The former president of Surinam Desi Bouterse, a fugitive from justice for the murder of 15 opponents in 1982, died at the age of 79, the government reported on Wednesday.
Very popular in Suriname, Bouterse came to power at the age of 34 after a coup d’état in 1980, as an Army sergeant major. He retired in 1987 under international pressure.
But he returned to power in 1990 after a second coup, this time without bloodshed.
He left office a year later, and was then elected president in 2010 and governed until 2020.
“We are waiting for more detailed and definitive information from official channels, we would like to offer our deepest condolences,” the current president said in a statement.
In 2023 Bouterse was sentenced on appeal to 20 years in prison for the 1982 execution of imprisoned lawyers, journalists, businessmen and military personnel.
Since then he was in hiding.
Around midnight, rumors began to spread about his sudden death, after a short illness in his hiding place about which there are no further details.
His body was taken by unknown persons to his residence in the capital, Paramaribo, where his family and party supporters gathered at dawn to say goodbye.
Doctor Rabindernath Khoenkhoen confirmed “the time of death at 6:50 a.m.” on December 24, he later told reporters.
“With deep pain, the party learned of the unexpected death of our spiritual father,” the president of the National Democratic Party wrote on Facebook.
“We are grateful to him for his vision, his courage and his tireless dedication and love for our country,” he added.
“Although we have lost a great leader, his legacy remains a beacon for our work. We will continue his vision and ideals with determination”
“And we will keep alive his dream of a stronger and more united Suriname,” continued Simons, who came to his house to pay his respects.
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How was the trial?
During the trial, Bouterse admitted to hearing gunshots on the day of the opponents’ execution, but denied having given the order.
He has also alleged that his trial was “political” and that the Netherlands, the former colonial power, had conspired against him.
The process began in 2007 and lasted 12 years until his conviction in absentia in 2019, as he never appeared in court.
He managed to get the court to reconsider the case in January 2020, but a year later the sentence was ratified.
The December 2023 ruling was the last resort to appeal. Shortly before the sentencing, amid fears of riots, Bouterse asked his militancy “not to sow chaos.”
After his death it was President Santokhi who asked people to “remain dignified and remain calm, maintain peace and order.”
The prosecution accepted that he serve his sentence in a cell built for him at the Suriname Military Hospital so that he would have access to medical care.
Just four days ago, the police carried out another search at his house and three other places, relying on confidential information to capture him.
Interpol had issued an arrest warrant for Bouterse following his 11-year prison sentence in 1999 in the Netherlands for cocaine trafficking.
Although his status as ruler protected him from extradition at that time.