Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has bid farewell to former President of the Republic of Suriname Dési Bouterse, who dominated politics in that country for four decades.
In a tribute, she says President Bouterse was the first of her CARICOM colleagues to engage with her during her first Heads of Government Conference in July 2018 in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
She says it was through his eyes and heart she learnt of Suriname’s rich culture leading to her love for the country and its people.
She recalls when Mr. Bouterse and his wife Ingrid learnt about Barbados’ plans in 2020 to build the Golden Square Freedom Park, they immediately made a donation of benches made from Surinamese wood, as they wanted to enrich the bonds of friendship between the two nations.
Ms. Mottley extended condolences to the former Surinamese President’s widow, children and the people of the south American nation, on behalf of the Government and people of Barbados.