Last Friday, an informational session on the HOFA Kingdom Law took place at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Aruba.
After months of silence — during which the AVP–Futuro government bypassed the Parliament of Aruba and went directly to the Kingdom Council of Ministers in The Hague, claiming that Aruba had given its “consent” to the law — the government finally appeared in public.
However, instead of true transparency, the session took place behind closed doors, with key stakeholders and the media excluded.
The three heads of government — Prime Minister Mike Eman, Minister Gerlien Croes, and Minister Geoffrey Wever — held a press conference afterward, insisting that “everything was positive.”
But according to those present, the reality was far different.
Many who should have been invited were left out — including opposition parties MEP and PPA, several unions and civic organizations, and the press.
The majority of those in attendance were party loyalists and government supporters, creating a controlled and one-sided atmosphere.
Without independent journalists to ask questions, the event was a staged performance rather than an informative session.
Although some questions were asked, most went unanswered, leading to visible frustration among attendees.
Several people reportedly left the room early out of disappointment.
The presentation was not broadcast live, and the government avoided any open debate — a move widely criticized as an attempt to hide the true impact of the HOFA law on Aruba’s sovereignty.
Sources close to the event expressed deep disillusionment with the direction of the AVP–Futuro administration.
Many noted the irony that Prime Minister Mike Eman, descendant of a family that fought for Aruba’s autonomy, is now seen as enabling its erosion.
Minister Geoffrey Wever faced additional scrutiny due to his past involvement in PPP projects (Public-Private Partnerships) that heavily indebted the island and triggered Aruba’s first Royal Decree (KB).
Critics accused him of being motivated by financial ambition rather than public service, describing the current government’s strategy as one that prioritizes foreign investors and personal gain over national interest.
Meanwhile, Minister Gerlien Croes reportedly left a poor impression.
Observers said she appeared unprepared and uninformed about the HOFA law, speaking more from emotion than expertise.
For many in the audience, her performance was a source of embarrassment and disappointment, symbolizing the government’s lack of understanding of the law it seeks to promote.
The Embassy Suites session ended not with clarity or unity, but with anger, mistrust, and growing public concern over what many see as a threat to Aruba’s autonomy.