In a formal diplomatic ceremony held at Havana’s iconic Palace of the Revolution on May 18, Genia Lank-Corinde, the newly appointed ambassador of Suriname to Cuba, officially presented her credentials to Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, marking a new chapter in the long-running bilateral relationship between the two Caribbean nations.
Speaking after the credential presentation, Lank-Corinde expressed sincere gratitude on behalf of the Surinamese government for the warm hospitality extended by Cuban authorities during her transition to the post. She underscored that Suriname is eager to expand existing collaborative ties across a broad range of priority sectors, including public healthcare, education, agriculture, cultural exchange, and bilateral trade.
The ambassador also highlighted the deep historical roots of diplomatic engagement between the two countries, noting that 2026 marks 47 years of official relations between Suriname and Cuba. She specifically thanked Cuba for its long-standing commitment to providing annual study scholarships for Surinamese students seeking higher education in Cuba. In response, President Díaz-Canel reaffirmed that this scholarship program will continue unchanged, maintaining the people-to-people connection that has been a cornerstone of bilateral ties for decades.
Díaz-Canel described Suriname as a sister nation to Cuba, and extended his appreciation for the consistent solidarity shown by Suriname and the broader Caribbean Community (CARICOM) bloc. He specifically thanked Suriname for its long-standing public support in opposition to the decades-long economic blockade imposed on Cuba by the United States.
Following the formal credential ceremony, Lank-Corinde and delegation members took part in a closing wreath-laying ceremony at the monument to José Martí, Cuba’s revered national hero, located at Havana’s Revolution Square, a traditional gesture of respect for the country’s revolutionary and national legacy.