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Ronald Venetiaan
Ronald Venetiaan.jpg
6th President of Suriname
In office
12 August 2000 – 12 August 2010
Vice President Jules Ajodhia (2000–2005)
Ram Sardjoe (2005–2010)
Preceded by Jules Wijdenbosch
Succeeded by Dési Bouterse
In office
16 September 1991 – 15 September 1996
Vice President Jules Ajodhia
Preceded by Johan Kraag
Succeeded by Jules Wijdenbosch
Personal details
Born
Ronald Runaldo Venetiaan

(1936-06-18) 18 June 1936 (age 89)
Paramaribo, Surinam
Political party National Party
Spouse Liesbeth Vanenburg

Ronald Runaldo Venetiaan (born June 18, 1936) is a former politician from Suriname. He served as the country's sixth president. He led Suriname for two different periods, first from 1991 to 1996, and then again from 2000 to 2010.

Ronald Venetiaan's Life Story

Ronald Venetiaan was born in Paramaribo, the capital city of Suriname. In 1955, he left Suriname to study at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands. There, he focused on mathematics and physics.

By 1964, he had earned his degree and returned home. He became a teacher, sharing his knowledge of mathematics and physics with students in Suriname.

His Start in Politics

In 1973, Venetiaan joined the government as the Minister of Education. He was part of the National Party of Suriname (NPS) under President Henck Arron. However, in 1980, a military takeover (called a coup d'état) changed the government. Venetiaan then went back to teaching at the Anton de Kom University.

He returned to politics in 1987. He became the leader of the National Party of Suriname and once again served as the Minister of Education.

Becoming President

Ronald Venetiaan was first elected president of Suriname in 1991. He served one term until 1996. After that, he lost the election to Jules Wijdenbosch.

But Venetiaan made a comeback! In the year 2000, he was elected president again. He ran under the New Front group. He won by a large number of votes in the Parliament.

He was re-elected for a third term in 2005. He officially started this term on August 12, 2005. In 2012, he stepped down as the leader of the NPS party, letting Gregory Rusland take over. Venetiaan retired from politics completely in 2013. He believed it was time for younger leaders to guide the country.

Beyond Politics: His Personal Life

Besides his political career, Ronald Venetiaan is also a talented mathematician. He has a strong interest in poetry. He even published some of his early poems in a magazine called Mamio in 1962. For his poetry, he sometimes used the pen names Vene and Krumanty. Many of his works were performed in plays but were not published as books.

Ronald Venetiaan is married to Liesbeth Vanenburg. They have three daughters and one son.

Awards and Recognitions

Ronald Venetiaan has received many important awards from Suriname and other countries. These awards recognize his service and achievements.

  •  Suriname:
    • Honorary Order of the Yellow Star (Suriname) - ribbon bar.gif Grand Cordon of the Honorary Order of the Yellow Star - 2020
    • Order of the Palm (Suriname) - ribbon bar.png Grand Cordon of the Honorary Order of the Palm - 1991
    • Honorary Order of the Yellow Star (Suriname) - ribbon bar.gif Commander of the Honorary Order of the Yellow Star - 1978
  •  Netherlands:
    • Order of Orange-Nassau ribbon - Knight Grand Cross.svg Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Orange-Nassau - 1978
  •  Venezuela:
    • VEN Order of the Liberator - Grand Cordon BAR.png Collar of the Order of the Liberator - 1993

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Ronald Venetiaan para niños

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