On January 6, 2025, Aruba bid farewell to its first Prime Minister, Mr. Henny Eman. Today, on the same date but one year later, the AVP–Futuro Cabinet, at the request of Stichting Henny Eman, honored a great visionary in Aruban politics by naming one of Aruba’s main roads after him. As of today, the road known for decades as L.G. Smith Boulevard—stretching from the Mahuma roundabout to the Sun Plaza roundabout—has officially become Henny Eman Boulevard. This long road passes in front of Queen Beatrix International Airport, the Parliament of Aruba, and the main Government offices, and connects to the main tourist area, which was part of Henny Eman’s vision.
During the afternoon unveiling, a ceremony also took place in which executives of Queen Beatrix International Airport joined Prime Minister Mike Eman and Minister Wendrick Cicilia in planting two Wayacá Macho trees on the berm just above the airport roundabout. This was part of the national reforestation plan “Sembra Speransa” (Planting Hope). Together with the unveiling of Henny Eman Boulevard, Aruba honors its leadership while valuing its biodiversity and future.
Minister Wendrick Cicilia emphasized that this was a moment to celebrate and honor the giants and leaders who walked alongside the people. “The gates of heaven open for men and women who dedicate themselves to the country. We know that Prime Minister Henny Eman,our Prime Minister, our Henny Eman,is looking down from heaven today, extremely proud,” Minister Cicilia said, also highlighting in his speech the unique vision and achievements of Aruba’s first Prime Minister.
The President of Stichting Henny Eman, Mr. Tico Croes, also addressed the audience during the unveiling of the Henny Eman Boulevard sign. Mr. Croes shared that it should not be forgotten that Henny Eman faced many challenges in Aruba’s tourism sector. “Henny convinced the people that within three months the population should go to the bank, surrender the Antillean florin, and adopt the Aruban florin,” said Mr. Croes. Having served as a minister in Cabinets Eman II and III, he described this as a clear example of visionary leadership,when a leader can convince a community to transform individual motivation into collective action.
James Hepple, a tourism expert in Aruba, reviewed various tourism figures from recent decades. “Leaders like Henny Eman do not merely manage the economy; they reimagine the intensity of our island,” Mr. Hepple stated, emphasizing the importance of maintaining focus on tourism and taking all necessary actions to ensure its continued growth.
Prime Minister Mike Eman shared several anecdotes during sunset following the unveiling of the boulevard sign. “If today we can enjoy our tourism, it is thanks to Henny Eman’s vision.” As Prime Minister, Henny Eman declared 30% of Aruba a national park, demonstrating that his vision extended beyond economics to the very identity that binds the people to this land.
About Henny Eman, Aruba’s First Prime Minister
At a young age, while studying in the Netherlands, Henny assumed responsibility for caring for his mother and siblings in Aruba after his father passed away suddenly, leaving the family vulnerable. At just 28 years old, Henny returned to Aruba to revive the Aruban People’s Party (AVP)—not as its head, but as a new, inspired political leader. He succeeded in growing the party into one of Aruba’s two largest political parties during the turbulent and crucial years leading up to Status Aparte.
In the final phase leading to Aruba’s Status Aparte, he played a critical role. In 1985, Henny led a major youth-driven campaign to “RESCUE” the country and restore hope for a New Aruba after the closure of the LAGO refinery. At a time when many saw no future for Aruba without the refinery and thousands left the island, Henny motivated the people to rebuild Aruba and create the New Aruba in which we still live today.
Henny became Aruba’s first Prime Minister upon achieving Status Aparte in 1986 and worked tirelessly to give Aruba a new direction, despite the challenges of a small nation and negative advice regarding his ambitious goals: a New Aruba that would be good for everyone; Aruba with its own currency, its own Governor, its own police and customs services, and its own government apparatus to serve the country.
Under Henny’s leadership, Aruba’s tourism industry was built and grew rapidly into one of the Caribbean’s most popular destinations. Aruba stood firmly on its own feet. Together with Mr. Mito Croes, Mr. Tico Croes, and Mr. Watty Vos, Henny co-authored the document “Owner of Our Own Destiny”, which convinced the Netherlands to remove Aruba’s 1996 independence date from the Charter. This agreement was signed in The Hague by Henny and MEP leader Mr. Nelson Oduber.
In the 1990s, Henny, Manchi Engelbrecht, Watty Vos, Mito Croes, Tico Croes, and many of the young people who initiated the 1985 RESCUE embarked on realizing the true goal of Status Aparte: improving quality of life for all. This included the creation of the Study Guarantee Foundation, giving every young person,regardless of political background or family income,the opportunity to study in Aruba, the Netherlands, the United States, or other recognized countries.
Henny and his team also introduced something few countries had achieved: universal healthcare coverage. Thus, Henny created the General Health Insurance (AZV), ensuring healthcare for everyone regardless of political affiliation, social position, or employment status. He also became known for doubling old-age pensions in 1994. However, the introduction of AZV remains his most significant legacy.
This was the purest expression of the philosophy of the Common Good—doing things together, for each other, in an organized and institutionalized way. Like the Study Guarantee Foundation, AZV ensured that no one in Aruba would depend on political favors to receive education or healthcare.
The vision of a New Aruba is an Aruba that is good for everyone, that looks after everyone, provides equal opportunities, and eliminates dependence on political favoritism. In this Aruba“Master of Its Own House”every Aruban and resident is free to choose their own destiny with the support of their country.
