ORANJESTAD (AAN): Parliamentarian Xiomara Maduro is calling out Minister Geoffrey Wever for what she describes as a “political double standard” regarding the Avestruz case. Maduro points to Wever’s firm stance in 2021, when he sent an open letter to Mike Eman stating that Benny Sevinger could not be sworn in as a Parliamentarian, calling it “a dark stain on Aruba’s political history” and a poor example for the island’s youth.
Now that the sentence has been handed down in the Avestruz case, Minister Wever has remained silent. During a parliamentary meeting, Wever stated he did not wish to give his opinion out of compassion for the family. However, Maduro argues that compassion cannot be a reason for a minister to stay quiet on a case that has caused significant harm to the community.
The Avestruz case affected many young people who waited years for a plot of land. “Even Minister Wever, who campaigned among young professionals, now has no opinion? The people have the right to know what the Minister thinks now that the judge has given the final sentence,” Maduro stated.
Taking Responsibility for the Avestruz Case
For the MEP Parliamentarian, it is the duty of Minister Wever and his colleagues to provide clarity, assume responsibility, and demonstrate how such situations will be prevented in the future. Maduro concluded: “You cannot be strong against Benny in 2021 and silent in 2026 now that punishment has fallen in the Avestruz case.”
