Ivo Valdes, President of OPPA, conducted an analysis of Aruba’s financial situation, highlighting the island’s development over the 40 years since achieving its status aparte. According to Valdes, although Aruba previously depended on Curaçao to resolve problems, today we can no longer place the blame on Curaçao; the responsibility lies with us.
“Over the past 40 years, Aruba has accumulated a large debt. Sometimes we need to reflect on what has truly helped us as a country,” Valdes stated. He emphasized that, at the time Aruba achieved its status aparte, the island was free to make its own decisions, but still depended on the Netherlands financially because we are part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. “It is logical: if you have a debt to the Netherlands, you have to pay,” he added.
Valdes noted that, although he is happy that Aruba has status aparte, he is not happy that past decisions resulted in such a high debt, which affects the island’s current situation. “We must be aware that the government that created the debt for Aruba has created a debt for all of us, and even for our grandchildren.”
Valdes’ statement emphasizes responsibility and awareness in financial management, and calls on the community and future leaders to consider the long-term impacts of political and financial decisions.