Embajada de la República de Suriname en la República de Cuba

Op zaterdag 23 februari 2026 jl. vond er een virtuele bijeenkomst plaats tussen het Ministerie van Onderwijs, Wetenschap en Cultuur (OW&C), de Ambassade van de Republiek Suriname in Cuba, en de Surinaamse studenten (BOS-studenten) in Cuba.

Tijdens de bijeenkomst gaf de Ambassadeur van Suriname in Cuba, Paulus-Aminta, een gedetailleerde toelichting op de recente ontwikkelingen op het eiland, waaronder de nieuwe beleidsmaatregelen van de Verenigde Staten. De afkondiging van een nationale noodsituatie en het opleggen van economische sancties, met name gericht op de Cubaanse energievoorziening, verergeren de al bestaande sociale en economische uitdagingen. De huidige energiecrisis, inflatoire druk, en tekorten aan basisgoederen en medische voorzieningen worden hierdoor verder versterkt. Dit heeft niet alleen invloed op de Cubaanse bevolking, maar ook op Surinaamse studenten en andere buitenlanders die in Cuba verblijven, aangezien de levensomstandigheden steeds moeilijker worden.

Minister Dirk Curie van OW&C benadrukte zijn tevredenheid met de bijeenkomst en onderstreepte het belang van de veiligheid en het welzijn van de studenten. Hij verzekerde de studenten dat het ministerie alles in het werk zal stellen om hen beter te ondersteunen en dat er verbeterde communicatie zal zijn tussen het Ministerie en de studenten.
Na de uitleg van de Ambassadeur kregen de studenten de gelegenheid om vragen te stellen en in gesprek te gaan met de staf van het Ministerie over hun situatie. Ook werd het onderwerp van de onderhoudsgelden besproken, en het Ministerie werkt momenteel aan een oplossing hiervoor.

De Ambassadeur deelde tevens mee dat er vanuit de Ambassade een noodplan is ontwikkeld, dat in fasen wordt uitgevoerd, en dat studenten aanvullende tips en richtlijnen voor hun situatie hebben ontvangen.
Aanwezig bij deze vergadering waren:
Minister Dirk Curie, Minister van Onderwijs, Wetenschap en Cultuur
Mw. H. Lindveld, Directeur Hoger Onderwijs
Mw. Arleen Winter
Ambassadeur Paulus-Aminta, Mw. Audrey Padma-Vogeland, Charge d'affaires
En de Surinaamse bursalen in Cuba.

Het Ministerie van OW&C blijft zich inzetten voor het welzijn van onze studenten in het buitenland en zal blijven streven naar effectieve communicatie en passende ondersteuning.

Today, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, H.E Josefina Vidal, hosted a heartfelt farewell luncheon in honor of the Ambassador of Suriname, H.E. Wendy Paulus-Aminta, the Ambassador of Barbados, H.E. Sharon Marshall, and the Ambassador of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, H.E. Ellsworth John.

During the event, Ambassador Wendy Paulus-Aminta expressed her deep gratitude to the Vice Minister and her dedicated staff for the warmth, support, and wonderful cooperation she received throughout her tenure in Cuba. The Ambassador acknowledged how the collaboration with the Cuban authorities, diplomats, and staff made her mission both productive and fulfilling.

She emphasized how the spirit of solidarity and friendship between Suriname and Cuba, as well as the broader Caribbean community, had been greatly strengthened during her time in Havana. The Ambassador also thanked the Vice Minister for her kindness and for creating an environment where diplomatic relations could thrive.

With deep gratitude, the staff of the Embassy of Suriname in Cuba held a farewell for H.E. Ms. Wendy Paulus-Aminta, who will soon conclude her mission in Cuba.

Each member of the team shared their experiences during the Ambassador's term, with a common feeling of appreciation for her great work in making us a better team every day, always prioritizing her great humanistic character.

In addition to the Embassy staff, people who have been part of her life in Cuba from other spheres were also present.

Thus, we wish her blessings and success in her future.

Yesterday, H.E. Wendy Paulus-Aminta officially handed over the chairmanship of the Asian Ladies Association (ALA) to the newly appointed chair, Madame Margaret Makimi, wife of the Indian Ambassador. H.E. Armstrong Changsan, Ambassador of India, received the handover on Madame Makimi's behalf.

H.E. Armstrong Changsan, Ambassador of the Republic of India, expressed sincere gratitude to H.E. Wendy Paulus-Aminta for her extraordinary contributions and leadership during her tenure.
H.E. Wendy Paulus-Aminta took the opportunity to provide a brief overview of ALA's achievements and contributions, highlighting the organization's significant impact.

As the leadership transitions, we wish Madame Margaret Makimi continued success in her new role, and we look forward to the continued growth and positive impact of the Asian Ladies Association under her guidance.

In light of the current geopolitical developments and the tangible challenges on the island, the Embassy convened yesterday to carefully review the situation and to ensure the continuity of its services.
Consultations were also held with the students last week, during which they were informed and their questions were addressed. We emphasize that we are safe together. Headquarters is being closely and continuously informed, while the Embassy closely monitors developments and remains committed to the guidance, safety, and well-being of all those concerned.

Ambassador Paulus-Aminta is in the final stage of concluding key meetings ahead of her return to Suriname. With great passion and dedication, she continues to serve the interests of Suriname, showing that hard work and commitment remain at the core of her diplomatic mission.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing.”
Psalm 23:1

Dr. Sharma Bihari graduated as a Gastroenterologist in Cuba after years of dedication and perseverance in achieving this goal, driven by her desire to serve her community in Suriname.

She is grateful for the wonderful opportunity to be trained and graduate as a Doctor in Cuba in 2019 and now as a medical specialist in gastroenterology in 2026.
This opportunity was made possible by the solidarity between the Surinamese and Cuban governments as well as the patience, love, and affection of the Cuban people, including her professors, who have dedicated years to training international professionals, to whom she expresses her sincere gratitude.
She expresses her desire to contribute with her knowledge and expertise as a gastroenterologist to ensure a sustainable, efficient and high quality healthcare system for a healthy community and a healthy Suriname.
The Embassy of Suriname in Cuba extends its congratulations to Dr. Sharma and wishes her a successful and fruitful future. The future of Suriname rests in the brilliant hands of our doctors.

Gracias! Gracias!

De Ambassade van de Republiek Suriname in Cuba en de afgestudeerde Surinaamse artsen spreken hun bijzondere dank uit aan het managementteam en de bemanning van Fly Allways voor het veilig en professioneel verzorgen van hun terugreis naar Suriname.

Vanaf de José Martí International Airport in Cuba werden zij met grote zorgvuldigheid en toewijding ontvangen en begeleid. Dankzij de hoge mate van professionaliteit en inzet van het team verliep de reis ordelijk en veilig. Deze ondersteuning wordt ten zeerste gewaardeerd.