Dr. Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, heads a delegation of CARICOM leaders to Suriname to attend the funeral of former President Chan Santokhi. The ceremony takes place today, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, drawing heads of state from across the Caribbean Community.
Background on Former President Santokhi
Chan Santokhi, who served as Suriname’s president from July 16, 2020, to July 16, 2025, passed away on March 30, 2026. As the sole nominee in the 2020 election, he led the nation with dedication during his tenure. Caribbean leaders continue to honor his contributions, praising his committed service and regional strength.
The gathering underscores CARICOM’s solidarity, as delegates offer condolences to Santokhi’s family, friends, and loved ones while paying respects to his legacy of service to Suriname and the broader Caribbean.
Post-Funeral Bilateral Engagements
Following the funeral, Dr. Drew travels to Guyana for high-level talks with President Irfaan Ali. The leaders plan to sign multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) to bolster ties between St. Kitts and Nevis and Guyana.
Dr. Drew describes these MOUs as highly significant, noting they create a structured framework for collaboration across key national and regional development areas. The agreements focus on seven strategic pillars, with food security as a central priority. Officials indicate more details will follow soon.
