PARAMARIBO, Suriname, CMC—The opposition Reform and Renewal Movement (HVB) party is calling for Vice President Ronnie Brunswick’s immediate resignation amid allegations that he has business links with a businessman in the Netherlands who has been convicted on drug charges and is on trial for money laundering.
The party said that during an ongoing court case in the Netherlands, it had emerged that Brunswick had ties to Piet Wortel, who is facing money laundering charges.
In 2014, Wortel was sentenced to seven years in prison by a Dutch court on drug charges. But after serving part of the sentence, he was allowed out on probation but fled to Suriname, where he went into hiding.
In March 2022, he was arrested in Aruba after landing at the airport on a scheduled flight from Suriname. Wortel was subsequently extradited to the Netherlands, where he is now on trial for money laundering.
Wortel has consistently denied involvement in money laundering, with the Dutch prosecution alleging that a quantity of gold worth more than six million Euros (One Euro=US$1.29 cents) found at his home in Paramaribo came from the proceeds of the illegal drugs trade.
Wortel has also denied this, saying he had a business relationship with Brunswick, who has gold mining operations in Suriname.
Brunswick is reported to have sent a statement drawn up by a notary to Wortel’s lawyer in which he stated that the consignment of gold belonged to him and not to the suspect.
In a statement, the HVB said that it had taken note of the Vice President’s involvement in the matter, saying, “It is unacceptable that this official has publicly notarized that he has handed over gold bars to a notorious drug criminal, Piet Wortel, for sale.
“This is a shame for our country. We call on the President of the Republic of Suriname and the National Assembly to distance themselves from this unacceptable involvement, which sets a disturbing example for the youth and contributes to social degradation.”
The party said that political officeholders must maintain ethical and moral standards and must not give the appearance of unacceptable or punishable behavior.
It said that Brunswijk should immediately tender his resignation, adding, “Finally, the question is to what extent the president in whose half the ball lies accepts this and continues cooperation with the vice president.”
Brunswick has made no public statement regarding the call for his resignation.
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