Brazil–Suriname relations

(Redirected from Suriname - Brazil 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

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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

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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 [pt] into the illegal drug trade wanted to question Surinamese ambassador Rupert Christopher [nl]. Christopher refused to see them, and was subsequently expelled from Brazil.[14][15] The relationship was normalised in 2002, when Sonny Hira [nl] 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

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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

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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

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References

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  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.