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Previously, she served as president of the National Assembly from 2010 to 2020. On Wednesday, Jennifer Geerlings-Simons was sworn in as president of Suriname, marking a historic moment as she becomes the first woman to serve as head of state in the South American nation.

The inauguration took place after the National Assembly elected her president on June 6, with exactly 34 votes — the minimum required for a first-round victory.

Geerlings-Simons, 71, is the leader of the National Democratic Party (NDP) and previously served as president of the National Assembly from 2010 to 2020, becoming the second woman to hold that position. Her running mate, Gregory Rusland of the Surinamese National Party (NPS), was also sworn in Wednesday as vice president. The NPS is part of the coalition that brought Geerlings-Simons to power.

Her path to the presidency cleared significantly when the Progressive Reform Party (VHP), led by outgoing President Chandrikapersad Santokhi, announced it would not field a candidate.

Vice President Delcy Rodríguez arrives in Suriname for the inauguration of Dr. Jennifer Geerlings. ‘We have arrived in Suriname to participate in the inauguration of Dr. Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, as the first woman to assume the presidency of this sister country. We bring the greetings and congratulations of President Nicolas Maduro and the Venezuelan people.’ Our country reaffirms its commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Suriname and to working together for peace, unity, and the well-being of the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean.”

In the May 25 elections, the NDP won 18 seats, narrowly defeating the VHP, which secured 17. Since no party achieved an outright majority, political leaders began coalition talks that resulted in an alliance led by Geerlings-Simons in early June.

Other parties forming the coalition alongside the NDP and NPS include the General Liberation and Development Party (ABOP), Pertjajah Luhur (PL), Brotherhood and Unity in Politics (BEP), and Alternative 2020 (A20). Together, they secured 34 of the 51 seats in the National Assembly.

The NDP was founded by the late President Desi Bouterse, who died in December 2024 while a fugitive. He had been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the 1982 massacre of political opponents.

Suriname, a former Dutch colony with a population of 600,000, has implemented drastic measures to reduce its multibillion-dollar public debt and now hopes that developing its oil reserves will bring economic prosperity.

Carla Barnett, secretary of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), congratulated Geerlings-Simons on her election. “We particularly recognize the historic significance of your election as the first female president of Suriname,” she said and invited Geerlings-Simons to collaborate on initiatives aimed at promoting the well-being and prosperity of both the Surinamese people and the Caribbean region.

Barnett added that the new president’s leadership will be “crucial” in addressing “the complex challenges facing the region, such as climate change, economic resilience and sustainable development.”

President Donald Trump underwent a comprehensive medical exam that revealed he has a common vein disorder but cleared him of more serious illnesses, the White House said Thursday.

The White House disclosed the 79-year-old president’s medical information in response to speculation after photos showed Trump with swollen ankles.

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump noticed the swelling in recent weeks and received a thorough evaluation by the White House medical unit.

He was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, which Leavitt described as a “benign and common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70.”

Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when a person’s leg veins are damaged, restricting circulation and causing blood to pool in the legs, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Chronic venous insufficiency affects about 1 in 20 adults, and the risk increases with age, according to the clinic. Leavitt said Trump was not in any pain from the condition.

Leavitt also addressed bruises periodically visible on the back of Trump’s hand. She said they were caused by irritation from “frequent handshaking,” coupled with his aspirin regimen. The medical exam found no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease, Leavitt said.

Trump’s blood test results were all within “normal limits,” and an echocardiogram confirmed “normal cardiac structure and function” with “no signs of heart failure, renal impairment or systemic illness,” she added.

Leavitt said in Thursday’s briefing that bruising like that seen on Trump’s hands is a common side effect of regularly using aspirin, which Trump takes as part of a “standard cardiovascular prevention regimen.”

“The president remains in excellent health, which I think all of you witness on a daily basis here,” she said.

White House physician Sean Barbabella wrote in an April memo that Trump “remains in excellent physical health” and is “fully fit” to perform the duties of the presidency.

San Salvador, Jul 16 (Prensa Latina) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) proposed to the government of El Salvador a tax increase in some items if it does not meet the collection goals agreed within the loan of 1,400 million dollars.

Local media such as the newspaper El Mundo reported today that the lending agency recommends a higher tax rate on cigarettes and alcoholic beverages, as well as vehicle registration and VAT on digital services.

These actions were agreed upon in lengthy negotiations that state that if the country does not collect enough money in the midst of a fiscal adjustment to correct distortions in the public accounts, there will be penalties, especially affecting social sectors.

El Mundo pointed out in its approach to the subject that in the final report of the first review of the Extended Service Program (ESF), published on Tuesday, the IMF highlighted that the fulfillment of the fiscal goals in the 2025 fiscal year is essential, but, if tax revenues are not enough, it offered a battery of tax proposals.

The range of proposals includes the introduction of a tourist entrance fee for non-residents of 20 dollars, as well as increasing the excise tax levied on cigarettes and alcoholic beverages.

In the face of a government that experts label as a spendthrift, the program with the IMF contemplates a fiscal adjustment of 3.5 points of the gross domestic product (GDP) during three years, starting in 2025 through measures such as elimination of wage fat and reduction of current spending, according to the online publication.

“The authorities agreed to continue to exercise tight control over public spending to meet primary balance targets for the remainder of the year to safeguard credibility, rebuild fiscal and external buffers, and put public debt on a steadily declining path,” the IMF said in the report.

Beijing, Jul 16 (Prensa Latina) Foreign Minister Wang Yi assured today that China will maintain its support to Iran in safeguarding its national sovereignty and dignity, in resisting the politics of power and intimidation.

China will continue to support the people and government of Iran in defending their legitimate rights and interests through political negotiation, as well as adhering to the principle of good neighborliness and friendship to continuously improve and develop relations with its neighboring countries, the Chinese foreign minister said.

Wang made the remarks during a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, who is in China for the Meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States.

As a comprehensive strategic partner, China is willing to work with Iran to deepen mutual trust, strengthen cooperation, expand exchanges and promote the long-term and stable development of bilateral relations, Wang said.

For his part, Araghchi thanked Beijing for its support, while expressing support for China's role as the rotating chairman of the SCO and its preparations for the upcoming summit of the regional bloc.

Iran is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges between the two countries, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and continue to support each other firmly and reciprocally, the visitor said.

Damascus, Jul 16 (Prensa Latina) Israeli fighters bombed today the building that houses the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff in Damascus, the Syrian capital, Prensa Latina reported here.

Five violent raids left the military headquarters located in the emblematic Umayyad Square almost destroyed, while the National Library, the Opera House, the Radio and Television and residential buildings were damaged.

Ambulances rushed to the scene amid initial reports of dozens of military personnel and civilians among the dead and wounded.

Earlier, Israeli warplanes resumed their missile attacks on Syrian army positions in the southern city of Sweida, where violent clashes between Druze militias and government forces have left at least 200 dead and more than 400 wounded since last Sunday.

Israel escalated since last Sunday its air raids against government forces in the provinces of Sweida and Deraa, in the south of the country.

According to the official news agency SANA, several soldiers lost their lives and material damage was caused.

Tel Aviv assured that it would continue its bombardments unless the government forces withdrew from the province of Sweida, inhabited by the Druze minority which Israel claims it wants to protect.