Politician gunned down in Curacao

Willemstad, Curacao.

HelminWiels2Hemlin Wiels a senior member of the ruling coalition party in Curacao was gunned down yesterday at a beach outside the capital Willemstad yesterday.

The 54-year-old Wiels, a controversial politician and social worker who figured in the struggle for political independence from the Dutch, entered the political arena 10 years ago. He led the political party Pueblo Soberano, one of Curaçao's largest parties, which he founded in 2005.

Reports are that Wiels was murdered execution style about 5 o'clock as he bought fish for his family in the fishing village. People who gathered at the scene applauded and saluted the politician as his body was taken through the community in a hearse escorted by the police.