In a time of growing economic pressure, parliamentarian Eduard Pieters of the Patriotic Party of Aruba (PPA) faction is sounding a strong alarm: the cost of living in Aruba is rising at an alarming rate, while the government remains in dangerous silence. During a recent press conference, Pieters laid out the stark reality: the people of Aruba are receiving “blow after blow” with weekly and monthly increases, without any clear government plan to protect them.
Global crisis, direct impact on Aruba
The global situation is not helping. The war crisis in the Middle East is pushing oil prices to alarming levels, already surpassing $100 with forecasts reaching up to $150 per barrel. For an island that depends on imports, this has immediate consequences. One of the first impacts that will be felt after April 12 is a 25% increase in total freight costs, according to the commercial sector, including King Ocean Services.
This means one thing: all products will become more expensive.
“The people are living in total uncertainty,” Pieters stated.
Government silence: lack of leadership
While countries such as Curaçao and Sint Maarten have responded with concrete measures, in Aruba a hermetic silence prevails. The government is not informing the public:
- what is happening
- what the impact will be
- nor what the plan is to mitigate the damage
“This is unacceptable,” Pieters declared. “Government must lead and not remain silent while the people suffer.”
Promises without action: AVP and FUTURO are failing the people
During the election campaign, both Aruban People’s Party (AVP) and FUTURO promised to reduce the cost of living. Today, after more than a year in power, the reality is different:
There is no plan, no vision, and no concrete action.
“Every week we see drastic increases,” Pieters said. “The people cannot carry this burden any longer.”
Tax system is punishing the people
One of the main causes of the continuous increases is the BBO system, which operates cumulatively. Every international increase is multiplied by local taxation.
The result? The people pay more and the government earns more.
“Who benefits? The government,” Pieters emphasized.
“While the people suffer, the government receives more revenue.”
Solutions exist, but political will is lacking
The PPA is not only criticizing; they are presenting solutions:
Replace BBO with VAT (BTW) and eliminate BBO on freight and import duties on basic goods.
Even a respected businessman in the community, Mr. Saladin, proposed a practical solution: do not charge BBO on freight and import duties, to prevent rising transportation costs from being passed directly to consumers.
“The government has the executive power to do this today,” Pieters declared.
“But the political will is lacking.”
A government that has forgotten its people
According to Pieters, when a government sees that people are suffering but does not act, this goes beyond negligence.
“If you know the people are struggling and prices are rising week after week, yet you do nothing, you are abusing the people,” he stated firmly.
PPA demands accountability
The PPA faction is calling on both the Minister of Finance, Geoffrey Wever, and the Prime Minister, Mike Eman, to provide answers to the public:
- What is the concrete plan?
- How will the increases be mitigated?
- How will the people be protected and relieved?
“Leadership is not just words, but action,” Pieters concluded