Transparency and compliance with good governance laws are under scrutiny in Aruba after Member of Parliament Rocco Tjon spoke out against Minister Gerlien Croes (Minister of Education and the portfolio of Kingdom Relations). The accusations focus on the use of public funds for private jet travel and questions surrounding the legality of her portfolio and administrative decisions, sitting at the table negotiating with a Kingdom Relations title that she actually lacks authorization and legal basis to use.
The Private Jet Case and the LAR Council Withholding the Delivery of Advice:
• Delivery of Advice: On July 10, 2026, the LAR Objection Advisory Committee (Bezwaaradviescommissie LAR) delivered its official advice to the Minister regarding an objection filed on March 30, 2026.
• Failure to Comply: Although more than ten days have passed since the official delivery, to this day the Minister has not shared or published a copy of this advice with the concerned parties and the public.
• Legal Obligation: According to the committee, the administrative body (bestuursorgaan) has six weeks to make a decision on the objection (bezwaar), but the constitutional and legal obligation to provide information to Parliament and the public demands immediate transparency regarding the official LAR advice.
The Political Position and the National Ordinance on the Establishment of Ministries (LIM): In addition to the private jet controversy, there are serious questions regarding the validity of her portfolio as Minister of Kingdom Relations:
• False Position at the Table with the Netherlands: It is pointed out that Minister Gerlien Croes sits at the table with rulers of the Netherlands in a political position considered irregular, because the National Ordinance on the Establishment of Ministries (Landsverordening Instelling Ministerie, LIM) and relevant laws have not been amended to formalize the separation or transfer of this portfolio under the Prime Minister.
• Violation of Law and Rules: The fact that structural changes in the laws of the Country of Aruba have not taken place places the execution of this portfolio in a confusing zone, making it clear that governance rules are repeatedly violated.