In a significant legal ruling from the First Cantonal Court, Guillermo Samson has been mandated to issue a comprehensive public correction regarding defamatory statements made about Suriname’s Foreign Minister Melvin Bouva. The December 23rd verdict addressed unsubstantiated allegations Samson presented during a July 27, 2025, Radio Tamara interview concerning after-school childcare operations.
Presiding Judge Deborah Haakmat-Sniphout determined that Samson’s assertions—which implied Minister Bouva’s involvement in misconduct and abuse of position—constituted unlawful defamation without factual foundation. The court found these unverified claims severely damaged the minister’s reputation and professional standing.
The court has imposed strict rectification requirements: Samson must publish a formal retraction and apology within 24 hours of verdict notification in three major Surinamese publications—De Ware Tijd, Times of Suriname, and Starnieuws. This mandated statement must explicitly acknowledge that his previous remarks were unfounded, incorrect, and unlawful.
Additionally, Samson must permanently remove all similar content from digital platforms and public channels. The court established substantial financial penalties for non-compliance, including a daily fine of SRD 100,000 and court costs totaling SRD 12,335. The judgment was issued in absentia as Samson failed to appear in court, and the ruling is immediately enforceable.