The core of the argument is based on the fact that Aruba’s Status Aparte, better known as the Statuut (Charter), is a unique and exclusive condition that the island acquired. It is a “lack of respect” that the Dutch State Secretary claims Aruba’s Status Aparte “no longer exists” simply because Curaçao and Sint Maarten also acquired such a status.
In addition to this, the AVP-Futuro government of Aruba is not standing firm for Aruba and defending Aruba’s status. Why? Why is there a hermetic silence, accepting that the State Secretary mocks the Country of Aruba in this manner?
This statement emphasizes that the Dutch mindset, especially within civil servant and political circles in Den Haag (The Hague), holds the erroneous idea that all three islands are now in an equal position within the Kingdom.
Comparison: Status Aparte vs. Slotverklaring
“The Status Aparte for the Aruban community is unique. What Curaçao and Sint Maarten received is a conditional slotverklaring, a status aparte ‘minus’.”
The Alert from the Algemene Rekenkamer of the Netherlands
One of the strongest points of this journalistic argument is the reference to the Netherlands’ own Rekenkamer (Court of Audit). According to the audio, a report by this same Dutch institution concluded that:
• The limitations and conditions imposed on Curaçao and Sint Maarten prevented and hindered these countries from growing economically.
• The “Slotbepalingen” (final clauses) became a brake on the development of those islands—something Aruba managed to avoid thanks to its structural autonomous status. However, today Minister Gerlien Croes, Geoffrey Wever, and the AVP and FUTURO factions have expressed on several occasions that the HOFA is good for Aruba. Do they truly love their own country?
A Clear Message for Den Haag
Regarding the intention of structural assimilation or equalization of the islands by the Netherlands: Aruba cannot be, and is not, equal to the others in this context, because its definition, its Statuut, and its constitutional history are completely different. The message sent to State Secretary van de Burgh is categorical:
• If the Netherlands wants all countries to be structurally “equal” within the Kingdom, the solution is not to devalue or minimize Aruba’s status.
• The correct path is to give Curaçao and Sint Maarten the same true and full Status Aparte that Aruba has.
• If we are talking about helping each other and lifting each other up, we must be able to do it truly, and not trample on the islands’ rights as they see fit.
To this day, the AVP-FUTURO Government is not showing its face. And talk about HOFA