List of Presidents of Suriname: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Suriname from 1975 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Suriname, former leaders, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Suriname: Jennifer Geerlings-Simons (in office since 2025).

Presidents of Suriname in order, with years in office

Johan Ferrier

Served: 1975–1980

First president of independent Suriname, in a ceremonial role; he was removed in the 1980 coup.

Henk Chin A Sen

Served: 1980–1982

Appointed by the military and replaced after the December 1982 killings.

Fred Ramdat Misier

Served: 1982–1988

Appointed by the military regime.

Ramsewak Shankar

Served: 1988–1990

Elected after the return to civilian rule; removed in the December 1990 'telephone coup'.

Johan Kraag

Served: 1990–1991

Vice president who held the presidency on an interim basis.

Ronald Venetiaan

Served: 1991–1996

Won the 1991 election and lost the 1996 vote.

Jules Wijdenbosch

Served: 1996–2000

Former vice president who served one term.

Ronald Venetiaan

Served: 2000–2010

Returned to office and served two terms.

Dési Bouterse

Served: 2010–2020

Former military leader who was later convicted of murder for the 1982 killings.

Chan Santokhi

Served: 2020–2025

Former police chief who served one term.

Jennifer Geerlings-Simons

Served: 2025–present

First woman president of Suriname; the National Assembly elected her on 6 July 2025 and she was sworn in on 16 July 2025.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Suriname

Who is the current president of Suriname?

The current president of Suriname is Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, in office since 2025.

Who were the previous presidents of Suriname?

The presidents and heads of state of Suriname listed on this page, in order, are: Johan Ferrier, Henk Chin A Sen, Fred Ramdat Misier, Ramsewak Shankar, Johan Kraag, Ronald Venetiaan, Jules Wijdenbosch, Dési Bouterse, Chan Santokhi, Jennifer Geerlings-Simons.

Who was the first president of Suriname?

Johan Ferrier was the first president of Suriname, in office 1975–1980.

Sources: Wikipedia, List of presidents of Suriname and Jennifer Geerlings-Simons; Starnieuws, de Ware Tijd, Kaieteur News and Rio Times reports, including October 2026 coverage (checked Nov 2026). Presidents since independence in 1975; military rulers who held power without the title are not listed.. Last reviewed November 2026.

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