Fmr. Surinamese President Santokhi, 67, dies

– The Region has lost a fine Statesman – Pres Ali

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has led regional tributes following the sudden death of former Suriname President, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, who passed away on Monday at the age of 67 after a reported cardiac arrest. “It is with a heavy heart that I have received the news of the passing of Hon. Chandrikapersad Santokhi, former President of the Republic of Suriname. A voice of wisdom has fallen silent. A friend has left us,” President Ali said in an official statement.

According to reports, Santokhi became unwell at his home earlier in the day, prompting an emergency response. An ambulance was dispatched to the residence, where emergency services provided initial assistance before deciding to transfer him to the hospital for further treatment. He was subsequently taken to the Emergency Room (ER) of the Academic Hospital in critical condition, where he later died. Initial reports indicate that the former head of state suffered a heart attack. President Ali, reflecting on their relationship, said: “Former President Santokhi was a brother forged not by blood but by conviction. During his tenure as President, we walked a path together, leaders who understood that the destiny of our nations is woven from the same cloth.”
He added that both leaders worked closely within the CARICOM framework, advancing regional unity and shared global interests. “We were brothers in regionalism, standing shoulder to shoulder in the councils of CARICOM… we were simply two men who had come to trust one another and to understand one another,” Ali said. The Guyanese Head of State noted that under Santokhi’s leadership, relations between Guyana and Suriname strengthened significantly, describing him as a leader who understood the deep historical and economic ties between the neighbouring countries. “The region has lost a fine statesman… Guyana has lost a friend… I have lost a friend, someone whose presence in this world made the burdens of leadership lighter and the triumphs sweeter,” he expressed. Meanwhile, the Surinamese Government also extended condolences to Santokhi’s family, friends and political colleagues, urging strength during this difficult period of mourning. Santokhi served as President of Suriname from 2020 to 2025 and was the leader and chairman of the Vooruitstrevende Hervormingspartij (VHP). Before ascending to the Presidency, he built a long career in public service, including serving as Minister of Justice and Police, where he earned a reputation for his tough stance on crime and his commitment to strengthening law enforcement. A trained police officer, Santokhi rose through the ranks to become Commissioner of Police, one of the highest posts in Suriname’s law enforcement system. His transition into politics saw him becoming a key figure in national governance and later a prominent regional voice.
During his Presidency, he was widely recognised for promoting regional cooperation, particularly with Guyana, and for his active role in Caribbean integration efforts.