President Chan Santokhi of Suriname is in the Dominican Republic for an official visit from 4 to 6 October 2023. The visit is important as Santokhi is a former police commissioner who has volunteered his country’s support to participate in the multination task force to restore peace and order in Haiti.
The visit is also important as the Dominican Republic continues to improve its relations with member countries of the Caribbean Common Market (Caricom). Caricom had estranged itself from the Dominican Republic eight years ago, when the regional organization leaders accused the country of victimizing the Haitians. Time has shown the Dominican Republic is the victim, not the victimizer of the longstanding crisis in Haiti.
On his agenda in the Dominican Republic is a visit to the Presidential Palace on Thursday, 5 October 2023 at 10am for a private meeting with President Luis Abinader. Together with the mission that accompanies him, he will also meet with Dominican government officials. A joint declaration and lunch at the Presidential Palace will be signed.
A visit to Congress where he will be received by the presidents of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies is also on Santokhi’s agenda.
Suriname, Jamaica, The Bahamas and Guyana have committed to participate in the effort to restore peace and order to Haiti.
5 October 2023