WILLEMSTAD, Curacao, Monday May 6, 2013 – 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, media reports here said.
Helmin Wiels of the Pueblo Soberano Party (Sovereign People Party) was reportedly shot in a drive-by shooting around 5 pm (2200 GMT).
With his death, the coalition government, with a one-seat hold on power here, has been plunged into crisis.
As the hearse bearing his body drove away, a crowd of around 200 people broke in spontaneous, sympathetic response.
Witnesses said Wiels, also a popular talk show host, was buying fish at a pier in Maripampoen when two cars pulled alongside and pumped five rounds into his body.
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