Claude Wathey

Claude Wathey
Claude Wathey (1984)
Leader of the Democratic Party Sint Maarten
In office
1954–1994[1]
Succeeded bySarah Wescot-Williams
Member of the Netherlands Antilles Parliament
for Windward Islands
In office
  • 1962–1990
  • 1991–1992
Personal details
Born(1926-07-24)24 July 1926
Sint Maarten, Curaçao and Dependencies
Died8 or 9 January 1998 (aged 71)
Philipsburg, Sint Maarten
Political partyDemocratic Party Sint Maarten
Statue of Claude Wathey in Philipsburg.

Albert Claudius "Claude" Wathey (24 July 1926 – 8 or 9 January 1998), was a prominent politician of the Democratic Party from the island of Sint Maarten. He was knighted by the Dutch Crown for his political longevity.

Wathey championed political independence for the island in 1989, but was later convicted on charges of perjury; however, many on Sint Maarten felt the trial was nothing more than a witch hunt conducted by his rivals and adversaries in Curaçao and the Netherlands in order to break his monopoly on political power in Sint Maarten and to destroy his credibility. Despite this, he remains a popular figure, even after his death.

  1. ^ "Wreath-laying ceremony Saturday in memory of Dr. Claude Wathey". The Daily Herald. Archived from the original on 30 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.