Parliamentarian: Mike de Meza provided clarity regarding the process and the documentation that has always been available at the Tax Department (DIMP). According to de Meza, DIMP always had all his documents, and he complied by providing all necessary information.
De Meza explained that in 2009, after receiving instructions from the formateur and the governor to put an end to his commercial activity and distance himself, the proper steps were taken. With the support of a team of accountants, notaries, and tax law specialists from the Netherlands, together with a STAK (Stichting Administratiekantoor – Trust Office Foundation), he legally reorganized his companies to remain at a distance and avoid influencing company decisions.
Despite this, he regrets that to this day these companies, which are completely non-active and without operations, are still being questioned. He emphasized that he remains the ultimate beneficiary owner (UBO) and is the one who acts for the company regarding certificates, but the fact that the companies are inactive shows that the investigation is based on other motives.
De Meza emphasized that the main problem is an abuse of power.
Previous experience: De Meza recalls that during his period as a member of parliament and as deputy prime minister and minister of finance, economy, and energy (2009–2017), he bore responsibility for several of the largest ministries in Aruba’s history.
He questions how a department that holds power can allow the abuse of power to persecute a person, and remarks that changes must come to Aruba. Just as they filed the complaint, they could have come directly to him to ask.
Mike de Meza mentioned that even in court, the judges asked if there was a delay in paperwork, whose duty it was to submit and comply; the judge asked if his documents were in order, and the answer was yes, and if he owed anything, the answer was no. However, five days prior, the complaint had already been submitted to the public prosecutor’s office, according to Mike de Meza.
The parliamentarian concluded that this situation is a political persecution and an abuse of power that cannot be tolerated in our country.