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 Brazilianimmigrant. 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]
