Background The Republic of Suriname (Suriname) has had constructive ties with the United States for more than three decades. Located on the north-central coast of South America, Suriname borders Guyana, French Guiana, and Brazil and identifies as a Caribbean country. Suriname is a commodity-dependent, developing country with a population of about 657,000 and a per capita income of $6,840. Its $4.5 billion economy is dominated by the mineral and energy sectors (gold, oil, and bauxite), which play a key role in driving economic growth, employment, and government revenue. Suriname held legislative elections on May 25, 2025, in which the Progressive Reform Party (VHP), led by incumbent President Chandrikapersad “Chan” Santokhi (2020-2025), and the National Democratic Party (NDP), led by Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, garnered an almost equal number of seats. Some observers had expected the generally leftist NDP to enter into a coalition with the VHP. Instead, the five smaller parties in the Surinamese National Assembly and the NDP mutually sought out an agreement, securing a two-thirds legislative majority. In June 2025, the National Assembly elected Geerlings-Simons as Suriname’s first female president. The Geerlings-Simons administration is expected to contend with several policy challenges, including how best to use expected surges in oil revenues, stabilize the country’s finances, promote socioeconomic development, and foster national unity. U.S. Policy Since Suriname reestablished electoral democracy in 1991, the U.S. government has characterized U.S.-Suriname relations as constructive. U.S. policy toward Suriname generally has aimed to promote economic prosperity, deepen trade ties, and advance shared regional security interests. The Trump Administration has reaffirmed the United States’ “strong and growing” relationship with Suriname and has identified U.S. investment in Suriname as a priority. The United States obligated almost $372,000 in foreign assistance for Suriname in FY2023—including $242,000 in International Military Education and Training aid and nearly $130,000 in International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement support. Suriname also has received additional U.S. support through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) regional development assistance programs for the Caribbean. In 2024, U.S. goods exports to Suriname were valued at almost $382 million and U.S. goods imports from Suriname amounted to almost $90.8 million. Congressional Action The 119th Congress may monitor U.S.-Suriname relations and may seek to shape bilateral collaboration on issues related to regional security and U.S. investment in Suriname, among others. The National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026 (H.R. 4779), would provide “not less than” $92.5 million for the CBSI. The bill would not designate any CBSI or other foreign assistance funds specifically for Suriname, leaving allocation decisions to the Trump Administration. The Caribbean Basin Security Initiative Authorization Act (H.R. 4368/H.R. 4031/S. 820) would authorize appropriations for the CBSI, establish congressional objectives and reporting requirements for the initiative, and designate beneficiary countries, including Suriname. In terms of trade, Suriname is not a beneficiary of the U.S. preferential trade program for Caribbean imports set forth in the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA; P.L. 98-67). The 119th Congress may assess the United States’ current trade relations with Suriname and could consider whether Suriname is a candidate for CBERA benefits or other preferential trade programs.
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