PHILIPSBURG - The controversial politician and leader of the Oualichi Movement for Change (OMC), Olivier Arrindell, was shot Wednesday evening in Port CupeCoy in Sint Maarten. His injuries are not serious, but his wife, Sabine, was fatally struck when shots were also fired at her.
Sources report that she was sitting in the passenger seat of the car driven by Arrindell. Arrindell then drove to the Sonesta Maho Resort, where his wife died in the taxi parking lot of the resort. Arrindell took cover in the resort’s lobby.
Arrindell’s young daughter was also in the vehicle. In a brief video, Arrindell showed his followers the gunshot wound he sustained but did not mention the condition of his wife. In a second video, Arrindell declares that an assassination attempt was made on his life and that he was shot in the back. He holds all political parties responsible for the attempted murder.
Police spokesperson Felix Richards confirmed that a shooting took place in the Maho/Cupe Coy area. According to preliminary information, four people were shot, three of whom sustained minor injuries.
The police have yet to confirm the death of Arrindell’s wife and have not officially released further information.
Justice Minister Lyndon Lewis has been informed by Acting Police Chief Shadira Gysbertha. He strongly condemns the violence and promises a thorough investigation and prosecution of those responsible. The minister emphasizes the need for cooperation with Kingdom partners to support the local police and calls on the community to unite against violence and to uphold the peace and democracy of Sint Maarten.
OMC
Olivier Arrindell is a businessman who recently registered with the electoral council with his party, Oualichi Movement for Change, to participate in the upcoming early parliamentary elections on August 19.
“Arrindell, along with his team of dedicated individuals, aims to tackle and eliminate corruption, nepotism, and cronyism in the Sint Maarten government. He stressed that the government should not be used as a personal enterprise by the so-called elite families of the island,” according to a press statement.
Last year, Arrindell clashed with then-Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs. She wanted to put an end to the corruption allegations made by Olivier Arrindell. The politician circulated videos, audio recordings, and WhatsApp messages almost daily, making statements about local government officials, parliamentarians, other politicians, and third parties.
