Suriname: Pro-Cuban Minister Resigns

National Intelligence Daily

The resignation of People’s Mobilization Minister Sital on Wednesday suggests that those in the leadership who advocate disengagement from Cuba are gaining influence. [CENSORED] Surinamese media reports state the pro-Cuban Sital resigned because of serious policy differences with other leaders. Sital and his followers have opposed limiting Cuba’s influence as a condition for obtaining Brazilian aid. [CENSORED]

Army Commander Bouterse had become increasingly suspicious of the loyalty of Sital and his associates in the military.

Comment: [CENSORED] the government’s continuing debate over whether to pursue closer ties with Brazil or with Cuba is likely to have been a more important reason for Sital’s resignation. The debate apparently has pitted Sital and his backers against Prime Minister Alibux and his party in vying for influence with Bouterse. Alibux’s group appears to be in favor of reducing ties with Cuba in order to pursue Brazil’s aid offer.

Bouterse now seems to be leaning toward acceding to Brasilia’s demand for a limited Cuban role, although he still considers himself a revolutionary. His attitude toward Cuba probably stems as much from his fear of Sital’s potential to challenge him—possibly with Cuban help—as from his fear of a Brazilian threat.

Sital’s resignation places him in a vulnerable position. If he remains in Suriname, it would indicate that he feels certain that the Cubans and his other backers would protect him.

Date:
June 11, 1983
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