Suriname–Venezuela relations

Diplomatic relations between Suriname and Venezuela were established in November 1975, shortly after the independence of Suriname.^[1] Suriname has an embassy in Caracas since 1976.^[2] Venezuela has an embassy in Paramaribo.^[3] As of 30 June 1978, there is no travel visa requirement between the two countries.^[1]

Suriname–Venezuela relations

Suriname	Venezuela

History

 

Embassy of Venezuela in Paramaribo

Since the Surinamese Desi Bouterse government (2010–2020), there has been friendly relationship between the two countries. Hugo Chávez congratulated Bouterse after his election victory.^[4] Chávez made an official visit to Suriname on 26 November 2010.^[5] Bouterse visited Venezuela in December 2011.^[6] In 2019, Suriname voted against an Organization of American States resolution to not recognize the Maduro Regime.^[7] The close relationship continued under Santokhi in 2020.^[8] During the visit of Mike Pompeo in September 2020, Santokhi expressed that there could be no discussion about actions against Venezuela, and that current crisis in Venezuela has to be resolved internally by the people of Venezuela.^[9]

Trade

Trade between Suriname and Venezuela is limited. In 2019, Suriname exported US$1.95 million worth of goods to Venezuela with the main export product being rice. Venezuela exported US$2.87 million worth of good with the main product being oil. Exports from Venezuela to Suriname dropped substantially compared to 1995 when US$340 million was being exported.^[10]

Migration

In the 2010s, the crisis in Venezuela resulted in a refugee crisis to other countries.^[11] The authorities in Suriname expressed concern because the Courantyne River which forms the border with Guyana is not well guarded, and easy to cross; however the number of migrants were limited.^[12][13] The migrants who did end up in Suriname mainly had to survive on their own.^[13]

See also

• Petrocaribe

References

1. (PDF). Surinamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in Dutch). Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
2. "6 ambassades in het buitenland". De Vrije Stem via Delpher.nl (in Dutch). 13 December 1975. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
3. "Ook Venezolaanse ambassadepost Paramaribo krimpt in". Star Nieuws (in Dutch). Retrieved 26 December 2021.
4. "Chavéz staat voor honderd procent achter Bouterse". Star Nieuws (in Dutch). Retrieved 26 December 2021.
5. "Chavez komt vandaag naar Suriname". Star Nieuws (in Dutch). Retrieved 26 December 2021.
6. "Bouterse vol lof over Chavez". Star Nieuws (in Dutch). Retrieved 26 December 2021.
7. "Permanent Council Approves Resolution to Not Recognize the Legitimacy of the Maduro Regime". U.S. Mission to the Organization of American States. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
8. "Suriname hernieuwt betrekkingen Venezuela". Star Nieuws (in Dutch). Retrieved 26 December 2021.
9. "President Santokhi: "Geen acties tegen Venezuela vanuit Surinaams grondgebied"". Suriname Herald (in Dutch). Retrieved 26 December 2021.
10. "Suriname/Venezuela". Observatory of Economic Complexity. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
11. "What 52,000 Percent Inflation Can Do to a Country". New York Times. 1 November 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
12. "Autoriteiten Suriname bedacht op vluchtelingenstroom Venezuela". Waterkant (in Dutch). 9 April 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
13. Zoë Deceuninck (1 March 2019). "Migrant in Suriname? Zoek het zelf maar uit". One World (in Dutch).