Brazil–Suriname relations

Brazil–Suriname relations are the bilateral relations between the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Republic of Suriname. Diplomatic relations were established on 3 March 1976.[1] Brazil has an embassy in Paramaribo since the independence of Suriname on 25 November 1975.[2][3] Suriname has an embassy in Brasília since 1976,[4] and a consulate in Belém since 2012.[5]

Brazil–Suriname relations
Map indicating locations of Brazil and Suriname

Brazil
Suriname

Border

Suriname and Brazil share a border in the Tumuk Humak Mountains. In 1906, the border was defined by the Treaty of Limits.[6] There is no road connection between Brazil and Suriname. Plans to extend BR-163 into Suriname exist,[7] however as of 2021, there is still a 466 kilometres (290 mi)[8] gap between Pokigron, Suriname and Oriximiná, Brazil.[9][10] There is an unpaved path between Missão Tiriyó and Sipaliwini Savanna which is used by the Tiriyó people who inhabit the border region.[11]

History

In general, there have been friendly relations between Brazil and Suriname. There were official state visits from Suriname to Brazil in 1996,[12] and 2018.[13] The relationship became strained in 2000, when a Brazilian Parliamentary Commission into the illegal drug trade wanted to question Surinamese ambassador Rupert Christopher. Christopher refused to see them, and was subsequently expelled from Brazil.[14][15] The relationship was normalised in 2002, when Sonny Hira was installed as ambassador to Brazil.[16]

In 2009, riots erupted in the Surinamese town of Albina after a Maroon inhabitant of the area was allegedly stabbed by a Brazilian immigrant. Between 1 and 7 people were killed as a result, with over many more missing. The Brazilian immigrants in the area surrounding Albina were quickly evacuated to Paramaribo, the Surinamese capital.[17]

In January 2022, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro paid an official visit to Suriname. It was the first visit to Suriname by a Brazilian head of state since 2005, when then-President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was in Paramaribo.[18]

Trade

Trade between Suriname and Brazil is limited. In 2019, Suriname exported US$36.1 million worth of goods to Brazil with the main export product being shag tobacco. Brazil exported US$41 million worth of good with the main products being construction vehicles, and poultry.[19]

Migration

Suriname has a significant amount of Brazilians living in their country. The 2000 estimation was 40,000 people.[20] A large portion of the Brazilians are garimpeiros (illegal gold prospectors) who have created villages like Villa Brazil,[21] and Antonio do Brinco.[22] The Brazilian word garimpeiro has become the generic term for artisan gold prospectors both in Suriname and French Guiana.[23][24]

See also

References
  1. "Lijst van Diplomatieke betrekkingen en visum afschaffing" (PDF). Surinamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in Dutch). Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  2. "Location". Embassy of Brazil in Paramaribo (in English and Portuguese). Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  3. "Overleg over Surinaamse grenzen nog niet afgerond". Nederlands dagblad via Delpher.nl (in Dutch). 27 November 1975. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  4. "6 ambassades in het buitenland". De Vrije Stem via Delpher.nl (in Dutch). 13 December 1975. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  5. "Lackin opent consulaat Belem". Dagblad Suriname (in Dutch). 22 November 2012. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  6. "Traité entre les Pays-Bas et les États-Unis du Brésil, établissant la frontière entre le Brésil et la Colonie du Surinam". Wikisource (in French). Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  7. "BRAZILIE LEGT WEG AAN TOT GRENS SURINAME UIT MILITAIRE OVERWEGINGEN". United News.sr (in Dutch). Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  8. "Afstand van Oriximiná naar Pokigron, Sipaliwini, SUR". Distance.to. Retrieved 27 December 2021. 466 km is the direct line
  9. "De snelweg brengt eerst de houthakker, dan de mijnbouwer en daarna de boer". MO Magazine (in Dutch). 18 May 2020. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  10. "Welcome to the jungle". Vives Onderwijs in Suriname (in Dutch). 22 March 2017. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  11. "DORPSPLAN SIPALIWINI 2011–2014" (PDF). Institute for Graduate Studies & Research (in Dutch). p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 June 2020. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  12. "President Suriname naar Brazilië voor delging van schulden". NRC (in Dutch). 5 January 1996. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  13. "President met 4 ministers op staatsbezoek naar Brazilië". Dagblad Suriname (in Dutch). 1 May 2018. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  14. "Brazilië wil ambassadeur Suriname kwijt". Trouw (in Dutch). 29 April 2000. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  15. "Geheime dossiers uit Brazilië zeer belastend voor Bouterse". Reformatorisch Dagblad via Digibron.nl (in Dutch). 3 June 2000. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  16. "Ter herinnering aan drs. Sonny Hira" (in Dutch). 6 December 2020. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  17. "Brazilië verwijt Suriname geweld niet". nu.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  18. "Brazil offers Suriname Petrobras support for oil exploration". Agência Brasil. 21 January 2022.
  19. "Suriname/Brazil". Observatory of Economic Complexity. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  20. "Guyana: Caught in Brazil's Net?; Small Nation, New to Free Markets, Fears Loss of Its Identity". New York Times. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  21. "Boldewijn: 'Grensprobleem moet prioriteit gesprekken zijn'". Dagblad De West (in Dutch). 3 May 2018. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  22. Hoefte, Rosemarijn; Oostindie, Gert (2015). In and Out of Suriname (PDF). Caribbean Series 34. p. 74. ISBN 978-90-04-28011-3 – via OAPEN Library.
  23. "Brazilianen in Suriname". Waterkant (in Dutch). Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  24. "En Guyane, la lutte sans fin contre les " garimpeiros ", ces orpailleurs clandestins". Le Monde (in French). Retrieved 27 December 2021.
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