The interim leader of the Bonaire Patriotic Union (Union Patriotiko Boneriano – UPB), Jolinda Craane, has arrived in Aruba to attend the AVP Party’s 2026 Congress, which will take place on Sunday, October 4, at the Aruba Marriott Resort Grand Ballroom.
Prime Minister and outgoing AVP leader Mr. Mike Eman, Minister of Tourism, Transportation & Labor and incoming AVP leader Mr. Wendrick Cicilia, alongside AVP candidate Sonaly Fernandez-Acosta, welcomed Jolinda Craane.
The visit comes at a pivotal moment for AVP, which on Sunday will transition to a new generation of leadership. Simultaneously, the UPB in Bonaire is undergoing a similar process of renewal and leadership succession.
Mike Eman: AVP and UPB share a Christian-Democratic foundation
Prime Minister Mike Eman expressed his satisfaction with the presence of UPB’s interim leader in Aruba, particularly during this historic moment for AVP. Eman highlighted that AVP and UPB are political organizations that have shaped the direction of their respective islands for many years and share a Christian-Democratic foundation.
According to Eman, this foundation manifests in a special commitment to one’s fellow man, care for the most vulnerable in society, and the defense of the islands’ autonomy.
Eman noted that these shared principles have fostered a decades-long relationship between AVP and UPB. Today, both parties are facing a era of renewal, with a new generation preparing to step up and assume greater responsibility.
For Eman, renewal does not mean abandoning a party’s core foundations. Fresh ideas suited for the modern era can easily align with the principles and convictions that have built the party over time.
A special bond between Aruba and Bonaire
Eman also reflected on the close relationship between Aruba and Bonaire. In that context, he highlighted the personal ties of incoming AVP leader Wendrick Cicilia to Bonaire through his father and family on the island.
According to Eman, this gives AVP’s incoming leadership a unique connection to Bonaire, further enhancing the longstanding bond between the two islands.
Jolinda Craane: Both parties are on a similar journey
Interim UPB leader Jolinda Craane expressed that it is a pleasure and an honor to be in Aruba to witness AVP’s 2026 Congress.
Craane noted that AVP and UPB belong to the broader Christian-Democratic family, with both parties sharing a long track record rooted in community service and common values.
She mentioned that UPB is currently undergoing its own renewal process in Bonaire. According to Craane, there is a shared understanding within UPB that it is time for new ideas, without losing sight of the core values that have guided the party over the years.
For Craane, the challenge for both parties is to continue strengthening their foundational base while simultaneously creating room for new ideas to prepare them for the future.
Wendrick Cicilia: Continuing to strengthen the shared foundation
Minister of Tourism, Transportation & Labor and incoming AVP leader Mr. Wendrick Cicilia welcomed Jolinda Craane, emphasizing the long-standing ties between AVP and UPB.
Cicilia noted that both parties operate from a Christian-Democratic perspective, with care for others serving as a core principle. According to Cicilia, the objective is to build upon existing foundations and further reinforce the relationship between both parties going forward.
For Cicilia, the fact that both AVP and UPB are undergoing generational renewal creates space for new leadership and fresh ideas, while ensuring that the core principles underpinning both parties remain steadfast.
Sonaly Fernandez Acosta: Dialogue among women in politics
AVP candidate Sonaly Fernandez Acosta also welcomed Jolinda Craane to Aruba, expressing delight at her presence during this milestone moment for the party.
Fernandez Acosta stressed the importance of active engagement among women in politics. She noted that exchanging ideas and perspectives creates opportunities to learn from one another and work together for the country’s well-being.
Her presence at the reception reflects the new generation stepping forward to assume greater responsibilities within AVP.
A new generation to carry the cause forward
In closing, Mike Eman highlighted Sonaly Fernandez Acosta’s presence as an example of the rising generation that will help guide AVP into the future.
Eman expressed full confidence in the team preparing to champion the cause and work for Aruba during this period of transition and succession.
Jolinda Craane’s presence in Aruba adds a regional dimension to this milestone. As AVP prepares to install Wendrick Cicilia as its new leader and UPB advances its own renewal in Bonaire, both parties continue to uphold their historic ties and shared values.
The AVP Party’s 2026 Congress will take place on Sunday, October 4, at the Aruba Marriott Resort Grand Ballroom, starting at 9:00 AM. For more information, visit www.avp.aw.