e Dutch State Secretary, Mr. Eric van der Burg, is in Aruba to discuss changes and adaptations to the COHO (Hofa) kingdom law with the Government of Aruba. MP Dangui Oduber pointed out that this takes place after both the Advisory Council (Raad van Advies) and the Council of State (Raad van State) concluded that this law undermines Aruba’s autonomy, confirming what the MP has been saying for a long time.
A clear indication that the law does not serve Aruba Oduber emphasized that when both the Netherlands and Aruba conclude that the COHO kingdom law must be changed and adapted, it is a clear indication that the law does NOT serve, and certainly does not serve Aruba’s interests. The MP declared that for a simple “pouch of money,” a country should NOT give up its freedom and autonomy.
He recalled that since 1986, Aruba has demonstrated that it has the capacity to govern itself and overcome crises. In this context, he underscored the importance of always trusting in the capacity and professionalism of Aruba’s own people to steer the island’s course. “It is unthinkable that there are politicians who want to give away and sell our country for a pouch of money of barely 7.5 million florins. Our autonomy and freedom have no monetary value; they are priceless!” Oduber declared.
To demonstrate that there is no valid reason or justification to accept the COHO law, the MP presented concrete data on Aruba’s financial reality:
Aruba has its own financial supervision duly regulated in the National Ordinance on Financial Supervision (LAft).
Aruba is duly complying with all stipulated financial norms and is paying its debts to the Netherlands.
And thanks to responsible management, in a span of just 5 years, Aruba’s national debt will drop below 50%.
Freedom is sacred Finally, the MP reaffirmed that a country’s freedom is sacred. He explained that Aruba has been a free country since 1986, and thanks to this freedom, the country has been able to prosper and progress. He warned that the COHO law would mean an enormous democratic setback, stripping Aruba of the freedom to make its own decisions, the freedom to vote in Parliament, and the freedom to use its funds as it wishes.
The main question remains: Why should Aruba accept the COHO law?