Cost of living, tourism, healthcare, public transportation, and security — all are in crisis. The surplus is 700 million. The action is zero.
As a Member of Parliament, I have an obligation to speak clearly. We have 5 crises plaguing our country, and a completely silent government that does nothing but cut ribbons everywhere.
The reality that the people of Aruba are living today is not a political exaggeration. It is a daily fact —at the gas pump, at the supermarket checkout, in the hospital waiting room, our people feel it. The government has the resources; what they lack is the will and commitment to you.
Cost of Living and Purchasing Power
The most acute crisis facing the people is the constant increase in the cost of living and the loss of purchasing power. Every day, citizens feel the blow of prices: gas, gasoline, and diesel have gone up, while food prices in supermarkets are out of reach. The Central Bank of Aruba (CBA) has raised the alarm once again regarding growing inflation, while Minister Wever fails to present concrete solutions to bring relief to families.
Uncertainty in the Tourism Sector
Regarding the topic of UTV and ATV operators, Oduber criticized the government’s lack of attention, which chose to jeopardize the livelihood of more than 1,000 mothers and fathers. The decision to close the main route 50 days before Aruba Birdlife Conservation’s legal battle was set to begin in court caused a serious economic impact on the sector. Oduber noted that to this day, there is no definitive solution because only a letter of intent has been signed. This is completely incomprehensible. Parliament expressed its position regarding the issue with tour operators, unanimously agreeing and urging the government to present a concrete, short-term solution while remaining within the bounds of the law.
Financial and Operational Crisis at Horacio Oduber Hospital
The situation at the Horacio Oduber Hospital (HOH) is extremely severe due to a monthly deficit of 1.6 million florins, a financial crisis directly affecting the care of insured patients. As a consequence of this situation, operating rooms have begun to close, the delivery of essential medications and medical supplies has stopped, and there are serious issues in vital departments such as Endoscopy and Dialysis.
Despite Minister Wyatt-Ras being informed of this situation since February 2026, she chose to remain silent and ignore the urgency. After the hospital management, the ABV union, and specialists raised the alarm, the minister limited herself to a recorded message announcing an investigation, without presenting any action plan or concrete solution for this healthcare crisis.
Crisis at Arubus and Government’s Wrong Priorities
Arubus is in crisis and requested additional funds for its employees, but Minister Dowers stated that there is NO money. This is incomprehensible considering the government boasts of having a financial surplus of 700 million florins. While funding is denied to the national public transit company, there is budget available to pay one advisor 14,000 florins per month for just 4 hours of work and another advisor 17,500 florins per month. This government’s priorities are completely upside down.
Insecurity Rises while Government Cuts Justice Budget
As if that were not enough, Aruba is facing an alarming wave of insecurity. Cases of murder, robbery, theft, and joyriding have resurfaced across our island. While crime increases, Minister Dowers remains absent and in total silence.
Despite the government boasting a surplus of 700 million florins, the police force was informed that there are no resources for bodycams, and a 10% cut was even made to the Justice budget. Aruba is living in great uncertainty, where citizens no longer feel safe and where it is evident that this government has no action plan, direction, or leadership to combat crime.
Five different crises, one single root: a government that has money but no plan, that has a surplus but no solutions, that received the honor of defending the people’s voice but chooses every day to stay silent and turn away when the people ask to be heard.
The people of Aruba are not asking for miracles. They are asking for what this government promised: honesty, transparency, money in their pockets, and action!