During the celebration of 40 years of Status Aparte and 50 years of our Anthem and Flag, after a march with a large flag which was raised at the MEP headquarters, MEP leader Evelyn Wever-Croes addressed everyone present.
The desire of our people to be masters in our own home began at the start of the 20th century. At that time, it was believed that Aruba should make its own decisions instead of remaining dependent on Curaçao. Politicians such as Henny Eman, Shon A. Eman, and Juancho Irausquin channeled this desire and organized a petition signed by 2,147 people, which was presented to the Queen on March 18, 1948.
According to the MEP leader, her grandfather Panchico also signed it, but he and other citizens felt disappointed after the list was submitted, as the struggle for Aruba to govern itself was abandoned by the Eman leadership.
For many years, this date was not celebrated, but in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when Betico Croes entered the political arena—the Liberator and founder of the Movimiento Electoral di Pueblo (MEP)—the movement gained new momentum.
Betico Croes made it his life’s mission to fulfill the people’s aspiration so that Aruba could be free and make its own decisions. However, this struggle was not easy. There were many sacrifices, humiliations, criticisms, and attacks, both in Aruba and in the Netherlands.
Nevertheless, Betico Croes and those who fought alongside him did not give up; they persisted. Through their persistence, on March 12, 1983, during a Round Table Conference in the Netherlands, the historic words of former Dutch Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers were heard: “The decision has been made”—Aruba would obtain its Status Aparte.
However, when Aruba obtained its Status Aparte, it came with a condition: Aruba would become independent on January 1, 1996. Aruba officially received its Status Aparte on January 1, 1986.
Despite this, achieving Status Aparte was a major accomplishment, and the entire Aruban population united to celebrate. It is no secret that Betico Croes dedicated his life to ensuring that Arubans would have freedom. He built the foundation of the country called Aruba, but unfortunately did not live to see the freedom he helped create. He handed the keys of Aruba to its citizens, and now it is up to us to preserve, maintain, and protect that freedom.
According to the MEP leader, Betico Croes declared that he would leave Aruba like a diamond, and if anyone touched it, it would mean “war.”
Unfortunately, Betico Croes did not live to see the progress and prosperity that Status Aparte brought to Aruba, and the condition of independence within 10 years still remained. At that time, former Prime Minister Nelson Orlando Oduber and others fought to remove the independence date in 1993, ensuring that Aruba would maintain its Status Aparte permanently one with real substance that no one can take away.
This was emphasized by MEP leader Evelyn Wever-Croes in her speech during the celebration held just before midnight leading into March 18, marking 40 years of Status Aparte and 50 years of the Anthem and Flag at the MEP headquarters in Santa Cruz.
Those present at the MEP headquarters were able to enjoy a pleasant atmosphere with different musical groups performing, including a Betico group, as well as various food stands and a beautiful exhibition showcasing the true history. Children, youth, and adults were able to walk through and learn about the real story behind the achievement of Status Aparte and the signatories who supported Aruba’s autonomy.
