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
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 regard, 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 without having to apply for a visa for tourism purposes. They also agreed to explore new opportunities for cooperation and strategic partnerships in the tourism sector.
The Presidents also expressed their satisfaction with the progress made toward signing a memorandum of understanding on Tourism Cooperation between the Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic and the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Tourism of the Republic of Suriname, and urged the completion of the necessary steps for its prompt formalization.
Agriculture and Food Security
The Presidents recognized the fundamental role of agriculture in ensuring food security, strengthening economic resilience, and promoting the sustainable development of their respective countries.
In this context, the Presidents agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the agricultural sector through the exchange of knowledge, experiences, technologies, and best practices, as well as through the development and implementation of an action plan identifying priority areas for collaboration.
Trade and Investment
The Presidents highlighted the existing potential to expand and diversify trade and investment exchanges between both countries. Both Presidents agreed to explore mechanisms that facilitate market access, contribute to reducing trade barriers, and promote greater private-sector participation.
The Presidents also emphasized the importance of fostering a favorable investment climate by promoting business partnerships and recognized the value of continuing to strengthen bilateral collaboration mechanisms, including chambers of commerce. The Presidents welcomed the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the Suriname Investment and Trade Agency (SITA) and the Export and Investment Center of the Dominican Republic (ProDominicana), an instrument that will contribute to strengthening economic and trade ties between both nations.
Private-Sector Participation
The Presidents recognized the fundamental role of the private sector in promoting economic growth, innovation, job creation, and the generation of opportunities for their citizens.
Accordingly, the Presidents agreed to promote greater collaboration among chambers of commerce, business associations, and investment promotion agencies of both countries, as well as to promote initiatives that contribute to strengthening bilateral economic ties.
Education and Capacity Building
The Presidents recognized the importance of education, training, and institutional strengthening as fundamental pillars of sustainable development.
In this regard, the Framework Agreement on Academic Cooperation was signed between the Diplomatic Institute of Suriname and the Institute of Higher Education in Diplomatic and Consular Training of the Dominican Republic.
The Presidents also agreed to promote opportunities for scholarships, training programs, specialized education, and knowledge exchange for students, professionals, and public officials from both countries.
Cultural and Educational Cooperation
The Presidents expressed their interest in deepening cultural and educational cooperation as a mechanism to strengthen mutual understanding and bring their peoples closer together.
In this regard, they expressed their willingness to promote the signing of cooperation agreements in these areas, as well as to encourage academic exchanges, scholarship programs, cultural initiatives, and language teaching programs that contribute to strengthening ties between both societies.
Consular and Migrant Affairs
The Presidents highlighted the importance of continuing to strengthen consular and migration cooperation between both countries. In this regard, both Presidents agreed that the establishment of resident embassies in their respective capitals would constitute a significant step toward deepening bilateral relations and facilitating more direct and permanent diplomatic dialogue.
In this regard, they welcomed the intention to initially move forward through the appointment of honorary consuls in both countries.
International Candidacies
The Presidents recognized that mutual support for candidacies in international organizations and multilateral forums is an important component of bilateral cooperation and reiterated their willingness to continue coordinating efforts in this area.
Regional and Multilateral Affairs
The Presidents reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism, respect for international law, and the strengthening of regional cooperation. The Presidents agreed to continue coordinating positions and working closely within the framework of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), and other regional and international organizations.
They also highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation to address common challenges related to climate change, food security, sustainable development, economic resilience, and the fight against transnational organized crime, in pursuit of peace, security, and the well-being of their peoples.
Venezuela and Suriname Enter a New Phase of Economic and Trade Relations
The documents were signed by Acting President Delcy Rodríguez and her Surinamese counterpart, Jennifer Simons, along with ministerial authorities from both states in Paramaribo, where a large Venezuelan delegation arrived on Thursday night.
This was her sixth trip abroad since taking office and the abduction in January of constitutional President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The Bolivarian leader signed a joint declaration with her counterpart to consolidate ties between the two countries.
The Surinamese Presidential Palace served as the venue for the official welcoming ceremony for Rodríguez and her delegation. She then held private talks with Simons, after which both presided over the expanded meeting between the two delegations and proceeded to sign the documents.
The composition of the Venezuelan delegation defined the parties’ key interests from the outset, with the participation of First Deputy Foreign Minister Oliver Blanco, Deputy Foreign Minister for the Caribbean Raúl Li Causi, and Vice President for Communications and Culture Miguel Ángel Pérez.
The delegation also included Ministers Paula Henao, for Hydrocarbons; Daniella Cabello, for Tourism; Francisco Garcés, for Transportation; Juan Carlos Loyo, for Fisheries and Aquaculture; and Juan Escalona, for the Office of the Presidency and Government Management Oversight.
The agreements and memoranda of understanding were likewise focused on these areas, including hydrocarbons; fisheries and livestock; agriculture; transportation; tourism; and higher education in several fields.
The Acting President highlighted the achievements reached, acknowledging in a joint statement to the press that the progress made in economic and trade cooperation strengthens bilateral relations and leads to a new stage in the relationship between the two countries.
In the hydrocarbons sector, for example, Venezuela will share with its neighbors its century-long experience in exploration and production, as well as in gas and training. Likewise, the fisheries agreement will benefit fishermen from Sucre state in northeastern Venezuela, who will obtain licenses to access the Atlantic corridor planned by Suriname.
