Suriname

Desi Bouterse, Suriname's former dictator and twice-elected leader, known for his 1980 coup, polarizing legacy, convictions for murder and drug trafficking, died at 79, leaving a lasting but contentious impact on the nation’s history

The Emile de la Fuente Stadium hosted a successful sports day for hundreds of children with disabilities in Suriname; the event, which included games like football and netball, promoted social skills, teamwork, and inclusion for disabilities

Suriname and China signed a Supplemental Finance Agreement to complete the first phase of restructuring Suriname's bilateral debt, paving the way for renewed financing after resolving debts with other creditors

President Santokhi emphasized the need for global collaboration to combat biodiversity loss; efforts include improving forest management, recognizing land rights for Indigenous and tribal communities, and strengthening national environmental regulations

Starting 2025, Surinamese who lost Dutch citizenship but have resided in the Netherlands in the past ten years can apply for a residence permit under a new temporary arrangement aimed at rectifying a “historic mistake” from Suriname’s 1975 independence

Suriname's Affordable Housing Project has partnered with China to expedite the construction of affordable for families in need; authorities spoke of the 'high-quality homes' as a significant step forward in addressing the housing issue

Numerous Surinamese customs officers will undergo specialized training in Rotterdam, organized by the UN and international customs agencies; the course aims to enhance their skills in risk management and combating smuggling

Customs rates in Suriname have increased again and exchange offices and banks report rising rates, contradicting previous predictions by Finance Minister Stanley Raghoebarsing that rates would decline

Suriname's President Santokhi met with Dutch Prime Minister Schoof to discuss strengthening ties between their nations, confirming continued political cooperation, support for Suriname's healthcare, and progress on slavery reparations discussions

The Surinamese diaspora, represented by the Platform Surinaamse Diaspora, is urging the Surinamese government to negotiate visa-free travel to the Netherlands for Suriname passport holders, aiming to strengthen ties between the two communities

The Hague Court of Appeal has upheld the seizure of 19.5 million euros from a cash shipment from Suriname, rejecting the Central Bank of Suriname's complaint for immunity from criminal seizure, as the money belongs to commercial banks, not the state

President Chandrikapersad Santokhi highlighted that the government will shortly begin to address inefficiencies in the home purchasing power programme for low-income locals, which has recently come under scrutiny due to allegations of fraud