The NMR's course was moderate at first, although several wings developed. On September 15, 1980, the 'left wing' consisting of Mijnals (member of the RVP [nl]), Sital and Joemman were arrested and sentenced to several years in prison on conspiracy charges. Hereafter, Bouterse also turned to the left, with the result that the three were released after a few months. Sital was appointed Minister of Health, while Mijnals and Joemman were given important posts in the army. Bouterse's change of course was partly prompted by the increasing influence of Haakmat, who was therefore relieved of his post on January 7, 1981.[5]
The NMR's socialist course, strengthening its links with Cuba, Grenada (under the PRG) and Nicaragua (under the FSLN), was one of the reasons for massive protests and strikes during 1982, which would eventually lead to the December murders. Grenada's prime ministerMaurice Bishop is said to have played an important role in this, according to several sources, by inciting Bouterse to take firm action.
After the December murders, the NMR continued until general election was held on November 25, 1987. Incidentally, after the execution of Bishop and the United States invasion of Grenada in October 1983, Bouterse had abandoned his left course and expelled all Cuban advisers from the country.[6] After the 1987 general election, Bouterse remained army leader until 1988.
