Former Suriname President Ronald Venetiaan dies at 89

Ronald Venetiaan, Suriname’s three-time president and one of the country’s most respected political figures, died on Wednesday, November 5, at the age of 89, his family announced.

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President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons described Venetiaan as “a statesman and a great son of the nation, who dedicated his life to serving Suriname,” praising his “significant role in the country’s development” and “commitment to education, democracy, and good governance.” Former president Chan Santokhi, who served under Venetiaan as justice minister, called him an “exceptional statesman” whose death “leaves a great void.”

Born in Paramaribo in 1936, Venetiaan studied mathematics in the Netherlands before returning home to teach and later serve as Suriname’s minister of education after independence in 1975. He was removed from office following the 1980 coup led by Dési Bouterse, after which he resumed teaching at the Anton de Kom University.

Following the restoration of democracy in 1987, Venetiaan reentered politics as chairman of the National Party of Suriname (NPS) and again became minister of education. He was first elected president in 1991, serving until 1996, then returned to power in 2000 and was re-elected in 2005, leading the country until 2010.

A mathematician and author, Venetiaan also wrote poetry under the pseudonyms Vene and Krumanty, with some of his works performed in local theatre productions. He contributed to Santokhi’s 2020 publication We gaan Suriname redden (We Are Going to Save Suriname).

Venetiaan retired from politics in 2013, saying it was time for the younger generation to take the lead. He is survived by his wife, Liesbeth Vanenburg, three daughters, and a son.