WILLEMSTAD - The Court has rejected a request to suspend the pre-trial detention of Michelangelo ‘Lo’ Martines, political leader of Kòrsou Esun Mihó (KEM). The party expressed disappointment at the decision but stated on social media that it respects the ruling.
Martines, who has been in custody since early November on suspicion of drug trafficking and money laundering, is described by KEM as a “political prisoner.”
On Monday, his lawyer, Eldon ‘Pèpi’ Sulvaran, filed the request during a hearing as KEM supporters peacefully protested outside the courthouse. Demonstrators drove in a procession from Otrobanda to Nieuwe Haven, calling for Martines’ release. Both the Public Prosecutor’s Office and Sulvaran & Partners confirmed the denial but declined to provide additional details about the court's reasoning.
KEM announced it will continue exploring all legal avenues to secure Martines’ release. In the interim, the party’s second-ranking candidate, Anthony Godett, has taken over Martines’ parliamentary seat.
The party urged unity and resilience among the population, calling for collective action against what it sees as “injustice and inequality.” In a press release, KEM emphasized its commitment to defending the rights of workers and vulnerable communities on Curaçao, stating, “Only together can we overcome injustice.”