Overview
- Chan Santokhi, who led Suriname from 2020 to 2025, died unexpectedly in the capital, Paramaribo, at age 67.
- Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten said he was saddened and shocked by the news and credited Santokhi with strengthening bilateral relations.
- Jetten conveyed the Dutch cabinet’s condolences to current president Jennifer Simons, who defeated Santokhi in last year’s election.
- During his term, Santokhi moved quickly to repair relations with the Netherlands, reinstating ambassadors and later receiving a visit from Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, the first such trip in 14 years.
- Before the presidency, he rose from police officer to justice minister and helped set the conditions for the trial over the 1982 December murders, which ended with Desi Bouterse’s 20-year conviction.