The controversy surrounding Minister Gerlien Croes’ trip in a private jet has escalated to a high institutional level. Member of Parliament Rocco Tjon (MEP) has provided details on the steps the opposition faction has taken to seek clarity, denouncing a lack of transparency within Parliament and pointing to potential legal violations that could have serious consequences for the official’s tenure.
Since December of last year, Parliament has been struggling to obtain answers. According to Tjon, meetings were requested with Minister Gerlien Croes and Minister Wendrick Cicilia, but the President of Parliament, Marlon Sneek, has not yet honored these requests. The MP revealed that no fewer than 10 reminder letters have been sent to the presidency, without success. “It seems there is a political preference where AVP members get meetings quickly, while the work of the opposition is obstructed,” Tjon stated.
Potential Law Violations and the ‘Screening’ The core of the investigation lies in the legality of the flight and the method of payment. A legal opinion has been presented indicating that:
- S. Aviation: If Minister Croes paid for the trip out of her own pocket, she may have violated United States aviation laws (FAA).
- Lack of Commercial License: Minister Wendrick Cicilia himself confirmed that the aircraft in question does not possess a commercial license. This means that, legally, it is not permitted to receive any type of payment for conducting flights.
- Political Consequences: MP Tjon reminded that the Screening Law is very clear: a minister who violates the law cannot remain in their function.
Intervention by the Governor Due to what is considered a “blockade” in Parliament, the MEP faction has escalated the matter to the Governor of Aruba. On April 23, His Excellency replied to the letters, indicating that he had forwarded these concerns to Prime Minister Mike Eman. According to procedure, the Prime Minister is responsible for holding his ministers accountable when there are indications of unlawful conduct.
Waiting for “New Politics” The people of Aruba remain waiting to see if Minister Gerlien Croes will come forward to practice the “new politics” she advocates for. The fundamental questions that remain unanswered are:
- Who paid for that flight?
- How much was paid?
- On what date did this transaction take place?
EA News will continue to follow this case closely, monitoring the transparency and integrity that must prevail in our governance, while questioning whether Minister Gerlien Croes is worthy of her ministerial seat in light of the potential violation of the Minister Screening Law