Desi Bouterse, who ruled Suriname as a dictator and was convicted of murdering political opponents, has died at the age of 79, leaving behind a controversial legacy.
Bouterse was both a national hero to some and a brutal dictator to others, highlighting the division he created in Suriname during his rule.
His military coup in 1980 marked the beginning of a reign marked by terror and the infamous December Murders, where he ordered the execution of 15 dissidents.
These actions led to long-term trauma within the Surinamese population and prompted the Netherlands to halt economic and military ties with Suriname.
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