announced Ernesto Torres Pereyra, the Dominican Republic’s ambassador to Guyana, during his recent visit to Paramaribo to present his credentials as non-resident ambassador to Suriname.

 Pereyra stated that one of his main priorities is to reconnect with Dominican nationals living in Suriname. “We want to know how many Dominicans are here, what their situation is, and how we can serve them better,” he said. Currently, Dominican citizens in Suriname fall under the jurisdiction of the Dominican Embassy in Georgetown, Guyana.

As part of his mission, the ambassador has requested assistance from Suriname’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to help identify the size and composition of the community. “We want accurate data on those living, working, and studying here,” he explained.

The ambassador also revealed plans to establish a local representative or consular office in Suriname. “We aim to appoint a commercial or consular representative to provide faster assistance for administrative and legal matters,” Pereyra said.

For now, Dominicans in Suriname can contact the embassy in Georgetown for services such as passport renewal, temporary travel documents, and civil registration. “We offer all types of consular services, from legal aid to document certification. But it’s time to bring these services closer to the people,” he added.

A key part of his visit will be direct engagement with the Dominican diaspora. On October 11, the embassy will host a special meeting with Dominican residents in Suriname. “We want to listen to their stories, understand their needs, and inform them about the services we provide,” Pereyra said. The event will also include the embassy’s commercial and consular teams, who will gather feedback to improve support.

Protecting Dominicans abroad has always been a priority, Pereyra emphasized. “It is not new—it has always been part of our foreign policy to protect our citizens wherever they are,” he said.

Beyond community engagement, the ambassador will meet with Surinamese ministries to enhance cooperation on consular matters and improve the flow of official information. “We hope to make procedures smoother and more transparent so that Dominicans here can access help more easily,” he noted.

Personally, Pereyra expressed admiration for Suriname’s calm and organized environment. “Life here is peaceful, and people are warm and welcoming. This is my second visit, and I’ve enjoyed every moment,” he said.

The recognition of his ambassadorship marks an important step toward institutionalizing the Dominican presence in Suriname. “This visit represents a fresh start. We want to show that the Dominican Republic does not forget its people, even when they live far from home,” Pereyra affirmed.

Over the coming months, the embassy will assess which services can be provided locally and how best to support the growing Dominican community. The ambassador concluded, “This effort is about more than paperwork—it’s about building trust, representation, and belonging for our citizens in Suriname.”