The presidential campaign of Maya Parbhoe in Suriname is facing scrutiny as reports emerge questioning the alignment between her international image and the reality on the ground. Parbhoe gained attention in the global BITCOIN community by presenting herself as a pro-BITCOIN candidate vowing to combat corruption and make bitcoin legal tender in the South American nation.
However, individuals who have interacted with Parbhoe in Suriname or obtained information about her candidacy report a different picture. Concerns include claims she has overstated her prospects of winning the presidency and that her political messaging within the country does not prominently feature BITCOIN.
Reports also suggest her campaign lacks widespread recognition in Suriname, and some sources allege she holds disdain for the country's poor citizens, contrary to her stated advocacy for those facing financial hardship.
Maya Parbhoe's father was murdered after speaking out against corruption in the country. While Parbhoe has cited this as motivation for her campaign, a former senior advisor, Shamay, stated Parbhoe was aware her father's business partners in his casino enterprise were involved in drug trafficking and money laundering, information Parbhoe has reportedly omitted.
According to Micah Dunford, CEO of Greyscale Protection, intelligence from the US government estimates Parbhoe may be running as "controlled opposition," a political figure serving the interests of those she appears to oppose. Dunford indicated this intelligence suggests Parbhoe's father knowingly associated with "nefarious actors" and was killed by "narco terrorists." The intelligence also raised the possibility that bank accounts associated with Parbhoe’s companies are used for money laundering.
Suriname operates under a parliamentary democracy. Upcoming elections in May 2025 will utilize a new "one person, one vote" system following a ruling from the Constitutional Court of Suriname that found the previous electoral law unconstitutional, according to a US Department of State report. This system shifts emphasis to individual votes for parliamentary candidates, who then elect a president.
Maya Parbhoe, not the head of the National Party of Suriname (NPS) with which she is affiliated, aims to capitalize on the new system by seeking a high number of individual votes. She stated she chose the 21st position on the party list as an ode to BITCOIN, noting that rank is less relevant under the new system compared to individual vote count. A recent poll by de Ware Tijd suggested the NPS may gain seats, but did not detail candidate popularity.
Rahim Taghizadegan, who served as Parbhoe's chief economic advisor, also reported that the reality on the ground differed from the image projected globally. He stated Parbhoe disliked his assessment that her plan to make bitcoin the primary currency by governmental decree was unrealistic. Taghizadegan also commented on her business deficiencies and described her as unkind to many people.
Sources familiar with Parbhoe, including members of the security team contracted by Greyscale Protection, described concerning personal behavior, including alleged mistreatment of staff and the less fortunate, requests to borrow money despite perceived wealth, and erratic behavior around the time of her child's birth. Parbhoe referenced paying companies like Greyscale as a reason for less funding for campaign projects. Shamay also claimed a planned mid-six-figure donation was withheld due to campaign disorganization and lack of focus on BITCOIN.
Questions also surround the use of funds raised from the BITCOIN community. Geyser Fund took down Parbhoe's "Maya for President" donation page after reports of her lack of forthrightness. While Parbhoe previously shared a campaign funds tracker, it has since been removed or shows limited detail. She stated renowned economist Arthur Laffer was engaged and paid by a third party, John, to be her economic advisor and assist the NPS.
Parbhoe continues her campaign but indicated the recent birth of her child has shifted her perspective. Speaking about the challenges and alleged trauma she recently faced, Maya Parbhoe stated, "At this point, I don’t care if I win."
