Caribbean 360 is reporting that the leader of the largest political party in Curacao’s coalition government was shot dead late Sunday in the Punda section of the Dutch island’s capital.
Helmin Wiels of the Pueblo Soberano Party (Sovereign People Party) was reportedly shot in a drive-by shooting around 5 pm (2200 GMT) on May 4. Wiels was also a popular talk show host who spoke out for complete independence of Curacao from the Netherlands and the need to develop stronger ties to South American countries.
According to the Washington Post, Donald Balentina, president of the Curacao political party founded by the slain politician, was targeted due to several high-profile anti-corruption speeches that he had recently delivered. Wiels apparently received threats constantly and typically traveled with security, which he declined on this fateful day.
Read more at Caribbean 360 or The Washington Post.
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