Jennifer Geerlings-Simons (center) greets well-wishers in Paramaribo after parliament appoints her as Suriname’s first female president. Photo: AP.
In a statement released this Tuesday, the Venezuelan government expressed its sincere congratulations to the people and government of the Suriname on the official appointment as president of Jennifer Geerlings-Simons from the center-left National Democratic Party (NDP), reflecting the sovereign will of the Surinamese people.
“President Nicolás Maduro Moros, on behalf of the Venezuelan people and government, extends his best wishes for success to President-elect Geerlings-Simons in her high office, wishing her wisdom and strength to lead the people of Suriname,” read the statement.
Geerlings-Simons became Suriname’s first female president on Sunday, July 6, 2025, six weeks after her party won the election and formed a coalition with other political groups.
Suriname’s National Assembly elected Geerlings-Simons and her running mate, Gregory Rusland, as vice president. Both obtained the support of 34 members of parliament, the exact number needed for election.
“I am very aware of the responsibility that now falls on our shoulders, a responsibility even greater for being the first woman to hold this position,” she said in a brief speech. “I don’t need many words. I thank you, and we will get to work.”
Venezuela’s official statement elaborated as follows: “From Venezuela, we celebrate this historic milestone that establishes her as the first woman to assume the presidency of her country and reaffirm our firm commitment to deepening bilateral relations with the sister Republic of Suriname, under the historic bonds of solidarity and cooperation that unite our nations.”
The document continued, stating that Venezuela is confident that “this new phase of government, under the leadership of President Geerlings-Simons, will open up renewed opportunities to advance Latin American and Caribbean unity, mutual respect, and the shared well-being of our peoples.”
Suriname, a former Dutch colony of 600,000 people, has implemented drastic measures to reduce its multimillion-dollar public debt and now hopes that the development of its oil reserves will bring prosperity to the country. Meanwhile, Suriname, like Venezuela, is embroiled in a territorial dispute with Guyana. In the case of Suriname, this dispute centers on the Tigri area.
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Below is the unofficial translation of the Venezuelan government communiqué:
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela expresses its most sincere congratulations to the people and government of the Republic of Suriname on the official appointment of Jennifer Geerlings-Simons as president of the Republic, reflecting the sovereign will of the Surinamese people.
President Nicolás Maduro Moros, on behalf of the Venezuelan people and government, extends his best wishes to President-elect Geerlings-Simons for success in this important role, wishing her wisdom and strength in leading the people of Suriname.
From Venezuela, we celebrate this historic milestone, which establishes her as the first woman to assume the presidency of her country, and we reaffirm our firm commitment to deepening bilateral relations with the sister Republic of Suriname, under the historic bonds of solidarity and cooperation that unite our nations.
We trust that this new phase of government, under President Simons’ leadership, will open up renewed opportunities to advance Latin American and Caribbean unity, mutual respect, and the shared well-being of our peoples.
Caracas, July 8, 2025
Special for Orinoco Tribune by staff
OT/JRE/SL
