Desi Bouterse, the military leader who organized a coup in Suriname in 1980, has died at the age of 79. Despite being accused of drug trafficking and murder, he returned to power after three decades through elections.
Vice-President of Suriname Ronnie Brunswick expressed on Facebook that Buters’ “life has had a lasting impact on our country and his efforts will not be forgotten.” The cause of his death has not been revealed.
Bouterse was celebrated by supporters for his charisma and popular social programs, while opponents labeled him a ruthless dictator, citing his convictions for drug trafficking and extrajudicial killings.
In December 2023, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the murder of 15 political opponents during his military rule in 1982, ending a lengthy 16-year legal battle. However, he disappeared and never served his sentence.
“Dutch historian Pepijn Resser, who wrote a biography on Butterse in 2015, commented, ‘No one has influenced Suriname’s history since its independence like Desi Butterse.’
(with AP inputs)
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