Ally of slain Curacao politician suspects 'political motive' in attack by 2 assailants

WILLEMSTAD, Curacao – A close ally of a charismatic but divisive politician killed by two assailants in Curacao says he believes the lawmaker was slain in a politically motivated attack.

Donald Valentina is the president of the Curacao political party founded by Helmin Wiels, who was fatally shot while at a beach.

Valentina said Monday that he suspects the attackers had some sort of "political motive."

He notes that Wiels had made several anti-corruption speeches in recent days and on Friday accused a telecommunications company of being involved in the illegal sale of lottery numbers.

Wiels' party won the biggest block of votes during last year's general elections. The Dutch interior minister describes Wiels as the "most powerful man" in Curacao, which is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.