Paramaribo. Once you arrive, there are other reminders that this is not quite the South America most of us are accustomed to. Dutch is the official language, and Suriname is one of only two countries on the South American mainland where vehicles drive on the left. But what really makes Suriname fascinating is its diversity. With a population of only around 634,000 people, Suriname brings together communities of Indian, African, Indonesian, Chinese, European, Indigenous and mixed ancestry. Christianity, Hinduism and Islam all form important parts of the country’s social fabric. Perhaps one of the best visual representations of this diversity can be found in Paramaribo, where the historic Neveh Shalom Synagogue and the Keizerstraat Mosque stand side by side. Beyond Paramaribo lies an entirely different world. More than 90 percent of Suriname is covered by tropical forest, making it one of the most heavily forested countries on Earth. Rivers remain important transportation routes into an interior populated by Indigenous and Maroon communities, and enormous areas remain relatively untouched. Suriname is one of those rare places where the Amazon rainforest is not simply something on the horizon—it defines much of the country. Economically, Suriname is also entering an especially interesting period. Gold has long played an important role in its economy, but major offshore petroleum discoveries have created expectations of substantial new investment, with first offshore oil production currently expected around 2028. That development brings opportunities far beyond the petroleum industry itself: construction, logistics, hospitality, transportation, professional services, technology and supporting industries will all be affected as investment increases. And wherever international investment expands, the importance of understanding exactly who you are doing business with becomes greater. For an investigative firm such as BM Investigations, Suriname is a good example of why international due diligence cannot simply consist of searching databases from an office somewhere else. Corporate records are important, but so are local knowledge, language, culture, reputation, beneficial ownership, political and commercial relationships, and the ability to verify information on the ground. In smaller markets especially, understanding those relationships can make the difference between knowing what appears on paper and understanding what is actually happening. Suriname is small in population, enormous in natural resources, remarkably diverse in culture and potentially approaching one of the most important economic transformations in its modern history. It is also a reminder of something we have learned repeatedly during more than three decades of international investigative work: sometimes the smallest countries require some of the biggest efforts to truly understand them. Brett Mikkelson Founder, B.M. Investigations, Inc. – Private Investigations in Panama TOP NEWS and TIDBITS: Governments of the Dominican Republic and Suriname Sign Cooperation Agreements and Strategic Partnerships in Tourism, Agriculture, and Private Investment President Luis Abinader and his Surinamese counterpart, Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, reaffirmed this Monday the bonds of friendship and cooperation between both nations through the signing of agreements and strategic partnerships in the tourism, agriculture, security, and support in international organizations sectors. The leaders also highlighted the importance of air connectivity between both countries as a fundamental factor in bringing their peoples closer together, promoting exchanges, and expanding opportunities for joint development. President Abinader and Geerlings-Simons welcomed the operation of the air route established by Sky High Dominicana between Santo Domingo and Paramaribo. They also emphasized the consolidation of the Greater Caribbean as a region of peace, stability, resilience, and prosperity. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening South-South cooperation and regional integration. Likewise, the Government of Suriname announced the implementation of a provision that will allow Dominican citizens holding ordinary passports and valid visas for the United States or the Schengen Area to enter Suriname for tourism purposes without having to apply for a visa. Below is the Joint Declaration: Joint Declaration on the Official Meeting between the President of the Dominican Republic, His Excellency Luis Abinader Corona, and the President of the Republic of Suriname, Her Excellency Jennifer Geerlings-Simons The President of the Republic of Suriname, Her Excellency Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, paid an official visit to the Dominican Republic on June 1 and 2, 2026, at the invitation of the President of the Dominican Republic, His Excellency Luis Abinader Corona. The Presidents held a bilateral meeting in Santo Domingo, during which they reaffirmed the historic bonds of friendship, solidarity, and cooperation that unite both countries, as well as their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations based on the principles of sovereign equality of States, mutual respect, international cooperation, reciprocal benefit, and adherence to international law. The Presidents reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening South-South cooperation, regional integration, and the consolidation of the Greater Caribbean as a region of peace, stability, resilience, and shared prosperity. The Presidents recognized the progress made in bilateral relations in recent years and agreed that there is significant potential to further deepen cooperation between the Dominican Republic and the Republic of Suriname for the benefit of their peoples. During the meeting, the Presidents agreed on the following: Political Consultations The Presidents reaffirmed the importance of maintaining permanent political dialogue and periodic high-level consultations on bilateral, regional, and international matters of common interest, including regional security, climate change, food security, economic resilience, and other shared challenges. They also agreed to elevate the already strong bilateral cooperation to a strategic economic partnership. Connectivity and Tourism The Presidents highlighted the importance of air connectivity between both countries as a fundamental factor in bringing their peoples closer together and strengthening economic and tourism exchanges. They welcomed the operation of the air route established by Sky High Dominicana between Santo Domingo and Paramaribo. In this