Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez during the inauguration of Suriname's Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, wearing a pin with the map of Venezuela including the newly-incorporated state of Guayana Esequiba, on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. Photo: IG/@vicevenezuela.
On Wednesday, July 16, Jennifer Geerlings-Simons assumed the presidency of Suriname, becoming the first woman to hold the position. The ceremony was attended by a Venezuelan delegation, led by its vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, underscoring Venezuela’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations in the region despite the drive of US imperialism to isolate Venezuela diplomatically.
Rodríguez arrived in Suriname on the evening of Tuesday, July 15 and was received at Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport, Paramaribo, by Ike Antonius, senior representative of the government of Suriname, and Ayerim Flores Rivas, Venezuelan ambassador to that country.
Upon arrival, Rodríguez conveyed greetings and congratulations from President Nicolás Maduro and the Venezuelan people, reaffirming the commitment of Venezuela to work for peace, unity, and the well-being of the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Suriname, like Venezuela, is currently embroiled in a territorial dispute with Guyana. Suriname’s dispute centers on the Tigri area, while Venezuela’s centers on the Essequibo territory, which it declared the new state of Guayana Esequiba following a resounding referendum in 2023.
Venezuela and Suriname have established various agreements in areas such as energy, trade, and, in particular, the protection of the Amazon rainforest, in addition to maintaining diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations.
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A new chapter for Suriname under the leadership of Jenny Simons
Jennifer “Jenny” Geerlings-Simons is a 71 year old physician, with a doctorate from the Anton de Kom Universiteit in Suriname and postgraduate degrees in epidemiology and leprosy management. Her political career began in 1996, when she was elected to the National Assembly for the constituency of Paramaribo, the capital.
“I have accepted this duty with my conscience,” she said during her first speech as president from the Anthony Nesty Sports Centre in Paramaribo, “and I am here as a person from Suriname to embark on a path of change with the people.” The new president highlighted the additional pressure she will face as the first woman in the position, thanking the Surinamese people for their support.
Focused on development and improving the quality of life of its citizens, President Simons expressed her intention to work on improving the education sector, productive areas, and tourism, as well as combating poverty and diversifying the economy.
Additionally, she emphasized the development of the oil industry, noting the benefits it can bring to the country, and highlighted the importance of citizen participation for the success of these initiatives.
President Simons, who was officially appointed Sunday, July 6, by the National Assembly of Suriname, also raised the need to advance the decentralization process of the economy of the nation and to strengthen fiscal discipline, investing in the youth and health of all citizens to ensure successful lives and good economic results.
(Telesur) with Orinoco Tribune content
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/JRE/AU
