Suriname’s Party for Law and Development (PRO) has confirmed the passing of its prominent senior executive board member Marlon Hoogdorp, who died Monday evening at the age of 59. Hoogdorp had been hospitalized for two weeks prior to his death.
A long-time supporter of PRO’s core mission, Hoogdorp officially joined the party in late 2024, drawn to its founding ideals of “law and development” — a framework that aligned closely with his own vision for equitable progress across Suriname. He quickly rose to a seat on the party’s top executive board, where he played an influential role in the lead-up to the 2025 Surinamese general elections. He was also named a candidate on the joint electoral list of the A20/DOE/PRO opposition coalition.
Within PRO, Hoogdorp earned widespread respect for his deep expertise in communications and media strategy, as well as his naturally collaborative, community-focused demeanor. Party officials described him as a warm, committed, and driven public servant who remained dedicated to long-term, positive change for Suriname. Prior to his passing, Hoogdorp had been nominated to a senior post at the Surinamese embassy in Paris, and had already completed multiple specialized training programs to prepare for the role.
In an official statement released this week, PRO expressed profound sadness over the loss of Hoogdorp, extended sincere gratitude for his years of contribution to both the party and Surinamese civil society, and offered condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones, wishing them strength in this difficult period of grief.