🇸🇷 Former President Chandrikapersad Santokhi's state cremation

And we address the impact that resource-rich growth is having on the Caribbean.

De Brief
April 12, 2026

Former president and VHP leader Chan Santokhi was cremated after his unexpected death on March 30 at age 67, which had a strong national and international impact.
The cremation took place at Uitkijk and was the first state cremation ever held at that location. Here, attendees were given a final moment to briefly say farewell in a solemn atmosphere.
Many mourners were deeply emotional, with people openly weeping while saying goodbye. Large crowds lined the route of the hearse, paying respects with flags, flowers, and confetti.
The arrival included military honors, with a funeral march and music performed by a military band as people followed the hearse.
Several dignitaries attended, including President Irfaan Ali of Guyana, the Prime Minister of Curaçao, and members of the diplomatic corps.
The ceremony concluded with military salutes, after which the Surinamese flag on the coffin was presented to his widow Mellisa, ending the official state funeral.
President Jennifer Simons spoke during a special parliamentary memorial session about the sudden death of former president and MP Chan Santokhi.
Simons described her working relationship with Santokhi as professional, pragmatic, and focused on national interest.
Despite political differences, this approach allowed them to collaborate effectively in parliament.
Simons concluded by calling for resilience, urging people to honor Santokhi’s memory while continuing forward as a society.

The Avondvierdaagse (AVD) has the potential to grow into a larger tourist attraction, according to President Jennifer Simons. The event is a 4 day walk through the country that represents the country’s cultural diversity.
She participated in the final day of the 61st edition, walking several kilometers herself. Simons praised the positive atmosphere and enthusiasm of those involved.
She stated that the event could attract more international visitors in the future.
The president emphasized the need for continued professionalization and development. She encouraged organizers to invest in improving quality and organization.
The Avondvierdaagse (AVD) officially started on Wednesday with its 61st edition.
Many groups wore elaborate and detailed costumes, enhanced with creative accessories.
A notable feature is the large number of over 1,900 individual participants.
The opening was performed by Minister Nalini Gopal and Minister André Misiekaba.
In total, about 4,900 participants are took part and cultural groups stand out with colorful outfits, singing, and performances.

The Caribbean is rapidly becoming a two-speed region, with clear differences between countries.
Oil-producing nations like Guyana and Suriname are preparing for strong economic growth.
Meanwhile, many Caribbean islands remain dependent on tourism and imports, making them economically vulnerable.
Analysts say the region can no longer be treated as a single economic bloc due to these differences.
Guyana is one of the fastest-growing economies globally, driven by large-scale oil production.
Suriname is at an earlier stage but has high expectations for future oil revenues.
Tourism-based economies are recovering after COVID-19, but growth is fragile due to inflation, high travel costs, and global uncertainty.
These countries face structural vulnerabilities, including exposure to external shocks and increasing climate risks like hurricanes.
Regional growth is increasingly driven by energy and natural resources, making it dependent on a few countries and exposing others to volatility.
Governments must choose between continuing with tourism or diversifying their economies, as the divide risks deepening and causing broader economic and social tensions.

Suriname has been impacted recently by higher swashes of crime. One of these was a police officer that was fatally shot during an armed robbery in the Lawa region.
The exact circumstances of the robbery are still unclear, however, the policeman died at the scene from his injuries.
It is not yet known how many suspects were involved and authorities have launched an investigation into the shooting.
Furthermore, an incident with a stabbing victim led to police shooting the suspect in the leg before arresting them.
An armed robbery also led to one victim being shot and robbed of their necklace and an unknown amount of money before fleeing.