In a bold open letter to President Jennifer Simons, the Progressive Workers’ and Farmers’ Union (PALU) of Suriname has expressed its support for a strong and flourishing relationship with the Netherlands, a sentiment shared by many Surinamese citizens. However, the party emphasizes that such a relationship must be mutual and reciprocal. PALU raises critical questions about the numerous hostile actions taken by the Netherlands against Suriname over the past 50 years, which have significantly hindered the nation’s development. The letter questions whether these actions will persist in the renewed relationship.
PALU highlights that since Suriname’s independence in 1975, the Netherlands has consistently obstructed the country’s efforts to chart its own course on the global stage. This interference, the party argues, has had a profoundly negative impact on Suriname’s progress. The letter warns that welcoming the Dutch king without addressing these issues would absolve the Netherlands of responsibility and place the blame solely on Suriname. PALU asserts that the former colonizer would then position itself as the savior, a dynamic that has historically been detrimental to former colonies.
The party further argues that Suriname’s independence may have been a facade, designed to maintain the country’s dependency on the Netherlands under a new guise. PALU cites several examples of Dutch actions that have impeded Suriname’s development, including the control of development funds post-independence and the Netherlands’ aggressive response to the 1980 military coup. The letter also references a planned invasion in 1982 and a brutal civil war from 1986 to 1992, actions that PALU claims were orchestrated to undermine Suriname’s sovereignty.
PALU concludes that while it supports future cooperation with the Netherlands, the Dutch king’s visit raises significant concerns. The party insists that the Surinamese people deserve clarity on the Netherlands’ role in their country’s struggles and how this relationship will change moving forward. Until such clarity is provided, PALU firmly believes the king should refrain from visiting Suriname.