U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visits Suriname, discusses investment, energy and security

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with President Chandrikapersad Santokhi of the Republic of Suriname in Paramaribo on a visit aimed at expanding bilateral trade, investment and security cooperation, Rubio said during a joint press moment.

The meeting highlighted plans to attract U.S. investors to Suriname's oil and gas and mining sectors, U.S. technical assistance on law‑enforcement capacity, and a pending maritime "shiprider" agreement that Surinamese officials said has been submitted to parliament for approval.

Why it matters: Suriname and neighboring Guyana are emerging energy producers in the Caribbean; U.S. officials framed deeper ties as a way to promote regional stability and provide alternatives to Chinese infrastructure projects that U.S. officials criticized for poor workmanship, opaque contracting and use of nonlocal labor.

President Chandrikapersad Santokhi said Suriname seeks expanded U.S. investment and noted longstanding commercial ties between the countries. "Suriname has a long standing and strategic partnership with The United States Of America," Santokhi said, and he invited U.S.…