Suriname’s Former President Ronald Venetiaan Dies

PARAMARIBO, Suriname – Former Suriname president, Ronald Runaldo Venetiaan, died on Wednesday after he had been ailing for some time. He was 89.

Ronald Runaldo Venetiaan (File Photo)Venetiaan is regarded here as one of the most authoritative and influential leaders in Surinamese political history, serving three terms as head of state during the period, 1991–1996, 2000–2005, and 2005–2010.

Venetiaan was born on June 18, 1936.  He studied mathematics and physics at Leiden University in the Netherlands, returning to the Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country in the 1960s.

He began his career in education, first as a teacher and later as a school principal. In 1973, he joined the Arron administration as minister of Education and Public Development and political observers say his passion for education and development remained a guiding principle throughout his political career.

In 1991, Venetiaan was elected president for the first time, a few years after the first Desi Bouterse military government came to an end in November 1987. Though civilian rule was nominally restored in 1987, the military, still under Bouterse, retained significant de facto control, a period that lasted until a second coup in December 1990.

After a break of several years, Venetiaan returned to office in 2000 and was re-elected in 2005. He inherited a severely damaged economy and prioritised financial recovery and stabilization.

Under his leadership, the Surinamese dollar was introduced, and efforts were intensified to strengthen the rule of law and governance. Venetiaan was known for his calm, principled style and his aversion to political theatrics. Integrity and sound administration were the cornerstones of his leadership.

In both his first and second presidencies, restoring democratic norms played a central role and his policies, aimed at ensuring civilian control of the military and building strong institutions, earned broad respect.

After stepping down in 2010, Venetiaan withdrew from active politics but remained a moral compass as honorary chairman of the National Party of Suriname (NPS).  Venetiaan is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren.