Former Suriname President Receives Country’s Highest Award

Former Suriname president, Ronald Venetiaan has received the country’s highest award, the Grand Cordon in the Honorary Order of the Yellow Star.

At a ceremony on Independence Square, where a total of 192 people were honoured as the Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country observes its 45th anniversary of political independence from the Netherlands, Antoinette Arron-Leeuwin, the widow of the late prime minister, Henck Arron, was awarded the Grand Cordon of the Honorary Order of the Palm.

Venetiaan said he was “grateful” for the award, adding it is a “reminder of 45 years ago and a recognition of the work that has been done.

“There is no asphalt road for any nation. It is a matter of ups and downs,” he told reporters.

The ceremony was severely curtailed as a result of the measures put in place to curb the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

For example, the other awardees did not get their decorations pinned on, but they were handed to them, as part of the social distancing measures.

President Chandrikapersad Santokhi urged those given national awards to continue to make a contribution to the development of the country.

CMC