Member of Parliament Endy Croes put forward his viewpoint regarding the most recent developments surrounding the trip that Minister Gerlien Croes made at the end of November 2025 to meet with the Curaçao national football team. Since it concerned an official service trip approved by the Council of Ministers, where travel, hotel, and per diem expenses were covered by the government, the minister had the responsibility to use the commercial flight that was purchased for her.
Instead of this, the minister traveled a few days before the stipulated date on a private jet, accompanied by an advisor and members of the press. The parliamentarian expressed that the minister’s argument—that she paid for the private jet herself and therefore has no duty to account or present receipts to Parliament—is not valid. According to Endy Croes, a private jet is not authorized to charge an individual client because it does not possess the necessary operating license (Air Operator Certificate – AOC) to do so.
The legal path via LOB and LAR
Due to the lack of answers and transparency since December 2025, members of parliament Evelyn Wever-Croes and Rocco Tjon made use of their right as citizens via the National Ordinance on Openness of Administration (LOB). This law obligates the government to provide access to public information and proof of payment.
However, Minister Gerlien Croes rejected this request, arguing that it had not been submitted in accordance with the prescribed requirements, thus creating a legal discussion to delay the process of answering the questions asked. As a result of the minister’s stance, the parliamentarians went to the LAR Advisory Committee on Administrative Jurisdiction to appeal the government’s decision.
LAR Decision
On July 10th last, the LAR Committee notified MPs Wever-Croes and Tjon that a decision had been made and the final advice had been sent to Minister Gerlien Croes. According to the rules stipulated by law, the minister is obligated to deliver a copy of this advice to the concerned parties and has a 6-week period to make a final decision.
According to MP Endy Croes, the fact that the minister has not made this advice public is an indication that the outcome was not in her favor. He emphasized that the minister is obligated to comply with the law, and that if she continues to refuse to provide clarity, the next step will be a proceeding in the Court of First Instance. MP Endy Croes concluded by saying: “You can run, but you cannot hide!”