Vrolijk(MEP): Minister Croes still has not provided proof of private-jet payment

ORANJESTAD - Parliamentarian Edgard Vrolijk is criticizing Minister Gerlien Croes for still not providing proof of payment related to his use of a private jet, despite a formal recommendation issued by the LAR Commission on July 10, 2026.

According to Vrolijk, Croes initially said he had paid for the flight himself, but later stated that the cost had been shared. Requests from parliamentarians for proof of payment went unanswered, as did a subsequent request under Aruba’s public-information law, the LOB.

The matter was then brought before the LAR Commission, which concluded that the minister was required to provide the requested information. Four weeks later, Vrolijk says no response has been received.

Vrolijk also points out that the AVP-Futuro government pledged in its coalition agreement to strengthen the LAR process and ensure its recommendations are respected within legal deadlines. If the minister fails to respond within the applicable period, the parliamentarians intend to take the matter to court.

According to Vrolijk, the issue is not only about transparency but also about public money potentially being spent on legal proceedings over information that, in his view, should have been provided from the outset.