Brazil–Suriname relations explained

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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]

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 466km (290miles)[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 into the illegal drug trade wanted to question Surinamese ambassador . Christopher refused to see them, and was subsequently expelled from Brazil.[14] [15] The relationship was normalised in 2002, when 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

Notes and References

  1. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20190416134520if_/http://www.gov.sr/media/12102008/lijst-van-diplomatieke-betrekkingen-en-visum-afschaffingsovereenkomsten.pdf . Lijst van Diplomatieke betrekkingen en visum afschaffing. 16 April 2019. Surinamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 27 December 2021. nl.
  2. Web site: Location. Embassy of Brazil in Paramaribo. 27 December 2021. en, pt.
  3. News: Overleg over Surinaamse grenzen nog niet afgerond. Nederlands dagblad via Delpher.nl. 27 December 2021. 27 November 1975. nl.
  4. News: 6 ambassades in het buitenland . De Vrije Stem via Delpher.nl. 13 December 1975. 26 December 2021. nl.
  5. News: Lackin opent consulaat Belem. Dagblad Suriname. 27 December 2021. 22 November 2012. nl.
  6. Web site: Traité entre les Pays-Bas et les États-Unis du Brésil, établissant la frontière entre le Brésil et la Colonie du Surinam. Wikisource. 27 December 2021. fr.
  7. News: BRAZILIE LEGT WEG AAN TOT GRENS SURINAME UIT MILITAIRE OVERWEGINGEN . United News.sr. 27 December 2021. nl.
  8. Web site: Afstand van Oriximiná naar Pokigron, Sipaliwini, SUR. Distance.to. 27 December 2021. 466 km is the direct line.
  9. News: De snelweg brengt eerst de houthakker, dan de mijnbouwer en daarna de boer . MO Magazine. 18 May 2020. 27 December 2021. nl.
  10. News: Welcome to the jungle. Vives Onderwijs in Suriname. 22 March 2017. 27 December 2021. nl.
  11. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20200614214110if_/http://www.igsr.sr/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/DORPSPLAN-Sipaliwini-2011.pdf . DORPSPLAN SIPALIWINI 2011–2014. 14 June 2020. Institute for Graduate Studies & Research . 27 December 2021. nl. 5.
  12. News: President Suriname naar Brazilië voor delging van schulden. NRC. 5 January 1996. 27 December 2021. subscription. nl.
  13. News: President met 4 ministers op staatsbezoek naar Brazilië . Dagblad Suriname. 27 December 2021. nl. 1 May 2018.
  14. News: Brazilië wil ambassadeur Suriname kwijt. Trouw. 29 April 2000. nl. 27 December 2021.
  15. News: Geheime dossiers uit Brazilië zeer belastend voor Bouterse . Reformatorisch Dagblad via Digibron.nl. 3 June 2000. 27 December 2021. nl.
  16. News: Ter herinnering aan drs. Sonny Hira. 6 December 2020. nl. 27 December 2021.
  17. News: Brazilië verwijt Suriname geweld niet. nu.nl. 16 May 2020. nl.
  18. News: Brazil offers Suriname Petrobras support for oil exploration . Agência Brasil . 21 January 2022 . en.
  19. Web site: Suriname/Brazil. Observatory of Economic Complexity. 27 December 2021.
  20. News: Guyana: Caught in Brazil's Net?; Small Nation, New to Free Markets, Fears Loss of Its Identity. New York Times. 16 May 2020.
  21. News: Boldewijn: 'Grensprobleem moet prioriteit gesprekken zijn'. Dagblad De West. 3 May 2018 . 27 December 2021. nl.
  22. Book: Hoefte. Rosemarijn. Oostindie. Gert. In and Out of Suriname. Caribbean Series 34. OAPEN Library . 2015 . 978-90-04-28011-3. 74.
  23. News: Brazilianen in Suriname. Waterkant. 27 December 2021. nl.
  24. News: En Guyane, la lutte sans fin contre les " garimpeiros ", ces orpailleurs clandestins. Le Monde. 27 December 2021. fr.