After completing his diplomatic assignment in Suriname, U.S. Ambassador Robert Faucher emphasized that his departure marks not an ending but the beginning of a new chapter in his four-decade relationship with the nation. During his farewell reception, the ambassador reflected on his transformative tenure while affirming his permanent personal connection to the country.
Ambassador Faucher characterized his recent three-year term as one of the most significant phases of his diplomatic career, highlighting a period of remarkable recovery and advancement following the challenges of the global pandemic. Under his leadership, bilateral cooperation between Suriname and the United States intensified substantially across multiple sectors including energy development, educational exchange, and commercial engagement. This enhanced partnership manifested through historic business delegations and strengthened academic networks between the two nations.
The ambassador’s personal journey with Suriname began in 1986, with subsequent visits in 2002 leading to his ambassadorial appointment. Throughout his service, he witnessed the country’s evolution into a confident nation with global perspectives. His extensive travels across all districts—from urban Paramaribo to the remote Sipaliwini region, including visits to Kwamalasamutu and the culturally significant Werehpai area—deepened his appreciation for Suriname’s natural wonders, cultural diversity, and national resilience.
A cornerstone of Faucher’s diplomatic mission involved highlighting the shared historical narrative between the United States and Suriname. Notable achievements included the installation of the first American Battle Monuments Commission memorial in South America, commemorations of NASA rocket launches in Coronie, and the publication of “Common Past, Shared Future” documenting fifty historical connections between the nations. Most recently, a monument in Commewijne honored 35 American military personnel and diplomats who perished in the 1943 Matapica aircraft tragedy.
The ambassador described the current bilateral relationship as the strongest in history—characterized by practical cooperation, mutual respect, and future-oriented vision grounded in shared sovereignty and developmental values. Concluding with an optimistic outlook, Faucher expressed confidence that “the best chapters in U.S.-Suriname relations remain ahead of us,” promising to return not as a diplomat but as a permanent friend of the nation.