Member of Parliament for the MEP faction and former Minister of Justice, Rocco Tjon, issued a serious warning regarding the direct consequences that the non-operational maritime surveillance radars are bringing to Aruba’s national security.
Tjon explained that the radar system is the country’s first line of defense. Its main function is to detect illegal vessels approaching Aruba’s coasts at an early stage, especially those using unusual routes or navigating during the early hours of the morning. This early detection allows authorities, such as the Coast Guard (Kustwacht) and land-based police units, to act immediately and intercept the boats to prevent contraband from entering our island.
The MP remarked that these illegal boats are the main means criminal organizations use to smuggle firearms, drugs, and human trafficking victims into the country.
“The simple fact that these radars are not functioning right now makes Aruba a ‘magnet’ (trekpleister) for these criminal organizations,” Tjon emphasized, pointing out that coastal vulnerability opens the door for more structural criminality to enter the community.
According to Tjon, the impact of the lack of control and budget cuts in the judicial sector is already being felt in everyday life in Aruba. He stressed that this is not a simple political opinion, but a reality that the public and media report daily:
• Tourist area: A recent daytime armed robbery at a jewelry store in the hotel area.
• Transport sector: Taxi drivers being robbed, assaulted, and abused while doing their job.
• Family homes: Criminals entering people’s homes to commit robberies and thefts.
Tjon concluded by noting that for many years, armed robbery was practically a thing of the past in Aruba, but due to a lack of management, lack of maintenance funds, and the current government’s actions, this phenomenon has alarmingly resurfaced. At the same time, the Minister of Finance cut 10% from the justice budget.