Rene ‘Baba’ Herde Sworn in as Minister

On Tuesday, July 9, 2025, in the presence of Prime Minister Mr. Mike Eman, Minister Mr. Wendrick Cicilia, and Secretary of the Council of Ministers Mr. Indra Hassell-Duarte, the swearing-in of Drs. Gervais Rene Herde took place at the hands of Governor Alfonso Boekhoudt.

Following the approval of Drs. Herde’s credentials by Parliament, shortly afterward at the Cas Ceremonial, Mr. Herde was sworn in as the new Minister of Infrastructure, Energy, and Telecommunications, becoming the seventh minister in the AVP-Futuro Cabinet.

Prime Minister Eman assured that the responsibility is now in the hands of someone with great ability, dedication, and devotion, with a long political career and who has served his country honorably. Mr. Gervais “Baba” Rene Herde will serve as Minister of Energy while candidate Ing. Mike de Meza resolves the legal obstacles preventing him from taking office. Although the process may take time, there is hope that Ing. de Meza will eventually assume the role of Minister of Energy.

More about Gervais Rene Herde: Known as “Baba” to everyone, he was born in Companashi, Aruba on September 16, 1951. He is the son of Louisa Herde-Amoroso and Felix Romain Herde, a businessman, shooter, and restaurant manager. Besides playing baseball, Herde spent his youth in the youth club “De Trupialen.” His experiences in Companashi and “De Trupialen” helped shape the rest of his life. Rene graduated from Colegio Arubano (HBS-B) in 1971 and then studied politics, management, and education planning at Leiden University in the Netherlands.

After completing his studies, Mr. Herde returned to Aruba and began working for the island government in 1980, serving for many years as a member of the SIMAR union. He also participated in several commissions to prepare Aruba for Status Aparte. After Aruba gained autonomy in 1986, Mr. Herde contributed to the first plans for educational reform, the renewal of teacher training, and the initial planning for language policy and the introduction of Papiamento into Aruba’s education system.

Between 1987 and 1989, Rene Herde served as head of the Bureau of Organization & Efficiency, overseeing the government apparatus. Between 1989 and 1992, Herde worked at the University of Aruba, helping establish the Faculty of Financial Economics (FEF), and later worked in the private sector as Director of Personnel and Training at Aruba Seaport Resort from 1992 to 1994.

In 1990, Rene Herde joined the AVP party. He served as a member of the Party Council for every election without appearing on the list. During this time, he collaborated with AVP ministers and politicians like Henny Eman, Watty Vos, Manchi Engelbrecht, Mito Croes, Eddy Croes, Digna Lacle-Herera, Mary Wever-Lacle, Glenda Margaretha, Duke Croes, Roly Bislick, Tico Croes, Ike Posner, Benny Sevinger, Mike de Meza, and all ministers and parliamentarians from the 1990s up to 2025. In 2005, Mr. Herde ran for office for the first time and in 2009 entered the Parliament of Aruba, becoming the Fraction Leader.

In Parliament, he served on various commissions, chairing both the ‘Finance & Economy’ and the ‘Kingdom and Foreign Affairs’ commissions. In 2017, he concluded his professional and political career but remained active in the AVP party. In 2025, the AVP Party approached Mr. Herde to become Aruba’s Minister Plenipotentiary in The Hague under the AVP-Futuro Cabinet.

Rene Herde has two older siblings, Emile Herde and Bianca Tobin. He is married to Lucy Peterson and has three children: Paolo, Dinotra, and Eva Maria. He is also a grandfather to Zoë, Dex, and Ivy.

Prime Minister Eman thanked his colleague, Minister of Justice Mr. Drs. Arthur Dowers, for temporarily managing the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and ensuring the continuation of key matters.

Minister Herde made it clear that he is ready to work. “Work with a plan and with experienced people.” According to Minister Herde, there is no shame in being a retiree, responding to criticism on social media. Minister Herde emphasized that he is not afraid to work with the younger generation, is open to new ideas, and counts on strong support both within the party and Parliament.