Just last week, Prime Minister Jetten was in Aruba to discuss various topics with the AVP-Futuro Cabinet. We saw many pictures of meetings and encounters between the Government of Aruba and Prime Minister Jetten. We assumed that the Government would address the challenges that the country of Aruba faces, as well as handle the most important issues. This turned out NOT to be the case. Because to our surprise, this week three ministers of the AVP-Futuro Cabinet boarded a plane heading to the Netherlands to go party and celebrate. This concerns Prime Minister Mike Eman, Minister Gerlien Croes, and Minister Geoffrey Wever.
An unnecessary “junket” at the public’s expense
A trip without an agenda, without sense, without purpose, and certainly without urgency. This is totally unacceptable, considering the fact that just last week several meetings took place between the Government of Aruba and the Dutch leader, Jetten. This trip cost the taxpayer more than 100,000 florins. The ministers did not travel alone; they took an entire delegation that includes advisors as well as the secretary of the Council of Ministers. What we have understood is that the three of them went to the Netherlands specifically for the party of the Minister Plenipotentiary, Milly Schwengle. This was the only real reason for this “junket” (snoepreisje).
While the people are being strangled by high prices and families are going through hardships, the Government chooses to travel, party, and squander public money. What need was there for not one, nor two, but three ministers to travel to the Netherlands for a party? Was this truly a priority? Was this truly necessary?
Empty promises: The people suffer, while the Government has a surplus
At this moment, the prices of gasoline, diesel, cooking gas, and even bread have broken all existing records. Never before have these prices been so high! There are price shocks everywhere the public turns, despite promises that the cost of living would go down and purchasing power would improve. Today we see that promises have not been fulfilled. The cost of living is completely out of hand, purchasing power has drastically declined, and consequently, poverty continues to grow.
The subsistence minimum (bestaansminimum) for a family of four has become 5,552 florins, which represents a significant increase once again.
A serious government would have addressed these challenges. They have a surplus of 500 million florins, but this money is NOT reaching the people! They brag about positive ratings, they brag about a healthy financial situation, while the wallets of our people are crying out. The public was manipulated and lied to that the financial situation would improve. The reality? Never before in history has Aruba been so unaffordable! This is a government without a listening ear and without empathy for those in greatest need. They travel, they party, they enjoy themselves… and the people suffer!