Suriname – the Dutch-speaking country on the northeastern coast of South America that is a member of the Caribbean Community regional bloc – has chosen a medical doctor to be its president.
This will be the nation’s first time electing a woman as its leader.
Dr Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, also a one-time parliamentary speaker, was sworn in on Wednesday in a ceremony attended by diplomats and representatives of neighbouring countries, including the vice-president of Venezuela.
The nation, located in South America but part of the Caribbean Community, joins Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and tiny Anguilla with female leaders.
It is the first time, observers say, that there have been so many women in leadership positions in the Caribbean, where they are also occupying roles as governors, governors general and ceremonial presidents.
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