Ronnie Brunswijk is now one of the most powerful men in Suriname.

Ronnie Brunswijk ( born March 7, 1961 in Moengotapoe , [ 2 ] ), nicknamed Bigi Bravo , [ 3 ] is a Surinamese - Aukaan politician , entrepreneur, former rebel leader and convicted bank robber and drug dealer. He has been Vice President of Suriname since 2020 .

Brunswijk is of Aukan origin and comes from the village of Moiwana . He joined the Surinamese National Army at the age of 18. Brunswijk was sent to Cuba for commando training. After his training he was appointed as a bodyguard to Desi Bouterse , the commander of the Surinamese army and leader of the military authority. In 1984 Brunswijk asked for a raise, but was subsequently dismissed. In the second half of the eighties Brunswijk was the leader of the Jungle Commando (JC) in Suriname . He fought against the regime of Desi Bouterse during the Civil War . The commando raids led to reprisals against Brunswijk's family and fellow villagers.