Jackson recently told the media that Bouterse should seek to develop good relations in the region and with Guyana in particular. He said that it is in the best interest of Suriname to forge a more harmonious relation. Tensions between Suriname and Guyana heightened in 2000 when Paramaribo dispatched gunboats to a disputed maritime area, in order to evict an oil exploration rig from Guyana.

Bouterse’s election as president has been met with rejection by the Dutch government which claims that he should be made instead to stand trial in Holland for drug related charges. The US government however has been careful to indicate that the wishes of the people should be respected, as a result of the elections which were considered free and fair.