Chavez financed Bouterse's election campaign in Suriname, claims leaked cable

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Published on February 3, 2011 Email To Friend Print Version

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/10277647/Suriname-leader-Bouterses-son-arrested-on-US-drug-and-weapon-charges.html


PARAMARIBO, Suriname -- According to documents recently published on the WikiLeaks website, United States diplomats claimed that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez financially supported Desi Bouterse’s political campaign leading to his election as president of Suriname.

A “reliable” source told US diplomats that Bouterse even made several clandestine trips to Venezuela to secure the funds. It was also alleged that Chavez and Bouterse made a pact to overthrow the Venetiaan-administration.

“A member of Desi Bouterse’s National Democratic Party (NDP) claims Bouterse is receiving funding and tacit political support from Venezuela. A member of the Mission has been told by a self described member of the NDP that former military dictator Desi Boutersehas made a number of recent trips to Venezuela; that he is receiving financial support from Venezuela; and that President Chavez has promised him recognition and support should Bouterse succeed in his stated goal of bringing down the government of President Venetiaan,” a US top diplomat wrote in 2005 in a cable to Washington.
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At a meeting with the press, Chavez urged the Surinamese people to support “his brother” Bouterse.