Another noteworthy agreement concerned air connectivity, which will substantially promote closer ties through commercial flights between the two nations and encourage multi-destination tourism through tour operators seeking to capitalize on the tourism advantages of both countries.
Rodríguez considered the agricultural agreement fundamental for food production and food security, as well as for complementarity in animal genetics and the sharing of experience in regenerative agriculture, along with the agreement on university education.
The latter covers the areas of hydrocarbons, healthcare, agriculture, technology, and technical training.
The willingness to further advance bilateral relations was reflected in the announcement that the Joint Commission will be held in Paramaribo during the first quarter of 2027, as well as in the invitation extended by the Acting President to her counterpart to visit Venezuela.
The instruments signed “provide greater substance to our collaboration and constitute the basis for concrete follow-up,” Simons stated, making it clear that in this new stage of integration, they want to focus on key strategic areas to stimulate regional economic activity.
“We want to focus more on trade, investment, and other concrete forms of economic cooperation,” she emphasized.
The Surinamese President stated that the success of the relationship between the two countries should not be measured solely by the number of agreements and instruments signed, but rather by the “concrete and sustainable results” achieved for the benefit of both populations.
Suriname, the South American Country Being Strangled by China Through Debt and Military Patrols
Perhaps the lack of knowledge about this country is due to its language and culture, or the lack of flights connecting major cities with Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname. The fact is that this nation—with just over 650,000 inhabitants and sharing borders with Brazil and French Guiana—appears to live with its back turned to South America and to be more closely connected to the Caribbean. Meanwhile, there is a distant regime seeking to gain a deeper foothold: China.
For years, the Chinese regime has set its sights on Suriname, particularly on its forest and mineral resources. The latest indication of this penetration occurred on July 14, when 14 armed Chinese citizens dressed in military uniforms were detained. They were also carrying a Chinese flag. It is unclear whether the detention was the result of a government initiative or embarrassment: a video went viral, leaving the authorities with little choice but to act.
The images were captured by local residents near Sarakreek, in the Brokopondo district, deep within the rainforest. The area is known for large-scale illegal gold mining, an industry in which Chinese nationals have a significant presence and which is devastating Suriname’s jungle. “As far as we know, they were reportedly carrying out security activities,” Suriname’s Minister of Justice, Harish Monorath, stated in a press release at the time of the arrests. Chinese control over the area would appear to be absolute.
The Chinese regime’s embassy in Suriname, headed by Lin Ji, who is usually prone to issuing statements, made no comment on the incident. Did Suriname hand over sovereign territories to China and its mining companies for patrol and control? Geruchten.
Debt and Mining
The Chinese regime has maintained a presence in Suriname for decades. The Asian population has grown, as have companies and corporations dependent on Beijing. They are said to be primarily responsible for the deforestation of the country’s Amazon rainforest and for mining activities, both legal and illegal. Indigenous peoples are among those most affected, as they are displaced with each advance of Chinese interests.
In Sarakreek, where the “Chinese soldiers” were filmed, several corporations associated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have a prominent presence. These include Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd. and China Mega Suriname Mining Investment Company N.V. It is believed that these companies hired the uniformed personnel to control the area.
But this is not the only presence promoted by the Chinese regime to exploit Suriname’s resources.
The proposed bauxite mine—bauxite being the ore used to extract aluminum—by the Chinese corporation Chinalco in western Suriname has reignited debate over the territorial rights of Indigenous peoples and environmental degradation. According to Mongabay, the initiative, which could begin operations in 2026, involves a concession of 280,000 hectares and an estimated annual production of 6 million tons for 30 years. The agreement also provides for the construction of a port and railway, as well as priority rights to dredge the Corantijn River.
The Association of Indigenous Village Leaders of Suriname questioned the signing of the memorandum of understanding with Chinalco in November 2024 before the communities had been formally informed. The organization maintains that the right to free, prior, and informed consent was not respected and called for the project to be suspended until a consultation could be carried out. Mongabay noted that Suriname is the only country in South America that does not formally recognize the ancestral land rights of Indigenous peoples, despite a 2007 ruling by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.
The expansion of logging concessions to Chinese corporations in Saamaka territories opened new roads into rainforest areas and facilitated the extraction and transportation of logs. Saamaka leaders alleged that the permits were granted without prior consultation and warned that logging, combined with mining, accelerated deforestation of the jungle.
An investigation by The Washington Post reported that vessels loaded with logs departed from port areas along the Suriname River bound for China. The report cited researchers who warned that these vessels could also transport wildlife and other illegal goods. The article did not determine that all timber shipments were illegal, nor did it identify the companies involved in the shipments, but it placed the log trade within a context of limited oversight and interconnected illicit economies in the country’s interior.
But in Suriname’s small geography, there is another problem involving China. Between 2010 and 2020, then-President Dési Bouterse shifted his government toward the regime of Xi Jinping. This resulted in the country accumulating $544 million in debt to Beijing. Its creditors are China Exim Bank and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.
In November 2024, Suriname’s Minister of Finance, Stanley Aghoebarsing, signed an agreement to restructure that debt, which continues to drain the country’s public coffers. To achieve this, the then-President of Suriname had to pay homage to Xi during a trip to the Chinese capital.
Suriname gained its independence from the Netherlands on November 25, 1975. However, Chinese military patrols, unpayable financial debts to Beijing, illegal gold and bauxite extraction, deforestation and environmental degradation, and the displacement of Indigenous peoples could call into question that hard-won status.
