Oranjestad — Shailiny Tromp-Lee has publicly responded to recent statements made by Staatssecretaris van der Burg regarding the constitutional status of Aruba. According to Tromp-Lee, the State Secretary declared that since 10-10-10, Aruba “no tin Status Aparte mas” and should therefore be treated equally to Curaçao and Sint Maarten under the Kingdom Law on Financial Supervision (HOFA).
Tromp-Lee argued that this interpretation is constitutionally incorrect. She emphasized that Aruba acquired its autonomous position directly within the Kingdom in 1986, which was 24 years before Curaçao and Sint Maarten obtained a comparable status in 2010. She clarified that the progression of the other islands did not result in Aruba losing its established position.
Critiquing the proposed HOFA legislation, Tromp-Lee contended that it demands the same obligations from Aruba without providing the same benefits. She noted that while the law imposes identical restrictions, it lacks the debt relief and economic support that the other nations received. She argued that Aruba is expected to carry the same weight and consequences without the necessary rewards or safety nets.
“Forcing a foot into a shoe that isn’t its size is not discipline, it’s damage,” Tromp-Lee remarked regarding the equal application of the law. She further stated that local financial supervision, the LAft, has been functioning effectively since 2015. Tromp-Lee concluded by affirming her continued opposition to the Rijkswet Supervision Financiero.
